Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others that may be affected by the words spoken at the church’s 192nd Annual General Conference, or for those who may not have heard the conference messages, below is a condensed version of the weekend’s admonitions and announcements — many unique to the church.

President Russell M. Nelson, on world conditions:

“Since last conference, difficulties in the world have continued. The global pandemic still affects our lives. And now, the world has been rocked by a conflict that is raining terror on millions of innocent men, women and children. Prophets have foreseen our day when there would be wars and rumors of wars, and when the whole earth would be in commotion. As followers of Jesus Christ, we plead with leaders of nations to find peaceful resolutions to their differences. We call upon people everywhere to pray for those in need, to do what they can to help the distressed, and to seek the Lord’s help in ending any major conflicts.”

Nelson, on missionaries needed:

“Today, I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place. As you serve missions, you play a pivotal role in this unprecedented event!”

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, on suicide:

“To any of our youth out there who are struggling, whatever your concerns or difficulties, death by suicide is manifestly not the answer. It will not relieve the pain you are feeling or see yourself causing. In a world that so desperately needs all the light it can get, please do not minimize the eternal light God put in your soul before this world was. Talk to someone. Ask for help. Do not destroy a life that Christ gave His life to preserve.”

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, explaining exaltation doctrine:

“Fundamental to us is God’s revelation that exaltation can only be attained through faithfulness to the covenants of an eternal marriage between a man and a woman. That Divine doctrine is why we teach that ‘gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose.’

“That is also why the Lord has required His restored church to oppose social and legal pressures to retreat from His doctrine of marriage between a man and a woman, and to oppose changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women.”

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve, on Heavenly Mother doctrine:

“The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother comes by revelation and is a distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints. President Dallin H. Oaks explained the importance of this truth: ‘Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.’ Very little has been revealed about Mother in Heaven but what we do know is summarized in a Gospel Topic found in our Gospel Library application.

“Once you have read what is there, you will know everything that I know about the subject. I wish I knew more. You, too, may still have questions and want to find more answers. Seeking greater understanding is an important part of our spiritual development, but please be cautious. Reason cannot replace revelation. Speculation will not lead to greater spiritual knowledge, but it can lead to deception or divert our focus from what has been revealed.”

Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency:

“Relief Society is not limited to a room in a building, a Sunday lesson, an activity or a presidency at the local or general level. Relief Society is the covenant women of the Church; it is us — each of us and all of us — it is our ‘global community of compassion and service.'”

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve, on social media:

“The powerful impact of the internet is a blessing and a challenge, unique to our time. In a world of social media and information superhighways, one person’s voice can be multiplied exponentially. That voice, whether true or false, whether fair or prejudicial, whether kind or cruel, moves instantly across the world. Social media posts of thoughtfulness and goodness are often quietly under the radar, while words of contempt and anger are frequently thundering in our ears, whether with political philosophy, people in the news or opinions on the pandemic. No one or no subject is immune from this social phenomenon of polarized voices, including the Savior and His restored gospel.”

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve, speaking of religious freedom:

“Opponents of religious freedom seek to impose restrictions on expressions of heart-felt convictions. They even criticize and ridicule faith traditions. Such an attitude marginalizes people devaluing personal principles, fairness, respect, spirituality and peace of conscience. What is religious freedom? It is freedom of worship in all its configurations: freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom to act on personal beliefs and freedom for others to do the same. Religious freedom allows each of us to decide for ourselves what we believe, how we live and act according to our faith and what God expects of us.”

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy, talking about survival:

“I marvel at the astonishing survival of individuals and families victimized by war, imprisoned in camps and those who become refugees, who heroically and courageously keep alive the flame of hope for fellow sufferers, who impart goodness in the face of brutality and who somehow manage to help others endure just one more day.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, reminding the faithful not to counsel the Lord:

“It truly is folly for us with our mortal myopia to presume to judge God, to think, for example, ‘I’m not happy, so God must be doing something wrong.’ To us, His mortal children in a fallen world, who know so little of past, present and future, He declares, ‘All things are present with me, for I know them all.’ 6 Jacob wisely cautions, ‘Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.'”

Announcements:

The calls of 12 new leaders were announced at the April 2022 general conference. These calls comprise six General Authority Seventies and new Relief Society and Primary General Presidencies. The new Relief Society and Primary leaders will begin their service on Aug. 1.

In his concluding remarks at the April general conference, Nelson announced plans to build 17 new temples throughout the world.

They will be constructed in the following locations: Wellington, New Zealand; Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Barcelona, Spain; Birmingham, United Kingdom; Cusco, Peru; Maceió, Brazil; Santos, Brazil; San Luis Potosí, Mexico; Mexico City Benemérito, Mexico; Tampa, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Cleveland, Ohio; Wichita, Kansas; Austin, Texas; Missoula, Montana; Montpelier, Idaho; and Modesto, California.

That will make 100 temples announced since April 2018 when Nelson was sustained as the new president of the church.

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