What Happened at the 196th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Over four sessions this weekend, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke about everything from gambling and missionary work to temples, political differences and staying close to Jesus Christ. President Dallin H. Oaks spoke twice Sunday. In the morning, he addressed people dealing with questions and doubts and urged them to draw closer to Jesus Christ through faith, prayer and scripture study. He also pointed to the Book of Mormon as a witness of Christ and called on listeners to act on its teachings and share them. Saturday morning brought one of the conference’s more pointed subjects. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, warned about the spread of gambling, particularly through smartphones and among youth and young adults. “Gambling is morally wrong,” he said, urging members to put their time and money toward productive work and doing good instead. Temples and missionary work were also prominent. Elder Gerrit W. Gong noted that 21 temples will be dedicated and one rededicated during 2026 while emphasizing the ordinances and covenants associated with temple worship. Bishop Sean Douglas urged the rising generation to prioritize missionary service, while Elder Ulisses Soares spoke about fasting as an act of worship that can deepen faith and humility. Saturday afternoon focused on how Jesus Christ can help people through grief, weakness and uncertainty. Elder Ronald A. Rasband urged members not to give up on people who have stepped away from the covenant path. Elder Dale G. Renlund warned against letting immediate frustrations obscure an eternal perspective, while Elder Patrick Kearon used the “lift” that keeps a glider in the air as an image for the Savior’s power to sustain His followers. That emphasis carried into Sunday morning. President Henry B. Eyring spoke about helping the Savior comfort people in their trials. Elder Neil L. Andersen addressed the courage required to follow Christ, while Elder Quentin L. Cook said discipleship should show up in lives of integrity and virtue. Other speakers talked about service, covenants, belonging and becoming more like Jesus Christ. Politics came up Sunday afternoon, although not as a partisan message. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said political views, culture and personal interests are not what unite Church members. He said unity comes from love of God and neighbor and covenants with Jesus Christ. Elder Clark G. Gilbert made a related point: “Being a light opens more doors than any pointed argument ever will.” President Oaks returned at the end of the final session. After speaking about centering worship and learning on Jesus Christ, he invited people around the world to participate in next year’s Salt Lake Temple Celebration. The renovated temple will open to the public April 5, 2027, for the first time since 1893. The celebration runs through Oct. 1. The Church also launched “Dedicate,” a six-part video series following seven young adults from seven countries as they explore the Salt Lake Temple and questions of faith and purpose. Four more episodes are scheduled weekly through Nov. 1, with the final episode coming in spring 2027. A virtual tour of the temple is also planned. By the time Oaks closed conference, the subject he returned to was the one that had run through much of the weekend. Whatever the individual topic, speakers repeatedly brought their messages back to Jesus Christ, with Oaks ending by inviting the public to see the Salt Lake Temple when its doors open next spring.