April 2025 General Conference Recap—Sunday Afternoon Session

Are you looking for talk summaries, quotes, or a recap of the April 2025 General Conference? Here is our recap of the Sunday Afternoon Session!

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf conducted the final session, under the direction of President Russell M. Nelson, who attended the session in person. The music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir. 

Elder Ulisses Soares

Elder Soares taught that reverence is the foundation of true spirituality and invited us to live with more awe, devotion, and holiness in our daily lives.

Key Quotes:

• “Each of us can transform our discipleship into a higher pattern of spirituality by making the virtue of reverence a sacred part of our spiritual character.”
• “Irreverence towards sacred things furthers the adversary’s aims by disrupting our sensitive channels of revelation, which are crucial for our spiritual survival in our day.”
• “We should remember that relying on a modern, technological arm of flesh is an inadequate and disrespectful substitute for the inspiration, edification and witness that can be received only through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Key Teachings:

Elder Soares opened with the story of Moses on Mount Horeb, when he turned aside from daily life to witness the burning bush. As God called to him, Moses removed his shoes, for he stood on holy ground. Elder Soares taught that Moses’s sacred encounter was a turning point in his life—a moment of reverent transformation that set him on a prophetic path. “Similarly,” Elder Soares said, “each of us can transform our discipleship… by making the virtue of reverence a sacred part of our spiritual character.”

He explained that the word “reverence” comes from a Latin verb meaning “to stand in awe of.” In gospel terms, this awe includes profound respect, love, and gratitude. Reverence reflects how closely we are connected to God. “Reverence is the essence of spirituality,” Elder Soares declared. “It’s the foundation upon which spirituality is built.”

Elder Soares expressed concern about how the world increasingly celebrates irreverence. The loss of sacredness can spiral people into apathy and misery. Irreverence, he warned, can “diminish our sense of accountability before Deity” and weaken our spiritual channels of revelation. The adversary uses irreverence to pull us away from our divine identity and the safety of our covenants.

He then testified of the Church’s careful efforts to preserve reverence in all things, including how it portrays images of God and Jesus Christ—even when using modern tools like artificial intelligence. “We should remember that relying on a modern technological ‘arm of flesh’ is an inadequate and disrespectful substitute for the inspiration… that can be received only through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Elder Soares spoke of temples as sacred spaces designed to teach us reverence. He drew a parallel between Moses removing his shoes and how we remove our shoes and change into white clothing upon entering the temple. “If we are intentional,” he said, “we can recognize that taking off our worldly shoes is the beginning of stepping onto holy ground and being transformed in higher and holier ways.”

We can cultivate reverence in everyday life: in our homes by filtering out worldly influences, through sincere prayer, studying the scriptures, honoring covenants, and observing the Sabbath with intention. He encouraged us to “turn aside like Moses” from distractions—especially cell phones—so we can better focus during the sacrament. Reverence during worship invites a renewing communion with the Savior.

Elder Soares shared a personal and sacred experience of reverence. Years ago, he and his wife lost their prematurely born child. He recalled walking through the cemetery, praying with “great fervence and reverence.” In that moment, he received spiritual assurance: “Everything will be fine in our lives if my wife and I endure, holding on to the joy that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.” What had seemed like a sorrowful trial became a reverent, sustaining testimony of the Savior’s promises.

He concluded: “Reverence for the sacred fosters genuine gratitude, expands true happiness, leads our minds to revelation, and brings greater joy to our lives.” As we embrace this gift—at home, in the temple, or in our worship—we will be filled with “astounding amazement and awe” as we connect to the love of God and Jesus Christ.

Elder Michael B. Strong

Elder Michael B. Strong taught that true discipleship is more than believing in Jesus Christ—it is a daily, intentional journey to become like Him. He emphasized that charity, the pure love of Christ, is the defining sign of a disciple and should be expressed in compassionate action.

Key Quotes:

• “Of all the many divine attributes of Jesus Christ we are to emulate, one stands preeminent and embodies all others. That attribute is his pure love or charity.”
• “As we become more like our Master, our desire to help our brothers and sisters along the covenant path will naturally increase.”
• “Brothers and sisters, discipleship of Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain enduring happiness. It is a path filled with deliberate and purposeful acts of love towards others.”

Key Teachings:

President Russell M. Nelson recently invited members to make their discipleship their highest priority. Elder Strong said this invitation led him to deeply reflect on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is more than a student—they are an apprentice who seeks to become like the Master. “Discipleship is a journey—a deliberate journey—that we take to become transformed through the Lord’s atoning sacrifice and His enabling power.”

Quoting President Dallin H. Oaks, he reminded us, “Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice.” True discipleship means trying each day to take on Christ’s attributes—His obedience, humility, and patience—until we receive His image in our countenances.

The central attribute of discipleship, Elder Strong taught, is charity. He reminded listeners of the words of Mormon and Paul, that “without charity, we are nothing.” The Savior called love the identifying sign of His disciples: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Elder Strong said that charity is best understood as “love in action”—as shown in the Savior’s life, described simply as, “He went about doing good.”

He shared three ways the Savior’s charity is revealed in His true followers.

First is compassion. He referenced Christ’s visit to the Nephites, when the people looked at Him, weeping, and He said, “Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion toward you.” Jesus healed the sick, blessed the children, and served them because He was moved with compassion.

Elder Strong shared a deeply personal story of being involved in a tragic accident as a young missionary. After accidentally hitting and killing a bicyclist, he was taken to jail, alone, devastated, and terrified. A fellow missionary, Elder Brian Cocheever, pled to stay with him in the jail cell so he wouldn’t be alone. “His charitable compassion was a telling sign of his discipleship,” Elder Strong said. “He calmed, comforted, and consoled me during the greatest moment of distress in my life.”

The second pattern of Christ’s love is noticing and ministering to unspoken needs. Jesus saw what others missed—like the woman taken in adultery or the man waiting for healing at the pool. Elder Strong shared his own story of serving as a bishop while his wife cared for their six young children alone during sacrament meeting. Two members, John and Debbie Bennett, noticed the challenge and began sitting with her each week to help. “They became surrogate grandparents to our family,” Elder Strong said. “Their quiet act of noticing and ministering was a sign of true discipleship.”

Third, Christ’s love enables others to progress along the covenant path. Elder Strong shared the story of the Agamata family in the Philippines, who were preparing for their temple sealing when typhoons disrupted their rice farming schedule. They considered postponing the temple trip so they could plant in the ideal soil conditions. Upon hearing this, Elder and Sister Coelen and three young service missionaries volunteered to help. Though they had no farming experience, they worked under the sun to get the job done.

Elder Coelen later said, “The Agamatas’ countenances glowed as we saw them dressed in white in the house of the Lord. The joy we felt ministering to the one is a joy beyond compare.”

Elder Strong concluded by bearing witness that discipleship brings lasting joy. “While the path of discipleship may be difficult and challenging… we can take comfort that God is mindful of us and yearns to help us every time we try.” He quoted Isaiah: “Fear not. I will help thee.”

With hope in God’s help and Christ’s example before us, Elder Strong encouraged all to follow President Nelson’s call to prioritize discipleship and be filled with the pure love of Christ. “That when He shall appear, we shall be like Him.”

Elder Scott D. Whiting

Elder Scott D. Whiting taught that when we make mistakes, the temptation to hide from God can be powerful—but true healing and progress come when we turn to Jesus Christ and seek His help through the Atonement.

Key Quotes:

• “Surely, to avoid all first temptations, to break God’s law, is optimal. But we know that all will succumb to a variety of first temptations here on earth.”
• “Changing one’s lifestyle is not easy. It often requires you to change habits and practices and even associations to progress towards your Heavenly Father.”
• “If you incur a physical injury, your condition will deteriorate and may become life threatening if you don’t seek proper medical attention. That is true for spiritual wounds as well. Only untreated spiritual wounds may threaten your eternal salvation. Don’t hide from those who will love and support you; rather run to them.”

Key Teachings:

Elder Whiting began with a personal story about his first Aaronic Priesthood overnight camp at age 12. Eager to fit in with the older boys, he helped with a prank by getting his father’s car keys and jamming the horn to blare uncontrollably. After completing the prank, he ran to hide—only to sit on a prickly pear cactus. In pain and shame, he confessed what he had done and had to endure an embarrassing night while his father removed cactus spines with pliers. He said, “I did not sit comfortably for several days afterward.”

He reflected on the human desire to hide after doing something wrong. While not comparing his childhood prank to serious sin, he noted that this reaction is common to the “natural man.” He pointed out patterns like the need to fit in, the fear of missing out, and especially the desire to avoid consequences by hiding.

Turning to the story of Adam and Eve, Elder Whiting explained that their life in the Garden of Eden was a test. After they partook of the forbidden fruit, they suddenly realized they were naked and vulnerable—exposed not just physically but spiritually. Lucifer, seeing their shame, tempted them again: this time, to hide from God. Elder Whiting called this “the second temptation” and warned that it may bring greater consequences than the first.

While avoiding sin is best, he reminded us that “all will succumb to a variety of first temptations here on earth.” The danger is in hiding afterward. Quoting scripture, he emphasized that hiding from God is impossible. Jeremiah, Job, and David all affirm that God sees all, knows all, and is present everywhere.

Speaking to recent converts, Elder Whiting acknowledged how hard it is to change one’s life after baptism. The adversary tries to convince new members that they’re not strong enough, that they don’t belong, and that they’ll never be accepted. But Elder Whiting reassured, “We love you. You can do it. We accept you. And with Him, you will have strength to do all.”

He warned against isolating oneself, sharing that a convert friend told him how hard it is to sustain faith in isolation. He testified that there is “great strength in becoming and remaining part of a supportive community—all stumbling, yet progressing—while blessed by the love of Jesus Christ.”

Quoting President Russell M. Nelson, he reminded us that “overcoming the world is not an event that happens in a day or two. It happens over a lifetime.” Through daily repentance, keeping covenants, and staying on the covenant path, we receive power, revelation, and strength.

He compared untreated spiritual wounds to untreated physical ones—both can become life-threatening. “Don’t hide from those who will love and support you. Rather, run to them.” Good leaders can help us access Christ’s healing power.

To those in hiding, he pleaded, “Come back.” He testified that God already knows our sins and that we cannot hide from Him. Instead, we should reconcile ourselves to Him and trust in His mercy.

Elder Whiting closed by declaring that this is the purpose of life: to receive a mortal body, to face weakness, and to seek divine help through Jesus Christ. “It is His way. It is the only way.”

Elder Christopher W. Kim

Elder Christopher H. Kim taught that we must continually soften our hearts through repentance, humility, and trust in the Savior to receive the Spirit and understand God’s word.

Key Quotes: 

• “When we harden our hearts, we are blinded, and good things cannot come into our hearts or minds. We become stubborn and begin to place more focus on worldly desires, closing our hearts to the things of God. We choose to focus solely on our own thoughts, not accepting the opinions or guidance of others. We choose not to open our hearts to the things of God, but instead to the influence of the world and the adversary. When our hearts are hardened, we resist the influence of the Holy Ghost, we are slow to remember the Lord, and over time, we become past feeling His words.”
• “When we put our trust in the Lord and rely on Him, He will soften our hearts, and we will be supported in our trials, troubles, and afflictions. If we sincerely repent, humble ourselves, and trust and rely on the Lord, our hearts will be softened.”
• “We can choose to harden our heart, or we can choose to soften our hearts in our daily lives. We can choose to do the things that invite the Lord’s Spirit to come into and to weigh in our heart.”

Key Teachings:

Elder Kim began his message by affirming the reality and power of the Restoration, reminding us that “God the Father and His Beloved Son appeared to the young Joseph Smith” and that through him, “the fullness of the everlasting gospel” was restored in the Book of Mormon. Reflecting on his own youth, Elder Kim remembered wondering why Laman and Lemuel rejected truth, even when an angel spoke directly to them. He found the answer in 1 Nephi—“the hardness of their hearts.”

Elder Kim explained that in Korean, the phrase translated as “hardness” comes from Chinese characters meaning “stubborn” and “wicked.” When we harden our hearts, we close ourselves off to good things. “We choose not to open our hearts to the things of God, but instead to the influence of the world and the adversary.” A hardened heart resists the Holy Ghost, forgets the Lord, and eventually becomes past feeling. Amulek taught that those who harden their hearts receive “the lesser portion of the word” and may eventually lose God’s word altogether.

In contrast, Nephi humbled himself and sought the Lord, saying, “He did visit me and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.” This humility led to understanding, belief, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

To avoid hardening our hearts, Elder Kim shared three simple and powerful practices.

First, practice daily repentance. Jesus taught, “Whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive.” President Nelson said, “Repenting is the key to progress… Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man.” As we do, we become like little children—submissive, humble, and filled with love.

Second, practice humility. Repentance brings humility, and humility softens the heart. Elder Kim told a story of a couple he and his wife met. The husband had joined the Church, and the wife was meeting with missionaries. She loved the Church and felt the Spirit, but hesitated to be baptized. One day, she read Moroni 7:43–44 and realized that she needed to be “meek and lowly of heart” to have real faith and hope. She let go of her stubbornness and her own wisdom, began to sincerely repent, and prayed for a softened heart. The Spirit confirmed to her that she should be baptized. As both she and her husband became more humble, “their hearts were softened to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Third, trust and rely on the Savior. Nephi declared, “I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.” Similarly, the Lord told Joseph Smith, “Put your trust in the Spirit which leadeth to do good.” Trust in the Lord allows Him to soften our hearts and support us in our trials. “If we sincerely repent, humble ourselves, and trust and rely on the Lord, our hearts will be softened.”

Elder Kim taught that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of meekness and obedience. Though holy and perfect, He “humbled himself before the Father” and was baptized. In Gethsemane, He submitted fully to the Father’s will, drinking the bitter cup despite the pain. “Glory be to the Father,” He said, and finished His preparations for our salvation.

Elder Kim closed with this reminder: “We have been given moral agency. We can choose to harden our hearts, or we can choose to soften our hearts.” He testified that peace and joy come as we follow Christ and let His Spirit dwell in our hearts. “Let us follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who followed the will of the Father.” The Lord’s promise is sure: “I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts.”

Elder Patrick Kearon

Elder Patrick Kearon taught that one of the greatest and most transformative gifts from our Heavenly Father is the eternal truth that we are His beloved children, and he invited us to receive and embrace this divine identity more fully than ever before.

Key Quotes: 

• “All our Father’s gifts flow from and are activated by the Savior’s willing offering in Gethsemane and on the cross and His triumphant resurrection.”
• “I invite you to receive, either for the first time or to a greater extent than ever before, the magnificent realization that you truly are God’s beloved child.”
• “Just let it in. You are His child. You are beloved of Him. Do not complicate it. Do not block the receiving of this gift with thoughts that you are somehow undeserving.”

Key Teachings:

Elder Kearon began his message with reflections on the universal tradition of gift giving, noting that it is practiced across all cultures and even by animals like penguins and bonobos. He asked listeners to think of a perfect gift they had given or received—one that brought joy and connection—and described a childhood memory of receiving a cherished toy car from his father. “I was so happy, I cried,” he said, remembering the joy and love that came with the gift. This personal story illustrated the deeper principle that “receiving a gift is not passive, but an intentional and meaningful process… that strengthens the bonds between the giver and receiver.”

He explained that the act of gift giving has three parts: the giving, the opening, and—most importantly—the receiving. While opening a gift may bring surprise and delight, “to truly receive a gift” means we value it, apply it, and deepen our connection with the giver.

Elder Kearon then turned our attention to the ultimate Giver—our Heavenly Father—and His infinite desire to bless us with light, truth, and goodness. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” he quoted, emphasizing that all of these blessings flow from the greatest of all gifts: the Father’s Son, Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ, our merciful Redeemer, is the supreme gift from our Father of Lights.”

He testified that all of God’s other gifts are made possible through the Savior’s Atonement, and from that foundation he introduced the focus of his message: the most vital gift of truth that enables us to receive all others—the knowledge that we are truly children of God. “That truth is breathtaking, stunning, and it’s not figurative.”

With great tenderness, Elder Kearon invited us to hear this truth as if for the first time: “You really are His cherished daughter. You really are His precious son.” He bore witness that God knows us perfectly, understands our past, and has “mercifully planned for your every tomorrow.” He said the question is not whether this gift is real, but whether we will receive it.

He warned that familiarity can dull our appreciation of this divine identity, and if we leave this truth unopened and unreceived, “what a terrible loss for us. What a sadness for the Giver.” Quoting scripture, he said: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?”

He issued a heartfelt invitation to actively receive this knowledge: “Undo the bow, tear off the wrapping paper, open the box… and welcome this majestic reality into your very soul.” When we do, everything changes. We feel His love more clearly, hear His voice more consistently, and “redefine how you see yourself and others.” He promised that as we receive this truth, “life takes on new brilliance, beauty, and hope.”

Some may wonder what they must do to receive this gift. Elder Kearon’s response was simple and clear: “Actually, nothing. It is a gift from the Giver… Just let it in. You are His child. You are beloved of Him.” He urged listeners not to block the reception of this gift with feelings of unworthiness, reminding us that “none of us is deserving” and all gifts from God come “only through the merit, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.”

He shared that since finding his faith in his mid-20s, the more he internalized the truth of being a child of God, “the more keenly I know who I am and how completely I am loved.” He said that understanding this would have softened and reframed earlier sorrow and pain in his life.

He concluded by inviting us to lay hold upon every good gift, as Moroni exhorts, and to “come to Christ with confidence in His loving-kindness.” With open hands and open hearts, we can receive all the Father’s gifts—peace, hope, light, and truth—because “you are a cherished son of God… a beloved daughter of God… and He has gifted you His perfect, holy Son to redeem you, justify you, and sanctify you.”

“This is not just a nice song we sing,” he said. “Will you please accept, open, and receive this gift of knowledge and understanding from Him?”

Elder Kearon testified that receiving this gift can “transform every aspect of your life” and is “the more excellent way God has prepared for you through the gift of His Son.”

“You really are,” he concluded, “that you might have joy.”

Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai

Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai testified that we can consistently feel God’s perfect, personal, and perpetual love by exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, keeping covenants, and reaching out to others in need.

Key Quotes: 

• “The scriptures and the Lord’s Prophet teach us that we can consistently experience God’s love when, through the grace of Jesus Christ, we repeatedly repent frankly, forgive, strive to keep His commandments, and selflessly serve others.”
• “When we experience the love of God, we can bear up our burdens with ease and submit patiently and cheerfully to His will. We have confidence that God will remember His covenants with us and visit us in our afflictions and deliver us from bondage.”
• “If, despite your best efforts, life is overcast, if you feel that your prayers are not heard, or if you can’t feel God’s love, please know that your every effort matters.”

Key Teachings: 

Elder Tai opened with a memory of sleeping outdoors beneath a cloudless sky with his family, where they could see the Milky Way. His children, who had grown up in Hong Kong, asked if it was the same sky they lived under at home. He explained that the stars were always there, even if invisible due to light and air pollution. He used this as a metaphor: “While disorienting distractions and terrestrial temptations cloud our spiritual vision, when we exercise faith… we receive clear assurance of [God’s] reality and concern.”

Referencing Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, Elder Tai taught that its fruit represents the love of God—“most sweet above all”—and that we too can “receive a joyful witness of God when we invite Him into our lives.”

He testified of Jesus Christ, who “embodies Heavenly Father’s love for us.” Through the Atonement, Christ has “borne our griefs,” “carried our sorrows,” and taken on “our pains and sicknesses.” His Spirit brings “joy, peace, and faith,” filling us with “hope and love.”

Though God’s love is accessible to all, Elder Tai noted that many people struggle to feel it. Some don’t believe they deserve it, and others are trying to hold on to it. But he taught, “We can consistently experience God’s love when… we repeatedly repent, frankly forgive, strive to keep His commandments, and selflessly serve others.”

We also feel His love when we stop doing things that distance us from Him—like pride, contention, and rebellion—and do things that draw us closer, such as “daily prayer and scripture study.”

Elder Tai quoted President Nelson, who invited us to “remove… the old debris in our lives” and “lay aside bitterness.” President Nelson promised that “as we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power.”

He then shared the story of a friend whose life had changed after illness and divorce. When his former wife requested a temple sealing cancellation, the friend was troubled and sought peace at the temple. He later sent Elder Tai a message: “I literally felt the Spirit remove the resentment from my heart. It was such a relief to be freed from it… a burden has been lifted.”

Elder Tai taught that when we experience God’s love, we are better able to “bear up our burdens with ease” and “submit patiently and cheerfully to His will.” We are also filled with a desire to share this joy with others. As in Lehi’s vision, we cannot force others to partake, but we can “love, share, and invite in a way that those we love can feel the love of God.”

He shared a personal experience about helping a teenage son who struggled with self-esteem. Elder Tai prayed to know how to help and was prompted to bring the sacrament to a woman in need each week, together with his son. At first uncertain, his son later told him he didn’t think his classmates got to do “cool things like this.” After fixing her DVD player, he felt “useful, happy, and trusted.” Elder Tai said his son “felt God’s love for him.”

He encouraged listeners not to give up, even if life feels overcast or if prayers seem unanswered. “As certain as the stars above us,” he said, “Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know, hear, and love you.”

He reminded us of Peter walking on water. As Peter sank, the Savior “immediately reached out His hand” and led him to safety. Elder Tai asked: “Are we willing to be cheerful and courageous?” and “Are we willing to go to Him in faith?”

He offered four suggestions for feeling God’s love more abundantly:

1. Pause frequently to remember you are a child of God and express gratitude.

2. Pray daily to know who needs to feel His love.

3. Ask what you can do to help that person.

4. Act promptly on the inspiration you receive.

“If we consistently pray and ask… and act promptly, we can become the means through which He answers [others’] prayers.”

He concluded with a story from a stormy flight in Vietnam. After a turbulent ascent, their plane rose above the clouds into a peaceful sky. “We were reminded once again of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and felt their great love for us.”

In closing, Elder Tai testified: “The Savior, Jesus Christ, is the love of God. His love for us is perfect, personal, and perpetual.” As we follow Him faithfully, “may we be a lighthouse that guides others to His love.”

President Russell M. Nelson

President Russell M. Nelson testified that we can have powerful spiritual confidence in our lives—confidence in prayer, in receiving guidance, and in standing before God—by filling our hearts with charity and our minds with virtue.

Key Quotes: 

• “Charity and virtue open the way to having confidence before God.”
• “Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”
• “As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord.”

Key Teachings:

President Nelson began by expressing his joy at the momentum of the Church today, particularly the faithful service of the youth. He said he is especially inspired as young people seek their ancestors, attend the temple, and serve missions in record numbers. “The rising generation is rising up as stalwart followers of Jesus Christ.”

He shared a personal moment with a new great-granddaughter and spoke of his hope that she will develop faith in Jesus Christ to face the inevitable challenges of mortality—illness, disappointment, temptation, and loss. “Disciples of Jesus Christ have access to a different kind of confidence,” he taught, which comes from keeping covenants. He quoted the Lord’s words to Joseph Smith: “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”

President Nelson explained what this confidence looks like—it’s praying with trust that God hears us, knowing He understands our needs better than we do, and believing “that He loves us more than we can comprehend.”

So how do we gain such confidence? “Charity and virtue,” he said, quoting the scripture: “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men… and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”

Charity, he explained, is especially needed today. He repeated his earlier call to be peacemakers: “Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.” He warned that current public discourse and social media hostility is “alarming.” Charity helps us stop judging others, even those who are difficult to love. “Charity is the foundation of a godly character,” and “a gift from our Heavenly Father.”

He then taught about virtue, saying that when our thoughts are enhanced with virtue, they are lifted. But when virtue is added to impure or cruel thoughts, “virtue will drive away those thoughts.” It frees us from anxiety and darkness. “As the world grows more wicked, we need to grow increasingly pure.”

He emphasized the power of temple worship to increase our capacity for both charity and virtue. “Time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord.” He testified that it helps prepare us for the Second Coming, urging, “Get ready for that great and dreadful day.”

He invited each listener to take intentional steps to grow in confidence before God. Doing so will increase our joy and our faith in Christ, and “we will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes.”

President Nelson closed by announcing 15 new temples and expressing gratitude for the accelerated pace of temple building. The new temples will be in:

• Reynosa, Mexico

• Chorrillos, Peru

• Rivera, Uruguay

• Campo Grande, Brazil

• Porto, Portugal

• Uyo, Nigeria

• San Jose del Monte, Philippines

• Nouméa, New Caledonia

• Liverpool, Australia

• Caldwell, Idaho

• Flagstaff, Arizona

• Rapid City, South Dakota

• Greenville, South Carolina

• Norfolk, Virginia

• Spanish Fork, Utah

He ended with this witness: “Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of Israel, leads this Church. May we likewise prepare to receive Him.”

Aleah Ingram

Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.