Sunday afternoon session: See photos, read summaries from April 2024 general conference

‘Priesthood keys distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth,’ says President Nelson

7 April 2024, 4:17 PM MDT

President Russell M. Nelson, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, sit in their seats prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. — President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, sit in their seats prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

By Trent Toone

The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has for all of His Children.

Those blessings wouldn’t be possible without the priesthood keys conferred by ancient prophets to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, President Russell M. Nelson taught in the Sunday afternoon session of April 2024 general conference.

“Priesthood keys distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth,” he said. “Let us rejoice in the restoration of priesthood keys which make it possible for you and me to enjoy every spiritual blessing we are willing and worthy to receive.”

President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church, records a message that was shown during the Sunday afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints clasps his hands and gestures toward the audience as he and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, take their seats prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Attendees in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City watch as President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church, speaks in a recorded message shown during the Sunday afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 2024. | Cody Bell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints kisses the hand of his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, as he moves toward his seat prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Tabernacle Choir members sing during the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, sit in their seats prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds his hands out and gestures toward the audience as he and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, take their seats prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks during the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints conducts the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Elder Mathias Held, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Elder Kevin W. Pearson, General Authority Seventy, greet each other prior to the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The Tabernacle Choir sings during the afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 2024. | Cristy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Mathias Held, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 194th Annual General Conference on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Cristy Powell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

At the conclusion of his remarks, President Nelson announced locations for 15 new temples.

Three members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke in the Sunday afternoon session.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke about the three kingdoms of glory and what it means to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus means encouraging others, by word and example, to likewise be valiant, especially those of our own families,” he said.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson: ‘The Testimony of Jesus’

Elder Neil L. Andersen spoke about the power and blessings of temple work and temple covenants.

“My beloved friends, if we are able and have not already increased our attendance at the temple, let us regularly find more time to worship in the house of the Lord,” he said.

Elder Neil L. Andersen: ‘Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth’

Elder Gary E. Stevenson likened Jesus’ two great commandments — to “love the Lord” and “love your neighbor” — to the two towers of a bridge.

“When you pass over a majestic suspension bridge or even when you see a picture, with its soaring towers, I invite you to remember the two great commandments described by Jesus Christ in the New Testament,” he said.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson: ‘Bridging the Two Great Commandments’

Elder Taylor G. Godoy and Elder Mathias Held, both General Authority Seventies, and President Mark L. Pace, who will complete his service as president of the Sunday School general presidency on Aug. 1, also spoke.

The opening prayer was offered by Elder Carlos G. Revillo, a General Authority Seventy, and the closing prayer was given by Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary General Presidency. Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, conducted the meeting.

Music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.