Coverage of the October 2018 General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session
Attendees wave to General Authorities after the Saturday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Talk Summaries
In a general conference already hallmarked by the impactful announcement of the revised Sunday meeting schedule, the concluding session was also distinguished by historic news.
During his closing remarks on Sunday afternoon, October 7, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct 12 new temples and to renovate the Salt Lake Temple as well as other pioneer-era temples.
To the audible gasps of the congregation, President Nelson listed that temples will be built in Mendoza, Argentina; Salvador, Brazil; Yuba City, California; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Praia, Cape Verde; Yigo, Guam; Puebla, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; Lagos, Nigeria; Davao, Philippines; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington County, Utah.
“Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater,” President Nelson said. In addition to asking Church members to find regular time to spend in the temple, the prophet also said, “I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family.”
In addition to the announcement of 12 new temples, President Nelson said pioneer-generation temples would be renovated. “With the passage of time, temples are inevitably in need of refreshing and renewal. To that end, plans are now being made to renovate and update the Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-generation temples,” he said. “Details on these projects will be shared as they are developed.”
President Nelson encouraged Church members to study the messages shared throughout conference “commencing this week.”
“They express the mind and the will of the Lord for His people, today,” he said.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, opened the session by offering encouragement to people undergoing troubles. He used the example of his own wife, Sister Kathy Eyring, who, he said, is now only able to say a few words a day. “I think that she will find, when she sees Him, that our Savior has put His name into her heart and that she has become like Him. He is carrying her through her troubles now, as He will carry you through yours,” he promised.
Two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Elder Dale G. Renlund—addressed members. Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy as well as Elder Matthew L. Carpenter and Elder Jack N. Gerard, General Authority Seventies, and Brother Brian K. Ashton of the Sunday School General Presidency offered remarks.
Conference-goers sing during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Conference-goers listen to a speaker during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the session, and Elder Gary B. Sabin and Elder Michael John U. Teh, General Authority Seventies, offered prayers.
For the closing number, the choir performed “Our Prayer to Thee,” which was written by President Nelson.
Erik Ramsay and Amy Ramsay react to the announcement of 12 new temples during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrives for the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Conference-goers listen to a speaker during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Conference-goers listen to a speaker during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Mark Richey reacts to the announcement of 12 new temples during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Mack Wilberg conducts The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Conference-goers react to the announcement of 12 new temples during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Attendees listen during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson gestures to attendees along with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, after the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sings during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Sister Jean B. Bingham, right, Relief Society General President, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, visit prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder David A. Bednar, left, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Dale G. Renlund, left, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Ulisses Soares, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, and Elder Dale G. Renlund, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson waves to attendees along with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, after the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Joyce Owens listens to new temple announcements during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
