November 2015 Contents Contents The 185th Semiannual General Conference Highlights from the 185th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Women’s Session Rosemary M. WixomDiscovering the Divinity WithinSister Wixom teaches that we each came to earth with a divine nature. Understanding and developing our divine nature helps us know why we are here on earth; it also helps us know that Heavenly Father loves us. The divine nature within each of us motivates us during this life to learn eternal truths and to serve others. Linda S. ReevesWorthy of Our Promised BlessingsLinda S. Reeves encourages sisters to remember the blessings that Heavenly Father has promised them for living the gospel. Carol F. McConkieHere to Serve a Righteous CauseCarol F. McConkie invites girls and women of all ages to serve a righteous cause as we help to build the kingdom of God. Dieter F. UchtdorfA Summer with Great-Aunt RosePresident Uchtdorf shares a story of a young girl who learned about faith, hope, and love while spending a summer with her great-aunt. Saturday Morning Session Dieter F. UchtdorfIt Works Wonderfully!President Uchtdorf encourages us to simplify our approach to discipleship if we find the gospel is not working in our lives. M. Russell BallardGod Is at the HelmElder M. Russell Ballard reminds us that God is at the helm and that if we keep the covenants we have made, we will be blessed and protected. Richard J. MaynesThe Joy of Living a Christ-Centered LifeElder Maynes explains how living a Christ-centered life will help us have peace, happiness, and joy even when we face adversity. Neill F. MarriottYielding Our Hearts to GodSister Marriott teaches that we can make the Lord’s way our way when we are humble and open to His Spirit. Larry R. LawrenceWhat Lack I Yet?Elder Lawrence teaches that the Holy Ghost can tell us through personalized revelation how we can improve. Francisco J. ViñasThe Pleasing Word of GodElder Francisco J. Viñas teaches that “the pleasing word of God” can heal us in our afflictions and lead us to the companionship of the Holy Ghost through sincere and continuous repentance. Quentin L. CookShipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad TimesQuentin L. Cook shares three ways we can develop personal righteousness and thus enjoy happiness in this life and the next. Saturday Afternoon Session Henry B. EyringThe Sustaining of Church OfficersPresident Henry B. Eyring presents the General Authorities’ and general officers’ names for a sustaining vote. He announces new callings. Robert D. HalesMeeting the Challenges of Today’s WorldElder Hales instructs young adults to make wise choices concerning education, marriage, and Church service as they plan for their future. Jeffrey R. HollandBehold Thy MotherJeffrey R. Holland pays tribute to the strength, dedication, influence, and love of mothers. Bradley D. FosterIt’s Never Too Early and It’s Never Too LateElder Bradley D. Foster teaches us that it’s never too early and it’s never too late to teach our children the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hugo MontoyaTested and Tempted—but HelpedElder Hugo Montoya reminds us that though we are tested and tempted, we can help each other overcome our trials through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Vern P. StanfillChoose the LightElder Vern P. Stanfill encourages Church members to seek light and spiritual power by heeding prophetic counsel, acting upon spiritual promptings, and obeying God’s commandments. James B. MartinoTurn to Him and Answers Will ComeElder Martino teaches how obedience, scripture study, prayer, and fasting help us to feel the Spirit and find answers to our questions. Dallin H. OaksStrengthened by the Atonement of Jesus ChristDallin H. Oaks testifies of the power of Christ’s Atonement to strengthen and help us in the pains, afflictions, and infirmities of mortality. General Priesthood Session Neil L. AndersenFaith Is Not by Chance, but by ChoiceElder Andersen discusses how we can choose to strengthen and protect our faith. Randall K. BennettYour Next StepRandall K. Bennett describes principles that will help us take our next steps back to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father and our Savior. Dieter F. UchtdorfBe Not Afraid, Only BelievePresident Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells us to be like Daniel and have the courage to believe and to resist the cynicism and doubt of a secular world. By doing so, we will have more light, truth, and peace in our lives. Henry B. EyringYou Are Not Alone in the WorkPresident Henry B. Eyring reminds priesthood holders that priesthood service is about helping the children of God return to Him and that the Lord is with them in that service. Thomas S. MonsonKeep the CommandmentsPresident Thomas S. Monson encourages us to keep the commandments and identifies some of the blessings for doing so. Sunday Morning Session Thomas S. MonsonBe an Example and a LightPresident Thomas S. Monson teaches us to be “an example of the believers” and a light to the world. I doing so, we will stand out, but as we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by courage. Ronald A. RasbandI Stand All AmazedElder Rasband expresses gratitude for and testifies of the Savior’s love and Atonement, and he encourages Latter-day Saints to reach out to others with love. Gary E. StevensonPlain and Precious TruthsElder Gary E. Stevenson describes his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and bears his testimony of the plain and precious truths of the gospel. Dale G. RenlundThrough God’s EyesDale G. Renlund teaches that to truly serve others, we need to see them as Heavenly Father sees them. Russell M. NelsonA Plea to My SistersPresident Russell M. Nelson extols the contributions made by women to the Church and community. He encourages women to keep their covenants. Gregory A. SchwitzerLet the Clarion Trumpet SoundGregory A. Schwitzer encourages Latter-day Saints to testify boldly and clearly in defense of Jesus Christ’s Church and doctrine. Claudio R. M. CostaThat They Do Always Remember HimElder Costa teaches how pondering the life and Atonement of Christ can make the sacrament more meaningful and invite the companionship of the Spirit. Henry B. EyringThe Holy Ghost as Your CompanionHenry B. Eyring encourages members to seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost, who provides protection, guidance, and comfort. Sunday Afternoon Session D. Todd ChristoffersonWhy the ChurchD. Todd Christofferson describes several reasons The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is needed to accomplish the Savior’s purposes. Devin G. DurrantMy Heart Pondereth Them ContinuallyDevin G. Durrant encourages members to save money each week and to ponder and memorize a scripture each week in order to have increased spiritual power and protection. Von G. KeetchBlessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of GodElder Keetch teaches that the commandments are a source of protection and guidance to help us become what God wants us to become. Carole M. Stephens“If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments”Carole M. Stephens teaches that by trusting and following the counsel of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and the living prophets, we can return safely and joyfully to our heavenly home. Allen D. HaynieRemembering in Whom We Have TrustedElder Haynie teaches that we must be clean to return to live with our Heavenly Father, and that the only way to become clean is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The plan of salvation included a Savior who could help us become clean through faith in Him and repentance of our sins. Kim B. ClarkEyes to See and Ears to HearElder Kim B. Clark testifies that if we open our eyes and ears, the Holy Ghost will bless us to see the Lord Jesus Christ working in our lives. Koichi AoyagiHold on Thy WayElder Koichi Aoyagi counsels us to turn our hearts to God in our trials so that we can endure them well and pass the test of this life. David A. Bednar“Chosen to Bear Testimony of My Name”Elder David A. Bednar shares some powerful lessons of a lifetime that have been shared by prophets and apostles. General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Making Conference Part of Our Lives Conference Story Index News of the Church Elder Ronald A. Rasband Elder Gary E. Stevenson Elder Dale G. Renlund Elder L. Whitney Clayton Elder Gerrit W. Gong Bishop Gérald Caussé Bishop Dean M. Davies Bishop W. Christopher Waddell Brian K. Ashton Women Leaders Join Church Councils LDS Edition of Bible in Portuguese Providing Refugee Relief Christmas Media Initiative Children Say, “We Are His Hands” Priesthood Restoration Site Dedicated Seminary Students Elevate Their Learning