2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders: Read talk summaries and see photos

In front of a backdrop of screens showing the new mission presidents and companions participating remotely at home, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles pause for a photo together before the start of the second day of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Friday, June 25, 2021, in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson smiles prior to the start of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders broadcast from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 24-26. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greets Elder D. Todd Christofferson during the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 24 broadcast from the Conference Center Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conducts a session of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 26, 2021, broadcast from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holds up his personal copy of "Preach My Gospel" during the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Thursday, June 24, 2021, broadcast from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah. — Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holds up his personal copy of “Preach My Gospel” during the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Thursday, June 24, 2021, broadcast from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the second day of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 25, 2021, in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sister Nadia A. Cates and President Shawn R. Cates, to serve in the Costa Rica San José West Mission, participate in the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders in a hotel room in Chula Vista, California. Credit: Courtesy President Shawn R. Cates

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the second day of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 25, 2021, in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shows a photo of him and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, prior to their call as mission leaders in Japan, during the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Thursday, June 24, 2021, broadcast from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talks with members of the First Presidency prior to the start of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 26, 2021. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Phillip Welch and Sister Anita Welch, called to preside over the Washington Yakima Mission, participate in the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders from a daughter's home in Weymouth, Massachusetts. — President Phillip Welch and Sister Anita Welch, called to preside over the Washington Yakima Mission, participate in the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders from a daughter’s home in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Credit: Courtesy President Phillip Welch

A missionary choir sings during the Thursday, June 24, session of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 24 broadcast from the Conference Center Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Marcus B. Nash, a General Authority Seventy who is executive director of the Missionary Department, speaks during the Thursday, June 24, session of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

With screens showing views of the participating new mission presidents and companions, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Thursday, June 24, session of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sister Anne William and President Robert K. William, assigned to preside over the India New Delhi Mission, participate in the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders in Bengaluru, India. Credit: Courtesy President Robert K. William

President Russell M. Nelson speaks during the Thursday, June 24, session of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Thursday, June 24, session of the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held in the Conference Center Theater. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

During the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 26, 2021, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shows a picture of his mission president, Elder Marion D. Hanks, teaching from the scriptures. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

During the 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 26, 2021, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shows a picture of young Jeffrey Holland prior to his full-time mission. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elders Quentin L. Cook, David A. Bednar and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, discuss the missionary principles of love, share and invite with President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president during a special missionary broadcast on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Credit: Screenshot from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

For the second consecutive year, the annual Seminar for New Mission Leaders is being held virtually, with 109 couples participating remotely rather than in-person at the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders are speaking during sessions broadcast June 24-26 from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City and other Church headquarters locations.

The new leaders, who begin their three-year service July 1, will be serving in one of the 22 missions across 14 U.S. states or 87 missions headquartered in 49 countries, from Argentina to Zimbabwe.

The list below will be updated with links to summaries of the speakers’ remarks.

President Nelson teaches new mission leaders how ‘repeated, miraculous tutoring’ prepared Joseph Smith for his calling
‘The most worth’ is becoming transformed by the Savior, Elder Uchtdorf teaches
How understanding the ordinance and covenant of baptism will change one forever, Elder Nash explains
Greater faith in missions comes when ‘higher love’ blends with ‘higher faith’, Elder Andersen teaches
Elder Stevenson explains how the Lord defines missionary success
Elder Bednar outlines 8 principles about spiritual gifts and Christlike attributes
Changes due to COVID-19 should be seen as refining advantages, President Oaks teaches mission leaders
President Ballard challenges mission leaders to help elders, sisters discover their ‘missionary purpose’
How Elder Renlund relates a long, ascending mountain road and the Finnish word ‘sisu’ to lifelong conversion
Elder Christofferson calls on new mission leaders to set tone, example of principle-centered leadership
President Eyring assures new mission leaders that the Lord prepares a way for each in their respective duties
The words of Christ are the best ‘why’ missionaries need, Elder Holland says
‘Love, Share, Invite’ event provides simple examples of sharing the gospel
Elder Uchtdorf underscores the ‘one thing’ at conclusion of seminar for new mission leaders