Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to listen to Church leaders speak during the Saturday morning session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference.
This session was the first to have the Conference Center open at full seating capacity since 2019, with visitors filling more than 20,000 seats.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve emphasized hope can grow through faith in Jesus Christ.
“May we nurture our precious faith, pressing forward with a perfect brightness of hope,” Elder Andersen said.
Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman said everyone can access God’s power, and Elder Karl D. Hirst of the Seventy said everyone deserves God’s love.
Elder Dale G. Renlund said The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s true Church. He said it allows others to access his doctrine, power and blessings.
“Without His Church, there is no authority, no preaching of revealed truths in His name,” Elder Renlund said. “No transformation into who God wants us to become.”
Elder David P. Homer of the Seventy encouraged Church members to trust in God’s will.
“An overall message that really stood to me is trusting yourself, trusting your instincts,” Lyndlee Martin from Ogden, Utah, said.
Attendee Johnnette Emeliano from Kohala, Hawaii, also said the message of trust resonated with her.
“You can hear from the speakers to trust the Lord continually and that’s actually something I’ve been trying to do a lot more, is to let God prevail in my life,” Emeliano said.
Elder Gregorio E. Casillas of the Seventy emphasized the importance of serving and sharing love towards each of God’s children.
“Whenever we seek to bless the lives of others, the Lord takes mercy upon us even more,” Elder Casillas said.
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, concluded the conference by teaching members to strive to be peacemakers amidst contention in public policy conversations.
“We teach and testify of Jesus Christ,” President Oaks said. “So, let us follow Him by foregoing contention.”
Thousands more members of the Church will attend General Conference on Sunday to hear more messages from Church leaders.