This week on social media, Church leaders invited others to join in the Face to Face broadcast on Sunday, imparted inspiration from a recent temple dedication, and shared what they learned about "Come, Follow Me" from Primary children.
On Feb. 18, President Dallin H. Oaks issued an invitation on Facebook to watch a Face to Face event focused on the new Children and Youth program on Sunday, Feb. 23. He will be joined by his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks. The event will be broadcast at 4 p.m. MST on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube or Facebook.
“We hope you and your family will join with us as we discuss ways we can become more like Jesus Christ,” the post read.
That same day, President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, also invited social media users to watch the Face to Face event through a video posted to her Facebook page.
Sister Bingham recently met with Sister Oaks for lunch and asked her a few questions about the upcoming Face to Face event and the Children and Youth program.
“I know that a lot of mothers will be watching and thinking about the Children and Youth program. What are some helps that you could give them to help them as they guide their children in the Children and Youth program?” Sister Bingham asked Sister Oaks in the video.
“I think the best part about this program is that everyone discovers their divine potential, and there’s no better place to discover that than at home and with people that will support you and surround you and maybe help you do those things,” Sister Oaks replied. She offered suggestions for parents such as reading scriptures in the morning with their children or setting a goal to learn more about Jesus Christ.
On Feb. 19, Sister Michelle Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, shared a short video of her 4-year-old grandson practicing for his first Primary talk. In this post, she shared her gratitude for children who are “learning, loving, and living the words of Jesus Christ.”
Even families who have intentionally begun teaching "Come, Follow Me" in their homes might naturally fall back into old habits when life becomes busy and hard. “Don’t give up, and don’t get discouraged if your efforts lag from time to time,” Sister Craig wrote. “Being intentional about studying 'Come, Follow Me' individually, with our families, or with our friends will bless our lives, and we will see the promises of a living prophet fulfilled as homes are transformed into sanctuaries of faith and children learn and live the Savior’s teachings.”
This past Sunday, Elder Ronald A. Rasband dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple. On Feb. 17, the next day, he shared on Instagram some of his thoughts from the memorable experience.
He had the impression that “the doctrine of Jesus Christ unites all of us — around the world — as daughters and sons of God.” Regardless of one’s look or dress, everyone on earth is one people: “the people of the Church of Jesus Christ.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of young adults in a devotional held in Stanford University’s Memorial Church on Feb. 9. In a Feb. 15, he also addressed the young adults who follow him on social media.
He invited them to “accept our Savior’s invitation to receive Him.” Elder Holland asked that no matter their circumstances in life, that their ongoing journey follow in the footsteps in the Master.
“Wherever you are going and however you work through your challenges in getting there, I ask you to come unto Him as the imperative first step in getting to your personal destination, in finding your individual happiness and strength, in achieving your ultimate destiny and success.”
On Feb. 19, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles received the George Washington Honor Medal at an event hosted by the Utah chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
In an Instagram post the next day, Elder Christofferson shared how it caused him to think more about how grateful he is to be a citizen of the United States “and to be blessed by the opportunities and freedoms we are offered in this country.”
Everyone has a part to play in religious freedom, he wrote. “Take a stand for religious freedom. Teach your families the benefits of religion in your nation and society. Teach them to respect the faith of all people, even those with very different beliefs. And teach them that respecting religious freedom at times means tolerating religious beliefs and practices we disagree with.”
