President Dallin H Oaks, “Introduction”
“We go forward with this semiannual general conference, proceeding as planned and with speakers and music assigned by President Nelson after months of preparation. The only additions are this, my introductory explanation, and my speaking in place of President Nelson in the closing session on Sunday afternoon.
“This is the first time in about 75 years that a Church President has died a few days before a general conference. That has called for us to plan how we could hold the vital leadership meetings in connection with general conference as well as the general sessions of conference, at the same time scheduling his funeral as soon as possible. President Nelson understood the value of general conference to provide direction to the Saints in the coming months. We honor him by following the planned conference schedule he approved.”
“I loved Russell M. Nelson and have learned more about the gospel and gospel leadership from my long friendship and association with him than from any other leader I have personally known.”
Elder Gary E Stevenson, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”
Topics - Being a peacemaker
“Gratefully, our young men and women are similarly drawn to their Sermon-on-the-Mount moments: seminary, For the Strength of Youth conferences, and Come, Follow Me. Here they receive the same enduring invitations from the Lord: to let their light shine before others, to seek righteousness even when persecuted, and to love their enemies.
“They also receive encouraging words from living prophets of the Restoration: ‘Peacemakers needed.’ Disagree without being disagreeable. Replace contention and pride with forgiveness and love. Build bridges of cooperation and understanding, not walls of prejudice or segregation. And the same promise: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’ (Matthew 5:9, 3 Nephi 12:9)”
“Today, peacemaking still begins in the most basic place—in our hearts. Then in homes and families. As we practice there, peacemaking will spread into our neighborhoods and communities.”
He talked of some children that “were struggling in their relationship with an adult whose demeanor was often grumpy, condescending, and curt.” They decided to give “a deliberate, heartfelt outpouring of kind words and thoughtful deeds, no matter how they were treated in return.” Then, “The cold exchanges began to thaw. Smiles replaced scowls. The adult, once distant and harsh, began to change. The children, empowered by their choice to lead with love, found joy in the transformation. The change was so profound that the planned follow-up meeting was never needed. Kindness had done its quiet work.”
“The only way to build a peaceful community is to build men and women who are lovers and makers of peace. Each individual, by that doctrine of Christ … holds in his hands the peace of the [whole] world.” (John A. Widtsoe, in Conference Report, Oct. 1943, 113.)
Mosiah 4:13
13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.
“We fulfill our divine role as children of a loving Heavenly Father as we strive to become peacemakers. I bear testimony of Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace, the Son of the living God”
Sister Tracy Y Browning, “Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music”
Topics - Using Music to teach children
“I have found joy in connecting with fellow Saints through the shared language of sacred music. And especially through the simple songs of Primary,”
“the singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Worship Through Music,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 10.)
“How can Primary songs learned in childhood become the spiritual language children use to testify for the rest of their lives?”
“Music has always been at the heart of teaching children the gospel. Primary songs can become a child’s first spiritual language because their simple, memorable melodies give voice to gospel truths.”
A prophet of the Lord, President Russell M. Nelson, taught: “[Music] can exert a continuing influence for good well beyond times when children are small. … [It] has [the] power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power. It has [the] power to facilitate worship; it allows us to contemplate the [Savior’s] Atonement and the Restoration of the gospel with its saving principles and exalting ordinances. Music provides power for us to express prayerful thoughts and bear testimony of sacred truths.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Power and Protection Provided by Worthy Music” (Brigham Young University devotional, May 4, 2008), 4, 5, speeches.byu.edu.)
“I know their prayerful songs reach heaven as expressions of faith that invite the Holy Spirit to confirm eternal truths and softly and tenderly invite others to accept the call of our Savior to follow Him and come home.”
“If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost … , you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life” (Henry B. Eyring, “Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 10, 2006], 5, speeches.byu.edu).
“For many, these songs supported the early architecture of their faith in Jesus Christ and were often the first place where conversion to His gospel began.”
John 14:26
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
“Primary music can be one way that promise is fulfilled.”
“As Primary leaders, we have the opportunity and the sacred responsibility to ensure that music in Primary is taught with joy, with doctrinal understanding, and with the Spirit.”
Matthew 26:30
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
“I testify that the efforts we make to teach and sing these Primary songs to our children are not simply a nice part of our religious tradition. They are sermons for disciples of Jesus Christ, testimonies to the truthfulness of the restored gospel, and prayers set to music.”
“Dear friends, Jesus still wants us for a sunbeam.”
Elder Ronald M. Barcellos, “The Lord Looketh on the Heart”
Topics - Having your heart right, having the Savior deeply imbedded in your heart and have everything else in your heart be worthy of him and in check with your loyalty to Him
1 Samuel 16:6–7
6 ¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
“all God needs to accomplish His purposes and to help us become who He wants us to become is for each of us to turn our hearts fully to Him.”
Matthew 22:37
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“The Savior taught that if our hearts are fully turned to Him, because of His atoning sacrifice we can be blessed with the strength and spiritual gifts we need to overcome our mortal challenges, resist temptation, receive direction and understanding, and feel joy and peace in our lives.”
Doctrine and Covenants 64:33
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
Ether 12:27
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Matthew 5:8
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
“Jesus Christ so often corrected the scribes and Pharisees during His mortal ministry. Though diligent in keeping His law, they did so for the wrong reasons.”
Moroni 7:6
6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
Matthew 15:8
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Isaiah 29:13
13 ¶ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Matthew 23:28
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Doctrine and Covenants 137:9
9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
Matthew 6:21
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Doctrine and Covenants 121:35
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
1 Nephi 15:10
10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?
Doctrine and Covenants 58:29
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:20
20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
Mosiah 12:27
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?
Matthew 15:19
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
“The quality of our thoughts and words is a good indicator of the purity of our hearts. Am I fostering too many negative thoughts about others’ actions or motives, or even about myself? Am I too quick to judge and condemn others? Do I seek to find excuses or justification for my mistakes? And what about my words? Do they lift and inspire those around me? Or do they often create conflict and resentment?”
1 Nephi 2:16
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
2 Nephi 31:13
13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.
Alma 5:14
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
“Brothers and sisters, I invite you to give your whole heart to the Savior today. Let each act of worship and service be sincere and intentional. Set aside the distractions of the world and strive to have meaningful time for the Lord every day of your lives.”
Elder Brik V. Eyre, “Know Who You Really Are”
Topics - Prayer, Preparation for prayer, we are children of God so stand tall
“we are beloved sons and daughters of God, a God that feels perfect compassion for us when we suffer and is ready to assist us as we stand back up.”
“It is insightful that the first point of doctrine that our missionaries teach is that God is our loving Heavenly Father. Every subsequent truth builds on the foundational understanding of who we really are.”
“When you know and understand how completely you are loved as a child of God, it changes everything. It changes the way you feel about yourself when you make mistakes. It changes how you feel when difficult things happen. It changes your view of God’s commandments. It changes your view of others and of your capacity to make a difference.” (Susan H. Porter, “God’s Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 33.)
“This change is illustrated as we read about the experience Moses had when talking with God face-to-face. During that conversation, God repeatedly taught Moses of his divine heritage, saying, ‘Moses, … thou art my son.’ God explained that Moses was in the similitude of His Only Begotten. Moses came to understand clearly who he was, that he had a work to do, and that he had a loving Heavenly Father.”
“After this experience, the adversary came tempting him and immediately addressed him by saying, ‘Moses, son of man.’ This is a common and dangerous tool in the arsenal of the adversary. While our Heavenly Father consistently and lovingly reminds us that we are His children, the adversary will always try to label us by our weaknesses.”
Moses 1:13
13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?
“So who are you? First and foremost, you are a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ. As you embrace these truths, our Heavenly Father will help you reach your ultimate goal of living eternally in His holy presence.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” (worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022), Gospel Library.)
“Of all the names He could be identified by in the sacrament prayer, He has asked to be called ‘God, the Eternal Father.’”
“Our Father’s beautiful plan, even His ‘fabulous’ plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out. … God is in relentless pursuit of you.” (Patrick Kearon, “God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home,” Liahona, May 2024, 87.)
“May I suggest two ways in which we can deepen this understanding.”
“First, Prayer”
“I have found that the quality of my prayers improves as I take a few minutes to prepare to talk to my Father.”
3 Nephi 13:6
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
“Whether it is in a closet or a bedroom, the principle is to find a place where you can be alone to pray, to allow your soul to be still, and to feel the promptings of the ‘still small voice.’ We can prepare by pondering on the things that we are grateful for and the questions or concerns that we would like to bring to our Father. We should strive not to have a rote manner of prayer but to talk with our Father, out loud if possible.”
“those silent, quick, and urgent prayers can be much more meaningful when we have made an effort to ‘be with God’ earlier in the day.”
“There may be some who haven’t prayed for a long time or others who haven’t felt that their prayers are being heard. I promise you that your Heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and wants to hear from you. He wants to communicate with you. He wants you to remember who you are.”
“However much you are praying, pray more. However hard you are praying, pray harder.” (Elder effrey R. Holland, meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Quorums of the Seventy, Aug. 12, 2025)
“Second, Come to Know That Jesus Is the Christ”
“In 2019 there was a profound change in the temple recommend questions. Previously, one question asked if you had a testimony of Jesus Christ’s role as Savior and Redeemer. It now asks if you have a testimony of His role as your Savior and Redeemer. Jesus Christ’s Atonement not only works for others; it works for you and for me. He is my Savior. He is your Savior. Individually. Only through Him can you and I return to be with our Father.”
“we, as children of God, are His joy”
“when we feel like anyone is trying to label us by our weaknesses, we need to stand strong in the knowledge of who we truly are. We must seek validation vertically, not horizontally. And as we do, we too can boldly proclaim, ‘I am a child of God.’”
Elder Kelly R Johnson, “Be Reconciled to God”
Topics - Reconciliation, Repentance, Do not break away from the stem of Jesse
2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
“To be reconciled to God means to be brought back into harmony with God or to restore a relationship with God that has been strained or broken because of our sins or actions. Simply put, being reconciled to God means aligning our will and actions with God’s will,”
Jacob 4:11
11 Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.
“As you ponder your own life, think about a time when you felt distant from Heavenly Father because you had moved away from Him. For instance, perhaps you became less diligent in your prayers to Him or in keeping His commandments. Just as we choose to distance ourselves from God, we must choose to initiate the effort to reconcile.”
Doctrine and Covenants 88:63
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
“One of the great reconciliations we read about in the scriptures is that of Enos. Something in his life was out of alignment with God. He exemplified relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ to reconcile with God.”
“In the scriptures, we learn that the stem of Jesse is a metaphor for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was prophesied to come from the lineage of Jesse, the father of King David. Just as ethylene weakens the connection of a ripe cherry stem, disobedience, doubts, and fears can weaken our connection to the stem of Jesse, or Jesus Christ, allowing us to be easily shaken and separated from Him. As faithful as we may be, we must guard against a weakening of our connection to Jesus Christ.”
Doctrine and Covenants 20:32–34
32 But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;
33 Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;
34 Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.
Helaman 11:37
37 And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction.
“What does this ripeness represent? Does it mean that we can reach a point where we are unable to change? No, I think it means that we can reach a point in time where we are unwilling to change.”
“The antidote to becoming ripe for destruction is to do those things that will strengthen our connection to Jesus Christ.”
“being aware of God’s hand in our lives, seeking and receiving revelation, and listening to God when He speaks all help us to not be shaken.”
Jacob 4:6
6 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.
“Listening to and acting on the words and invitations of the prophets and apostles can fill us with hope, confidence, and strength, resulting in our faith becoming unshaken.”
“I testify that this reconciliation to God, through Jesus Christ’s Atonement, leads to unshakable faith.”
Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, “Do Your Part with All Your Heart”
Topics - Definition of Faith, Continue to Act, Small and Simple Things
“My experience in the flight simulator was an important reminder that getting good at anything—whether it be flying, rowing, sowing, or knowing—takes consistent self-discipline and practice.
“You might spend years acquiring a skill or developing a talent. You might work so hard that it becomes second nature to you. But if you think that means you can stop practicing and studying, you’ll gradually lose the knowledge and abilities you once acquired at great cost.
“This applies to skills like learning a language, playing a musical instrument, and flying an airliner. It also applies to becoming a disciple of Christ.”
“Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift, but receiving it is a conscious choice that requires a commitment of all our ‘might, mind and strength.’”
“Our faith, which is our loyalty to the Savior, becomes stronger as it is tested against the opposition we face here in mortality.”
“if we fail to use faith and its convincing power by acting upon it, we become less sure of things we once held sacred—less confident of things we once knew were true.
“Temptations that would never have enticed us begin to look less appalling and more appealing.”
“The lesson? God gives us gifts—of knowledge, of ability, of opportunity—and He wants us to use and amplify them so they can bless us and bless His other children. That doesn’t happen if we put those gifts high on a shelf like a trophy that we admire from time to time. Our gifts magnify and multiply only when we put them to use.”
“You are a blessed being of light, the spirit child of an infinite God! And you bear within you a potential beyond your own capacity to imagine.”
“Your origin story is divine, and so is your destiny. You left heaven to come here, but heaven has never left you!”
Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–12
11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
“Some of our gifts are listed in the scriptures. Many are not.”
Moroni 10:8
8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
Elder Uchtdorf listed a bunch of gifts that we might not always recognize as spiritual gifts.
Alma 37:6
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
“So let us each do our little part.”
Doctrine and Covenants 50:24
24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
“Simply put, discipleship takes self-discipline.
“It is not a casual endeavor, and it doesn’t happen by accident.”
“We know that our efforts alone cannot make us celestial. But they can make us loyal and committed to Jesus the Christ, and He can make us celestial.”
“To [become celestial], we must do our part today and every day.”
“We know we still have a long way to go, but we don’t let that discourage us.”
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