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 196th Semiannual General Conference on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4.

This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday morning session, the first of four held at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City this weekend. During the first session, members worldwide were asked to sustain the church's current leadership.

Follow along with our talk summaries in the blog below, or watch the session live here:

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

General conference is broadcast in multiple languages. Here is the link to watch the session live in Spanish.

Saturday, 12:10 pm

President D. Todd Christofferson — 'O be wise'

President D. Todd Christofferson, the second counselor of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, concluded the Saturday morning session of the church's 196th Semiannual General Conference by addressing the growing prevalence of gambling, especially through smartphones.He explained that the increase in gambling has come through three new online markets: online sports betting, online casino-type games and prediction markets. Elder Christofferson noted that young people are especially vulnerable to the influence and ease of gambling.He encouraged listeners to consider not only the money they might lose but also the loss of time, relationships and worthwhile pursuits. He warned that easy access can turn occasional gambling into repeated behavior that costs people money, time and relationships.

"Gambling is morally wrong. Gambling is built on the desire to obtain something for nothing. Its structure requires that any gain comes at other's expense. It is hard to reconcile that with the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves."

—President D. Todd Christofferson… pic.twitter.com/V0dWjrKLVI

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 3, 2026"Gambling produces nothing of value and enriches only its purveyors," he said.Even people who believe they can gamble casually and not become compulsive gamblers should consider how their example might influence others, particularly children and those who look up to them."A little gambling that seemingly has only a minor impact in your life may be more costly to them if they take license from your example," he said.Finally, he made the argument that it is a "fact that gambling is morally wrong.""Gambling is built on the desire to obtain something for nothing. Its structure requires that any gain comes at others' expense.Rather than simply avoiding gambling, Christofferson encouraged people to use their time and money on good causes, including the well-being of others.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:49 am

Bishop Sean Douglas — 'The hour of your mission is come'

Bishop Sean Douglas, second counselor of the Presiding Bishopric, encouraged church members to serve missions and help God with his great work. He said there are more missionaries than ever before, and more people are choosing to join the Lord's church than ever before. "We love missionaries of all ages. You are an army of righteousness with the doctrine of Christ as your purpose. You are a force of faith, power, love and joy. You are what you preach. You're not only the messengers but also living examples of the message," Bishop Douglas said. He said missionaries "radiate the light of Christ" because their desire to serve rose above their other ambitions and each other thing, even sleeping in on a Saturday is now taking a back seat. "Yes, the Lord's expectations are high for you! But, oh — is it worth it!" Bishop Douglas said. He told members they were taught and prepared before they came to earth to invite God's children to come to Christ and told members, "Don't let anything get in the way." Bishop Douglas encouraged young converts to consider a mission, and for everyone in the "rising generation in the church" to put serving a full-time mission high on their list and not be distracted "by alternatives of far less worth." "Serving missions are just one of many significant steps on the path of lifelong discipleship," Bishop Douglas said. He said the Lord invites every young man to serve a mission, and invites young women to pray to know if they should serve a mission. "I wish to wholeheartedly add, there is still plenty of room and a special place reserved for each one of you! We need you! 'Come join the ranks!'" Bishop Douglas said. — Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:38 am

Elder Ulisses Soares — 'A higher and holier fast'

The law of the fast has brought Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strength, guidance, peace and divine help.He said those same blessings can come to those who sincerely and faithfully observe that law.Fasting has "a divine purpose as an act of worship that shapes and refines our discipleship and draws us closer to him," Elder Soares said, referring to Jesus Christ.He said that a sincere and faithful fast is accompanied by earnest and intentional prayer, communicating the sincere desires of our hearts with God.In return, he said, people "become more humble and more aware of our complete dependence upon the Lord."Elder Soares compared a person's fast with the 40 days of fasting that Jesus Christ undertook, as recorded in scripture. "His example teaches us that fasting and prayer may not remove every burden from our path," he said, "but they draw heaven near and endow us with divine power to overcome or endure whatever circumstances we may face, giving us the spiritual fortitude to remain faithful to the father's will."As part of fasting, Elder Soares encouraged others to give a generous fast offering, which he said would reflect a willing heart, faith in Jesus Christ and a sincere desire to bless those in need."As we follow his perfect example by seeking to succor God's children, our hearts are opened to the needs of others, and we become better prepared to minister in a more Christlike way."He concluded by promising that those who embrace the divine purpose of the law of the fast will see miracles in their lives and find a closer connection with God and those around them.— Joe R. Wirthlin Jr.

Saturday, 11:30 am

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway — 'Jesus Christ is the Great Deliverer'

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway began his talk by sharing that Jesus Christ understands every kind of suffering because he experienced every kind of pain, affliction and temptation. Christ can and does deliver us from our trials, although he might not rescue or deliver people from their issues immediately or in the way they expect, he explained."He comprehends our suffering, is filled with mercy and knows how to succor us," he said.The member of the First Quorum of the Seventy shared how his family survived a serious car accident just as he was beginning as a new mission leader. They prayed, received peace and eventually people showed up to help.Hathaway described how faith follows a pattern. Hardship causes people to ask difficult questions; they offer sincere prayer for reassurance; Christ gives the strength to endure; and finally, deliverance comes in his time and in his way.Then he told a similar story of a young missionary under his care who was about to return home when her father died in a car accident. She relied on her covenants and connection with God to bear her grief. Hathaway explained that Christ's grace may not remove pain, but it can help people endure."He has not forgotten you. He does not take joy in your suffering," he said. "However, he knows that lessons learned while waiting can bring converting growth that an earlier rescue might not produce."Some miracles come immediately, some require waiting, and some will come through the Resurrection, Hathaway explained. He encouraged the audience to trust Christ and believe in him, even when deliverance seems impossible.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:15 am

Elder Vaiangina Sikahema — 'Prophets, seers and revelators'

In his general conference message, Elder Vaiangina Sikahema of the Seventy spoke about the importance of listening to apostles and prophets.He described his grandparents' response to a visit from an apostle to Tonga in 1947 when they were serving a mission on a small, isolated volcanic island, Niuatoputapu.Because of a storm, their family of five spent two and a half "brutal days at sea," instead of the 16-hour journey they expected, to reach their home island, which was partway to their destination. They arrived sick and too weak to eat. Their baby was left dehydrated and died from exposure."Burying their infant child was akin to the pioneers who buried their children on the trail to Zion," he said. "Like the early pioneers, they yearned to hear and be in the presence of an apostle. Grieving with empty arms, my grandparents got back on the boat, their mission not yet complete."Elder Sikahema said his grandparents were sailing toward a man who held the authority that would eventually seal them as a family and would teach them how to bless others on their island with the message of Christ.He said that when the boy Joseph Smith knelt in a grove of trees, it ended centuries of time without prophetic voices. He quoted Joseph Smith's account of God introducing Jesus Christ, which began the restoration of the church."Even in modern times, there are people who thirst to hear prophetic direction and guidance," Elder Sikahema said.He encouraged members not to take messages from prophets lightly just because they are more easily accessible. He expressed gratitude to his grandparents for the legacy of faith and courage they left."What a blessing it is to live in a time when apostles and prophets are on the earth," Elder Sikahema said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:03 am

Elder Gérald Caussé — 'The gift of testimony'

After being called to serve as a general authority seventy 18 years ago, Elder Gérald Caussé, now a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said he realized his primary responsibility was simply to bear witness of Jesus Christ.As an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Caussé said it was now his responsibility to testify of Jesus Christ, something he said filled him with peace."The sacred responsibility to bear witness of Jesus Christ is not limited to prophets and apostles," he said. "It extends to all his disciples."Those witnesses are deeply personal, Elder Caussé said. The testimony a person develops is unique and intimate, and may differ from that of other members of the church."It need not be long, eloquent or dramatic – it only needs to be true," he said.When a person shares their testimony, Elder Caussé said it expresses love toward those who hear it. In turn, he said that saying "I love you" with a pure and sincere heart is a way of bearing testimony of Jesus Christ.Elder Caussé said that it is a person's duty and privilege to share the testimony they have developed with those around them.Not only will the sharer's testimony grow stronger, but he said the sharer would grow closer to Jesus Christ and feel more deeply the power of Christ's redemption."Countless lives would be blessed, faith would grow, and the love of Christ would spread more abundantly throughout the world," he concluded.— Joe R. Wirthlin Jr.

Saturday, 10:54 am

Sister Tamara W. Runia — 'The sculpting of our souls'

Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, explored how to find faith and purpose in painful experiences."It's our nature, it's human nature to want to fix things — and to become frustrated when something comes along that we cannot fix," Sister Runia said.She shared a story about the unexpected death of her son, Ryan, 13 years ago and how it impacted her daughter, who was a toddler. This experience, Runia explained, showed her that some things in life simply can't be fixed."The gospel isn't the umbrella. It's the solid rock we're standing on during the storm," she said.

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A loving God allows people to go through heartbreaking experiences because he knows they help people grow. "And I'm learning the only way is to go through it," she added.Sister Runia shared that we may not understand why things happen, but we can trust that God loves us and that our experiences can help us grow."It is precisely because he loves us that we're having these tempering, refining experiences," she said.She compares this process to sculpting. Christ can use pain and adversity to shape us into who he knows we can become, even when we can't see the finished picture. We can choose to turn toward him and allow him to heal us.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 10:41 am

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — 'Come to the Lord in his holy house'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, began his talk with a joke: "Why did the temple workers cross the road? To help the people on the other side."In his conference message, he encouraged church members to build their own "personal temple culture" as they "worship and rejoice with the Lord" in temples.Building on the joke, he said temple workers cross the road "so God and temple ordinances can protect, bless and inspire; bring forgiveness, healing and peace; and unite loved ones here and away."Elder Gong said temple marriages are meant to "last forever," uniting a husband, wife and children. He also spoke about agency in relationships, and said change and forgiveness are possible through Jesus Christ."As we become new creatures in Jesus Christ, we sweeten our relationships. Temple service evokes our Savior's Atonement. It softens hearts on both sides of the veil," Elder Gong said.Elder Gong told members they can find "hope and healing" through performing temple ordinances for family members.He said the church anticipates dedicating 21 temples and rededicating one temple this year, but he encouraged members to celebrate even more "the spiritual blessings temples bring."Elder Gong said that over the years many members have made sacrifices to get to the temple, but as temples are easier to get to, members can "manifest the precious spirit of temple sacrifice" in new ways by coming more often or bringing more of their ancestors' names."Please, brothers and sisters, wherever we live, let us always be grateful for the gifts of eternity sacred temples bring. Look for the miracles," Elder Gong said.— Emily Ashcraft

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

UPDATED - Oct. 3, 2026 at 12:10 p.m. | Posted - Oct. 3, 2026 at 9:57 a.m.

President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrives at the morning session of the 196th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday. (Tess Crowley, Deseret News)

President D. Todd Christofferson — 'O be wise'

Bishop Sean Douglas — 'The hour of your mission is come'

Elder Ulisses Soares — 'A higher and holier fast'

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway — 'Jesus Christ is the Great Deliverer'

Elder Vaiangina Sikahema — 'Prophets, seers and revelators'

Elder Gérald Caussé — 'The gift of testimony'

Sister Tamara W. Runia — 'The sculpting of our souls'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — 'Come to the Lord in his holy house'

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

UPDATED - Oct. 3, 2026 at 12:10 p.m. | Posted - Oct. 3, 2026 at 9:57 a.m.

President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrives at the morning session of the 196th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday. (Tess Crowley, Deseret News)

President D. Todd Christofferson — 'O be wise'

Bishop Sean Douglas — 'The hour of your mission is come'

Elder Ulisses Soares — 'A higher and holier fast'

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway — 'Jesus Christ is the Great Deliverer'

Elder Vaiangina Sikahema — 'Prophets, seers and revelators'

Elder Gérald Caussé — 'The gift of testimony'

Sister Tamara W. Runia — 'The sculpting of our souls'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — 'Come to the Lord in his holy house'

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