Sunday 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 holds its 195th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. This blog summarizes key points from the Sunday 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:

Sunday, 12:05 pm

President Dallin H. Oaks — Divine helps for mortality

President Dallin H. Oaks, the first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke about God's plan and encouraged members to look for "divine helps" that God has provided.He said opposition is essential in God's plan for his children to grow."Just as our physical muscles cannot be developed or maintained without straining against the law of gravity, so mortal growth requires man to strain against Satan's temptations and other mortal opposition," he said.President Oaks said "a loving God" also provided help for people who choose evil — specifically, Jesus Christ's "merciful and glorious Atonement."

"Just as our physical muscles cannot be developed or maintained without straining against the law of gravity, so mortal growth requires man to strain against Satan's temptations and other mortal opposition." - @OaksDallinH | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/wRDnF3XJ0n

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025"The plan of a loving Father and Son provides many other gifts to protect us, including protecting us from sinning in the first place," he said.President Oaks listed multiple additional "helps" the plan provides, including the light of Christ; scriptural directions in commandments, ordinances and covenants; and manifestations of the Holy Ghost.

"The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. His function, defined in scripture, is to testify of the Father and the Son, to teach us, to bring all things to our remembrance, and to guide us into all truth." — @OaksDallinH | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025"With so many powerful helps to guide us in our mortal journeys, it is disappointing that so many remain unprepared for their appointed meeting with our Savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ," he said.He related Christ's parable of the 10 virgins, which suggests only half of those invited will be prepared for Christ's return.President Oaks encouraged members to pray, participate in regular scripture study, repent frequently, and renew covenants weekly with the sacrament — calling this a "fundamental spiritual maintenance plan.""Our part in this divine plan is to trust in God and seek these divine helps, most notably the Atonement of his beloved Son, our Savior and redeemer Jesus Christ," he said.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 11:56 am

Elder John A. McCune — Joy through covenant discipleship

Elder McCune, a general authority seventy, related the story of a convert in Mongolia — Uyanga Altansukh. One day, the Mongolian mission president visited her workplace and she noted his kindness and a bright light in his countenance.She wanted this joy and light for her children and eventually joined the church. Hers is one example of those who pursue the covenant path to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

"Because of who He is, and what He has done, we worship Him, we revere Him, we give glory to Him, and we follow Him." — Elder John A. McCune | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/hIjlVEw2WA

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025Elder McCune said we can learn about God and his perfect love for individuals somewhat through mortal family relationships. However, God's attributes go far beyond that and are perfect."He is perfectly loving, kind, patient, understanding and perfectly glorious. We can trust him perfectly, he said.He pointed out that Heavenly Father's and Jesus Christ's divine attributes of justice and mercy are not in opposition.

"[God] has provided a way, through His Son Jesus Christ for all of us, His children, to overcome the pains, suffering, sins, guilt, and loneliness of our mortality." — Elder John A. McCune | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025He said covenant discipleship helps us understand the nature of God. Some may wonder how God can have joy when some of his children suffer great difficulties. He taught that the answer is God's perfect perspective and his perfect plan.Elder McCune shared an example of him and his wife meeting with President Russell M. Nelson, who extended their current church calling. President Nelson treated them with great reassurance, love and care. Later, the McCunes learned that President Nelson's daughter had passed away that same day.They realized President Nelson was still kind and loving because he understood that Christ is victorious and he would see his daughter again."As we bind ourselves to act as covenant disciples, in whatever our level of capacity, our relationship with the Father and the Son is enriched, our joy is enhanced, and our eternal perspective expanded," Elder McCune said.— Linda Williams

Sunday, 11:34 am

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — Eternity's great gifts: Jesus Christ's Atonement, Resurrection, Restoration

During an early-morning gospel class years ago, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was tasked with memorizing Bible verses and was "naturally" drawn to the shortest passage in scripture, John 11:35, which reads: "Jesus wept."He read the verse as he testified of the miracles of Jesus Christ's time on Earth, how he "came into physical mortality and learned according to the flesh how always to be with and bless us.""When we cry out in grief or joy, Jesus Christ understands perfectly," Elder Gong said. "He can be present in the moments when we most need eternity's great gifts — Jesus Christ's Atonement, Resurrection, Restoration."

"When we cry out in grief or joy Jesus Christ understands perfectly. He can be present in the moments when we most need eternity's great gifts: Jesus Christ's Atonement, Resurrection, restoration." — @GerritWGong | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025With Easter quickly approaching, Elder Gong spoke of what Christ's sacrifice and resurrection mean to Latter-day Saints — providing opportunities to forgive and transcend physical death."Easter in Jesus Christ helps us mend, reconcile, make right our relationships, on both sides of the veil," Elder Gong said. "Jesus can heal grief; He can enable forgiveness. He can free us and others from things we or they have said or done that otherwise bind us captive."

"This is Easter in Jesus Christ: He answers the longings of our hearts and the questions of our souls. He wipes away our tears, except our tears of joy." — Elder @GerritWGong #GeneralConference #GreaterLove pic.twitter.com/mjPbfuOa9D

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 6, 2025After fasting for 40 days, Jesus Christ said he had the Spirit of the Lord to "preach the gospel to the poor.""Poor, brokenhearted, captive, blind, bruised — that's each of us," Elder Gong said.The Easter season is a time to celebrate the gifts enabled through Jesus Christ. "May we each find in Jesus Christ Atonement, Resurrection and Restoration — peace, becoming and belonging — that which is enduringly real and joyful, happy and forever," he concluded.— Bridger Beal-Cvetko

Sunday, 11:20 am

Bishop Gérald Caussé — Compensating blessings

Bishop Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop of the church, said no one is beyond the reach of the Lord's blessings, and encouraged church members to serve others to invite healing in their own lives."If you ever feel limited or disadvantaged by the circumstances of your life, I want you to know this: The Lord loves you personally. He knows your circumstances, and the door to his blessings remains wide open to you no matter the challenges you face," he said.He taught members that when fulfilling righteous desires is beyond their control, the Lord will compensate, allowing them to receive blessings."When our earnest efforts fall short of our aspirations due to circumstances beyond our control, the Lord may still accept the desires of our hearts as a worthy offering," he said.Bishop Caussé said whether people are willing is more important to the Lord than whether they are able — we will be judged by our desires.

"Because God is both just and merciful and His plan is perfect, He will not hold us accountable for things beyond our control." — Bishop Caussé | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025He encouraged members to use their blessings to serve others, saying the Lord's "compensating blessings" often come through service. He said one of the most powerful ways to do this is to perform ordinances in temples for our ancestors."The loving service we offer in holy temples reminds us that the Savior's grace extends beyond this life. In the life to come we may be given new opportunities to accomplish what we could not do in this mortal life," he said.Bishop Caussé said no one can escape challenges of mortality, but children of God have a loving Savior."Through his atoning sacrifice, the Savior will compensate for every inability and injustice if we offer our whole souls to him," he said.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 11:12 am

Sister Tamara W. Runia — Your repentance doesn't burden Jesus Christ; it brightens his joy

Sister Tamara W. Runia, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, spoke to those who feel that repentance and forgiveness seem to work for everyone but them.She taught that the decision to continue in a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ is more important than perfection. "Heaven isn't for people who've been perfect; it's for people who've been forgiven, who choose Christ again, and again," she said.

"While God cares about our mistakes, He cares more about what happens after we make a mistake. Are we going to turn to Him again and again? Are we going to stay in this covenant relationship?" — Sister Tamara W. Runia | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025God's commandments and repentance are an indication of God's love, and a "pathway away from pain," Sister Runia said. She urged listeners to picture the Savior Jesus Christ, inviting them to turn to his light by turning from sin.

"When the Lord says, 'Repent ye, Repent ye,' what if you imagined Him saying, 'I love you. I love you.'" — Sister Tamara W. Runia | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/rz07oP3qQB

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025She said God delights to forgive people, but called Satan the thief of hope, who promotes negative and shameful messages to the penitent.

"You are not the voice in your head or the mistakes you have made. You may need to say that out loud too. Tell Satan, 'Not today.' Put him behind you." — Sister Tamara W. Runia | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025She demonstrated personal worth in comparison to daily actions, and showed worth is not tied to obedience, although obedience does bring blessings.Sister Runia ended her address by encouraging listeners as they pray to imagine Jesus Christ close by and ask, "What would my Savior say to the Father about me?"— Linda Williams

Sunday, 10:44 am

Elder Steven D. Shumway — Participate to prepare for Christ's return

Elder Steven D. Shumway of the Seventy began his address by recounting a meeting with Elder Neil L. Andersen shortly after being called as a new general authority last year. He recalled Elder Andersen saying to him: "Well, there looks like a man who has no idea what he is doing." He then added: "Don't worry, Elder Shumway, it gets better — in five or six years."Elder Shumway spoke of the importance of preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."When we say yes to serving, we're saying yes to Jesus Christ," he said. "And when we say yes to Christ, we're saying yes to the most abundant life possible."

"When we say yes to serving we're saying yes to Jesus Christ. And when we say yes to Christ, we're saying yes to the most abundant life possible." — Elder Steven D. Shumway | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/MQY02EK9M7

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025Three principles demonstrate how participation in the Lord's work can help Saints prepare for the return of Christ, according to Elder Shumway."First, as we participate we progress toward 'the measure of (our) creation,'" he said.Second, Elder Shumway said service "elevates our homes and churches into holy places where we can practice covenant living."And finally, that service helps members be open to gifts from God."We do not receive financial compensation for serving," he said. "Instead, scripture teaches that for our 'labor (we are) to receive the grace of God, that (we) might wax strong in the Spirit, (have) the knowledge of God, (and) … teach with power and authority from God.' That is a very good trade!""In earnestly seeking to represent the Savior, we become more like him," Elder Shumway concluded. "And that is the best preparation for the sacred moment when each of us will kneel and confess that Jesus is the Christ."— Bridger Beal-Cvetko

Sunday, 10:35 am

Elder David A. Bednar — The times of restitution of all things

Sunday is the 195th anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, testified of this event's importance in his conference message.He invited members to learn about the impact of that event as he discussed the miraculous experiences that led to it: the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, and the restored priesthood."Please note that Joseph did not pray merely to know what was right. Rather, he prayed to know what was right so he could do what was right. Joseph asked in faith and was determined to act in accordance with the answers he received," Elder Bednar said.

"The formal organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the culmination of a sequence of miraculous experiences." – @BednarDavidA | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 6, 2025He said, through the First Vision, Joseph Smith learned God and Christ knew him, cared about his salvation and had a mission for him. He also learned that they are separate, distinct, corporeal beings.Elder Bednar said priesthood authority, restored by ancient prophets in the latter-days, allows God's servants to represent him and act in his name.He invited all people to learn about the restoration, promising those who study it will gain their own witness if they seek to act on what they learn.

"I promise that individuals who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed [through the power of the Holy Ghost] to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and… pic.twitter.com/qijRHUqwwF

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 6, 2025Elder Bednar said the message that the Lord Jesus Christ has restored his gospel and church is "the most important and glorious 'good news' anywhere."He said people of God have always looked forward to now — "this greatest and last of all gospel dispensations" — where there is a union of all keys and new information will be revealed."I testify, the Lord is fulfilling his promise. The Savior's restored church is being established throughout the world and is the instrument by which God will 'gather together in one all things in Christ,'" Elder Bednar said.— Emily Ashcraft