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Saturday afternoon session: See photos, read summaries from October 2023 general conference

‘Being honest in our tithes is one way we show our willingness to put the Lord first in our lives,’ teaches Elder Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles opened the Saturday afternoon session of October 2023 general conference, speaking on the blessings that come into individuals’ lives as they obey the law of tithing.

“Being honest in our tithes is one way we show our willingness to put the Lord first in our lives,” taught Elder Andersen, underscoring Jehovah’s promise to “open … the windows of heaven” (Malachi 3:10).

“The only permanent solution to the poverty of this world is the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Elder Andersen, adding: “The spiritual power of the divine law of tithing is not measured by the amount of money contributed, for both the prosperous and the poor are commanded by the Lord to contribute 10% of their income. The power comes from placing our trust in the Lord.”

Also speaking were Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Elder Gary E. Stevenson, both of the  Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, Elder Joaquin E. Costa and Elder Alan T. Phillips, all General Authority Seventies; and Brother Jan E. Newman, second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency.

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the session, with President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, reviewed the sustaining of Church leaders — including a new General Authority Seventy and two new Area Seventies, who were presented in the conference’s Thursday afternoon leadership session.

Attendees pick up up translation equipment during the 193rd Semiannual General Conference
Attendees pick up up translation equipment during the193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Elder Moisés Villanueva, a General Authority Seventy, offered the invocation, and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, the benediction.

A multicultural choir from stakes in northern Utah performed in the session, with Alyssa Jenks and Kasey Bradbury as directors and Linda Margetts and Joseph Peeples as organists. The choir opened the session with “O Thou Rock of Our Salvation” (Hymns, No. 258); followed with “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” (Hymns, No. 196); and closed with “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (Hymns, No. 72).

The choir and congregation sang the intermediate hymn, “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today” (Hymns, No. 227).

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