Talk Summaries From the April 2023 Sunday Afternoon Session

Individual Talk Summaries

• President Dallin H. Oaks: ‘The Teachings of Jesus Christ’
• President M. Russell Ballard: ‘Remember What Matters Most’
• Elder Ronald A. Rasband: ‘Hosanna to the Most High God’
• Elder Vern P. Stanfill: ‘The Imperfect Harvest’
• Elder W. Mark Bassett: ‘After the Fourth Day’
• Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt: ‘Do You Know Why I As a Christian Believe in Christ?’
• Elder David A. Bednar: ‘Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore, Walk With Me’
• President Russell M. Nelson: ‘The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ’

Watch the full Sunday afternoon session now.

 
Jesus Christ — believing in Him, becoming like Him and coming unto Him — was the overarching theme of the final session of the April 2023 general conference.

President Russell M. Nelson said Easter Sunday is the most important religious observance for followers of Jesus Christ. “Because of Jesus Christ, we can repent and be forgiven of our sins. Because of Him, each of us will be resurrected.”

He also announced 15 new temples, to be built in Retalhuleu, Guatemala; Iquitos, Peru; Teresina, Brazil; Natal, Brazil; Tuguegarao City, Philippines; Iloilo, Philippines; Jakarta, Indonesia; Hamburg, Germany; Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; San Jose, California; Bakersfield, California; Springfield, Missouri; Winchester, Virginia;  Charlotte, North Carolina; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Newsroom The Church of Jesus Christ Will Build 15 New Houses of the Lord

In his remarks, President M. Russell Ballard spoke about the things that matter most: relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, relationships with family and friends, following the promptings of the Spirit and serving the Lord.

“I invite you to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ more often,” President Ballard said.

And Elder David A. Bednar said Jesus Christ invites all to abide in Him. This means taking upon one’s self His yoke through covenants and ordinances, strengthening one’s covenant bond with the Father and the Son, feasting upon the words of Christ, preparing to participate in the sacrament and serving God’s children.

“We abide in Christ as we are firm and steadfast in our devotion to the Redeemer and His holy purposes, in times both good and bad,” Elder Bednar said.

President Dallin H. Oaks declared that members of The Church of Jesus Christ believe in Christ, worship Him and follow His teachings in the scriptures. He shared selections of the words of the Savior from the New Testament and Book of Mormon, and concluded, “I affirm the truth of these teachings.”

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on ways the doctrine of Holy Week applies to one’s life. The lessons are to “embrace prophecy and prophetic teachings, act on promptings of the Holy Ghost, become a true disciple and seek the healing power of our Lord’s Atonement,” he said.

Elder Vern P. Stanfill, Elder W. Mark Bassett and Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, General Authority Seventies, also spoke.

Elder Stanfill spoke on the difference between perfectionism and being perfected in Christ. “As we accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him, we soon realize that our best is good enough and that the grace of a loving Savior will make up the difference in ways we cannot imagine.”

Elder Bassett testified that individuals sometimes feel like the Savior answers their prayers for divine intervention too late. “As we move forward with faith in Jesus Christ, ... He will always come to our aid or to raise our hopes back to life.”

Elder Corbitt, who has been serving in the Young Men General Presidency and was sustained Saturday as a General Authority Seventy, taught that the doctrine of Christ can bless all God’s children. It empowers “those who are struggling or feel they don’t belong in the Church” because they can know Christ died for them and loves them.

The session was conducted by President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, and prayers were given by Elder John A. McCune and Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, General Authority Seventies. Music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square under the direction of Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, with Brian Mathias at the organ.

Newsroom April 2023 General Conference Talk Summaries, News and Announcements