Elder José A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of October 2024 general conference. He shared how listeners can be a pure reflection of their Savior, Jesus Christ, as “the salt of the earth.” Following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Teixeira’s talk summary
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior referred to those He taught as “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). “Just as salt in its purest form has the power to enhance and preserve, so too does our faith in Jesus Christ when it is nourished and protected by our dedication to Christlike service and love.”
The Lord’s covenant people should always do their best to be a pure reflection of their Savior. And just as salt is made of two elements bonded together, “we can’t be salt on our own,” so “we must be bonded to the Lord,” committed in efforts to serve.
“As we remain bonded to the Lord, our lives will naturally reflect His light, and we will become the ‘salt of the earth.’ In this effort, we not only enrich our own lives but also strengthen our families and our communities.”
Four simple yet profound ways to strive to be the salt of the earth include: prioritizing regular worship in the house of the Lord, strengthening others in gospel living, willingly accepting a calling and using digital communication tools to have meaningful interactions.
“Your unwavering dedication is a shining example. Your service is appreciated and cherished.”
See the full text of Elder Teixeira’s talk: ‘Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth’
Notable quotes
“Like salt can lose its essence, we can also lose our spiritual vitality if our faith in Jesus Christ becomes casual. We may look the same on the outside, but without a strong inner faith, we lose our ability to make a difference in the world and bring out the best in those around us.”
“Just as salt in its purest form has the power to enhance and preserve, so too does our faith in Jesus Christ when it is nourished and protected by our dedication to Christlike service and love.”
“As we remain bonded to the Lord, our lives will naturally reflect His light, and we will become the ‘salt of the earth.’ In this effort, we not only enrich our own lives but also strengthen our families and our communities.”
Who is Elder Teixeira?
- Elder José A. Teixeira was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 5, 2008, and has served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since March 31, 2018.
- He was born in Vila Real, Portugal, on Feb. 24, 1961. He married Filomena Teles Grilo in June 1984. They are the parents of three children.
- Elder Teixeira is one of Portugal’s earliest Latter-day Saints.
What has Elder Teixeira done recently?
- During the April 2021 general conference, he shared that listeners can remember they are children of God, remember protective foundations, remember to be prayerful and remember to serve others.
- He spoke at an Ensign College devotional in February, inviting listeners to prioritize eternal riches over earthly treasures.
- Accompanying President Jeffrey R. Holland and other leaders in the Washington, D.C., area, he spoke in a leadership meeting to address helping new and returning members have a joyful experience — so they “sense they belong, so they are a part.”
Read more of Elder Teixeira’s general conference addresses.
