Coverage of the October 2015 General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session
Contributed By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer
President Thomas S. Monson waves as he exits the Conference Center’s stand following the concluding session of the Church’s 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015.
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Thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City—and in homes and Church meetinghouses around the world—for the final session of the 185th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday afternoon, October 4.
President Thomas S. Monson presided at the session, and President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the proceedings. Elder Jorg Klebingat and Elder Scott D. Whiting, both of the Seventy, offered prayers.
Speakers included Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Kim B. Clark, Elder Allen D. Haynie, and Elder Von G. Keetch, all of the Seventy; Sister Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency; Brother Devin G. Durrant, first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency; and Elder Koichi Aoyagi, emeritus General Authority Seventy.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir provided the music for the session, including performances of “Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice,” “Our God Is a God of Love,” “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel,” and “Love One Another.” Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy directed the music, while Bonnie Goodliffe and Linda Margetts accompanied on the Conference Center’s organ.
Elder Bednar, who until Saturday was the youngest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in terms of age, spoke on “why indeed it is wonderful to have older men of great spiritual maturity and judgment serving in the senior leadership positions of the restored Church of Jesus Christ.”
“I have observed in my Brethren at least a part of the Lord’s purpose for having older men of maturity and judgment serve in senior leadership positions of the Church,” Elder Bednar said. “These men have had a sustained season of tutoring by the Lord whom they represent, serve, and love.”
Over the years, they have undergone a developmental process that sharpened their vision, gave them insight, engendered love for all people, and strengthened their testimony of the Restoration, he said.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: “Why the Church?”
Brother Devin G. Durrant: “My Heart Pondereth Them Continually”
Elder Von G. Keetch: “Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God”
Sister Carole M. Stephens: “If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments”
Elder Allen D. Haynie: “Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted”
Elder Kim B. Clark: “Eyes to See and Ears to Hear”
Elder Koichi Aoyagi: “Hold on Thy Way”
Elder David A. Bednar: “Chosen to Bear Testimony of His Name”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, wave as they exit following the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
President Henry B. Eyring waves following the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
President Thomas S. Monson waves as he exits the Conference Center stand following the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir prepare to sing during the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
Elder David A. Bednar speaks during the afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
Elder David A. Bednar speaks during the afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
Members of the congregation stand and sing during the afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
General Authorities and officers of the Church listen to the talks during the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
Brother Devin G. Durrant, first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, speaks during the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
A young man listens to the music at the end of the concluding session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
The afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
The afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
The afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
The afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
A young woman in the Conference Center listens to the music at the end of the the afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
President Henry B. Eyring conducts the afternoon session of the Church's 185th Semiannual General Conference Sunday, October 4, 2015. Photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News.
