I watched Conference so you don’t have to. Brief summaries for each speaker. My comments are generally in parentheses or, at the end of each session, in italics.
Sunday Morning Session
Pres. Christofferson conducting. Music by the MoTab, joined by some international LDS visitors.
Pres. Eyring of the FP, repeating the words of How Firm a Foundation (just sung by the choir) and emphasizing the blessings promised therein. Bear each others burdens, mourn with those who mourn, etc.
Rosemary K. Chibota, President of the Primary. Jesus saw marginal and needy individuals, and ministered unto them. Like the Good Samaritan, who saw the man in distress when others just passed him by. See them. Start by just learning their name. See them through the Savior’s eyes.
Elder Andersen of the Twelve, on spiritual courage. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires courage. Faith lifts your courage.
James O. Fantone, of the Seventy. Names, take upon us the name of Christ, service and the mighty change.
Edward Dube, in the Presidency of the Seventy. Trespassers will be welcomed. Come unto Christ.
Elder Cook of the Twelve, on living a life of integrity and virtue, as expected of disciples of Jesus Christ. He links happiness with virtue, defined broadly. No Latter-day Saint should engage in derogatory and insulting online speech.
Alfred Kyungu, of the Seventy. Be peacemakers. Say nice things. Avoid “corrupt communications” (Paul’s term).
Ciro Schmeil, of the Seventy. Reflections on the sacrament.
Pres. Oaks. Be active members of the Church and stay on the covenant path. We are all a work in progress, so be patient with others. Reconciling science and religion can be a lengthy process. We leaders are concerned with those LDS who have diminishing faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t let secular faith limit your spiritual horizons. He contrasts the scientific method with the “spiritual method” of obtaining truth. No ultimate conflict between scientific and spiritual truths. Learn by both methods. God reaches out to all peoples: Jesus came to the Nephites in America. Book of Mormon promises to all people, including the Lost Tribes, whose accounts of visits by the Savior will come forth.
Sister Chibota’s talk gets honorable mention, but I’ll give Pres. Oaks the Best of Session Award. He looked healthier than usual at the stand and he had a positive message (Be patient, we are all a work in progress). He acknowledged that LDS leaders are concerned with people leaving the Church, then immediately addressed science and religion as an issue. That’s a fairly obvious tell about what the leadership is concerned with (science and learning versus faith). My sense is that it’s the regressive LDS positions on social justice and sexuality/gender, paired with the ongoing Trumpiness of the Church, that are pushing people to the exits. So the leadership might be barking up the wrong tree on this one.
Sunday Afternoon Session
Elder Causse conducting. Music by the MoTab.
Pres. Uchtdorf of the Twelve, on overcoming divisions and achieving unity. We need to unite the great family of God. The sacrament as a collective, unifying ordinance. (Remember, most Christians call it “communion.”)
Andrea Munoz Spannaus, 2C in YW. God will guide you home. Seven suggestions for the young women of the Church.
Moises Villanueva, of the Seventy. Another tithing talk.
Elder Bednar of the Twelve, on ordinances and covenants as credentials to get into heaven. Obedience keeps your credential shiny and valid. Ordinances are only valid if sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. (This talk is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way. If Elder Bednar mans the gate into heaven, not many people will get in.)
Thabo Lebethoa, a Seventy. More Jesus.
Paul H. Sinclair, a Seventy. Tells the parable of the misplaced buttons. Be slow to judge and quick to help.
Elder Stevenson of the Twelve, directing his message to the youth and Primary kids. Be like Jesus.
Gabriel W. Reid, 2C in Sunday School. Another NFL graduate. He defends 25-minute lessons in the new Sunday meeting schedule. Teachers, just get to the point quicker.
Elder Gilbert of the Twelve, on standing for truth with love. Avoid contentious settings. Look for common ground. (He did liken those who leave the Church or go inactive to wounded dogs, but it could have been worse.)
Pres. Oaks closes the Conference. Salt Lake Temple doors will open to the public on April 5, 2027. There will be a video series about it called “Dedication” to watch at LDS.org.
And that’s that. I’ll pull a surprise here and give Elder Gilbert the Best of Session Award. It’s a glass half empty and half full kind of talk, depending on how you look at it. I doubt an LDS leader will ever acknowledge that some people have valid reasons for doubting or leaving the Church. At least Elder Gilbert counseled listeners to hold off with that first impulse to throw out judgment, and to throw in a little love as well.
