When has a friend, teacher, family member, or another person in your life been an example of a light on the hill to you? The Savior has invited us to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). I love meeting disciples of Jesus Christ around the world. You reflect the Savior’s light in your countenance and inspire more people than you may ever know. I look forward to being with our exceptional disciples of Christ across the globe at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on November 1 and discussing how we can center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His hopeful, ever-shining light.

Lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ best reflect the Savior’s teaching and direction when they joyfully live lives of integrity and virtue. The virtuous Christlike life necessary to sustain us and propel us along the covenant path has never been more important or challenging. What we are seeing in society and social media today is conduct and language that is often coarse and crude and lacks virtue. Any use of the internet to bully, destroy a reputation, or place a person in a bad light is reprehensible. It is clear, evil communications are not just a matter of bad manners. If practiced by Latter-day Saints, they can adversely affect others who do not have a knowledge of God or a testimony of our Savior. We cannot control the conduct of others, but we can strive to be a peaceable people who live in accordance with the Christlike conduct and virtues taught by our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lord wants us to experience the joy of a virtuous life. He provides us with many beautiful gifts both physical and spiritual. Those who make sacrifices in His name will be richly rewarded. #GeneralConference "Road to Emmaus" by Wendy Keller Image courtesy of Havenlight

As I look forward to fulfilling my assignment from President Dallin H. Oaks to dedicate the Modesto California Temple and Pago Pago American Samoa Temple later this year, my mind is drawn to other temples I have had the privilege to dedicate in recent years. This includes the Quito Ecuador Temple in 2022, the Moses Lake Washington Temple in 2023, and the Casper Wyoming Temple in 2024. I have rejoiced in the opportunity to dedicate each of these temples—and we all are looking forward in anticipation of next year’s Salt Lake Temple Celebration during which we will welcome the world to rejoice in Christ with us. Though sacred houses of the Lord stand in different corners of the earth and serve people of many cultures, languages, and backgrounds, what takes place within them is beautifully the same. The sacred ordinances and covenants are the same. The peace found there is the same. The refuge, thanksgiving, instruction, and understanding we receive are the same. In every house of the Lord across the earth, we rejoice in Jesus Christ and His redeeming love for all.

Some of us want faith to be at the center of our lives, but it does not get our attention; it is a small portion of our efforts. I invite you to consider these three significant principles to follow as you strengthen your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ while facing life’s challenges.

“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).

By studying for ourselves and praying to God with real intent, we can gain a spiritual witness that the Book of Mormon is true.

Visiting with missionaries in England recently was immensely nostalgic for me, as I also served as a young missionary in this wonderful country.     Elder Clark G. Gilbert and I were so grateful to spend time with these amazing servants. I testify that missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are indeed the Lord’s emissaries.

As you study the Savior’s life, the restoration of the priesthood, and the return of the sealing keys by Elijah that unite our families for eternity, you can know with certainty that the Savior fulfilled the Father’s plan.

With the rise of artificial intelligence, it is increasingly important to be certain that what we accept as truth is grounded in eternal principles.   My invitation for you is to choose truth when deception is easy. Slow down enough to listen to the Spirit and allow Him to direct you.

This Easter Sunday coincides with the magnificent vision of the Savior that occurred in the Kirtland Temple on Easter Sunday of 1836—190 years ago. The role of Elijah in restoring the priesthood keys of the sealing power is crucial in our journey of returning to our Father as a covenant people. The sealing ordinances are effective after this life and in the eternities—to seal husbands and wives, parents and children. I promise to you on this Easter day that as you adhere to His ordinances, covenants, and commandments, you will grow closer in your relationship with our Savior as well as your appreciation and gratitude for the sealing keys that have been restored in this dispensation. I testify of the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection and rejoice with you on this special Easter Sunday for all that He has accomplished that we might have eternal life. #GeneralConference

The Savior’s charge to His disciples to love one another—and the dramatic and powerful way He taught this principle at the Last Supper—is one of the most poignant and beautiful episodes from the last days of His mortal life. He was not teaching a simple class in ethical behavior. This was the Son of God pleading with His Apostles and all disciples who would come after them to remember and follow this most central of His teachings. In the face of the eternity-shaping Atonement He was about to undertake, such a commandment requires our obedience. We manifest our love for God when we keep His commandments and serve His children. We don’t fully comprehend the Atonement, but we can spend our lives trying to be more loving and kind, regardless of the adversity we face. #GreaterLove

I have been blessed with exceptional women in my life, and I am eternally grateful for their influence on me. I feel a great responsibility to say thank you for who you are and what you do.

In a world where so much information is available, it is increasingly important to be certain that what we accept as truth is grounded in eternal principles. The Lord’s scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, will be even more important in our day than they were for prior generations. I recently shared at a BYU devotional that we need to slow down enough to listen to the Spirit and allow Him to direct us. We must all learn to use technology as a servant, not a master. The future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and our very civilization depend on members and individuals who have deep faith, moral courage, and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex world. The Lord will continue to provide prophets who will guide and focus us on the most important principles. The Lord’s prophets will help this generation move forward and confidently accomplish His purposes. Please do not be discouraged as we all face these unique challenges. You will be blessed. Let us never forget that it was not easy for the Savior in the volatile world, during his mortal sojourn—especially in his final hours as he accomplished the Atonement. I am grateful for our Savior’s ultimate sacrifice in our behalf. I am also grateful for living prophets who can provide us with the guidance we need in our day. President Dallin H. Oaks will provide that spiritually powerful legacy.

What a pleasure it was to meet with His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana. We discussed our shared Christian beliefs and desire to serve all of God’s children. Ghana is a beautiful land rich in devotion to God and service to one another. I was impressed by President Mahama’s vision for a hopeful future in Ghana. In our commitment to follow the Savior’s example, the @Ch_JesusChrist hopes to contribute to his vision by blessing lives through various humanitarian efforts. I am grateful for this relationship rooted in love of God and His children and look forward to future collaboration.

How grateful I am for eternal relationships made possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today—and every day—I give thanks to know that my wonderful wife Mary and I can be together forever.

What a marvelous sight these missionaries were in the Provo Missionary Training Center today! Being with them reminded me of my first Christmas away from home as a missionary in Swindon, England in 1960. Swindon had been opened for missionary work about 90 days earlier. We were renting a room for Sunday meetings. We were blessed to have a few converts—the beginnings of a branch. On Christmas Eve my companion, Noel Luke, and I decided to greet people in their homes and leave a brief Christmas message and blessing. It was a beautiful night, and the cloud-filled sky had a bright moon shining through, creating a heavenly feeling. Suddenly everyone in the neighborhood had their televisions tuned to a beloved comedian and singer, Harry Secombe, who rendered “Bless This House” in a manner which brought tears to our eyes. His song reverberated and bounced back from the clouds. We had this overwhelming feeling that we were truly emissaries of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ trying to “bless” our Heavenly Father’s children. Let us give thanks for our wonderful missionaries this time of year as they serve to bless God’s children—and may each of us be valiant in our testimonies of the Savior at all times and in all things. Merry Christmas!

Like the angels who shared the news of Jesus Christ’s birth to the shepherds, we too can “bring good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10) unto all people at Christmastime and always. What valuable lessons might we each learn from the angels on the first Christmas? • Their message was a message of faith—not fear. • Their intention was to share glad tidings. • Their words were filled with great joy. • They hoped their message would reach all people. • They praised God. • They spoke of peace and goodwill. When you interact with others—whether in person or online—will you consider the lessons that each of us can learn from the angelic tidings in Luke 2? The world needs glad tidings right now more than ever.

During my young adult years, some were critical of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Likewise, others were critical of the idea of following Jesus Christ and exercising faith in Him. Those same arguments are being trumpeted across the internet today. There has been and always will be opposition in all things. Nevertheless, those who pray, study scriptures, live the commandments, and worship and follow the Savior will see these arguments in their true light. Their faith will grow, and their lives will be blessed. The best approach for both gaining and maintaining a testimony is to immerse yourselves in the Book of Mormon, so you can experience the ongoing witness of the Spirit. Your testimony will be strengthened when you know in your heart through your prayers that the Prophet Joseph Smith was an instrument in the Lord’s hands—and that the Savior leads His church through living prophets today.

The Lord is hastening His work. Faith in Jesus Christ is increasing in our day. The Lord needs you.