Saturday, April 6, 2024: Three sessions of the 194th Annual General Conference, James takes care of me, Steven D. Shumway a General Authority Seventy - why we love him!

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Jacob 4:8-18

Come Follow Me

Jacob 4:8-18 "I can avoid spiritual blindness by focusing on the Savior.

April General Conference

"All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants" by President Henry B. Eyring

Not feeling well again today. James took care of me, bringing me food, etc. I never strayed far from the couch where I watched conference, which I loved!

I am anxious to read "The Savior in Kirtland". I finished "Visions of Glory". I worked on the pantry a little between sessions although my upper arms are hurting.

The morning sessions was exciting because our former stake president, Steven D. Shumway was called as a General Authority Seventy. I can honestly say he is my favorite stake president of all time including Martin Kempton, D. Lynn Jones, and Ray Heyman.

Here is why I like him so well:

When he came to our ward conferences he would talk about how much he loved Vernon and the people here.

He called all of the adults in our stake on their birthdays to wish them a happy birthday.

When the Curtis's son was dying of cancer he and President Beeler visited him in his home. They made sure he was ordained an elder so his dad could do his temple work when he passed.

He loved everyone and treated them kindly.

He called me towards the end of his service and told me that the Lord was well pleased with me and Brother Lambson.

For one of our ward conferences he visited Pam & Ricky Giles. He and Pam became fast friends and she loves him to this day. She and Ricky are less active but she adores President Shumway. 

He was someone who radiated love and the Spirit and you just wanted to be around. Oh how we love President Shumway and our current stake president, President Beeler, who was President Shumway's counselor.

President Shumway is the CEO of Whiting Brothers Investment company. He will be giving full-time service to the Church for at least the next 17 years. He is 53 and General Authority Seventies serve until they are 70. If he has to move to Salt Lake, he will be greatly missed here in our area. He also served as a mission president for the Chicago, Illinois mission.

11 New General Authority Seventies

It was cold and snowy today. We were glad to stay inside and be warmed by the Spirit.

194th Annual General Conference

April 6, 2024

Saturday Morning Session

1. Jeffrey R. Holland

'Motions of a Hidden Fire'

"I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection."

2. Sister J. Anette Dennis

'Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ'

"Each person on earth is a beloved son or daughter of God. When we choose to be part of a covenant, it enhances and deepens our relationship with Him."

3. Elder Alexander Dushku

'Pillars and Rays'

"Rather than sending us a pillar of light, the Lord sends us a ray of light, and then another, and another. Those rays of light are continuously being poured down upon us."

4. Ulisses Soares

'Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ'

"If there is one thing we could possess - and one thing we could pass on to our children and grandchildren that would help each in the tests and trials ahead - it would be confidence in the covenants made through Jesus Christ."

5. Jack N. Gerard

'Integrity: A Christlike Attribute'

"Exercising integrity in our choices is an outward expression of an inner commitment to follow the Savior Jesus Christ."

6. Henry B. Eyring

'All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants'

"Brothers and sisters, I humbly testify that as we attend the temple, we can be reminded of the eternal nature of our spirits, our relationship with the Father and His divine Son, and our ultimate desire to return to our heavenly home."

Saturday Afternoon Session

7. Elder David A. Bednar

'Be Still and Know that I am God'

"As individuals build their foundation upon the Savior, they are blessed to 'be still.'"

8. Elder Massimo de Feo

'Rise! He Calleth Thee'

"For me, keeping a clear spiritual vision is all about focusing on Jesus Christ."

9. Elder Brent H. Nielson

'A Record of What I Have Both Seen and Heard'

"You and I are witnesses who testify."

10. Elder Jose L. Alonso

'Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives'

"Jesus Christ is our hope and the answer to life's greatest pains."

11. Gerrit W. Gong

'All Things for Your Good'

"With faith, trials and sacrifices we would never choose can bless us and others in ways never imagined."

12. Brother Michael T. Nelson

'Relationships Influence Choices'

"We can be powerful examples to the youth of how disciples of Christ live today."

13. Elder Quentin L. Cook

'Be One with Christ'

"Oneness with Christ and our Heavenly Father can be obtained through the Savior's Atonement"

Saturday Evening Session

14. Elder Shayne M. Bowen

'Miracles, Angels and Priesthood Power'

"I testify that miracles have not ceased, angels are among us and the heavens are truly open."

15. Elder Steven R. Bangerter

'Foreordained to Serve'

"Our Heavenly Father desires to reveal to you your personal foreordination, and He will do so as you seek to learn and follow His will."

16. Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus

'Faithful to the End'

"There is joy in being a disciple of Jesus Christ"

17. Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

'Fruit that Remains'

"To have the blessings of exaltation sealed upon us and remain after this life, we must be true to both the lateral and the vertical bonds of the covenant."

18. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

'A Higher Joy'

"The peace He gives us is not like what the world gives. It is better. It is higher and holier."

 The end of a long and wonderful day.