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

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

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 afternoon session.

Follow along with our blog updates 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, 04:10 pm

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf — 'By this all will know that you are my disciples'

At the beginning of his message, Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talked about bringing a friend to church while traveling in southern Germany. During the meeting, he noticed things that made him cringe. Despite his worries, his friend said the experience "was beautiful.""This is what I imagine Christ wanted his church to be like," she told Elder Uchtdorf.He said he wanted a "picture-perfect" meeting to impress her, but the members of the branch showed "a heart-perfect spirit of love, kindness, patience and compassion.""Anyone who is seeking greater faith in Christ, or a closer connection to Heavenly Father, should feel right at home in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Inviting them to our meetings can be as normal and natural as inviting them into our home," Elder Uchdorf said.

"We are each a work in progress, and we all rely on the Savior for any progress we make. That's true for us as individuals, and it's true of the kingdom of God on Earth." – @UchtdorfDF | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/ulbn01L8qz

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025He said when a ward or branch does not nurture faith and love, members should not give up on that ideal."The Lord invites us not just to join his kingdom but also to be anxiously engaged in building it," he said.Elder Uchdorf said the Savior's church is for all of God's children who want to come, saying there is unity because everyone is facing toward Christ.

"We invite you to join us as we rejoice in the Savior's 'song of redeeming love.' We need you. We love you. The Church will be better with your efforts to serve the Lord and His children." – @UchtdorfDF | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025Elder Uchtdorf invited conferencegoers who are not members of the church to join, saying they are needed. He thanked members who have been baptized for being part of "this great and divine work.""Our love for God and his children is a powerful testimony to the world that this is truly the Savior's church," he said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 03:48 pm

Elder Hans T. Boom — True to the faith that our parents have cherished

Elder Hans T. Boom, a general authority seventy, spoke on the faith and legacy of his parents and encouraged church members to remember their parents' faith and keep moving forward."My father grew up on the island of Java Indonesia. During World War II, he was forcefully separated from his family and interred in a concentration camp, where he suffered unspeakable hardships at a young age," Elder Boom said.His mother "was raised in a broken home and also suffered from hunger and the hardships of World War II. At times, she even had to resort to eating tulip bulbs."

"How did two people that experienced so many trials in their younger years become the very best parents I could ever wish for? The answer is simple. They fully embraced the gospel and live by their covenants to this very day." — Elder Boom | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025The couple began raising their family from "a very humble, single attic-room apartment in the heart of Amsterdam," according to Elder Boom, saving up money for several years to buy a washing machine.After being asked to contribute to the building of a meetinghouse, Elder Boom's parents "decided to give all they had saved for the washing machine and continued to do the laundry by hand," he said.Elder Boom's mother died in February of Alzheimer's disease, and his father told Elder Boom's younger siblings "that the dreadful experiences in the camp in Indonesia during World War II had prepared him to patiently care for his wife for many years as she fell ill and deteriorated from this horrible disease."

"Why is it that some of us take for granted the faith and testimonies of our parents who through all their hardships have remained faithful? Do we think that they do not have a clear understanding of things? They were not and are not deceived." — Elder Boom | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"Why is it that some of us take for granted the faith and testimonies of our parents who, through all their hardships, have remained faithful?" Elder Boom asked. "Do we think that they do not have a clear understanding of things? They were not and are not deceived!""All of us, whether we are the first generation in the gospel or the fifth, should ask ourselves: What stories of faith, strength and celestial commitment will I pass on to the next generation?" he said. — Collin Leonard

Saturday, 03:39 pm

Elder Dale G. Renlund — Personal preparation to meet the Savior

A little girl told Elder Dale G. Renlund, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, that she was anxious when she thought about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He explained that people can ease their worries by following the Savior's teachings in three parables to prepare: the 10 virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.In the parable of the 10 virgins, 10 virgins await a bridegroom, half with extra oil for their lamps and half without. When the bridegroom arrives, only the prepared can attend the feast. Elder Renlund explained that the parable teaches the importance of accepting the gospel, remaining worthy of the Holy Ghost and avoiding deception.

"We are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception. No one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We have to do this for ourselves." — Elder @DaleGRenlund #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/gE76dbS0Z0

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 5, 2025"The five wise virgins could not help those without oil; no one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We must do this for ourselves," he said.The parable of the talents is a story of a master who gives three servants different amounts of money. The master rewards the servants who invest their talents but punishes the third who buries his. Elder Renlund shared that the story reminds people to magnify their divinely gifted abilities without comparing themselves to others.

"The Book of Mormon teaches us how we can differentiate deceivers from disciples. Disciples always promote believing in God, serving Him, and doing good." — @DaleGRenlund | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"God will be disappointed if we do not rely upon the merits, mercy and grace of the Savior to magnify the God-given abilities we have received. With his loving assistance, he expects us to become the best version of ourselves," he said.Finally, the parable that involves the son of man separating the sheep and goats illustrates that serving others is key to preparing for Christ's return.Elder Renlund concluded by explaining that this preparation also helps us now by fostering hope, optimism and trust in God.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 03:24 pm

Elder Sandino Roman — Faith: A bond of trust and loyalty

Elder Sandino Roman, of the Seventy, encouraged church members, especially children and young people, to strengthen their relationship with and faith in Christ.He talked about saving a friend struggling in a pool when his friend started pulling him down. After praying for a miracle, Elder Roman said he felt a hand propelling him to a shallow area.Elder Roman told members to expect miracles, saying in his moment of despair a miracle came, but also said they should recognize God's will."Faith in Jesus Christ is a bond of trust, forged in loyalty and love," he said.He said people trust others because of constant love and help from them, and faith in Christ helps develop a relationship of trust with him.

"Pray to your Heavenly Father as if it were the first time. … If you are sincere and humble, you will hear His answer and begin a personal and lasting relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. — Elder Sandino Román | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/nmkDpIYKJ6

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025Elder Roman encouraged members to think about Christ, record times God has been there for them or others, and pray "as if it were the first time." He said through this, members can develop a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that will lead them to look forward to religious habits as opportunities to get to know them."If you want a true relationship with Christ, show him by making covenants and honoring them with faithfulness and loyalty. Making covenants with Jesus Christ builds hope. Honoring them builds faith," Elder Roman said.Elder Roman likened faith in Christ to oil in a lamp showing hope on an uncertain path.

"When you encounter dark and perilous situations instead of walking towards them blindly, you will turn on your lamp filled with the oil of faith in Christ to shed glimmers of hope on the uncertain path." — Elder Sandino Román | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/A23l5KN5KO

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025He said "loyalty, love and trust in Christ" will help members gain confidence and overcome Satan's attacks and give them bright hope in the future."He will trust you with his power to accomplish anything he expects of you; even the power to return to his presence," Elder Roman said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 02:59 pm

Elder S. Mark Palmer — 'Return unto me ... that I may heal you'

Elder S. Mark Palmer, a general authority seventy, directed his message "to all who once felt the Spirit but question whether there is a way back, or a place for you, in the restored Church of Jesus Christ."Elder Palmer told the story of a willow tree in his front yard. "A mighty storm blew, and the willow came crashing down," he said, adding it had just one root still in the ground.His neighbor encouraged him to not give up on the tree but prune and prop the tree back up so the "roots would take hold once again," he said.

"There is hope even when all seems lost." — Elder S. Mark Palmer | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"Now 12 years later, the tree is vibrant and full of life, with strong roots and once again contributing to the beauty of the landscape," Elder Palmer said."To all who are longing for faith, we invite you to come back. I promise your faith can be strengthened as you once again worship with the Saints," he said. Elder Palmer asserted that "contrary to narratives which sometimes circulate, record numbers of our young people are choosing to stay strong and grow their faith in Jesus Christ."

"To all who are longing for faith, we invite you to come back." — Elder S. Mark Palmer | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025He gave five pieces of advice for those returning to the church:

The journey back is often not easy or comfortable, but it is worth it.

Be patient as your faith and testimony also grow.

Nourish your faith and testimony as you feast at the sacrament table each week and worship in the house of the Lord.

Your testimony will grow as you stay sensitive to the feelings and witness of the Spirit.

The Lord knows your divine potential and what your faith and testimony can become.

— Collin Leonard

Saturday, 02:54 pm

President Steven J. Lund — Divine authority, sublime young men

Young Men General President Steven J. Lund spoke about an experience he had in which over a dozen young men were sustained to advance in the Aaronic Priesthood during a sacrament meeting he attended in January."I felt the world changing beneath our feet," he said.

"[Priesthood holders] will find themselves in consequential times and places where their presence and prayers and the powers of the priesthood of God they hold will profoundly matter." — President Steven J. Lund | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025He then thought about all the young men all over the world being sustained in meetings just like the one he was attending, and he felt like that warranted shouting, trumpeting and overall joy being spread."These ordinations launch these young men into lifetimes of service, as they will find themselves in consequential times and places where their presence and prayers and the powers of the priesthood of God they hold will profoundly matter," he said.President Lund gave a brief history of the priesthood, both anciently and during the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Overall, he explained, the bearers of the priesthood do the same thing now that they used to back then: "to teach and to administer ordinances — all to remind us of his atonement."

"The Lord entrusts today's bearers of the priesthood of Aaron to do very much the same things they did anciently: to teach and to administer ordinances, all to remind us of His Atonement." — President Steven J. Lund | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/lCz4yNGYm7

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025However, the priesthood also benefits the bearers, who learn about their responsibilities and better prepare themselves for when they will need to help others in the future, "including pronouncing inspired blessings in times when hopes and dreams, and even life and death, hang in precarious balance.""Such serious expectations require serious preparation," he said.He shared a story of how young priesthood holders connected with a "rough, often profane" neighbor and eventually served him and loved him enough to soften him. Then, President Lund concluded with a story of a bishop and his wife who lost their 2-year-old daughter. The grieving bishop felt prompted to bless the sacrament. He pronounced the words, and he and his wife received the comfort promised in the prayers.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 02:43 pm

Elder Neil L. Andersen — Cherishing life

In his conference message, Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, told stories of multiple women who had unexpected or concerning pregnancies, and he encouraged members to provide support to these women and their unborn children.He said the Lord's word concerning unborn children, as shared by church leaders, has never changed, giving it "divine clarity."

"May we share our love even more abundantly with those who need us so desperately. I express my love for you and our Heavenly Father's love for His children coming to earth." — @AndersenNeilL | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/pfjQg5odB4

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025Elder Andersen said the church believes in the sanctity of human life, opposes elective abortion and encourages members to not encourage, have, pay for, arrange or perform abortions. The church's official statement says there are rare exceptions, but even in those situations, ending a pregnancy should be considered through prayer."The diminishing love for unborn children worldwide is a grave concern. God cherishes life. It is his work and his glory to bring immortality and eternal life to his children. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cherish life," he said.Elder Andersen encouraged any who have pain and regret following an abortion that "forgiveness can come through the miracle of his (Jesus Christ's) atoning grace."He said members should choose to continue life once it is conceived and that they should also treasure the gift of choice, which strengthens righteous choices.

"By His decree we cherish life and preserve life; and we choose the continuation of life once conceived. We also treasure the gift of choice, of moral agency, helping to strengthen righteous choices approved by God that bring eternal happiness." — @AndersenNeilL |…

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 5, 2025"Nurturing and protecting life that is yet unborn is not a political position. It is a moral law confirmed by the Lord through his prophets," Elder Andersen said.He encouraged members to speak more often about the law of chastity, the sanctity of life and caring for unborn children and their mothers."When a woman and a man are in such a fragile time facing a crucial choice, our words, our hands, our hearts — spiritually, emotionally and financially —can bless them to feel the Savior's love," Elder Andersen said.— Emily Ashcraft