Highlights from the 186th Semiannual General Conference

President Thomas S. Monson shared two straightforward messages during general conference. On Sunday morning he testified of God’s great plan of happiness for all people. He taught about Jesus Christ’s essential part in the plan of salvation as well as our role in obtaining the happiness God intended. (See page 80.) During the general priesthood session, President Monson emphasized blessings that come from obedience to the Lord’s commandments and faithful observation of the Word of Wisdom (see page 78).

Hundreds of thousands of women, young women, and girls as young as age eight gathered at the Conference Center and in locations around the world to open the six sessions of general conference with the general women’s session.

During the Saturday afternoon session, four General Authority Seventies were granted emeritus status, one Area Seventy was released, and two additional Area Seventies were called (see page 39). On Sunday, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles honored Elder Per G. Malm, a member of the Seventy who passed away on July 26, 2016 (see page 121).

General conferences of the Church take place every six months, originating in the 21,000-seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, and reaching millions around the world. The conference was interpreted and made available online in more than 80 languages and was published in 34 languages in the Church magazines.