Sunday Conference Sessions

Morning Session

Photo: Jason Olson, Deseret Newss

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
The world is always looking for some new solution to their problems, but they all fall short of the everlasting change we are looking for in our lives. The Savior gave us His gospel, the grand key of knowledge that unlocks a life of happiness, peace, and fulfillment. The Gospel is not secret or complicated. It can unlock the door to true happiness, and we can have confidence and joy in times of despair.

Discipleship is a journey. It is the measure of our willingness to follow our Savior. Discipleship is not a spectator sport. Ours is not a second-hand religion. We must practice what we preach. Mistakes should not keep up from enjoying the blessings of the gospels. We all have sins, but we also have the atonement of Christ when we repent.

When we give up on ourselves, the Lord doesn’t. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of transformation. It is never too late.

Elder Neil L. Andersen:
I know, through the power of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ. I know that I am not what I must become. The Lord will shape the back to fit the burden to be placed upon it (President Monson). All my life, I have been trying to become the person that my wife already thought I was.

Elder Steven E. Snow:
Change is an essential part of life’s experiences whether they are anticipated or unexpected Comfort and fear can keep us from making the changes necessary in life. By following the prophets, keeping an eternal perspective, having faith, and being of good cheer we can face life's unexpected challenges.

Sister Barbara Thompson:
There is little time remaining to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever happens in life, Jesus Christ has the power to save. We must firm in our purpose to increase in faith, strengthen family and home, and serve the children of God. God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. There in Gethsemane, the Father withdrew his spirit, his personal presence, from Jesus, so that the Son could feel what it was like to be totally alone. But Jesus held on in spite of complete anguish. He proved that God is always faithful and never fails us. The Savior’s solitary task of shouldering the burden of salvation alone, has blessed us in our aloneness. We will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times, but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear.

President Thomas S. Monson:
There are continuing signs that the world is changing. Finances and morality are quickly declining. Wars, natural disasters and personal misfortunes continue to occur. But, instead of becoming discouraged and cynical about the future, being fearful of what might come, or dwelling only on what is wrong in the world and in our lives, let us focus our thoughts and attitudes on our blessings as members of the Church.

We know that there are times when we will suffer, and times when we will experience joy and happiness. As we grow and learn, we can be of good cheer and not fear because the Lord will stand by us. And, as we gain strength by following His commandments and keeping the covenants we have made with Him, our future will be as bright as our faith. This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on and to emerge victorious.

Afternoon Session

President Dallin H. Oaks:
We live in a time when sacrifice is definitely out of fashion, when the outside forces that taught our ancestors the need for unselfish cooperative service have diminished. The worldly aspiration of our day is to get something for nothing. This type of thinking goes against the law of the harvest. Just as the Savior gave of himself selflessly, we must forget ourselves and get to work in our missionary, temple, and church service. The goal should be how many people we helped, not how many positions we held. Love one another and serve selflessly. We are happier because of what we give instead of what we get. You can’t be a life a life-saver if you look like every other swimmer at the beach.

Elder David A. Bednar:
We live in a great day of temple building around the world, where more and more faithful new members of the church are able to receive the blessings of the temple. The reason God gathers His people is to build temples. We truly take upon us the name of Christ when we worship in the templ, receive the protection of ordinances, and make sacred covenants. Be worthy and steadfast in looking forward to the blessings of the temple.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson:
You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide guidance and direction for you. It is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth. Following the prophets will turn the doors of our homes toward the temple. Our homes should be like our temples, places that will not offend the spirit, places where standards are in place that keep them sacred.

Elder José A. Teixeira:
Jesus Christ has a plan for us. Help is available for us. We are not alone. What a comfort it is to know this! Using the spiritual gifts we have been given is paramount to our salvation. We have been blessed with our own GPS system that is run by conscience and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Keeping the commandments, and listening to the prophets keeps the signal strong.

Elder F. Michael Watson:
Let those who have gone before us, and have experience, have the reins and let them guide us. As members of this Church heed the words and commandments the Lord gave to the prophets of the Testaments, and followed by the Lord's prophet even today, we will more fully understand that Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. President Monson has truly exemplified, in his life, the pattern of the Master and the sincere desire to always be found in His service. It is President Monson who is the Lord's mouthpiece and whose counsel and direction we are admonished to follow. In a very real sense, the Master speaks to us through His prophet.

Elder L. Tom Perry:
Sometimes we, as the members of the church, seem to be missing in action. In a member oriented program, we are the shepherds. We should all ponder how it feels to be lost and then act as the shepherd. There are three things we can do to help the missionaries with inactive members and non-members: 1) declare our belief of Jesus Christ and His atonement, 2) tell in our own words the story of the first vision, and 3) testify of the Book of Mormon. Most of the full-time missionaries’ time is spent finding people instead of using the principals found in Preach My Gospel to share the gospel. We should be finding the people for them. We must all preach the message of the restoration. We must warn our neighbors. Be a member missionary. How great shall be your joy!!

President Thomas S. Monson:
I urge you to study the messages of this conference, and apply them in you lives. Let us strive to live closer to the Lord. Pray always. Express love to your children and pray for them. Attend the temple often. Continue in humanitarian service, and your donations in this regard. We are a blessed people.

A word of caution to all: We live when the adversary is using every thing possible to snare us and take us down with him. I sound this warning to all, especially the young, cease NOW if you are involved in pornography. May we say, with Joshua of old, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Saturday Conference Sessions

Morning Session

President Thomas S. Monson:
Elder Neil Linden Andersen sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (97th Apostle in this dispensation)

Church is doing well; the work is going forward. Serving helps the Lord accomplish his purpose. Our Heavenly Father loves each of us and is mindful of our needs.

Elder Robert D. Hales:
Freedom to choose has declined because of bad choices of excess. We can learn from our economic problems. Debt occurs when we cannot determine uncontrolled wants from needs. The law of the tithe helps us to overcome the things of this world. Establish a family budget in family counsel. Set goals and let them guide your spending. Be content with what we have, and save for rainy days.

Find Hope in the savior and His doctrines. Look after the poor and the needy. Serve and bless others. Each temptation we overcome can strengthen us. Seek help from Heavenly Father.

Sister Margaret S. Lifferth:
Reverence is profound respect combined with love. Reverence invites revelation.

We need to cultivate respect for each other, and reverence for the spirit of worship as we teach the gospel. We need to set the example of respect in the home, at sports event, with the property of others, with those who I disagree with, etc.

Brother Michael A. Neiderr:
Our youth are are powerful tools in the Savior's hands and He can use them to bring the blessings of the gospel to others. Teach them to become dedicated students of the scriptures and other good books, and to use inspired directions that they receive.

A quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit. Advisors should help the quorum presidency learn leadership skills, and not do the work themselves.

Elder Allan F. Packer:
There are serious challenges ahead, but it is a wonderful time to be alive, especially for the youth. Prophecies are being fulfilled and we need to work out our salvation. We must know that we have been given the knowledge that God the Father is the father of our spirits; that Jesus is our Savior; and that we have the gift of the Holy Ghost to give us divine guidance. Having the capacity to receive inspiration will be needed in the coming days. Testimonies need to be developed and nurtured.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson:
We need strong Christians. Divine covenants make strong Christians. The new and everlasting covenant is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Obedience to covenants helps us to act instead of react to our situations in life, produces the faith necessary to persevere, and gives us the faith to face and endure trials. The gift of the Holy Ghost is part of the new and everlasting covenant. God will keep His promises to us as we honor our covenants with Him.

President Henry B. Eyring:
Heavenly Father and our Savior live and love all of Humanity. But, in spite of all the differences in our lives, we must all deal with adversity. We must be transformed by making righteous choices through trials. Faith and courage come from a testimony that we are being prepared for eternal life. Do all that you can to be worthy of the Lord’s help in hard times. Give to others when you are in need, and smile as you do it.

Afternoon Session

Photo: Jason Olson, Deseret News

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
Sustaining of General Authorities and Officers.
New General Sunday School Presidency: Brother Russel T. Osguthorpe, Brother David M. McConkie, and Brother Matthew O. Richardson

New General Young Men Presidency: Brother David L.Beck, Brother Larry M. Gibson, and Brother Adrian Ochoa.

Elder Robert W. Cantwell: Financial Report.
Elder F. Michael Watson: Statistical Report.

Elder M. Russell Ballard:
When you are willing to listen and learn, some of life’s most important lessons will be taught by those who have gone before you. You ought to learn those lessons so that you don't exhaust your spiritual strength repeating past mistakes and bad choices.

The cycle throughout time is the cycle of righteousness, prosperity, material comforts, greed, pride, wickedness and collapse of morality, humility repentance, change to righteousness...

Spiritual light is lost, not when God turns his back on his children, but when they turn their collective backs on God because of choices that are made.

Elder Quentin L. Cook:
The plan of salvation is big enough for all of God’s children. Be loving and kind to all members of our faith no matter their level of commitment. Salvation is free to all men. We are to persuade all to repentance. Our destination should be paradise.

Brother Kevin W. Pearson:
True faith must be centered in Jesus Christ. Faith is a spiritual gift that comes through the Holy Ghost. We have been commanded to teach our children the doctrine of faith. Strong faith is developed by living the commandments. If we want strong faith, we must be obedient in behavior and attitude. Fear and faith cannot coexist. In a household of faith there is no need to doubt or dispair.

Elder Rafael E. Pino:
Living the gospel does not keep adversity from us, but teaches us that we can be prepared to face and endure our trials and therefore learn from them. Sometimes the Lord is the only source of peace. In tragic circumstances, pain and sorrow can leave because of the light of the gospel given to us through the atonement.

Elder Richard G. Scott:
When a temple is close by, set specific goals of regular temple attendance, and do not let anything get in the way of that plan. As you attend temple, give yourself the time needed to strive to understand the doctrines related to the temple ordinances. Consider your relationship to Jesus Christ and His relationship to God the Father. Always express gratitude for the ordinance and blessings. Find your ancestors and then do the temple work for them.

Elder Russell M. Nelson:
Pray always with faith and trust in the Lord. We pray to the Father in the name of his son Jesus Christ. If the companionship of the Holy Ghost is so important, we should pray for it in our lives. If we really care for one another, we should pray for each other. Our prayers should not be memorized, but patterned after the prayers of the Savior. Prayer can be enhanced by song and by fasting.

Priesthood Session

President Thomas S. Monson:
The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church, and the power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments. The power manifested by the priesthood is simply the power of God. The priesthood is the Lord's troops against the forces of evil. Each man and each boy who holds the priesthood of God must be worthy of that great privilege and responsibility. Each must strive to learn his duty and then to do it to the best of his ability. In the world today we face difficulties and challenges, some of which can seem truly daunting. However, with God on our side, we cannot fail. As we bear His holy priesthood worthily, we will be victorious.

President Henry B. Eyring:
The responsibility for others is at the heart of faithful priesthood service. Our comrades are being wounded in the spiritual conflict around us. So are the people we are called to serve and protect from harm. Spiritual wounds are not easily visible, except with inspired eyes. We should never put off an impression to help, because the wounds of sin are often not felt at first by the one being hurt. have seen. Satan seems sometimes to inject something to deaden the spiritual pain while inflicting the wound. Even a best friend, other leaders, or parents may not see what you have seen. You may have been the only one to sense, by inspiration, the warning cry. Only an authorized judge in Israel is given the power and the responsibility to verify that there is a serious wound, to explore it, and then under inspiration from God prescribe the necessary treatment for healing to begin. Yet you are under covenant to go to a spiritually wounded child of God. You are responsible to be brave enough and bold enough not to turn away.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
Are your hearts and thoughts focused on the things that matter most? How you spend your quiet time may provide a clue. What excuses do you cling to that keep you from being the kind of husband, father, son, and priesthood holder you know you should be? It is possible to take even good things to excess. Do you neglect quality or meaningful time with your children or grandchildren while spending hours searching for ancestors, or spend days weeding a garden while ignoring the spiritual weeds that threaten to choke your soul? We need balance in life.

President Boyd K. Packer:
To the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood: Your generation is filled with uncertainties. You are now moving from a generation of ease and entertainment to a generation of work and responsibility. We do not know how long that will last. The reality of life is now part of your priesthood responsibilities. It will not hurt you to want something and not have it. There is a maturing and disciplining that will be good for you. It will ensure that you can have a happy home and raise a happy family. Learn to work and to support. Take care of your possessions — your clothing, your property. Do not be wasteful. Learn to be content. It may seem that the world is in commotion; and it is! It may seem that there are wars and rumors of wars; and there are! It may seem that the future will hold trials and difficulties for you; and it most likely will! However, fear is the opposite of faith. Do not be afraid!

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa:
As we consider the wise use of our time and resources to meet the needs of our families, our employment, and our Church callings, it is important to remember that every priesthood holder needs to grow spiritually. When we do the Savior's work and His will, rather than our own, we will realize tha tthe yoke is easy and the burden is light. He will be with us always. He will reveal to us what we need for success with our families, our career, and every responsibility that wehave in His Church.

Bishop Richard C. Edgley:
For those who are currently be unemployed, the responsibility for finding employment or improving your employment rests with you. Seek guidance from the Lord through regular fasting and prayer. Speak up, and let your priesthood leaders know you are looking for work. It is the obligation of the priesthood quorum to assist a needy member in providing continually for himself and his family.

Sunday Conference Notes

Morning Session

President Henry B. Eyring
The Lord's Prophets have always preached about unity. The need for that gift, and the challenge to maintain it, will grow greater in the days ahead because of the the division, differences, and the increased conflict between peoples of the world. That is why my message of hope today is that a great day of unity is coming in which we will be prepared as a people for our glorious destiny. The miracle of unity is being granted to us as we pray and work for it in the Lord's way. Our hearts will be knit together in unity. You have seen evidence as I have that we are moving toward becoming one. The Lord does not grant the joy of unity to individuals. It comes when we gather together. We can follow the will of the Lord, together, by following the commandments, being humble, and speaking well of each other. Pride is the great enemy of unity.

Elder Robert D. Hales
When people attack our Church and beliefs we should not respond aggressively, but step back and follow the savior's example.When we respond to our accusers as the savior did, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him. True disciples seek guidance from the spirit, respond in ways that invite the spirit, are concerned with the welfare of others, avoid being judgmental of the views of others, speak with quiet confidence, and sometimes show courage by saying nothing at all. Meekness is not weakness. When we do not retaliate, and resist feelings of anger, it is Christian courage. We should be concerned with the welfare of others, help them understand the truth. bear testimony, love our accusers. We are not better than they are, but we can show them a better way. Answer with Christian courage.

Bishop Keith B. McMullin
Knowing that God created men and women is a truth that elevates the human family. But, we all have to contend with challenges of mortality such as moral temptations, heartaches, hardships, sickness, aging, and death. For these reasons and more, we need help. We can call on our Heavenly Father for help. The Lord can bless us through our efforts as we serve each other. God's help also comes through prayer. In other times of need, we can request a Priesthood blessing, but the ultimate help from Heavenly Father comes to us through His son, the Redeemer of the world.

Sister Elaine S. Dalton
Them temple is the reason we do everything in the Church. It is the reason our ancestors suffered privations and death to come west. Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on moral standards that include chastity and moral purity. It begins in the heart and in the mind, and is nurtured in the home. Virtue is a prerequisite to entering the Lord's temple, and to receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit. I truly believe that one virtuous young woman or young man, led by the spirit, can change the world. But, in order to do so, we must return to virtue.

Elder Russell M. Ballard
Jseph Smith was aware of the future struggles of the church in this dispensation, but he also knew that no enemy would have sufficient power to stop the purposes of God. There is still much to do before God can announce the world is done. The struggles we face today are different than those of the pioneers, but they are no less demanding. Instead of angry mobs we face those who constantly try to defame. Instead of extreme exposure and hardship, we face alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, greed, and spiritual apathy. This is not a time for the spiritually faint of heart. We cannot afford to be superficially righteous. Our testimonies must run deep, with spiritual roots firmly embedded in the rock of revelation.

President Thomas S. Monson
We all must deal with change in our lives. There is nothing as constant as change. Some changes are welcome while others are not. Some happen suddenly, but most take place subtly and slowly. This is our one and only chance at morality. Let us find joy in the journey of life as we live it. What is most important in life is found in the people around us. we should be helping each other face the stresses of life as best we can through encouragement and love. As God loves us, we should love each other. Take pleasure in the small things, and be filled with gratitude for them. Be grateful to each other, and to our Heavenly Father. Let us follow him, let us emulate his example, let us obey his word, by so doing we give to him the divine gift of gratitude.

Afternoon Session

President Boyd K. Packer
In these perilous times, if we are to be safe individually, as families, and secure as a church, it will be because we have kept the Lord's commandments. In spite of years of mobbing and persecution, the early saints were long-suffering, tolerant, forgiving, and Christian. They could have been consumed with revenge, but instead they were anchored in revelation and teachings from the scriptures. Today we are guided by the same revelations, teachings, and we are led by a prophet. We will stay on course. We must anchor ourselves as families and as a church to those principles and ordinances. We must look forward with faith.

Elder Russell M. Nelson
We have a profound sense of gratitude for the the great plan of happiness. All human beings are created in the image of God and have a divine nature assigned before this life. The family is central to the Creator's plan. Joy comes when we follow the Lord. Celestial marriage is a pivotal part of preparation for eternal life. It requires one to be married to the right person, in the right place, by the right authority, and to obey that sacred covenant faithfully. If a lesser choice was made previously, that choice can be upgraded to Celestial marriage. That requires a mighty and permanent change of heart, but is eternally worth it. The family proclamation says a husband and wife have a responsibility to care for each other. Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, there is great joy in this life and in the life to come.

President William D. Oswald
Teaching the gospel is a sacred and holy calling. Our influence as teachers will be magnified when we we take the responsibility to learn and use these basic principles: 1] show love for those you teach and call them by name, 2] teach from the scriptures, and 3] encourage those you teach to ponder the gospel truths they have learned. We can understand these principles better by carefully watching able teachers in our wards and branches, reviewing The Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting On Teaching and Learning, and using Teaching, No Greater Call.

Elder Eduardo Gavarret
Just as most humans long to return home to the warmth of their families, many inactive members and those still seeking the Gospel yearn for such closeness. The attention and care towards our brethren are profound manifestations of our love for our Heavenly Father. We express our love for God when we serve. When this service is focused on the well-being of our neighbors, what a tremendous impact we can make in the lives of so many less active families and those who are not members of the Church. Let us accept the Savior's invitations to feed my sheep.

Elder Carlos A. Godoy
A testimony may come through a single and unquestionable event, but it may also come through many less remarkable experiences that, when combined, testify in of the truthfulness of what we have lived and learned. Scripture teaches us that the voice of testimony is not loud or harsh but a still small voice that requires the attention and effort of the listener to hear.

elder Quentin L. Cook
The atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life, regardless of our trials. With the abundance we have today, we would be ungrateful if we did not appreciate our blessings. I do not know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of ingratitude [Brigham Young]. Our foremost gratitude should be for the Savior and his atonement. We are aware that many are experiencing trials and hardships of such intensity that the underlying feeling in their heart as they approach our Father in Heaven, in prayer, is, Hope ya know, I'm having a hard time! At times, when we may feel to say, Hope you know, I had a hard time, we can be assured that He is there, and we are safe in His loving arms. When President Monson was asked, on his birthday this past August, what would be the ideal gift that members worldwide could give him, he said, without hesitation, Find someone who is having a hard time, and do something for them!

President Thomas S. Monson
May we long remember what we have heard during this General Conference. Each of the messages which have been given will be printed in next month's Ensign and Liahona magazines. I urge you to study them, and ponder thier teachings. I assure you that God is mindful of the challenges we face in the world today. We are a global church. Our membership is found throughout the world. May we be good citizens of the nations in which wel live, and good neighbors in our communities. Reaching out to those of other faiths, as well as to our own. May we be men and women of honesty and integrity in everything we do. There are those throughout the world who are hungry, there are those who are destitute. Working together we can alleviate suffering and provide for those in need. May we ever be mindful of the needs of those around us, and be ready to extend a helping hand and a loving heart. May we live in peace. and harmony. and love. May we strive each day to follow the Savior's example. God bless you, and I thank you for your prayers in my behalf, and in behalf of all the General Authorities. We are deeply grateful to you.

Saturday Conference Notes

Morning Session

President Thomas S. Monson
Five new temples will be built around the world: Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Cordoba, Argentina; the greater Kansas City area; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Rome, Italy. Cultural pageants, such as those presented at temple dedications in Brazil, Panama, and Idaho provide opportunities for church youth form new friendships, create memories, and to participate in something very unforgettable. Pray for the opening of missionary areas throughout the world where the Church's influcence is limited. Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us and our needs.

Elder L. Tom Perry
Our mortal lives are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. One of the challenges of this mortal experence is not to allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us. We all have four basic gospel needs for leading a simple, yet beautiful life:
Food: When we obey the counsel of the word of wisdom we gain the blessings of a healthy body and alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Clothing: Our dress and grooming send a messageto others about who we are and it also affect the way we act around others.
Shelter: Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor's house across the street.
Spiritual Fuel: We must acquire knowledge of God's eternal plan and our role in it, and then by living righteously, surrendering our will to the will of the lord, we receive promised blessings.

Sister Sylvia H. Allred
We are the Lord's Church and have the responsibility to preach the gospel in the world; to take them the message of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We can contribute to successful missionary work by preparing ourselves and family members to serve as missionaries, inviting friends and family to listen to the missionaries, attending church meetings and activities, opening our homes to missionary discussions, giving referrals to missionaries, seeking opportunities to reach out to others, extending friendship to investigators and new converts, and supporting family and friends.

Elder Neil L. Andersen
When we have moments of powerful inspiration and spiritual revelation, we need to savor and save them deep in our souls for the lean times in our lives. We all face challenges, difficulties, questions, and doubt that are all part of mortality. And, when we do we need to face them with faith not fear. Through the years as we increase in experience our faith becomes simple and pure. Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the beginning, but we learn, grow, and build a foundation of faith that will sustain us.

Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis
The promise made by Gordon B. Hinckley that families will receive spiritual blessings if they read the Book of Mormon has been fulfilled in the Aidukaitus family. My father was baptized into the church on June 2, 1940, and although he faced many trials of his faith he remained true to his dicison because he had read the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon and the spirit of the Holy Ghost can convert anyone.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks
We live in the perilous times prophesied by the Apostle Paul. But, we can have the spirit of the Lord to guide our choices and keep us on the straight and narrow by participating in the weekly ordinance of the sacrament. Sacrament meeting is the most important meeting of the Sabbath. There is a standard for sacrament meeting, but the rising generation seems to not understand or practice these things. Each member has the responsibility to for having a spiritual sacrament meeting. We should dress as we would to attend the temple. How we dress will effect how we participate in the ordinance of the sacrament. When we join in the solemnity that should always accompany the ordinance, we are qualified for the companionship and revelation of the spirit. This is the way we get direction for our lives and peace along the way.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Hope is one leg of a three-leggd stool. Together with Faith and Charity, these three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter. Hope is a gift of the spirit, and has the power to fill our lives with happiness . The abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill his promises, confidence that if we live according to God's laws and the words of his prophets now we will receive desired blessings in the future, and hope is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. Despair is the opposite of hope and drains from us all that is vibrant and joyful. It kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart.

Afternoon Session

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin
The Lord in his wisdom does not shield anyone from grief or sadness. If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of great happiness. Come what may and love it! The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. we can:
Learn to Laugh: Laugh instead of groaning or getting angry.
Seek the Eternal: Christ understands our suffering and grief. Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome.
Know That the Lord Compensates the Faithful for Every Sorrow: That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in his own way.
Put Trust in Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ: Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father. Adversity in your lives can bless us.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland
Just as God sent angels to Adam and Eve, he still sends angels in times of need to bless his children. Seen or unseen, angels are always near. God sends angels to convey love and concern, to comfort, and to warn us. Angels come from both sides of the veil. Heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind. Remember the Lord has said He would fight battles for the faithful. To merit such a defense search diligently, pray always, and be believing. God never leaves us alone.

Elder Gérald Caussé
Our heavenly father is always available to us. He adapts to our level of understanding. It would be unjust if the gospel were only accessible to the intellectual elite. Little children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have total trust in their teacher, a pure spirit, and great humility. The same qualities which open the door to the Holy Spirit. We must become as children; submissive, meek, humble, full of love, willing to submit to the Lord. Knowing God is a matter of opening one's heart to gain spiritual understanding. When we seek with the heart, we know God and learn that He loves us.

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge
There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment and Jesus Christ is that way. He offers a well of living water. We can choose to drink and never thirst again, or not. He is the bread of life. We can choose to eat and hunger no more, or not. Everything depends on Christ's atonement and receiving power of the Holy Ghost. The Lord said to follow Him and to be like Him. The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the Gospel. Get on the path and never ever give up.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Zion is both a place and a people. Zion is the pure in heart. Babylon is the antithesis of Zion. If we would establish Zion in our home, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise to a Zion standard. To become a holy people we must be unified in one heart and one mind, and care for the poor the the needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty. Materialism is a manifestation of idolatry and pride. In these uncertain times we need to look after one another the very best we can.

Elder David A. Bednar
Revelation is communication from Heavenly Father to his children on earth. Revelation is received through the Holy Ghost. Prayer is communication to Heavenly Father from His sons and daughters on earth. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings. As we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others with real intent and sincere heart, expressing gratitude should be an important part of prayer. Ingratitude invites the wrath of God.

Priesthood Session

President Thomas S. Monson
How can priesthood holders better follow the savior in his sacred work? Three imperatives apply to the Deacon as well as the High Priest: 1] learn what we should learn, 2] do what we should do, and 3] be what we should be. When we do these things, the blessings of heaven will attend. This work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it. Be prudent in your planning, be conservative in your living, and avoid excessive and unnecessary debt, make you homes sanctuaries of righteousness.

President Henry B. Eyring
See that ye serve God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. When we give our all in Priesthood service the Lord will give us all the courage we need, and that angels will bear us up. For God to give you increased power you must go in service and faith to your outer limits. It is like building muscle strength. You break down the muscles to build them up. Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God. Through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ our natures can be changed. We are called of God. This is His true Church and His everlasting Priesthood. President Thomas Monson holds all the keys of the Priesthood in the world.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Individual recognition is rarely an indication of the value of our service. We do not know the names of any of the two thousand sons of Helaman as individuals. They are unnamed. As a group they will always be named as a symbol of honesty and courage. They accomplished together what none of them could have accomplished alone. Brethren, as strong as you are, you cannot and should not lift a piano my yourself. As great as President Monson is, he cannot and should not move the Lord's work by himself. But, if we all stand close together in the place the Lord has appointed, and lift where we stand, nothing can keep this divine work from moving upward and forward. May we cease to aspire and cease to retire.

Elder Richard C. Scott
The purpose of Priesthood authority is to give, to serve, to lift, to inspire, not to exercise unrighteous control or force. It is not the way of the Lord for a man to play a dominant role. With a feeling of authority, to control and regulate all family affairs, or for a wife to be owned by her husband, that is a cruel, unproductive, mistaken image of marriage encouraged by Lucifer. God will hold us accountable for how we treat his precious daughters. Let us treat them as the Lord would wish to have them treated. I pray that the Lord will guide us to be more inspired, sensitive, and productive with the priesthood we hold, especially with his daughters. Many husbands practice equal partnership with their companion to benefit both.

Elder Jay E. Jensen
I have pondered how to effectively teach the atonement to others. The phrase arms of safety has been useful. When we were baptized and received the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands, we received two ordinances that introduce us to the arms of safety. By coming humbly and fully repentant to sacrament meeting, and worthily partaking of the sacrament, we may feel those arms again and again. In the administration of the sacrament, occasionally we see a disturbing drift toward too much informality and casualness in dress and appearance. True servants of Jesus Christ are properly groomed and dressed, and reflect always his standards and not the worldly drift of casualness. Having every detail carefully attended to, ensures that the spirit of the Lord will be present.

Elder James A. Hamula
It is my desire to help the brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood to more deeply appreciate who they are, what their purpose in life is, and how they may succeed in accomplishing that purpose. I intend to inspire soberness, not fear. Being sober means being earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances and the consequences of your actions. We can defeat Satan today the same
way he was defeated in the beginning: by [1] faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice, [2] testimony of Him that was steadfastly kept to the very end, and [3] consecration of oneself to the Lord and His work. Seeking out, hearing the word of the Lord . and obeying it will provide the faith necessary to overcome the adversary.

Sunday Conference Sessions

Morning Session


Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I testify that the doctrine of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the faith of our Heavenly Father. It is His truth revealed to his servants the Prophets from the days of father Adam until our own time. The Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith to restore the faith of our Father on this earth, never to be taken away again. God desires that all of his children receive it, irrespective of their background, culture, or tradition. True religion should not originate from what pleases men, or the traditions of ancestors. But, rather from what pleases God, our Eternal Father.

Elder d. Todd Christofferson
It is faith in Christ as the Atoning One, the Redeemer, who can cleanse from sin and make holy. To be complete however, repentance requires a covenant of obedience. Baptism unto repentance is the culminating step. The capstone of our repentance. Then the Lord baptizes us by fire, or the Holy Ghost. As members continue in the path of rebirth, temptations will lose their appeal, and through Christ you will become holy, as He and His Father are holy.

Elder Sheldon F. Child
As we faithfully pay our tithes, the Lord will indeed open the windows of Heaven, and pour us out a blessing that there shall not be room to receive it. We are living in challenging economic times, however if we look back over the past years, we find there have been, and will continue to be, times of relative prosperity and times of financial uncertainty. However, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, if we pay our obligation to the Lord, and then use wisdom and good judgment, the Lord will help us manage the resources he has given us.

Sister Susan W. Tanner
My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord: His law, His life, His love. To delight in Him is to acknowledge His hand in our lives. Our gospel duty is to do what is right and to love what is right. When we delight to serve Him, our Father in Heaven delights to bless us.

President Boyd K. Packer
The most precious thing lost in the apostasy was the authority held by the twelve: the Priesthood Keys. For the church to be His church, there must be a Quorum of the Twelve who hold the keys, and can confer them on others. Since the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James, and John to Joseph Smith, there has been an unbroken line of authority. The same Priesthood Keys Christ gave his apostles have always been held by members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. The present twelve apostles, like the original twelve, are not spectacular individually, but collectively they are a power.

President Thomas S. Monson
I pledge my life, my strength, all that I have to offer in serving Him and in directing the affairs of His Church in accordance with His will and His inspiration. My earnest prayer is that I might continue to be a worthy instrument in His hands to carry on this great work and to fulfill the tremendous responsibilities which come with the office of President. A sweet spirit of unity exists among the general authorities. I would encourage members of the church, wherever they may be, to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity, we can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.


afternoon session



Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
The LDS Church claims that God continues to speak His word and reveal His truth. Revelations that mandate an open canon of scripture is one of the doctrinal issues that are viewed by some as marking the Church as not Christian. Some Christians, in large measure because of their genuine love for the Bible, have declared that there can be no more authorized scripture beyond the Bible. In thus pronouncing the canon of revelation closed, our friends in some other faiths shut the door on divine expression that we in the LDS Church hold dear: The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, and ongoing guidance received by God's anointed Prophets and Apostles. Continuing revelation does not demean nor discredit existing revelation. Please do not misunderstand, we love and revere the Bible. The Bible is the word of God. It is always identified first in the canon of our standard works.

Elder David A. Bednar
Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer. Even though we recognize the importance of prayer, all of us can improve the consistency and efficacy of our personal and family prayers. I have long been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence. To pray for the success of missionaries is meaningless without a true effort to support the work meaningfully. To pray for the poor and needy requires action to alleviate their needs. Prayers may not be answered until after one has endured the trial of our faith. Recognizing and accepting the will of God in one's life is an important aspect of prayer.

Elder W. Craig Zwick
The time has come when we must take an unyielding stand. We must shore up our spiritual underpinnings and be prepared to withstand the wiles of the devil. A teenage boy recently asked his mother, "Do I need to lower my standards to keep my friends?" It is a profound question for each of us to consider at all stages of life. Are we lowering our standards to fit into our neighborhoods? Are we altering our values to suit the situation in the workplace, or to be popular at school? Don't do it! Live by your standards and stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes it is not easy and you may be standing alone for a while. Find friends with integrity and character and tell them you appreciate their example. Pray for guidance and protection from the Lord. It requires courage to make good choices. Even when others around us choose differently. As we make the righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times. Sure spiritual fortification is found in two words: Jesus Christ.

Elder Robert C. Steuer
We live in marvelous times. Yet also an hour when peace has been take from the earth. To prosper in these times, spiritual light must burn within us. We obtain this spiritual light by learning true doctrine, gaining a pure testimony, and living the gospel courageously. The words of doctrine can open the minds of people to see spiritual things not visible to the natural eye, and they can open the heart to the feelings of the love of God and a love for truth. A pure testimony is the confirmation by the Holy Ghost that God is our Father and that Jesus is the Christ. The light and truth we see in all things urge us to obtain knowledge by study and faith which precede the confirmation by the spirit. He that receiveth light and continueth in God receiveth more light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander
Often there is one among a crowd who reacts individually and reaps blessings. All of us are among the crowds of this world. We all have faith that just a touch will bring healings to our aching souls, and relief to our innermost needs. Struggling through the crowds of the world can be lonely and hard. Who can reach, support, and ultimately rescue the one among the crowd better than the savior? He understands what it is to persevere among a disrespectful crowd and still remain true.

Elder Lance B. Wickman
Mortality is fragile. Only one heartbeat, or the drawing of a single breath separates this world from the next. Death is a curtain through which each must pass, and none of us knows when that passage will occur. Of all the challenges we face, perhaps the greatest is the misguided sense that mortality goes on forever, and its corollary that we can postpone until tomorrow the seeking and offering of forgiveness which are among mortality's central purpose. The person we are when we depart this life is the person we will be as we enter the next. Thankfully, we have today. Today is the day to forgive others their trespasses.

Elder Craig C. Christnensen
The Book of Mormon is a book with a promise. Although its history is compelling by itself, it is a book of scriptural significance compared to the Bible, and should be received and read under the influence of the Holy Ghost. It is a book with a purpose which is to convince each person that Jesus is the Chirst, the Eternal God. It is a book that teaches the great plan of happiness in profound yet understandable terms. It teaches the purpose of life: from whence mortals came and what happens to them when they die. We learn of faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, of the importance of baptism by immersion, and the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. It testifies that Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of the world. The book is evidence that Joseph Smith was a Prophet chosen by the hand of the Lord to restore his ancient church to earth.

Elder M. Russell Ballard
While women live in homes under many different circumstance; married, single, widowed or divorced, some with children, and some without; all are beloved of God and He has a plan for His righteous daughters to receive the highest blessings of eternity. There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply, and in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else. It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us, and to seek, with the Lord's help, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes. This eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers as equal partners, but I believe that the instincts and intense nurturing involvement of the mothers, with their children, will always be the major key to their well.being.

Presidnet Thomas S. Monson
I have attended General Conferences for a long time, and have not felt as blessed as during this session. We have had a smorgasbord of faith, love, and counsel. Let us incorporate it into our lives. Brethren, treat our wives with dignity and respect. Sisters, honor your husbands. Parents, show love to your children, and call on Heavenly Father for help in dealing with the challenges of parenthood. I commend our youth who stand up to the inequity of the world. Brothers and Sisters, we have had a wonderful conference. We have been edified and our testimonies strengthened. Let us rededicate ourselves to live the Gospel. We have felt your prayers in our behalf and appreciate your sustaining vote. Together, we can reap the blessing the Savior has in store for us.

Saturday Conference Sessions:

Morning Session


photo by jason olson

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
Solemn assembly to sustain the leaders of the Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-day Saints. D. Todd Christopherson called to Quorum of the 12 of Apostles. Elaine S. Dalton, Mary N. Cook, and Ann M. Dibb are new Young Women Presidency.

Elder Russell M. Nelson
To be saved means to be saved from physical and spiritual death. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Chirst, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death. People may also be saved from individual spiritual death through the atonement of Jesus Christ by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Life's experience can become building blocks of faith and testimony. these experiences come to us in vastly different ways and at unpredictable times. They can be powerful spiritual events or small enlightening moments. Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so do our personal life experiences become the building blocks of our testimonies and add to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sister Cheryl C. Lant
The most important family traditions are connected with the way we live our lives, and will last beyond us. As our children's lives are influenced and shaped, what kind of traditions do we have? Are they mostly material in nature or are they eternal? Are we consciously creating righteous traditions, or is life just happening to us? Are our traditions being created in response to the loud voices of the world, or are they influenced by the still small voice of the spirit?

Elder Kenneth Johnson
With knowledge of the great plan of happiness, we have the opportunity and also the responsibility to help restore faith in the family. We must hand down to future generations a foundation of faith in the family as defined by deity. We should never forget that freedom and happiness in all aspects of life come by understanding and living in harmony with eternal principles.

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin
Jesus Christ is our greatest example. He was surrounded by multitudes and spoke to thousands, Yet he always had concern for the one. In God's orchestra, every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony.

Elder Henry B. Eyring
This is a day of historical significance and of eternal importance in the history of the world, and to the children of our Heavenly Father. Now, our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary for us to fulfill our promise to sustain those who have been called. To sustain them we must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord's commandments, and follow his servants. The Lord warns us that if we do not do those things the Holy Ghost will be withdrawn, we will lose the light which we have received, and we will not be able to keep the pledge we have made today to sustain the Lord's servants.


Afternoon Session



Elder Robert W. Cantwell: Financial Report.
Elder F. Michael Watson: Statistical Report.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks
There has never been a greater need for us to profess our faith privately and publicly. A testimony should be a personal witness of eternal truths borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost. Not a travelogue, health log, or an expression of love to family members. The first two steps to gain a testimony is to desire one, and then to ask God in sincere prayer. Another way to gain or strengthen a testimony is by bearing it.

Elder Robert E. Hales
People of every creed and persuasion all over the world search and struggle to know God and Jesus Christ, and wonder about their relationship with them. We can get the answer to these questions by following the example of Joseph Smith. He studied the scriptures, obediently knelt in prayer, and was visited by Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ.

Elder Gerald N. Lund
Of our own free will, we must open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. The heart is a tender place. It is sensitive to many influences both positive and negative. It can be hurt by others, it can be deadened by sin, and it can be softened by love. Let us make it part of our everyday striving to open our hearts to the spirit.

Elder Carlos H. Amado
Latter-day Saints come to know the Lord through serving our fellow man. Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in His kingdom. Service gives us a purpose and courage in life. It eliminates selfishness, pride and ingratitude, and allows us to develop the virtues the savior possesses: kindness, love, patience, understanding, and unity will increase as we serve. While intolerance, jealousy, envy greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear.

Elder William R. Walker
The Lord has given the saints a clear pattern of leadership. Every one of us who serve in presidencies anywhere in the church should look to the First Presidency as our pattern and the example that we seek to follow as we carry out our stewardships. We should strive to be like them and work together in love and harmony as they do. The revelations teach us to make our decisions in quorums and presidencies in all righteousness, in holiness and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, in faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.

Elder Richard G. Scott
The only way to rectify the tragic consequences of sexual abuse is through the secure healing power of the atonement. The atonement can help both the perpetrator and the victim, healing requires childlike faith that your father in heaven has supplied a way to heal.

Elder L. Tom Perry
I believe that if we could create in our minds a clear and true picture of eternal life we would start behaving differently. Latter-day Saints wouldn't have to be prodded to do home or visiting teaching, attend meetings, go to the temple, say prayers, read the scriptures, or live moral lives. We would want to do these things and more because we realize they will prepare us to go somewhere we yearn to go.


priesthood session



President Thomas S. Monson
My brethren, Let us all determine to prepare for our time of opportunity and to honor the priesthood we bear through the service we render . The lives we bless, and the souls we are privileged to help save. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation and you can make a difference. Ours is the task to be fitting examples. Have the courage to be a light for others to follow.

President Henry B. Eyring
Rising to the possibilities of the oath and covenant of the priesthood brings is the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life. That is the purpose of the Melchizedek Priesthood. My prayer is that you will decide tonight, and then every day, to go forward in faith in keeping your covenants with god and so claim the promise he has made to you with an oath.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Through years of serving the Lord and in countless interviews, I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees. The longer we delay corrective action, the larger the needed changes become, and the longer it takes to get back to the correct course.

Bishop H. David Burton
In behalf of the General Welfare Committee of the Church, we express or appreciation to the many individuals, families, quorums, Relief Society, and young women groups who are the good Samaritans of today. Thank you for your compassion, goodness, and generosity. May we press forward to lighten the load of neighbors, encourage and assist the downtrodden, open our purse to assist the poor, and extend our helping hands.

Elder Quentin L. Cook
As Priesthood holders of the Church, It is our solemn responsibility to follow our Prophet. We sustain President Monson and his counselors. We want our young people to know that President Monson has been prepared by the Lord from his youth to be the Prophet.

Elder John M. Madsen
To each 12-year-old Deacon in attendance, I say, "In order for us to more clearly envision the divine destiny of this chosen and royal generation, we need only to reflect upon the 12-year-old Jesus who went up to Jerusalem with his parents. Each one of us, as sons of God, can fulfill his mission and destiny made plain by these words of the lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith, 'Verily, thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth my name, obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments... may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of His fullness.'"

Brother Dean R. Burgess
Knowing who you are makes you spiritually strong, sound, and steadfast in your Priesthood duties. You become confident with faith and determination to make right decisions. You have courage to stand up for what you know is right. You realize that it is a privilege to hold the Priesthood of God and have the authority to act in His name.