Gen Conf Oct 2017 Sun aft

"Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others." —Pres Thomas S Monson

How are you sharing your light with others this week? #TempleSquare

Talk Summaries

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard 
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Although it is appropriate and important to remember the historic 19th-century Mormon pioneer trek, we need to remember that “the trek through life continues!” for each of us as we prove our own “faith in every footstep.” …

A trek back to our Heavenly Father is the most important trek of our lives, and it continues each day, each week, each month, and each year as we increase our faith in Him and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

We must be careful where our footsteps in life take us. …

• Today I repeat earlier counsel from Church leaders. Brothers and sisters, keep the doctrine of Christ pure and never be deceived by those who tamper with the doctrine. …
• Do not listen to those who have not been ordained or set apart to their Church calling and are acknowledged by common consent of the members of the Church.
• Be aware of organizations, groups, or individuals claiming secret answers to doctrinal questions that they say today’s apostles and prophets do not have or understand.
• Do not listen to those who entice you with get-rich schemes. …

In some places, too many of our people are looking beyond the mark and seeking secret knowledge in expensive and questionable practices to provide healing and support. …

I testify that “the trek continues,” and I invite you to stay on the gospel path as you continue pressing forward by reaching out to all of God’s children in love and compassion that we may unitedly make our hearts pure and our hands clean to receive the “multiplicity of blessings” awaiting all who truly love our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son.

God’s Compelling Witness:

The Book of Mormon

Tad R. Callister 
Sunday School General President

The Book of Mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold our testimonies securely in place. This book is the one weight on the scales of truth that exceeds the combined weight of all the critics’ arguments. Why? Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable, because this book is true. …

The Book of Mormon is one of God’s priceless gifts to us. … As Saints, we not only have the privilege to defend the Book of Mormon but the opportunity to take the offense—to preach with power its divine doctrine and bear witness of its crowning witness of Jesus Christ.

I bear my solemn testimony that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. It is God’s compelling witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and the absolute truth of this Church.

Apart, but Still One

Elder Joni L. Koch 
Of the Seventy

In the Church, in spite of our differences, the Lord expects us to be one! He said in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” [D&C 38:27].

As we enter a meetinghouse to worship as a group, we should leave behind our differences … and instead concentrate on our common spiritual objectives. Together we sing hymns, ponder about the same covenants during the sacrament, say simultaneously an audible “amen” after talks, lessons, and prayers. …

These things that we do collectively help create a strong sense of oneness within the congregation.

However, what really determines, solidifies, or destroys our unity is how we act when we are apart from our fellow Church members. …

… Our words about our fellow beings should reflect our belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and that in Him and through Him, we can always change for the better! …

It is also likely that we will all experience some correction from our ecclesiastic leaders, which will be a test on how united we are with them. …

… I testify that as we decide to be one with the members and leaders of the Church—both when we’re assembled together but especially when we are apart—we will also feel more perfectly united with our Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Do We Trust Him?  Hard is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis 
Emeritus Member of the Seventy

Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves. Our beloved handcart pioneers came to know God in their extremities. Why did it take two chapters for Nephi and his brothers to obtain the brass plates and only three verses to enlist Ishmael’s family to join them in the wilderness? It seems the Lord wanted to strengthen Nephi through the struggle of obtaining the plates.

The hard things in our lives should come as no surprise. One of the earliest covenants we make with the Lord is to live the law of sacrifice. Sacrifice by definition involves giving up something desirable. With experience we realize it is a small price to pay in relation to the blessings that follow. …

Each of us may have a different opinion about what is hard. Some may consider it hard to pay tithing when finances are tight. Some leaders find it difficult to expect the poor to pay tithing. It may be hard for some of us to go forward with faith to marry or to have a family. There are those who find it hard to “be content with [what] the Lord hath allotted unto [them]” (Alma 29:3). It may be hard to be content with our current calling. Church discipline may seem very hard, but for some it marks the beginning of the true repentance process.

Regardless of the issue, hard can be good for those who will move forward with faith and trust the Lord and His plan.

Essential Truths - Our Need to Act

Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella 
Of the Seventy

Millions who have already joined the Church, as well as the many who are being converted and baptized each week, have gained a testimony of the First Vision. The Holy Ghost can repeat this witness often to each of us as we strive to live the simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith brought forth additional knowledge and truth that are essential to our happiness in this life and our exaltation in the presence of God. …

An essential truth we learn from the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith is that God calls prophets, seers, and revelators to instruct, guide, warn, and lead us. …

Another truth we learn because of the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith is the true nature of God. Just imagine how blessed we are to know that God is a being with a body of flesh and bones as tangible as ours, that we can worship a God who is real, whom we can understand, and who has shown and revealed Himself and His Son to His prophets. …

From the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith, we received knowledge of the reality and sacred mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the cornerstone of our religion.

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Elder Ian S. Ardern 
Of the Seventy

We live in a day in which misinformation about our beliefs abounds. …

[The warnings] of our prophets and apostles remind us that we must do all we can to fortify ourselves spiritually against words of opposition and deception. …

… Our spiritual roots go deeper as sincere personal and family prayer become bastions of our faith, as we repent daily, seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and learn of our Savior and His attributes and strive to become like Him.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the Light of the World, and He beckons us to follow Him. …

Questions about our Church history and beliefs do arise. … The best counsel was given by the Apostle James: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). …

With all our prayer, study, and pondering, there may still remain some yet-to-be-answered questions. … Such questions are an invitation to build our faith. … It is the very essence of religion not to have a sure answer to every question, for this is one of the purposes of faith. …

Let each of us live … so that we will remain “firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end” (Alma 27:27).

Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso 
Of the Seventy

During the Last Supper, the Savior gave a new commandment to His disciples, saying:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” [John 13:34–35].

The Savior’s disciples were given a new commandment to do something more, something greater, and something more divine. This new commandment and invitation is summarized in the key phrase “as I have loved you.” …

In today’s world of so much suffering for different circumstances, sending a text message with a funny emoji or posting a nice picture with the words “I love you” is good and valuable. But what many of us need to do is leave our mobile devices behind and, with our hands and feet, help others in great need. Love without service is like faith without works; it’s dead indeed.

The pure love of Christ, which is charity, not only inspires us to act and provide service but also to have the strength to forgive, regardless of the situation. …

I know that our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us and are willing to help us to act as we love one another as They have loved us. And I know that by serving and forgiving others with real love, we can be healed and receive the strength to overcome our own challenges.

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen 
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

General conference is one of the very important times [Jesus Christ] gives direction to His Church and to us personally. …

In the commotion and confusion of our modern world, trusting and believing in the words of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve is vital to our spiritual growth and endurance. …

As you listen, the messages you receive may be very literal or they may be customized just for you. …

I promise you that as you prepare your spirit and come with the anticipation that you will hear the voice of the Lord, thoughts and feelings will come into your mind that are customized especially for you. You have already felt them in this conference, or you will as you study the messages in the weeks ahead. …

The teachings of general conference are the considerations the Lord would have before us now and in the months ahead. …

Often, His voice directs us to change something in our lives. He invites us to repent. He invites us to follow Him. …

There is a treasure chest of heavenly direction awaiting your discovery in the messages of general conference. The test for each of us is how we respond to what we hear, what we read, and what we feel. …

I promise that as you hear the voice of the Lord to you in the teachings of this general conference and then act on those promptings, you will feel heaven’s hand upon you, and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed.

See also 187th Semiannual General Conference talk summaries and photo galleries

Gen Conf Oct 2017 Sun am

Talk Summaries

That Your Joy Might Be Full

Jean B. Bingham 
Relief Society General President

Lasting joy is found in focusing on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and living the gospel as demonstrated and taught by Him. The more we learn about, have faith in, and emulate Jesus Christ, the more we come to understand that He is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress. …

No matter what we have suffered, He is the source of healing. Those who have experienced any manner of abuse, devastating loss, chronic illness or disabling affliction, untrue accusations, vicious persecution, or spiritual damage from sin or misunderstandings can all be made whole by the Redeemer of the world. However, He will not enter without invitation. We must come unto Him and allow Him to work His miracles. …

Are our testimonies built on the bedrock foundation of Jesus Christ and His gospel? When the storms of life press upon us, do we frantically look for a how-to book or an internet post for help? Taking the time to build and strengthen our knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ will yield rich dividends in times of trial and adversity. Daily reading of scriptures and pondering the words of living prophets, engaging in meaningful personal prayer, mindfully partaking of the sacrament each week, giving service as the Savior would—each of these simple activities becomes a building block for a joyful life.

Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom 
Of the Seventy

My limited knowledge cannot explain why sometimes there is divine intervention and other times there is not. But perhaps we lack an understanding of what constitutes a miracle.

Often we describe a miracle as being healed without a full explanation by medical science or as avoiding catastrophic danger by heeding a clear prompting. However, defining a miracle as “a beneficial event brought about through divine power that mortals do not understand” gives an expanded perspective into matters more eternal in nature. …

A critical question to ponder is “Where do we place our faith?” Is our faith focused on simply wanting to be relieved of pain and suffering, or is it firmly centered on God the Father and His holy plan and in Jesus the Christ and His Atonement? …

Today I testify of miracles. Being a child of God is a miracle. Receiving a body in His image and likeness is a miracle. The gift of a Savior is a miracle. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a miracle. The potential for eternal life is a miracle.

… Our supreme focus should be on the spiritual miracles that are available to all of God’s children. No matter our ethnicity, no matter our nationality, no matter what we have done if we repent, no matter what may have been done to us—all of us have equal access to these miracles.

Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Elder David A. Bednar 
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

One of the great challenges each of us faces every day is to not allow the concerns of this world to so dominate our time and energy that we neglect the eternal things that matter most. …

The Apostle Peter reminds us, … “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world” [2 Peter 1:4; emphasis added]. …

God promises His children that if they follow the precepts of His plan and the example of His Beloved Son, … then by virtue of the Savior’s redemption, they “shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” [D&C 14:7]. Eternal life is the ultimate exceeding great and precious promise. …

Priesthood ordinances and sacred covenants … are the means God has appointed whereby we receive His exceeding great and precious promises. Ordinances that are received worthily and remembered continually open the heavenly channels through which the power of godliness can flow into our lives. Covenants that are honored steadfastly and remembered always provide purpose and the assurance of blessings in both mortality and for eternity. …

The Sabbath day and the temple, respectively, are a sacred time and a sacred space specifically set apart for worshipping God and for receiving and remembering His exceeding great and precious promises to His children. …

… Leaving our homes to spend time in Sunday meetings and to enter the sacred space of a temple is vital but insufficient. Only as we bring the spirit and strength derived from those holy activities back with us into our homes can we sustain our focus upon the great purposes of mortal life and overcome the corruption that is in the world.

Turn to the Lord

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell 
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

There will be times in our lives when we find ourselves on an unexpected path. … How do we respond when events, often out of our control, alter the life we had planned or hoped for? …

… Although each “change” may be unique to our individual circumstances, there is a common element in the resulting trial or challenge—hope and peace are always available through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate corrective and healing measures to every wounded body, damaged spirit, and broken heart. …

… We cannot control all that happens to us, but we have absolute control over how we respond to the changes in our lives. This does not imply that the challenges and trials we face are of no consequence and easily handled or dealt with. It does not imply that we will be free from pain or heartache. But it does mean that there is cause for hope and that due to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can move forward and find better days—even days full of joy, light, and happiness. …

Whatever change in life’s circumstance may come our way, and whatever unexpected path we may have to travel, how we respond is a choice. Turning to the Savior and grasping His outstretched arm is always our best option.

Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zwick 
Emeritus Member of the Seventy

The gospel mentors us to look beyond what we see. To look beyond what we see, we must look at others through the eyes of our Savior. The gospel net is filled with people in all their variety. … We must look past the easy assumptions and stereotypes and widen the tiny lens of our own experience. …

We live in a world that feeds on comparisons, labeling, and criticism. Instead of seeing through the lens of social media, we need to look inward for the godly attributes to which we each lay claim. …

… Truly loving others requires the ongoing practice of accepting the best efforts of people whose life experiences and limitations we may never fully know. …

As members of the Church, we have been gifted personal spiritual alarms that warn us when we are looking with only mortal eyes away from salvation. The sacrament is our weekly reminder to continually focus on Jesus Christ that we might always remember Him and that we might always have His Spirit to be with us. Yet we sometimes ignore these feelings of reminder and alarm. When we have Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, He will cause that our eyes may be opened to larger possibilities than we alone can comprehend.

Fear Not to Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring 
First Counselor in the First Presidency

Last April, President Thomas S. Monson gave a message that stirred hearts across the world, including mine. He spoke of the power of the Book of Mormon. He urged us to study, ponder, and apply its teachings. He promised that if we dedicated time each day to studying and pondering and kept the commandments the Book of Mormon contains, we would have a vital testimony of its truth, and the resultant testimony of the living Christ would see us through to safety in times of trouble. …

In a season of increasing tumult in the world, those increases in testimony have driven out doubt and fear and have brought us feelings of peace. …

The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept President Monson’s invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs. …

We cannot foresee the details, but we know the larger picture. We know that in the last days, the world will be in commotion. … And we know that the Lord’s true disciples will be worthy and prepared to receive Him when He comes again. We need not fear.

See also 187th Semiannual General Conference talk summaries and photo galleries

Women’s Gen Conf Session Oct 2017

Our 4 Generation tradition continues! We attend together to remember that we are and eternal family…’of the royal house of the kingdom of God, children of Heavenly Parents, who reign throughout the universe.’
Talk Summaries

Turn On Your Light  

Sharon Eubank First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

For my text I am going back almost 40 years to a remarkable prophecy written by President Spencer W. Kimball. …

“… Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world” [“The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 103–4]. …

… How do we play our part? What should we do? President Kimball refers to five things:

The first is to be righteous. …

The second is to be articulate. …

The third is to be different. …

The fourth is to be distinct. …

And finally, the fifth is to do one through four in happy ways. …

The prophets are calling on us, my sisters. Will you be righteous? Will you articulate your faith? Can you bear being distinct and different? Will your happiness in spite of your trials draw others who are good and noble and who need your friendship? Will you turn on your light?

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach 

Neill F. Marriott Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

We are here on this earth to learn and grow, and the most important learning and growing will come from our covenant connection to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. From our faithful relationship with Them comes godly knowledge, love, power, and capacity to serve. …

… Our sins and pride create a breach—or gap—between us and the font of all love, our Heavenly Father.

Only the Savior’s Atonement can cleanse us of our sins and close that gap. …

… The Savior repaired the breach—or distance—between us and Heavenly Father. He, through His great atoning sacrifice, opens the way for us to partake of God’s loving power, and then we are enabled to repair the “waste places” in our personal lives. Healing emotional distance between each other will require our acceptance of God’s love, coupled with a sacrifice of our natural selfish and fearful tendencies. …

Our Father’s infinite love reaches out to us, to bring us back into His glory and joy. He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to repair the breach that gapes wide between us and Him. Reunion with Father in Heaven is the essence of lasting love and eternal purpose. We must make the connection with Him now to learn what really matters, to love as He loves and grow to be like Him.

Value beyond Measure 

Joy D. Jones Primary General President

The Spirit will confirm to each of us individually our divine worth. Truly knowing that you are a daughter of God will affect every aspect of your life and guide you in the service you render each day. …

… No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. …

Sisters, let’s not be confused about who we are! While it is often easier to be spiritually passive than it is to put forth the spiritual effort to remember and embrace our divine identity, we cannot afford that indulgence in these latter days. May we, as sisters, “be faithful in Christ; … may Christ lift [us] up, and may his sufferings and death, … and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in [our minds] forever” [Moroni 9:25].

Three Sisters 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

If you find yourself worrying about what other people say about you, may I suggest this antidote: remember who you are. Remember that you are of the royal house of the kingdom of God, children of Heavenly Parents, who reign throughout the universe.

You have the spiritual DNA of God. You have unique gifts that originated in your spiritual creation and that were developed during the vast span of your premortal life. You are the child of our merciful and everlasting Father in Heaven, the Lord of Hosts, the One who created the universe, spread the spinning stars across the vast expanse of space, and placed the planets in their appointed orbits. …

The promises of praise and acceptance by the world are unreliable, untrue, and unsatisfying. God’s promises are sure, true, and joyful—now and forever.

I invite you to consider religion and faith from a higher perspective. Nothing offered in the great and spacious building can compare with the fruit of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. …

You cannot allow circumstances to make you sad.

You cannot allow them to make you mad.

You can rejoice that you are a child of God. You can find joy and happiness in the grace of God and in the love of Jesus Christ.

You can be glad.