Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference about how decisions to be lukewarm about the Church or leave it can impact generations ahead. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Godoy’s talk summary
After getting in the wrong taxi in Lima, Peru, Elder Godoy learned that the taxi driver, Omar, had been a Church member since he was a child, but his parents had stopped attending.
“At that moment I realized I did not take the wrong taxi. … I told him who I was and that I was in his taxi because the Lord was calling him back to His fold.”
Omar began attending again and baptized his wife and children. Later, they were sealed in the temple.
This experience was shared to address members who have fallen away from the gospel and members who may not be as faithful to their covenants as they should be. In both cases, their children and descendants are impacted and at risk.
“You know there is a plan for us in this life. You know that families can be eternal. Why put yours at risk?”
Even those who have a lukewarm approach to membership could create a negative spiritual impact for generations ahead.
“I invite you to think about it, to look ahead and evaluate ‘where this will lead’ and, if necessary, to be valiant enough to reshape your path for the sake of your posterity.”
Notable quotes
“Will our current decisions lead us to joy now and in eternity, or will they lead us to sorrow and tears?”
“Shouldn’t we be more valiant and less lukewarm for our own sake and the sake of our posterity?”
“You know there is a plan for us in this life. You know that families can be eternal. Why put yours at risk?”
See the full text of Elder Godoy’s talk: ‘For the Sake of Your Posterity’
Who is Elder Godoy?
- Born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, he was introduced to the Church by a friend of his older brother.
- He met his wife, Monica Brandão Godoy, at a Church activity and they were both called to serve in the Brazil São Paulo South Mission at the same time.
- Elder Godoy was called to be a bishop at age 26 and has also served as a missionary training center branch president, high councilor and Area Seventy.
- He worked in senior management positions at several companies before starting his own consulting company and becoming an adjunct professor.
- In November 2022, Elder Godoy returned to Belém, Brazil, where he served as a mission president, for the dedication of the new temple.
Read more in the Church News about covenants
- President Oaks spoke about covenants and choices in his April 2019 general conference talk, “Where Will This Lead?”
- The September Friend to Friend taught about the blessings that come from making and keeping covenants.
- Columbus, Ohio, youth literally build a “covenant path” that leads to the temple.
Read more of Elder Godoy’s general conference addresses.