President Thomas S. Monson opened the Sunday morning session of the October 2015 General Conference by addressing the passing of the three apostles and by welcoming the members of the Quorum of the Twelve.
President Thomas S. Monson was the first speaker to address the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Sunday morning session of the LDS Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference. (Mormon Newsroom)
Next, he began to teach the importance of being a light and an example. President Monson shared the apostle Paul's words in his epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
He began by stating the importance of being an example in conversation.
“The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean.”
He went on to encourage the Saints to follow Paul’s counsel and be full of charity.
“I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits.”
President Monson additionally taught the importance of being an example in spirit.
“To me, that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness and good will.”
He also taught that the LDS Church needs to be full of faith, but that faith and fear cannot exist together.
“To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in his word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions.”
President Monson explained that it is vital for Saints to read the scriptures and to pray often. He also taught that we must be pure.
“Purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises.”
He concluded addressing the members by explaining, “We will be different” as the church strives to be an example as Paul taught.
Other General Conference news:
LDS Church announces three new apostles
Three new apostles to represent Christ throughout the world
English only at LDS General Conference
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
Women’s general session:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Now is a part of eternity
Sister Carol F. McConkie: The Lord’s agents
Sister Linda S. Reeves: Rewards will come
Sister Rosemary M. Wixom: Divine nature within you
Saturday morning session:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: It works!
Elder M. Russell Ballard: God is at the helm
Elder Richard J. Maynes: The joy of living a Christ-centered life
Sister Neill F. Marriott: Yielding our hearts to God
Elder Francisco J. Vinas: The pleasing word of God
Saturday afternoon session:
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Elder Bradley D. Foster: It’s never too early and it’s never too late
Elder Robert D. Hales: Meeting the challenges of today’s world
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Behold thy mother
Priesthood session:
Sunday morning session:
President Thomas S. Monson: Be an example and a light
Elder Ronald A. Rasband: Love one another
Elder Gary E. Stevenson: Fulness of times
Elder Dale G. Renlund: Through God’s eyes
President Russell M. Nelson: A plea to my sisters
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer: Let the clarion trumpet sound
Elder Claudio R.M. Costa: That they do always remember him
Sunday afternoon session:
President Henry B. Eyring: The Holy Ghost as your companion
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Why the church
Elder Von G. Keetch: Blessed and happy are those who keep the commandments of God
Sister Carole M. Stephens: If ye love me, keep my commandments
Elder Allen D. Haynie: Remembering in whom we have trusted
Elder Kim B. Clark: Eyes to see and ears to hear
Brother Devin G. Durrant: My heart pondereth them continually
Elder Koichi Aoyagi: Hold on thy way
Elder David A. Bednar: Chosen to bear testimony of my name
Other conference-related coverage:
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
LDS Church members anticipate counsel on LGBT acceptance
English only at LDS General Conference
Music and the Spoken Word: A Mormon gift to the world
Mormons encouraged to review past sessions before General Conference