General conference: Latter-day Saint leaders strike redemptive tone at end of first day

The first day of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 194th Semiannual General Conference wrapped up with Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conducting the evening session, during which speakers referenced themes of redemption, forgiveness and overcoming mistakes or feelings of unworthiness to find joy in holiness.

Meanwhile, brother and sister missionaries currently serving in the Utah area acted as the choir for the session.

The opening speaker was Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who spoke on the concept of holiness or, more specifically, holiness to the Lord in members’ daily lives. In doing so, he made reference to online interactions that detract from holy pursuits.

“Holiness to the Lord says ‘no’ to the profane, ‘no’ to snarky cleverness at others’ expense, ‘no’ to algorithms that monetize anger or polarization. Holiness to the Lord says ‘yes’ to the sacred and reverent, ‘yes’ to our becoming our freest, happiest, most authentic best selves as we follow him in faith,” he said.

Gong also shared a number of stories about faith amid difficult circumstances and highlighted the importance of everyday holiness and the joy that it can bring to members’ lives.

“Holiness to the Lord makes daily living sacred. It draws us closer and happier to the Lord and each other. Holiness to the Lord in the House of the Lord prepares us to live with God our father, a man of holiness, Jesus Christ and our loved ones,” Gong added.

Kristin M. Yee of the Relief Society General Presidency followed Gong and spoke of redemption, assuring members that God doesn’t turn his back on his followers when spiritual missteps are taken.

“The Lord is not done with us when we make a mistake, nor does he flee when we falter. Our need for healing and help is not a burden to him, but the very reason he came,” she said.

Yee relayed a personal story of her creating a painting of Jesus Christ, only to apply a varnish coat too soon, ruining a portion of the artwork in the process. After turning to prayer, she attempted to repair the damage and ended up creating something that pleased her even more than what she had originally painted.

“What I thought was a mistake without mend was an opportunity for his merciful hand to be manifest — he was not done with the painting, and he was not done with me,” she said. “What joy and relief filled my heart. I praised the Lord for his mercy, for this miracle that not only saved the painting but taught me more about his love and power to save each of us from our mistakes, weaknesses and sins and to help us become something more.”

Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority seventy, gave the third talk of the session, speaking of Joseph Smith’s “First Vision” in the “Sacred Grove” near Manchester, New York. While the event served as the launching point for the church, or the “restoration” of the ancient church organized by Jesus Christ himself, according to the Latter-day Saint faith, McKay noted that it also was an important step on Smith’s personal spiritual journey.

“Joseph’s experience in the grove gave him confidence to ask for forgiveness and direction for the rest of his life. His experience has also given me confidence to ask for forgiveness and direction for the rest of my life,” McKay said.

Following McKay was Jorge Alvarado, also a General Authority seventy, who continued the theme of forgiveness and repentance with the tale of a thief in his native Puerto Rico who had stolen the purse of a woman who was walking to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to a friend.

A few days later, the woman received a letter — which Alvarado himself presented during his talk — from the thief, which he begged for forgiveness and stated that the book had changed him. The thief also returned the $5 that had been in the woman’s purse.

Said Alvarado of repentance: “Repentance is joy. Sweet repentance is part of a daily process through which, line upon line, precept upon precept, the Lord teaches us to live a life centered in his teachings. Like Joseph and Nephi, we can ‘cry unto God for mercy; for he is mighty to save.’ He can fulfill any righteous desire or longing and can heal any wound in our lives.”

David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was the final speaker of evening, warning members of the effects of pride.

“We always must be on guard against a pride-induced and exaggerated sense of self-importance, a misguided evaluation of our own self-sufficiency and seeking self instead of serving others,” Bednar said. “As we pridefully focus upon ourselves, we also are afflicted with spiritual blindness and miss much, most or perhaps all that is occurring within and around us. We cannot look to and focus upon Jesus Christ as the ‘mark’ if we only see ourselves.”

Bednar also cautioned that apostasy can happen at either an institutional or individual level, adding that Joseph Smith taught that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be lost to apostasy or taken from the earth.