Themes from the April 2023 General Conference

General Conference weekend is always a powerful and uplifting experience, and this past April was, of course, no exception. During these sessions of Conference, I found some messages that I needed more than I even realized, along with other important messages and themes that were repeated throughout Conference.

So today, let’s take a look at some of these messages and themes from the April 2023 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Peace in Christ

For those of you who are familiar with Seeking Christ and our General Conference Study Book, you’ll know that one of the pages in that study book includes space for you to write down questions you may have as you prepare for Conference. As Conference approached, I felt that everywhere I looked in the world, there was confusion and darkness. The world can be a heavy place, and I feel like that becomes more true every day.

So going into Conference in April, a big question on my mind was this: in a world of darkness that so often mocks or dismisses Christ, how can I continually find peace and Christ’s light?

Admittedly, finding Christ’s light isn’t always an easy thing to do. It’s something we must work at constantly. But His light and truth can anchor us when the rest of the world is chaotic.

During Conference, there were a couple of talks that gave me insight on how to not only find Christ’s light, but also live and share His light.

In his talk, “Finding Personal Peace,” President Henry B. Eyring quoted one of my favorite scriptures:

27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be trouble, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27

Sometimes when I’m wishing for peace, I may not look to Christ for it. Too often, I’ve settled for distraction instead of peace because it’s been easier to find. It takes almost no effort to find a distraction; all I have to do is look at my phone. And while distraction may take my thoughts away from upsetting things, it does not turn me away from worldly things or toward Christ.

President Eyring also shared five truths about peace, which I’m not going to detail here. However, one of these truths really stands out to me:

“[T]he gift of peace is given after we have the faith to keep Christ’s commandments.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Personal Peace,” April 2023

Based on President Eyring’s statement, we can clearly see that peace is not really a feeling; it is a result and a gift. Peace comes from Christ when we keep the commandments. I’d never really thought about peace being a result of faith, so I appreciated how President Eyring clarified that fact.

In addition to finding peace, there was a fair amount of discussion in General Conference about being peacemakers. President Russell M. Nelson, in particular, had a powerful statement about peacemakers:

“We can literally change the world – one person and one interaction at a time. How? By modeling how to manage honest differences of opinion with mutual respect and dignified dialogue… The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire – no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.”

President Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023

I think I often underestimate the power of peacemakers, but when I compare President Nelson’s statement here with the divisiveness and anger in the world around us, it’s clear to me that peacemakers can be the hands of Christ. Peacemakers act in a way that we rarely see in the world today. Building instead of tearing down, encouraging instead of canceling, persuading instead of yelling – imagine how different the world would look if more people did these things.

I truly believe President Nelson’s talk was divinely inspired for this moment in time.

Listen to and Trust Living Prophets

Several speakers during Conference offered testimonies about living prophets and the essential role of a prophet of God.

In a time when we have so many competing voices in our lives and when it’s often easier to listen to random influencers (some with good intentions and some with rather dubious ones), the direction to listen to the living prophet of God cannot be more relevant.

Elder Allen D. Haynie had some powerful words on this subject:

“When [people] ignore the counsel of the living prophet, they not only lose the promised blessings for themselves but even more tragically teach their children that what a prophet says is insignificant or that prophetic counsel can be picked through in a smorgasbord fashion without concern for the resulting spiritual malnutrition…

As a generation that has the sacred charge to prepare the rising generation for its prophesied role in the latter days, which role must be fulfilled in a time when the adversary’s influence is at its peak, we cannot be a source of confusion about the importance of following prophetic counsel…

Our seemingly small deviations, quiet neglect, or whispered criticisms in response to prophetic counsel may result in our only walking dangerously near the edge of the covenant path; but when magnified by the adversary in the lives of the rising generation, such actions may influence them to leave that path altogether. Such a result is a generational price that is too high.”

Elder Allen D. Haynie, “A Living Prophet for the Latter Days,” April 2023

I apologize for using a longer quote, but I feel that Elder Haynie’s message can’t be overstated. Too often I’ve come across people claiming that personal revelation supersedes prophetic revelation, suggesting that you really only have to follow the prophetic direction that you agree with while ignoring the rest of it.

This is not true.

Obviously, we all have agency and can choose to act as we want. But that doesn’t change the fact that prophetic revelation and personal revelation should align with each other. If personal revelation is not in line with what the prophet has said or with gospel doctrines and principles, then that so-called personal revelation needs to be reconsidered.

The living prophet will not lead us astray. He speaks the word of the Lord to the world. Any claim that a prophet’s direction is lesser than what any other individual may say about the gospel is misguided and arrogant.

That doesn’t mean we need to ignore any questions we have regarding the teachings of the prophets. When we have questions, we have an opportunity to learn and expand our understanding. The Holy Spirit will guide us in our efforts to follow the prophet.

Easter

Easter is often a topic of discussion during the April General Conference given that the two events frequently coincide near the same time. So it’s never a surprise to find that Easter is a common theme during Conference.

I did appreciate Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s suggestion to create Easter traditions aside from going to church that can bring a greater appreciation, love, and excitement to the Easter season. In particular, those traditions should center around Christ, not the Easter Bunny.

Easter is the celebration of the most significant events to happen in the history of the world – Christ’s suffering, Atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection. Everything in the world, everything we believe, our purpose and potential, all of it would be different (if it existed at all) if not for Christ.

Nothing is more worth our attention and celebration.

Patriarchal Blessings

I, like many others, was surprised at the repeated discussion of patriarchal blessings. I’m used to hearing the occasional mention of these blessings in talks, but I’ve rarely heard them be the focus of a talk.

I appreciated these reminders about the importance of patriarchal blessings. I’ve found that mine has been a guide and a comfort to me since I received it. It’s especially reassured me of my divine identity as a daughter of God who has chosen to follow Him since before this life.

I liked Elder Randall K. Bennet’s testimony of patriarchal blessings:

“I promise that if you prepare spiritually, your experience, like mine, will be sacred to you. I also pray that those who have already received their patriarchal blessing will study it and treasure it. Cherishing my patriarchal blessing while I was young blessed me with courage when I was discouraged, comfort when I was fearful, peace when I felt anxious, hope when I felt hopeless, and joy when I needed it most. My patriarchal blessing helped increase my faith and trust in my Heavenly Father and my Savior. It also increased my love for Them—and it still does.”

Elder Randall K. Bennett, “Your Patriarchal Blessing – Inspired Direction from Heavenly Father,” April 2023

Christ is the Answer

So many testimonies during Conference expressed faith and hope in Christ being the answer to life’s difficulties, sorrows, challenges, and more. One talk in particular that emphasized this fact was “The Imperfect Harvest.” The key point in this talk was this:

“The Savior stands ready to accept our humble offerings and perfect them through His grace. With Christ, there is no imperfect harvest. We must have the courage to believe that His grace is for us—that He will help us, rescue us from the depths when we falter, and perfect our less-than-perfect efforts.”

Elder Vern P. Stanfill, “The Imperfect Harvest,” April 2023

I loved this idea that no effort on our part is wasted. Even when we don’t seem to do enough, even when we make mistakes or actively make poor decisions, even when we simply can’t give enough, nothing is wasted because Christ makes everything perfect, though often in ways we don’t expect.

I also loved what President Nelson said on this subject:

“I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you! He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.

Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!”

President Russell M. Nelson, “The Answer is Always Jesus Christ,” April 2023

Christ is always there for us to turn to for help, for healing, for answers, for peace, for direction, for whatever it is we need.

These are not, of course, all of the messages and themes that were spoken about during April’s General Conference, but I felt these were some of the key messages. Were there other themes and messages that stood out to you from Conference? Share them in the comments!

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