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

Speakers talked about temples, covenants, the doctrine of Christ and prayer during the Sunday morning session of April 2024 general conference.

7 April 2024, 12:25 p.m. MDT

Individuals stand outside for 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

Mary Richards is a reporter for the Church News

In his remarks during the Sunday morning session of April 2024 general conference, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, shared the history and role of covenants in the gospel and the purpose of temple worship.

“Covenants are inherent in each of the ordinances of salvation and exaltation this restored Church administers,” he said.

A woman holds a pair of binoculars for another woman to look through during the morning 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

People walk in the main lobby of the Conference Center during the morning session of the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The congregation stands for a hymn during the morning 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

A woman takes notes during the morning 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 Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gestures during his talk during the morning 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 morning 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

Individuals stand outside for the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 2024. | Hunter Winterton, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, speaks with President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the Sunday morning 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

Individuals stand outside for 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 Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the Sunday morning 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 Brian K. Taylor, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Sunday morning 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 speaks during the Sunday morning 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

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

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday morning 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 Susan H. Porter, Primary general president, speaks during the Sunday morning 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 Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday morning 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 Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, conducts the Sunday morning 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 Paul B. Pieper, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Sunday morning 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 Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about how words matter. He invited listeners to consider the words of God, the words of His prophets and one’s own words.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband: ‘Words Matter’

Speaking of the doctrine of Christ, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how it is a powerful, virtuous cycle.

“As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we are propelled along the covenant path and motivated to help others become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Elder Dale G. Renlund: ‘The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ’

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles outlined how God’s intent is for His children to choose to come home: “God is in relentless pursuit of you.”

Elder Patrick Kearon: ‘God’s Intent is to Bring You Home’

Primary General President Susan H. Porter drew from the children’s song, “A Child’s Prayer,” which was also sung in the session by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

“Share with Heavenly Father what is in your heart. As you sincerely ask for His help, you will receive His Spirit to guide you.”

She invited children to pray to know Heavenly Father is there, pray to grow to become like Him and pray to show His love to others.

President Susan H. Porter: ‘Pray, He Is There’

Elder Paul B. Pieper, and Elder Brian K. Taylor, both General Authority Seventies, also spoke.

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the meeting. The opening prayer was given by Elder Vaiangina Sikahema, and the closing prayer was given by Elder Adrián Ochoa. Both are General Authority Seventies.

See more coverage of the April 2024 general conference