In 2024, youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will focus on this declaration penned by the prophet Mormon in the Book of Mormon — “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 5:13).
“Disciple of Jesus Christ” is one of three eternal identifiers President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church, underscored in a worldwide devotional for young adults in May 2022 and on the worldwide day of testimony for youth on Oct. 22, 2023. The Young Women theme and the Aaronic Priesthood quorum theme each contain the phrase “disciple of Jesus Christ.”
President Nelson, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught in April 2017 general conference: “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted and courageous.”
In April 2023 general conference, he said: “One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people. … His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade and inspire — no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.”
Many other Church leaders have spoken in general conference about discipleship. Below are seven quotes from recent conference messages.
‘We follow Him everywhere’
“To be a follower of Jesus Christ, one must sometimes carry a burden — your own or someone else’s — and go where sacrifice is required and suffering is inevitable. A true Christian cannot follow the Master only in those matters with which he or she agrees. No. We follow Him everywhere, including, if necessary, into arenas filled with tears and trouble, where sometimes we may stand very much alone.”
— Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Lifted Up upon the Cross,” October 2022 general conference
Two aspects of discipleship
“The apostle Paul admonished believers who had received the Lord: ‘So walk ye in him’ (Colossians 2:6). Walking in and with the Savior highlights two vital aspects of discipleship: one, obeying God’s commandments, and two, remembering and honoring the sacred covenants that connect us to the Father and the Son.”
— Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me,” April 2023 general conference
More than a one-time event
“As we know very well, having faith in Jesus Christ and being a true disciple is more than a one-time decision — more than a one-time event. It is a sacred, ongoing process that grows and expands through the seasons of our lives, continuing until we kneel at His feet.”
— Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Drawing Closer to the Savior,” October 2022 general conference
Put discipleship first
“We can bring our heritage, culture and experiences to the Church of Jesus Christ. Samuel did not shy away from his heritage as a Lamanite, nor did Mormon shy away from his as a Nephite. But each put his discipleship of the Savior first. If we are not one, we are not His. My invitation is to be valiant in putting our love of God and discipleship of the Savior above all other considerations.”
— Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity,” October 2021 general conference
‘Lasting discipleship’
“‘How can loving God turn into lasting discipleship?’ … I know that through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and His covenant path, we can find spiritual confidence and peace as we nurture holy habits and righteous routines that can sustain and fuel the fires of our faith. May we each move ever closer to those warming fires and, come what may, remain.”
— Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, “Lasting Discipleship,” October 2022 general conference
Share His light
“My dear friends, we cannot share our oil, but we can share His light. Oil in our lamps will not only help us ‘abide the day’ but can also be the means of illuminating the path that leads those we love to the Savior, who stands ready ‘with open arms to receive’ them.”
— Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, “Abide the Day in Christ,” October 2023 general conference
Confident, not apologetic
“Let us be confident, not apologetic, valiant, not timid, faithful, not fearful as we hold up the Lord’s light in these last days. … If we really want to be valiant disciples of Christ, we will find a way. Otherwise, the adversary offers enticing alternatives. But as faithful disciples, ‘we need not apologize for our beliefs nor back down from that which we know to be true.’”
— Elder Jörg Klebingat, General Authority Seventy, “Valiant Discipleship in the Latter Days,” April 2022 general conference
