LDS General Conference: Leaders announce 17 temples, discuss uniting as one and acting in faith

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The second and final day of the 194th semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought forth the announcement of many new temples for members of the Church on Sunday.

The sessions originated from the Conference Center in Downtown Salt Lake City. Both sessions on Sunday were broadcast to a worldwide audience through via TV, radio, internet, and satellite transmission.

Sunday morning session

The morning session saw many members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak. President Jeffrey R. Holland led off the series of addresses from church leadership by talking about Jesus Christ’s love, which he said “exemplifies, empowers, and imparts.”

“In these and in all times, Jesus’s love faileth not and neither does His Father’s,” Holland said during his address. Holland also spoke about Jesus Christ being able to administer grace and being able to insist on truth.

Sister Tracy Y. Browning , Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency spoke about getting answers to spiritual questions. She focused on how people can get answers to these questions.

“Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught that ‘asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness,’ but
rather ‘it’s a precursor of growth,'” Browning said, quoting a 2009 fireside talk given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf called “ The Reflection in the Water. “

She also spoke to those watching, urging them to trust God and “trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you … even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it.”

Bishop L. Todd Budge of the Presiding Bishopric spoke about the idea of being still, which he said is “an act of faith.” He also that act of faith “requires effort.”

“However, like the phrase, ‘to be still,’ it has a higher meaning. For me, it is a reminder to slow
down and to live with greater spiritual awareness,” Budge said.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson addressed Church members of the “rising generation” — or youth and young single adults.

“You are here on earth now because you were selected to be here now,” Stevenson said. “You have the strength and capacity to be disciples of Christ in an unprecedented way.”

He told the audience like many of them, he had a smartphone and smartphones can serve up a reel of memories from the camera roll.

“Picture the photos your phone will serve up 10 years from now! You may see yourself graduating from high school or college, receiving your endowment, going on a mission, getting
married, and having your first child. For you personally, this will be a decade never to be
forgotten,” Stevenson said.

He said that, if the younger members of the church “actively strive to become a light unto the world,” then they can “enrich and enhance” their lives over the next 10 years. He also told younger members to make the temple a normal part of life.

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency capped the morning session by telling members to turn to God through repentance.

Recounting the story of his great-grandmother, he said she would tell others about the LDS church and its “restored gospel,” which includes additional canonical scriptures known as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.

“Her belief that even a new convert could teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ has ensured that her descendants will be strengthened in their own battles,” Eyring said. He told those watching or listening that doubts might creep in but to not give in.

Sunday afternoon session

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at the pulpit first during the afternoon session. He spoke about nourishing a testimony like one would nourish the roots of a tree or plant.

“Some truths are core, essential, at the root of our faith. Others are appendages or branches—valuable, but only when they are connected to the fundamentals,” Uchtdorf said.

Uchtdorf told members to focus on Jesus Christ when they feel that they need more strength. He also spoke about faith being important when it’s rooted in personal experience.

“If we wait to act until all of our questions are answered, we severely limit the good we can accomplish, and we limit the power of our faith,” Uchtdorf said.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband also spoke, discussing the power of sustaining or holding someone up.

“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. “In holding up our hands, we are committing our support, not just for that moment but in our daily lives.”

During the conference, six new area seventies were sustained by members of the Church on Saturday. Rasband also said that members “need to do more lifting,” and also reminded members that angels are around on this very day.

President Russell M. Nelson addresses congregation

Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Russell M. Nelson also addressed the audience on Sunday, Oct. 6 with the aid of a desktop teleprompter.

“I urge you to study [the speakers’] messages. Use them as a litmus test of what is true, and what is not, during the next six months,” he said.

Nelson also announced plans to build 17 new temples around the world, and said the renovations on the Salt Lake Temple were expected to conclude by the end of 2026.

The newly-announced Dublin, Ireland, temple and Kampala, Uganda, temples will be the first LDS temples in their respective countries . The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Summit, New Jersey, temples will be the first LDS temples in their states.

During his address, President Nelson also said that God’s work on earth is hastening with the new temples either dedicated or to be dedicated very soon.

“Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord
has instructed us to do so,” Nelson said. “The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”

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