Talk Summaries From the April 2025 Sunday Morning Session

God provides mortal gifts and protections for His children that help them make righteous choices, taught President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on April 6 at the conclusion of the Sunday morning session of April 2025 general conference.

In addition to commandments, ordinances, covenants and the Holy Ghost, he said, “By far God’s strongest mortal help was His provision of a Savior, Jesus Christ, who would suffer to pay the price and provide forgiveness for repented sins.”

Read a longer summary in the Church News President Oaks outlines the divine helps God provides

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the session in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Church President Russell M. Nelson participated in the proceedings from home.

In the opening talk of the session, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about Joseph Smith’s “miraculous experiences” that led to the Church’s formal organization 195 years ago. “As you pray earnestly with the expectation to both receive and act upon an answer from God, as did young Joseph Smith, your capacity to recognize and respond to that divine witness will be increased,” he said.

Fellow member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Elder Gerrit W. Gong, said the convergence of atonement, resurrection and restoration through Christ each Easter season, including the commemoration of the organization of His restored Church on April 6, is not a coincidence. “May we each find in Jesus Christ atonement, resurrection and restoration — peace, becoming and belonging — that which is enduringly real and joyful, happy and forever,” he said.

Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé taught that because God is just, merciful and loves us perfectly, he provides compensation for circumstances beyond our control. “Through Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can find the strength to endure and ultimately overcome all of life’s challenges,” he said.

Elder Steve D. Shumway General Authority Seventy, taught that participating in God’s work through callings, ministering, temple worship and acting on promptings prepares us to meet the Savior. “We engage in God’s work, not because God needs us, but because we need God and His blessings,” he said.

Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, said, “The invitation to repent is an expression of God’s love.” While He cares about our mistakes, He cares more about us turning to Him again and again, she taught.

Elder John A. McCune, General Authority Seventy, taught that keeping our covenants blesses us with spiritual power. “As we make and keep covenants, we will naturally turn outward and have a desire to help others feel the measure of joy and love we feel in our covenantal relationships.”

Prayers were provided by Elder Rafael E. Pino, a General Authority Seventy, and Brother Michael T. Nelson, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency. 

Music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, directed by Mack Wilberg and accompanied by organists Brian Mathias and Andrew Unsworth.

Talk Summaries (By Speaking Order)

• Elder David A. Bednar: ‘The Times of Restitution of All Things’
• Elder Steven D. Shumway: ‘Participate To Prepare for Christ’s Return’
• Sister Tamara W. Runia: ‘Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy’
• Bishop Gérald Caussé: ‘Compensating Blessings’
• Elder Gerrit W. Gong: ‘Eternity’s Great Gifts: Jesus Christ’s Atonement, Resurrection, Restoration’
• Elder John A. McCune: ‘Joy Through Covenant Discipleship’
• President Dallin H. Oaks: ‘Divine Helps for Mortality’

Newsroom April 2025 General Conference Talk Summaries, News and Announcements