From the Conference Center at Temple Square in Salt Lake
City, this is the Sunday afternoon session
of the 188th Annual General Conference
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
with speakers selected from the General Authorities and General
Officers of the Church.
Music for this session is provided
by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
This broadcast is furnished as a public service
by Bonneville Distribution.
Any reproduction, recording, transcription,
or other use of this program without written consent
is prohibited.
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor
in the First Presidency of the Church,
will conduct this session.
Brothers and sisters, we welcome you
to the concluding session of the 188th Annual General
Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
President Russell M. Nelson, who presides at this conference,
has asked me to conduct this session.
We extend our greetings to members
of the Church and friends everywhere
who are participating in these proceedings
by radio, television, the internet, or satellite
transmission.
The music for this session will be provided by the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir under the direction
of Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, with Richard Elliott
and Brian Mathias at the organ.
The choir will open this meeting by singing "Brightly Beams Our
Father's Mercy."
The invocation will then be offered by Elder Weatherford T.
Clayton of the Seventy, after which the choir will sing "Dear
to the Heart of the Shepherd."
[MUSIC PLAYING--"BRIGHTLY BEAMS OUR FATHER'S MERCY"]
Our dear Heavenly Father, we are so
grateful to be gathered in this beautiful building,
next to the mountain of the Lord's house,
to hear Thy word from Thy living apostles and prophets.
We thank Thee for the blessing of a living prophet, who
has taught us how to seek and receive
revelation this very day.
We gather again and ask Thy Spirit
to be upon us, that we can hear and act upon the things
that will be taught us.
We humbly ask Thee to bless those who will address us,
that they will speak by the Spirit
and we will hear by the power of Thy Spirit,
that we can be edified together and understand
what we should do.
There are many battered seamen and seawomen
who await Thy tender care, and oh, that we might go forth as
directed by these, Thy living apostles and prophets,
who lead us to Thy Son.
May Thy Spirit bless us this day as we
hear these words, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
[MUSIC PLAYING--"DEAR TO THE HEART OF THE SHEPHERD"]
We will now be pleased to hear from Elders Gerrit W. Gong
and Ulisses Soares, who were sustained yesterday
morning as new members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
We will then hear briefly from President Russell M. Nelson.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
and Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General
President, will then address us.
Elder Gong.
Dear brothers and sisters, when our sons were very young,
I told them bedtime stories about beagle puppies
and hummed bedtime hymns, including "Christ the Lord
Is Risen Today."
Sometimes I playfully changed the words:
"Now it's time to go to sleep, hallelujah!"
[LAUGHTER]
Usually our sons fell asleep quickly;
or at least they knew if I thought they were asleep,
I would stop singing.
[LAUGHTER]
Words--at least my words--cannot express the overwhelming
feelings since President Russell M.
Nelson lovingly took my hands in his,
with dear Susan at my side, and extended this sacred call from
the Lord that took my breath away and has left me weeping
many times these past days.
This Easter Sabbath, I joyfully sing, "Alleluia."
The song of our risen Savior's redeeming love
celebrates the harmony of covenants
(that connect us to God and to each other)
and the Atonement of Jesus Christ
(that helps us put off the natural man and woman
and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit).
Together, our covenants and our Savior's Atonement
enable and ennoble.
Together, they help us hold on and let go.
Together, they sweeten, preserve, sanctify, redeem.
Said the Prophet Joseph Smith: "It may seem to some to be
a very bold doctrine that we [speak] of--a power which
records or binds on earth and binds in heaven.
Nevertheless, in all ages of the world,
whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood
to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men,
this power has always been given."
And so it is today.
Sacred covenants and ordinances, not available anywhere else,
are received in 159 holy houses of the Lord in 43 countries.
Promised blessings come through restored priesthood keys,
doctrine, and authority, reflecting
our faith, obedience, and the promises of His Holy Spirit
to us in our generations, in time and eternity.
Dear brothers and sisters in every nation, kindred,
and tongue, across our worldwide Church,
thank you for your living faith, hope, and charity
in every footstep.
Thank you for becoming a gathering
fulness of restored gospel testimony and experience.
Dear brothers and sisters, we belong to each other.
We can be "knit together in unity
and in love," in all things and in all places.
As the Lord Jesus Christ invites to each of us, wherever we are,
whatever our circumstance, please come and see.
This day I humbly pledge all the energies and faculties
of my soul, whatever they be or whatever
they may become, to my Savior, to my dear
Susan and our family, to my Brethren,
and to each of you, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Everything worthy and eternal is centered
in the living reality of God, our loving Eternal Father,
and His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement, witnessed
by the Holy Ghost.
This is Easter Sunday.
I reverently witness and solemnly testify of the living
Christ--He who "died, was buried,
and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven."
He is Alpha and Omega--with us in the beginning,
He is with us to the end.
I testify of latter-day prophets,
from the Prophet Joseph Smith to our dear President Russell M.
Nelson, whom we joyfully sustain.
As our Primary children sing, "Follow the prophet;
he knows the way."
And as prophesied in the holy scriptures,
including in the Book of Mormon, I witness "the Lord's kingdom
[is] once again ...
on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah."
In the holy and sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
My dear brothers and sisters, wherever you may be,
I would like to express my sincere and deep thanks
for your sustaining vote yesterday.
Though I feel ineloquent and slow of speech like Moses,
I console myself in the Lord's words to him:
"Who hath made man's mouth?
or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?
have not I the Lord?
"Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth,
and teach thee what thou shalt say."
I take solace also in the love and support of my beloved wife.
She has been an example of goodness, love, and total
devotion to the Lord and for me and my family.
I love her with every ounce of my heart,
and I am grateful for the positive influence
she has had on us.
Brothers and sisters, I want to testify to you today
that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet of God on earth.
I have never seen anyone more kind and loving than he is.
Though I felt so inadequate for this sacred call,
his words and the tender look in his eyes
as he extended this responsibility made me feel
embraced by the Savior's love.
Thank you, President Nelson.
I sustain you, and I love you.
Isn't it a blessing to have prophets, seers, and revelators
on earth in these days in which we live,
who seek to know the will of the Lord and follow it?
It is comforting to know that we are not alone in the world,
despite the challenges we face in life.
Having prophets is a sign of God's love for His children.
They make known the promises and the true nature of God
and of Jesus Christ to Their people.
I have learned that through my own personal experiences.
Eighteen years ago, my wife and I
received a phone call from President James E. Faust, then
Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
He called us to serve as mission president and companion
in Portugal.
He told us that we had only six weeks
before we started the mission.
Although we felt unprepared and inadequate,
we accepted the call.
Our most important concern at the time
was to obtain the visas required to serve in that country
because, according to past experience,
we knew the process took six to eight months to complete.
President Faust then asked if we had faith
that the Lord would perform a miracle
and that we would be able to solve the visa problem faster.
Our answer was a big "Yes," and we
started making the arrangements immediately.
We prepared the documents required for the visas,
took our young family with our three kids,
and went to the consulate as fast as we could.
A very nice lady met with us there.
In reviewing our papers and getting acquainted
with what we were going to do in Portugal, she turned to us
and asked, "Are you really going to help
the people of my country?"
We firmly answered, "Yes," and explained
that we would represent Jesus Christ and testify of Him
and His divine mission in the world.
We returned there four weeks later, received our visas,
and landed in the mission field within the six weeks,
as a prophet of the Lord had asked us to do.
Brothers and sisters, I testify from the bottom of my heart
that the prophets speak by the power of the Holy Spirit.
They testify of Christ and His divine mission on earth.
They represent the mind and heart of the Lord
and are called to represent Him and teach us
what we must do to return to live in the presence of God
and His Son, Jesus Christ.
We are blessed as we exercise our faith
and follow their teachings.
By following them, our lives are happier and less complicated,
our difficulties and problems are easier to bear,
and we create a spiritual armor around us
that will protect us from the attack of the enemy in our day.
On this Easter day, I solemnly testify
that Jesus Christ is risen, He lives,
and He directs this Church on earth through His prophets,
seers, and revelators.
I testify that He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world
and that through Him we can be saved and exalted
in the presence of our dear God.
I love Him; I adore Him.
I want to follow Him and do His will and become more like Him.
I humbly say these things in the sacred name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, amen.
Thank you, Elder Gong and Elder Soares,
for your heartfelt expressions of faith.
We are so very grateful for you and your dear companions.
Now, dear brothers and sisters, we constantly
seek direction from the Lord on how
we can help our members keep the commandments of God, especially
those two great commandments to love God and our neighbors.
For months we have been seeking a better way to minister
to the spiritual and temporal needs of our people
in the Savior's way.
We have made the decision to retire
home teaching and visiting teaching as we have known them.
Instead, we will implement a newer, holier approach
to caring and ministering to others.
We will refer to these efforts simply as "ministering."
Effective ministering efforts are
enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters
and by the incomparable power of the priesthood.
We all need such protection from the cunning wiles
of the adversary.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
and Sister Jean B. Bingham, General President of the Relief
Society, will explain how assigned brethren
of the priesthood and assigned sisters of the Relief Society
and Young Women will now function
in serving and watching over members
of the Church throughout the world.
The First Presidency and the Twelve
are united in endorsing their messages.
Gratefully and prayerfully we open this new chapter
in the history of the Church.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The most
memorable moments in life are those in which we
feel the rush of revelation."
President Nelson, I don't know how many more "rushes"
we can handle this weekend.
[LAUGHTER]
Some of us have weak hearts.
[LAUGHTER]
But as I think about it, you can take care of that, too.
[LAUGHTER]
What a prophet!
In the spirit of President Nelson's marvelous declarations
and testimonies last night and this morning,
I bear my own witness that these adjustments
are examples of the revelation that has guided
this Church from its beginning.
They are yet more evidence that the Lord is
hastening His work in its time.
For all who are eager to learn the details of these matters,
please know that immediately upon the conclusion
of this session of conference, a sequence
will begin that includes, not necessarily in this order,
sending a letter from the First Presidency
to every member of the Church for whom
we have an email address.
A seven-page document of questions and answers
will be attached for all priesthood and auxiliary
leaders.
Lastly, those materials are being posted immediately
on ministering.lds.org.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find."
[LAUGHTER]
Now to the wonderful assignment President Nelson
has given to me and to Sister Bingham.
Brothers and sisters, as the work of quorums and auxiliaries
matures institutionally, it follows that we should mature
personally as well--individually rising above any mechanical,
function-without-feeling routine to the heartfelt discipleship
articulated by the Savior at the conclusion of His earthly
ministry.
As He prepared to leave His still-innocent and
somewhat-confused little band of followers,
He did not list a dozen administrative steps
they had to take or hand them a fistful of reports
to be filled out in triplicate.
No, He summarized their task in one fundamental commandment:
"Love one another; as I have loved you. ...
By this shall all men know that [you]
are my disciples, if [you] have love one to another."
Now, in an effort to move us closer to that gospel ideal,
this newly announced priesthood and Relief Society
ministering concept will include,
among other things, some of the following
elements, many of which the Relief Society has already
put in place with wonderful success.
We will no longer use home teaching and visiting
teaching language.
That is partly because much of our ministering effort
will be in settings other than the home
and partly because our contact won't be defined by teaching
a prepared lesson, though a lesson certainly may be shared
if there is need for such.
The primary purpose in this ministering idea will be,
as was said of the people in Alma's day,
to "watch over [the] people, and ...
nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness."
We will continue to visit homes as possible,
but local circumstances such as large numbers, long distances,
personal safety, other challenging conditions--this
may preclude a visit to every home every month.
As the First Presidency counseled years ago,
do the best you can.
In addition to whatever schedule you establish
for actual visits, that calendar can
be supplemented with telephone calls, written notes, texts,
emails, video chats, conversations
at Church meetings, shared service projects,
social activities, a host of possibilities
in the world of social media.
However, I should stress that this expansive new view does
not include the sorry statement I recently saw on an automobile
bumper sticker.
It read, "If I honk, you've been home taught."
[LAUGHTER]
Please, please, brethren, the sisters
would never be guilty of that.
I speak to the brethren of the Church: with these adjustments
we want more care and concern, not less.
With this newer, more gospel-based concept
of ministering, I feel you starting
to panic about what counts on the report.
Well, relax, because there isn't any report--at least not
the 31st-of-the-month "I made it through the door by the skin
of my teeth" report.
Here too we are trying to mature.
The only report that will be made
is the number of interviews leaders
had with the ministering companionships in the ward
that quarter.
Simple as that sounds, my friends,
those interviews are absolutely crucial.
Without that information the bishop
will have no way to receive the information he needs regarding
the spiritual and temporal conditions of his people.
Remember: ministering brethren represent
the bishopric and elders quorum presidency;
they do not replace them.
The keys of a bishop and a quorum president
go far beyond this ministering concept.
Because this report is different from anything
you have submitted in the past, let
me stress that we at the Church headquarters
don't need to know how or where or when you make contact
with your people.
We just need to know and care very much that you do make it
and that you bless them in every way you can.
Brothers and sisters, we have a heaven-sent opportunity
as an entire Church to demonstrate pure religion
undefiled before God--to bear one another's burdens that they
may be light and to comfort those that stand in need
of comfort, to minister to the widows and the fatherless,
the married and the single, the strong and the distraught,
the downtrodden and the robust, the happy and the sad--in
short, all of us, every one of us,
because we all need to feel the warm hand of friendship
and hear the firm declaration of faith.
However, I warn you, a new name, new flexibility, fewer reports
will not make one ounce of difference in our service
unless we see this as an invitation
to care for one another in a bold, new, holier way,
as President Nelson has just said.
As we lift our spiritual eyes toward living the law of love
more universally, we pay tribute to the generations who
have served that way for years.
Let me note a recent example of such devotion in hopes
that legions more will grasp the Lord's commandment
to "be with and strengthen" our brothers and sisters.
Last January 14, a Sunday, just a little
after 5:00 p.m., my young friends Brett and Kristin
Hamblin were chatting at their home in Tempe, Arizona,
after Brett's day serving in the bishopric and Kristin's
busy day caring for five children.
Suddenly Kristin, a seemingly successful survivor
of breast cancer the previous year, fell unresponsive.
A call to 911 brought an emergency team trying
desperately to revive her.
As Brett prayed and pleaded, he quickly
placed just two other telephone calls:
one to his mother requesting her help
with the children, the other to Edwin Potter, his home teacher.
The latter conversation in its entirety went as follows:
Edwin, noting caller ID, said, "Hey, Brett, what's up?"
Brett's near-shouted response was: "I need you here--now!"
In fewer minutes than Brett could count,
his priesthood colleague was standing at his side,
helping with the children and then driving
Brother Hamblin to the hospital behind the ambulance carrying
his wife.
There, less than 40 minutes after she had first
closed her eyes, the physicians pronounced Kristin dead.
As Brett sobbed, Edwin simply held him in his arms and cried
with him--for a long, long time.
Then, leaving Brett to grieve with other family members who'd
gathered, Edwin drove to the bishop's home
to tell him what had just transpired.
A marvelous bishop started immediately for the hospital
while Edwin drove on to the Hamblin household.
There he and his wife, Charlotte,
who had also come running, played
with the five now-motherless Hamblin children,
ages 12 down to 3.
They fed them an evening meal, held
an impromptu musical recital, and helped
them get ready for bed.
Brett told me later, "The amazing part of this story
isn't that Edwin came when I called.
In an emergency, there are always people willing to help.
No, the amazing part of the story
is that he was the one I thought of.
There were other people around.
Kristin has a brother and a sister
less than three miles away.
We have a great bishop, the greatest.
But the relationship between Edwin and me
is such that I felt instinctively
to call him when I needed help.
The Church provides us," Brett said,
"a structured way to live the second commandment better--to
love, serve, and develop relationships with our brothers
and sisters that help us move closer to God."
Edwin said about the experience, "Elder Holland,
the irony in all of this is that Brett
has been our family's home teacher for longer
than I have been theirs.
Over that time, he has visited us more as a friend than
by any assignment.
He has been a great example, the epitome
of what an active and involved priesthood bearer should be.
My wife, our boys, we don't see him
as one obligated to bring us a message at the end
of the month; we think of him as a friend who just lives down
the street and around the corner, who would do anything
in this world to bless us.
I am so grateful I could repay just a little bit
of the debt I owe him."
Brothers and sisters, I join with you
in saluting every block teacher and ward teacher and home
teacher and visiting teacher who has loved
and served so faithfully throughout our history.
Our prayer today is that every man and woman--and our older
young men and young women--will leave this general conference
more deeply committed to heartfelt care for one another,
motivated only by the pure love of Christ to do so.
In spite of what we all feel are our limitations
and our inadequacies--and we all have challenges--nevertheless,
may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard,
giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His
staggering task of answering prayers, providing comfort,
drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees.
If we will do that, we will be more
like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be.
On this Easter Sunday, may we love one another
as He has loved us, I pray in the sacred name
of Jesus Christ, amen.
What a wonderful blessing to live
in a time of continual revelation from God!
As we look forward to and embrace the "restitution
of all things," which has and will
come through the prophesied events of our time,
we are being prepared for the Savior's Second Coming.
And what better way to prepare to meet Him
than to strive to become like Him through lovingly
ministering to one another!
As Jesus Christ taught His followers
at the beginning of this dispensation,
"If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me."
Our service to others is a demonstration of discipleship
and our gratitude and love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we think we have to do something grand
and heroic to "count" as serving our neighbors.
Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects
on others--as well as on ourselves.
What did the Savior do?
Through His supernal gifts of the Atonement
and Resurrection--which we celebrate on this beautiful
Easter Sunday--none other has had so profound an influence
on all who have lived and who will yet live upon the earth.
But He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to,
made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave.
He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike,
and He invited acquaintances and loved ones
to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel.
Those "simple" acts of service and love
provide a template for our ministering today.
As you have the privilege to represent
the Savior in your ministering efforts, ask yourself,
"How can I share the light of the gospel
with this individual or family?
What is the Spirit inspiring me to do?"
Ministering can be done in a great variety
of individualized ways.
So what does it look like?
Ministering looks like elders quorum and Relief Society
presidencies prayerfully counseling about assignments.
Rather than leaders just handing out slips of paper,
it looks like counseling about the individuals and families
in person as assignments are given to ministering brothers
and sisters.
It looks like going for a walk, getting together
for a game night, offering service, or even serving
together.
It looks like visiting in person or talking on the phone
or chatting online or texting.
It looks like delivering a birthday card
and cheering at a soccer game.
It looks like sharing a scripture or quote
from a conference talk that would be
meaningful to that individual.
It looks like discussing a gospel question
and sharing testimony to bring clarity and peace.
It looks like becoming part of someone's life
and caring about him or her.
It also looks like a ministering interview
in which needs and strengths are discussed
sensitively and appropriately.
It looks like the ward council organizing
to respond to a larger need.
This kind of ministering strengthened one sister
who moved far away from home when her husband started
graduate school.
With no working phone and a small baby to care for,
she felt disoriented in the new location,
totally lost and alone.
Without advance notice, a Relief Society sister came to the door
bringing a little pair of shoes for the baby,
put the two of them into her car,
and took them to find the grocery store.
The grateful sister reported, "She was my lifeline!"
True ministering is illustrated by an older sister in Africa
who was assigned to seek out a sister who
had not attended Church meetings for a long time.
When she went to the sister's home,
she found that the woman had been beaten and robbed,
had very little to eat, and possessed no clothes
that she felt were appropriate for Sunday Church meetings.
The woman assigned to minister to her
brought a listening ear, produce from her garden,
scriptures to read, and friendship.
The "missing" sister soon came back to church
and now holds a calling because she
knows she is loved and valued.
Combining such Relief Society efforts
with the now-restructured elders quorum
will bring a unity that can yield astonishing results.
Ministering becomes one coordinated effort
to fulfill the priesthood duty to "visit
the house of each member" and to "watch over the church always,
and be with and strengthen them,"
as well as to achieve the Relief Society
purpose to help one another prepare
for the blessings of eternal life.
Working together under the direction of the bishop,
elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies
can be inspired as they seek the best ways
to watch over and care for each individual and family.
Let me give you an example.
A mother was diagnosed with cancer.
Soon she began treatment, and immediately the Relief Society
sisters went to work, planning how
to best help with meals, transportation
to medical appointments, and other support.
They visited her regularly, providing
cheerful companionship.
At the same time, the Melchizedek Priesthood quorum
sprang into action.
They provided labor in adding a remodeled bedroom and bathroom
to make it easier to care for the sick sister.
The young men lent their hands and backs
to participate in that significant effort.
And the young women got involved:
they cheerfully arranged to faithfully walk
the dog each day.
As time passed, the ward continued their service,
adding and adapting where necessary.
It was clearly a labor of love, each member giving
of him or herself, unitedly showing
caring in individual ways that blessed
not only the suffering sister but each member of her family.
After a valiant effort, the sister
finally succumbed to the cancer and was laid to rest.
Did the ward breathe a sigh of relief
and consider the job well done and well over?
No, the young women continue to walk the dog daily,
the priesthood quorums continue to minister
to the father and his family, and the Relief Society sisters
continue to reach out in love to ascertain strengths and needs.
Brothers and sisters, this is ministering--this is loving
as the Savior does!
Another blessing of these inspired
announcements is the opportunity for young women ages 14 to 18
to participate in ministering as companions to Relief Society
sisters, just as young men their age serve
as ministering companions to Melchizedek Priesthood
brethren.
Youth can share their unique gifts
and grow spiritually as they serve alongside adults
in the work of salvation.
Involving youth in ministering assignments
can also increase the reach of Relief Society
and elders quorums' caring for others
by increasing the number of members who participate.
As I think about the stellar young women I have known,
I get excited for those Relief Society
sisters who will have the privilege of being blessed
by a young woman's enthusiasm, talents,
and spiritual sensitivity as they serve side by side
or are ministered to by them.
And I am equally delighted by the chance young women will
have to be mentored and taught and strengthened
by their sisters in Relief Society.
This opportunity to participate in building the kingdom of God
will be a tremendous benefit to young women,
helping them better prepare to fulfill their roles as leaders
in the Church and the community and as contributing partners
in their families.
As Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson shared yesterday, young women
"want to be of service.
They need to know they are valued and essential
in the work of salvation."
In fact, young women are already ministering to others,
without assignment or fanfare.
A family I know moved hundreds of miles
to a new location where they knew no one.
Within the first week, a 14-year-old girl
from their new ward showed up on their doorstep
with a plate of cookies, welcoming them to the area.
Her mother stood smiling behind her as a willing chauffeur,
supporting her daughter's desire to minister.
Another mother was concerned one day
that her 16-year-old daughter was not home at the usual hour.
When the girl finally arrived, her mother
quizzed her with some frustration
about where she had been.
The 16-year-old almost sheepishly
replied that she had taken a flower
to a widow who lived nearby.
She had noticed the older sister looking lonely
and felt prompted to visit her.
With her mother's complete approval,
the young woman continued to visit the elderly woman.
They became good friends, and their sweet association
continued for years.
Each of these young women, and many more like them,
noticed someone's need and worked to meet it.
Young women have a natural desire to care and share
that can be well directed through ministering
in partnership with an adult sister.
No matter our age, when we consider
how to minister most effectively,
we ask, "What does she [or he] need?"
Coupling that question with a sincere desire to serve,
we are then led by the Spirit to do
what would lift and strengthen the individual.
I have heard countless stories of brothers and sisters
who were blessed by a simple gesture of inclusion
and welcome at church, a thoughtful email or text
message, a personal contact at a difficult time,
an invitation to participate in a group activity,
or an offer to help with a challenging situation.
Single parents, new converts, less-active members, widows
and widowers, or struggling youth
may need extra attention and priority
help from ministering brothers and sisters.
Coordination between elders quorum and Relief Society
presidencies allows for just the right assignments to be made.
After all is said and done, true ministering
is accomplished one by one with love as the motivation.
The value and merit and wonder of sincere ministering
is that it truly changes lives!
When our hearts are open and willing to love and include,
encourage and comfort, the power of our ministering
will be irresistible.
With love as the motivation, miracles will happen
and we will find ways to bring our "missing" sisters
and brothers into the all-inclusive embrace
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Savior is our example in everything--not only in what we
should do but why we should do it.
"His life on earth was [an] invitation to us--to raise
our sights a little higher, to forget our own problems
and [to] reach out to others."
As we accept the opportunity to wholeheartedly minister
to our sisters and brothers, we are
blessed to become more spiritually refined, more
in tune with the will of God, and more able
to understand His plan to help each one return to Him.
We will more readily recognize His blessings
and be eager to extend those blessings to others.
Our hearts will sing in unison with our voices:
"Savior, may I love my brother
As I know thou lovest me,
Find in thee my strength, my beacon,
For thy servant I would be.
Savior, may I love my brother--
Lord, I would follow thee."
May we show our gratitude and love for God
by ministering with love to our eternal sisters and brothers.
The result will be a unity of feeling
such as the people in ancient America
enjoyed one hundred years after the Savior's appearance
in their land.
"And it came to pass that there was no contention ...
because of the love of God which did dwell
in the hearts of the people.
"...
There were no envyings, nor strifes, ...
and surely there could not be a happier people
among all the people who had been
created by the hand of God."
I gladly bear my personal witness
that these revelatory changes are inspired of God
and that as we embrace them with willing hearts,
we will become better prepared to meet His Son, Jesus Christ,
at His coming.
We will be closer to becoming a Zion people
and will feel surpassing joy with those whom we have helped
along the path of discipleship.
That we do so is my fervent and humble prayer
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
The congregation will now join the choir
in singing "Redeemer of Israel."
After the singing, we will be pleased to hear
from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles.
He will be followed by Bishop Gerald Causse,
Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
will then address us.
Following Elder Cook's remarks, the choir
will sing "Love One Another."
This is the 188th Annual General Conference
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[MUSIC PLAYING--"REDEEMER OF ISRAEL"]
The Redeemer of Israel is indeed our only delight.
My beloved brothers and sisters, dear friends,
I am grateful to be with you on this wonderful general
conference weekend.
Harriet and I rejoice with you in sustaining Elders Gong
and Soares and the many who have received
significant new callings during this general conference.
Although I miss my dear friend President Thomas S. Monson,
I love, sustain, and support our prophet and President,
Russell M. Nelson, and his noble counselors.
I am also thankful and honored to once again work more closely
with my beloved fellow Brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Most of all, I am deeply humbled and very happy to be a member
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
where millions of men, women, and children are willing
to lift where they stand--in whatever capacity
or calling--and strive with all their heart to serve God
and His children, building the kingdom of God.
Today is a sacred day.
It is Easter Sunday, when we commemorate
that glorious morning when our Savior broke the bands of death
and emerged triumphant from the tomb.
Recently I asked the internet, "What day most
changed the course of history?"
The responses ranged from surprising and strange,
as you can expect, to insightful and thought-provoking--among
them, the day when a prehistoric asteroid struck the Yucatan
Peninsula, or when in 1440 Johannes Gutenberg finished his
printing press, and of course the day in 1903 when the Wright
brothers showed the world that men really can fly.
If the same question were asked to you, what would you say?
In my mind the answer is clear.
To find the most important day in history,
we must go back to that evening almost 2,000 years ago
in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus Christ
knelt in intense prayer and offered Himself
as a ransom for our sins.
It was during this great and infinite sacrifice
of unparalleled suffering in both body and spirit
that Jesus Christ, even God, bled at every pore.
Out of perfect love, He gave all that we might receive all.
His supernal sacrifice, difficult to comprehend,
only to be felt with all our heart and mind,
reminds us of the universal debt of gratitude
we owe Christ for His divine gift.
Later that night, Jesus was brought
before religious and political authorities
who mocked Him, beat Him, and sentenced Him
to a shameful death.
He hung in agony upon the cross until, finally, "it [was]
finished."
His lifeless body was laid in a borrowed tomb.
And then, on the morning of the third day,
Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God,
emerged from the tomb as a glorious,
resurrected being of splendor, light, and majesty.
Yes, there are many events throughout history
that have profoundly affected the destiny of nations
and peoples.
But combine them all, and they cannot begin to compare
to the importance of what happened on that first Easter
morning.
What is it that makes the infinite sacrifice
and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the most important event
in history--more influential than world wars,
cataclysmic disasters, and life-changing scientific
discoveries?
The answer lies in two great, insurmountable challenges
that every one of us faces.
First, we all die.
No matter how young, beautiful, healthy, or cautious
you are, someday your body will become lifeless.
Friends and family will mourn you.
But they cannot bring you back.
Nevertheless, because of Jesus Christ,
your death will be temporary.
Your spirit one day will reunite with your body.
This resurrected body will not be subject to death,
and you will live in the eternities,
free from pain and physical suffering.
This will happen because of Jesus the Christ, who laid down
His life and took it up again.
He did this for all who believe in Him.
He did this for all who do not believe in Him.
He did this even for those who mock,
revile, and curse His name.
Second, we have all sinned.
Our sins would forever keep us from living with God,
because "no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom."
As a result, every man, woman, and child was shut out of His
presence--that is, until Jesus Christ, the Lamb without spot,
offered His life as a ransom for our sins.
Because Jesus owed no debt to justice, He could pay our debt
and meet the demands of justice for every soul.
And that includes you and me.
Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins.
All of them.
On that most important day in history,
Jesus the Christ opened the gates of death
and cast aside the barriers that prevented us
from passing into the holy and hallowed halls
of everlasting life.
Because of our Lord and Savior, you and I
are granted a most precious and priceless gift.
Regardless of our past, we can repent and follow
the path that leads to celestial light and glory, surrounded
by the faithful children of Heavenly Father.
This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday--we celebrate
life!
Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death
and embrace those we love, shedding tears
of overwhelming joy and overflowing gratitude.
Because of Jesus Christ, we will exist as eternal beings, worlds
without end.
Because of Jesus Christ, our sins can not only be erased;
they can be forgotten.
We can become purified and exalted.
Holy.
Because of our beloved Savior, we
can forever drink from the fountain of water that
springs up into eternal life.
We can dwell forever in the mansions of our eternal King,
in unimaginable glory and in perfect happiness.
In spite of all of this, there are
many in the world today who are either not aware of
or do not believe in the precious gift Jesus Christ has
given us.
They may have heard of Jesus Christ
and know of Him as a historical figure,
but they do not see Him for who He truly is.
When I think of this, I am reminded of the Savior standing
before the Roman prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate,
just a few hours before the Savior's death.
Pilate viewed Jesus from a strictly worldly perspective.
Pilate had a job to do, and it involved two major tasks:
collecting taxes for Rome and keeping the peace.
Now the Jewish Sanhedrin had brought before him
a man who they claimed was an obstacle to both.
After interrogating his prisoner,
Pilate announced, "I find in him no fault at all."
But he felt he had to appease Jesus's accusers,
so Pilate called upon a local custom
that allowed one prisoner to be released
during Passover season.
Would they not have him release Jesus
instead of the notorious robber and murderer Barabbas?
But the tumultuous mob demanded that Pilate release
Barabbas and crucify Jesus.
"Why?"
Pilate asked.
"What evil [has] he done?"
But they only shouted the louder.
"Crucify him!"
In one final effort to satisfy the mob,
Pilate ordered his men to scourge Jesus.
This they did, leaving Him bloodied and bruised.
They mocked Him, placed a crown of thorns on His head,
and clothed Him in a purple robe.
Perhaps Pilate thought this would satisfy
the mob's lust for blood.
Perhaps they would take pity on the man.
"Behold, I bring him forth to you," Pilate said,
"that ye may know that I find no fault in him. ...
Behold the man!"
The Son of God stood in the flesh
before the people of Jerusalem.
They could see Jesus, but they did not truly behold Him.
They did not have eyes to see.
In a figurative sense, we too are
invited to "behold the man."
Opinions about Him vary in the world.
Ancient and modern prophets testify
that He is the Son of God.
I do this, too.
It is significant and important that we each come
to know for ourselves.
So when you ponder the life and ministry of Jesus Christ,
what do you see?
Those who find a way to truly behold
the Man find the doorway to life's greatest joys
and the balm to life's most demanding despairs.
So when you are encompassed by sorrows and grief,
behold the Man.
When you feel lost or forgotten, behold the Man.
When you are despairing, deserted, doubting, damaged,
or defeated, behold the Man.
He will comfort you.
He will heal you and give meaning to your journey.
He will pour out His Spirit and fill your heart
with exceeding joy.
He gives "power to the faint; and to them
that have no might he increaseth strength."
When we truly behold the Man, we learn of Him
and seek to align our lives with Him.
We repent and strive to refine our natures
and daily grow a little closer to Him.
We trust Him.
We show our love for Him by keeping His commandments
and by living up to our sacred covenants.
In other words, we become His disciples.
His refining light saturates our souls.
His grace uplifts us.
Our burdens are lightened, our peace deepened.
When we truly behold the Man, we have the promise
of a blessed future that inspires and upholds us
through the bends and bumps in life's journey.
Looking back, we will recognize that there is a divine pattern,
that the dots really connect.
As you accept His sacrifice, become His disciple,
and finally reach the end of your earthly journey, what
will become of the sorrows you have endured in this life?
They will be gone.
The disappointments, betrayals, persecutions you have faced?
Gone.
The suffering, heartache, guilt, shame, and anguish
you have passed through?
Gone.
Forgotten.
Is it any wonder that "we talk of Christ,
we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ,
we prophesy of Christ ...
that our children may know to what source they may look
for a remission of their sins"?
Is it any wonder that we strive with all our hearts
to truly behold the Man?
My beloved brothers and sisters, I
testify that the most important day in the history of mankind
was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God,
won the victory over death and sin for all of God's children.
And the most important day in your life and mine
is the day when we learn to "behold the man";
when we see Him for who He truly is;
when we partake with all our heart
and mind of His atoning power; when
with renewed enthusiasm and strength,
we commit to follow Him.
May that be a day that recurs over and over
and over again throughout our lives.
I leave you my testimony and blessing
that as we "behold the man," we will find meaning, joy,
and peace in this earthly life and eternal life
in the world to come.
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
While preparing for the construction
of the magnificent Paris France Temple,
I had an experience I will never forget.
In 2010, when property for the temple was found,
the city mayor asked to meet with us
to know more about our Church.
This meeting was a critical step in obtaining a building permit.
We meticulously prepared a presentation
that included several impressive pictures of Latter-day Saint
temples.
My most fervent hope was that their architectural beauty
would persuade the mayor to support our project.
To my surprise, the mayor indicated
that rather than reviewing our presentation, he and his team
preferred to conduct their own investigation to find out
what kind of church we were.
The following month, we were invited back
to hear a report given by a city councilor who
also happened to be a professor of religious history.
She said, "Above all else, we wanted
to understand who the members of your church are.
First, we attended one of your sacrament meetings.
We sat at the back of the chapel and carefully observed
the people in the congregation and what they were doing.
Then we met with your neighbors--those who live
around your stake center--and we asked them what kind of people
you Mormons are."
"So what are your conclusions?"
I asked, feeling a little bit of anxiety.
She replied, "We discovered that The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints is the closest to Jesus Christ's
original Church than any other church we know of."
I almost objected by saying, "That's not
completely accurate!
It's not the church that is closest;
it is the Church of Jesus Christ--the same Church,
the true Church!"
But I restrained myself and instead offered
a silent prayer of gratitude.
The mayor then advised us that, based on their findings,
he and his team had no objections to the construction
of a temple in their community.
Today, when I think about that miraculous experience,
I feel grateful for the mayor's wisdom and spirit
of discernment.
He knew that the key to understanding the Church
is not to see it through the outward appearance
of its buildings or even as a well-organized institution
but through its millions of faithful members, who
strive each day to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
The definition of the Church might
be derived from a passage in the Book of Mormon that states:
"And they [meaning the Lord's disciples]
who were baptized in the name of Jesus
were called the church of Christ."
In other words, the Church is all about people.
It is all about you, the Lord's disciples--those who love
and follow Him and who have taken His name upon them
by covenant.
President Russell M. Nelson once likened the Church
to a nice automobile.
We all love it when our vehicle is clean and shiny.
But the car's purpose is not to stand out
as an attractive machine; it is to move the people in the car.
In the same manner, we as members of the Church
appreciate having beautiful places of worship that
are clean and well maintained, and we also
enjoy having well-functioning programs.
But these are merely support systems.
Our sole aim is to invite each son and daughter of God
to come unto Christ and to guide him or her along the covenant
path.
Nothing is more important.
Our work is all about people and covenants.
Isn't it wonderful that the name given by revelation
to the restored Church binds together
the two most important elements in each gospel covenant?
First is the name Jesus Christ.
This Church belongs to Him, and His sanctifying Atonement
and covenants are the only pathway
to salvation and exaltation.
The second name refers to us: the Saints,
or in other words, His witnesses and His disciples.
I learned the importance of focusing
on people when I served as a stake president in France.
At the beginning of my service, I
had in mind some very ambitious goals for the stake:
the creation of new wards, the building of new meetinghouses,
and even the construction of a temple in our area.
When I was released six years later,
not one of these objectives had been achieved.
This could have felt like a complete failure except that,
during the course of those six years,
my objectives had become quite different.
As I sat on the stand on the day of my release,
I was overwhelmed by a profound sense of gratitude
and accomplishment.
I looked at the faces of the hundreds of members
in attendance.
I could recall a spiritual experience connected
with each one of them.
There were those brothers and sisters
who had entered the waters of baptism, those for whom
I had signed their first recommends so they could
receive the sacred ordinances of the temple,
and those young people and couples
I had set apart or released as full-time missionaries.
There were many others to whom I had ministered
as they were going through trials and adversity
in their lives.
I felt intense brotherly love for each of them.
I had found pure joy in serving them
and rejoiced in their increased loyalty and faith
to the Savior.
President M. Russell Ballard taught,
"What is most important in our Church responsibilities is not
the statistics that are reported or the meetings that are held
but whether or not individual people--ministered to one
at a time just as the Savior did--have been lifted
and encouraged and ultimately changed."
My dear brothers and sisters, are we active in the gospel,
or are we merely busy in the Church?
The key is to follow the example of the Savior in all things.
If we do that, we will naturally focus
on saving individuals rather than performing tasks
and implementing programs.
Have you ever asked yourself what
it would be like if the Savior visited your ward
or branch next Sunday?
What would He do?
Would He be worried to know if the visual aids were
good enough or if the chairs were positioned properly
in the classroom?
Or would He find someone He could love, teach, and bless?
Perhaps He would seek out a new member or a friend to welcome,
a sick brother or sister in need of comfort,
or a wavering young person who needed
to be lifted and encouraged.
What classes would Jesus visit?
I wouldn't be surprised if He visited the Primary children
first.
He would probably kneel down and speak to them eye to eye.
He would express His love to them,
tell them stories, congratulate them on their drawings,
and testify of His Father in Heaven.
His attitude would be simple, genuine,
and without affectation.
Can we do likewise?
I promise you that as you strive to be on the Lord's agenda,
nothing will become more important than finding
those people you can help and bless.
At church you will focus on teaching individuals
and touching their hearts.
Your concern will be to foster a spiritual experience
rather than organize a perfect activity,
to minister to your fellow members
rather than checking a box for the number of visits
you have made.
It will not be about you but about them
whom we call our brothers and our sisters.
Sometimes we talk about going to church.
But the Church is more than a building or a particular place.
It is just as real and alive in the humblest of dwellings
in the most remote areas of the world
as it is here at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City.
The Lord Himself said, "For where two or three
are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."
We take the Church with us wherever
we go: to work, to school, on vacation, and especially
in our homes.
Our very presence and influence can
be enough to make wherever we find ourselves a holy place.
I remember a conversation I had with a friend
who is not a member of our faith.
He was surprised to learn that any worthy man in our Church
could receive the priesthood.
He asked, "But how many priesthood holders
do you have in your ward?"
I answered, "Between 30 and 40."
Perplexed, he continued, "In my congregation,
we only have one priest.
Why do you need so many priests on Sunday morning?"
Intrigued by his question, I felt
inspired to reply, "I agree with you.
I don't think we need that many priesthood holders
at church on Sunday.
But we do need a priesthood holder in every home.
And when there is no priesthood in a home,
other priesthood holders are called upon to watch over
and minister to that family."
Ours is not just a Sunday church.
Our worship continues each day of the week, wherever we are
and in whatever we do.
Our homes in particular are "the primary sanctuaries
of our faith."
It is most often in our homes that we pray,
that we bless, we study, we teach the word of God,
and we serve with pure love.
I can testify from personal experience that our homes are
sacred places where the Spirit can abound--as much
as, and sometimes even more than,
in our formal places of worship.
I bear witness that this Church is the Church of Jesus Christ.
Its strength and vitality come from the daily actions
of millions of His disciples who strive
each day to follow His supreme example by caring for others.
Christ lives, and He directs this Church.
President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet
whom He has chosen to lead and guide us in our days.
Of these things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Eliza R. Snow, speaking of the Kirtland Temple dedication,
which she attended, said, "The ceremonies of that dedication
may be rehearsed, but no mortal language
can describe the heavenly manifestations
of that memorable day.
Angels appeared to some, while a sense of divine presence
was realized by all present, and each heart
was filled with joy inexpressible and full
of glory."
The divine manifestations that occurred in the Kirtland Temple
were foundational to the purpose of the restored Church of Jesus
Christ to bring to pass the salvation
and exaltation of our Heavenly Father's children.
As we prepare to meet God, we can
know what our divinely appointed responsibilities
are by reviewing the sacred keys restored in the Kirtland
Temple.
In the dedicatory prayer, the Prophet Joseph Smith humbly
petitioned the Lord "to accept of this house, ...
which thou didst command us to build."
One week later, on Easter Sunday,
the Lord appeared in a magnificent vision
and accepted His temple.
This occurred on April 3, 1836, almost exactly 182 years
ago from this Easter Sunday.
It was also the Passover season--one of those rare times
when Easter and Passover overlap.
After the vision closed, three ancient prophets--Moses, Elias,
and Elijah--appeared and committed keys which were
essential to accomplish the Lord's purpose for His restored
Church in this dispensation.
That purpose has been simply but eloquently defined
as gathering Israel, sealing them as families,
and preparing the world for the Lord's second coming.
For both Elijah and Moses to appear was a "striking parallel
...
[with] Jewish tradition, according to which Moses
and Elijah would arrive together at the 'end of time.'" In
our doctrine, this appearance accomplished the foundational
restoration of certain keys "given ...
for the last days and for the last time,
in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times."
The Kirtland Temple, both in location and size,
was relatively obscure.
But in terms of its enormous significance to mankind,
it was eternity-shaping.
Ancient prophets restored priesthood keys
for the eternal saving ordinances
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This resulted in overwhelming joy for faithful members.
These keys provide the "power from on high" for divinely
appointed responsibilities that constitute the primary purpose
of the Church.
On that wonderful Easter day in the Kirtland Temple,
three keys were restored.
First, Moses appeared and committed
the keys of the gathering of Israel
from the four parts of the earth, which
is missionary work.
Second, Elias appeared and committed
the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham,
which includes the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant.
President Russell M. Nelson has taught
that the purpose of the covenant keys
is to prepare members for the kingdom of God.
He said, "We know who we are and [we know]
what God expects of us."
Third, Elijah appeared and committed
the keys of the sealing power in this dispensation, which
is family history work and temple
ordinances enabling salvation for the living and the dead.
There are, under the direction of the First Presidency
and Quorum of the Twelve, three executive councils
at Church headquarters that oversee
these divinely appointed responsibilities based
on the keys that were restored in the Kirtland Temple.
They are the Missionary Executive Council,
the Priesthood and Family Executive Council,
and the Temple and Family History Executive Council.
Where do we stand today in fulfilling these divinely
appointed responsibilities?
First, with respect to Moses's restoration
of the keys for the gathering of Israel,
today almost 70,000 missionaries are
spread across the earth preaching His gospel
to gather His elect.
This is the commencement of the fulfillment
of the great and marvelous work Nephi
foresaw among both the Gentiles and the house of Israel.
Nephi saw our time, when the Saints of God
would be upon all the face of the earth
but their numbers would be small because of wickedness.
However, he foresaw that they would
be "armed with righteousness and with the power of God
in great glory."
When viewed across the brief history of the restored Church,
the missionary effort has been most remarkable.
We are seeing the fulfillment of Nephi's vision.
Though our numbers are relatively few,
we will continue our effort and outreach
to those who will respond to the Savior's message.
Second, Elias appeared and committed
the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham,
declaring that in us and our seed all generations
after us should be blessed.
In this conference, significant guidance
has been presented to assist in perfecting the Saints
and preparing them for the kingdom of God.
The announcement in the priesthood session
with respect to elders and high priests quorums
will unleash priesthood power and authority.
Home and visiting teaching, now "ministering"
as taught so eloquently in this session,
will prepare Latter-day Saints to meet God.
Third, Elijah committed the sealing keys
of this dispensation.
For those of us alive at this time,
the increase in temples and family history work
is phenomenal.
This pace will continue and accelerate
until the Second Coming of the Savior,
lest the whole earth "be utterly wasted at his coming."
Family history work, heaven-blessed by technology,
has dramatically increased in the past few years.
We would be unwise to become complacent
about this divinely appointed responsibility
and expect that Aunt Jane or some other committed relative
will take care of it.
Let me share President Joseph Fielding Smith's
jarring comments: "None is exempt
from this great obligation.
It is required of the apostle as well as the humblest elder
[or sister].
Place, or distinction, or long service in the Church ...
will not entitle one to disregard
the salvation of one's dead."
We now have temples across the world and the resources
of the patron assistance fund to help those in need
who are far from a temple.
As individuals, we would do well to evaluate our effort
in pursuing missionary, temple and family history work,
and preparing to meet God.
Righteousness, unity, and equality before the Lord
undergird these sacred responsibilities.
With respect to righteousness, this life
is the time for all of us to prepare to meet God.
The Book of Mormon provides multiple examples
of the tragic consequences when individuals or groups fail
to keep the commandments of God.
During my lifetime, worldly issues and concerns have moved
from one extreme to another--from frivolous
and trivial pursuits to serious immorality.
It is commendable that nonconsensual immorality
has been exposed and denounced.
Such nonconsensual immorality is against the laws of God
and of society.
Those who understand God's plan should also
oppose consensual immorality, which is also a sin.
The family proclamation to the world warns "that individuals
who violate covenants of chastity,
who abuse spouse or offspring [or, for that matter,
anyone else] ...
will one day stand accountable before God."
As we look around, we see the devastation of wickedness
and addiction at every turn.
If as individuals we are really concerned
about the ultimate judgment of our Savior,
we should seek repentance.
I am afraid many people no longer feel accountable to God
and do not turn to the scriptures or the prophets
for guidance.
If we as a society would contemplate the consequences
of sin, there would be massive public opposition
to pornography and the objectification of women.
As Alma told his son Corianton in the Book of Mormon,
"Wickedness never was happiness."
In regards to unity, the Savior declared, "If ye are not one ye
are not mine."
We know that the spirit of contention is of the devil.
In our day the scriptural imperative for unity
is largely ignored, and for many people
the emphasis is on tribalism, often
based on status, gender, race, and wealth.
In many countries, if not most, people
are deeply divided about how to live.
In the Lord's Church, the only culture we adhere to and teach
is the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The unity we seek is to be unified
with the Savior and His teachings.
As we look at the primary purposes of the Church,
they are based on equality before the Lord
and following the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
With respect to missionary work, the principal qualifications
for baptism are humbling oneself before God
and coming forth with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Education, wealth, race, or national origin
are not even considered.
In addition, missionaries humbly serve where called.
They do not attempt to serve based
on worldly standards of status or preparation
for future careers.
They serve with all their heart, might, mind, and strength
wherever they are assigned.
They do not choose their missionary companions,
and they seek diligently to develop Christlike attributes,
which is at the heart of the culture of Jesus Christ.
The scriptures give guidance for our most important
relationships.
The Savior taught that the first commandment
was to "love the Lord thy God."
And the second is to "love thy neighbour as thyself."
The Savior subsequently explained
that everyone is our neighbor.
The Book of Mormon makes it clear
that there must be no -ites, tribes, or classes.
We must be united and equal before God.
Sacred ordinances and divine responsibilities
are built upon this premise.
I would expect that your own experiences in the temple
would be similar to mine.
When I would leave my workaday world in San Francisco
and arrive at the Oakland Temple,
I would experience an overwhelming feeling
of love and peace.
A major part of that was sensing I
was closer to God and His purposes.
The saving ordinances were my primary focus,
but a significant part of those beautiful feelings
was the equality and unity that permeate the temple.
Everyone is dressed in white clothing.
There is no evidence of wealth, rank,
or educational attainment; we are all brothers and sisters
humbling ourselves before God.
In the sacred sealing room the eternal marriage ordinance
is the same for everyone.
I love the fact that the couple from the humblest background
and the couple from the wealthiest background
have exactly the same experience.
They wear the same type of robes and make the same covenants
across the same altar.
They also receive the same eternal priesthood blessings.
This is accomplished in a beautiful temple built
by the tithes of the Saints as the sacred house of the Lord.
Fulfilling divinely appointed responsibilities,
based on righteousness, unity, and equality before the Lord,
brings personal happiness and peace in this world
and prepares us for eternal life in the world to come.
It prepares us to meet God.
We pray that each of you, regardless
of your current circumstances, will counsel with your bishop
and be worthy of a temple recommend.
We are grateful that many more members are
preparing to go to the temple.
There has been a significant increase
in the number of worthy adult temple recommend holders
for many years.
Limited-use recommends for worthy youth
have increased dramatically over the last two years.
Clearly, the faithful core membership of the Church
has never been stronger.
In conclusion, please be assured that senior Church leaders who
preside over the divinely appointed
purposes of the Church receive divine assistance.
This guidance comes from the Spirit
and sometimes directly from the Savior.
Both kinds of spiritual guidance are given.
I am grateful to have received such assistance.
But guidance is given in the Lord's time, line
upon line and precept upon precept,
when "an omniscient Lord deliberately
chooses to school us."
Guidance for the whole Church comes only to His prophet.
We have all had the privilege of sustaining President Russell M.
Nelson as our prophet and President
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in this conference.
The Twelve, as a group and individually,
had a significant spiritual experience
when we laid our hands on President Nelson's
head and President Dallin H. Oaks,
acting as voice, ordained him and set him apart
as President of the Church.
I testify that he was foreordained
and has been prepared his entire life
to be the Lord's prophet for our day.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[MUSIC PLAYING--"LOVE ONE ANOTHER"]
At the conclusion of the conference,
we express sincere appreciation to all
who have worked so diligently to prepare for these services.
We thank those who have spoken and those
who have provided the uplifting music.
The concluding speaker for this session
will be our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.
Following his remarks, the choir will close this conference
by singing "Let Us All Press On."
The benediction will then be offered
by Valeri V. Cordon of the Seventy,
and the conference will be adjourned.
My beloved brothers and sisters, as we
come to the close of this historic conference,
I join with you in thanking the Lord for His direction
and inspiring influence.
The music has been beautiful and uplifting.
Not only have the messages been edifying,
but they have been life-changing!
In solemn assembly we sustained a new First Presidency.
Two great men have been placed in the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles.
Eight new General Authority Seventies have been called.
Now a favorite hymn summarizes our renewed resolve,
our challenge, and our charge going forward:
"Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,
That when life is o'er we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will [not heed] what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey."
I exhort you to study the messages of this conference
frequently--even repeatedly--during the next six
months.
Conscientiously look for ways to incorporate these messages
in your family home evenings, your gospel teaching,
your conversations with family and friends,
and even your discussions with those not of our faith.
Many good people will respond to the truths
taught in this conference when offered in love.
And your desire to obey will be enhanced
as you remember and reflect upon what you
have felt these past two days.
This general conference marks the beginning
of a new era of ministering.
The Lord has made important adjustments
in the way we care for each other.
Sisters and brothers--old and young--will serve one another
in a new, holier way.
Elders quorums will be strengthened
to bless the lives of men, women, and children
throughout the world.
Relief Society sisters will continue
to minister in their unique and loving way,
extending opportunities to younger sisters
to join them as appropriately assigned.
Our message to the world is simple and sincere:
we invite all of God's children on both sides of the veil
to come unto their Savior, receive
the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy,
and qualify for eternal life.
Eventual exaltation requires our complete fidelity now
to covenants we make and ordinances we receive
in the house of the Lord.
At this time, we have 159 functioning temples and more
are under construction.
We want to bring temples closer to the expanding
membership of the Church.
So we are now pleased to announce plans to construct
seven more temples.
Those temples will be located in the following locations: Salta,
Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua, Nicaragua;
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah--
[LAUGHTER]
Richmond, Virginia--
[CHEERING]
[LAUGHTER]
And a major city yet to be determined in Russia.
My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples
may not change your life, but your time in the temple
surely will.
In that spirit, I bless you to identify
those things you can set aside so you can
spend more time in the temple.
I bless you with greater harmony and love
in your homes and a deeper desire
to care for your eternal family relationships.
I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ and a greater ability to follow Him
as His true disciples.
I bless you to raise your voice in testimony,
as I do now, that we are engaged in the work of Almighty God!
Jesus is the Christ.
This is His Church, which He directs
through His anointed servants.
I so testify, with my expression of love for each of you,
in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[MUSIC PLAYING--"LET US ALL PRESS ON"]
Our dear Heavenly Father, on this special Easter Sunday,
we thank Thee for the gift of Thy Son, Jesus Christ;
for Thy love; and for the blessings
to have modern prophets in these days.
We ask Thee today for Thy grace, to have Christlike attributes,
to minister in the Savior's way.
We ask to have the courage to follow our prophets,
to set aside time to go to the temple,
and be more like Thy Son.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
This has been a broadcast of the 188th Annual General
Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
Speakers were selected from the General Authorities and General
Officers of the Church.
Music was provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
This broadcast has been furnished as a public service
by Bonneville Distribution.
Any reproduction, recording, transcription,
or other use of this program without written consent
is prohibited.