What Elder Stevenson Said at October 2024 General Conference – Church News

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Sunday morning session of the October 2024 general conference about the days that will never be forgotten in the coming decade of Church history. The following is a summary of what he said.

Summary of Elder Stevenson's talk

The events over the next decade will provide “extraordinary opportunities to serve, unite with members and friends, and introduce The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to more people than ever before.”

There will be an unprecedented number of open houses and temple dedications. “Imagine tens of millions of you and your friends walking through a house of the Lord.”

The year 2030 will provide opportunities to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Church. This will allow people to “come and see.”

People will flood Salt Lake City for the 2034 Winter Olympics. The eyes of the world will be on the Church and its members who volunteer and serve.

Teens and young adults will be empowered in the next decade as they fulfill four God-ordained roles:

1. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Take care of those in need.
3. Invite everyone to accept the gospel.
4. Unite families for eternity.

“You will discover and experience bountiful heavenly blessings and receive a testimony that God hears you, knows you, and loves you. You will experience unforgettable days.”

Notable quotes

“These upcoming moments will provide Church members around the world with increased opportunities to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed – a decade that will never be forgotten.”

“This message of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important message on earth.”

“As we begin this coming decade of unprecedented moments, may we share the good news through the simple activities of living, caring, inviting and uniting.”

Who is Elder Stevenson?

• Elder Gary E. Stevenson was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. He has been presiding bishop since 2012.
• Elder Stevenson lived in Japan for more than nine years, first as a missionary in the Japan Fukuoka Mission, then as president of the Japan Nagoya Mission from 2004 to 2007, and as area president of the Church's Asia North Area from 2008 to 2012. In 2016 He joined President Russell M. Nelson in dedicating the Sapporo Japan Temple and later accompanied President Henry B. Eyring in the rededication of the Tokyo Japan Temple in 2022.
• He met his wife, Sister Lesa Jean Higley Stevenson, at Utah State University. The couple were married on August 20, 1979 in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple and are the parents of four sons.

What has Elder Stevenson been doing lately?

• At the April 2024 general conference, Elder Stevenson encouraged members to build a bridge between the two great commandments, just as two towers of a bridge rely on each other for support.
• During the Ensign College Commencement in April, Elder Stevenson shared four metaphorical flags or ensigns that graduates can raise as they continue their education or begin their professional careers.
• Inspired by the spirit of Filipino youth, Elder Stevenson invited youth to become disciples of Jesus Christ during a cultural celebration in May 2024 in Manila, Philippines.
• In August 2024, Elder Stevenson spoke via radio to young adults in Idaho, Illinois, and Canada; He invited listeners to be peacemakers and build bridges of understanding.
• In his talk, Elder Stevenson mentioned a boy named Evan who participated in a JustServe project and donated jelly. Read this story here on Church News.
• Elder Stevenson spoke about a youth group of over 600 youth from Scotland and Ireland who traveled to the Preston England Temple. Read this story here on Church News.

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