Saturday morning session: Summaries from Latter-day Saint general conference

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its 195th Annual General Conference Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday morning session.

Follow along with our talk summaries below, or watch each session live here:

Here is a glossary of the Latter-day Saint terminology used in this blog.

Or watch the session live in Spanish below:

Saturday, 11:45 am

President Henry B. Eyring — Draw near unto me

In his conference message, President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, bore witness of the Lord's resurrection.He spoke about a specific night over 75 years ago when he came to church to receive the sacrament and felt love and closeness to the Savior after singing the song "Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide."President Eyring encouraged members to take action to feel closer to the Savior, saying when they feel distance, they can find an assurance that Christ knows what they are feeling and loves them.

"Every covenant-servant of Jesus Christ will receive His direction from the Spirit as they bless and serve others for Him. Then they will feel the Savior's love and find joy in being drawn closer to Him." – @EyringHB | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/ZgY9NyE1E7

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"Jesus Christ loves each of us. He offers that opportunity to draw closer to him," President Eyring said.He said the process of coming closer to Christ is similar to coming closer to a distant friend, suggesting communication through prayer, listening for guidance from the Holy Ghost and serving others.President Eyring told church members as they are faithful to covenants made at baptism, the Lord will keep his promise to make their burdens light."You will come to know the Savior, and in time you will come to be like him, and 'be perfected in him.' By helping others, you will find that you are drawing nearer to him," he said.Addressing people who have loved ones who have wandered away from the church, President Eyring said as we serve Christ in faith we can depend on the Lord to draw closer to them. He said each "covenant-servant" of Christ will receive direction as they serve others and find joy from drawing closer to him.

As you bind up the wounds of those in need, the Lord's power will sustain you. #PresEyring #GeneralConference #ChurchofJesusChrist #universebyu

— The Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 5, 2025— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:37 am

Elder Ricardo P. Gimenez — My love for the Savior is my 'why'

Elder Ricardo P. Gimenez, a general authority seventy, offered "a sincere invitation to seek to understand the opportunity to link everything we do with our love for the Savior."Love for the Savior is the "most powerful reason" to participate in traditions and activities."For example," Elder Gimenez said, "when you set a goal to read the scriptures, offer sincere prayers, or prepare an activity for your family or ward, is the real goal simply to accomplish these tasks?"

"It is interesting that sometimes because we have consistently done things to the point that they have turned into traditions, we allow these traditions or activities to dictate our efforts to build faith in Jesus Christ." — Elder Ricardo P. Giménez | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025There's nothing wrong with setting goals and working hard to achieve them, he said, and he hopes members "understand that even though doing righteous things, like having church activities or traditions and appropriately doing them is a good thing, still, when we connect them with the why, we will be blessed to understand the reason.""It won't be just doing good things or doing it right; we will also get it right," Elder Gimenez said.He gave the example of setting the goal of listening to all the messages from conference and then checking it off a to-do list. It's "an extreme example," Elder Gimenez said, but most "are at some point between this and the ideal."Ideally, members would seek to understand the messages to learn more about Jesus Christ, before sharing those teachings with others.

"We use these [Easter] traditions as a means to learn more about the Savior and remember His Resurrection." — Elder Ricardo P. Giménez | #GeneralConference #GreaterLove

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025Elder Gimenez cautioned listeners to avoid distraction."In a globalized world, many voices will try to influence you and, if possible, lead you to believe that some fundamental truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are unnecessary," he said. "You may hear voices insisting that only a personal relationship or understanding with the Savior is sufficient and that religion or the restored church is unnecessary or nonessential."Elder Gimenez extended an invitation to "be slow to consider or even be immune to being influenced by these misleading ideas."— Collin Leonard

Saturday, 11:29 am

Elder Quentin L. Cook — The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate rescue

Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reflected on the dedication of the Casper Wyoming Temple and the history of Latter-day Saint pioneers who traveled through that area, like the Willie and Martin handcart companies, who faced severe hardship and death in harsh winter storms. President Brigham Young sent teams out to rescue the pioneers in the companies. Although many members of the company died, many more were saved because of the rescuers.

"The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate rescue from the trials we face in this life." — Elder @CookQuentinL #GeneralConference #GreaterLove pic.twitter.com/wdNP3lPOh9

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 5, 2025"As I learned more about the rescuers, I realized that all of them were following the prophet and played critical roles in saving the stranded Saints. All the rescuers were heroic, as were the emigrants," he said.Cook explained that the rescuers had an eternal perspective that helped them face trials while understanding that the atonement could help them through it all — even death.

"The Father's plan of happiness is based on the Savior's atoning rescue." – @CookQuentinL | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"Without the Atonement, we cannot save ourselves from sin and death," he said. "While sin can play a significant role in our trials, life's adversities are compounded by mistakes, bad decisions, evil actions by others, and many things outside of our control."He finished his talk by offering three invitations: help others, accept the Atonement with gratitude and joy and take time to reflect on the Savior — especially by going to the temple and taking the sacrament. He then testified that Jesus Christ is the key to God's plan of happiness and that his Atonement rescues us from sin, death and life's hardships.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:12 am

Elder Ronald A. Rasband — Right before our eyes

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said we are all part of the Lord's hastening of his work, as prophecies are being fulfilled, and the church is growing.He quoted President Russell M. Nelson, saying he too prays that church members will not miss "the majesty of this moment."Elder Rasband said in his assignments, he has had a front row seat to the Lord's work hastening over the last year through temples, missionary work and church education.Referring to the 367 temples now in operation or being built, Elder Rasband said members can "feel the Lord's hallowed presence and transcendent peace" in temples.

"Brothers and sisters, we are hastening our holiness as we live temple worthy, as we worship in the House of the Lord, and as we make covenants with God for ourselves and on behalf of our ancestors on the other side of the veil." – @RonaldARasband | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025In 2024, he said there were 80,000 missionaries in 450 missions, including 36 new missions. Elder Rasband said 300,000 members joined the church in the last year, but the effect is greater than the numbers; it is souls coming to Christ.Elder Rasband said over 800,000 students are enrolled in seminary and institute programs, more than ever before, and 74,000 are in the BYU-Pathway program."They are a mighty and righteous battalion, gaining strength from each other, as they learn of Jesus Christ, follow, and testify of him as the Son of God," Elder Rasband said.

"We are grateful to be on the earth when the Church is increasing in numbers and influence, but, more importantly, in the hearts and lives of its members." – @RonaldARasband | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025Elder Rasband said Jesus Christ understands what we are going through and he encouraged followers to trust him."I recognize that in the midst of the good news of the gospel, there are those who struggle, who have faith challenges, doubts, and questions that seem to have no answers. Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is the answer. Start with him. Look for his hand in your life. Listen to him," he said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:02 am

President Camille N. Johnson — Spiritually whole in him

President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, began her talk with a story of the 10 lepers asking Jesus Christ for healing.All 10 "were cleansed of the disease," she said, but one returned to Jesus, thanking him, and Jesus responded, "Thy faith hath made thee whole.""Nine lepers were physically healed," she said. "One was physically healed and made spiritually whole."

"Faith in Jesus Christ begets hope. I find hope in striving to be whole – a wholeness born of faith in Jesus Christ." — President Camille N. Johnson #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025Can we be whole while waiting for physical and emotional healing? Sister Johnson asked.She said that "healing from illness and disease — chronic pain, autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, cancer, anxiety, depression and the like. That kind of healing is on the Lord's time.""In the meantime, we can choose to be made whole by exercising our faith in him," Sister Johnson said.In referencing the parable of the five wise virgins, Sister Johnson said wholeness means "to be complete and full." The women "are sharing their light as they hold up their lamps which are full of oil and burning brightly."

"I can be whole, while I wait for
healing, if I am wholehearted in my relationship with Him."#PresJohnson #GeneralConference #ChurchofJesusChrist #universebyu

— The Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 5, 2025"As we let our light shine brightly, we can be joyful even while we wait," she said. "Sisters and brothers, the answer is yes, we can be spiritually whole, even while we wait for physical and emotional healing."The Relief Society president asserted that wholeness "does not necessarily mean physical and emotional restoration in this life," but is "born of faith in and conversion to Jesus Christ and in letting the light of that conversion shine."— Collin Leonard

Saturday, 10:40 am

President Jeffrey R. Holland — As a little child

President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened the first session of general conference by talking about Jesus Christ's message about becoming like little children — humble, pure and trusting.President Holland explained that, although we don't encourage every childlike behavior, children often show qualities like love, trust and innocence that adults tend to lose as they age. He explained that the world often fixates on pride and vanity instead of having children's simple faith and love for God."Is there anything sweeter, more pure, or more humble than a child at prayer? It is as if heaven is in the room. God and Christ are so real to them, but for others the experience can be more superficial," he said.

"How different life could be if the world esteemed Jesus above the level of a profane swearing streak from time to time."#universebyu #GeneralConference #PresHolland

— The Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 5, 2025He then shared the story of Easton Darrin Jolley, a young boy with a rare, serious illness, who, despite his challenges, performed the sacred task of passing the sacrament at church. President Holland explained that Jolley showed the kind of faith, determination, humility and love that Jesus values.He concluded by encouraging others to develop the qualities seen in children to better reflect the kingdom of God.

"Children really do love Him, and that love can carry over into their other relationships in the playground of life." – @HollandJeffreyR | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"At the top of the list of the most beautiful images I know are babies and children and youth as conscientious and priceless as those we have referred to today. I testify that they are images of the kingdom of God flourishing on earth in all of its strength and beauty," he said.— Jenny Rollins