2022 LDS Conference Guide

The is the time we can learn. is the time we can repent. is the time we can bless others’

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The Orchard at University Place is one of the state’s premier urban outdoor spaces. Two acres of green grass, shaded pavilions, water fountain show, and an indoor and outdoor Kid’s Place. bring the entire family!

There are over 150 restaurants and stores where you can find the perfect gift, or a little something just for you. From fashion to beauty and toys to tech –It’s all at University Place. Sat 10am &

The Orchard at University Place is one of the state’s premier urban outdoor spaces. Two acres of green grass, shaded pavilions, water fountain show, and an indoor and outdoor Kid’s Place. So bring the entire family! Goods Place in Orem is the center of it all!

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ON THE

Now is the time to prepare

BY GENELLE PUGMIRE Daily Herald

During President Russell M. Nelson’s nal address of April’s Annual General Conference of e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he challenged members of the church, and others listening, to make use of their time now to seek education, repent and give service.

“ e future is always uncertain. Weather changes. Eco nomic cycles are unpredictable. Disasters, accidents, and illness can change life quickly. ese actions are largely beyond our control. But there are some things we can con trol, including how we spend our time each day,” Nelson said.

He recited a poem by Henry Van Dyke that is posted on a sundial at Wells College in New York. It reads:

“ e shadow by my nger cast Divides the future from the past: Before it, sleeps the unborn hour In darkness, and beyond thy power:

Behind its unreturning line, e vanished hour, no longer thine: One hour alone is in thy hands, — e NOW on which the shadow stands.”

With that poem, Nelson noted that we should all learn from the past and prepare for the future. Only now, though, can we do that.

“Now is the time we can learn. Now is the time we can repent. Now is the time we can bless others and “li up the hands which hang down,” Nelson said.

In April 1846, as he was eeing Nauvoo, Illinois, William W. Clayton wrote lyrics to a beloved hymn of the church

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

President Russell M. Nelson takes a moment to himself as he sits beside President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the morning session of the 189th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held April 6, 2019, at the church’s Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

“Come, Come, Ye Saints,” encouraging the Mormon pioneers and members for decades to come to have courage and per severe.

“Come, Come Ye Saints” teaches people not to fear hard work, even though the journey may be di cult. We shouldn’t mourn or think our lot is hard. And one should do it with joy as they go along. Don’t shun the ght because God will not forsake you. In the end, as you do these things, all will be well.

As Nelson indicated, this is not always easy. He warned members that “the adver sary never sleeps.” Nelson said there will al ways be opposition to truth. We use things like procrastination, apathy and other distractions to keep us from having the momentum needed to do what is needed in this moment.

Nelson also spoke to church members about building momentum while facing tri als and adversity.

“Some trials are deeply private burdens no one else can see. Others are played out on the world stage. e armed con ict in Eastern Europe is one of these,” Nelson said. “I have been to Ukraine and Russia many times. I love those lands, the people, and their languages. I weep and pray for all who are a ected by this con ict. As a church we’re doing all we can to help those who are su ering and struggling to survive. We invite everyone to continue to fast and pray for all the people being hurt by this calamity. Any war is a horrifying violation of everything the Lord Jesus Christ stands

for and teaches.”

Nelson admonished, “None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end con icts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. e Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us.”

Members of the church believe in the “end times” — in the return of Christ, called the Second Coming. ey believe they cannot procrastinate in that spiritual and physical preparation, according to church teachings.

“Each of us, wherever we are, knows that we live in increasingly perilous times. My prayer is that I might help you stand steady in the storms we face, with a peace ful heart,” said President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in e First Presidency.

e Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in the New Testament, “ is know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come,” Eyring noted.

“Anyone with eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of proph ets knows that is true,” Eyring said. “ e perils of greatest danger come to us from the forces of wickedness. ose forces are

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the morning session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints held Oct. 6, 2018, at the church’s Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

increasing. And so it will become more di cult, not easier, to honor the covenants (promises with God) we must make and keep to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

An inspired and loving father in the Book of Mormon told his sons how to strengthen them selves, to stand steady in the storms ahead of them:

“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must

build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his sha s in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, … whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

Eyring added that it “has never been more important than it is now to understand how to build on that sure foundation.”

“Jesus Christ knows about erce struggles and trials. He

gave His life for us. His nal hours were brutal, beyond any thing we can even comprehend, but His sacri ce for each one of us was the ultimate expression of His pure love,” Elder Ronald Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said. “Each of us must rst strengthen ourselves spiritually and then strengthen those around us.”

It can be painfully difficult to let go of anger that feels so justified. It can seem impossi ble to forgive those whose de structive actions have hurt the innocent. And yet, the Savior admonished us to “forgive all

men,” Nelson said.

Now is the time to follow Jesus Christ. Now is the time to build the spiritual momentum to do so.

Nelson o ered ve speci c actions to take to help maintain positive spiritual momentum:

y Get on the covenant path and stay there. Some call it the straight and narrow path or way.

y Discover the joy of daily re pentance.

y Learn about God and how He works. Read the scriptures, takes notes.

y Seek and expect miracles.

y End con ict in your personal life.

By following these ve spiritual guides, daily issues and con cerns will not weigh as heavily. ey will be endurable, allowing people to successfully serve oth ers, enlarge their education and repent with momentum to do better.

“As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families,” Nelson said.

From Page 5

EVAN COBB, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

From left, First Counselor Dallin H. Oaks, President Russell M. Nelson and Second Counselor Henry B. Eyring smile towards the crowd before the press conference at the lobby of the Church O ce Building on Jan. 16, 2018, in Salt Lake City.

Now is the time to serve

— Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

BY GENELLE PUGMIRE Daily Herald

Floods, earthquakes, war and pestilence cover the globe — and people are in need. at is why members of e Church of Jesus Christ of Lat ter-day Saints have chosen to follow the clarion call of Jesus Christ.

“A new commandment I give unto you, at ye love one another; as I have loved you. …“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” reads John 13:34–35. e love the Savior described is an active love. It

is not manifested through large and heroic deeds, but rather through simple acts of kindness and service, according to M. Russell Ballard, acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

In his April 2022 General Conference address “Now is the Time,” President Russell M. Nelson emphasized to members of the church that "Now is the time we can bless others and ‘li up the hands which hang down.’”

And so it should not be surprising that all people, members or not, that have su ered from natural and unnatural disasters have been met by the church’s Helping Hands volunteers.

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Members of the Crestwood Kentucky Stake help remove debris from the area surrounding a home in Whitesburg, Ky., on Aug. 27.

“The future is always uncertain. Weather changes. Economic cycles are unpredictable. Disasters, accidents, and illness can change life quickly. These actions are largely beyond our control. But there are some things we can control, including how we spend our time each day.”

A er July’s ooding in east ern Kentucky, Helping Hands volunteers spent two weeks clearing debris, shoveling mud, mucking out homes, moving furniture, preparing meals and lling other tasks.

More than 1,000 people from 30 stakes showed up to help. According to church informa tion, they came from western Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Ten nessee, Virginia and West Vir ginia. Columbus Ohio North Stake President Gary C. Man gelson noted that they brought their own tools and camped in tents in the area.

At last report, about 2,800 volunteers had completed more than 27,000 hours of work.

Barry Spurlock, a Latter-day Saint from Lexington, Ken tucky, saw all the preparation and organization that went into the heavy labor.

“I saw people coming back in covered from head to toe in ood mud from mucking out from under a house and seek ing another assignment to go back out and work some more,” Spurlock said. “I saw women covered in dirt from cutting up trees and visibly tired yet smil ing and laughing and ready to go back out and do more. roughout the world, or ganizations attached to the church, or working in conjunc tion with the church, have raised the hands of the down trodden.

e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Founda tion (formerly known as LDS Charities), in collaboration with other nonpro ts, provided pros thetic limbs for approximately 500 people with disabilities in Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan. Church foundations are ac tive in Indonesia providing prosthetic limbs, increasing the availability of clean water, building and upgrading schools and much more.

PHOTOS COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

A drone captures an image of tents at a command center in eastern Kentucky on Aug. 20.

Tatan Sutam Dur, in three photos, showing and being tted for his new prosthetic leg.

Serve

From Page 9

Elder Ulisses Soares of e Quorum of the Twelve Apostles o ered words of gratitude and encourage ment recently to President Manutea Gay and volunteers of Emauta, a nonpro t organization a liated with the Catholic Church in French Polynesia. Emauta manages a network of shelters for victims of abuse.

“We are so appreciative for what you do for the peo ple,” Elder Soares said. “It tells me a lot about your heart and how close you are to Jesus Christ, because the life of Jesus Christ was to help and bless the lives of others, especially the ones who are in despair.”

For those who can’t clear away mud, cook a meal for

someone, or even give a donation, there are still ways to serve.

One bedridden woman, su ering from cancer, made a point to call ve members of her LDS ward every day before she died just to talk and let them know that some one loves them and is praying for them. She called mem bers of all ages as her way to serve.

In a talk given by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, for mer presiding bishop of the church, he spoke of the wel fare system of the church.

“Welfare is more than just furnishing the temporal needs of the church members. Welfare is for every single member of the church. It involves the 96% who do not need to be assisted by the commodities and by those things furnished by the bishop’s storehouse.

Welfare is for those who have, to give, as well as those who have not, to receive,” he said. “In the true humility of an inspired leader, King Benjamin (in the Book of Mormon) recounted his desire to serve his people and lead them in paths of righteousness. He then declared to them, ‘Because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow be ings ye are only in the service of your God.'” (Mosiah 2:16–17).

It has been said that hymns are sermons set to music. Many of those sermons are based on the teachings of the New Testament and the words of Christ’s apostles.

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Elder Ulisses Soares presents a donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Manutea Gay, president of Emauta, a Catholic entity that manages six shelters for victims of abuse in French Polynesia. The funds will be used to care for children and young women. Elder Soares met with President Manutea and volunteers during his ministering tour in Papeete, Tahiti on Aug. 16.

Verse 1:27 in the book of St. James, in the New Testament, reads, “Pure religion and unde led before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their a iction, and to keep himself un spotted from the world.”

Christ was the great example. Many of his parables were about serving and help ing those in need. e Good Samaritan is a well-known and much recited story of caring for even those you may not know.

A song in the general hymnbook of the church asks the question, “Have I Done Any Good?”

Have I done any good in the world to day?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

For those who want to volunteer to serve but don’t know what they want to do or where, the website http://justserve.

org provides the needs of organizations in your community, providing opportuni ties to help those in need and enhance the quality of life.

Jesus taught, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).

Jesus used a parable to teach the impor tance of service in the book of Matthew 25:34–40. In the parable, Jesus speaks of his return to the Earth and of separating

the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous, Jesus said: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: na ked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

e righteous, who are puzzled by this

declaration, ask “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?”

en the Lord answers, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Opportunities for service to others are limitless. Kind words and deeds can li burdens and gladden hearts. Sharing the gospel is a great service with eternal consequences. One true key to happi ness is to labor for the happiness of oth ers, according to a church statement on service.

In April’s concluding message, Presi dent Nelson said, “ e future is always uncertain. Weather changes. Economic cycles are unpredictable. Disasters, acci dents, and illness can change life quickly.

ese actions are largely beyond our control. But there are some things we can control, including how we spend our time each day.”

Now is the time to serve.

“Welfare is more than just furnishing the temporal needs of the church members. Welfare is for every single member of the church. It involves the 96% who do not need to be assisted by the commodities and by those things furnished by the bishop’s storehouse. Welfare is for those who have, to give, as well as those who have not, to receive.”

— Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, former presiding bishop of the church

Now is the time we can learn

3 ways the church is helping Latter-day Saints learn

Along with o ering seminary classes for high school students, the church also sponsors religious classes known as “institute” for young single adults ages 18 to 30 and married college students.

BY SARAH HARRIS Herald Correspondent

e present is the time to learn.

“Yes, we should learn from the past, and yes, we

should prepare for the future. But only now can we do,” President Russell M. Nelson of e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in his closing remarks last general conference. “Now is the time we can learn.”

Here are three things the church is doing now to help

people learn:

EDUCATION

Church members should understand “education is not merely a good idea — it’s a commandment,” according to

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“We are to learn ‘of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad,’” Elder Uchtdorf said in the October 2009 general conference, quoting Doctrine and Covenants 88:79.

Latter-day Saints have been encouraged to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith,” as is written in Doctrine and Covenants 88:118.

“In part, this means that Church mem bers recognize a kind of learning that

incorporates both intellect and spiritual in sight,” reads a church newsroom article on education. “At one level, members of the Church do not distinguish between ‘secu lar’ and ‘religious’ knowledge. ey regard all forms of truth as relevant and sacred.”

e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints currently operates educational institu tions including Brigham Young University, BYU-Hawaii, BYU-Idaho, Ensign College and BYU-Pathway Worldwide. It also pro vides religious instruction for high school students and young adults with its Seminary and Institutes of Religion programs.

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks from the Conference Center on Temple Square in a worldwide broadcast for all teachers in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The broadcast was made public worldwide on June 12.

“I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the in uence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease.”

— Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The church has helped tens of thousands gain education and training through its Perpetual Edu cation Fund, which offers educational opportuni ties to eligible young adult members in developing areas of the world, according to a church news room article.

‘COME, FOLL OW ME’

Learning was one of the original purposes of the church’s gospel study curriculum — “Come, Follow Me” — that President Nelson announced in the Octo ber 2018 General Conference.

“For many years, church leaders have been working on an integrated curriculum to strengthen families and individuals through a home-centered and churchsupported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship,” President Nelson said in his opening address.

e resource was “designed to help members learn the gospel in the home,” Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in his talk ex plaining the curriculum following President Nelson’s announcement.

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Latter-day Saint youth ages 14 to 18 attend seminary to study the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please

Weber State University students like geology major Maggie Nguyen participate in hands-on projects that have real-world impacts. This summer, she studied the e ects of climate, drought and ecosystem change at the Great Salt Lake. Nguyen said monitoring and researching the lake’s water levels directly ties to her future career in hydrology.

“ e aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen our conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and help us be come more like em,” states the program manual in the introduc tory section, “Conversion Is Our Goal.”

is curriculum “has the po tential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and care fully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith,” President Nelson reiterated as he closed the October 2018 conference.

“I promise that as you dili gently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight,” Pres ident Nelson said. “Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the in uence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease.”

President Nelson promised in the April 2020 general confer ence that the “Come, Follow Me” gospel study curriculum would continue to bless Latter-day Saints’ lives.

“Your consistent e orts in this endeavor — even during those moments when you feel that you are not being particularly successful — will change your life, that of your family, and the world,” President Nelson said.

Church members have been learning the gospel using “Come, Follow Me” for almost four years now. is year marks the end of the curriculum’s rst round through the church’s standard works of scripture, having fo cused on the New Testament in 2019, the Book of Mormon in 2020, the Doctrine and Cov enants in 2021 and the Old Tes tament in 2022.

“Living by and reading the word of God will build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus

Christ and His Atonement,” the First Presidency wrote in a letter announcing “Come, Follow Me” in June 2018.

GENERAL CONFERENCE

Latter-day Saints have gath ered at general conferences to learn from church leaders since the rst conference in 1830.

“General conference provides an opportunity to receive per sonal revelation as living proph ets and other general Church leaders give counsel and direc tion,” the First Presidency wrote in a Sept. 2 letter announcing the upcoming October 2022 gen eral conference. “We encourage members to listen to, study and apply the counsel given.”

President Nelson has ex pressed hope that general confer ence may “be a time of peace and spiritual feasting.”

In October 2021, President Nelson said, “Please make this conference a time of feasting on messages from the Lord through His servants.” In addition to listening and taking in the mes sages during general conference, Nelson wants members to walk away from the weekend with one goal — “Learn how to apply

them in your life.”

e purpose of every general conference, President Nelson said in April 2020, is to help members better hear Jesus Christ.

“We have prayed, and invite you to pray, that the Spirit of the Lord will be with us in such rich abundance that you can hear the

messages that the Savior has es pecially for you — messages that will bring peace to your soul,” President Nelson said. “Messages that will heal your broken heart. Messages that will illuminate your mind. Messages that will help you know what to do as you move ahead through times of turmoil and trial.”

Elder Je rey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in October 2019 that the church’s conference tradition “will mean little or nothing un less we nd Jesus at the center of it all.”

“ e prayer of every speaker, the hope of all who sing, the rev erence of every guest — all are dedicated to inviting the Spirit of Him whose Church this is — the living Christ, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace,” Elder Hol land said.

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

Reactions by Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center were overwhelmingly positive as President Russell M. Nelson announced 12 new temples throughout the world.

“The prayer of every speaker, the hope of all who sing, the reverence of every guest — all are dedicated to inviting the Spirit of Him whose Church this is — the living Christ, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace.”

— Elder Je rey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Todd B. Engen, MDJames G. Theurer, MDJon B. Gunther, MDAaron D. Smalley, MDJustin T. Wilkinson, MDScott W. Yeates, MDJoseph S. Schmutz, MDPeter A. Ririe, MDMason A. Schmutz, MD

Christopher J. Ricks, MDNathan G. Lambert, MDBrad S. Henriksen, MDAustin J. Woolley, MDConley B. Call, MDRobert L. Simmons, ODWilliam V. Hatch, ODReese M. Loveless, OD

Now is the time we can repent

BY LAURA GILES Herald Correspondent

“Now is the time we can learn. Now is the time we can repent. Now is the time we can bless others and li up the hands which hang down.” So said President Rus sell M. Nelson, prophet of e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the April 2022 General Conference.

President Nelson spoke about the importance of building spiritual momentum — of continuing to move forward through whatever challenges and op portunities may come in life. Repentance is a way to build this momentum, he said.

Repentance is o en a topic during the church’s semiannual General Conference meetings. Speci cally, it's a topic President Nelson has spoken about on many occasions.

In April 2007, he spoke of repentance in a talk titled, “Repentance and Conversion.” In it, he shared that the doctrine of repentance is as old as the gospel itself. “Biblical teachings from the books of Genesis to Rev elation teach repentance,” he said, adding that Jesus Christ taught repentance during his mortal ministry.

In the same talk, President Nelson outlined the steps to repentance, including making a sincere confession to the person who has been wronged, restitution to repair damage done — if possible — and then to make

Thousands participated in the groundbreaking and dedication of the Provo City Center Temple site.

changes and improvements to build spiritual momentum.

“Yes, the Lord has commanded us to repent, to change our ways, to come unto Him, and be more like Him,” President Nelson said. “ e fruits of repentance are sweet. Repentant con verts nd that the truths of the restored gospel govern their thoughts and deeds, shape their habits, and forge their character.”

President Nelson, in a Christmas devo tional address in 2018, referred to repentance as a gi that is given to everyone from Jesus Christ. He said, “Can we begin to see the breadth and depth of what the Lord is giving to us when He o ers us the gi to repent? He invites us to change our minds, our knowl edge, our spirit, even our breathing. For example, when we repent, we breathe with gratitude to God, who lends us breath from day to day. And we desire to use that breath in serving Him and His children. Repentance

is a resplendent gi . It is a process never to be feared. It is a gi for us to receive with joy and to use — even embrace — day a er day as we seek to become more like our Savior.”

During the April 2019 General Confer ence, President Nelson said, “ e word for repentance in the Greek New Testament is 'metanoeo.' e pre x meta- means ‘change.’ e su x -noeo is related to Greek words that mean ‘mind,’ ‘knowledge,’ ‘spirit’ and ‘breath.’” erefore, President Nelson said, when Je sus asks for repentance he invited followers to change "our mind, our knowledge, our spirit — even the way we breathe.”

In other words, repentance is not about punishment, it is not about focusing on wrongdoings. It is about change and improv ing lives. It is a positive turn in the lives of people who practice it.

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Elder Richard G. Scott speaks in a session of the 183rd general conference of the church in April 2013.

“Yes, the Lord has commanded us to repent, to change our ways, to come unto Him, and be more like Him. The fruits of repentance are sweet. Repentant converts nd that the truths of the restored gospel govern their thoughts and deeds, shape their habits, and forge their character.”

— Russell M. Nelson, president of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Repent

“Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” President Nelson said.

Repentance has been a central theme for leaders of e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in current times and decades past.

In his April 1973 conference address, titled, “Stand Ye in Holy Places,” then-President Harold B. Lee spoke of repentance as a way of feeling peace and progressing positively through life.

“In your soul-searching, if you seek for and you nd that peace of conscience, by that token you may know that the Lord has accepted of your repentance,” he said. President Lee continued by saying that it is a “great falsehood” to believe that there is no turning back a er making mistakes,

and that repentance helps people to feel peace.

Elder Richard G. Scott, a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke of repentance as a way to li heavy burdens. In his October 2002 address titled, “To Be Free of Heavy Burdens,” he said, “Many of you su er needlessly from carrying heavy burdens because you do not open your hearts to the healing power of the Lord. May this message encourage you to feel the prompting of the Holy Ghost to make those changes that will lead you to be free of oppressive burdens.”

Scott asked several questions to listeners. “Have you done things that you wish you had not done? Is it di cult for you to see any way to solve your problems? Does there seem to be an oppressive, crushing weight that’s always there no matter how you seek to shake it?”

Scott gave urgings similar to President Nelson when he said, “If you have felt impressions to be free of burdens caused by yourself or others, those promptings are

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PHOTOS COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: President Russell M. Nelson, center, sits with his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, right, prior to the Saturday morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on April 2. Conference-goers head to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to attend the 192nd Annual General Conference on April 2. A view from the top balcony of the 21,000-plus capacity Conference Center in Salt Lake City during general conference weekend, Oct. 5, 2014.

Repent

an invitation from the Redeemer. Act upon them now.”

In an April 2022 General Conference talk titled, “Christ Heals at Which is Broken,” Amy A. Wright, second counselor in the Primary General Presidency, spoke about healing broken relationships with God.

She told of a woman, written about in the New Testa ment, who was brought to Jesus. Jesus was told that the woman was “taken in adultery.” ose who brought her may have expected harsh judgment, but instead witnessed Christ's love.

“Christ’s response to this precious daughter of God was, ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’ An other way to say ‘go, and sin no more’ could be ‘go forth and change,’” Wright said. “ e Savior was inviting her to repent: to change her behavior, her associations, the way she felt about herself, her heart.”

President Nelson’s cry to encourage others to act now to make changes, feel peace and free themselves from burdens was not a one-time event. In his plea for repen tance, President Nelson echoed decades of leaders before him.

“True repentance is not an event. It is a never-ending privilege. It is fundamental to progression and having peace of mind, comfort, and joy,” he said in 2018. e time to repent is now.

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

The former members of the Primary General Presidency hug at the conclusion of the Saturday afternoon session of general conference on April 2. From left to right: Susan H. Porter, Camille N. Johnson, Amy A. Wright.