With two new temples announced in the Pacific and a focus on love and prayer during an increasingly divisive and difficult time, BYU–Hawaii students said the messages of conference were relevant to life’s current circumstances and what they needed to hear.
President Russell M. Nelson announced new temples in the following regions: Tarawa, Kiribati; Port Vila, Vanuatu; Lindon, Utah; Greater Guatemala City, Guatemala; Sao Paulo East, Brazil; and Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Mark Lois Eyo, a BYUH alumnus, said the announcement of the new temples in Kiribati and Vanuatu stood out the most to him during general conference. Eyo said he knew people from the two nations and was very happy for them.
Saturday sessions
President Nelson said in his remarks during the Saturday morning session, “I grieved with each of you who have lost a loved one during this time, and I pray for all who are currently suffering.”
Ralph Mallapre, a sophomore from the Philippines studying vocal performance, said, “Those words coming from the voice of the prophet were reassuring to all individuals in their current circumstances.”
Kayla Kaimarama, a senior from the Cook Islands studying political science, said it was the talk entitled “Love Your Enemies” by President Dallin H. Oaks that most resonated with her during the Saturday morning session.
Oaks taught, “As followers of Christ, we must forgo anger with which political choice is debated or denounced in many settings. ... As citizens and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we must do better and help root out racism.”
Kaimarama said, “With love and boldness, President Oaks’ talk could not have come at a better time than this. This talk, for me, was a call to action to do better - to be better. If we want to see change, we need to be that change.
“With recent events, I have seen how political debates have caused contentions and disrupted relationships. President Oaks’ talk provides guidance on how we can approach such matters, whether it’s politics, prejudice or racism.”
Marsela Tokalolo, a sophomore from Vanuatu studying supply chain operations, said Elder Steven J. Lund’s talk reminded her of the purpose of the sacrament and the representatives of the Lord who administered it.
Lund taught, “Every time a deacon holds a sacrament tray, we are reminded of the sacred story of the Last Supper, of Gethsemane, of Calvary and of the garden tomb.”
Tokalolo said Lund taught her not to complain but fulfill her duty as a daughter of God and stand as a witness of Christ in all places.
“We can go to professionals to seek healing from depression and stress. But the ultimate healing comes from Jesus Christ because all things are spiritual.”
Elder Gerrit W. Gong shared, “As we come to trust God, sometimes through pleading in our darkest, loneliest, most uncertain moments, we learn He knows us better and loves us more than we know or love ourselves. With His help, lasting justice, equality, fairness and peace can be created in homes and communities around the world.”
Tsetsgee Enkhbold, a junior from Mongolia studying business management, said she found hope in Gong’s talk. “I was reminded of what the Gospel has given me. I found identity, strength, and hope in the gospel,” she explained.
Mallapre emphasized the significance of receiving revelation as Elder Ronald A. Rasband said, “General conferences are always heavy with the outpouring of the Spirit and personal revelations for spiritual growth.”
Tokalolo said during the Saturday sessions, she felt there was an outpouring of the Spirit, which motivates action, especially the principle of preparation.
“I think the principle of preparation was well taught throughout the conference. We need to be prepared spiritually and temporally, which will enable us to face our challenges with confidence, humility and hope,” she explained.
As we come to trust God, sometimes through pleading in our darkest, loneliest, most uncertain moments, we learn He knows us better and loves us more than we know or love ourselves. With His help, lasting justice, equality, fairness and peace can be created in homes and communities around the world.
Sunday sessions
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “It’s the second time that COVID-19 has altered our traditional proceedings.
“We are so tired of this contagion we feel like tearing our hair out, and apparently some of my brethren and I have already begun that course of action,” Holland joked.
He shared a prayer Joseph Smith said when Smith was in Liberty Jail. “‘Oh God, where art thou? We, here from the depths of Liberty Jail and where is the pavilion that covers thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed? How long, O Lord, how long?’”
As people worldwide feel isolated and imprisoned due to the pandemic, Holland reminded everyone they are not the first to have asked these types of prayers. He offered an apostolic promise that prayers are heard and answered because “an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them.”
Ben Cranney, a senior from California studying communications, said he loved watching general conference because it reminded him of the good happening in the world. He said the speakers reminded him to be positive even during a tumultuous time.
Cranney said his favorite talk was “President Nelson’s talk about Israel and how he found a new meaning for the word we can apply to our lives.” He said President Nelson’s message to “Let God prevail,” is “such a simple but profound statement we can apply to all aspects of our lives.”
At the end of general conference, Cranney said what was spoken “echoed peace, love and being optimistic about our future.”
Eyo said when there is any church meeting, the Holy Ghost is present and allows him to learn something new.
“My approach coming to this conference is that my cup is empty. I have questions. I wrote them down in my notebook, [and] now I’m going to use this conference to get all these questions answered,” Eyo said. He added all his questions were “answered in ways I can’t even imagine.”
Nelson said at the close of general conference, everyone should be preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.
Eyo said Nelson’s meaning from his statement demonstrated that prophets are “preparing us, line upon line, precept upon precept.” Eyo said it is scary but also a wonderful union that everyone should be excited about.
At the conclusion of the 190th Semiannual General Conference, Nelson asked everyone to “turn your heart, mind and soul increasingly to Heavenly Father and His Son; repenting daily; seeking to be pure in word, thought and deed; minister to others; keep an eternal perspective; magnify your callings, and live each day to be more prepared to meet your Maker.”
Turn your heart, mind and soul increasingly to Heavenly Father and His Son; repenting daily; seeking to be pure in word, thought and deed; minister to others; keep an eternal perspective; magnify your callings, and live each day to be more prepared to meet your Maker.