As the armed conflict in eastern Europe dominated headlines worldwide, President Russell M. Nelson began his April 2022 general conference address Sunday morning issuing a call to end personal conflict.
“How can we expect peace to exist in the world when we are not individually seeking peace and harmony? … I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives,” declared the Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
To counteract the speed with which evil is intensifying, President Nelson said positive spiritual momentum is needed now more than ever before.
“Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty created by pandemics, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and armed hostilities,” he said. “Spiritual momentum can help us withstand the relentless, wicked attacks of the adversary and thwart his efforts to erode our personal spiritual foundation.”
President Nelson suggested five specific actions that can help maintain positive spiritual momentum: “My dear brothers and sisters, with all the pleadings of my heart, I urge you to get on the covenant path and stay there. Experience the joy of repenting daily. Learn about God and how He works. Seek and expect miracles. Strive to end conflict in your life. …
“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.”
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, leave at the end of the women’s session of the 192nd Annual General Conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
In addition to his Prophetic plea to end personal conflict, President Nelson emphasized the importance of missionary service and announced 17 new temple locations during April 2022 general conference. New Relief Society and Primary general presidencies and six General Authority Seventies were sustained. In the Saturday evening women’s session, leaders testified of covenant power and the strength of the women of the Church.
With October 2022 general conference approaching, here is a look back at some highlights from April 2022 general conference.
Emphasis on missionary service
President Nelson opened April 2022 general conference strongly reaffirming that “the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission.” He further emphasized that for “young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but optional, opportunity.”
He also welcomed senior couples to serve when circumstances permit. “All missionaries teach and testify of the Savior,” he said. “The spiritual darkness in the world makes the light of Jesus Christ needed more than ever.”
Following President Nelson’s remarks, President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, directed young men, and those young women who desire to serve a mission, to begin right now to talk with their parents about missionary service.
“Commit to yourselves and to Heavenly Father that you will serve a mission and that from this time forward you will strive to keep your hearts, hands and minds clean and worthy,” President Ballard said.
Conferencegoers stand as general authorities enter the Conference Center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 192nd Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reiterated President Nelson’s call to service by Latter-day Saint young men and put it in perspective with personal conversion.
“The Lord asks each one of us to share His gospel in word and deed,” Elder Cook said. “Our personal conversion includes the responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. The blessings of sharing the gospel include increasing our conversion to the will of God and letting God prevail in our lives. We bless others to experience ‘a mighty change of heart.’ There is truly eternal joy in helping to bring souls unto Christ.”
Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis, General Authority Seventy, underscored how serving a full-time mission is key to President Nelson’s call to gather scattered Israel on both sides of the veil.
“The world tries to distract youth from this most sacred responsibility using fear and insecurities,” Elder Aidukaitis cautioned, then citing his own obstacles as he prepared for a mission call.
New callings
New Relief Society and Primary general presidencies were presented as part of the sustaining of all Church leaders by President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, in the conference’s Saturday afternoon session.
President Camille N. Johnson was called as Relief Society general president, with Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor, and Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor. President Susan H. Porter was called as Primary general president, with Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor, and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor.
The new Relief Society and Primary general presidencies began their service Aug. 1.
Six new General Authority Seventies were also sustained: Elder Mark D. Eddy, Elder James W. McConkie III, Elder Isaac K. Morrison, Elder Ryan K. Olsen, Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt and Elder Denelson Silva.
In the Thursday leadership session of the April 2022 general conference, 45 new Area Seventies were sustained.
Women’s session
The Saturday evening session of April 2022 general conference was designated as a women’s session for women and girls age 12 and older, including those who are turning 12 this year. Messages concentrated on the concerns of Latter-day Saint women and those of their organizations.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited women and girls to center their lives on Jesus Christ and remember the foundational truths in the Young Women theme.
The Young Women theme begins, “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.” This statement contains four important truths, said Elder Renlund. First, “You are a beloved daughter.” Second, “We have heavenly parents, a father and a mother.” Third, “We have a ‘divine nature.’” And fourth, “We have ‘an eternal destiny.’”
President Jean B. Bingham, who completed her service as Relief Society general president on Aug. 1, conducted the session. In her address, she compared an experience she had while rappelling to keeping covenants and strengthening an anchor in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the anchor and perfect partner, President Bingham said. “The spiritual equipment that keeps us from being broken on the rocks of adversity is our testimony of Jesus Christ and the covenants we make. We can rely on these supports to guide and carry us to safety. As our willing partner, the Savior will not allow us to fall beyond His reach.”
Women rise in song during the women’s session of the 192nd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
President Susan H. Porter, first counselor in the Primary general presidency who began service as Primary general president Aug. 1, shared what she learned after the early death of her husband, Elder Bruce D. Porter, General Authority Seventy. After he died, she was drawn to an artist’s depiction of the woman at the well from the New Testament. The story of that woman taught her three lessons: First, “Our past and present circumstances do not determine our future.” Second, “The power is in us.” And third, “Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
Sister Rebecca L. Craven, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, spoke about how a true disciple should “do what mattereth most.” Sister Craven said: “Conversion won’t come while doing nothing. It comes through the power of the Holy Ghost as we intentionally make an effort by asking, seeking and knocking. It comes by doing.”
The session also featured a video, highlighting words of President Spencer W. Kimball shared during the general women’s meeting in 1979 and President Nelson’s talk for women in October 2015. President Nelson said the day President Kimball foresaw is today. “You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers!”
New temples announced
At the conclusion of the April 2022 general conference, President Nelson announced 17 new temple locations — bringing to 100 the total number of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that he has announced in the four-plus years as President of the Church.
The 17 new temples are planned for:
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
- Barcelona, Spain
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Cusco, Peru
- Maceió, Brazil
- Santos, Brazil
- San Luis Potosí, México
- México City Benemérito, México
- Tampa, Florida
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Wichita, Kansas
- Austin, Texas
- Missoula, Montana
- Montpelier, Idaho
- Modesto, California
“These 17 temples will bless countless lives on both sides of the veil,” President Nelson said.
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