6 major events that occurred during historic LDS General Conference
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world witnessed six historic events during the church’s 188th annual general conference this weekend.
SOLEMN ASSEMBLY
During a solemn assembly Saturday morning, Russell M. Nelson was sustained as the church’s 17th president. Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring were sustained as counselors in the First Presidency — the Church’s highest governing body.
The new First Presidency was named and introduced to the media on January 16, but the Saturday morning session of the Church’s annual general conference, originating from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, was the first opportunity for the entire membership of the Church to formally sustain their new leadership.
NEW APOSTLES ANNOUNCED
Two new members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were also announced during the Saturday morning solemn assembly. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares were sustained as the newest members of that quorum. They fill the vacancies left by the deaths of President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Robert D. Hales.
Elder Gong and Elder Soares are the first minorities members of the quorum.
Eight other general authorities were announced, including Elders Carl B. Cook and Robert C. Gay as members of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, members of the seventy travel frequently to meet with and teach Church leaders, missionaries and members of the Church.
NEW YOUNG WOMEN PRESIDENCY
The First Presidency announced a new Young Women general presidency and a new first counselor in the Primary general presidency during the Saturday afternoon session of the 188th Annual General Conference.
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency announced that Bonnie H. Cordon will serve as general president of the Young Women organization, which is for female Church members ages 12 through 17. Michelle Craig has been called as the first counselor, and Becky Craven will serve as second counselor.
Click here for biographical information for each member of the new presidency.
PRIESTHOOD CHANGES
President Nelson announced significant organizational changes Saturday night designed to help Latter-day Saints in congregations throughout the world minister more like Jesus Christ.
“Tonight we announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively,” President Nelson said during the general priesthood session. “In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum.”
The priesthood is divided into two levels or orders — the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elder and high priest are two of the ordained priesthood offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood.
President Nelson said the merging of the two priesthood groups into one quorum has been worked on, reviewed, and refined for many months. The key reason for the change, he said, is the need for a more effective ministry.
“We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members,” he said. “To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for His Saints. These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have been previously.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also addressed the change Saturday evening.
“(These changes allow) quorum members of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from the perspective and experience of one another and of those in different stages of life. It also provides additional opportunities for experienced priesthood holders to mentor others, including prospective elders, new members, young adults, and those returning to Church activity.”
HOME AND VISITING TEACHING CHANGES
On Sunday afternoon, President Nelson announced that the Church’s home and visiting teaching programs will be replaced by a coordinated, more personalized approach known as “ministering.”
“For months, we have been seeking a better way to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of our people in the Savior’s way,” President Nelson said. “We have made the decision to retire ‘home teaching’ and ‘visiting teaching’ as we have known them. Instead, we will implement a newer, holier approach to caring and ministering to others.
“We have a heaven-sent opportunity to demonstrate pure religion undefiled before God,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said. “Our prayer today is that every man and woman — and our older young men and young women — will leave this general conference more deeply committed to heartfelt care for one another, motivated only by the pure love of Christ to do so.”
Changes to Priesthood quorums and home and visiting teaching will be implemented by local leaders as soon as conveniently possible.
NEW TEMPLES
As the final session of the Church’s 188th annual general conference came to a close, President Nelson also announced plans to build seven new temples. These temples will be in the following locations: Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; and a major city yet to be determined in Russia.
“We want to bring temples closer to the expanding membership of the Church,” President Nelson said. “My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will.
There are currently 159 operating temples worldwide. These seven announced temples bring the total number announced or under construction to 189.