Christ-centered messages of agency, service, hope and gratitude were shared during the Sunday afternoon session of the 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 5.
The first speaker of the session was Elder David A. Bednar of The Quorum of the Twelve.
“Consider that we are commanded — not merely admonished or counseled — but commanded to use our agency to love one another and choose God,” Bednar said.
Elder Corey Cuvelier of the Seventy followed, speaking about divine identity, discipleship and the importance of doing good.
Elder Cuvelier referenced the late President Russell M. Nelson’s talk titled “Choices for Eternity,” where he reminded listeners that “you are a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
President Nelson’s teachings on divine identity were referenced several times throughout this October conference. Most speakers at the Sunday afternoon session referenced Nelson’s teachings.
Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy spoke next. His talk discussed the biblical story of Jonah and the whale.
“Whatever the cause or degree of disaster we face, there is always dry ground for hope, healing and happiness,” Elder Holland said.
Levi Hernandez attended the Sunday afternoon session with his wife, Isabella, and mother-in-law. His favorite message of this session was Elder Holland’s talk.
“You have to prepare yourself,” Hernandez said, referencing the call to action in Holland’s call to “forsake not your own mercy.”
To conclude the first half of the session, Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Seventy spoke about how focusing on Jesus Christ can help when facing tribulation.
“Our relationship with the Savior enables us to approach difficulties with smiling faces and grateful hearts,” Elder Godoy said.
Kyoni Kasongo, who attended with his wife, Helene, said he related to Elder Godoy’s message. The couple, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, attended General Conference for the second time.
“We are grateful to be here, it’s a blessing for the apostles to be speaking to us,” Kasongo said.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve taught about the importance of “taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ” through five parallels: identification, remembrance, emulation, alignment and empowerment.
At the conclusion of the session, President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke.
He began by announcing that no new temples would be announced at this conference.
President Oaks said President Nelson loved announcing temples from the pulpit but that the tradition would be paused for now.
Peter Hoggan, a BYU freshman studying computer engineering from Oregon, said he was surprised that no new temples were announced.
“It’s still Christ’s church; the gospel is still the same,” Hoggan said.
President Oaks resumed his previously planned message, focusing on the family.
“We are a family Church,” President Oaks said.
He declared that members of the Church should not follow declining familial trends in the world, and that parents should prioritize activities together, teaching and worshiping as a unit.
“Following Christ and giving ourselves in service to one another is the best remedy for the selfishness and individualism that now seem to be so common,” President Oaks said.