Summaries and videos of selected presentations shared during the leadership sessions of the October 2023 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are now available on the Gospel Library app.

Notification of the new resources was communicated in an Oct. 27 letter distributed to general authorities and general officers; Area Seventies; stake, district and mission presidents; bishops; and branch presidents. The letter was signed by President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Ballard’s letter encouraged stake and ward leaders to review and discuss the materials in stake and ward councils.

“The inspired instruction shared in these materials will provide an important focus for us in the coming months, helping us to move the work of the Lord forward,” President Ballard wrote.

The following are highlights from the October 2023 general conference leadership meeting.

The joy of the Sunday Church experience

A message on the joy of the Sunday Church experience —“The Joy of the Saints, Sunk Deep into My Heart (Enos 1:3)” — featured instruction from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Patrick Kearon, of the Presidency of the Seventy; and Sister Andrea M. Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency.

“Our objective is to enhance the joy of the Sunday Church experience of the Saints by helping them feel the love of the Savior,” Elder Christofferson said.

Latter-day Saints demonstrate ministering in a video from the Church’s October 2023 General Conference leadership meeting.

Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church leaders taught that “worshipping God in an atmosphere of friendship and joyful reverence through Christ-centered messages, prayers and music” helps people feel the Savior’s love and reminds members of the real reason for attending worship services each Sunday.

Members can also learn to listen and communicate with joy. “It is not just what we say. It is how we are — how we nonverbally communicate, convey joy and listen. There is a wide range of personalities and backgrounds among our stake and ward leaders. Each leader, in his or her own way, can convey Christlike love, strength, and joy.”

Ministering with greater love

“Ministering with Greater Love — Demonstrating How Ministering Can Increase Members’ Feelings of Belonging” featured instruction from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve, Primary General President Susan H. Porter and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman.

The Church leaders taught that “ministering work is missionary work.” Latter-day Saints should view Sunday meetings as an opportunity to minister to others. Children and youth will feel they belong as they help others to do the same.

“Sunday meetings can be an opportunity for the rising generation to lead out in loving, sharing and inviting,” they taught. “Children and youth can pray, sing and give talks. Involvement in this work will prepare the rising generation for missions and for a lifetime of service to the Lord.”

As Latter-day Saints look forward to the new hymnbook appearing online in 2024 and in print in 2026, they can consider using music in ministering. “When we join our voices in praise of our beloved Savior, we feel the unity and belonging that are at the heart of ministering.”

A missionary shakes hands with a man in a video from the Church’s October 2023 General Conference leadership meeting.

Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Showing how to help

“Showing How to Help Friends, New Converts and Returning Members Feel Welcomed and Loved” featured instruction from Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, both members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

The two Apostles provided several key points for helping leaders and members to help friends, new converts and returning members feel welcomed and loved.

“We look to the Savior Jesus Christ as the perfect example of inviting and welcoming all to come unto Him.

“Leaders and members work together to help friends, new converts and returning members know that they ‘are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God’ (Ephesians 2:19).

“Leaders set the example and show how to be welcoming as they warmly engage with individuals: smiling, listening, expressing gratitude, and offering fellowship. They create an environment of reverence to help others have a spiritual experience as they participate in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament.

“Ward councils should regularly discuss ways to welcome and strengthen friends, new converts and returning members (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23.5.5).”

Partaking of the sacrament

“Reverence, Joy and Power in Partaking of the Sacrament” featured instruction from Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve.

In his remarks, Elder Andersen cited scriptures in Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 18:11 and 3 Nephi 20:8) and Doctrine and Covenants (52:14), and quoted from a 2003 address by President Russell M. Nelson titled, “Worshipping at Sacrament Meeting.”

“We teach the ideal before considering the exception,” Elder Andersen said. “The Lord said, ‘I will give you a pattern in all things.’”

A Latter-day Saint gives a friend a tour of the meetinghouse in a new video.

Screenshot from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Meetinghouses

“How Meetinghouses Can Be More Inviting and Christ-Centered” featured instruction from the Presiding Bishopric — Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell and Bishop L. Todd Budge.

The Presiding Bishopric members taught that meetinghouses provide opportunities for receiving ordinances, teaching and ministering one to another and welcoming friends. 

While meetinghouses serve multiple functions, there should be an ongoing effort to make them more Christ-centered and inviting. They suggested three ideas:

1. Adapting to local culture and environment.
2. Choosing meetinghouse art that is Christ-centered and inclusive.
3. Incorporating policy adjustments in the General Handbook for use of meetinghouses outside of Sunday meetings.

“We are considering opportunities to improve the focus on the Savior and ordinances and provide a more joyful experience for members and friends,” the Presiding Bishopric said.

Worship at home and church

“‘Ye Shall Have Joy with Me’ (Jacob 5:75) — The Connection between Worship at Home and Church” featured instruction from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Elder Bednar taught: “The principal purposes of both sacred time and holy places are identical: to repeatedly focus our attention upon our Heavenly Father and His plan, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the edifying power of the Holy Ghost, and the promises associated with the sacred covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel.

“Our ongoing Sabbath, temple and home experiences can fortify us with the power of the Holy Ghost, with an ongoing and stronger covenant connection to the Father and the Son and with ‘a perfect brightness of hope’ (2 Nephi 31:20) in God’s eternal promises.

“Our homes should be the ultimate combination of both sacred time and holy place wherein individuals and families can learn and remember that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, Jesus Christ is our Savior, and enduring joy is found in the Lord.”

2 instructional videos

The leadership instruction also includes two instructional videos:

1. Weekly Coordination Meeting provides ideas and examples for helping people feel welcome and that they belong at church and activities.
2. “Welcoming and Loving New and Returning Members” offers ideas discussed by ward and youth leaders on how to help people feel welcome.