Stokes Sounds Off: Report on the Concluding Session of General Conference

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Sunday, October 1, 2017

Report on the Concluding Session of General Conference

Hello again, everyone! 3 hours after the final session of General Conference ended, I am here to post my report of that session. As previously noted, President Eyring conducted and, as such, mentioned Elder Hales's passing and offered an expression of love for his family (and mentioned that President Nelson was with him at the time of his passing; we learned during the same session that President Nelson had, in response to a prompting, rushed from the Sunday Morning Session to Elder Hales's bedside and that's how he managed to be there at the time Elder Hales passed away). President Eyring also mentioned that President Monson, under whose direction General Conference had been conducted, was watching at home.

The invocation was given by Elder Joseph W. Sitati, who was sustained in April 2009, making him the last GA Seventy sustained in that General Conference to give a prayer in this one. The benediction was offered by Elder Evan A. Schmutz, sustained in April 2016.

Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke first, having not spoken in the Sunday Afternoon Session since October 2014. He was followed by Sunday School General President Tad R. Callister. Then Elder Joni L. Koch, who was sustained last April, spoke, followed by Elder Stanley G. Ellis, who was granted emeritus status in this conference. Then we heard from another GA Seventy sustained last April, Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella. Then we heard from Elders Ian S. Ardern and Jose L. Alonso, both of whom gave their second addresses since being sustained as General Authorities in April 2011. Elder Neil L. Andersen closed out the conference by talking about the importance of general conference messages, and quoting President Monson from April conference, and addresses given during this conference by Presidents Eyring, Uchtdorf & Nelson, Elders Oaks & Ballard, and the previously mentioned paragraph from the address Elder Hales would have given had he been able to attend this General Conference.

With this report on the Sunday Afternoon Session, that completes my reports on the sessions of the October 2017 General Conference. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord continue to bless each of us in all that we do.

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