Sorta-liveblogging general conference: Saturday afternoon session

Next session, same ordering as all the rest of these.

Gary E. Stevenson, of the quorum of apostles

• Brigham Young prophesied great things about temples, including that they would one day number in the hundreds.
• The Salt Lake temple is undergoing a seismic renovation and restoration of its foundation right now—and, in a different sense, we should renovate and restore our spiritual foundations ourselves.
• To evaluate our foundation, consider the first few questions of the temple recommend interview.
• Having faith doesn’t mean nothing bad will happen, but rather that there will be light again eventually, and that light will be greater for having walked through the dark.
• Brigham Young wanted the Salt Lake temple built in a manner that it would last through the Millennium; similarly, may our spiritual foundations be built such that we and our families will last through the Millennium.

Benjamin M. Z. Tai, of the quorums of seventy

• Each of us can study the Book of Mormon according to our own circumstances.
• As we strive to know the truth of the Book of Mormon, we will be given a knowledge of its truth as we need it, in the way we need it.
• “Conversion requires us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
• As we act, we will overcome fear and will be given all things that we should do.

Dale G. Renlund, of the quorum of apostles

• Good things can come from bad things [demonstrated through a painfully sad story].
• All of us receive gifts we cannot provide for ourselves, and it is our job to use them properly.
• All of us can be profoundly transformed—God has promised us a new heart, if we will but take it.
• Jesus Christ stands waiting with open arms to heal and purify all of us.
• Salvation and exaltation comes at a great cost, but we can (should, even) be “reverently joyful” for it.
• God isn’t insulted when we forget, but rather is deeply disappointed.
• “The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore.”

Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop

• The Book of Mormon exists to affirm the reality and meaning of what Jesus Christ has done for the world.
• From the Book of Mormon, we can understand more of the atonement.
• Taking hold of the atonement is a real experience, and demonstrates that lives can be changed through Jesus.
• As we pattern our lives after Jesus, we will become more like him until we ultimately reach perfection “in that perfect day”.

John A. McCune, of the quorums of seventy

• As followers of Christ we are not spared trials and may be asked to do things that seem overwhelming, but we can feel Christ’s love and support when we do what we should.
• There may be times when the only thing we can rely on is Jesus Christ, and it is a blessing to be able to have that.
• When trials lead people to question truth, it is our responsibility to love them and help them come unto or return to Christ.

Ulisses Soares, of the quorum of apostles

• The coming forth of the Book of Mormon began long before Joseph Smith received the plates.
• Prophets had foretold the Book of Mormon.
• Joseph Smith's marriage to Emma Hale, in fact, was part of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. [Intriguing thought, that one is.]<.li>
• In a wide sense the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, and it can become the keystone of our faith at an individual level.
• Each of us can be a part of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in our own lives.

Kevin R. Jergensen, of the church auditing department

• [Why do we even do this?]

Dallin H. Oaks, of the quorum of apostles, sustaining of church officers

• [Seen online: Gonna get real awkward if someone shouts “Opposed!” this time.😂]