Elder Gerrit W. Gong on the power of the Atonement of Christ

Elder Gerrit W. Gong (born December 23, 1953) was called as a Seventy in April 2010, then to the Presidency of the Seventy in October 2015. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in April 2018.

"Significantly, the Book of Mormon describes the 'power and resurrection of Christ' (Alma 41:2)—the essence of Easter—in terms of two restorations.

"First, resurrection includes physical restoration of our 'proper and perfect frame'; 'every limb and joint,' 'even a hair of the head shall not be lost.' (Alma 40:23.) This promise gives hope to those who have lost limbs; those who have lost ability to see, hear, or walk; or those thought lost to relentless disease, mental illness, or other diminished capacity. He finds us. He makes us whole.

"A second promise of Easter and our Lord’s Atonement is that, spiritually, 'all things shall be restored to their proper order' (Alma 41:4). This spiritual restoration reflects our works and desires. Like bread upon the water, it restores 'that which is good,' 'righteous,' 'just,' and 'merciful' (Alma 41:13). No wonder the prophet Alma uses the word restore 22 times as he urges us to 'deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually' (Alma 41:14).

"Because 'God himself atoneth for the sins of the world' (Alma 42:15), the Lord’s Atonement can make whole not only what was but also what can be. Because He knows our pains, afflictions, sicknesses, our 'temptations of every kind' (Alma 7:11), He can, with mercy, succor us according to our infirmities. (See Alma 7:12.) Because God is 'a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also,' the plan of mercy can 'appease the demands of justice' (Alma 42:15). We repent and do all we can. He encircles us eternally 'in the arms of his love' (2 Ne 1:15)."

- Gerrit W. Gong, "Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter," General Conference April 2020, Saturday evening

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The general conference of April 2020 was held on the traditional weekend of Palm Sunday, one week before Easter. Elder Gong took advantage of that date to talk about the sacred work of the Savior's last week on earth, beginning with the shouts of "Hosanna!" that accompanied His arrival in Jerusalem, and continuing through the "Hallelujah" that represents the salvation offered by his great atoning sacrifice.j

Elder Gong discusses two important "restorations" that are a part of the Savior's contribution: the physical restoration of the resurrection, and the spiritual restoration available through grace and repentance. That concept of restoration is a special and sacred one to those who love and follow the Savior:

One ofen the most beautiful promises in the Gospel plan is that we can be "encircled about eternally in the arms of his love' (2 Ne 1:15). The true power of the promise is that it is available not just in the distant future, but also now; we are in the midst of eternity. We can feel His love, protection, and acceptance as we allow His grace to change and bless us.

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

Elder Dale G. Renlund on remembering the goodness of God

Elder Dale G. Renlund (born November 13, 1952) served in the First Quorum of Seventy starting in 2009, until his call to the Quorum of Twelve in October 2015.

"The consistency of pleas from prophets to reflect on the goodness of God is striking. Our Heavenly Father wants us to recall His and His Beloved Son’s goodness, not for Their own gratification but for the influence such remembrance has on us. By considering Their kindness, our perspective and understanding are enlarged. By reflecting on Their compassion, we become more humble, prayerful, and steadfast....

"Each of us has received gifts that we could not provide for ourselves, gifts from our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, including redemption through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We have received life in this world; we will receive physical life in the hereafter, and eternal salvation and exaltation—if we choose it—all because of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

"Every time we use, benefit from, or even think of these gifts, we ought to consider the sacrifice, generosity, and compassion of the givers. Reverence for the givers does more than just make us grateful. Reflecting on Their gifts can and should transform us."

- Dale G. Renlund, "Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God," General Conference April 2020, Saturday afternoon

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Elder Renlund's talk in the April 2020 conference was beautiful and inspiring. He shared the story of a man with heart disease who desperately needed a transplant; when a heart became available, it was from his own grandson who had died in a car accident. Having received the life-giving donation from one he loved dearly, he became a changed man.

The lesson for us is in coming to recognize the great gifts we have received from God. Elder Renlund describes the changes we will experience as we remember those gifts and allow them to direct our thoughts and lives.

Understanding and gratitude of the divine gifts we have received will truly transform us. As we feel the power of the Savior's atonement in our lives, we will truly become new creeatures in His hands.

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

Elder Gary E. Stevenson on temple foundations and personal foundations

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (born August 5, 1955) was called as a Seventy in 2008, then as Presiding Bishop in 2012. He was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"As I contemplate the next four years of the life of this beautiful, noble, exalted, and awe-inspiring Salt Lake Temple, I envision it more as a time of renewal rather than a time of closure! In a similar way, we might ask ourselves, 'How could this extensive renewal of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to undergo our own spiritual renewal, reconstruction, rebirth, revitalization, or restoration?'

"An introspective look may reveal that we too and our families could benefit from our doing some needed maintenance and renovation work, even a seismic upgrade! We might start such a process by asking:

"'What does my foundation look like?'

"'What comprises the thick-walled, stable, strong cornerstones that are part of my personal foundation, upon which my testimony rests?'

"'What are the foundational elements of my spiritual and emotional character that will allow me and my family to remain steadfast and immovable, even to withstand the earthshaking and tumultuous seismic events that will surely take place in our lives?'

"These events, similar to an earthquake, are often difficult to predict and come in various levels of intensity—wrestling with questions or doubt, facing affliction or adversity, working through personal offenses with Church leaders, members, doctrine, or policy. The best defense against these lies in our spiritual foundation."

- Gary E. Stevenson, "A Good Foundation against the Time to Come," General Conference April 2020, Saturday afternoon

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Elder Stevenson reviewed the history of the construction of the Salt Lake temple, including the importance of the foundation stones. He then described the extensive project underway this year to provide reinforcement to the temple to ensure its stability and endurance. It was fascinating to me a number of years ago to have the chance to frequently watch similar work that was done on the Provo Tabernacle in preparation for its becoming a temple.

That provides the opportunity to present an analogy to consider: are there modifications in our personal and family situations that could provide greater strength, stability, or safety from the challenges of our time?

Elder Stevenson suggests that we will all have "earthshaking and tumultuous seismic events that will surely take place in our lives" in the future. So are there items of "maintenance and renovation work" in our lives that would help provide the strength to endure and thrive, come what may? "The best defense against these lies in our spiritual foundation." In the talk, he goes on to suggest some things that could help strengthen that foundation. We should each consider our personal situation and look for ways to improve.

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

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

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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

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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)