Talk Preparation Guide for "Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers "

President D. Todd Christofferson presents Church leaders for a sustaining vote. This presentation follows the formal sustaining process rather than delivering a doctrinal sermon. As you prepare a sacrament meeting talk, distinguish what the presentation explicitly says from the personal reflections and additional teachings you choose to share. Focus on sustaining Church leaders, participating thoughtfully in the sustaining process, and recognizing service in different Church responsibilities. Preview questions: What titles and responsibilities does the presentation identify? How does President Christofferson invite members to express support or opposition? Which leadership changes does he present? What personal experiences help you explain why sustaining Church leaders matters to you? The presentation cites no scriptures, so the scripture reference lists below are empty.

Topics

Sustain the First Presidency and Twelve as Prophets

President Christofferson presents the President of the Church, his counselors, and the members and presiding officers of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for sustaining votes. He specifically invites members to sustain the Church President, the counselors in the First Presidency, and the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators.

It is proposed that we sustain Dallin Harris Oaks as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Henry Bennion Eyring as First Counselor in the First Presidency; and David Todd Christofferson as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

It is proposed that we sustain Henry B. Eyring as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Key Points:

The President of the Church is presented for sustaining as prophet, seer, and revelator.
The counselors in the First Presidency are presented for sustaining in their respective responsibilities.
The President and Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are identified separately.
The members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are presented by name.
The counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve are also presented for sustaining as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Experiences:

What experience helps you describe your personal testimony of prophetic leadership?
When you act on counsel from a member of the First Presidency or the Twelve, what do you notice about its influence in your life?
What conference message helps you draw closer to Jesus Christ, and how do you apply it?
How do you explain the significance of sustaining prophets, seers, and revelators to a child or someone unfamiliar with the Church?

Express Support or Opposition Through the Sustaining Process

President Christofferson asks members to express their support in the usual way wherever they participate. Each proposal includes an opportunity to indicate support or opposition, and members who oppose any proposal are asked to contact their stake president.

We ask that you please express your support in the usual way, wherever you may be.

If there are those who oppose any of the proposals, please contact your stake president.

Those in favor may manifest it.

Those opposed, if any, may manifest it.

Key Points:

The invitation to participate extends to members wherever they are.
Members receive opportunities to express both support and opposition.
Those who oppose any proposal are directed to contact their stake president.
The presentation repeatedly invites members to respond to specific sustaining proposals.

Experiences:

What thoughts come to mind as you participate in a sustaining vote?
How do you help yourself participate thoughtfully rather than simply follow a familiar routine?
What experience helps you explain what expressing support means personally to you?
How do you show respect for others while discussing questions or concerns about Church leadership?

Sustain Other Church Leaders and Recognize Leadership Changes

President Christofferson reports an Area Seventy release and a new sustaining that occur during general conference leadership meetings, then invites members to sustain those actions. He also presents the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers for sustaining as presently constituted.

As a matter of information, Elder Robert H. Simpson was released as an Area Seventy and David Kannar was sustained as an Area Seventy during the general conference leadership meetings. These changes were announced on the Church website.

We invite you to sustain these actions.

It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers as presently constituted.

Thank you, brothers and sisters.

Key Points:

The presentation reports both a release and a new sustaining involving Area Seventies.
Members are informed that these changes are announced on the Church website.
Members are invited to sustain the actions involving the Area Seventies.
The sustaining process includes General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers beyond the First Presidency and the Twelve.

Experiences:

What experience helps you appreciate the service of Church leaders whose responsibilities differ from those of the First Presidency and the Twelve?
How does a leader's service bless you, your family, or your congregation?
When someone receives a calling or a release, how do you express support and gratitude?
What does serving in a Church calling help you understand about the support leaders need?