Saturday Sessions
President Oaks and Elder Rasband both spoke about this document, which was announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley 30 years ago and states:
"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."
What is The Family: A Proclamation to the World?
Sister Spannaus shared an Old Testament story about a woman who invited the prophet Elisha to eat and stay together with her family. She then encouraged the youth to ask themselves this question.
What is Do I have a personal testimony of God's living prophets?
She said: "Dear young friends, I have an invitation for you: In the coming days, I invite you to kneel, open your hearts, and pray with faith to Heavenly Father, asking Him to confirm to you that His chosen prophet and apostles are His voice on the earth today."
Elder Evanson spoke about this missionary from the Book of Mormon whose service resulted in thousands of people coming to know the joy of the Gospel.
Who is Ammon?
He quoted President Nelson: "Anytime you do anything that helps anyone...[to make] covenants with God...you are helping to gather Israel."
Elder Farias shared 2 Nephi 32:2, where Nephi teaches us to "Feast upon the words of Christ," then gives this promise.
What is "the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do"?
DAILY DOUBLE
Share something you took away from a favorite talk and why it was meaningful to you.
Elder Gong spoke about making this kind of cookie and later realizing that it is not a part of Chinese culture.
What is a fortune cookie?
Elder Gong spoke about gospel culture, including welcoming all people, regardless of background.
"In His restored Church, we are all better when no one sits alone. Let us not simply accommodate or tolerate. Let us genuinely welcome, acknowledge, minister to, love. May each friend, sister, brother not be a foreigner or stranger but a child at home."
Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, this apostle was a justice of the Utah Supreme Court.
Who is Dallin H. Oaks?
President Oaks served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1980 to 1984. Prior to that, he was the president of BYU and taught law at the University of Chicago Law School.
Sister Dennis shared a story of Orville Rogers, a 100-year-old man who set five world records in a day in this sport.
What is track and field?
"Even though he always finished last, Orville broke five world records that day. No one watching him race would have believed that possible, but neither the spectators nor his competitors were the judges...He ran the same race...But his degree of difficulty...was factored in by placing him in the 100-plus age division."
Elder Soares shared D&C 12:8 and spoke about this quality that is necessary for assisting in the Lord's work.
What is temperance?
D&C 12:8: "And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."
Elder Soares: "As we strive with faith and diligence to weave temperance into our actions and words, I testify that we will strengthen and anchor our lives more securely upon the sure foundation of our Redeemer."
Elder Csiezla and Elder Godoy of the Seventy both quoted President Nelson, saying:
"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with this."
What is the focus of our lives?
"When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation...and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy."
Elder Uchtdorf shared his experience doing this as a reminder that we must nourish and strengthen our testimony every day.
What is flying a flight simulator?
"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.' It is a practice of every day. Every hour...The fire of yesterday's testimony can warm us for only so long. It needs constant nourishment to keep burning brightly."
Elder Renlund spoke about Dr. Selzman, a surgeon at the University of Utah, who was striving to incorporate the principles exemplified by this prophet.
Who is President Russell M. Nelson?
"In Dr. Selzman's experience, we can see at least five parallels to the process through which we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ."
Elder Eyring cited these five examples of the Lord proving and strengthening one of his servants. Name one of the examples.
What are his experience learning physics in college, the prophet Moroni, the prophet Jacob, Joseph Smith, and the Savior's Atonement?
"To prove something is not simply to test it. It is to increase its strength."
"I bear witness that these [proving and strengthening] moments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned you. Rather, they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you."
This Book of Mormon prophet wrote this as he finished his writing: "I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead."
Who is Moroni?
See Moroni 10:34. Elder Bednar taught that if "our desires have been for righteousness and our works good...then the judgment bar will be pleasing."
Elder Peter Johnson of the Seventy shared President Nelson's invitation to make our discipleship our highest priority, and said one way we can do so is by doing this.
What is worshipping in the temple?
Elder Johnson: "Minister in ways that lead to the House of the Lord. In the House of the Lord...we will better comprehend the joy of His gospel."
When Elder Jaggi visited a chaplain at an Air Force base, the chaplain pointed to a cross that he used as a symbol for Protestant or Catholic services, and a star of David for Jewish services.
He pointed to this as a symbol for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What is an altar, where the sacrament was prepared and blessed before being passed to the congregation?
President Oaks spoke of this "tender promise" from his grandfather as an example of how eternal families strengthen and bond us.
What is his grandfather's promise: "I will be your father." This came after his grandfather had shared with the 7-year-old President Oaks after telling him that his father had died.
Elder Cuvelier shared a story of his great-grandfather, Martin Gassner, who lived in early 1900s Germany and spent his time "drinking, smoking, and buying rounds at the pub." He cited this interaction as a turning point in his life.
What is an invitation to return to church from a branch president, followed by a new job, new apartment, and membership in the Church?
"As for the branch president, I cannot tell you his name--his identity has been lost to time. But I call him a disciple, ambassador, Christian, good Samaritan, and friend. His influence is still felt 116 years later, and I stand on the shoulders of his discipleship."
This Old Testament prophet said:
"I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord...; out of the belly of hell cried I...
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas...
When my soul fainted...I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came...into thine holy temple.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy."
Who is Jonah?
Elder Matthew Holland: "You have immediate access to divine help and healing despite your human flaws...Start by refusing to listen to the 'lying vanities' of the adversary...Turn to the temple. Cling to your covenants. Serve the Lord...with sacrifice and thanksgiving."
Elder Christofferson said that this guide "speaks to several of God's most urgent commandments and standards and teaches how to look to the Lord in making good decisions."
What is For the Strength of Youth?
"It is a guide not only for youth but for all of us."
Elder Stevenson referenced a recent talk by President Nelson and encouraged us to be peacemakers in these three places.
What is in our hearts, in our homes, and in our community?
"I offer an invitation. Peacemaking demands action...Would you consider a one-week, three-step peacemaker plan?
1. A contention-free home zone.
2. Digital bridge building.
3. Repair and reunite."
This is the number men we sustained as apostles and prophets during this General Conference.
What is fourteen?
Elder Godoy said he "was even more moved by [the] smiling faces and grateful hearts" of the Saints in Mozambique when he saw them buying food late at night after a Saturday evening session of stake conference and learned this.
What is that they had worked all day just to have enough money to buy food to eat that night?
"These are just a few examples where we see their positive attitude because they center their lives in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They know where to find help and hope."
Elder Christofferson shared D&C 6:36, which says this (must be word for word!).
What is "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."
Elder Amos spoke about recipes for gumbo, jumbalaya, and etouffee, with a special ingredient of Tony's seasoning. He related this to President Nelson's teaching that these are God's recipes for happy living.
What are the scriptures?
"The simple secret for happy living is to just follow God's recipe as detailed in the scriptures."