This week on social media, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited all on his social media profiles to consider temple attendance as a New Year’s resolution. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, also shared their thoughts and invitations for the New Year.
The Young Men and Young Women general presidency members rang in the new year by inviting youth to a worldwide discussion, and other Church leaders reflected on the coming and going of the 2024 Christmas season.
President Nelson reflected on the 25th anniversary of “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” in a social media post Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
President Nelson explained how the study of this document increased his desire to become like Jesus Christ. The Prophet also reflected on New Year’s Day and the opportunity it gives for all to reflect and renew resolutions.
“May I extend an invitation to you as you consider what your resolutions will be this year? I invite you to come to the temple as often as your circumstances allow,” he wrote.
President Oaks reflected on the different yet important messages of the Christmas and Easter seasons on Thursday, Jan. 2.
President Oaks explained that the idea of Jesus Christ’s birth — Christmas — is universally understood, while the idea of resurrection — Easter — is not.
“The prophets and teachings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affirm that Jesus Christ came forth out of the grave and lives today as a resurrected Being. Similarly, because of Christ’s Atonement, all who have ever lived on this earth will also be resurrected, in order to live forever as resurrected beings (see 1 Corinthians 15:22; Alma 40:23).”
He invited all as they begin to look forward to the new year to look forward to Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
President Eyring taught in a social media post Friday, Jan. 3, that the test God sets before His children is not to see “if we can endure difficulty” but rather to see “if we can endure it well.”
President Eyring explained that, as taught in 2 Nephi 31:20, those who endure trials well in their earthly life will be blessed with abundance and joy in the life to come.
“We pass through our tests as we show that we remember the Savior and keep His commandments through all the trials and opportunities in our lives. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world,” he wrote.
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, reflected on another Christmas season “come and gone” in a social media post Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
“As we daily heed prophetic counsel to follow our Savior’s example of love and care for others, even in very small ways, we will remember Him more often and gradually become more and more like Him,” she wrote. “Then it can feel like Christmas every day, because those beautiful feelings will come through being filled with the Savior’s love.”
Sister Dennis than reminded readers of President Nelson’s call to remember that the answer is always Jesus Christ: “May we resolve to accept our prophet’s many invitations to learn more of our dear Savior and His Atonement, to follow His example of love and obedience, and to become more and more like Him every day. Let’s see if we can make this new year ‘feel like Christmas’ on a more regular basis. May each of you have a Christ-filled 2025!” she wrote.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a picture and the story of his grandson Daniel and his family, who donated at a Light the World Giving Machine, on his social media profiles Sunday, Dec. 29.
“We have a giving machine in Columbus, Ohio, for the first time this year! Very nice visit, but there was some disappointment by one child who was under the impression we would be taking home the three chickens,” wrote Daniel in a letter to Elder Uchtdorf.
Elder Uchtdorf then taught that the gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of the most valuable gifts: “As we prepare for the new year, let us remember that the gifts of the Light of the World, even Jesus Christ, are available throughout the year, day by day, hour by hour. Jesus Christ’s gifts will never be disappointing,” he wrote.
President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women general president, together with President Steven J. Lund, Young Men general president, invited youth to attend the worldwide youth discussion “Look Unto Christ” that will be broadcast Sunday, Jan. 5. President Freeman and President Lund posted their video on the Young Women Worldwide and Strive To Be social media pages on Thursday, Jan. 2.
President Freeman and President Lund included discussion questions that will be used during the broadcast for youth to ponder beforehand:
“When was a time you looked to Christ through prayer, scriptures, or the For the Strength of Youth guidebook? When was a time you experienced doubt or fear and you looked to Christ? How does it make you feel to know you belong to something bigger, the greatest work taking place on the earth today?” they wrote.
President Lund also posted a reel on his account Wednesday, Jan. 1, and shared his testimony of the “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” pamphlet, which was updated in October 2022 and announced by Elder Uchtdorf.
“I believe that this is a revelation and that it is one of the most innovative things that has been introduced to the Church to help us live in a higher and holier way,” he testified.
President Lund then invited those watching when considering their New Year’s goals to consider the themes prevalent in the pamphlet.
President Susan H. Porter, Primary general president, shared her experience donating to a Light the World Giving Machine with two young girls in Indianapolis, Indiana, on her social media channels Monday, Dec. 30.
President Porter explained how the two Primary children were beyond excited to donate.
“They wanted to consider every gift that would bless children. Then they chose gifts that they had loved and knew would help others. We felt the love of the Savior for us and for the children who will be blessed by these special gifts. And that felt like joy!” she wrote.
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, talked with his young friend Andrew, a previous For the Strength of Youth coordinator, about how FSY programs can be a blessing to youth, on his social media channels Thursday, Jan. 2.
“It was amazing to be able to see the impact that FSY or Jesus had on these youth and how they grew throughout the week. It was really incredible,” recalled Andrew.
Brother Wilcox then invited youth and young adults to participate in FSY in the summer of 2025: “Just like my friend Andrew, you’ll be able to see how FSY brings the youth closer to the Savior. What a great opportunity to help teenagers step away from the world and focus on their relationship with Him. Applications are open now. Apply today! Get ready for a meaningful summer!” he wrote.
Standing by the Christus statue in the Conference Center, Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, reflected on 2024 in a video shared Dec. 30 and also looked ahead to the 2025 youth theme of “look unto Christ.”
Sister Spannaus encouraged viewers in Spanish to look to the Savior and “for Him to guide us” and to “doubt not and fear not.”
She and missionaries serving on Temple Square shared “the best is yet to come” in several languages — quoting President Nelson’s October 2024 general conference talk, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again.”
