Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to speak at the general conference.
• Acknowledges the aging process and thanks the audience for their understanding.

Progress in the Church

• Recognizes great momentum in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Expresses joy at the progress in various areas.
• Highlights the inspiration drawn from the youth:
  • Increasing service involvement.
  • Active in seeking ancestors and temple ordinances.
  • Record numbers applying for missionary service.
  • Rising as strong followers of Jesus Christ.

Personal Reflection

• Met a new great granddaughter, which inspired thoughts about future challenges.
• Stresses the importance of building faith in Jesus Christ for happiness.
• Acknowledges that everyone faces challenges such as illness, disappointment, temptation, and loss.

Confidence Before God

• Disciples of Jesus have a unique confidence through covenants with God.
• Reference to Joseph Smith's teachings about confidence in God's presence.
• Key Elements for Confidence:
  • Charity
  • Virtue

Charity

• Reiterates past call for followers to be peacemakers.
• Critiques current public discourse and social media hostility.
• Emphasizes the importance of charity in progress and godly character:
  • Essential in discourse.
  • Charity is a divine gift.
  • Be instruments for peace.

Virtue

• Importance of maintaining virtuous thoughts.
• Virtue enhances positive thoughts and dispels negative ones.
• Calls for increased purity as the world becomes more wicked:
  • Regular worship in the temple aids in growing virtue and charity.
  • Prepares believers for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Temple Announcements

• Announcement of plans to construct temples in 15 locations:
  • Reosa, Mexico
  • Charilio, Peru
  • Ria, Uruguay
  • Companji, Brazil
  • Porto, Portugal
  • Nigeria
  • San Jose Del Monte, Philippines
  • Numea, New Calonia
  • Liverpool, Australia
  • Caldwell, Idaho
  • Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Greenville, South Carolina
  • Norfolk, Virginia
  • Spanish Fork, Utah

Conclusion

• Testifies that Jesus Christ leads the Church and prepares for His second coming.
• Urges the audience to prepare to receive Him.