Coverage of the October 2017 General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session
Contributed By Rachel Sterzer, Church News staff writer
Audience members raise their hands to sustain the Church leadership during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Church members were encouraged to use technology to lift and inspire others, to emulate the Christlike attribute of humility, to qualify for the guidance of the Spirit, and to read the Book of Mormon every day during the Saturday afternoon session of 187th Semiannual General Conference on September 30.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the session and extended love to President Monson. President Uchtdorf said President Monson was watching the session from his home.
Four members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the session, including President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Ronald A. Rasband. Elder O. Vincent Haleck, General Authority Seventy, and Brother Stephen W. Owen, Young Men General President, also offered remarks.
President Nelson promised Church members that “as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.”
President Russell M. Nelson speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Recognizing there is much good that is available through social media and Church websites, Elder Stevenson reminded listeners that there are also risks associated with them that, when drawn too close, can put a person in a possible spiritual eclipse.
“The use of social media, mobile apps, and games can be inordinately time-consuming and can reduce face-to-face interaction,” he said. “This loss of personal conversation can affect marriages, take the place of valuable spiritual practices, and stifle the development of social skills, especially among youth.”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, presented the names of general Church leaders for the members’ sustaining vote.
Three General Authority Seventies were released and granted emeritus status—Elders Stanley G. Ellis, Larry R. Lawrence, and W. Craig Zwick. Elder Donald L. Hallstrom and Elder Richard J. Maynes were released from the Presidency of the Seventy, while Elder Juan A. Uceda and Elder Patrick Kearon were sustained to the Presidency.
One Area Seventy—Torben Engbjerg—was called, while 32 Area Seventies were released.
Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge and Elder Allan F. Packer, General Authority Seventies, offered the opening and closing prayers for the session. A choir comprised of youth from stakes in Midvale and Sandy, Utah, directed by Leah Tarrant, provided music for the session, accompanied by organist Linda Margetts.
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency and other leaders on the stand raise their hands to sustain the Church leadership during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency greets his fellow Apostles before the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, greets fellow Apostle Elder M. Russell Ballard before the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Apostles greet each other prior to the the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
The Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
A sculpture of President Thomas S. Monson in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, September 30, 2017.
A sculpture of Jesus Christ is displayed in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Conference visitors look at portraits of past members of the Quorum of the Twelve on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Dallin St. Gelais of Arizona views sculptures of prophets on display at the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Leaders on the stand raise their hands to sustain the Church leadership during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Conference goers raise their hands to sustain the Church leadership during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
A youth choir from Midvale and Sandy sings during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
Elder O. Vincent Haleck speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf leave the stand following the end of the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
People exit the Conference Center following the Saturday afternoon session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Photo by Spencer Heaps, Deseret News.
