October 2023 General Conference

Summary of the Sunday Morning Session

Individual Talk Summaries

Watch the full Sunday morning session now.

“We need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We desire it, yet we know from experience that it is not easy to achieve,” said President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the concluding speaker of the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2023 general conference.

We can be taught by and learn from the Spirit line upon line, President Eyring taught, receiving what is needed until we are ready for more. When we have a difficult time feeling the Holy Ghost, we can ponder, repent, pray, and try to “want what the Savior wants,” he said.

“Your experiences will be unique, and the Spirit will guide in the way best suited to your faith and capacity to receive revelation for you and for those you love and serve.”

Sharing a testimony “simple,” “deep” and “full of love for the Prophet Joseph Smith,” President Russell M. Ballard testified at the beginning of the Sunday morning session without the aid of a teleprompter due to failing eyesight.

“How abundantly blessed we are to know all that we know because we have Joseph Smith, the Prophet of this last dispensation of time,” said the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Those blessings include the Book of Mormon and an understanding of the purpose of life, who we are, and the nature of God and the Savior.

“I think it is one of the most glorious and wonderful things that anyone in this world can know is that our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ have revealed themselves in the latter days,” he said.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged those striving to be “peaceable followers of Christ” to focus on Him amid trials, tribulation and adversities.

“For those striving to be “peaceable followers of Christ,” a brighter day awaits as one focuses on Him. “We do not know all the answers; however, we do know important principles that allow us to face trials, tribulation and adversities with faith and confidence in a bright future that awaits for each of us.” 

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles used the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate how God rejoices when His children enter “the road that leads home.” 

“Though choices may have taken you far away from the Savior and His Church, the Master Healer stands at the road that leads home, welcoming you. And we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ seek to follow His example and embrace you as our brothers and sisters, as our friends. We rejoice and celebrate with you.”

Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman spoke during the October 2023 general conference about joining a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ and walking with Him.  “No matter the heaviness of our story, or the current course of our path, He will invite us to walk with Him.” 

Encouraging listeners to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in word and action, Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, General Authority Seventy, said that “by following the Prophet, we can all learn to testify more of Jesus Christ by using the correct name of the Church, thus taking upon us more fully the name of the Lord.”

“Choosing the right hero has eternal consequences,” said Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. Focus primarily on the Lord rather than worldly heroes, he said. “No leader has shown more courage, no humanitarian more kindness, no physician has cured more disease and no artist has been more creative than Jesus Christ.”

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