Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, as well as in chapels and homes around the world, to participate in the 189th Annual General Conference on April 6–7.
During the 189th Annual General Conference, 31 messages were shared with Latter-day Saints around the world. The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other Church leaders shared messages during five sessions. Their talks covered a range of topics including missionary work, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and personal accountability.
Please find the summary of selected talks below. For more talks or the entire talk please visit conference.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Click on the icons to read or download the text or watch the video.
1. Elder Brook P. Hales of the Seventy - Answers to Prayer
One aspect of that perfect love is our Heavenly Father’s involvement in the details of our lives, even when we may not be aware of it or understand it. We seek the Father’s divine guidance and help through heartfelt, earnest prayer. When we honour our covenants and strive to be more like our Saviour, we are entitled to a constant stream of divine guidance through the influence and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes our most earnest and worthy desires are not answered in the way we hope, but we find that God has greater blessings in store. And sometimes our righteous desires are not granted in this life. We have the assurance that in His own way and in His own time, Heavenly Father will bless us and resolve all of our concerns, injustices, and disappointments.
2. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency – Cleansed by Repentance
The contrast I have experienced between the laws of man and the laws of God has increased my appreciation for the reality and power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Under the laws of man, a person guilty of the most serious crimes can be sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. But it is different under the merciful plan of a loving Heavenly Father. I have witnessed that these same serious sins can be forgiven in mortality because of our Saviour’s atoning sacrifice for the sins of “all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (2 Nephi 2:7). Christ redeems, and His Atonement is real. Repentance begins with our Saviour, and it is a joy, not a burden. President Nelson taught: “True repentance is not an event. It is a never-ending privilege. It is fundamental to progression and having peace of mind, comfort, and joy.”
3. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles – Behold the Lamb of God
In addition to making time for more home-centered gospel instruction, our modified Sunday service is also to reduce the complexity of the meeting schedule in a way that properly emphasizes the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as the sacred, acknowledged focal point of our weekly worship experience. We are to remember in as personal a way as possible that Christ died from a heart broken by shouldering entirely alone the sins and sorrows of the whole human family. Inasmuch as we contributed to that fatal burden, such a moment demands our respect. Thus, we are encouraged to come to our services early and reverently, dressed appropriately for participation in a sacred ordinance. It is in memory of Him who asked if the cup He was about to drink could pass, only to press on because He knew that for our sake it could not pass. One way to “always remember him” (Moroni 4:3; 5:2) would be to join the Great Physician in His never-ending task of lifting the load from those who are burdened and relieving the pain of those who are distraught.
4. President Russell M. Nelson – “Come, Follow me”
Jesus Christ invites us to take the covenant path back home to our Heavenly Parents and be with those we love. He understands our Heavenly Father’s plan of eternal progression better than any of us. After all, He is the keystone of it all. He is our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Saviour. Repeatedly, scriptures record that despite all kinds of sins from all kinds of people, His arms are outstretched still. (3 Nephi 9:14) The Saviour invites all to follow Him into the waters of baptism and, in time, to make additional covenants with God in the temple and receive and be faithful to those further essential ordinances. All these are required if we want to be exalted with our families and with God forever. “If you are not sure you even believe in God, start there. Understand that in the absence of experiences with God, one can doubt the existence of God. So, put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him. Humble yourself. Pray to have eyes to see God’s hand in your life and in the world around you. Ask Him to tell you if He is really there—if He knows you. Ask Him how He feels about you. And then listen.”
5. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - Good Shepherd, Lamb of God
As our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ calls us in His voice and His name. He seeks and gathers us. He teaches us how to minister in love. As we seek with real intent to follow Jesus Christ, inspiration comes to do good, to love God, and to serve Him. (Moroni 7:13) As we study, ponder, and pray; as we regularly renew sacramental and temple covenants; and as we invite all to come to His gospel and ordinances, we are hearkening to His voice. Our Saviour reaches out to the one and to the ninety-and-nine, often at the same time. As we minister, we acknowledge the ninety-and-nine who are steadfast and immovable, even while we yearn after the one who has strayed. Our Saviour knows when we feel alone, diminished, uncertain, or afraid. In vision, Nephi saw the power of the Lamb of God “[descend] upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord.” Though “scattered upon all the face of the earth … they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” (1 Nephi 14:14) This promise of hope and comfort includes our day.
6. Elder David P. Homer of the Seventy – Hearing His Voice
Because our Heavenly Father wants better for us, He makes it possible for us to hear His voice. We will find our Father’s voice in many places. We will find it when we pray, study the scriptures, attend church, engage in faithful discussions, or go to the temple. Most often, we hear Him through impressions given by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He witnesses of the Father and the Son, (2 Nephi 31:18) was sent to “teach [us] all things,” John 14:26 and will “show unto [us] all things what [we] should do.” (2 Nephi 32:5). The Spirit speaks to different people in different ways, and He may speak to the same person in different ways at different times. As a result, learning the many ways He speaks to us is a lifelong quest. Sometimes, He speaks to our “mind and in [our] heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2) in a voice that is small yet powerful, piercing “them that … hear to the center.” (3 Nephi 11:3) Other times His impressions “occupy [our] mind[s]” or “press … upon [our] feelings.” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:1) Other times our bosom will “burn within [us].” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8) Still other times He fills our souls with joy, enlightens our minds, (Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15; 11:13) or speaks peace to our troubled hearts. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23) The Saviour has promised that if we “hearken unto [His] precepts, and lend an ear unto [His] counsel,” He “will give [us] more.” (2 Nephi 28:30)