Notable quotes:
“As in our New Testament story, those blessed with sight will recognize that, in spite of everything else this conference tradition may offer us, it will mean little or nothing unless we find Jesus at the center of it all.” “The prayer of every speaker, the hope of all who sing, the reverence of every guest — we are all are dedicated to inviting the spirit of Him whose Church this is, the living Christ, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace.” “I testify with … a host of others down through time that surely the most thrilling sight and sound in life is that of Jesus not only passing by but His coming to us, stopping beside us and making His abode with us.” Summary points:
- One doesn’t need to be in a conference center to find Christ. A focus on the Savior can come while reading scriptures, learning doctrines and principles of the faith or attending the temple.
- The invitation: To strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, our faith and our service.
- The promise: That the Savior will hear you and will say, “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” (Luke 18:42)
Talk summary:
Luke in the New Testament tells of a blind man on the road to Jericho who, when hearing the crowd’s commotions, learns of Jesus passing by as the reason for the clamor. The blind man persistently cries out above the crowd’s noise until he is taken to the Savior, Who in turn restores his sight and heals him.
Similarly, Joseph Smith rose above his day’s confusion and cacophony of competing Christian witnesses, with his seeking served as the catalyst for the First Vision. “Then the Father set the example we have been applauding this morning: He pointed to Jesus, saying, ‘This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!’
No greater expression of Jesus’ divine identity, His primacy in the plan of salvation and His standing in the eyes of God could ever exceed that short seven-word declaration.
“I testify with those two and a host of others down through time that surely the most thrilling sight and sound in life is that of Jesus not only passing by but His coming to us, stopping beside us and making His abode with us.”
An invitation and a promise:
“Through the incessant din and drumbeat of our day, may we strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, of our faith and of our service. This is where true meaning lies.
“And if some days our vision is limited, or our confidence has waned, or our belief is being tested and refined – as surely it will be — may we cry out the louder, ‘Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me’ (Mark 10:47).
“I promise with apostolic fervor and prophetic conviction that He will hear you and will say, soon or late, ‘Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee,’ (Luke 18:42).”
In the news:
- Speaking to the students at a Utah State University devotional in September 2019, Elder Holland spoke on how to “be of good cheer” in the last days.
- Elder Holland shared a message during the global broadcast for seminary and institute instructors in June 2019. There, he emphasized the importance of seeing students as a “fire to be ignited.”
- During a trip to Mexico City in May and June 2019, Elder Holland met with leaders, missionaries and members where he shared mainly family-themed messages.
- In April, Elder Holland gave a commencement address at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho.
- At the 2019 Mission Leadership Seminar in June, Elder Holland offered key insights about the Atonement of Christ and Fall of Adam.
About the speaker:
- During Elder Holland’s presidency at BYU, the historic BYU Jerusalem Center was founded.
- Elder Holland and fellow apostle Elder Quentin L. Cook were mission companions in England.
- A native of Southern Utah, he helped rededicate the St. George Tabernacle on Aug. 2, 2018.
- He and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, were married in the St. George Utah Temple and have three children.
Recently on Social:
- Elder Holland addressed the Church’s youth in an Instagram post in August:
- Elder Holland often shares simple testimonies with his followers on Twitter:
- Elder Holland shared his thoughts on the word “remember” in an Instagram post following his address at the BYU-Idaho winter commencement.
