Elder Brian K. Taylor, a General Authority Seventy, spoke during the Sunday morning session of April 2024 general conference. Elder Taylor taught about finding joy in Christ while facing life’s trials. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Taylor’s talk summary
Why do some receive their yearned-for miracles quickly while others patiently endure and wait upon the Lord?
Every disciple of Christ must face life’s different trials as part of mortality. In the process, they learn to trust in God’s divine purposes, which provide hope and kindle determination to carry on.
“Life’s trials ‘prove us.’ Even the Savior ‘learned obedience by’ and was made ‘perfect through sufferings.’”
“Coming to trust in God’s divine purposes breathes hope into weary souls and kindles determination in seasons of anguish and heartache.”
To avoid discontent and find peace, hope and joy in the midst of life’s challenges, consider three principles.
1. Stronger faith comes by putting Jesus Christ first.
2. Brighter hope comes by envisioning one’s eternal destiny.
3. Greater power comes by focusing on joy.
When Latter-day Saints feel overwhelmed by life’s tribulations, they can remember these principles and the Lord’s promise in the scriptures that they “should suffer no matter of afflictions, save it be swallowed up (consumed, devoured and engulfed) in the joy of Christ.”
In the scriptures, the Lord promises to ease burdens, “that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.”
Notable quotes
“Coming to trust in God’s divine purposes breathes hope into weary souls and kindles determination in seasons of anguish and heartache.”
“Life’s trials ‘prove us.’ Even the Savior ‘learned obedience by,’ and was made ‘perfect through sufferings.’”
“With joyful reverence, I witness our Savior lives and His promises are sure, especially for you who are troubled.”
See the full text of Elder Taylor’s talk: ‘Swallowed Up in the Joy of Christ’
Who is Elder Taylor?
- Elder Brian K. Taylor was sustained as a General Authority Seventy during the April 2017 general conference.
- Elder Taylor previously served as an institute teacher, high councilor, ward Young Men president, stake president and president of the Texas Dallas Mission.
- He met his wife, Jill Featherstone, at BYU and they married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1987.
- He co-founded and ran a software company.
What has Elder Taylor done recently?
- During the April 2018 general conference, he taught that each person, as a child of God, has a central role in God’s plan.
- In 2022, he joined Elder Gary E. Stevenson in a historic visit to Saints on an island in Panama.
- Last month, he spoke at a BYU devotional, inviting students to rise to their divine identity.
Read more of Elder Taylor’s general conference addresses.
