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President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shares a message of inspiration during the morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

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A family on Temple Square in Salt Lake City during general conference weekend on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provides counsel during the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

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Conferencegoers listen to a speaker during the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Sunday morning’s session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened with President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, bearing his raw testimony.

He shared that his eyesight is deteriorating and he told his doctor he could no longer see the teleprompters. Thus, he chose to forgo a prewritten talk and share his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, marveling at the young boy having the courage to get on his knees in the sacred grove and pray aloud to the Lord.

“My message this morning is simple, it’s deep and it’s full of love, for the prophet Joseph smith and for all of those, my brothers and sisters, who have and were willing to sustain him in his youth,” Ballard said.

He reminded those watching how abundantly blessed members of the church are because they have knowledge of the gospel and the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ.

“My testimony this morning is that I know that Jesus Christ is the savior and redeemer of the world. I also know that our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ appeared and spoke to Joseph and prepared him to become the prophet to restore the fullness of the everlasting gospel once again upon the earth,” he said. “I marvel and I’m sure that many of you do too at how blessed we are to know what we know about our purpose in life, why we are here, what we should be trying to do and accomplish in our daily lives. Through the process of trying to prepare ourselves a day at a time to be a little better, be a little kinder, be a little more prepared for that day, and it will surely come when we shall pass back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s getting a little closer for me.”

Ballard has been a general authority since 1976, and he was called as an apostle in 1984. “I have met with members of the church all over the world and oh how I love you,” he said. “What a glorious experience that’s been to look into your faces, be in your presence and feel your love that you have for the Lord and for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May our Heavenly Father watch over us now.”

Echoing Ballard’s love for the members of the church and God’s children, other speakers focused on the Lord reaching out, meeting people where they are, and rejoicing when they come unto him.

Several speakers echoed Ballard’s sentiments and testimony, sharing their faith in Smith and his courage to seek out the Lord’s forgiveness and guidance on that spring day in 1820.

Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women general president, focused on Christ meeting followers where they are, his atonement lifting them up to where He is and helping them become like Him. “His is a mission of condescension,” she said. “Jesus Christ will meet us where we are, as we are. This is the why of the garden, the cross and the tomb. The savior was sent to help us overcome.”

Recalling a time she visited the Western Wall in Israel, Freeman said she saw people wearing their finest clothing as a sign of devotion to their God. When she returned home, Freeman listened more closely to conversations about covenants around her.

“I noticed people asking, Why should I walk a covenant path? Do I need to enter a house for making covenants? Why do I wear the holy garment? Should I invest in a covenant relationship with the Lord?” she said. “The answer to these good and important questions is simple: It depends on what degree of relationship you want to experience with Jesus Christ.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke of this relationship of love that God offers to his children, one that does not fade no matter how far his children stray from him. He shared the story of the prodigal son, who took his inheritance and left his father’s home to explore the world while his brother stayed home. The son who left found the harsh realities of following the desires of the world. He was left with an empty soul. When he returned to his father, he was welcomed with open arms and a celebration that he came home.

This rejoicing is the same Uchtdorf said children of God will receive when they come unto him. “Like all of the savior’s parables, this one is not just about people living long ago. It’s about you and me today,” he said. “Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way? Who among us has not felt humbled, broken-hearted and desperate for forgiveness and mercy? Perhaps we have wondered, ‘Is it even possible to go back? Will I be labeled forever, rejected and avoided by my former friends? Is it better to just stay lost? How will God react if I try to return?'”

Uchtdorf shared that the answers are found in this parable of the prodigal son. “Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion,” he said.

Not only will God run to those who come unto him, but he sent his son to succor those in need of comfort, Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve, shared.

Cook said many have asked the question, “Why does a just god allow bad things to happen to good people?” He shared his response: “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.”

As people come unto Christ, he will know how best to help them, Cook said.

“The scriptures are clear; peaceable followers of Christ who are righteous, follow the savior and keep His commandments will be blessed,” he said, reminding attendees of King Benjamin’s address to his people found in the scriptures, that those who follow Christ are not promised blessing just in this life, but will be “received into heaven, and dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.”

Advice and revelation given to Brigham Young and the saints is still applicable today, Cook added. “First, He encouraged them to ‘praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.’ Second, the Lord counseled if they were ‘sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful,'” he said.

To praise the Lord is to worship only him and to share his name, Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella of the Quorum of the Seventy shared. He explained the importance of using the full name of the church and of focusing the gospel on Jesus Christ. He shared stories of attending church meetings in Brazil and in Salt Lake City, in both places hearing members bearing their testimony of Jesus Christ. “If friends of the church, honestly seeking the truth, had been at that meeting, they would have recognized that this is the church of Jesus Christ,” he said.

In Brazil, he spoke to a woman who was not a member but had been attending church for two years. He said she told him, “I like to come here because you speak of Jesus Christ in your meetings.”

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, first counselor in the Office of the Presiding Bishopric, warned of modern day idols taking precedence over praising the Lord. “For us, on our journey back to the presence of God, to our promised land, it’s not the politician, the musician, the athlete or the vlogger that is the issue but, rather, choosing to allow them to become the primary objects of our attention and focus, in place of our savior and redeemer.”

Waddell added, “Brothers and sisters, it is by choosing Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, that we choose the kingdom of God. Any other choice is the equivalent of choosing the arm of flesh or a golden calf, and will ultimately fail us.”

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, closed the Sunday morning session with the story of Nephi going to the house of Laban to obtain the plates, focusing on how Nephi was guided by the spirit every minute throughout the night. “We need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We desire it,” he said. “Yet we know from experience that it is not easy to achieve. We each think, say and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit.”

“I have felt impressed to speak today of my personal experience of inviting the Holy Ghost, as nearly I as could, to be my constant companion. My prayer is that I may be able to encourage you to do the same,” Eyring added.

When someone feels the spirit, it is evidence that the atonement is working in their life, he said, adding that as repentance takes place each week when the sacrament is administered, the promise of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is again bestowed upon those who access Christ’s atonement and forgiveness through repentance.

By aligning with the Lord’s purpose and seeking the companionship of the Holy Ghost for the right reasons, the promptings of the spirit will come more easily, Eyring shared. “If you find yourself having difficulty in feeling the Holy Ghost, you might ponder whether there is anything for which you need to repent and receive forgiveness. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus more nearly qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost,” he said.

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