Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, spoke during the Saturday evening session of October 2025 general conference about cheering each other on. The following is a summary of what she said.
Sister Dennis’ talk summary
At a track-and-field championship for seniors, everyone cheered when 100-year-old Orville Rogers finally crossed the finish line. He finished last in each of his five events, but he actually set five world records that day — because of his age and the degree of difficulty.
“Our congregations and families can be gathering places where we cheer each other on.”
Attending church can be hard for some people for various reasons. “Put yourself in that person’s place, and treat them the way you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes.”
Christlike treatment of others goes beyond families and congregations to include people of other faiths, countries, cultures and political persuasions.
Living the gospel doesn’t mean checklists; it means becoming like Jesus Christ.
A period of depression and struggle to feel God’s presence led to the understanding that only the Lord knows the level of difficulty in which each person is running their own race of life. Therefore He is the only one qualified to judge.
Commit now to always help and encourage others. For those struggling: “Please don’t lose hope. Please keep going. Please stay. You do belong. The Lord needs you, and we need you.”
Read the full text of Sister Dennis’ talk: ‘Cheering Each Other On’
Notable quotes
“It is a basic human need for all of us to feel a sense of belonging, to feel that we are wanted and needed and that our lives have purpose and meaning, no matter our circumstances or limitations.”
“Christlike love and care are higher and holier. The pure love of Christ is charity.”
“His is not a gospel of checklists; it is a gospel of becoming — becoming as He is and loving as He does.”
See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk
Who is Sister Dennis?
- Sister J. Anette Dennis was sustained as first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency in April 2022.
- Sister Dennis met her husband, Brother Jorge Dennis, while on a cultural trip to Hermosillo, Mexico, with the BYU Spanish department. They were married in September 1980 and are the parents of four children.
- She served with her husband as he presided over the Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission from 2013 to 2016. Toward the end of their service, on April 16, 2016, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Ecuador, which killed almost 700 people and injured about 16,600.
What has Sister Dennis done recently?
- Sister Dennis spoke in April 2024 general conference about “Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ.” October Last conference talk with link to conference landing page and talk summary
- In September, she ministered to survivors in the African country of Lesotho and taught in three other countries in the Africa South Area.
- At BYU Women’s Conference in May, she encouraged women to trust in the Lord and walk with Him.
- During an Ensign College devotional, she told students they are not here on earth by chance.
- For the Pocatello YSA Conference, she spoke about divine identities and seeking heavenly answers.
Read Sister Dennis’ previous general conference addresses, or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
