2018
Highlights from the 188th Annual General Conference
May 2018

“Highlights from the 188th Annual General Conference,” Ensign, May 2018

Highlights from the 188th Annual General Conference

This general conference was historic for many reasons, including the restructuring of Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and the beginning of a new era of ministering. But perhaps most anticipated was our individual opportunity to sustain President Russell M. Nelson as the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Solemn Assembly

When we stood and sustained a new prophet and President, our raised hands weren’t counted by any human record keeper; they were noted in heaven as a covenant with God.

Throughout conference, we saw evidence that this is the Savior’s Church, led by Him through His servants. We witnessed the position a living prophet takes in relation to each of us—not standing between us and the Savior but standing beside us and pointing the way to the Savior. We experienced the opportunity to receive “a personal witness that President Nelson’s call is from God” and to anchor “our souls to the Lord Jesus Christ [by] listening to those He sends” (see Elder Neil L. Andersen on page 26).

  • You can learn more about President Nelson in the 16-page special supplement accompanying the May 2018 Ensign and Liahona.

Sustaining New Leaders

In addition to sustaining President Nelson, we sustained more than 70 new leaders.

  • Find a list of those sustained, including the new Area Seventies, on pages 6–8, 28–29.

  • Read brief biographies of new leaders beginning on page 121.

Changes to Quorums and Ministering

Though overseen by prophets, the changes announced during conference “are examples of the revelation [from God] that has guided this Church from its beginning,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said (see page 101).

  • Read the instructions on restructuring quorums from President Nelson, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, beginning on page 54.

  • Read the instructions on ministering from President Nelson, Elder Holland, and Sister Jean B. Bingham, beginning on page 100.

  • Find more information about these changes and instructional resources in the news section on pages 132–33.

Additional Temples

To punctuate “our message to the world” that “we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life,” President Nelson announced seven new temples.

  • Find out where the seven new temples will be located, on page 133.