Talk Summaries from the April 2024 Saturday Afternoon Session

Individual Talk Summaries

• Elder David A. Bednar: ‘Be Still, and Know That I Am God’
• Elder Massimo De Feo: ‘Rise! He Calleth Thee’
• Elder Brent H. Nielson: ‘A Record of What I Have Both Seen and Heard’
• Elder Jose L. Alonso: ‘Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives’
• Elder Gerrit W. Gong: ‘All Things for Your Good’
• Brother Michael T. Nelson: ‘Relationships Influence Choices’
• Elder Quentin L. Cook: ‘Be One With Christ’

Session Summary

President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the Saturday afternoon session of April 2024 general conference on April 6, along with his two counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks, and President Henry B. Eyring. The 99-year-old Church President had watched the morning session from home.

Under the direction of the First Presidency, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conducted the session.

As the first speaker, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about the need in a hectic world for and blessing of inner spiritual stillness. “As the foundation of our lives is built upon the Savior, we are blessed to ‘be still’ — to have a spiritual assurance that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior,” he said.

The Lord provides both sacred times and holy places to help individuals experience and learn about this inner stillness of their souls. Their principle purpose is “to repeatedly focus our attention upon our Heavenly Father and His plan, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the edifying power of the Holy Ghost, and the promises associated with the sacred ordinances and covenants of the Savior’s restored gospel,” Elder Bednar taught.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about moral agency and being one with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the Savior’s Atonement. “Without moral agency, we could not learn, progress, or choose to be one with Christ,” he taught. “To receive the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement, we must affirmatively exercise our moral agency to choose Christ and obey His commandments.”

To follow President Russell M. Nelson’s admonition to gather Israel, “we need to include others in our circle of oneness. … The essence of truly belonging is to be one with Christ,” he said.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “when we trust God and His love for us, even our greatest heartbreaks can in the end work together for our good.” Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, He not only redeems one from sin, but understands each pain and affliction. “In time and eternity, His triumph over death and hell can make all things right.”

Regular temple worship and service will bless, protect and inspire individuals and families. “Now, as circumstances permit, please come even more often to the Lord in His holy house,” he said.

Newsroom April 2024 General Conference Talk Summaries, News and Announcements

Elder Massimo De Feo, General Authority Seventy, used a New Testament story of a blind man to teach three principles for keeping a clear spiritual vision:

1. “Focus on Jesus Christ and stay true to what we know to be true.”
2. “Leave the natural man behind, repent, and begin a new life in Christ.”
3. “Hear the voice of the Lord and allow Him to guide us.”

To keep our spiritual sight intact, we need not to listen to the voices of the world around us but “cry even louder our testimony of the Lord to the world,” he said.

Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy, who was given emeritus status in the Saturday morning session, bore witness of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, living prophets and apostles, and the restored gospel.

The most inspiring miracle of the Restoration is the number of faithful Church members in every land, armed with righteousness and power. “You are the covenant children of the Father. You are disciples of Jesus Christ,” he said. “You also know what I know because you have received your personal witness of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. … You and I are witnesses who testify.”

“Jesus Christ is our hope and the answer to life's greatest pains,” testified Elder Jose L. Alonso, General Authority Seventy. “As we strive to place Him at the center of our lives, revelations unfold to us, His profound peace envelops us, and His infinite Atonement brings about our forgiveness and healing. It is in Him that we discover the strength to overcome, the courage to persevere and the peace that surpasses all understanding.”

Brother Michael T. Nelson, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, said that like Helaman leading the stripling sons of the Ammonites, leaders and parents “can be powerful examples to the youth of how disciples of Christ live today.” For youth to experience joy and growth, step back and allow them to learn through counseling together, choosing an inspired course and putting a plan into action. “Our youth amaze us with their courage, their faith, and their abilities.”

A combined choir from Brigham Young University–Idaho performed "All Glory, Laud and Honor,” "God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son,” “How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” and “We Will Sing of Zion" under the direction of Paul Busselberg, Randall Kempton, Eda Ashby and Atina Coates with organists Joseph Peeples and Linda Margetts.

The invocation was offered by Elder Ryan K. Olsen, a General Authority Seventy, with Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman offering the benediction.