Sunday morning session: See photos, talk summaries of October 2023 general conference

‘We need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost,’ says President Henry B. Eyring

1 Oct 2023, 12:10 p.m. MDT

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square sings in the Conference Center for 193rd Semiannual General Conference. — The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performs during “Music & the Spoken Word” before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Kaitlyn Bancroft is a reporter for Church News.

President Henry B. Eyring said individuals can be taught by the Spirit line upon line, receiving what is needed until ready for more.

“If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost today, you may take it as a sweet evidence that the Atonement is working in your life.”

Conferencegoers walk to the Conference Center before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Attendees walk into the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The storm clouds clear as conferencegoers walk to the Conference Center for the Sunday morning session of 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días

Attendees wait in line for the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Ricko Putra and his daughter Kikanaya put a katydid he rescued from the ground on a tree before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Herrera family holds hands as they wait to enter for the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Conferencegoers file in before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Lainee Mitton, 10, plays with a leaf in the fountain before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Elder Neil L. Andersen and President Gifford Nielsen talk prior to the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Leaders greet each other prior to the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Quentin L. Cook talk prior to the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Leaders greet each other prior to Sunday morning session of the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary General Presidency, greets another leader prior to the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, waves to attendees prior to the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, walks to the podium during the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, stand prior to the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. President Nelson was unable to attend. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, sit prior to the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. President Russell M. Nelson was unable to attend. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sings during the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

General authorities sit during the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Leaders greet each other prior to the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President M. Russell Ballard bore his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ.

“Though my message this morning is simple, it’s deep and it’s full of love for the Prophet Joseph Smith and for all of those, my brothers and sisters, who ... were willing to sustain him in his youth.”

President M. Russell Ballard: ‘The Prophet Joseph Smith’

Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman said some people have asked why they should keep their covenants. The answer depends on what degree of relationship they want to experience with Jesus Christ.

“Jesus Christ will meet us where we are as we are. … He will work within us to lift us up to where He is and, in the process, enable us to become as He is.”

President Emily Belle Freeman: ‘Walking in Covenant Relationship With Christ’

The Young Women general presidency and other leaders greet each other prior to the Sunday morning session of October 2023 general conference. — The Young Women general presidency and other leaders greet each other prior to the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Elder Quentin L. Cook said that for those striving to be “peaceable followers of Christ,” a brighter day awaits as one focuses on Him.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said everyone relies daily on the same atoning power of Jesus Christ. “Though choices may have taken you far away from the Savior and His Church, the Master Healer stands at the road that leads home, welcoming you.”

Also speaking during the session were Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, General Authority Seventy, and Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric.

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell: ‘More Than a Hero’

President Henry B. Eyring: ‘Our Constant Companion’

A father holds his baby daughter on the grounds of the Conference Center during October 2023 general conference. — Ricko Putra and his daughter Kikanaya put a katydid he rescued from the ground on a tree before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The opening prayer was given by Elder Sean Douglas, General Authority Seventy, and the closing prayer was by Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, General Authority Seventy. President Dallin H. Oaks conducted the meeting.

The music was provided by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, with Mack Wilberg as director and Brian Mathias and Andrew Unsworth as organists. The choir includes 10 international singers from eight countries.

October 2023 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries and session highlights