General Conference Announcements from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gathered to hear the leaders of the Church speak and share counsel, including the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, at the recent General Conference held on October 5th-6th, 2019.

          President Nelson announced plans to build eight new temples throughout the world. During the Saturday evening session of the Women’s Conference, President Nelson announced, for the first time, 8 new temples to be built.

President Nelson’s announcement brings the total number of  functioning temples to 166 and temples announced or under construction to 51 with a total of 217 worldwide.

One member of the Church, commented saying, “How wonderful it was to have heard the announcement of the 8 new temples at the women’s session of conference!”

The new temples will be in the following locations:

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Orem, Utah

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea,

Bentonville, Arkansas

Bacolod, Philippines

McAllen, Texas

Cobán, Guatemala

Taylorsville, Utah

          Also, new to members of the Church will be the changes in the youth programs.

Church leaders announced changes to Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women classes to give young men and young women more opportunity for all-around growth. Here are the changes as listed below from www.lds.org: 

• The bishop’s responsibility as president of the Aaronic priesthood is now in accordance with Doctrine and Covenants 107:15.
• Because of this new adjustment, Young Men presidencies in local congregations are now discontinued so bishops can spend more time with youth.
• Young Women presidents now report to and counsel directly with a bishop.
• Young women have a new theme which is as follows:

I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents

With a divine nature and eternal destiny

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become more like Him

I seek and act upon personal revelation

And minister to others in His holy name

I will stand as a witness of God at all times and

In all thing and in all places

As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith I

Will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.

• The number of Young Women classes in a ward can vary based on local needs.
• Young Women classes are now called “Young Women.” Old class names (Beehive, Mia Maid and Laurel) will no longer be used.
• At all levels of Church governance, Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary and Sunday School are referred to as “organizations” instead of “auxiliaries.” Those who lead these organizations at the general level are “General Officers”; those who lead organizations at the ward and stake level are “ward officers” and “stake officers

A new announcement was given, just prior to General Conference, regarding the New Witness Policy with the ordinance of baptism.

1. Now,  any member of the Church may serve as a witness of a baptism of a living person.  This change is in accordance to all baptisms outside the temple.

2. A proxy baptism for a deceased person may be witnessed by anyone holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use temple recommend.
3. Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may serve as a witness to sealing ordinances, living and proxy.

With all the new changes and implementations, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are eager to embrace them.  Before President Nelson announced the 8  new temples at the Women’s Session, he encouraged the sisters in the audience, to bow their heads with silent gratitude rather than any shouts of joy. Truly, the announcements have been well received.