October 2023 General Conference

Summary of the Saturday Morning Session


Individual Talk Summaries

Watch the full Saturday morning session now.

President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke on God’s plan for His children and on the kingdoms of glory available to them at the conclusion of the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference.

The fullness of the doctrine of Christ teaches that Heavenly Father loves His children so much that He wants all to live in a kingdom of glory forever — more specifically, to live with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, eternally, he taught.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”

The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts — what one has done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of one’s acts and thoughts — what one has become.

“We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow,” President Oaks said.

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, who conducted the session, noted the absence and remote participation of Church President Russell M. Nelson, who is recovering from an injured back, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who continues to recuperate from recent health challenges. 

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles opened the conference expressing his love, admiration and gratitude for Latter-day Saints worldwide and described examples of those who are pressing forward “in the path of their duty.”

“Your strong faith in Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and your unpretentious, consecrated lives inspire me to be a better man and disciple,” he said.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the importance of the sealing power — “the perfect manifestation of the justice, mercy and love of God” — in the gathering of Israel.

“Without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations here and hereafter, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches, that is, neither ancestry nor posterity,” he said.

Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, taught about spiritual preparation and what it means to “abide the day in Christ.” 

“My dear friends, we cannot share our oil, but we can share His light,” she said. “Oil in our lamps will not only help us ‘abide the day’ but can also be the means of illuminating the path that leads those we love to the Savior, who stands ready ‘with open arms to receive’ them. … He is the reason why it is never the end of our story.”

Elder Robert M. Daines, General Authority Seventy, said prayer, reading the Gospels and seeking Jesus help His followers learn to recognize him and feel His love. “This should be the reason for most of what we do in church,” he said.

General Authority Seventy and President of the Church’s Africa Central Area Elder Ian. S. Ardern spoke about visiting Uganda and witnessing an “increase of hope for a better tomorrow” in the ongoing compassionate humanitarian work and compassion. 

Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy said decisions to be lukewarm about the Church or leave it can impact generations ahead. “I invite you ... to be valiant enough to reshape your path for the sake of your posterity,”  he taught.

The invocation was offered by Elder Alvin F. Meredith III and the benediction was offered by the newest member of the Young Men general presidency, Brother Michael T. Nelson.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, with Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy conducting, performed “How Firm a Foundation,” “I Feel My Savior’s Love,” “Faith in Every Footstep” and “We Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” accompanied by organists Andrew Unsworth and Richard Elliott. 

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