Elder Ronald A. Rasband on temples and the doctrine of Christ

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (born February 6, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 2000.  He was the senior president of the Seventy when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"By assignment from President Russell M. Nelson, in February of this year I dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple. It was a day I will remember all my life. I was with members who have come to the gospel as Jeremiah prophesied long ago—'one of a city, and two of a family' (Jeremiah 3:14). The doctrine of Jesus Christ unites all of us—around the world—as sons and daughters of God, as brothers and sisters in the gospel. Regardless of how we look or dress, we are one people with a Father in Heaven whose plan from the beginning was and is for His family to be reunited by making and keeping sacred temple covenants.

"To a small gathering of priesthood holders in a schoolhouse in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1834, the Prophet Joseph prophesied, 'It is only a little handfull of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America—it will fill the world.'"

- Ronald A. Rasband, "Fulfillment of Prophecy," General Conference April 2020, Sunday morning

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The "doctrine of Christ" is a powerful aspect of the Gospel that merits much study as we strive to draw nearer to Him. It is also a great "unifying" power to bring us together into His fold, as brothers and sisters, from throughout the world. Through the covenants of the holy temples, we learn and experience important aspects of that sacred doctrine.

Elder Rasband's witness of the latter-day fulfillment of ancient prophecy helps point us to the doctrine of Christ. They have all testified of Him, and as we learn of those testimonies and strive to follow prophetic teachings, making and keeping sacred covenants, we will be blessed.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

Elder Neil L. Andersen on the ways we Hear Him

Elder Neil L. Andersen (born August 9, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009.

"Along with the peaceful direction we receive from the Holy Ghost, from time to time, God powerfully and very personally assures each of us that He knows us and loves us and that He is blessing us specifically and openly. Then, in our moments of difficulty, the Savior brings these experiences back into our mind....

"We have recently heard President Russell M. Nelson say: 'I invite you to think deeply and often about this key question: How do you hear Him? I also invite you to take steps to hear Him better and more often.' He repeated that invitation this morning.

"We hear Him in our prayers, in our homes, in the scriptures, in our hymns, as we worthily partake of the sacrament, as we declare our faith, as we serve others, and as we attend the temple with fellow believers. Spiritually defining moments come as we prayerfully listen to general conference and as we better keep the commandments....

"We can 'hear Him' because of the blessing of the Savior’s incomparable Atonement."

- Neil L. Andersen, "Spiritually Defining Memories," General Conference April 2020, Saturday morning

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

One of the beautiful promises the Savior gave to his ancient disciples related to the blessing of the Comforter in their lives:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

Elder Andersen discussed that sacred blessing of having things brought to our remembrance by the Savior. He also encouraged us to open our minds to hearing and feeling the power of the Lord in our lives:

How do we "hear Him"? As we seek actively to increase those experiences in our lives, we will recognize and experience a greater measure of His love.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on authenticity in living the Gospel

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (born January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"I introduce the second requirement for successfully sharing the message of the Restoration with this question: what is it that will make your invitation appealing to someone? Isn’t it you, the example of your life? Many who have heard and received the message of the Restoration were initially attracted by what they perceived in a member or members of the Church of Jesus Christ. It may have been the way they treated others, the things they said or didn’t say, the steadiness they displayed in difficult situations, or simply their countenance.9

"Whatever it may be, we cannot escape the fact that we need to understand and live the principles of the restored gospel as best we can for our invitations to be inviting. It is something often referred to today as authenticity. If the love of Christ dwells in us, others will know that our love for them is genuine. If the light of the Holy Spirit burns within us, it will rekindle the Light of Christ within them.10 What you are lends authenticity to your invitation to come experience the joy of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection," General Conference April 2020, Sunday afternoon

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Christofferson outlined three important things we can do as we share the message of the Restoration with others:

• Be sincere in our love for others
• Be living examples of the principles of the gospel
• Use the Book of Mormon effectively

The importance of authenticity can't be overstated.

When "the love of Christ dwells in us" and "the light of the Holy Spirit burns within us," the power of our invitations to others will increase dramatically. What a blessing to share with those around us!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

Elder Quentin L. Cook on the impact of the Holy Ghost

Elder Quentin L. Cook (born September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"Personal revelation is available to all those who humbly seek guidance from the Lord. It is as important as prophetic revelation....

"Personal revelation is based on spiritual truths received from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth, especially that of the Savior. Without the Holy Ghost, we could not really know that Jesus is the Christ. His seminal role is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and Their titles and Their glory.

"The Holy Ghost can influence everyone in a powerful way....

"Although its impact can be incredibly powerful, it most often comes quietly as a still, small voice. The scriptures include many examples of how the Spirit influences our minds, including speaking peace to our minds, occupying our minds, enlightening our minds, and even sending a voice to our minds."

- Quentin L. Cook, "The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives," General Conference April 2020, Sunday afternoon

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Cook testified in his message of the profound role that revelation has played in shaping the doctrine and practice of the Church since the restoration. In additional to some historical reminders, he offered insights and testimonies to some of the key recent events where more significant revelation was received to affect the direction of the Church.

However, the importance of personal revelation is equally crucial, particularly as we consider our personal spirituality and progress. And the role of the Holy Ghost is critical:

It's always interesting to ponder the various ways the Holy Ghost can teach, guide, or warn. Each of us should become familiar and comfortable with those influences in our personal lives. Those needs will continue to become more crucial in our challenging days.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

Elder David A. Bednar on sanctifying our hearts

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"The word heart is used over 1,000 times in the standard works. This simple but significant word often denotes the inner feelings of an individual. Our hearts—the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes—define who we are and determine what we will become. And the essence of the Lord’s work is changing, turning, and purifying hearts through gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances.

"We do not build or enter holy temples solely to have a memorable individual or family experience. Rather, the covenants received and the ordinances performed in temples are essential to the sanctifying of our hearts and for the ultimate exaltation of God’s sons and daughters."

- David A. Bednar, "Let This House Be Built unto My Name," General Conference April 2020, Sunday morning

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The building of temples in this last dispensation is a fascinating theme. Elder Bednar discussed the scope of that effort since the first temple in Kirtland, and the rapidity of the progress of construction that has accellerated through the years. But more important than the numbers and locations of the buildings, is the purpose and reason for their construction, and the power they can provide to those who attend.

An important part of God's purpose for us relates to our inner natures, our "heart" that He asks to be given to Him.

Through the ordinances and covenants of the Gospel, we allow our heart to experience the "changing, turning, and purifying" that will bind us to Him.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on qualifying for God's grace

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"If Jesus spent His mortal life ministering to 'the least of these' (Matt 25:40), would He not love them today? Is there not a place in His Church for all of God’s children? Even for those who feel unworthy, forgotten, or alone?

"There is no threshold of perfection you must attain in order to qualify for God’s grace. Your prayers do not have to be loud or eloquent or grammatically correct in order to reach heaven.

"In truth, God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34)—the things the world values mean nothing to Him. He knows your heart, and He loves you regardless of your title, financial net worth, or number of Instagram followers.

"As we incline our hearts to our Heavenly Father and draw near to Him, we will feel Him draw near to us. (See D&C 88:63.)

"We are His beloved children."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Come and Belong," General Conference April 2020, Sunday afternoon

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

In this message, Elder Uchtdorf offered an invitation to all of his listeners, in our varied positions of life, to come to the Savior's church and to come to Him. There are changes each of us could make to grow and improve. Elder Uchtdorf made it clear that the invitation is open to us all—regardless of our worldly qualifications or preparations. 

We do not "qualify for God's grace" by our own achievements. But God truly knows the heart within each of us, and as that heart "inclines" to Him, we will feel Him near to us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on conquering COVID

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"Even as we speak, we are waging an 'all hands on deck' war with COVID-19, a solemn reminder that a virus 1,000 times smaller than a grain of sand can bring entire populations and global economies to their knees. We pray for those who have lost loved ones in this modern plague, as well as for those who are currently infected or at risk. We certainly pray for those who are giving such magnificent health care. When we have conquered this—and we will—may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger, freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty. May we hope for schools where students are taught—not terrified they will be shot—and for the gift of personal dignity for every child of God, unmarred by any form of racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice. Undergirding all of this is our relentless hope for greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments: to love God by keeping His counsel and to love our neighbors by showing kindness and compassion, patience and forgiveness. (See Matthew 22:36–40; Mark 12:29–33; see also Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:1–6.) These two divine directives are still—and forever will be—the only real hope we have for giving our children a better world than the one they now know."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "A Perfect Brightness of Hope," General Conference April 2020, Sunday morning

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Holland shared this inspiring message about hope and faith in the early months of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. Church meetings had been put on hold, temples closed, isolation encouraged, and many other impacts had begun as the world tried to figure out how to best deal with the threat. I appreciated Elder Holland's confidence and encouragement as he rallied the Church with his assurance that "all will be well" in the Lord's hands, even as he acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.

Elder Holland's hope and vision are beautiful. We will learn lessons from surviving and conquering the virus, but the critical thing is the broader vision of overcoming poverty, contention, oppression, racism, and prejudice. If we truly learn the lessons of life, we will focus more and more on the great commandments—loving God and loving our fellowmen.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)