Saturday morning session: See photos, read summaries from April 2024 general conference

In the first talk of the first session of the 194th Annual General Conference, President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, testified that God hears every prayer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined.

Though prayers aren’t always answered the way individuals hope for, each prayer is heard and answered. Even Jesus Christ, who was perfect, prayed earnestly that He might seek the Father.

President Holland also testified of the reality of eternal life and the need to prepare for it.

When Christ comes, “He needs to recognize us — not as nominal members listed on a faded baptismal record but as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples,” he said.

• President Jeffrey R. Holland: ‘Motions of a Hidden Fire’

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Approximately 15,000 people gathered in the Conference Center on Saturday morning. The session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, who led the sustainings for current and new Church leaders.

• 11 new General Authority Seventies were sustained
• 8 General Authority Seventies to receive emeritus status on Aug. 1

Additionally, Sunday School President Mark L. Pace and his counselors, Brothers Milton Camargo and Jan E. Newman, were released effective Aug. 1. At that time, Elder Paul V. Johnson will begin his service as the new Sunday School president. Brother Chad H Webb and Brother Gabriel W. Reid will serve as first and second counselors, respectively. Elder Johnson currently serves as a General Authority Seventy and will receive emeritus status effective Aug. 1.

• New Sunday School general presidency was sustained and will begin on Aug. 1

Closing the session was President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, who spoke about the importance of temple covenants. “Trials, challenges and heartaches will surely come to all of us. … Yet, as we attend the temple and remember our covenants, we can prepare to receive personal direction from the Lord.”

• President Henry B. Eyring: ‘All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants’

The session’s other speakers were Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency; and Elder Alexander Dushku and Elder Jack N. Gerard, both General Authority Seventies. Jared B. Larson, managing director of internal audit for the Church, gave the Church audit report.

• Elder Ulisses Soares: ‘Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ’
• Sister J. Anette Dennis: ‘Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ’
• Elder Alexander Dushku: ‘Pillars and Rays’
• Elder Jack N. Gerard: ‘Integrity: A Christlike Attribute’

Prayers were offered by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen and Elder Mark D. Eddy, General Authority Seventies. Elder Nielsen will receive emeritus status effective Aug, 1.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, with Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy directing, performed “Come, We That Love the Lord,” “The Morning Breaks,” “Did You Think to Pray?”, “Press Forward, Saints,” “I Know That My Savior Loves Me” and “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.”