New faces and new guidance at Latter-day Saint General Conference

The General Conference put some new faces and old issues front and center as leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in Salt Lake City. Here are some things that stood out:

First black woman speaks at conference

Tracy Y. Browning became the first black woman to speak at a General Conference.

• Browning, who helps oversee Primary (the church’s programming for young children), described joining the church as a convert and urged members not to focus too much on “external appearances.”

Speaking of looks

A new version of the church’s leading pamphlet for young people eliminates objections to particular taboos of dress and grooming.

• Gone are the discussions of tattoos, body piercings, and bare shoulders in the pamphlet titled “For the Strength of Youth.”
• “The guidebook can give you a long list of clothes you shouldn’t wear, words you shouldn’t say and movies you shouldn’t watch. But would that really be helpful in a global church?” asked Apostle Dieter F. Uhtdorf, who announced the change Saturday.

The Church Against “The World”

Church President Russell M. Nelson urged church members to “overcome” the “sin-saturated, selfish” world.

• “Take your own testimony,” he said. “Don’t pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving people.”

Yes but: Dallin Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, said members also need to be “more aware and more appreciative” of the religious and humanitarian work that happens outside the church.

• Oaks highlighted the contributions of non-Mormon faith groups in the fight for “religious liberties” from certain laws. The church has historically sought exemptions to abuse reporting requirements and LGBTQ+ non-discrimination laws.