Coverage of the April 2016 General Conference General Women's Session
Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News associate editor
Women leave the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City after the general women's session on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
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Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, asked Latter-day Saint women across the globe on Saturday evening to help refugees.
“It is our hope that you will prayerfully determine what you can do according to your own time and circumstances—to serve the refugees living in your neighborhoods and communities,” said Sister Burton during the general women’s session of the Church’s 186th annual general conference. “This is an opportunity to serve one-on-one, in families, and by organizations to offer friendship, mentoring, and other Christlike service and is one of many ways sisters can serve.”
Sister Burton’s message to reach out to refugees and to serve the Lord’s children was echoed by other speakers and short video clips presented during the women’s session.
A unique choir at the session represented the languages and cultures of more than 50 countries. The choir, which included many members who are refugees, “symbolizes the worldwide unity we feel as daughters of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president, who conducted the meeting.
Thousands filled the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City for the meeting, which was translated and sent to millions around the world.
A combined choir consisting of women and girls representing more than 50 countries sings during the general women's session of general conference. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
A combined choir consisting of women and girls representing more than 50 countries sings during the general women's session of general conference. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, speaks during the general women's session of general conference held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Henry B. Eyring speaks during the general women's session held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Sister Cheryl A. Esplin, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, speaks during the general women's session of general conference held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Sister Neill F. Marriott, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, speaks during the general women's session held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
In addition to Sister Burton, President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency; Sister Cheryl A. Esplin of the Primary general presidency; and Sister Neill F. Marriott of the Young Women general presidency also spoke.
President Thomas S. Monson presided at the broadcast, which was also attended by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency; other Church leaders; and members of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary general presidencies and boards.
During his remarks, President Eyring said the faith of Latter-day Saint women—“wherever they may be or in whatever circumstances”—will lead them to do all they can for those God asks them to serve.
“As they do, I promise that they will move up the path to become holy women, whom the Savior and our Heavenly Father will welcome warmly and reward openly,” he said.
Sister Esplin told the women that when they reach out in love and service in even the smallest ways, “hearts are changed and softened as others feel the love of the Lord.”
Sister Marriott encouraged women to help build the Lord’s kingdom through nurturing others. “The Lord’s Church and kingdom need Spirit-directed women who use their unique gifts to nurture, to speak up, and to defend gospel truth,” said Sister Marriott.
Women and girls line up outside the Conference Center in Salt Lake City prior to the general women's session on Saturday, March 26, 2016.
Audience members sing during the general women's session held in the Conference Center on Saturday, March 26, 2016.
Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
A combined choir consisting of women and girls representing more than 50 countries sings during the general women's session of general conference held in the Conference Center on March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Thomas S. Monson, President Henry B. Eyring, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf talk prior to the general women's session at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, accompanied by his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, waves to the crowd after the general women's session held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Thomas S. Monson, accompanied by his daughter, Sister Ann M. Dibb, waves to the crowd after the general women's session held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland blows a kiss to the crowd after the general women's session held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Audience members sing during the general women's session held in the Conference Center on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, attend the general women's session in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
