Church leaders emphasize faithfulness during October 2025 general conference

During the Sunday morning session of the October 2025 general conference, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered messages centered on faith, service, and following prophetic counsel.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about his personal experience with spiritual truth through the Book of Mormon. Referring to the biblical account in John 9, he said, “My first sight-giving, life-giving encounter with real evidence of truth did not come with anointing clay or in the Pool of Siloam. No, the instruments of truth that brought my healing from the Lord came as pages in a book, yes, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ! ...” He continued: “The impact in my life of the Book of Mormon is no less miraculous than was the application of spit and dirt placed on a blind man’s eyes. It has been, for me, a rod of safety for my soul, a transcendent and penetrating light of revelation, an illumination of the path I must walk when mists of darkness come, as surely they have and surely they will.”

President Dallin H. Oaks presided over this session at Temple Square’s Conference Center. He acknowledged support from church members after President Russell M. Nelson’s death by saying: “Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.”

Elder Henry B. Eyring concluded the session by focusing on how Jesus Christ helps believers endure challenges through His atonement. “He knows how to succor us because He has felt all the challenges that we will ever feel in mortality,” he said. Elder Eyring added: “The Lord proves us ... to strengthen us. That proving does not come in moments of ease or comfort. It comes in moments when we feel stretched beyond what we thought we could bear. The Lord teaches that we are to continue to grow and never tire in our efforts, that we never give up, that we keep trying." He also stated: "When we continue to have faith in Jesus Christ — even when things might feel impossible to us at the moment — we become spiritually stronger.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson discussed making God one’s highest priority: “He is not just one of our priorities; it means rather that He is our one highest priority.” According to Elder Christofferson, adherence to scripture and prophetic counsel allows individuals and societies to flourish despite imperfection.

Elder Ulisses Soares addressed temperance by referencing Hannah from the Old Testament as an example: “Hannah reminds us that true spiritual strength is not expressed in impulsive reactions or haughty words but in temperate, thoughtful attitudes aligned with the Lord’s wisdom,” he said. He testified further: “As we strive, with faith and diligence, to weave temperance into our actions and words, I testify that we will strengthen and anchor our lives more securely upon the sure foundation of our Redeemer.”

Sister Andrea M. Spannaus emphasized obedience to modern prophets: “I promise you that once we know they are God’s anointed ones, our life will be easier in spite of our ongoing challenges… To listen to and obey the voice of the prophet is crucial to holding on to every good thing until the Second Coming…”

Messages about service were shared by Elder James E. Evenson who said: “Service has the power to open hearts to the gospel and allows all of us to give our whole soul to Christ…” Elder Peter M. Johnson encouraged ministering without judgment or impatience: “‘Ministering in the Savior’s way involves love without judgment, compassion, kindness, and patience.’”

Music during this session was provided by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square under Mack Wilberg's direction.

Prayers were offered by General Authority Seventies Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong and Elder D. Martin Goury.

Talks included:

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: ‘And Now I See’

- Elder James E. Evenson: ‘Go and Do Likewise’

- Elder Ulisses Soares: ‘Adorned With The Virtue Of Temperance’

- Elder Peter M. Johnson: ‘The Power Of Ministering To The One’

- Elder D Todd Christofferson: ‘Look To God And Live’

- Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus: ‘Prophets Of God’

- Elder Henry B Eyring: ‘Proved And Strengthened In Christ’