Just two days prior to the October 2023 general conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson shared Sept. 28 on his social media channels that he would not be in attendance due to a recent back injury.

After expressing his hope to be able to record his message, the Prophet encouraged individuals to approach the “sacred event with hearts full of gratitude for the privilege of hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by His servants,” he wrote. “May this general conference be a time of joy and spiritual rejuvenation for you. I know that it will be for me!”

In a pre-recorded message aired at the conclusion of the two-day conference on Oct. 1, President Nelson invited listeners to “think celestial.”

He said, “When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view — an eternal view. Put Jesus Christ first, because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement.” 

He also announced 20 new temple locations throughout the world and invited Latter-day Saints to spend more time in the house of the Lord. “Your service and worship in the temple will help you to think celestial. The temple is a place of revelation.”

Other invitations were offered to members of the Church by his counselors and 11 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was excused from participating as he recovers from recent health challenges.) Below is a summary of some of their invitations and promises offered in messages Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Attendees arrive for the Sunday afternoon session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Think celestial

“When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial. When tested by temptation, think celestial. When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial. When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial. As you recover from an accident or injury, as I am doing now, think celestial. ... As you think celestial, your faith will increase.”

— President Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial”

Become converted

“The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and commandments were given that we may all attain ‘the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.’ That process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough to be convinced of the gospel; we must act so that we are converted by it. In contrast to other preaching, which teaches us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.”

— President Dallin H. Oaks, “Kingdoms of Glory”

Qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost

“If you find yourself having difficulty in feeling the Holy Ghost, you might ponder whether there is anything for which you might repent and receive forgiveness. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus more nearly qualify for that constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.”

— President Henry B. Eyring, “Our Constant Companion”

Strive to be more like Him

“May we have the Spirit of the Lord well up in our hearts, and may our love for the gospel of Jesus Christ — our beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ — increase as we strive to serve Him and keep His commandments and be more like Him as a result of our attending general conference.”

— President M. Russell Ballard, “The Prophet Joseph Smith”

President M. Russell Ballard and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf talk prior to the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Learn from the prodigal son

“It is my prayer that each one of us may hear, in this profound parable, the Father’s voice calling us to enter the road that leads home — that we may have the courage to repent, receive forgiveness and follow the path that leads back to our compassionate and merciful God.”

— Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home”

Serve and grow faithfully and quietly

Helaman was not as noticeable as Moroni but was just as serviceable. President Howard W. Hunter counseled, “If you feel that much of what you do this year or in the years to come does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.”

— Elder David A. Bednar, “In the Path of Their Duty”

Be joyful

“Lives full of praise, music and thanksgiving are uniquely blessed. Being joyful and relying on heavenly help through prayer is a powerful way to be peaceable followers of Christ. Striving always to be of good cheer helps avoid being cast down in spirit.”

— Elder Quentin L. Cook, “Be Peaceable Followers of Christ”

Seek the ‘supernal power’ of the sealing ordinance

“[The sealing ordinance] is the ultimate step in gathering the covenant people. It is the highest privilege of your membership in the Church of Jesus Christ. I promise that as you faithfully seek that privilege, in time or eternity it will surely be yours.”

— Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Sealing Power”

Conferencegoers walk past a painting during the Saturday afternoon session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Be honest in tithes

“The world speaks of tithing in terms of our money, but the sacred law of tithing is principally a matter of our faith. Being honest in our tithes is one way we show our willingness to put the Lord first in our lives, above our own cares and interest. I promise you that as you trust in the Lord, the blessings of heaven will follow.”

— Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven”

Serve as a missionary

“As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to serve as a missionary in the gathering of Israel and perhaps even serve again. We need you — we need you. We are grateful to you seniors for the lives you have led and the examples you have been in your homes, wards, and stakes. I now invite you to take your know-how, coupled with your time-honored testimonies, and go on a mission. I pray that the next time I sit down to assign senior couples, there will be hundreds of you waiting anxiously for your call.”

— Elder Ronald A. Rasband, “How Great Will Be Your Joy”

An important reminder

“Many of you start your day by standing in front of a mirror. Tomorrow, this week, this year, always, pause as you look at yourself in the mirror. Think to yourself, or say aloud if you like, ‘Wow, look at me! I am awesome. I am a child of God. He knows me. He loves me. I am gifted — gifted with the Holy Ghost as my constant companion.’”

— Elder Gary E. Stevenson, “Promptings of the Spirit”

Attendees pick up up translation equipment during the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the conference center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Focus on Jesus Christ

“Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to remember and always focus on Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and Redeemer, the ‘mark’ to whom we should look, and our greatest treasure. As you come to Him, you will be rewarded with strength to face life’s challenges, courage to do what is right and the ability to fulfill your mission in mortality. Treasure the opportunity to repent, the privilege of partaking of the sacrament, the blessing of making and keeping temple covenants, the delight of worshipping in the temple, and the joy of having a living prophet.”

— Elder Dale G. Renlund, “Jesus Christ is the Treasure”

Say ‘yes’ to serving

“I promise that love is spoken here, there, and everywhere as we answer yes to Church leaders to serve the Lord in His Church by His Spirit and our covenants.”

— Elder Gerrit W. Gong, “Love is Spoken Here”

Walk together peaceably

“As sons and daughters of the covenant, we can help to eliminate this kind of behavior by looking at the apparent differences that exist between us with the Savior’s eyes and based on what we have in common — our divine identity and kinship. Moreover, we can strive to see ourselves reflected in the dreams, hopes, sorrows and pains of our neighbor. We are all fellow travelers as God’s children, equal in our imperfect state and in our ability to grow. We are invited to walk together, peaceably, with our hearts filled with love toward God and all men — or, as Abraham Lincoln noted, ‘with malice toward none; with charity for all.’”

— Elder Ulisses Soares, “Brothers and Sisters in Christ”