Saturday morning marked the opening session of the 196th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the first conference in years when Temple Square was largely free from construction that has transformed the area.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve was the opening speaker of the session. He spoke of temple attendance as a “sacred privilege,” and invited members to express gratitude for the blessings received in temples.
“While we are grateful our temples and everything in them are physically beautiful, let us celebrate and treasure even more the spiritual blessings temples bring,” Elder Gong said.
Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, and Elder Kevin J. Hathaway of the Seventy, both spoke about Christ’s healing and strengthening power during trials.
Sister Runia told the story of her oldest son's unexpected death and reminded listeners that God is aware of them and has a plan for their lives.
“A God-like life is carved from the very things that make it hard,” Sister Runia said.
Elder Hathaway described a “scriptural pattern of divine deliverance” that is possible through Jesus Christ.
“Opposition brings heart-rending questions and emotions, sincere seeking invites assurances, Christ’s grace enables us to endure and grow, and deliverance comes in the Savior’s time and way,” Elder Hathaway said.
President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, closed the meeting. He spoke on the dangers of gambling.
“Gambling is built on the desire to obtain something for nothing,” he said. “Its structure requires that any gain comes at others’ expense. It’s hard to reconcile that with the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.”
President Christofferson closed with a plea not only to avoid gambling, but to intentionally use time and resources for good.
“If we hunger and thirst after righteousness, there are many good things we will pursue, and other things that, because they are incompatible with righteousness, we will put out of our lives entirely,” President Christofferson said.