Easter Weekend · April 5–6, 2026 · Salt Lake City
President Oaks welcomed members worldwide to the 196th Annual General Conference, noting this conference was unique as it began with a Solemn Assembly to formally sustain him as the new prophet. He reaffirmed the testimony of the resurrected Lord and acknowledged Jesus Christ as the head of the Church.
At this Easter season, I reaffirm our testimony of the resurrected Lord and recognize that He is the head of this Church.
Elder Kearon used his own conversion story to discuss common consent and sustaining. He shared moving stories of people finding their way back to the Church — those who feel they don't belong, those who doubt, those who feel they don't measure up, and those limited by tradition. He closed with the hymn "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling."
It really isn't where we serve but how that matters to the Lord.
Life is better, everything is better when we are about His business.
The Savior loves all of us and is tenderly calling for you and for me to come home.
Sister Yee shared how ministering brothers transformed her father's life by consistently walking with him to the temple for three years. She taught that ministering is not a program or checklist but a way of being — the way of Jesus Christ. True ministering brings healing and purpose to both the giver and receiver.
Ministering is truly loving and caring for others as the Savior would. It is a way of being; it is the way of our Savior Jesus Christ.
When we minister, we are helping to answer each other's prayers. We are the Savior's hands.
Elder Gilbert shared stories of people finding their way back across multiple categories: Sister Anglesey after 30 years away, Brother Vargas who felt he didn't measure up, Justin and Kenna Valdez who doubted, and John Raas who was bound by tradition. He used the image of BYU students shining phone flashlights to guide late arrivals — a metaphor for holding up our light to those still seeking.
I pledge my life to be a witness to the name of Jesus Christ.
Please come sit with me. We saved a seat just for you.
Elder Bednar reframed "enduring to the end" as far more than gritting through mortality. He demonstrated that to endure to the end IS to be possessed of charity — the pure love of Christ. He read key scriptures replacing "endure to the end" with "is possessed of the pure love of Christ," showing they are inextricably linked. Charity is both what we do and what we become.
Enduring to the end is the joyous quest of a lifetime — a pressing forward with faith in Jesus Christ in a gradual process of trusting in and receiving help from our Savior to become more like Him.
Charity encompasses both what we do and what we can become as this spiritual gift ultimately possesses us.
Elder Teh reflected on his Filipino-Chinese family navigating new traditions when joining the Church. He shared a story of visiting a cancer patient in Japan who radiated unexpected joy, connecting this to the light of Christ — like sunlight reflected by a tall building — which we reflect to others as we follow prophetic counsel.
The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change.
When I strive to follow the Savior, He will use us to bless others.
Elder Becerra explored double-mindedness from James and connected it to putting God first through tithing. He shared a personal miracle: he sold his car to pay tithing, then a friend immediately offered him car payments on a vehicle he needed. His mother's testimony anchored the message: "All we need to see is the very hand of Jehovah Himself."
All we need to see is the very hand of Jehovah Himself to have any greater assurance that He is blessing us by our payment of tithing.
President Eyring spoke about the power of fervent, continual prayer in a troubled world. He cited Alma's people praying silently in their hearts while in bondage, receiving lightened burdens. He testified personally that at his wife's funeral he felt unexpected peace and almost joy — the Lord answered his prayer with assurance of a happy reunion ahead.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.
I felt it at the funeral of my wife of 61 years. I was surprised at the feeling of peace and almost joy.
Elder Stevenson used the world-record achievement of Kansai International Airport — 30 years without losing a single bag — to teach our divine stewardship over God's most precious possessions: His children. He applied this to ministering assignments and nurturing the rising generation. Each soul carries a divine tag: never to be forgotten, neglected, or lost.
This precious soul has great worth to one day be redeemed by its holder. Never to be forgotten, neglected, or lost.
Teach the rising generation to know, love, and emulate their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Elder Ortega honored his grandmother Mercedes, the family pioneer who joined the Church in Argentina in 1957, while teaching that family heritage alone is not enough — each person needs a personal testimony. He likened discipleship to climbing a mountain: the covenant path, though demanding, leads to the true summit.
Our family heritage is a great blessing, but it is not a substitute for our diligent and intentional search for a personal testimony.
Jesus Christ and His restored gospel constitute that safe path that leads us to the true summit.
Elder Wu shared his remarkable conversion story — born into a Buddhist family in Taiwan, moving to Bolivia at age 10, meeting missionaries, and being baptized, saying "I've already made up my mind." He used the story of King Lamoni's father — "I will give away all my sins to know thee" — to teach that sincere conversion requires desire, faith, repentance, and willingness to change.
"I will give away all my sins to know thee."
Coming unto Christ is much more than just learning of Christ. It includes faith and works; it means to be converted to Him and to His restored gospel.
Brother Wunderli told the touching story of his 6-year-old son who packed a picture of Jesus in his backpack for a hike and refused to remove it when the load got heavy. He applied this to youth: Satan lies when he says removing Jesus will lighten your load. Christ is not the weight; He is the relief.
Jesus Christ is not the weight; He is the relief.
Satan is a liar.
Each morning as you begin your daily walk, please make sure that Jesus Christ is with you.
Elder Caussé, in his first General Conference address as a new Apostle, shared that since his calling he has learned he can love even more. Using scripture's pairing of "all" and "each," he taught that God loves all universally AND loves each individually. He used Beauty and the Beast to illustrate how seeing others' divine potential transforms both viewer and viewed.
I have learned that I can love even more.
The universe is vast beyond comprehension, yet every soul carries infinite worth in the eyes of our Creator.
God and His Son, Jesus Christ, love all — and they love each.
Elder Holmes used the story of a blind man who completed the grueling Jungfrau Marathon tethered to a guide to teach that covenants bind us to Christ our guide. He taught that to walk with Jesus is to follow His prophet, and when Peter's road got hard, his answer — "Lord, to whom shall we go?" — is the answer for all of us.
To walk with Jesus is to follow His prophet.
Once we bind ourselves to our Savior through covenant, only we can sever the tie. Jesus never will.
Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
Elder Matswagothata from Botswana — whose surname means "getting out of a difficult situation" — taught that Jesus Christ knows each of us by name, just as He called Adam, Mary, Saul, and Joseph by name. He shared a vulnerable story of struggling as a young stake president when a boy stopped him at a ward conference to say his family prays for him every night — a direct answer to his prayer.
He knows you. He who descended below all things knows how to heal your broken heart and make you whole again.
The question should never be "Will the Savior walk with me?" He will. The real question is, "Will I walk with Him?"
He reaches for us again and again, because He desires to lead us home — one by one, by name.
Elder Soares taught that abiding in Christ is not casual but a constant, conscious, sacred choice — letting His teachings govern our words and actions even in digital spaces. He warned that many "false vines" mimic Christ's voice while leading hearts astray. He used the Emmaus road story: the disciples invited the Savior to "abide with us," and their eyes were opened.
Abiding in Christ is not an occasional or casual act; it is a constant, conscious, and sacred choice.
Only our Redeemer can truly redeem us. He is the way, the truth, and the life of the world.
Jesus Christ is the true vine. He lives. He rose from the dead, and His redeeming power is real.
President Uchtdorf retold Mary and the women approaching the tomb on Easter morning — their grief and unanswered questions. He declared that the bold message of the empty tomb is that Jesus Christ is not merely a historical figure; He lives and is an active, ongoing influence. He gave two invitations echoing the angels: "Come, see" and "Go tell." He called all to become witnesses through courageous discipleship.
We do not seek Him among the dead. He is Risen!
Because Jesus Christ conquered death, surely He can conquer any danger, confusion, or doubt we face.
Each morning let the daily rising sun remind us that Jesus Christ is the light that leads us through this life.
On this holy Easter morning, I offer my witness: He is risen.
President Freeman shared that her husband Greg's cancer returned while planning their daughter's wedding — going from best day to worst day in minutes. She used Peter's story across three scenes to teach that testimony is built over time through both best and worst days. She shared quotes from "For the Strength of Youth" and testified that because of Christ, our best days are ahead.
God allows mortality to do its work in us — and that includes both best days and worst days.
Jesus wasn't shouting instructions from the shore or offering advice from the safety of the boat. He was in the water — with Peter, within reaching distance.
Joy is not the absence of sorrow in your life; it is the presence of Jesus Christ in your life.
Because of Him, no matter how bad things are right now, your best days are ahead.
Elder Larreal opened: "Do you know how much the Savior loves you?" He connected the sacrament to the Savior's love, noting how Christ repeatedly uses the pronoun "you" in Luke 22 — this is given FOR you, shed FOR you. The sacrament is the most sacred meeting in the Church. He called members to prepare more reverently and remove all distractions.
Do you know how much the Savior loves you?
The Lord uses the pronoun "you" again and again to emphasize and remind us that the sacrament is for us — for you and for me!
Elder Rowe shared working as a young lawyer in a post-war land mine zone where he had to step exactly where his guide Winta stepped. He applied this to following Christ through life's spiritual land mines. The Savior's invitation is constant, consistent, and inclusive: He inviteth all, and He denieth none. When we are wounded, He is the Master Healer.
I need Jesus Christ to be my guide through life's journey amidst its spiritual land mines.
He inviteth all to come unto Him and partake of His goodness; and He denieth none that come unto Him.
I promise, I promise, you can too!
Elder Rasband bore a solemn apostolic testimony of the literal resurrection. He described the resurrected Christ's appearances — to Mary, on the Emmaus road, to the eleven, and to 2,500 souls in the Americas who felt the prints of the nails. He shared the tender story of his grandson Paxton, born with a rare chromosomal deletion, declaring Paxton's body will be resurrected whole and perfect.
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day.
I love the image of Him stretching forth His hand.
I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.
He is risen! He is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice!
Elder Renlund opened with his toy poodle Lady trying to fetch two balls at once, getting overwhelmed, and giving up — a metaphor for modern life. The solution: focus on Jesus Christ above all else. Three Easter reasons: (1) Christ conquered death; (2) He saves us from sin — "If everyone, then anyone. If anyone, then even one. And if even one, then even you"; (3) He understands our challenges through His Atonement.
If everyone, then anyone. If anyone, then even one. And if even one, then even you.
Because of Jesus Christ, sins for which we have sincerely repented leave no spiritual scar, track, or trace. There is no scarlet letter.
Open wide your broken heart and let your Savior in!
Elder Mutombo from the DRC opened with the Paschal greeting: "Christ is risen / Truly, He is risen." He shared losing four children and how after the fourth death, his extended family demanded he and Nathalie separate per cultural tradition. He went inside, prayed, and came out with empty hands saying: "Nathalie is my eternal companion." He testified: no matter how dark your days, Sunday will come.
Christ is risen. Truly, He is risen.
Nathalie is my eternal companion. We are striving together to build an eternal family, and the Savior is helping us achieve it.
No matter how dark your days are, please remember that Sunday will come if you faithfully keep the covenants that you made with the Lord.
Elder Walker recalled searching for treasure as a boy in the Andes mountains, only finding glittering minerals. He highlighted the stunning scriptural reversal: we search for treasure, but God calls us His peculiar treasure. Becoming God's treasure requires obeying His voice and keeping covenants. The Lord asks not for perfection but for honest hearts and willing readiness.
The Lord Himself speaks of us as His treasure.
The Lord does not ask for perfection all at once; rather He asks for honest and broken hearts, humble spirits, and a willing readiness to keep our covenants.
President Oaks spoke on two profound topics. First, the literal universal resurrection — mortal deficiencies are temporary, and this conviction changes our whole perspective of life. Second, in a "toxic" and hostile era, he called Christians to love their enemies as the Savior commanded. He shared a nurse who saw a despised patient as a child of God and called all disciples to be peacemakers.
Mortal deficiencies are only temporary!
Love even your enemies!
How it would change the world if followers of Christ would forgo harsh and hurtful words in all their communications!
President Christofferson used Peter's question — "What manner of persons ought ye to be?" — to explore Christlike character. He taught that character grows from the heart, not just behavior, and identified three motivating desires of Christ's heart: pure love (charity), desire to foster others' happiness, and desire to glorify the Father. He shared the story of a mother whose daughter died yet immediately turned outward to care for other mothers.
Christlike character grows out of a Christlike heart.
Character is revealed in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering.
The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be.
Elder Wong identified five "Remember, remember" verses in the Book of Mormon and organized his entire talk around them as divine reminders: (1) keep commandments for never-ending happiness; (2) disobedience cuts us off from God; (3) salvation only through Christ's atoning blood; (4) build on the rock of Christ; (5) we have agency to act wisely.
He would put His reminders in the Book of Mormon, just like our parents would.
We can only be saved through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
We will not fall if we build our foundation upon Jesus Christ.
Elder Hall centered his talk on Nephi's tender phrase "I glory in my Jesus" (2 Nephi 33:6), exploring what it means to have a personal, beloved relationship with the Savior rather than merely knowing His name. He named six roles of Christ in which he glories — Redeemer, Good Shepherd, Healer, Advocate, Lawgiver, and Deliverer — and invited all to find the names most meaningful to them.
"I glory in my Jesus."
Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of His great power, and of His mercy?
He is my Jesus and yours.
What names of Jesus Christ help you glory in Him? Perhaps Master? Counselor? Or Friend?
President Porter spoke directly to children, reminding them their spirits are much older than their earthly age and that they were born with gifts and a purpose. She used the story of the boy who gave Jesus five loaves and two fishes — he offered what he had without knowing how it would feed thousands. She invited children to say "Here am I, send me" and act on small impressions from the Spirit.
You were born with gifts. You have a purpose. And you have the ability to make a difference for good.
When you say "Here am I, send me," Heavenly Father can take something small and simple and make it great!
Elder Andersen spoke about the sealing power restored through Elijah and the centrality of eternal marriage. He shared the deeply moving story of a couple sealed in the temple whose wife developed severe depression and later cancer — the husband served her with incredible love for decades, holding to the promise that their trials were "but a small moment." Eternal marriage is not a short-term experiment but an eternal journey of becoming.
"For time and for all eternity."
Eternal marriage is an eternal journey.
As we increase our love for the Savior, our love for each other grows.
They did it together through the final day of her mortal journey.
Elder Cook noted this Easter Sunday was the 190th anniversary of the Kirtland Temple vision on Easter Sunday 1836. He gave rich historical explanation of Elijah's role — at the Transfiguration, in the Kirtland Temple — and the sealing keys he restored. He shared his experience visiting the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem with Elder Holland, testifying you don't need to be there physically to feel those sacred truths.
You do not need to physically visit Jerusalem to feel the same things that we felt that day.
Without these keys, there are no eternal families and the whole earth would be utterly wasted.
Elder Wakolo, who himself waited eight years before being baptized while his wife Anita faithfully kept her covenants, shared four stories of patient faith in part-member families from New Zealand, Australia, Utah, and Fiji. His central message: the gospel is not a wedge to divide families but a bridge to unite them eternally. To those waiting: do not give up.
"My only regret? I wish I had been baptized sooner."
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a wedge to divide families but a bridge to unite them, eternally.
God keeps His promises — but in His timing.
These stories are not about statistics. They are about souls.
Elder Gong wove together the Road to Emmaus narrative with the Conference's Solemn Assembly. He taught that the Emmaus story reveals a covenant pattern: Christ walks with us even when unrecognized, His words cause hearts to burn, and He opens our eyes through the breaking of bread (the sacrament). He promised the First Comforter (Holy Ghost) and Second Comforter (the Savior Himself). He closed: "No one should walk alone."
Though we did not recognize Him before, He has been walking with us all along.
No one sits alone, and no one should walk alone their road to Emmaus unseen.
Let us see and walk together in His love.
President Oaks offered brief closing remarks, summarizing the conference as two days of worship, learning, and uniting testimonies on Jesus Christ. He highlighted the themes of eternal marriage and families, the pure love of Christ, and ministering one by one. He invited all to study and ponder the conference messages prayerfully, promising that as we treasure and act upon them, the Lord will continue to teach us with personal revelation.
Jesus Christ is the way to peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
Look to God and live.