Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week shared social media posts encouraging members of the Church to have an eternal perspective and to draw upon the power of Jesus Christ by studying the Book of Mormon and applying its teachings.
Church President Russell M. Nelson shared clips from his October 2023 general conference address “Think Celestial.”
He invited Church members to have an eternal perspective when they are confronted with trials, death and temptation.
“I have learned that Heavenly Father’s plan for us is fabulous,” President Nelson said, “that what we do in this life really matters, and that the Savior’s Atonement is what makes our Father’s plan possible.”
President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, testified of how the Book of Mormon can help readers feel the light of Christ, despite personal struggles and worldly distractions.
“We will feel that light as we receive answers to our questions, guidance in making decisions, and strength to repent and withstand evil,” President Eyring said.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shared a message he gave to those who endure hard times, during an interview with the Church News while on a visit to Arizona on Jan. 20. He said people can press forward through trials if they keep the end in mind.
“This is a victory already registered,” President Holland said, “This is the only ball game I know of where the score is already on the board, but we’re still trying to decide which jersey we wear.”
President Holland’s ministry in Arizona was his first assignment outside Utah since he fell ill last year.
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, invited Church members to “look more deeply for Christ” as they study the Book of Mormon this year for “Come, Follow Me.”
“Then may we also talk of Christ with our loved ones,” Sister Dennis said, “so they will know to whom they can always turn to find refuge and help.”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminisced over his longtime friendship with the late President M. Russell Ballard, who was serving as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve when he died. He said their friendship began during a regional conference in Germany in 1970s where President Ballard taught that each person has a personal responsibility to decide for themselves whether they will seek and follow the truth.
“And he bore his witness, saying, ‘I know it is true,’” Elder Uchtdorf said.
The Young Women general presidency — President Emily Belle Freeman and her counselors, Sister Tamara W. Runia and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus — issued another invitation for young women to join the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship, which will feature Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Youth are encouraged to meet in local groups and pause the broadcast when prompted to discuss questions with their peers.
“We want to talk with you. We want you to share your ideas with your leaders and your friends.”
The presidency also asked young women to save the date for other upcoming worldwide youth events on Aug. 10 and Oct. 27.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the message he gave during a recent BYU devotional that “we literally are the wondrous works of God’s marvelous work.”
“Our work,” he said, “is to love Him and keep His commandments.”
Primary General President Susan H. Porter shared five ways a Primary child can keep his or her baptismal covenants.
- Pray to Heavenly Father and ask, “Help me know who I can help today.”
- Welcome others to Primary.
- Sit by someone who is new and help them learn the songs.
- Help with Primary activities.
- Be a leader in your family. Ask to have family prayer and share what you learned in Primary
“May we all help these precious children know that Heavenly Father loves them,” President Porter said.
Coming off two consecutive Sundays of temple dedications in Lima, Peru, and Orem, Utah, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote that God uses His temples to bestow blessings upon past, present and future generations.
“If we are faithful in mortality, by entering into and keeping the gospel covenant,” Elder Christofferson said, “we will have eternal life.”
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, shared an excerpt from “Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“Hope is not simply wishful thinking. Instead, it is an abiding confidence, grounded in your faith in Christ, that God will fulfill His promises to you (see Moroni 7:42). It is the expectation ‘of good things to come’ through Christ (Hebrews 9:11).”
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote that Latter-day Saints should love and care for all of God’s children, reconcile themselves with those who think differently and be peacemakers.
“Whether it be a friend with different religious beliefs, a neighbor with conflicting political views, a relative experiencing a faith crisis, or a colleague making lifestyle choices opposite of what you would choose,” Elder Andersen said, “all people on earth are ‘the offspring of God’ (Acts 17:29) and are loved by Him.”
Continuing her weekly Primary song lessons, Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, gave her thoughts on the song “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.”
“The love and comfort that is expressed in this song is available to us as we seek out His messages found in His life, His ministry and His doctrine,” Sister Browning said.
In a video he shared, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reissued his invitation to youth to join the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles praised the prime minister of Cambodia, whom he met on a recent visit to that country, for his government’s partnership with the Church in humanitarian efforts.
“I have felt that something special is going on here in Cambodia — something remarkable,” Elder Renlund said.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a video in which he described how he felt during his first media interviews since being called to the quorum in December 2023.
“I felt great peace as I shared feelings of gratitude for our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ,” said Elder Kearon.
President Mark L. Pace, Sunday School general president, encouraged Latter-day Saints to draw closer to the Savior by studying the Book of Mormon this year as part of “Come, Follow Me.”
“I know that by doing this we will discover many new and wonderful reasons to rejoice,” President Pace said.
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, shared a video in which he and a young man compared following a pattern to assemble stained-glass 2024 youth theme logos to following the pattern set by Jesus Christ. He reminded the youth of the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship.
