This week on social media, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addressed topics including marriage, blessings of living and studying the gospel, comparison, the power of families and the plan of salvation.
On Wednesday, June 12, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles posted on Instagram his thoughts about marriage.
Elder Bednar emphasized the idea “you do not simply 'find' the marriage you hope to have. Rather, you create it.” A happy marriage, he said, is a marriage where differences between partners strengthens their relationship.
The idea of finding the “perfect companion” is futile because perfect does not exist, he said. But, as each person strives to be their best self and strengthens their faith in and devotion to Jesus Christ “you will more likely attract an eternal companion who will honor covenants, keep the commandments, and love the Lord.”
In an Instagram post on June 8, President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, visited India for the first time and shared testimony of the plan of salvation.
While speaking in New Delhi, President Ballard said he has been able to carry on with his ministry with enthusiasm and love because he knows that his late wife, Sister Barbara Ballard, is “waiting in the great world of the spirits of the dead,” but he will be able to see and be with her again someday.
“I want to do all I can while I am here to help everyone else know, feel, and understand what I know, feel, and understand to be true.”
In an Instagram post on June 10, President Russell M. Nelson shared seven truths that will “help us to get on the covenant path or get back on the covenant path and stay there.”
These seven truths are:
1. God is our Father.
2. Jesus Christ is our Savior.
3. We are children of God.
4. The Book of Mormon is the word of God.
5. The priesthood has been restored and the heavens are open.
6. Every member has a role to play in the gathering of Israel.
7. Joy comes from keeping the commandments of the Lord.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles posted to Instagram on June 11 about his and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf’s, conversion to the gospel and how the gospel has changed their lives. “The light of the gospel touched our hearts, and we were never the same.”
After sharing their experiences in finding the Church, Elder Uchtdorf encouraged all to share the gospel.
“I extend the invitation to all, and especially the youth and the young adults, to find more creative ways to invite friends, family, and acquaintances to 'come and see, come and help, and come and stay' in this Church.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, posted to Facebook on June 13 about an address he recently gave in a BYU-Hawaii devotional about the stress and anxiety that many young adults face in their lives.
Labeling oneself and comparing one’s worst attributes with others' best is easy to do, President Oaks said, so be sure to use “great care in choosing how you label or think of yourselves.” President Oaks reminded students that each person is a child of God with a potential for eternal life.
“Don’t choose to label yourselves or think of yourselves in terms that put a limit on your eternal journey and goals.”
In a Facebook post on June 12, Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, shared about her address in a recent BYU-Idaho devotional.
Sister Aburto talked about the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love thy neighbor. The strongest piece of counsel she gave students was to “follow the Lord’s example in seeking a higher level of love, to get out of their shell, and to pray to be filled with charity, the pure love of Christ.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve posted to Facebook on June 13 about the experience he and his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund, had when they spoke at a brief devotional for the youth of Glenwood Lake Park, Iowa. After recent floods had caused damage to the local area, almost 800 youth gathered to listen to the Renlunds and spend the day providing service to the Glenwood Lake Park area.
“These remarkable youth and their parents and leaders are a marvelous example to me of being a disciple of the Savior, ‘who went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38).”
In a June 11 Instagram post, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about his experience at the G20 Interfaith Forum in Tokyo, Japan. Elder Gong shared the importance of building people up and refraining from conflict.
“I believe that we promote both personal peace and societal peace when we look beyond our narrow selfish selves in compassionate service to those around us.”
On June 13, Sister Lisa L. Harkness, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, shared on Facebook an experience she had back in March at the National Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C. She remarked on the beauty seeing people of different religions and cultures praying together and even singing “Amazing Grace” together.
“Even though this world is bombarded with a variety of problems, it comforts me to know that children everywhere have leaders who care about their future and pray for divine inspiration and peace.”
On June 8, Sister Becky Craven, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, posted to Facebook about an experience she had at the Tijuana Mexico Temple. She said no matter where she goes, she meets the “most incredible women.”
After talking with young women in the baptistry she said, “My confidence in the future continues to strengthen as I see the goodness and faithfulness of our rising generation!”
In a Facebook post on June 11, Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president, shared her thoughts about President Nelson’s closing remarks in the October 2018 General Conference.
She focused her thoughts on President Nelson’s powerful words in which he said, ”the new ‘Come, Follow Me’ curriculum has the ‘potential to unleash the power of families.’” Sister Jones said she has pondered these words from the prophet and asked if anyone has felt the “power of families” being unleashed, encouraging all to seek out this power through gospel study at home.
