October 5th, 2025, 9:33pm MDT
President Darrin H. Oaks, the quorum president of the 12 Apostles, began his October 2025 General Assembly on the morning of Saturday, October 4th.
Shortly afterwards, 12 Apostles quorum Elder Gary E. Stevenson stood to deal with world membership, noting the violence and tragedy experienced by many around the world in the weeks leading up to the conference. “I spoke with all my heart and realized that much of your heart was troubled by what you, your family and our world had received from the last general conference,” Elder Stephenson said.
Some speakers gave a brief tribute to President Nelson. Among other tragedy and experiences that have been particularly notable throughout the two-day meeting were the recent gunshot deaths of four Latter-day Saints during a service in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and the crash of a bus in Lesotho, Africa, which killed a young Latter-day Saint woman and her leader.
In each of the five sessions of the 195th six-month General Conference, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints highlighted the uncertainty, loss, suffering and hardships experienced by individuals, families, communities and nations, but also gave birth to powerful witnesses of the peace, comfort and strength brought about through Jesus Christ and His gospel.
Elder Henry B. Eyring of the 12 Apostles, Quarlam, asserted listeners during a Sunday morning session that the trials and challenges had purpose. He spoke of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith cried out deep in the anguish of the free prison. (D&C 121:1-2).
Elder Eyring said, “My son, peace can endure your soul. Your adversity and your suffering will be in a small moment. And if you endure it well, God will raise you.
Because of the Savior’s “glowing” tone sin, Jesus Christ can strengthen individuals in the age of trial, Elder Eyring taught. “He knows how to track us down because he felt all the challenges we felt with mortality.”
The trial and challenge “is not evidence that the Lord abandoned you,” Elder Eyring assured the listeners. “In fact, it’s proof that he loves you enough to refine and strengthen you. He’s strong enough to carry you the weight of eternal life.”
As classic novelist Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best time. It was the worst,” said Elder Quentin L. Cook of 12 Apostles Quorum in a Saturday afternoon speech.
“We live in an age of turbulence, “The Whole of the Future ()” (Doctrine and Covenant 45:26) (45:26). President Nelson’s advice to followers of Jesus Christ is an integral part of promoting unity, peace and healing in the “worst times.”
As individuals contemplating today’s challenges, “It is necessary to remember that the Savior lived in times of upheaval and violent during his earthly ministry. His focus was not on the political challenges of the day. It was the perfection of the saint,” Elder Cook said.
Following the Savior and His Doctrines has never been easier in a fuss-making world. “It was not easy for the savior of the unstable world during a deadly stay, not easy for early leaders and members, not easy for us. Fortunately, the living prophet provides the guidance we specifically need for that day.
At the Maptosou branch of the churches of South African countries in Lesotho, 15 people, including six young women, two young female leaders and their wives, were killed in a terrible bus crash, said Elder Todd Christofferson, the 12 apostles chief.
During the joint funeral, Manho McCra, the young female president of Branch, said, “Turn around to find the power to accept his will. Jesus Christ is “the author of our faith and finish.” Don’t look away, look at him. (See Hebrews 12:2).
Elder Christofferson said, “By looking to God, we can find peace of hardships, and our faith can continue to grow even in times of doubt or spiritual challenge. We can receive strength in the face of opposition and isolation. We can reconcile our ideals with our present reality.”
To see God means to make him your number one priority. “I recall that terrible crash again in Lesotho last June,” Elder Christofferson said. “From her hospital bed, she was one of the surviving young female leaders who didn’t believe in God before joining the church, but she said her purpose was to discover why she escaped her life.
To those unjustly injured by the serious sin of others, Elder Neil L. Andersen, a quorum of the 12 Apostles, said he wanted to share the love and compassion, comfort and peace of the Savior.
“The sadness you felt, the broken heart, the loss, the choking of betrayal, the covering of your life as you imagined – I give you my absolute guarantee, the Savior knows you and loves you,” Elder Andersen said.
When does the victim’s pain go away, sadness settles, and unforgettable memories are forgotten? “I don’t know,” Elder Andersen said. “But I know this. He has the power to bring beauty from the ashes of your suffering.”
The apostles spoke of people affected by the fatal mass shootings that took place at the Latter-day Saint Meetinghouse in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Sunday, September 28th.
“Our dear brothers and sisters in Grand Blanc, Michigan – with their brave faith in Jesus Christ and their courage and selfishness – have received in abundance of the Savior’s unparalleled love and grace in weeks and months,” Elder Andersen is convinced.
As individuals continue to place their trust in the Savior, “Your darkness and cloud of sobs will turn into tears of joy and peace in the morning light. “Your sorrow will change from you to joy” (John 16:20, 22). That moment will come.
In one of the first speeches at the Saturday morning meeting, Elder Stevenson noted that today’s rising generation faces a culture of polarization, secularization, retaliation, anger, and conflict and tension in the mountains of social media.
The hearts of the young saints today in the last days are filled with testimony of Jesus Christ and hope for the future, but they also say, “When the world is fussing, can I really make peace?
The answer is “Yes,” Elder Stephenson said. “We accept the Savior’s words: “I will leave with you peace, I will give to you… Don’t bother your heart, do not let it fear” (John 14:27).
Peacemaking begins first in the mind of a person and then spreads to the home and family. “As we practice, the peace structure spreads across our neighborhoods and communities,” Elder Stephenson said.
In his Sunday morning speech, Urises Soares of the quorum of the 12 Apostles “expanding the ‘deep invitation’ to Latter-day Saints, ‘I will adorn our hearts and hearts with the virtues of Christ,'”;
He testified, “The constant pursuit of sobriety cleanses our souls, sanctifies our hearts before the Savior, and gently draws us near him with hope and peace, and prepares us for a glorious day to meet him in His Second Coming.”
On Saturday morning, Elder Kelly R. Johnson, a general authorities of 70, spoke about reconciliation with God or aligning your will and actions with His will.
This reconciliation not only brings peace from guilt, but also “includes peace within yourself and others. It heals relationships, softens the mind, strengthens disciples, and increases confidence before God,” Elder Johnson said.
In sharing the biblical account of Jonah being swallowed up by the great fish, Elder Matthew S. Holland, general authorities of 70, said, “Whatever the cause or extent we face, there is always a dry ground for hope, healing and happiness.”
The Dutch Elder said he remembers where he sat when he discovered the Bible where Jonah spoke of people who “forsaken his mercy” (Jonah 2:8). “My plea, inspired by Jonah, has abandoned that it is not your own mercy,” the Dutch Elder said. “You have immediate access to God’s help and healing despite human flaws. This adoring mercy comes through Jesus Christ.”
