The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 194th semiannual General Conference concluded Sunday afternoon with messages centered around strengthening faith and making Jesus Christ the focus of life.
The session featured messages from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder Takashi Wada, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Ruben Alliaud, Elder Raymond Egbo and President Russell M. Nelson.
In his address about the branches and roots of a testimony, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke about the importance of learning the difference between what is eternal and what is not.
“Once we understand that, everything changes—our relationships, the choices we make, the way we treat people,” Elder Uchtdorf said. “Faith is strong when it has deep roots in personal experience, personal commitment to Jesus Christ, independent of what our traditions are or what others may say or do.”
He also admonished listeners to search for Jesus Christ in every avenue—in church callings, in places of worship and in efforts to strengthen one’s testimony. Seekers of Christ must nourish the roots of faith so that the branches of testimony may grow.
Elder Takashi Wada of the Seventy recounted several experiences that he had as a teenager that made a lasting influence on his spiritual growth. One such experience was receiving a copy of the New Testament in junior high school, which led him to reading Matthew 11:28-30.
“I learned that, because Heavenly Father knows and loves me, he would speak to me personally, uniquely, and in ways we understand through the Holy Ghost,” Elder Wada said.
He also shared his feelings about his interactions with the missionaries who taught him about the gospel, and how his spirit was touched when he saw the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reflected in their prayers for him.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke about how love is evident in the way that church members sustain church leaders.
“To sustain means to hold up another person, to give them our attention, to be faithful to their trust, to act upon their words,” he said. “To hold up a prophet is a sacred work.” One sacred responsibility that prophets hold is to "(cradle) the holy temples in their arms.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke about the importance of daily scripture study in building one’s foundation of faith and using the Internet intentionally and wisely for good.
“As we contemplate the relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon as handheld devices, one might ask a question,” Elder Cook asked. “How useful and complimentary do you think two books would be if the Lord declared they would be ‘joined together’ and ‘become one in thine hand?'”
Elder Ruben Alliaud of the Seventy spoke about our divine nature as literal sons and daughters of God. Through several scriptural examples, Elder Alliaud taught that reminders of this knowledge can help us learn more about our divine nature and mission.
“It is no wonder that every time we are taught about our divine nature and destiny, the adversary of all righteousness tempts us to call them into question,” Elder Alliaud said. “How different our decisions would be if we really knew who we really are.”
Elder Raymond Egbo of the Seventy emphasized the importance of focusing one’s life on Jesus Christ and trusting that He can help loved ones.
“If you keep fasting and praying, if you do not set a timetable or a deadline for God, and if you trust that He is stretching forth His hand to help, then—sooner or later—you find God touching the heart of your child when your child chooses to listen,” Elder Egbo said. “This is so because Christ is joy—Christ is hope; He is the promise of good things to come.”
In the session’s concluding address, President Russell M. Nelson urged listeners to prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior by spending time in the the temple.
“In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him,” President Nelson said. “We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.”
President Nelson announced 17 new temples: Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico; Santa Ana, El Salvador; Medellín, Colombia; Santiago, Dominican Republic; Puerto Montt, Chile; Dublin, Ireland; Milan, Italy; Abuja, Nigeria; Kampal, Uganda; Maputo, Mozambique; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Queen Creek, Arizona; El Paso, Texas; Huntsville, Alabama; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Summit, New Jersey; and Price, Utah.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square concluded the conference by singing “And the Glory of the Lord,” a Baroque piece from Handel’s “Messiah.”