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Chronological Bibliography
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180th Annual Conference April 2010
Thank you, my brothers and sisters, for your faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families.
We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit.
Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal; it is what is virtuous.
I testify that those who keep His commandments will grow in faith and hope. They will be given strength to overcome all of life’s trials.
In these last days it is essential—even critical—that parents and children listen to and learn from one another.
We help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young.
I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation.
May we follow the counsel and example of the prophet and each day seek out those in need.
Faithful obedience, regardless of the apparent size of the task, will bring the Lord’s guidance, assistance, and peace.
A spiritual early warning system … can help parents in Zion to be watchful and discerning concerning their children.
We have this priesthood power, and we should all be prepared to use it properly.
The Lord needs every able young man to prepare and recommit, starting tonight, to be worthy of a call from the prophet of God to serve a mission.
There is an urgency for you to fulfill your duty to God. I am confident that you will.
The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness.
We are to learn our duty from the Lord, and then we are to act in all diligence, never being lazy or slothful.
Let us consider our callings, let us reflect on our responsibilities, and let us follow Jesus Christ.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn.
Our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life.
Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually.
It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior.
We rejoice in all the Savior has done for us. He has made it possible for each of us to gain our salvation and exaltation.
Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple.
Perhaps the reason we respond so universally to our mothers’ love is because it typifies the love of our Savior.
We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience.
Good judgment is needed not only in understanding people but also in facing decisions that often lead us to or away from our Heavenly Father.
As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to a spiritual death.
A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare [your children] for the challenges they will most surely face.
The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals readily recognized and never failing.
[The] guides from the book of Joshua will combine to provide the most powerful source of courage and strength there is: faith in our Heavenly Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to be a valiant and virtuous daughter of God, dedicated to living each day so that you can be worthy to receive the blessings of the temple.
There is no more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous.
Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”
The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
May the joy of our fidelity to the highest and best within us be ours as we keep our love and our marriages, our society and our souls, as pure as they were meant to be.
The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”
It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way.
180th Semi-Annual Conference October 2010
Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much.
My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church … for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth.”
As we hold on to our children and follow the Savior’s lead, we will all return to our heavenly home and be safe in our Heavenly Father’s arms.
What a great blessing it is to have prophets in our day!
What matters most is the attitude or spirit by which the teacher teaches.
True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes.
If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
Whenever we choose to come unto Christ, take His name upon us, and follow His servants, we progress along the path to eternal life.
In our increasingly unrighteous world, it is essential that values based on religious belief be part of the public discourse.
Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.
May we have the wisdom to trust in and follow the counsel of the living prophets and apostles.
An eternal perspective of gospel conversion and temple covenants can help us see rich blessings in each generation of our forever families.
As you choose not to be offended or ashamed, you will feel His love and approval. You will know that you are becoming more like Him.
A consistent righteous life produces an inner power and strength that can be permanently resistant to the eroding influence of sin and transgression.
Whether full-time missionaries or members, we should all be good examples of the believers in Jesus Christ.
Our Savior is the Prince of Peace, the Great Healer, the only One who can truly cleanse us from the sting of sin.
I bear witness of the reality and power of the Savior’s Atonement to cleanse, purify, and make us and our homes holy.
Pride is a switch that turns off priesthood power. Humility is a switch that turns it on.
Let us do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion.
Each of us has come to this earth with all the tools necessary to make correct choices.
You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks.
Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance.
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, and with the Father and the Son, He knows all things.
I would like to invite you to “be … an example of the believers … in faith [and] in purity.”
We must use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life.
A grateful heart … comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives.
The priesthood you bear is a special gift, for the giver is the Lord Himself. Use it, magnify it, and live worthy of it.
These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost
What the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand.
To find rest unto our souls includes peace of mind and heart, which is the result of learning and following the doctrine of Christ.
Stay strong and make good choices that will allow you to eat the fruit of the tree of life.
Someday each one of us will have to account to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for what we have done with His name.
There is hope for the addicted, and this hope comes through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Endure to the end we must, for our goal is eternal life in the presence of our Father in Heaven.
Studying the history of Relief Society gives definition and expression to who we are as disciples and followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
If we are faithful and endure to the end, we will receive all of Heavenly Father’s blessings, even eternal life and exaltation.
The beauty of visiting teaching is seeing lives changed, tears wiped away, testimonies growing, people loved, families strengthened.
Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.
181st Annual Conference April 2011
Thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel, for the love and care you show to one another, and for the service you provide.
Let your family be filled with love as you honor the Sabbath all day long and experience its spiritual blessings throughout the week.
If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth.
Followers of Christ pattern their lives after the Savior to walk in the light.
Our great personal challenge in mortality is to become “a saint through the atonement of Christ.”
Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women.
The Lord’s way to help those in temporal need requires people who out of love have consecrated themselves and what they have to God and to His work.
Every one of us can be guided by the spirit of revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Truth, covenants, and ordinances enable us to overcome fear and face the future with faith!
We understand and believe in the eternal nature of the family. This understanding and belief should inspire us to do everything in our power to establish a Christ-centered home.
The fundamentals of gaining and retaining a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ are straightforward, clear, and within the capacity of every person.
To achieve our eternal destiny, we will desire and work for the qualities required to become an eternal being.
May we show our love and appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice through our simple, compassionate acts of service.
Your mission will be a sacred opportunity to bring others to Christ and help prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.
Our hope in the Atonement empowers us with eternal perspective.
The Lord wants every Aaronic Priesthood holder to invite all to come unto Christ—beginning with his own family.
If you will be diligent and obedient in the priesthood, treasures of spiritual knowledge will be poured out upon you.
Trials are not just to test us. They are vitally important to the process of putting on the divine nature.
The work of caring for one another and being “kind to the poor” is a sanctifying work, commanded of the Father.
When love becomes the guiding principle in our care for others, our service to them becomes the gospel in action.
The spirit of revelation is real—and can and does function in our individual lives and in the Church.
As we pay our tithing faithfully, the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out upon us His richest blessings.
May your efforts to develop Christlike attributes be successful so that His image may be engraven in your countenance and His attributes manifest in your behavior.
How blessed we are to have been brought into this fellowship of the Latter-day Saints!
There is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement.
If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance.
None of us can conceive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice.
Being true to our beliefs—even when doing so isn’t popular, easy, or fun—keeps us safely on the path that leads to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school.
Prepare now so that you may qualify to receive all the blessings that await you in the Lord’s holy temples.
Testimony requires the nurturing by the prayer of faith, the hungering for the word of God in the scriptures, and the obedience to the truth.
As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell you how to live up to your priesthood privileges.
May we be worthy recipients of the divine power of the priesthood we bear. May it bless our lives and may we use it to bless the lives of others.
Those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him.
The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.
The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment.
The very experience of enduring chastening can refine us and prepare us for greater spiritual privileges.
181st Semi-Annual Conference October 2011
Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.
If we diligently keep the commandments and ask in faith, answers will come in the Lord’s own way and in His time.
With you, I stand in awe as this work moves forward miraculously, marvelously, and irresistibly.
It is my prayer that we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we listen to the messages today and tomorrow and learn those things the Lord would have us know.
The Savior … gave us a great example about not waiting to administer relief to those who have lost a sense of happiness and joy.
Despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.
The Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul.
I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah.
We must devote our time to the things that matter most.
If we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life.
Through Christ, people can and do change their lives and obtain redemption.
Only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ.
If you will respond to the invitation to share your beliefs and feelings about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit of courage will be your constant companion.
From every man, young and old, who bears the priesthood, I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, … a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God.
You and the Aaronic Priesthood office you hold are essential to Heavenly Father’s work with His children and the preparation of this earth for the Second Coming.
Through your devoted service and willing sacrifice, your mission will become holy ground to you.
The welfare principles of the Church are not simply good ideas; they are revealed truths from God—they are His way of helping the needy.
Don’t worry about how inexperienced you are or think you are, but think about what, with the Lord’s help, you can become.
May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe.
The Book of Mormon is the best guide to learn how well we are doing and how to do better.
The purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences.
Together with the Bible, the Book of Mormon is an indispensable witness of the doctrines of Christ and His divinity.
How can a father raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter in today’s increasingly toxic world? The answer has been taught by the Lord’s prophets.
Let us develop the habit … of making it clear that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the name by which the Lord Himself has directed that we be known.
Communication with our Father in Heaven—including our prayers to Him and His inspiration to us—is necessary in order for us to weather the storms and trials of life.
When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us.
Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God. … He is our Savior from sin and death. This is the most important knowledge on earth.
While we are all teachers, we must fully realize that it is the Holy Ghost who is the teacher and witness of all truth.
I am thankful that missionaries are called by the Lord, that they respond to that call, and that they are serving throughout the world.
Your eternal destiny will not be the result of chance but of choice. It is never too late to begin to choose eternal life!
Prayer is one of the most precious gifts of God to man.
While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence.
May the spirit we have felt here be and abide with us as we go about those things which occupy us each day.
From the day the gospel began to be restored in this dispensation, the Lord has needed faithful women to participate as His disciples.
Plead for a desire to be filled with the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ.
As we have faith in Christ and cleave unto our covenants, we will receive the joy spoken of in the holy scriptures and promised by our latter-day prophets.
It is my prayer and blessing that you will never forget that you are truly precious daughters in God’s kingdom.
I testify of the great blessing of children and of the happiness they will bring us in this life and in the eternities.
182nd Annual Conference April 2012
Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us and our needs. May we be filled with His Spirit as we partake of the proceedings of this conference.
How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to Him.
Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children.
Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts.
The purpose of the Church is to help us live the gospel.
Because of the heaven-designed pattern of the family, we more fully understand how our Heavenly Father truly loves each of us equally and fully.
Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen.
Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants.
Our daily question must be, “Do my actions place me in the Lord’s or in the enemy’s territory?”
You are striving to raise your children in righteousness and truth, knowing that while you cannot change the past, you can shape the future.
God loves all His children. He wants all of them to return to Him. He desires everyone to be in tune with the sacred music of faith.
Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received.
Priesthood holders young and old need both authority and power—the necessary permission and the spiritual capacity to represent God in the work of salvation.
Saving souls is the work the Savior has called all of us to do.
The priesthood needs to be exercised to accomplish any good. You are called to “arise and shine forth,” not to hide your light in darkness.
Understanding the why of the gospel and the why of the priesthood will help us to see the divine purpose of all of this.
There is nothing that has come or will come into your family as important as the sealing blessings.
Miracles are everywhere to be found when the priesthood is understood, its power is honored and used properly, and faith is exerted.
It is my hope and prayer that we will continue to bear nobly our burdens and to reach out to those among us who are suffering.
Faith, family, and relief—these three simple words have come to express the vision of prophets for sisters in the Church.
In the Church today, just as anciently, establishing the doctrine of Christ or correcting doctrinal deviations is a matter of divine revelation.
Where did we come from? Why are we here? here do we go after this life? No longer need these universal questions remain unanswered.
We can be delivered from the ways of evil and wickedness by turning to the teachings of the holy scriptures.
As you seek to live the gospel and doctrine of Christ, the Holy Ghost will guide you and your family.
If we are to prosper rather than perish, we must gain a vision of ourselves as the Savior sees us.
Wise parents prepare their children to get along without them. They provide opportunities for growth as children acquire the spiritual maturity to exercise their agency properly.
The work of naturally and normally sharing the gospel with those we care about and love will be the work and joy of our lives.
Sacred things are to be treated with more care, given greater deference, and regarded with deeper reverence.
As you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him, you will feel His love and approval.
May you ponder the truths you have heard, and may they help you to become even better than you were when conference began.
One of the greatest ways we can arise and shine forth is to confidently obey the commandments of God.
Bless your children and your future home by learning as much as you can now.
As daughters of God, you were born to lead.
Believe that remaining strong and faithful to the truths of the gospel is of utmost importance. I testify that it is!
If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing.
When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving.”
182nd Semi-Annual Conference October 2012
May we listen attentively to the messages … , that we may feel the Spirit of the Lord and gain the knowledge He would desire for us.
Some in the Church believe they can’t answer Alma’s question with a resounding yes. They do not “feel so now.”
We are followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Such conversion and confidence is the result of diligent and deliberate effort. It is individual. It is the process of a lifetime.
The Holy Ghost works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling many important roles and distinct responsibilities.
Because of Him, even our Savior, Jesus Christ, those feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and despair will one day be swallowed up in a fulness of joy.
All missionaries, younger and older, serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people.
The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on a path to regrets.
There are many ways that goodly parents can access the help and support they need to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to their children.
Great things are brought about and burdens are lightened through the efforts of many hands “anxiously engaged in a good cause.”
As we come unto our Savior, Jesus Christ, and purify our hearts, we will all be instruments in fulfilling the mighty promises of the Book of Mormon.
We are to give up all our sins, big or small, for the Father’s reward of eternal life.
The high standards of temple building employed by this Church are a type and even a symbol of how we should be living our own lives.
Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.
None should resist the plea that we unite to increase our concern for the welfare and future of our children—the rising generation.
As men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church.
Qualify yourselves as did the 2,000 stripling soldiers by being valiant in courage as worthy priesthood holders.
Stay on the priesthood path by deepening your conversion and strengthening your family. … Avoid tragedy by heeding spiritual “Beware” signs placed along our way by God and prophets.
Let us embrace and understand the wonder and privilege of the priesthood. Let us accept and love the responsibilities we are asked to fulfill.
With your guidance, those you lead will be able to see, want, and believe they can achieve their full potential for service in God’s kingdom.
We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.
The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are.
Wherever our members and missionaries may go, our message is one of faith and hope in the Savior Jesus Christ.
With practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God’s children.
One way to come unto Christ is by seeking to learn essential truths with our hearts.
We have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.
Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance.
This is the call of Christ to every Christian today: “Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep.”
“He shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.”
Conversion is the goal of all gospel learning and teaching. Conversion is not a onetime event. It is a lifelong quest to become more like the Savior.
Faith will help us to safely climb the gospel path, overcome every challenge of mortality, and return to the majestic presence of our Heavenly Father.
As we obey His commandments and serve our fellowmen, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ.
We will be blessed as we feel gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, renew our baptismal covenants, feel forgiveness, and receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost.
Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.
As we take the messages of the past two days into our hearts and into our lives, we will be blessed.
Making, keeping, and rejoicing in our covenants will be the evidence that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is truly written in our hearts.
We must be awake to our duty and continue with faith as we draw upon the comforting, strengthening, enabling, and healing power of the Atonement.
Our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, know us and love us. … We can feel of Their love and compassion in our suffering.
You will be strengthened and yet inspired to know the limits and extent of your ability to serve.
183rd Annual Conference April 2013
I urge you to be attentive and receptive to the messages which we will hear. That we may do so is my prayer.
Of all that I have read and taught and learned, the one most precious and sacred truth that I have to offer is my special witness of Jesus Christ.
Let us accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him. Let us build our lives upon a safe and a sure foundation.
As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter.
God has freely given His power to those who accept and honor His priesthood, which leads to the promised blessings of immortality and eternal life.
By His words and His example, Christ has shown us how to draw closer to Him.
One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.
Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior’s Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace.
The Lord’s way is that we hearken to our leaders’ teachings, understand correct principles, and govern ourselves.
The Lord loves us and wants us to understand His willingness to forgive.
The Church has moved steadily across the world from nation to nation, culture to culture, people to people, on the Lord’s calendar and in His time.
Men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness come from obedience to His laws.
Obedience to the law of chastity will increase our happiness in mortality and make possible our progress in eternity.
As you joyfully use the map your loving Father has provided for your journey, it will lead you to holy places and you will rise to your supernal potential.
I thank God and His Son, Jesus Christ, for the Restoration and its power to propel a magnificent wave of truth and righteousness across the earth.
Standing obedient and strong on the doctrine of our God, we stand in holy places, for His doctrine is sacred and will not change.
The priesthood in the boy is just as powerful as the priesthood in the man when exercised in righteousness.
You received the power, the authority, and the sacred duty to minister the moment you were ordained to the priesthood.
I would like to suggest four titles … that may help us recognize our individual roles in God’s eternal plan and our potential as priesthood holders.
I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to bring the gospel to all the world.
May each one of us search the scriptures with diligence, plan his life with purpose, teach the truth with testimony, and serve the Lord with love.
As we seek to increase our love for God and strive to love our neighbor, the light of the gospel will surround and uplift us.
We are witnessing the miracles of the Lord as His gospel is spreading across the world.
How we speak to our children and the words we use can encourage and uplift them and strengthen their faith.
The promises of the Lord are extended to all those who follow the pattern of life that builds happy, holy marriage relationships.
A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.
Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.
Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places.
At the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ and its power to save is a correct understanding of the Father and the Son.
Lessons are learned in a home—the place that can become a piece of heaven here on earth.
Seeking and receiving the acceptance of the Lord will lead to the knowledge that we are chosen and blessed by Him.
We need not fear the future, nor falter in hope and good cheer, because God is with us.
Inasmuch as we follow Christ, we seek to participate in and further His redemptive work.
I pray that the Lord will bless and keep you, my brothers and sisters. May His promised peace be with you now and always.
Whether [your holy places] are geographic or moments in time, they are equally sacred and have incredible strengthening power.
Your virtuous lives will bless your ancestors, your families now, and family members yet to come.
Stand firm. Be steadfast. “Stand for truth and righteousness.” Stand as a witness. Be a standard to the world. Stand in holy places.
183rd Semi-Annual Conference October 2013
It is my prayer that we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we listen and learn.
Oh, how we need general conference! Through conferences our faith is fortified and our testimonies deepened.
Being meek does not mean weakness, but it does mean behaving with goodness and kindness.
Priesthood ordinances and covenants provide access to the fulness of the blessings promised to us by God, which are made possible by the Savior’s Atonement.
In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go.
Spiritual and temporal blessings come into our lives as we live the law of tithing.
Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church.
Peace can be settled in the heart of each who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption.
Your intuition is to do good and to be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, your moral authority and influence will grow.
We each must develop and carry out our own personal game plan to serve with enthusiasm alongside the full-time missionaries.
Let us reach out to others with faith and with love.
As we repent and become converted to the Lord, we become whole, and our guilt is swept away.
Become engaged in doing what you can in sharing the great message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Each article of faith adds unique value to our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love?
In this Church there are no strangers and no outcasts. There are only brothers and sisters.
If you are humble and obedient and hearken to the voice of the Spirit, you will find great happiness in your service as a missionary.
As long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path, … we can learn something from failure and become better and happier.
I pray that we may prepare ourselves to give whatever priesthood service the Lord may set before us on our mortal journey.
Home teaching answers many prayers and permits us to see the transformations which can take place in people’s lives.
There is one overarching commandment that will help us to meet the challenges and lead to the heart of a happy family life.
Are we serving priorities or gods ahead of the God we profess to worship?
True conversion occurs as you continue to act upon the doctrines you know are true and keep the commandments, day after day, month after month.
Our ability to endure to the end in righteousness will be in direct proportion to the strength of our testimony and the depth of our conversion.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, each of us can become clean and the burden of our rebellion will be lifted.
Our Heavenly Father … knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.
Our challenge is to avoid bondage of any kind, help the Lord gather His elect, and sacrifice for the rising generation.
A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings.
The Lord has provided the way for every worthy Latter-day Saint to teach in the Savior’s way.
May we continually hold fast to the iron rod that leads to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Today is the time to look to the Source of truth and ensure that our testimonies are strong.
Our Savior wants us to really love Him to the point that we want to align our will with His.
The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity.
May we show increased kindness toward one another, and may we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.
I invite each of us to evaluate how much we love the Savior, using as a measure how joyfully we keep our covenants.
When you love, watch over, and serve others in small and simple ways, you are actively participating in the work of salvation.
As we renew and honor our covenants, our burdens can be lightened and we can continually become purified and strengthened.
You will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you.
184th Annual Conference April 2014
We are … united in our faith and in our desire to listen to and learn from the messages which will be presented to us.
Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live it at all.
To sustain our leaders is a privilege; it comes coupled with a personal responsibility to share their burden and to be disciples of the Lord.
[The Redeemer’s] sacrifice blessed everyone, from Adam, the first, to the last of all human beings.
The greatest filter in the world … is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony.
When you choose whether to make or keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of hope to those who might follow your example.
Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!
The greatest example who ever walked the earth is our Savior, Jesus Christ. … He invites us to follow His perfect example.
Using our agency to obey means choosing to “do what is right [and letting] the consequence follow.”
I pray that we will not lose sight of the way so that we may always be connected with the heavens.
I plead with you to practice asking this question, with tender regard for another’s experience: “What are you thinking?”
Hastening family history and temple work in our day is essential for the salvation and exaltation of families.
Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men.
Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What changes are required of us to become the manner of men we ought to be?
You were chosen to participate in His work at this time because He trusts you to make the right choices.
There is too much at stake for us as individuals, as families, and as Christ’s Church to give only a halfhearted effort to this sacred work.
You can be a great model, an average one, or a bad model. You may think it doesn’t matter to you, but it does to the Lord.
Let us—all of us—have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle.
Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?
We can all be more consistently involved in missionary work by replacing our fear with real faith.
As we develop greater faith and trust in the Lord, we can access His power to bless and deliver us.
The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.
The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.
We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey.
President Packer testifies of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Each of us will be greatly blessed if we know the stories of faith and sacrifice that led our forefathers to join the Lord’s Church.
Obedience is an emblem of our faith in the wisdom and power of the highest authority, even God.
The revelations poured out upon Joseph Smith affirm that he was a prophet of God.
If we are not careful, we will begin to chase after the temporal more than the spiritual.
Elder Aidukaitis gives guidance for recognizing truth—observing its fruits, experimenting on the word of God, and seeking personal revelation.
Jesus of Nazareth is the resurrected Redeemer, and I testify of all that follows from the fact of His Resurrection.
May the Spirit we have felt during these past two days be and abide with us as we go about those things which occupy us each day.
We are covenant-making women of all ages walking the path of mortality back to His presence.
We must stop concentrating on our differences and look for what we have in common.
We can offer hands to help and hearts to hasten Heavenly Father’s wonderful work.
The path … we must take on our journey back to our Heavenly Father … is marked by sacred covenants with God.
184th Semi-Annual Conference October 2014
As we listen, may our hearts be touched and our faith increased.
A testimony of the hope of redemption is something which cannot be measured or counted. Jesus Christ is the source of that hope.
Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the first and second great commandments.
The Spirit heals and renews our souls. The promised blessing of the sacrament is that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us].”
In order to assist the Savior, we have to work together in unity and in harmony. Everyone, every position, and every calling is important.
It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually.
Footage provided by ESA/Hubble (M. Kornmesser u0026 L.L. Christensen) Image provided by ESA/Hubble u0026 NASA Stock media provided by U8/Pond5.com
As followers of Christ we should live peacefully with others who do not share our values or accept the teachings upon which they are based.
Jesus Christ chose a holy man, a righteous man, to lead the Restoration of the fulness of His gospel. He chose Joseph Smith.
When all is said and done, the home is the ideal forum for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
By applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can begin increasing your spiritual confidence today if you are willing to listen and act.
The Lord invites us using various verbs: “Come unto me,” “Follow me,” “Walk with me.” In each case it is an invitation to act.
Rich or poor, we are to “do what we can” when others are in need.
It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the foundation upon which we can find lasting peace and build eternal family units.
“Refuse the evil, and choose the good” (Isaiah 7:15).
Learning for ourselves that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true can be one of the greatest and most joyful experiences in life.
As followers of the Savior, we have a personal responsibility to care for the poor and needy.
We must put aside our pride, see beyond our vanity, and in humility ask, “Lord, is it I?”
Trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ; keep His laws and commandments. In other words—live the gospel joyful.
In priesthood preparation, “show me” counts more than “tell me.”
We look heavenward for that unfailing sense of direction, that we might chart and follow a wise and proper course.
Human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God.
To be in harmony with heaven’s divine purposes, we sustain the prophet and choose to live according to his words.
God and Christ are literally a Father and a Son—separate, distinct, individual beings who are wholly unified in Their purpose.
The ordinance of the sacrament needs to become more holy and sacred to each of us.
As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to our Heavenly Father.
If we keep our focus on the Lord, we are promised a blessing beyond comparison.
Despite all of the negative challenges we have in life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith.
If we continue to live as we are living, will the promised blessings be fulfilled?
Family history and temple work should be a regular part of our personal worship.
The love of Jesus Christ must be our guide if we are to become aware of the needs of those we can help in some way.
Examine your choices by asking yourself the question, “Are my decisions firmly planted in the rich soil of the gospel of Jesus Christ?”
The Church of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be a missionary church.
May we all ponder the truths we have heard, and may they help us to become even more valiant disciples.
May we prepare to worthily receive saving ordinances drop by drop and keep the associated covenants wholeheartedly.
When daughters of God focus on the temple and on their sacred covenants, God is able to send blessings in personal and powerful ways.
We must stand firm in our faith and lift our voices to proclaim true doctrine.
185th Annual Conference April 2015
Cheryl A. Esplin teaches the importance of filling our lives with the light and truth of the gospel.
Carole M. Stephens uses the words of a Primary song to teach about the role of the family—our earthly family and our heavenly family—in God’s plan.
Bonnie L. Oscarson encourages Latter-day Saint women to defend marriage, the divine roles of parents, and the sanctity of the home.
Henry B. Eyring describes how our baptismal covenant inspires us to extend the Savior’s compassion to those who are carrying life’s heavy burdens.
Henry B. Eyring teaches about the temporal and spiritual blessings of fasting and fast offerings.
Linda K. Burton teaches that as men and women keep their covenants and strengthen each other, all can reach their full potential.
Dallin H. Oaks discusses the parable of the sower and warns of attitudes that prevent the word of God from growing in our hearts and bearing “fruit.”
L. Whitney Clayton of the Seventy teaches that we follow spiritual light in our lives when we choose to believe in the Savior and His gospel.
L. Tom Perry explains why marriage and family are still a universal ideal and why we must support efforts to strengthen them worldwide.
David A. Bednar teaches how we can overcome mortal fears by having faith in Jesus Christ and building our lives on His foundation.
D. Todd Christofferson discusses the importance of marriage between a man and a woman and its place in God’s plan of happiness.
Dale G. Renlund teaches that being a Saint means to keep trying and encourages us to do so while allowing others the same opportunity.
Michael T. Ringwood teaches that we can become like Shiblon in the Book of Mormon as we are truly good and without guile.
Quentin L. Cook teaches that if we follow the Savior and live in unity, we will flourish despite the harsh realities surrounding us.
M. Russell Ballard encourages returned missionaries and all young adults to live gospel standards of righteous discipleship.
Ulisses Soares testifies that if we will stay true to our testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel, we will win our battles against evil.
Larry M. Gibson teaches men of the Church about the central importance of their role as fathers, both now and in eternity.
The music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost. It brings a change of heart.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches priesthood holders the importance of humble, genuine discipleship.
Henry B. Eyring teaches priesthood holders that as they humbly pray and seek the Spirit, God will help them know what to say and do.
Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose from death in order that He could lift us to eternal life.
Thomas S. Monson teaches priesthood holders to appreciate the gift of the priesthood, to live worthy of using its power, and to follow the Savior.
Thomas S. Monson teaches of the comfort, peace, and strength that can come to us as we attend the temple.
Rosemary M. Wixom shares the story of a woman who returned from doubt to faith and of the family members and friends who lovingly supported her.
José A. Teixeira teaches three habits that will help us learn about the Savior and experience joy, even in difficult times.
Gérald Caussé invites us to always remember the wonders of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Brent H. Nielson shares a personal story about how to include, love, and wait for others who have lost their faith.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches that God’s grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and whose spirits are contrite.
Robert D. Hales explains why religious freedom is necessary for us to exercise agency and fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan.
Kevin W. Pearson explains how Lehi’s vision of the tree of life teaches us what we must do to endure to the end.
Rafael E. Pino teaches that understanding the plan of salvation gives us an eternal perspective that helps us value the commandments, our covenants, and trials and tribulations.
Neil L. Andersen discusses the role Church members have to help build the kingdom of God and prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord.
Jorge F. Zeballos shares four key principles to help us be responsible to our Father in Heaven and become like Him.
Joseph W. Sitati teaches about our roles in the plan of salvation and how fulfilling those roles will help us become like God.
Russell M. Nelson teaches how we can make the Sabbath a delight through strengthening family ties, doing family history work, and serving others.
185th Semi-Annual Conference October 2015
We come to this earth to nurture and discover the seeds of divine nature that are within us
A vision of our Father’s incredible promised blessings must be central focus before our eyes every day.
May we choose to serve a righteous cause as valiant emissaries of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you walk along your own bright path of discipleship, I pray that faith will fortify every footstep along your way.
Commandments and covenants are priceless truths and doctrines found in the Old Ship Zion, where God is at the helm.
Our lives must be centered with exactness in Christ if we are to find true joy and peace in this life.
When we open ourselves to the Spirit, we learn God’s way and feel His will.
If we are humble and teachable, the Holy Ghost will prompt us to improve and lead us home, but we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way.
The pleasing word of God shows us the need for continuous repentance in our lives so we can keep the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Adherence to sacred gospel principles will allow us to be temple worthy, enable us to find happiness in this life, and lead us back to our heavenly home.
The choices you make—mission, education, marriage, career, and service in the Church—will shape your eternal destiny.
No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.
It’s never too early and it’s never too late to lead, guide, and walk beside our children, because families are forever.
We can help each other as children of our Heavenly Father in our trials and temptations.
We must choose to heed prophetic counsel, recognize and act upon spiritual promptings, be obedient to God’s commandments, and seek personal revelation.
Be obedient, remember the times when you have felt the Spirit in the past, and ask in faith. Your answer will come.
Because of His Atonement, the Savior has the power to succor—to help—every mortal pain and affliction.
Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it.
Your loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, invite you to take your next step toward Them. Don’t wait. Take it now.
When we choose to believe, exercise faith unto repentance, and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, we open our spiritual eyes to splendors we can scarcely imagine.
As you move from one priesthood service to another, you will see the Lord is in the work with you.
He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible.
I love to study and ponder the life of Him who gave everything for me and for all of us.
God’s commandments are a manifestation of His love for us, and obedience to His commandments is an expression of our love for Him.
If we will look to Christ and open our eyes and our ears, the Holy Ghost will bless us to see the Lord Jesus Christ working in our lives.
186th Annual Conference April 2016
True Christlike service is selfless and focuses on others.
We build the kingdom when we nurture others. We also build the kingdom when we speak up and testify of truth.
Prayerfully determine what you can do—according to your own time and circumstance—to serve the refugees living in your neighborhoods and communities.
We grow closer to the Savior as we, out of pure love, serve others for Him.
If you listen with the Spirit, you will find your heart softened, your faith strengthened, and your capacity to love the Lord increased.
How do we teach our children to kick off worldly influences and trust the Spirit?
A correct understanding of our heavenly heritage is essential to exaltation.
Priesthood authority and keys start the engine, open the gates of heaven, facilitate heavenly power, and pave the covenant pathway back to our Heavenly Father.
Forgiveness is a glorious, healing principle. We do not need to be a victim twice. We can forgive.
Humility enables us to be better parents, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, neighbors and friends.
As we draw closer to God, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will come into our lives.
Are you standing with the leaders of the Church in a darkening world so that you might spread the Light of Christ?
Children today find themselves in many different and complex family configurations. We need to reach out to those who feel alone, left behind, or outside the fence.
The Lord has provided all of the tools necessary for us to go to the rescue of our less-active and nonmember friends.
Palmyra was the stage of the Restoration, where the Father’s voice would be heard after nearly two millennia.
By the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.
When parents are prepared and children listen and participate in the discussion, the family council is truly working!
Are we willing to pray, fast, study, seek, worship, and serve as men of God so we can have priesthood power?
There will be times when the path ahead seems dark, but keep following the Savior. He knows the way; in fact, He is the way.
As we emulate the Savior’s love, He will surely bless and prosper our righteous efforts to save our marriages and strengthen our families.
Our priesthood obligation is to put our families and the families of those around us at the center of our concern.
This precious gift of priesthood power brings with it not only solemn responsibilities but also special blessings for ourselves and for others.
May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.
If these things are true, then we have the greatest message of hope and help that the world has ever known.
The peace we all seek requires us to act—by learning of Jesus Christ, by listening to His words, and by walking with Him.
This moment does not define the refugees, but our response will help define us.
I focus today on the good that men can do in the highest of masculine roles—husband and father.
I pray that each of us will honor the Savior and make any necessary changes to see ourselves in His sacred temples.
Just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior of the world, He will find you.
I express my love and gratitude to Heavenly Father for the gift of the Holy Ghost, through which He reveals His will and sustains us.
I humbly testify and pray that we will always remember Him—in all times, all things, and all places we may be in.
Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become.
Each temple is God’s holy, sacred house, and therein each of us may learn and know the powers of godliness.
For all who have grieved over the death of someone they loved, the Resurrection is a source of great hope.
Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.
186th Semi-Annual Conference October 2016
Sister Bingham teaches that we can share the light of the gospel by being kind and nonjudgmental and by developing the gift of charity.
Sister Stephens testifies of the Savior’s power to heal us from our sins, from the unrighteous actions of others, and from difficulties of mortality.
Sister Oscarson teaches sisters that they need to rise up to become women of faith by studying and having a testimony of the essential doctrines of the gospel.
President Uchtdorf encourages sisters to live in faith, search diligently, walk in righteousness, and seek God with all their hearts.
We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light and truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have.
As the Savior’s latter-day disciples, we come unto Him by loving and serving God’s children.
Every moment of precious prayer can be holy time spent with our Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Because Joseph was a prophet, we have more than a window into heaven—the very doorway to the eternities is open to us.
When you pray, are you really praying or just saying prayers?
If you will really try and will not rationalize or rebel—repenting often and pleading for grace—you positively are going to be “good enough.”
I suggest that you stop feeling guilty about any insufficiency you think you have in sharing the gospel. Rather, pray “to stand as [a witness] of God.” This is a much stronger motivation than guilt.
We cannot afford to have our testimonies of the Father and the Son become confused and complicated by stumbling blocks.
Can you see the Book of Mormon as your keystone, your spiritual center of strength?
God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for each of us depends on how we respond to His love.
The mysteries of God are unfolded unto us only according to His will and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
We are ambitious for Christ when we serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, and partake worthily.
What we call “member missionary work” is not a program but an attitude of love and outreach to help those around us.
We are asking you as home teachers to be God’s emissaries to His children, to love and care and pray for the people you are assigned.
The greatest power of the Book of Mormon is its impact in bringing us closer to Jesus Christ.
It is my hope that those who have strayed from the path of discipleship will see with their hearts and learn from Alma and Amulek.
I pray that we will rise to our call to lift others to prepare them for their glorious service.
May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan.
I testify of the great gift which is our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness.
When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.
Consider five ways to increase the impact and power of our regular participation in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament.
I know that when we sincerely repent of our sins, they are truly gone—without a trace!
In the end, each one of us must respond to the Savior’s question: “Will ye also go away?”
Worship is essential and central to our spiritual life. It is something we should yearn for, seek out, and strive to experience.
There is only one way to judge righteous judgment, as Jesus Christ does, and that is to be as He is.
For Latter-day Saints, the Sabbath is a day of gratitude and love.
Do we only know about the Savior, or are we increasingly coming to know Him? How do we come to know the Lord?
The doctrine of Christ allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected.
Every member is needed, and every member needs an opportunity to serve.
I encourage you to recall, especially in times of crisis, when you felt the Spirit and your testimony was strong; remember the spiritual foundations you have built.
As we exercise our faith in the Savior, He will lift us up and carry us through all of our trials and, ultimately, save us in the celestial kingdom.
I don’t know if anything in this world could bring more happiness and joy than to know that our children know the Savior.
Repentance is not only possible but also joyful because of our Savior.
187th Annual Conference April 2017
Our Father in Heaven has provided for us all that is required so that we can become holy as He is holy.
Certain women are disciples centered in the Savior Jesus Christ and have hope through the promise of His atoning sacrifice.
The Lord promised peace to His disciples as He was about to leave them. He has made the same promise to us.
God the Father wants His children home again, in families and in glory.
Heavenly Father knows what you and I need better than anyone else.
Because of God’s holy plan, we know that birth and death are actually just milestones on our journey to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.
If we are steadfast and do not waver in our faith, the Lord will increase our capacity to raise ourselves above the challenges of life.
Even in the most difficult and darkest of times, there is light and goodness all around us.
May we recalculate our route if need be and look forward with great hope and faith. May we “stand up inside” by being valiant and “all in.”.
Powerful teaching is extremely important to preserve the gospel in our families, and it requires diligence and effort.
Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity.
To return to God’s presence and to receive the eternal blessings that come from making and keeping covenants are the most important goals we can set.
Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable.
An assignment to labor in a specific place is essential and important but secondary to a call to the work.
Even though they are vested with different missions and authority, the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood are inseparable partners in the work of salvation.
God’s greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward.
Our ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him, to do what He does, to serve the way He serves.
I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.
As you teach, lead, and love children, you can receive personal revelation that will aid you in creating and arming valiant, sin-resistant children.
Inviting others to come unto Christ is our purpose, and we can fulfill this purpose by looking up to Jesus Christ.
By divine assignment, the Holy Ghost inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord.
We can center our lives on the Savior by coming to know Him, and He will direct our paths.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with His power, which is available to every earnestly seeking daughter or son of God.
The constellation of characteristics that result from faith in Christ are all necessary to our standing strong in these last days.
Let us set aside our fears and live instead with joy, humility, hope, and a bold confidence that the Lord is with us.
I plead with each one of us to stay permanently and faithfully in the choir.
While the duty to warn is felt especially keenly by prophets, it is a duty shared by others as well.
When we decide to do “whatsoever [God] saith unto” us, we earnestly commit to align our everyday behavior with God’s will.
Because we have the truth about the Godhead and our relationship to Them, we have the ultimate road map for our journey through mortality.
If you pay the price of revelation, humble yourself, read, pray, and repent, the heavens will open and you will know that Jesus is the Christ.
Anytime you feel you are being asked to do something hard, think of the Lord beholding you, loving you, and inviting you to follow Him.
The Holy Ghost warns, the Holy Ghost comforts, and the Holy Ghost testifies.
God knows you and invites you to know Him.
The Savior’s gospel and His restored Church give us many opportunities for our light to be a part of the great standard for the nations.
My plea is that we will make the sacrifices and have the humility necessary to strengthen the foundations of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
187th Semi-Annual Conference October 2017
The prophets are calling on us, my sisters. Will you be righteous? Will you articulate your faith? Will you turn on your light?
Christ has the power to bring us into loving fellowship with the Father and with one another.
We can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth.
We are responsible for our own discipleship, and it has little—if anything—to do with the way others treat us.
Some of the most significant needs we can meet are within our own families, among our friends, in our wards, and in our communities.
The family proclamation is the Lord’s reemphasis of the gospel truths we need to sustain us through current challenges to the family.
Every one of us has a meaningful role to play in furthering God’s work.
If we yearn to dwell in Christ and have Him dwell in us, then holiness is what we seek.
If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete.
The moment we set foot on the path of repentance, we invite the Savior’s redeeming power into our lives.
Humility about who we are and God’s purpose for us is essential.
The Lord’s hand is guiding you. By “divine design,” He is in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones.
Let us do that which is necessary to have the widow’s heart, truly rejoicing in the blessings that will fill the “want” that results.
In a most miraculous and singular way, the Book of Mormon teaches us of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
For Heavenly Father’s purposes to be accomplished, Christ’s atoning power needs to be made available to God’s children. The priesthood delivers these opportunities.
Each of us has a personal responsibility to do what is necessary to obtain and keep a strong testimony.
Men who have “integrity of heart” are men to be trusted—because trust is built on integrity.
As a bearer of God’s priesthood and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are a bearer of light.
The Lord’s leadership of His Church requires great and steady faith from all who serve Him on earth.
Jesus Christ is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress.
Our supreme focus should be on the spiritual miracles that are available to all of God’s children.
Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness includes the doctrine, the ordinances, the covenants, and the exceeding great and precious promises whereby we can become partakers of the divine nature.
We cannot control all that happens to us, but we have absolute control over how we respond to the changes in our lives.
We must look at others through the eyes of our Savior.
The Lord tells us that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases.
A trek back to our Heavenly Father is the most important trek of our lives.
The Book of Mormon is God’s compelling witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and the absolute truth of this Church.
In the Church, in spite of our differences, the Lord expects us to be one!
Regardless of the issue, hard can be good for those who will move forward with faith and trust the Lord and His plan.
The First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith brought forth knowledge and truth that are essential to our happiness in this life and to our exaltation.
As we study from the best books, we protect ourselves against the menacing jaws of those that seek to gnaw at our spiritual roots.
By serving and forgiving others with real love, we can be healed and receive the strength to overcome our own challenges.
Turn your soul toward the light. Begin your own wonderful journey home. As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful.
Don’t let life’s distractions eclipse heaven’s light.
I testify that in this conference we have heard the Lord’s voice. The test for each of us is how we respond.
188th Annual Conference April 2018
Life can be filled with faith, joy, happiness, hope, and love when we exercise the smallest amount of real faith in Christ.
How can each of us experience the power of understanding our divine identity? It begins by seeking to know God, our Father.
We can all receive unspeakable peace and partnering with our Savior as we learn to freely forgive those who have trespassed against us.
We can rejoice that the Lord’s prophet is in place and that the Lord’s work is being done in the way that He has divinely prescribed.
Amid a life full of stumbling blocks and imperfection, we all are grateful for second chances.
A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior.
Meekness is a defining attribute of the Redeemer and is distinguished by righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and strong self-restraint.
We all have a “today” to live, and the key to making our day successful is to be willing to sacrifice.
Every young woman in the Church should feel valued, have opportunities to serve, and feel that she has something of worth to contribute to this work.
Participating in ordinances and honoring the associated covenants will bring you marvelous light and protection in this ever-darkening world.
I plead for heaven’s help as we strive to be Christlike teachers in our homes.
When we gather our family histories and go to the temple on behalf of our ancestors, God fulfills promised blessings simultaneously on both sides of the veil.
Your Aaronic Priesthood ordination is central to helping God’s children receive Christ’s atoning power.
We announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively.
Having one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum in a ward unifies priesthood holders to accomplish all aspects of the work of salvation.
What a joy it will be for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders to have the blessing of teaching, learning, and serving shoulder to shoulder.
We receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior.
The magnifying of the holy priesthood you hold is vital to the work of the Lord in your families and in your Church callings.
We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving kindness.
What an incomparable gift comes to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. That gift is the Holy Spirit.
In order to reach our sublime destiny, we need each other, and we need to be unified.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is centered on the love of the Father and the Savior for us and our love for Them and for one another.
Let us be faithful to what we have believed and know.
I pray with all my heart that you will hear the voice of the Spirit, which is sent to you so generously.
We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, seemingly small things bring to pass great things.
In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of 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.”
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.
We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others.
Our prayer today is that every man and woman will leave this general conference more deeply committed to heartfelt care for one another.
May we show our gratitude and love for God by ministering with love to our eternal sisters and brothers.
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.
The Church is all about you, the Lord’s disciples—those who love and follow Him and who have taken His name upon them.
Pursuing divinely appointed responsibilities in righteousness, unity, and equality will prepare us to meet God.
Your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days.
188th Semi-Annual Conference October 2018
It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings.
Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion.
As we face hard things in the Lord’s way, may we lift up our heads and rejoice.
Lessons taught through the traditions we establish in our homes, though small and simple, are increasingly important in today’s world.
The power of the Savior’s gospel to transform and bless us flows from discerning and applying the interrelatedness of its doctrine, principles, and practices.
To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one’s heart and soul.
As we solidify in our lives the practice of listening to and heeding the voice of the living prophets, we will reap eternal blessings.
We achieve the abundant life by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ—by following in His ways and engaging in His work.
Knowing the who and the why in serving others helps us understand that the highest manifestation of love is devotion to God.
Divine discontent can move us to act in faith, follow the Savior’s invitations to do good, and give our lives humbly to Him.
We have promised our Father in Heaven that we will serve Him and others with love and do His will in all things.
The Savior is your perfect example of how you will play a major part in His move to place greater emphasis on gospel learning in the home.
Our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness tells you who you are and the purpose of your life.
I’m extending a prophetic plea to you, the women of the Church, to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel.
I testify that the vision President Joseph F. Smith received is true. I bear witness that every person can come to know it is true.
I hope those to whom you minister will see you as a friend and realize that, in you, they have a champion and a confidant.
I testify of the tranquility to the soul that reconciliation with God and each other will bring if we are meek and courageous enough to pursue it.
We are gathering Israel for the last time and are doing so with the Book of Mormon, one of the most powerful tools of conversion.
In the crucible of earthly trials, patiently move forward, and the Savior’s healing power will bring you light, understanding, peace, and hope.
Jesus Christ directed us to call the Church by His name because it is His Church, filled with His power.
The Savior is putting His name in your hearts. And you are feeling the pure love of Christ for others and for yourself.
Each of us has the potential to become like the Father. To do so, we must worship the Father in the name of the Son.
May we faithfully take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ—by seeing as He sees, by serving as He served, and by trusting that His grace is sufficient.
Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, if we choose to repent and turn our hearts fully to the Savior, He will heal us spiritually.
The magnitude of our eternal happiness depends on choosing the living God and joining Him in His work.
If there is anything in your life you need to consider, now is the time.
We reach out in love to others because it is what our Savior commanded us to do.
I leave my love and blessing upon you, that you may feast upon the word of the Lord and apply His teachings in your personal lives.
Take heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear.
When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search.
My beloved companions in the work of the Lord, I believe we can do much better and should do better in welcoming new friends into the Church.
For those who seek, allow, and live for it, the dawn of faith, sometimes gradually, will come or can return.
The Savior’s name has singular and essential power. It is the only name by which salvation is possible.
189th Annual Conference April 2019
When we earnestly, heartily, firmly, and sincerely seek to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ and teach it to one another, these teachings may transform hearts.
As the influences of the world increasingly embrace the evil, we must strive with all diligence to stay firmly on the path that leads us safely to our Savior.
The Father is aware of us, knows our needs, and will help us perfectly.
Wherever you are on this earth, there are plenty of opportunities to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As we seek to minister just as He did, we will be provided opportunities to forget self and lift others.
You will find some of your greatest joys in your efforts to make your home a place of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a place that is permeated with love.
Loving God and loving our neighbors is the doctrinal foundation of ministering; home-centered, Church-supported learning; Sabbath-day spiritual worship; and the work of salvation.
We should learn to discern the truth not only through our rational minds but also through the very still and small voice of the Spirit.
If we pick and choose what we accept in the proclamation, we cloud our eternal view, putting too much importance on our experience here and now.
Feasting upon the words of Christ can happen at any time and on any occasion if we prepare our hearts.
In a world with so many competing voices, our Heavenly Father has made it possible for us to hear and follow His.
Our modified Sunday service is to emphasize the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as the sacred, acknowledged focal point of our weekly worship experience.
Create your own playbook of how you will prove yourself as a disciple of Christ.
The Lord would have you establish a strong quorum. As He gathers His children, they need a place to belong and grow.
If we look to Jesus Christ, He will help us live our covenants and magnify our calling as elders in Israel.
By raising your hand to sustain, you make a promise with God, whose servants these are, that you will sustain them.
We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead.
Make your focus on daily repentance so integral to your life that you can exercise the priesthood with greater power than ever before.
Most blessings that God desires to give us require action on our part—action based on our faith in Jesus Christ.
If you feel that the beacon of your testimony is sputtering and darkness is closing in, take courage. Keep your promises to God.
Love is the primary attribute and motive for the spiritual purposes we were charged to undertake by our beloved prophet.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is uniquely empowered and commissioned to accomplish the necessary preparations for the Lord’s Second Coming.
The Savior’s Atonement is not only infinite in scope but also individual in reach.
Jesus Christ invites us to take the covenant path back home to our Heavenly Parents and be with those we love.
Because of God’s plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance.
Just as reading and learning about muscles is not enough to build muscle, reading and learning about faith without adding action is insufficient to build faith.
Jesus Christ calls us in His voice and His name. He seeks and gathers us. He teaches us how to minister in love.
Blessings will come as we strive to fulfill our individual responsibility to learn and love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Even while we are patiently waiting upon the Lord, there are certain blessings that come to us immediately.
When we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, when we draw upon the Savior’s Atonement and press forward with faith, we are fortified against the adversary.
May we dedicate and rededicate our lives to serving God and His children—on both sides of the veil.
189th Semi-Annual Conference October 2019
Through the incessant din and drumbeat of our day, may we strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, of our faith, and of our service.
We can feel enduring joy when our Savior and His gospel become the framework around which we build our lives.
We must deliberately take time each day to disconnect from the world and connect with heaven.
Joy comes from keeping Christ’s commandments, from overcoming sorrow and weakness through Him, and from serving as He served.
As Jesus Christ’s faithful disciple, you can receive personal inspiration and revelation, consistent with His commandments, that is tailored to you.
God invites us to cast our old ways completely out of reach and begin a new life in Christ.
Our only sure reliance is to trust in the Lord and His love for His children.
Constant vigilance is required to counteract complacency and casualness.
All must experience and be found by the power of the truths contained in the Book of Mormon.
The adjustments we will now announce are intended to help young men and young women develop their sacred personal potential.
More young men and young women will rise to the challenge and stay on the covenant path because of this laser-like focus on our youth.
The Lord prepares His people against the attacks of the adversary. Come, Follow Me is the Lord’s counterstrategy and proactive plan.
Trusting in the Lord includes trusting in His timing and requires patience and endurance that outlast the storms of life.
As we follow God’s voice and His covenant path, He will strengthen us in our trials.
I invite you to consider the promises and covenants you make with the Lord, and with others, with great integrity, knowing that your word is your bond.
I testify that “thru cloud and sunshine” the Lord will abide with us, that our “afflictions [can be] swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”
With covenant identity and belonging, we are called by the name of Jesus Christ.
At the heart of all we do in Young Women is our desire to help you gain unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered.
We must try to keep both of the great commandments. To do so, we walk a fine line between law and love.
As you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase.
To belong with God and to walk with each other on His covenant path is to be blessed by covenant belonging.
We have a loving Father in Heaven, who is waiting for us to turn to Him to bless our lives and the lives of those around us.
The Savior invites us, each day, to set aside our comforts and securities and join Him on the journey of discipleship.
As we come unto Him, God will come to our rescue, whether to heal us or to give us the strength to face any situation.
As we obey God’s commandments, we will always be led in the right way and will not be deceived.
Our greatest joy comes as we help our brothers and sisters.
Greater happiness comes from greater personal holiness.
May we all come to understand our part in this great ministering work so that we will become more like Him.
One of the most important things we can learn in this life is how to emphasize our eternal spiritual nature and control our evil desires.
How do we find peace, remember who we are, and overcome the three Ds of the adversary?
Taking upon yourselves your crosses and following the Savior means continuing with faith on the Lord’s path and not indulging in worldly habits.
Keep your eyes and your hearts centered on the Savior Jesus Christ and the eternal joy that comes only through Him.
Individual worthiness requires a total conversion of mind and heart to be more like the Lord.