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| 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 |
Individual Talk Summaries
- President Jeffrey R. Holland: ‘Motions of a Hidden Fire’
- Sister J. Anette Dennis: ‘Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ’
- Elder Alexander Dushku: ‘Pillars and Rays’
- Elder Ulisses Soares: ‘Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ’
- Elder Jack N. Gerard: ‘Integrity: A Christlike Attribute’
- President Henry B. Eyring: ‘All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants’
Session Summary
President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, testified of the importance of temple covenants and urged all to qualify and become eligible to attend the temple at the conclusion of the Saturday morning session of April 2024 general conference on April 6.
As one attends the temple, they can be reminded of their eternal nature, relationship with the Father and His Son and desire to return to their heavenly home. “Trials, challenges, and heartaches will surely come to all of us. … Yet, as we attend the temple and remember our covenants, we can prepare to receive personal direction from the Lord,” he said.
“I bear witness that there is nothing more important than honoring the covenants you have made, or may make, in the temple. No matter where you are on the covenant path, I urge you to qualify and become eligible to attend the temple. Visit as frequently as circumstances will allow,” he said.
The session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, who led the sustainings for current and new Church leaders effective August 1, which included 11 new General Authority Seventies, eight General Authority Seventies to receive emeritus, and a new Sunday School General Presidency. President Oaks announced that some of the conference sessions would be conducted by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, testified of and shared gratitude for “the efficacy of resolute prayers” as the opening speaker of the session. “I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection.”
The Savior, though perfect, prayed to the Father “so very, very often,” he said. “I bear witness that when Christ comes, He needs to recognize us — not as nominal members listed on a faded baptismal record but as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples.”Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said to have “covenant confidence through Jesus Christ” means trusting in the quiet, yet certain, assurance of receiving the blessings that God promises for those who keep their covenants — a blessing needed amid the challenging circumstances of the day.
Confidence through Jesus Christ is gained with humility, living a righteous life and honoring covenants made in the temple. The Savior asks each member to come to the temple spiritually prepared. “Preparation isn’t just for those going to the temple for the first time. We should all be perpetually preparing to go to the house of the Lord,” he said.
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Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, said that choosing to be part of a covenant enhances and deepens “our relationship with [God]” and “allows Him to draw nearer to us and more fully bless us.” Wearing the temple garment “reminds us that the Savior and the blessings of His Atonement cover us throughout our lives,” she said.
Elder Alexander Dushku, a General Authority Seventy, explained that a testimony comes over time, from a series of “rays of light” continuously poured down upon God’s children. “If we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and are striving to exercise faith, repent and honor our covenants, then we are worthy to receive these divine rays constantly,” he said.
Elder Jack N. Gerard, a General Authority Seventy, said that the Jesus Christ manifested the attribute of integrity in performing the Atonement. Joseph and Hyrum Smith showed integrity by remaining true to the end of their lives and the light and knowledge they received. How Latter-day Saints respond to the oppositional pull of the world shows a person’s true character and the measure of their integrity. “May we follow our exemplar, the Savior of the world, and not shrink, but live a life that is true to God, to each other and to our divine identity,” he said.
Prayers were offered by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen and Elder Mark D. Eddy,
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, with Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy directing, performed “Come, We That Love the Lord,” “The Morning Breaks,” “Did You Think to Pray?”, “Press Forward, Saints,” “I Know That My Savior Loves Me” and “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.”