Over the weekend, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared messages of peace, hope, and faith for the future. Here is a look back at some of our favorite photos and screenshots from the October 2020 general conference.
All images courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or YouTube screenshots
President Russell M. Nelson waves during the Sunday afternoon session.
Sister Michelle D. Craig shared this photo during the Saturday morning session of Rozlyn and Sister Smith and spoke of how Rozlyn's hug at church helped Sister Smith know that someone cared about her during a difficult time.
President Nelson shared this photo of the Salt Lake Temple's angel Moroni statue during his women's session address saying, “Just as the physical foundation of the Salt Lake Temple must be strong enough to withstand natural disasters, our spiritual foundations must be solid.”
Elder Ulisses Soares and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, arrive at general conference.
Elder Neil L. Andersen shared this illustration during the Sunday morning session, testifying that as we share the light we receive from Jesus Christ, many around us will be prepared to listen.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong explained how the combined covers of the four volumes of Saints will depict a global tapestry and show the gospel's reach around the world during the Saturday afternoon session.
President Nelson smiles while delivering his Saturday morning remarks.
Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Seventy (top right) shared how his friends in Brazil, including his now-wife, Monica (bottom), helped strengthen his gospel conversion during the Sunday morning session.
Elder Kelly R. Johnson of the Seventy described an experience he and his wife had while serving in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar during the Sunday afternoon session. The couple helped a group of faithful Saints catch their flight to Hong Kong so they could attend the temple. When they returned from the temple, it was evident they were armed with God's power.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband described the dignity of the Saints he witnessed when he dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple earlier this year during the Saturday morning session.
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During the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Gary E. Stevenson recalled how when he was serving as a missionary, President Spencer W. Kimball visited Asia and announced the Tokyo Japan Temple. Due to travel distance, he and his companion were not able to attend the conference and missed the historic moment. He compared this to many other greater disappointments brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson prior to the Saturday afternoon session.
During the Saturday afternoon session, Elder Gong shared this photo of himself and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, at the Smith family log home in Palmyra, New York.
Elder Rasband described in the Saturday morning session how when he was on assignment in New Zealand, he felt inspired to encourage members to hold a current temple recommend even though the Hamilton New Zealand Temple was closed for renovation and they were still awaiting the groundbreaking for the Auckland New Zealand Temple.
President Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, arrive at general conference.
In the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Stevenson described how the pandemic caused more than half of the Church's missionary force to return to their home nations.
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell shared in the Saturday afternoon session how a resource entitled Personal Finances for Self-Reliance is currently available on the Church website in 36 languages.
The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wore masks and sat in chairs spaced apart from each other due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elder Andersen described in the Sunday morning session how after studying the 2,200 references of the name Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide, President Nelson told his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, that he was “a different man.”
Elder Stevenson and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, recently meet with about 600 missionaries in Australia through technology. He shared this during the Sunday afternoon session.
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The First Presidency and Elders Stevenson and Renlund before the Saturday afternoon session of general conference.
Elder Stevenson described in the Sunday afternoon session how the Church has become more home-centered and Church-supported and how that prepared us for the pandemic.
Sister Rebecca M. Craven shared in the women's session how when she was younger, she sometimes felt like life was similar to the game Chutes and Ladders. When she did something wrong, she felt like she had to start her journey all over again. But when she began to better understand the doctrine of Christ, she found hope.
President Nelson greets the Young Women General Presidency prior to the women's session.
Elder Stevenson shared how members have found ways to serve and connect with others amid the pandemic during the Sunday afternoon session.
The First Presidency prior to the Saturday afternoon session.
Music for the conference was selected from previous conferences, including this Primary choir from October 2015. Elder Christofferson said in the Saturday afternoon session, “What a beautiful choir singing of the beautiful Savior. I don't know how old they are now, but they look good there.”
President Nelson listens intently during the women's session.
In the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi of the Seventy shared that he lost his brother, Chad, to cancer two years ago. Elder Jaggi shared how his and his wife's call to the preside over the Utah Ogden Mission was miraculous because it enabled them to be just 30 minutes away from Chad's home. Chad received his diagnosis after Elder Jaggi received his mission assignment.
Elder Rasband dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple earlier this year and shared this photo in the Saturday morning session.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland talks with President M. Russell Ballard prior to the Sunday afternoon session.
In the Saturday afternoon session, Elder Gong talked about how in January 2021, the three new global Church magazines will invite all to belong and share in the worldwide community of faith.
Elder Stevenson shared in the Sunday afternoon session how Sister Kaitlyn Palmer received the news that her temple was opening on the day she was scheduled to depart to the mission field. Temple president Michael Vellinga met them at 2:00 a.m. so she could receive her endowment and still make her flight.
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk prior to the Sunday afternoon session.
President Bonnie H. Cordon conducts the women's session.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared in the Saturday afternoon session how the Saints had to bury the Salt Lake Temple foundation in 1857 due to persecution. When it was uncovered, many of the original sandstones had cracked, making them unsuitable for a foundation. Brigham Young replaced these with granite, building a solid foundation that would last for generations. This granite foundation was recently uncovered as part of the Salt Lake Temple renovation.
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The General Conference Addresses Journal Edition will have all the text of the General Conference addresses from October 2020 in one spiral-bound paperback. Extra-wide, lined margins give you space to record your impressions and document insights you receive. The journal edition is now available for preorder and ships at the end of October.
