189th Semi-Annual General Conference -Sunday Sessions Highlights

Sunday Morning Session

Gerrit W. Gong

• Heavenly Father does hear every Child's Prayer. 
• This world is filled with illusions and slight of hand, so much is transitory and superficial. We often yearn for more than fleeting veneer. 
• When we covenant all we are, we can become more than we are. 
• We are not meant to wander in existential uncertainty or doubt, but to rejoice and share in covenant relationships that are stronger than death.
• As we honor our covenants we may sometimes feel that we are in the company of angels. And we are. 
• A long life's path we may lose faith in God, but he never loses faith in us. 
• God waits ready to embrace us even when we're a long ways off. 
• If we keep moving towards God he will help us, even if we continually stumble and fall, he will help us one step at a time.
• When we want to change for the better, we can become open to direction, help and strength. We can come by covenant to be closer to God and receive the promised blessings in the Doctrine of Christ.
• God's priesthood and his ordinances sweeten relationships here on earth.
• Priesthood can literally bless us from cradle to grave.
• When Me becomes WE we Grow Together. 
• When I acted and made my decisions it is then that the stronger spiritual feelings came. 
• Everything good and eternal is centered in God the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ.

Cristina B. Franco

• His work and his glory is to enable each of us to enjoy ALL of his Blessings. 
• Agency is one of God's greatest gifts to his children. 
• You can pray to have your spirit strengthened, though your answer may come in an unexpected way.
• Members glow. They have a brightness around them that makes it difficult to want to leave.
• Sometimes a smile is enough.
• Faithful members will Always have the Spirit with them to guide them.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

• We knew we would make many mistakes along the way, but we also have a promise. Because of Jesus Christ, we could be cleansed of our transgressions and one day reunite with those we love.
• By the gift and power of Agency, we determined that the potential of what we could learn and eternally become, it was well worth the risk to follow God's plan. We accepted the challenge.
• The world can make us lose sight of our great quest, make us want to accept comfort and ease instead of the harder path. Yet we hunger for a higher purpose to complete.
• The Restored Gospel is a renewal of the call for Adventure. 
• If you stay on the path and trust in God we will eventually return back to our Heavenly Home and receive our eternal glory. 
• You must choose to incline your heart to God. Strive to find him. Love him.
• If you hesitate to participate in this grand adventure because you do not feel able to, remember the Lord is there to help.
• It is your choices that show what you really are, far more than your abilities. Even when you fail you can choose to not give up.
• Discover your courage. Press forward and Rise Up.
• God loves you no less when you struggle than when you triumph.
• He wants you to keep trying.
• To help others is the path of discipleship. 
• Faith, hope, love, compassion, and service refine us as disciples.
• When you feel your love with the pure heart of Christ you leave no room for negative emotions. 
• Do not Hide Our Faith. Do not Bury It. Talk about it in normal and natural ways. That's what friends do. 
• The Lord simply expects you to not hide your Faith, Beliefs under a bushel. 
• Continue to treat others kindly. 
• Let's go on this Adventure Together!
• Get a Good Night's Rest. Enjoy a Hearty Breakfast. And Start out First Thing in the Morning. Do not little things Distract You from the Noble Plan. 
• Today is the Day to Follow God's Son and Our Savior on His Path of Service and Discipleship.
• We could spend a lifetime waiting for the perfect moment, but Now is the time to commit fully to seeking God, ministering to others and sharing our experiences with others.
• You don't always have to have your house in perfect order before going out on an adventure.
• It's Time to Begin
• On this Journey you will discover yourself, you will discover meaning, you will discover God, you will discover the most adventuresome adventure of your life.

Walter F. Gonzalez

• Blessings will come in due time.
• We can find strength and comfort in this life by accepting His will and Knowing that He wants to Bless us. 
• In one way or another we can feel broken whether by our own actions or another's in circumstances we cannot always control, but the Lord will be there to put the pieces back together if we let him.
• In the midst of trials if you accept the will of the Lord and place your trust in him, He will do what is Best for you.
• Whatever our circumstances may be, we can exercise our faith to come unto Christ and find a God that we can Trust.
• We can Trust Him because he Loves us and wants the Best for Us no matter our circumstances.
• God will come to our Rescue. Whether to heal us or to give us the Strength to face Any situation. 
• Christ is a God of Love, of Hope, of Healing, who wants to bless us and help us. 
• You can be made clean, you can be mended, because God loves you. Trust that nothing bad can come from him. 

Gary E. Stevenson

• Many grapple with issues where they are unable to see things as they truly are or are unsatisfied with the truth given them. 
• You cannot be deceived if you know who you are and your Divine Nature.
• I will always call upon My God for His Help.
• Do not yield to Satan despite how the earth will tremble or shake under his influence. Call upon God. Rely on him to keep you safe.
• You have been blessed with the Gift of Heavenly Help.
• The Lord knows the unique difficulties of our day and provides ways for us to resist those challenges and temptations that we may face from the adversary. 
• May we recognize Satan's deceptions for what they are.

Russell M. Nelson

• Our hope is to build your faith.
• We all have a commitment to religious freedom no matter what religion we follow.
• Our words can touch others deeply.
• We're always looking for ways to help, lift, and assist others. 
• Fasting: We go hungry to help others who are hungry. 
• We are all brothers and sisters as we are all children of God.
• The challenge of hunger goes far beyond the boundaries of the Church. It is increasing throughout the world.
• Almost 1 in 9 of the people on the Earth are malnourished.
• More than 70 million people are refuges displaced from their homes.
• Service is the very essence of ministering.
• Bring Strength to your country as loyal contributing citizens. 
• We work to make life better for others wherever we live.
• Our Joy is increased when we do things out of our comfort zones to help others.

Sunday Afternoon Session

Henry B. Eyring

• Surely no one will reject the offer of more happiness. 
• Anyone would be eager to accept a guaranteed offer of lasting happiness.
• Wickedness can never be happiness for any child of Heavenly Father.
• Greater happiness comes from greater holiness.
• Spiritual experiences may only last a moment but can bring continuous joy and peace when remembered for years afterwards.
• God shall be with you. 
• Greater holiness is gained through greater adversity and will hopefully give greater happiness if we endure to the end. 
• Daily repentance is the pathway to purity.
• More blessed and holy. More Savior like thee.

Hans T. Boom

• Sometimes we may feel that we're only good enough to play a minor part in a performance, but your sound is making a difference to others and we need you. 
• We are all needed to bring color and meaning in this world.
• There is no need to constantly tell others how to improve, they know that already. Instead create an environment of love that will empower others to change on their own initiative. 
• Heavenly Father will never leave us when we reach for him. When we fall he will help us get up. 
• He has bandages big enough to cover all our wounds.
• People notice light and will be drawn to it.

M. Russell Ballard

• Thou shalt live together in love, that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die. 
• Memories constantly wash over us through the years after loved ones pass. 
• We all turn to our mothers with our myriad of issues and because they were important to us they're important to our moms. 
• Do not miss the opportunity to express your love and appreciation to your family.
• Reunion. The Great plan is a plan designed to have a glorious reunion of eternally reuniting families together.
• Her spirit was strong, noble, and pure. 
• Am I ready? Am I doing everything I can do to reunite with my loved ones again?
• How sweet is the assurance and comforting the peace that comes that if we marry right and live right our relationship will continue into eternity. 
• The primary battle is between our Divine Spiritual Nature and the Carnal Natural Man.
• To be spiritually minded is life and peace.
• Our spirit has been around a lot longer than our physical body. 
• Your first foremost and always a spiritual being. When you choose to put your carnal nature over your spiritual nature, you're choosing something contrary to your real true spiritual self. 
• The plan is built upon the firm foundation of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. So that our sins, including the errs we make when we yield to the flesh can be overcome through repentance. 
• When we choose to repent, we choose to change. We allow the Savior to transform us into our best selves. 
• Slow down a bit. Think about where you are now in empowering your divine spiritual nature. 

Peter M. Johnson

• You are wonderful. You are beautiful.
• We are choice spirits reserved to come now in the fullness in time to help lay down the foundations of this latter-day work. 
• You are elect children of God. You have the power to overcome the adversary. 
• Deception, Distraction, Discouragement are the tools the Adversary uses against us.
• Remember who you are. A child of God.
• If we don't understand who we are it is difficult to recognize who we can become. 
• The Lord desires to enlighten us while Satan desires to distract us. 
• Let us be careful and not casual in our use of technology.
• The Holy Ghost will teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance. 
• Do not let anyone steal your happiness.
• Pray every day, every day, every day. 
• Through prayer we express gratitude and ask for strength to be guided and directed in all things.
• The Book of Mormon contains the word of Christ and helps us to remember who we are.

Ulisses Soares

• If any man will come after man, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.
• Our determination to cast off all that is contrary to God's will and sacrifice all we are asked to give and strive to follow his teachings will help us endure on the path of the Gospel despite the trials we may face.
• There is always hope in God the Father and in his plan of happiness, in Jesus Christ and his Atonement. 
• You cannot afford to stop trying. Always strive to do your best. 
• Please remember that the Savior's gift of Grace isn't necessarily limited to 'after all we can do' but can be given 'before, during or after' the time we need it. 
• If we hold onto negative feelings and emotions we may find ourselves living without the influence of the Spirit in our lives.
• We cannot repent for other people but we can forgive them by refusing to be held hostage by those who have harmed us. 
• Taking our cross upon ourselves includes being humble and trusting in God and his infinite wisdom. 
• We must accept that the Lord's timing is different than ours. 
• We cannot condition our faithfulness by imposing a deadline for the answers to our desires.

Neal L. Andersen 

• Fruit has long been a treasured delicacy. 
• I did partake of the fruit and it was most sweet above all that I have tasted and it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy.
• Through our Faith in Jesus Christ, Our Repentance, and Keeping the commandments, we can be forgiven of our sins and return to our Father in Heaven. 
• The fruit is the most joyous to the soul.
• The adversary's construction crews are working over time to make the Great and Spacious building look even bigger and greater to our eyes. 
• The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to impede the work of the Lord. Heed them not. 
• Do not fear, but be on Guard.
• Don't allow your questions to turn you away from the sweet pure and soul satisfying that come from the precious fruit of the tree.
• Have you faith of Jesus Christ become immovable.
• In a future day you will be whole. 
• The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives but in the Focus of our lives. 
• As you look to the Savior in every thought, the fruit of the tree will be yours to partake.

Russell M. Nelson

• The crowning jewel of the Restoration is the Holy Temple.
• The blessings of the temple are available to any or all who will prepare themselves and qualify themselves to enter the temple.
• Each temple is a holy place. Each temple patron strives to become more holy.
• Worthiness to enter the Lord's house requires personal spiritual preparation.

To watch, read, and/or listen to the entirety of these talks please visit: 
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi