This week on social media, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared Christmas messages, the power of love and healing, overcoming faith challenges, lessons found in Primary songs and miracles witnessed.
Following the Dec. 8 announcement of Elder Patrick Kearon’s call and ordination to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, his official Church social media accounts were created on Facebook (facebook.com/elderkearonpatrick), Instagram (@elderpatrickkearon) and X, formerly known as Twitter (@PatrickKearon).
Following the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional last weekend, President Russell M. Nelson — who attended in the Conference Center — testified in his prerecorded remarks of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
President Nelson invited everyone to begin a season of even greater personal worship, to “live in the spirit of ‘hallelujah’” and ever praise the Lord.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, posted about celebrating his 83rd birthday by watching the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional in his home.
“The counsel to think celestial was most significant to me inasmuch as Sister Holland is well on her way to a celestial realm, a destiny made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ,” he wrote. “Therefore, the Prophet’s counsel for each of us to ‘live in the spirit of Hallelujah’ was inspiring to me. Despite life’s challenges, we all have much to be grateful for during this special season.”
Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, posted about an experience she had with other sister leaders to visit a “sanctuary of healing and redemption” in Nashville, Tennessee.
“At Thistle Farms, individuals are not just survivors but are embraced as worthy and valued contributors to a community that understands, as their mantra goes, that ‘love heals,’” she wrote. “This love, rooted in the understanding that we are loved by God, becomes the catalyst for profound personal restoration.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, shared insights to help overcome faith challenges.
“The lesson is to not let doubts or disbelief overcome our faith,” he wrote. “Diligent scripture study, sincere prayer, conscientious religious observance and following the counsel of the Lord’s prophet will allow you to overcome faith challenges.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve posted about receiving letters from individuals wanting to pay tribute to the late President M. Russell Ballard, who died on Nov. 12. The letters praised his dignity, grace and leadership, among other things.
“I echo their sentiments, and I consider myself richly blessed to have had the privilege of associating with and learning from M. Russell Ballard — a true friend and disciple of Jesus Christ,” Elder Christofferson wrote.
Sister Browning produced a video with Sister Amy A. Wright, who serves as first counselor in the Primary general presidency, in which Sister Wright shared her favorite Primary song and why.
As he celebrated Thanksgiving, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reflected on recent miracles, including the recent recovery from health challenges of President Holland.
“God is in the details,” he wrote. “President Holland has been preserved for such a time as this. How blessed I am because of him. How blessed my quorum is because of him. How thrilled I am to learn from and take direction from him. God lives. This is His Church. He is directing it. This I know. And I am thankful for this knowledge.”
Young Men General President Steven J. Lund posted about ministering with Brother Jan E. Newman, second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, in Europe. Both men served missions in Belgium.
