General Conference Applied
Mitch Peterson and Clay Soelberg
General Conference Applied is a podcast focused on building faith in Jesus Christ. Every six months, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather to share messages in General Conference. This podcast consists of an in-depth look at each of these messages, including the invitations and promises presented by the speakers.
The hosts for this podcast are Mitch Peterson (https://mitchellryanpeterson.com) and Clay Soelberg, both of whom are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The views expressed in this podcast are those of its creators.
The hosts for this podcast are Mitch Peterson (https://mitchellryanpeterson.com) and Clay Soelberg, both of whom are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The views expressed in this podcast are those of its creators.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 7, 2025 • 57min
April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: President Johnson, Sister Runia, and Sister Wright
8/7/2025: S5 E36, Episode 145, April 2025 General Conference Applications - Return and Report: President Johnson, Sister Runia, and Sister Wright.Clay and Mitch reported how they have taken action on the following invitations from the April 2025 General Conference addresses delivered by President Camille N. Johnson, Sister Tamara W. Runia, and Sister Amy A. Wright:President Johnson:1. "Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can seek to be spiritually whole while we wait and hope for physical and emotional healing."Sister Runia:1. "Let's try this. Tonight, before you pray, imagine Jesus Christ close by. He is your Advocate with the Father. Ask yourself, 'What would my Savior say to the Father about me?' And then become silent. Listen for that voice that says good things about you—the voice of the Savior, your finest friend, and your Father in Heaven, who is really there."Sister Wright:1. "'[The Lord] spake unto the people, saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ. … Arise and come forth. … The multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one … and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he.' I invite you to ponder what this can look like in the life of young children. Do they hear testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Do they see reverential, worshipful images of His ministry and godhood? Do they feel and recognize the Holy Ghost testifying of His reality and divinity? Do they know of His message and mission?"2. "How can we help children make and keep sacred covenants? In the Come, Follow Me manual, in appendix A and B, we find conversation starters and lessons that will empower families and support teachers and leaders in their sacred responsibility to prepare children for a lifetime on God's covenant path."3. "When we tell our children we love them, are we also telling them that their Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ love them? Our love may comfort and inspire, but Their love can sanctify, exalt, and heal."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Aug 3, 2025 • 1h 28min
"True to the Faith That Our Parents Have Cherished"
8/3/2025: S5 E35, Episode 144, Elder Hans T. Boom, April 2025 General Conference, "True to the Faith That Our Parents Have Cherished".Clay and Mitch identified the following invitations and shared how they will take action and how you could take action:1. "As a family we went through some hardships, just like any other family. These have only made us stronger and have deepened our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."2. "Their decision to become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a great impact on their lives as they were shunned by the villagers and by their family. It took many years, loving notes to family members, and service to the community before they were finally accepted."3. "Even when this might not be the case, as my mother experienced as a child, you can become one of those 'goodly parents who love the Lord' and provide a righteous example to others."4. "To those of the rising generation wherever you are and in whatever situation you may find yourself, please learn and receive strength from the faith and testimonies of those who came before you. ... All of us, whether we are the first generation in the gospel or the fifth, should ask ourselves, What stories of faith, strength, and celestial commitment will I pass on to the next generation? ... Let us be 'true to the faith that our parents have cherished, true to truth for which martyrs have perished, to God's command, soul, heart, and hand, faithful and true we will ever stand.'"5. "Thinking about a sacrifice that will truly bless your life, please consider and pray about the invitation of our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, when he asked 'every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. … 'For … young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but optional, opportunity.'"6. "Remember, 'for how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?'"7. "In both types of service [serving as a service missionary or a teaching missionary], you will show the Lord you love Him and that you want to get to know Him better. ... Let us all continue in our efforts to get to know our Savior, Jesus Christ, better and to make Him the center of our lives. He is the rock upon which we must build."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 31, 2025 • 55min
April 2025 General Conference Applications - Return and Report: Elder Gong, Elder Soares, and Elder Kearon
7/31/2025: S5 E34, Episode 143, April 2025 General Conference Applications - Return and Report: Elder Gong, Elder Soares, and Elder Kearon.Clay and Mitch reported how they have taken action on the following invitations from the April 2025 General Conference addresses delivered by Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Elder Ulisses Soares, and Elder Patrick Kearon:Elder Gong:1. "Each Easter season, we celebrate, as a symbolic whole, eternity's great gifts through Jesus Christ: His Atonement; His (and the promise of our) literal Resurrection; Restoration of His latter-day Church with priesthood keys and authority to bless all God's children. We rejoice in the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness. We shout, 'Hosanna to God and the Lamb!'"2. "May we each find in Jesus Christ atonement, resurrection, and restoration—peace, becoming, and belonging."Elder Soares:1. "[Moses] turned aside from his daily cares—something we all should be willing to do."2. "[Make] the virtue of reverence a sacred part of our spiritual character. … Cultivate the gift of reverence in our lives. … Discover reverence for sacred things and convert our discipleship into a deeper level of spirituality and devotion. … Embrace this gift of reverence for sacred things—whether in the mountain of the Lord's house, in a meetinghouse, or in our own homes."Elder Kearon:1. "Think of a time when you found—or made—the perfect gift for someone you love."2. "I invite you to receive, either for the first time or to a greater extent than ever before, the magnificent realisation that you truly are God's beloved child. You must undo the bow, tear off the wrapping paper, open the box, and actively receive with grateful humility a true, pure understanding of this foundational truth. The Holy Spirit can bear witness to your heart that you are indeed a child of the Most High. … Please, will you pray to understand if you are truly receiving this transformative knowledge deep in your soul? Will you please accept the gift? Will you do so more deeply, more freely, more abundantly than you ever have before—and in so doing be showered with all of those other gifts that come with it?"Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 57min
June 2025 General Conference+ Part Two
7/29/2025: S5 E33, Episode 142, June 2025 General Conference+ Part Two.Clay and Mitch identified many invitations that members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared in the new mission leaders seminar during June 2025. Here are a few of the invitations they discussed during this episode (yes, there are many more than this):1. [President Russell M. Nelson] "Study, teach from and testify of the Book of Mormon."2. [President Dallin H. Oaks] "We must not let the teachings of our missionaries assume that those they are teaching have much knowledge about our faith."3. [President Henry B. Eyring] Mission leaders must "pay the price in faith to receive inspiration for [their] missionaries" so the missionaries can "have confidence that the assignments you extend to them came directly from the Lord."4. [President Jeffrey R. Holland] "We want to send [missionaries] home with a love and a beginning mastery" of the Book of Mormon.5. [Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf] Set and achieve goals. Goals and plans are foundational to exercising one's agency. "Goals give life to your plans, and plans give muscle to your goals."6. [Elder David A. Bednar] "Strive to 'be one' and become faithful servants so the Lord can inspire and work through us to accomplish His holy work."7. [Elder Quentin L. Cook] "Invite and help people to worship with us and attend sacrament meeting."8. [Elder D. Todd Christofferson] "Consider how the Savior engaged people and invited them to exercise their own moral agency to learn and apply gospel truth."9. [Elder Neil L. Andersen] Engage in daily planning and goal setting to open the door to experiencing miracles.10. [Elder Ronald A. Rasband] "New members need to be numbered, named, nourished by the good word of God and kept in the right way."11. [Elder Gary E. Stevenson] We should all be familiar with missionaries' key indicators and help the missionaries as some of their goals depend on our participation.12. [Elder Dale G. Renlund] "Your ability to resist temptation will increase as you study and apply the scriptures, the words of the living prophets [and] 'Preach My Gospel.'"13. [Elder Gerrit W. Gong] Study how church leaders, scriptural prophets, and the Savior extended invitations.14. [Elder Ulisses Soares] "I invite you to study the principles and scriptures found in 'Preach My Gospel,' Chapter 4, 'Seek and Rely on the Spirit.'"15. [Elder Patrick Kearon] "Your missionaries must develop under your loving care and under your righteous expectations, glorious, faithful resilience and determination."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 27, 2025 • 1h 30min
"Faith: A Bond of Trust and Loyalty"
7/27/2025: S5 E32, Episode 141, Elder Sandino Roman, April 2025 General Conference, "Faith: A Bond of Trust and Loyalty".Clay and Mitch identified the following invitations and shared how they will take action and how you could take action:1. "What does it mean to have faith in Christ? Does it mean we believe in Him or have a testimony that He is real? That may be a start, but it’s more than that. Have you ever thought of faith as trust? Think of the person you trust the most—perhaps a family member or a friend. Why do you trust them? It is probably because you have seen their constant love and help."2. "[R]ecognize [Jesus Christ's] blessings and develop a relationship of trust with Him. ... Believe and trust in Jesus Christ."3. "In a recent youth devotional, you were invited to meditate on a time in your life when you received a ray of heavenly light. Try this exercise!"Start by meditating about Christ and the happiness His Atonement and gospel bring to your life. Also, make a record of the 'spiritually defining memories' where God has been there for you, for your loved ones, and for the people in the scriptures. Now, these testimonies will not bring power to your life until the Spirit etches them in the 'fleshy tables' of your heart. So ponder and record all God set in motion for these miracles to come at just the right time."Next, use this exercise as an opportunity to get closer to God. Pray to your Heavenly Father as if it were the first time. Express your love and gratitude for His blessings. Even ask Him how He feels about you and about the direction your life is taking."4. "Notice that faith sprouts as we trust in Jesus Christ and blooms as we are faithful and loyal to Him. If you want a true relationship with Christ, show Him by making covenants and honoring them with faithfulness and loyalty. ... [C]ommit to being loyal to [Jesus Christ]."5. "[F]aith in Jesus Christ is a bond of trust forged in loyalty and love. In other words, in gratitude for God's merciful love (hesed), we show our loyal love (emunah) by keeping His commandments."6. "[H]ow should you respond to such adverse situations that require His miracles? While challenges are inevitable and sometimes frightening, simply walk undaunted toward Him, just as the 2025 FSY conference theme invites: 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.'"7. Be faithful to God, constantly interact with Him, and reflect on past experiences to increase your hope that the Lord will help you through your journey's challenges.8. "Our faith must be centered in Christ and our hope in His blessings, as He chooses to send them. 'Expect miracles,' but 'let God prevail in our lives.'"9. "I invite you to begin today to nurture your relationship with Jesus Christ. Make a commitment to never forsake Him."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Renlund
7/24/2025: S5 E31, Episode 140, April 2025 General Conference Applications - Return and Report: Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Renlund.Clay and Mitch reported how they have taken action on the following invitations from the April 2025 General Conference addresses delivered by Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund:Elder Rasband:1. Be prepared temporally and spiritually to better thwart the adversary’s cunning attacks.2. "My message to those students was clear: Give the Lord equal time. I counseled them to balance their studies with true higher learning, even a study of 'the Son of the living God.' I ask the same of everyone today: Whatever is on your to-do list, give equal time, not spare time, to the Lord in personal scripture study, family study of Come, Follow Me, prayer, Church callings, ministering, partaking of the sacrament, worshipping in the temple, and pondering the things of God."Elder Stevenson:1. "In recent First Presidency messages concerning Easter, we have been challenged to 'celebrate the Resurrection of our living Savior by studying His teachings and helping to establish Easter traditions in our society as a whole, especially within our own families.' In short, we have been encouraged to move to a higher and holier celebration of Easter. … Recent First Presidency encouragement to look 'forward to Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ—the most glorious of all messages to mankind' highlights the magnitude of this season."Elder Renlund:1. "One message of this parable is that God expects us to magnify the abilities we have been given, but He does not want us to compare our abilities to those of others."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 20, 2025 • 1h 21min
"My Love for the Savior Is My 'Why'"
7/20/2025: S5 E30, Episode 139, Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, April 2025 General Conference, "My Love for the Savior Is My 'Why'".Clay and Mitch identified the following invitations and shared how they will take action:1. "[President Russell M. Nelson] has invited us to study and ponder the messages shared at the last two conferences. In April 2024, he said, 'I hope you will repeatedly study the messages of this conference throughout the coming months.' Then, in October 2024, he said: 'I urge you to study [the speakers'] messages. Use them as a litmus test of what is true and what is not during the next six months.' These invitations can be added to prophetic invitations we have received throughout our lifetimes, including and especially those we have received in recent years."2. "As your brother, I hope you will consider my words as a sincere invitation to seek to understand the opportunity to link everything we do with our love for the Savior."3. "In our world, we usually focus on what we do and on consistently accomplishing tasks and goals. In a spiritual sphere, we have the opportunity to go beyond just doing things or achieving goals by understanding why we are doing them. ... we can understand and connect that the reason behind our actions relates to our love for the Savior and our Heavenly Father."4. "Please don't misunderstand my point about having activities and traditions or setting goals and working hard to achieve them; there is nothing wrong with this. However, I invite you to open your hearts and minds to the opportunity and blessing of understanding why we do these things and how we practice our religion."5. "President Nelson said, 'Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.' And then he extended this invitation: 'Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!' Ponder this in your hearts and minds: Do you believe President Nelson's invitation had the intention of helping us prepare a checklist where we will accumulate more knowledge and complete tasks so we can check off his invitation from our to-do lists? Or is he inviting us to consider the aspects of these eternal truths and principles as an opportunity to understand the 'why' and connect the Savior’s covenantal love for us with our lifelong discipleship journey?"6. "The invitation is to study and ponder the messages from the general conference and use them to determine and understand what we each can do to improve."7. "Understand that because I love the Savior, I want to learn more about Him by studying the words of the living prophets. And because I love my fellow man, I will share the teachings of prophets, seers, and revelators with others, starting with my loved ones."8. Be slow to accept or even immune from uninspired opinions and be quick to remember the Savior's teachings.Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 17, 2025 • 2h 32min
June 2025 General Conference+ Part One
7/17/2025: S5 E29, Episode 138, June 2025 General Conference+ Part One.Clay and Mitch identified many invitations that members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared in settings other than General Conference (i.e., Church magazines, Church school devotionals, press releases, social media, temple dedicatory prayers, etc.) during June 2025. Here are a few of the invitations they discussed during this episode (yes, there are many more than this):1. [President Russell M. Nelson] "Consider how your life is different because of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ."2. [President Dallin H. Oaks] "As servants of God who have the knowledge and responsibilities of His great plan of salvation, we should hasten to prepare our attitudes and our actions, institutionally and personally, to abandon all personal prejudice."3. [President Henry B. Eyring] "The Savior has used the word 'always' in two settings: You promise always to remember Him when you partake of the sacrament. And He warns you to pray always."4. [President Jeffrey R. Holland] "Follow just as much as those two or three little scriptures [Mosiah 26:29; Doctrine and Covenants 58:42; 2 Nephi 31:13]. Use them ... and you'll have peace in your heart."5. [Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf] "[P]lease ask your Heavenly Father for blessings and guidance. Share with Him your hopes, dreams, and desires. But in doing so, make sure that you are not trying to get Him to see things your way. Ask Him to open your eyes to see things His way."6. [Elder David A. Bednar] "My question for each of us is this: 'Are we converted to the Lord, or something else?' Is each of us striving to have our individual testimony and witness that the gospel is true?"7. [Elder Quentin L. Cook] Care for the vulnerable. This is a sacred duty.8. [Elder D. Todd Christofferson] "Consider how the Savior engaged people and invited them to exercise their own moral agency, to learn and apply gospel truth."9. [Elder Neil L. Andersen] "We discussed an important teaching from President Dallin H. Oaks, 'Where Will This Lead?' ... This question can help us determine the eternal results of our daily decisions."10. [Elder Ronald A. Rasband] "May each of us embrace the youth in our lives today with even more love and appreciation as we pray for and minister to these dear families in Lesotho."11. [Elder Gary E. Stevenson] "As important as it is to find common ground, it is just as important to share gospel truths that are unique to the Church of Jesus Christ. I strive to do both of those things."12. [Elder Dale G. Renlund] "Strive not to complain or murmur. ... Maintain an eternal perspective, reminding ourselves whose work this really is."13. [Elder Gerrit W. Gong] "Please always remember that you can turn to [Heavenly Father] for comfort. Our Heavenly Father loves you eternally and will always be there for you."14. [Elder Ulisses Soares] "The light of a new day shines brighter in our lives when we see and treat our fellow beings with respect and dignity and as true brothers and sisters in Christ."15. [Elder Patrick Kearon] "Our Savior Jesus Christ exhibited during His mortal ministry great love for children. We are grateful for this opportunity to follow His example and help the children of Maa Elementary School to feel His love."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 13, 2025 • 1h 4min
"Divine Authority, Sublime Young Men"
7/13/2025: S5 E28, Episode 137, President Steven J. Lund, April 2025 General Conference, "Divine Authority, Sublime Young Men".Clay and Mitch identified the following invitations and shared how they will take action:1. "Seeing this rolling thunder of newly ordained priesthood holders spreading across the earth, I wondered—in a 'church of joy' kind of way—if it shouldn't be shouted from the rooftops. 'Today,' I thought, 'there should be trumpets and crashing cymbals and blazing Roman candles. There should be parades!'"2. "The Aaronic Priesthood is called the preparatory priesthood partly because its ordinances allow them to experience the weight and the joy of being on the Lord's errand, preparing them for future priesthood service, when they may be called upon to minister in unforeseeable ways—including pronouncing inspired blessings in times when hopes and dreams, and even life and death, hang in precarious balance. Such serious expectations require serious preparation."3. "Deacons and teachers are 'to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ' (Doctrine and Covenants 20:59). In addition to these opportunities, priests are to 'preach … and baptize' (Doctrine and Covenants 20:50). ... One bishop taught his new deacons quorum presidency these duties. So the young presidency began to talk about what that might look like in their quorum and in their ward."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
Jul 10, 2025 • 55min
April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder Cook, Elder Christofferson, and Elder Andersen
7/10/2025: S5 E27, Episode 136, April 2025 General Conference Applications - Return and Report: Elder Cook, Elder Christofferson, and Elder Andersen.Clay and Mitch reported how they have taken action on the following invitations from the April 2025 General Conference addresses delivered by Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and Elder Neil L. Andersen:Elder Cook:1. "Set aside consistent time to faithfully contemplate the Savior’s Atonement."2. "We must never forget the sacrifices and examples of prior generations, but our adulation, appreciation, and worship should be centered on the Savior of the world and His atoning sacrifice."Elder Christofferson:1. "May we, as the ancient Nephites and Lamanites, 'fall down at the feet of Jesus, and … worship him.'"2. "[May we] have no other gods before Him."Elder Andersen:1. "Let us speak more often with faith and compassion to our youth in our homes, and with each other in our Relief Society and elders quorum meetings, about the Lord's law of chastity, the sanctity of life, and the care of the unborn and their mothers."Contact us hereShow notes are located hereKeep track of the invitations extended in the April 2025 General Conference hereFollow us on Facebook hereFollow us on Instagram hereFollow us on X hereFollow us and watch the podcast on YouTube here
