This week on social media, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shared messages of hope, encouragement and counsel for members and friends across the world.
Standing in front of the Salt Lake Temple under extensive renovation, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles urged youth to message to compare the process of renovation to their personal conversion. Other posts include Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, shared the lyrics to a new hymn in the updated hymnal and testified of the power of prayer, and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reminded college students to make time for Jesus Christ amid their busy work and school schedules.
Elder Uchtdorf encouraged to “look unto Christ,” have courage, and not to fear in a video posted on his social media profiles Sunday, Jan. 5.
Elder Uchtdorf compared the process of renovation on the temple to the process of repentance:
“In a sense, you and I are a little bit like this temple. We’re all a work in progress. As we look unto Christ and follow Him, we can make daily improvements — also known as repentance; and by this we strengthen our spiritual foundation, increase our capacity to serve and will be ready for whatever the future may bring,” he said.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke to youth in a worldwide discussion event and shared insights on the 2025 youth theme, “Look unto Christ,” based on Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, which reads, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”
In a new “Prophetic Counsel” video series, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson invited viewers to “cultivate [their] testimony of prophets and apostles.” President Johnson posted this video reel to her social media profiles on Sunday, Jan. 5.
“We need to pay the price to know that God’s prophets are His mouthpiece, that Jesus Christ is actively heading His Church, and that we can trust Him with complete certainty even when we don’t understand completely,” she said in the reel.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles responded to the commonly asked question “Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to just people?” in a post to social media Thursday, Jan. 9.
The video Elder Cook posted was a clip from his previous message "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ,“ given in the October 2023 general conference.
“We do not know all the answers,” he explained. “However, we do know important principles that allow us to face trials, tribulations and adversity with faith and confidence in a bright future that awaits for each of us.”
He invited Latter-day Saints to joyfully be peaceable followers of Christ: “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal,” he taught.
In her BYU devotional message “The Divine Pattern of Deliverance” given last November, Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, taught how to navigate life’s many storms.
On Monday, Jan. 6, Sister Wright posted a clip from her message on her social media profiles, reminding viewers to choose happiness in their circumstances, not because of their circumstances.
“There is always going to be something in life we wish was different. Instead of wishing for the day — wishing and waiting and hoping for calmer waters — we would be wise to strengthen and fortify our anchors.”
“Give the Lord equal time,” taught Elder Rasband in a post on his social media profiles Tuesday, Jan. 7.
While giving advice to young college students struggling to balance school, work and religion, Elder Rasband wrote: “Know this: you cannot put your testimony on the shelf during your college years. Give the Lord equal time in your university experience, then give Him equal time the rest of your life.”
He then promised readers that the Spirit will enhance their academic pursuits, they will find extra time and capacity for their courses, and doors will be opened for them that would otherwise be closed.
Sister Browning commented on a new hymn in the recently updated hymnal titled, “Anytime, Anywhere” in a reel on her social media channels Monday, Jan. 6.
In the first verse of the new hym read the words: “I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere, for He always cares, and He hears my prayers anytime, anywhere.”
Sister Browning shared her enthusiasm for the hymn and the sacred principle it teaches. “I testify, friends, that Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ hear when you pray, especially in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,” she said in the video. “And I invite you today to offer a prayer unto Him any time, anywhere you are.”
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, and Brother Michael T. Nelson, Young Men general presidency second counselor each sahred the most recent Church News podcast in social media posts Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The podcast featured Brothers Wilcox and Nelson, Sister Tamara W. Runia and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, the first and second counselors in the Young Women’s general presidency respectively, and Church News staff. They discussed the powerful impact of For the Strength of Youth conferences has had and can have on youth, young single adult counselors and themselves.
“I invite you all to give it a listen,” Brother Wilcox wrote.
