The Latest: Mormon leader warns of 'rampant immorality'

The Latest on a conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah (all times local):

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."

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Wendy, wave as they leave the morning session of a twice-annual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. Nelson has generated buzz in his first year by becoming one of the most visible presidents in modern church history and implementing a number of changes. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer, File)

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.

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2018, file photo, President Russell M. Nelson looks on following a news conference, in Salt Lake City. The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has generated buzz in his first year by becoming one of the most visible presidents in modern church history and implementing a number of changes. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer, File)

He leads the faith that counts 16 million members worldwide.

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.

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Russell M. Nelson, center, greets the twice-annual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City. Nelson has generated buzz and excitement during his first year by becoming one of the most visible, active and decisive presidents in modern church history and implementing a number of big changes. Nelson's uncommon openness about the faith's belief that presidents are living prophets who receives revelations from God has also set him apart from his most of his predecessors, church scholars say. (AP PhotoRick Bowmer, File)

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.

GUATIRE, Venezuela (AP) — The United States and Venezuelan governments said Friday they were exploring the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that an delegation from the Trump administration arrived to the South American nation on Friday.

The small team of U.S. diplomats and diplomatic security officials traveled to Venezuela to make a preliminary assessment about the potential re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the State Department said in a statement.

Venezuela’s government on Friday acknowledged that U.S. diplomats had traveled to the South American country and announced that it will send a delegation to the U.S. but it did not say when.

In a statement, Delcy Rodríguez’s government said it “has decided to initiate an exploratory process of a diplomatic nature with the Government of the United States of America, aimed at the re-establishment of diplomatic missions in both countries."

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

FILE - Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez attends the High-Level Segment of the 28th session of the Human Rights Council, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Keystone,Salvatore Di Nolfi, File)

Performers on stilts dressed as former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores wave during a march by government supporters calling for their release after U.S. forces captured them, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Supporters of the Venezuelan government rally calling for the release of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were captured by U.S. forces, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)