Though most Latter-day Saints identify as Republicans, no political party, platform or individual candidate represents all the church’s positions, Dallin H. Oaks said on the final day of the 191st Annual General Conference.
“We should never assert that a faithful Latter-day Saint cannot belong to a particular party or vote for a particular candidate,” said Oaks, first counselor in the governing First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “There are many political issues, and no party, platform or individual candidate can satisfy all personal preferences.”
Oaks also focused on the importance of the U.S. Constitution.
Twitter thread:
The @Ch_JesusChrist typically keeps political issues separate from church meetings, but today @OaksDallinH is dedicating his remarks to the U.S. Constitution.
"In these remarks I do not speak for any political party or other group. I speak for the United States Constitution.. pic.twitter.com/Oh1F88B3Ci
— Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) April 4, 2021
In his opening and closing remarks, President Russell M. Nelson acknowledged the pain and suffering of the global pandemic, praising the members’ “resilience and spiritual strength in the face of illness, loss and isolation.”
READ: Smithfield, Utah and 19 other future Latter-day Saint temples announced
Because it was Easter, Nelson celebrated faith in Jesus Christ and outlined ways to increase it.
No message “is more vital” to human happiness than the “healing, redeeming message of Jesus Christ,” the 96-year-old prophet-president said. “No other message is more filled with hope. No other message can eliminate contention in our society. Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all belief and the conduit of divine power.”
During the two-day, third straight all-virtual General Conference, speakers explored a range of spiritual and religious topics — with Christ being at the center of Sunday’s Easter sessions.
On Sunday morning, the conference highlighted international participants in the 16.6 million-member church with speakers from all parts of the globe, either in person or in taped videos. Choirs of young and old Latter-day Saints from a number of nations also sang hymns in prerecorded performances.
The blessings of the gospel “are for every race, language and people,” Nelson said. “The Church of Jesus Christ is a global church. Jesus Christ is our leader.”
Apostles denounced cyberbullying, racism and violence against people of color. They also urged members to embrace the “unmarried, widowed or divorced” in the family-focused faith.
READ: Latter-day Saint leaders decry abortion, racism in General Conference day 1
On Saturday, the church named three women — Camille N. Johnson, Susan H. Porter and Amy Wright — to oversee the children’s Primary. However, the gathering featured the fewest female speakers (two) in recent history. And only one woman offered a prayer.
Click here to read the full recap from The Salt Lake Tribune, a content-sharing partner with FOX 13 News.
Summaries, videos and full talks can also be found on the church's website.
