(KUTV) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continuing its 189th Semiannual General Conference at its Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday.

Members of the Church will gather for a morning two-hour session and an afternoon two-hour session to listen to speakers from the Church. Since April 2018, the priesthood session only takes place during the April conference, and a general women's session (for females 8 years and older) takes place during October's conference.

General Conference is considered an international event, and as such are broadcast worldwide in over 90 languages, primarily through local and international media outlets and over the Internet.

The session concludes at 12 noon (MST) and the final speaker is President Russell M. Nelson. To read Saturday's live blog from the general conference, click here.

11:25 a.m.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sang a hymn called, "Truth to the Faith," after Stevenson concluded his sermon. President Russell M. Nelson then began a sermon recounting his recent travels to Central and South America, the islands of the Pacific, and various cities in the United States.

He additionally shared a letter he received on his birthday from a 14-year-old girl. He said she detailed what they had in common quoting from the letter:

'You have 10 kids. We have 10 kids. You speak Mandarin. Seven of the kids in my family, including me, were adopted from China, so Mandarin is our first language. You are a heart surgeon. My sister has had two open-heart [operations]. You like a two-hour church. We like the two-hour church. You have perfect pitch. My brother has perfect pitch too. He is blind like me.' Mary’s words touched me deeply, revealing not only her great spirit, but also the consecration of her mother and father.

He expounded on the services of the Church that are offered for the members that are the greatest in need. He said to help relieve hunger, the Church operates 124 bishops’ storehouses throughout the world. Through them, approximately 400,000 food orders are given each year to individuals in need.

In locations where no storehouse exists, bishops and branch presidents draw from fast offering funds of the Church to provide food and supplies for their needy members, he said.

He added:

However, the challenge of hunger goes far beyond the boundaries of the Church and is increasing throughout the world. A recent United Nations report indicated that the number of undernourished people in the world now exceeds 820 million—or almost one in nine of the earth’s inhabitants.

Nelson said since becoming the President of the Church that he was amazed at how many presidents, prime ministers, and ambassadors have thanked him for the humanitarian aid provided to them from volunteer Church members. He added that he "marveled" as world leaders have expressed their hope for the Church to be established in their countries and lands. He concluded:

Giving help to others—making a conscientious effort to care about others as much or more than we care about ourselves—is our joy. Especially I might add, when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

11:00 a.m.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve followed Gonzalez and specifically addressed the youth.

"We often hear President Nelson calling you exactly that, the 'hope of Israel,' the rising generation and future of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, Stevenson said.

After sharing personal stories to illustrate consequences to decisions, he explained that "Satan is the father of lies and the great deceiver." He went on to recite from the bible the experience of Moses who was tempted by Satan.

Let’s now turn to an example of this very principle found in the scriptures when the Lord’s prophet Moses came face to face with this same issue. 'Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain[;] he saw God face to face, and he talked with him.' God taught Moses about his eternal identity. Though Moses was mortal and imperfect, God taught that Moses was “in the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten shall be the Savior.'To summarize, in this marvelous vision Moses beheld God, and he also learned something important about himself: he was indeed a son of God.

He encouraged the members to follow the example of Moses, inviting them to respond the same way he did when influenced by temptation.

Moses’s resistance of the adversary is a vivid and enlightening example for each of us, no matter our stage in life. It is a powerful message for you personally—to know what to do when he tries to deceive you. For you, like Moses, have been blessed with the gift of heavenly help.

10:55 a.m.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sang a hymn, "Teach me to Walk in the Light," after Urchtdorf's comments. Elder Walter F. Gonzalez of the Seventy then spoke about the Savior healing a leper.

He said:

Much like the leper, we can find strength and comfort in this life by accepting His will and knowing that He wants to bless us. We can find the strength to face any challenge including temptations of any kind, and to understand and endure our circumstances.

Gonzalez said everyone can feel the healing touch of the Savior. He said, "What joy, hope, and gratefulness comes to our souls in knowing that He wants to help us be clean! As we come unto Him, God will come to our rescue, whether to heal us or to give us the strength to face any situation."

10:40 a.m.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke after Franco beginning by referencing the fantasy novel about a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. He likened the character's adventures to each individuals' adventures in mortality. He said:

It was proposed by God, our Heavenly Father. Accepting this adventure would mean leaving the comfort and security of His immediate presence. It would mean coming to earth for a journey filled with unknown danger and trial.We knew it would not be easy.But we also knew that we would gain precious treasures, including a physical body and experiencing the intense joys and sorrows of mortality. We would learn to strive, to seek, and to struggle. We would discover truths about God and ourselves.

He added that as members of The Church, it is part of the journey to share the gospel. He said, "What a glorious message we have to share: because of Jesus Christ, every man, woman, and child can return home safely to their heavenly home, and there, dwell in glory and righteousness!"

He extended an invitation to those who are not members of The Church. He said:

If you sense that your life could have more meaning, a higher purpose, stronger family bonds, and a closer connection with God; please, come join with us.If you seek a community of people who are working to become the best versions of themselves, help those in need, and make this world a better place, come join with us!Come and see what this marvelous, wonderous, and adventurous journey is all about.Along the way you will discover yourself.You will discover meaning.You will discover God.

10:30 a.m.

Second Counselor of the Primary General Presidency Cristina B. Franco spoke after Gong. She told the congregation that as members of The Church, "we know who we are. We know that 'God is the Father of our spirits. We are His children, and He loves us. We lived [with] Him in Heaven before we came to earth.

We know God’s plan. We were there with Him as He presented it. Our Father in Heaven’s “whole purpose—His work and His glory—is to enable each of us to enjoy all His blessings. He provided a perfect plan to accomplish His purpose. We understood and accepted this plan of happiness, redemption, and salvation before we came to earth.

Jesus Christ is central to God’s plan. Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ fulfilled His Father’s purpose and made it possible for each of us to enjoy immortality and exaltation. Satan, or the devil, is an enemy to God’s plan” and has been from the beginning.

Franco recited what Elder Dallin H. Oaks has admonished members to do to share the gospel:

“First, we can all pray for desire to help with this vital part of the work of salvation.

“Second, we can keep the commandments. Faithful members will always have the Savior’s Spirit with them to guide them as they seek to participate in the great work of sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Third, we can pray for inspiration on what we can do to share the gospel with others. and pray with a commitment to act upon the inspiration you receive”

She concluded with her hope that members would have the desire to bring people to Christ.

10:00 a.m.

Second Counselor in the First Presidency Henry B. Eyring conducted the morning session welcoming members to the conference.

Following an invocation and musical number by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke. He spoke of God's love for all of his children and that he listens and answers everyone's prayers.

He explained God's plan to bring everyone home, saying:

God’s ordinances and covenants are universal in their requirement and individual in their opportunity. In God’s fairness, each individual in every place and age can receive saving ordinances. Agency applies—individuals choose whether to accept offered ordinances. God’s ordinances provide guideposts on His path of covenants. We call God’s plan to bring His children home the plan of redemption, plan of salvation, plan of happiness. Redemption, salvation, celestial happiness are possible because Jesus Christ 'wrought out this perfect atonement.'

Gong said as people stumble and fall, God will help them one step at a time. He added that the Book of Mormon is the promised instrument for the gathering of God's children prophesied as a new covenant.

Gong shared his own experience when contemplating marrying his wife, Susan. He said:

When Sister Gong and I were falling in love toward marriage, I learned about agency and decisions. For a period of time, we were living in two different countries on two different continents. It is why I can honestly say I earned a Ph.D. in International Relations.When I asked, “Heavenly Father, should I marry Susan?” I felt peace. But it was when I learned to pray with real intent, 'Heavenly Father, I love Susan and want to marry her. I promise I will be the best husband and father I can be'—when I acted and made my best decisions, it was then the strongest spiritual confirmations came.

He concluded his sermon bearing witness that everything good and eternal is centered in God, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement. He added that Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new covenant.

Our Savior declares, “I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.”

Click here to submit your photos from Sunday's general conference. You may also get more information about General Conference at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

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