October 2018 General Conference News and Announcements

12 New Temples Announced

President Russell M. Nelson invited members find a way to regularly serve and worship in the temple before he announced plans to construct 12 temples, the largest number of temples ever announced on the same day. The Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-era temples will be renovated in the coming months, he said.

New temples

Mendoza, Argentina

Salvador, Brazil

Yuba City, California

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Praia, Cape Verde

Yigo, Guam

Puebla, Mexico

Auckland, New Zealand

Lagos, Nigeria

Davao, Philippines

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Washington County, Utah

President Nelson Emphasizes Importance of the Church’s Full Name

President Russell M. Nelson explained that the August statement about a “course correction” for the name of the Church came “because the Lord impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He decreed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

“Thus, the name of the Church is not negotiable. When the Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should be, and even precedes His declaration with, ‘Thus shall my church be called,’ He is serious. And if we allow nicknames to be used and adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.”

President Nelson encouraged members to “be courteous and patient” in their efforts “to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church” and promised that the Lord “will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen. We will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”

The Prophet Issues Four-Part Invitation to Women of the Church

Building on his invitation to youth to participate in “the greatest work on earth today” to “help gather Israel on both sides of the veil” the prophet called on the women of the Church to join the cause by doing four things:

Participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other negative or impure media. President Nelson encouraged women to notice how the fast affects their priorities and then to record and act on spiritual impressions they receive. Read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. President Nelson suggested that as they read, they mark each verse that refers to the Savior and talk about Him with friends and family. Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. Time in the temple can lead to greater understanding about how to draw upon God’s priesthood power, President Nelson said. Participate fully in Relief Society. He added that studying the Relief Society purpose statement and the Relief Society declaration can help women understand who they are and who the Lord needs them to be.

(See related story.)

Leadership Changes Announced at October 2018 General Conference



General Authority Seventies

The following General Authority Seventies were released and given emeritus status:

Mervyn B. Arnold

Craig A. Cardon

Larry J. Echo Hawk

C. Scott Grow

Allan F. Packer

Gregory A. Schwitzer

Claudio D. Zivic

And the following General Authority Seventy was sustained:

Brook P. Hales

Area Seventies

The following Area Seventies were released:

B. Sergio Antunes, Alan C. Batt, R. Randall Bluth, Hans T. Boom, Fernando E. Calderón, H. Marcelo Cardus, Paul R. Coward, Marion B. De Antuñano, Robert A. Dryden, Daniel F. Dunnigan, Jeffrey D. Erekson, Mervyn C. Giddey, João Roberto Grahl, Richard K. Hansen, Todd B. Hansen, Michael R. Jensen, Daniel W. Jones, Steven O. Laing, Axel H. Leimer, Tasara Makasi, Alvin F. Meredith III, Adonay S. Obando, Katsuyuki Otahara, Fred A. Parker, José C. Pineda, Gary S. Price, Miguel A. Reyes, Alfredo L. Salas, Netzahualcoyotl Salinas, Michael L. Southward, G. Lawrence Spackman, William H. Stoddard, Stephen E. Thompson, David J. Thomson, George J. Tobias, Jacques A. Van Reenen, Raul Edgardo A. Vicencio, Keith P. Walker, Daniel Yirenya-Tawiah.

Changes Help Balance Gospel Instruction at Home and at Church

As part of ongoing efforts to help Latter-day Saints “learn doctrine, fortify faith, and foster heartfelt worship,” President Russell M. Nelson announced adjustments to help balance the unique and essential ways members worship and learn and live the Savior’s gospel both at church and at home.

Church leaders are encouraging individuals and families to improve gospel learning and living at home and have released a new home-centered, Church-supported curriculum. They have also announced changes to the Sunday meeting schedule, beginning in January 2019. For more information, visit sabbath.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Name Change Announced for Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir announced October 5 that it is changing its name to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The Choir’s announcement follows a statement by the Church in August 2018 encouraging the use of the full name of the Church. (See related story.)