Speaking on behalf of the global membership of the Church, the leaders shared these sentiments:

“Our hearts go out to Pope Leo XIV as he navigates this difficult season of physical trial. We offer our most sincere prayers that he will be granted profound comfort, enduring strength, and a complete recovery. Standing alongside believers across the globe, we pray that heaven will sustain him, and that he will draw comfort from the healing grace and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

This message underscores a continuing spirit of goodwill and unity among diverse global faith communities as they lift up leaders laboring in the service of God’s children.

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“We need to talk.”

I stared at the screen for a long time before I finally hit send. That text was for my boyfriend of two years, and sending it took every ounce of courage I had. It came right after a General Conference talk—one that answered the exact question I had been too terrified to ask out loud.

Have you ever had that feeling where you know in your gut what you need to do, but you’re just waiting on God to give you the strength to actually go through with it?

That’s pretty much how I’d sum up my story, and how one conference session completely changed the direction of my life.

Growing up in the Church, I thought I had the whole picture mapped out: finish school, graduate, meet a returned missionary, get married in the temple, and start a family. Simple, right?

But life rarely goes point-by-point the way we plan it.

Along the way, I met Mark. He was kind, intelligent, and treated me with genuine respect. We clicked on almost everything. We saw eye-to-eye on life, our goals, and how we treated each other… except for one crucial thing: our faith.

Mark wasn’t a member of the Church. Still, he was always so gracious. He’d listen patiently whenever I talked about my life as a Latter-day Saint and how much being married in the temple meant to me. In the beginning, he’d nod along and seem genuinely interested. But as we got closer to our one-year mark, I noticed that bringing up the temple started making him quiet. He’d sink into deep thought, and the silence began to feel heavy.

I’ve never been the type to push my beliefs on anyone, and Mark never pushed his on me. We had this unspoken rule of mutual kindness and respect. But despite how happy we were day-to-day, a quiet voice in my heart kept nagging at me. It whispered that maybe, this wasn’t what was meant for my future. The vision of an eternal marriage had lived in my heart for as long as I could remember, and the reality I was living in just didn’t line up with it.

One day, I decided to take a small step. “Hey,” I asked, “would you want to meet with the missionaries with me?”

He’d always been so willing to listen to me talk, so I thought maybe he’d be open to hearing more. I still remember his reaction. He just gave me a gentle smile and politely said no. Because we respected each other so much, I didn’t push. I accepted it.

But that night, I couldn’t shake the sadness. I sat in my bedroom, looking around at the pictures of the temple on my walls. The yearning in my heart to make those covenants and build an eternal family felt heavier than ever.

I stayed up for hours wrestling with the Lord in prayer. I basically made an argument in Mark’s defense: I listed all his good qualities, all the reasons he was an incredible partner, and why he’d make a wonderful husband. But the impression that came back was clear and unmistakable: Mark is a good man. But he cannot bring you to the temple.

I felt a strong prompting that night to be completely honest with him about where I stood. But I was so scared. He loved me, and I didn’t want to hurt him.

Trying to hold onto any shred of hope, I brought it up one evening over dinner. “What do you really think about my dream of marrying in the temple?”

He paused, looked down with a sigh, and said, “I don’t think I’m ready for that conversation.”

That broke my heart. It was the confirmation of what the Spirit had already been telling me, but the fear of letting go was paralyzing. What if I never met someone as good as Mark again? What if I walked away from this and spent the rest of my life regretting it?

That exact same week was the April 2010 General Conference.

I tuned into the Saturday session carrying all of that anxiety, with only one prayer in my heart: Lord, what should I do about Mark?

I listened to talks about faith and putting your trust in God, which brought some comfort. But then Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave his talk, “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul.” In the middle of it, he said a line that stopped me cold:

“If an improper relationship is forming, sever it.”

Now, Mark and I didn’t have an improper relationship in the moral sense. He was honorable, and we treated each other well. But hearing those words felt like a lightning bolt straight to my heart. I knew, right then, that holding onto a relationship that couldn’t lead me to sacred covenants wasn’t right for me. It was the clear, direct answer I had pleaded for.

As soon as the session ended, I called Mark and told him we needed to talk.

When we sat down, I laid everything out. I was honest with him about my goals, and I told him it wasn’t fair to either of us to keep spending time building a relationship when our destinations were so completely different.

Mark, being the good man he was, completely understood. He admitted he’d been doing a lot of thinking about what I’d shared about having an eternal family, and he knew he just wasn’t on that page.

We broke up that day. People call that a “good breakup,” but “good” doesn’t mean painless. For weeks, I carried the quiet ache of missing someone I truly cared about. The only real comfort I had was knowing that Heavenly Father was the one holding me up and giving me the strength to follow through.

A few years later, life looked completely different. Mark moved on, married, and started a beautiful family of his own—and we’ve stayed friends. And three years after that painful decision, I found myself kneeling across the altar in the Philippines Manila Temple, sealed for time and all eternity to an incredible, loving man who shares my faith and walks that path with me.

Looking back now, I knew it was Heavenly Father who gave me the answer. He knew that I would have a hard time letting go. In my simple, mortal perspective, letting go was hard. In His plan, it was necessary. And that answer was beautifully given through a General Conference talk, 

My 22-year-old self had no idea how the pieces were going to fall into place. I couldn’t see past the heartache of that Saturday afternoon. But the Lord could. And I will always be grateful that He loved me enough to give me a clear answer through a General Conference talk—and the courage to trust it.

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A new six-episode video series titled “Dedicate” has officially premiered. This series offers a fresh look at temple worship and helping the rising generation prepare for the historic 2027 opening of the Salt Lake Temple.

Created for young adults, the series explores how Jesus Christ and temple covenants influence daily life, purpose, and a sense of belonging. It features diverse participants—including recent converts Bella and Sora—alongside counsel from prominent Church leaders such as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder Neil L. Andersen, and Elder Patrick Kearon.

The series premiered on October 4, 2026, coinciding with the October General Conference weekend, and is now available on the Church’s official YouTube channel. The first five episodes will roll out through October, culminating in a special sixth and final episode filmed in December, which will feature participants walking through the newly renovated Salt Lake Temple to give viewers an exclusive early look inside before the public open house.

The newsroom announced that the upcoming video content will feature audio support in ten languages, including Cantonese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Historic Salt Lake Temple Open House (2027)

The series precedes a landmark event at Temple Square. Following extensive seismic and structural renovations that began in late 2019, the Salt Lake Temple will host a public open house from April 5 through October 1, 2027. This marks only the second time in history the temple’s interior has been open to the general public, following its 1893 dedication.

Celebrations will include global virtual experiences, exhibits, a new music album, and upcoming companion films like Unshaken and Beacons of Light.

Ticketing Information

• Reservations: Open house ticket reservations launched on September 1, 2026, with the first round reaching 1 million reservations in under 24 hours.
• Additional Releases: Because demand is high, tickets are being released in stages. Visitors can check availability and book tours at TempleSquare.org.
• Access: While reservations are required for interior tours, many Temple Square exhibits and activities will be open to the public without a reservation.

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A Sanctuary Open to All

In honor of the upcoming 196th Semiannual General Conference on October 3–4, 2026, the historic Temple Square—stretching from State Street to West Temple—is fully open to the public. Visitors are invited to wander the beautifully restored grounds, take in the tranquil landscapes, and experience the profound peace of the area.

Adding to the sacred beauty of the grounds, new art has recently found a home among the gardens. The newly installed Jesus Christ With Mary and Martha statue joined the landscape on September 15, bringing the total to 11 new statues gracing Temple Square, with one final piece—Jesus Christ Blessing the Children—scheduled to arrive soon.

Gathering for General Conference

The upcoming weekend brings the global faith community together for inspiration, guidance, and divine comfort. The First Presidency warmly invites all to watch or attend the October sessions.

• Global Messages: Church leaders will share uplifting, inspired teachings centered on Jesus Christ.
• Sacred Music: Enjoy beautiful performances by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, alongside a special regional choir.
• Attendance Details: While tickets are required for seating inside the Conference Center, a standby line will be available outside the Tabernacle for overflow seating and potential open seats.

Looking Ahead: The Salt Lake Temple Celebration

Even as we celebrate the current reopening, preparations are well underway for the historic Salt Lake Temple Celebration, spanning from April 5 through October 1, 2027. This six-month open house invites everyone to “Rejoice in Christ,” exploring His life, teachings, and central role in God’s eternal plan.

For those hoping to tour the temple during the celebration, reservations are rolling out in batches. The next wave of tickets becomes available at 6:00 PM MDT on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

As President Dieter F. Uchtdorf beautifully shared, the Church carries a universal message of hope in Jesus Christ—a message that invites every seeker of peace to draw closer to the Savior. Whether you plan to walk the open grounds this weekend or tune into the conference from afar, may this season bring renewal and light to your heart.

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This unprecedented milestone is anchored by another historic first: more than 30,000 young women are currently in the field, marking the largest gathering of sister missionaries in Church history. Across more than 500 missions worldwide, these young ambassadors are dedicating their daily lives to teaching the gospel, lifting local communities, and extending the Savior’s invitation to “come unto Christ.”

The Surge of a Willing Generation

The rapid expansion of the sister missionary force follows the November 2025 policy adjustment allowing young women to begin their full-time service at age 18 upon completing high school or its equivalent. As the initial wave of these young women entered the field earlier this year, service numbers climbed sharply—most notably across the United States.

Addressing incoming mission leaders in June, President Dallin H. Oaks pointed to this season as a defining chapter in the work:

“Missionary work is soaring to new heights. We are currently being reinforced by the first wave of 18-year-old sisters beginning their service.”

At that gathering, the worldwide force stood at just over 87,000. President Oaks anticipated that a new all-time high was imminent—a threshold that has now officially been crossed.

Deepening Roots: Seminary, Institute, and Youth Engagement

The expansion in missionary service mirrors a broader spiritual momentum taking place among youth and young adults:

• Record-Breaking Enrollment: A combined total of more than 1.09 million students are currently participating in Seminary and Institute of Religion classes worldwide.
• Institute Expansion: Over the past two years, institute programs have added over 100,000 young adults, bringing current enrollment past 450,000.
• Consistent Youth Activity: Over the last decade, sustained data reveals rising levels of active engagement across children, youth, and young adult demographics.

These programs offer more than academic study; they serve as gathering places where youth build foundational faith, anchor themselves in the scriptures, and form lasting bonds centered on discipleship.

A Worldwide Harvest of Faith

The surge in missionaries aligns with steady international growth across the global membership, which reached 17,887,212 in 2025 following the addition of more than 900,000 converts over the prior three-year window.

During the first half of 2025 alone, convert baptisms rose by over 20 percent across Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, accompanied by a 17 percent increase in North America.

For leadership, these figures carry meaning far beyond statistics. They point to personal turning points—individuals and families discovering real purpose, resilience, and belonging through the message of the restored gospel.

As President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, observed:

“The growth of the Church will accelerate when they find the gospel of Jesus Christ presented by missionaries. They see hope.”

President Oaks affirmed that the enduring appeal of the message lies in its transformative power in everyday life:

“It’s a gospel of happiness and growth and information about the purpose of life. People who subscribe to its doctrine find that it makes their life more happy, more significant, more resistant to the difficulties we all experience in mortal life, and more able to serve their fellow men and to raise their children.”

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The initiative was powered by 60 Church volunteers who dedicated 240 hours to repack essentials, led by Lubao Philippines Stake President Ivan Anthony Hirro and local bishops. Bishop Brian Santiago emphasized that the drive aimed to extend God’s love to His children, made possible through close coordination with local government units to ensure aid reached those most in need.

Barangay Captain Soledad Miguel and local residents voiced deep gratitude for the timely support. Former Philippine President and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also commended the effort, observing that humanitarian work among Latter-day Saints is an expression of true discipleship rather than an occasional gesture.

Stemming from a Deed of Donation formalized on September 10, the outreach continues at the Lubao Stake Center, where Representative Arroyo and Church leaders will distribute the remaining packs across three severely impacted municipalities.

Read the full report here.

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A significant portion of the focus centers on Pakistan, which faces some of the highest infant mortality rates globally. Through a $1.2 million contribution, the initiative will directly assist over 410,000 local mothers and newborns by upgrading clinics with critical medical gear, enhancing digital healthcare tracking, and training frontline medical teams to handle complicated deliveries and emergency obstetric conditions.

By working alongside regional governments, the program focuses on long-term healthcare infrastructure rather than temporary relief. This alliance deepens an ongoing relationship between the two organizations, following previous investments in childhood development facilities across Pakistan and major global nutrition initiatives. Together, the partners strive to bridge critical medical supply gaps, protect vulnerable families during childbirth, and ensure more children survive their fragile first months of life.

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Their Mission at the MTC Rather than directing missionaries in the field, Brother and Sister Pajaro will oversee the foundational spiritual, doctrinal, and practical preparation of thousands of young elders and sisters before they scatter across Asia and beyond. Their daily focus will center on:

• Teaching doctrine, deepening testimony, and helping new arrivals transition into consecrated missionary living.
• Overseeing instruction in multiple languages (including English and various regional dialects) and mastering Preach My Gospel teaching principles.
• Mentoring young adults through the emotional, physical, and cultural adjustments of full-time missionary life.
• Directing MTC staff, teachers, ecclesiastical leaders, and operations across the Quezon City campus.

The Pajaros, from the Springville Ward (Las Piñas Philippines Stake), bring a lifetime of tailored ecclesiastical experience to this assignment. Having previously served as mission president and companion in the Philippines Cebu Mission—combined with Brother Pajaro’s past service as a counselor in an MTC presidency and an Area Seventy—they are intimately familiar with both the rigors of field service and the distinct environment of missionary training.

Their background in welfare, self-reliance, and humanitarian service, paired with Sister Pajaro’s extensive leadership in stake and ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations, positions them to offer both practical mentorship and nurturing guidance to incoming missionaries.

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One of the most frequently asked—and often misunderstood—topics is the practice of plural marriage among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 19th century. When the subject arises, does it make you uncomfortable? If so, you are not alone. Too often, conversations about plural marriage lean toward defensiveness or quiet discomfort, as if we are trying to apologize for our history rather than seeking to understand the hand of God within it.

A Commandment Born from Obedience, Not Convenience

Plural marriage was never an easy lifestyle, nor was it instituted for worldly license or self-serving motives. In the Book of Mormon, the Lord declares the foundational standard of marriage—one man and one woman—while revealing the exception: “For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things” (Jacob 2:30).

Just as the Lord commanded biblical prophets like Abraham, Jacob, and Moses at specific times, He restored this commandment through the Prophet Joseph Smith to accomplish vital work in the latter days. Plural marriage was strictly regulated; individuals entered it by invitation, and women retained the freedom to choose whether or not to participate.

As outlined in church history and the Gospel Topics Essays, God instituted plural marriage to achieve profound purposes:

• Raising up a righteous posterity: Multiplying the number of children born into gospel covenants, establishing a spiritual foundation for generations.
• Providing covenant blessings for all: Ensuring that worthy women had the opportunity to be sealed into eternal families.
• Fostering equality and unity: Reducing per-capita wealth disparity, integrating diverse backgrounds through intercultural marriages, and forging an unbreakable sense of community among a persecuted people.
• A refining trial of faith: Sanctifying the early Saints through sacrifice, humility, and absolute reliance on the Savior.

Faith Amid Deep Adversity

Accepting plural marriage cut across cultural norms, personal comfort, and legal standards. Yet early Saints embraced it with courageous conviction.

Consider Helen Mar Kimball, who is often cited by critics looking at her young age when sealed to Joseph Smith. Rather than viewing herself as a victim, Helen wrote a pamphlet titled Why We Practice Plural Marriage to show the folly of those who treated it as an unclean thing. She spent her days testifying of the principle, enduring intense social and legal persecution—including an era where Saints were imprisoned for their obedience. Her voice reminds us that those who actually lived the principle saw God’s divine purpose in it.

Consider also where the kingdom of God would be today without their sacrifice. While speculative, it is difficult to imagine the Church reaching over 17 million members, hundreds of operating temples extending ordinances across the veil, and tens of thousands of full-time missionaries without the dedicated families raised up during that pioneer era. Their obedience helped build the bedrock of the restored gospel.

The Ending of the Practice and the Heart of the Family

Toward the end of the 19th century, mounting legal opposition brought severe hardship upon church members. In 1890, following direct revelation received by President Wilford Woodruff, the Church issued the Manifesto, officially ending the practice of plural marriage.

For well over a century, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has strictly prohibited polygamy. Any splinter groups that continue the practice today have no affiliation with the Church.

Today, the Church’s focus remains anchored on strengthening marriages between one man and one woman and nurturing strong homes. Through every season, the core doctrine remains unchanged: the supreme importance of the eternal family in Heavenly Father’s plan.

Living this difficult commandment brought genuine heartache and sacrifice, but it was not an error on God’s part. While we may not understand every nuance until all truth is revealed, we can look back with gratitude rather than embarrassment—trusting that God directed His work, sanctified His people, and laid an enduring foundation for His kingdom.

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In an official letter released on September 3, Church leadership underscored the heart of the event:

“General conference provides an opportunity to receive personal revelation as Church leaders offer counsel and direction from the Lord. We encourage all to listen to, study, ponder, and apply the counsel given.”

Broadcast Schedule & Streaming Details

The conference consists of four general sessions spread across the two days, originating live from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah:

• Saturday, October 3: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM MDT
• Sunday, October 4: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM MDT

The live feed will be streamed worldwide in more than 80 languages through ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the Gospel Library app, and the official Church YouTube channel, alongside various satellite and digital outlets.

Making the Most of the Experience

To get the most out of the weekend, members and listeners are encouraged to approach the sessions with specific, personal questions in mind. The talks delivered by modern prophets and apostles serve as an avenue to find clarity, comfort, and direction.

Following the live weekend broadcast:

• Full text, audio recordings, and on-demand video will be published across digital channels for ongoing study.
• Members interested in attending in person can coordinate with local leadership for ticketing. Those outside the United States and Canada should direct requests through their stake or district presidency.

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