Priesthood holders gathered Saturday night, April 6, around the globe — both at the Conference Center and in living rooms and in meetinghouses — to take part in the Priesthood Session of the 189th Annual General Conference.
In his anchoring remarks, President Russell M. Nelson reminded the worldwide audience that the Lord does not expect perfection — but, rather, He expects His people to become increasingly pure. He expects daily repentance.
“Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path or can’t even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance — of doing and being a little better each day.”
Today’s choices will impact the eternities, declared President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency. “We make better choices/decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead.”
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught that happiness can be found in sustaining God’s servants.
“In the priesthood quorum and in the family, increased faith to sustain each other is the way we build the Zion the Lord wants us to create. With His help we can, and we will.”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles compared priesthood quorums to a sports team who utilize a “playbook” drawn from the scriptures and the words of modern prophets.
“Offensive strategies help strengthen testimonies and increase resolve to stay on the straight and narrow path. Examples include regular prayer, scripture study, Church and temple attendance, paying tithing and following the counsel found in the ‘For the Strength of Youth’ pamphlet.”
Priesthood quorums, taught Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy, should be welcoming places where members feel valued. “Every priesthood holder, regardless of his situation, benefits from a strong quorum.”
Elder Kim B. Clark, a General Authority Seventy, testified that miracles occur when people “look unto Jesus Christ.”
“As we look unto Jesus Christ, live our covenants and rivet our focus on Him, we will join with our sisters and minister in a holier way, gather scattered Israel on both sides of the veil, strengthen and seal our families and prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Elder John C. Pingree Jr. and Elder Brian K. Taylor, both General Authority Seventies, offered prayers at the Priesthood Session.
Music was provided by a choir of Aaronic Priesthood holders from Layton, Utah, with Stephen Schank directing and Brian Mathias on the organ.
