At the beginning of the Saturday morning session of general conference, President Dallin H. Oaks announced that President Russell M. Nelson was “viewing this session from home.” This left some members wondering if President Nelson would attend any sessions in person.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson opened the Saturday afternoon session and said that President Nelson had asked him to conduct. President Nelson was then shown sitting on the stand next to his counselors.
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Before the October 2023 general conference, President Nelson shared on Facebook that due to injuries he sustained to his lower back, he would not be attending general conference in person.
“Thankfully, my healing is progressing,” he wrote last year. “I am still not able to sit in a chair for long periods of time. However, I am hoping to record my general conference message and look forward to participating in this marvelous October 2023 general conference through technology.
“I pray that each of us, wherever we may be, will approach this sacred weekend with our hearts full of gratitude for the privilege of hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by His servants. May this general conference be a time of joy and spiritual rejuvenation for you. I know that it will be for me!”
President Nelson did deliver recorded remarks during the conference in his talk, “Think Celestial.”
On November 10, 2023, President Nelson thanked members for their prayers and support as he recovered.
“Thank you for your prayers for me during the last two months. My recovery from my fall in September when I injured the muscles in my back has been rigorous. I have needed your prayers,” he wrote last year. “The apostle James taught that the effectual fervent prayers of righteous men and women ‘availeth much.’ Your prayers opened the heavens, and the Lord is blessing me.
“Your prayers have lifted my spirits and bolstered my courage and my great desire to soldier on. In short, the Lord has responded to your prayers and expressions of love, and He is helping me to heal.”
We are so grateful for President Nelson, and we look forward to hearing his message this weekend!
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