The Latest on a conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah (all times local):
3:35 p.m.
A leader with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is reiterating the faith’s belief that marriage should be reserved for relationships between a man and a woman, while suggesting that gay members can still find a place in the religion.
Neil L. Andersen spoke Saturday during a church conference in Salt Lake City about the importance the faith’s belief about marriage and states that a person’s God-given gender is an essential part of a person’s eternal identity.
He acknowledged that not all church members fit within the proclamation’s boundaries.
The faith this week repealed policies that banned baptisms for children of gay parents while clarifying the religion’s doctrinal opposition to same-sex relationships wasn’t changing.
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11:35 a.m.
A leader with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a plea for members to openly discuss their faith with others in ways that feels normal and natural and embrace the proselytizing component of the faith.
Dieter Uchtdorf (OOkt-dorf) said Saturday during a church conference in Salt Lake City that church members can share their faith through an act of kindness or by posting testimonials on social media.
Uchtdorf encouraged members to talk about the new shortened Sunday worship schedule, from three hours to two, or explain the faith’s push for use of the full name that emphasizes the faith’s belief it is the “Church of Jesus Christ.” The religion is trying to end the use of previously accepted shorthand names “Mormon” and “LDS.”
Uchtdorf is a longtime a member of a top governing panel called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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10:35 a.m.
A leader with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is urging members to root their families in the teachings of Christ to prepare their children for a world with “rampant immorality and addictive pornography.”
The comments were made by Ulisses Soares during the opening session of a twice-annual church conference in Salt Lake City. Soares is a member of a top governing panel called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The Brazilian-born Soares is one of the newest members of the Quorum of the Twelve. He was selected for the important panel a year ago.
Church members are bracing for more changes during the weekend conference because President Russell M. Nelson is expected to speak during the conference.
He leads the faith that counts 16 million members worldwide.
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12:05 a.m.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are preparing for more changes as they gather in Utah for a twice-yearly conference to hear from the faith’s top leaders.
Church President Russell M. Nelson has implemented a host of changes in his first year at the helm, including the surprising repeal Thursday of policies that banned baptisms for children of gay parents and labeled people in same-sex marriages as sinners eligible for expulsion.
The two-day conference begins Saturday in Salt Lake City. It brings nearly 100,000 people to watch five sessions in person and millions more watch live broadcasts and livestreams.
The 94-year-old Nelson ascended to the presidency in January 2018 after nearly three decades in a governing body that helps the president lead the faith.
