- 20240406_190450_CPowell_19701.jpg
- 20240406_180112_LNilsson_LES03573.JPG
- 20240406_184107_CPowell_19291.jpg
- 20240406_180851_HWinterton_1158.jpeg
- 20240406_175244_HWinterton_0173.jpeg
- 20240406_175323_HWinterton_0303.jpeg
- 20240406_175355_HWinterton_0420.jpeg
- 20240406_175428_LNilsson_LES03521.JPG
- 20240406_141403_CBell_1484.jpg
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Talk Summaries
- Elder Shayne M. Bowen: ‘Miracles, Angels and Priesthood Power’
- Elder Steven R. Bangerter: ‘Foreordained To Serve’
- Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus: ‘Faithful to the End’
- Elder Matthew L. Carpenter: ‘Fruit That Remains’
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: ‘A Higher Joy’
Session Summary
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave steps to finding a higher peace through Jesus Christ and joy — “the very purpose of God’s plan for His children” — at the conclusion of the Saturday evening session of April 2024 general conference.
The Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “I have learned that if we draw near to God and reach out to touch Him, we can indeed find healing, peace and joy.”
Those who draw near God, look for joy, bear others’ burdens and strive to walk in God’s way will experience “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” even in the midst of sorrows. “You will feel your spirit lifting away from the gravity of this world,” he said.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conducted the evening session, the second of three Apostles invited by the First Presidency to conduct a session, which President Dallin H. Oaks announced at the morning session. “We are grateful for their assistance,” he said.
Elder Shayne M. Bowen, a General Authority Seventy, testified that “miracles have not ceased, angels are among us and the heavens are truly open.” Miracles often occur as a direct result of priesthood power, restored in these latter days and passed from prophet to prophet until President Russell M. Nelson.
“God keeps all of His promises,” always, he said. “If you desire the blessings of the priesthood, including miracles and the ministry of angels, I invite you to walk the path of covenants God has made available to each of us.”
Elder Steven R. Bangerter, a General Authority Seventy, shared that God’s children were foreordained missions in mortality and that they can find this mission as they seek to follow His will, sincerely ask, genuinely desire to know and seek to follow His will.
Scriptures, prayer, uplifting music and reading one’s patriarchal blessing can bring revelation and provide a safe haven amid the storms of life. “Your participation in the ordinances and covenants of the gospel will be more meaningful. You will more fully bind yourself to God in the covenants you make with Him, and you will be lifted to have greater hope, faith and assurance in the promises He has made to you.”
“There is joy in being a disciple of Jesus Christ,” said Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. She, shared sic strengths faithful disciples of Jesus Christ may develop: love for God, faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, knowledge of true identity, daily repentance, access to God’s power and testimony.
“Our testimony is built by personal spiritual experiences in which we recognize the divine influence in our lives. No one can take that knowledge from us,” she said.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of hope,” said Elder Matthew L. Carpenter, General Authority Seventy, who spoke about the eternal blessings of being faithful to the covenant of marriage.
Hope comes with repentance and obedience. Those who enter into and keep the covenant of marriage can receive the fulness of the glory of the Father. “We must demonstrate that we are willing to enter into and faithfully keep this new and everlasting covenant, either in this life or the next,” he said.
Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy, offered the opening prayer, and Brother Milton Camargo, first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, offered the closing prayer.
Music was provided by the Utah Valley Institute Choir which was directed by Matt Johnson and Marshall McDonald, and accompanied by Linda Margetts and Joseph Peeples at the organ. They sang “The Lord Is My Light,” “Oh, What Songs of the Heart,” “Count Your Blessings” and Amazing Grace.”