This week on social media, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted messages on prayer, ministering, the Book of Mormon, and the peace and strength that come from the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said in a video he posted that he developed a deeper understanding of the power of prayer after Church members prayed on his behalf last year as he underwent serious medical treatment.
President Holland’s remarks were made during a Jan 20 leadership meeting in Arizona.
“It’s been a magnificent experience to be a recipient of prayer, of people asking for something for someone else, for someone they hardly know and to see that realized,” Elder Holland said.
Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson shared the second in an ongoing series of stories submitted by Relief Society members worldwide about when they received relief.
Laurie Low shared a story about a time a ward member ministered to her in a simple but meaningful way by helping her fold laundry.
“It was such a small act, and yet it has stayed with me over decades,” Low said, “Someone saw a need and acted on it, without being asked.”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared an experience of showing his 3-year-old great-grandson the location of a lighthouse on a map, explaining the purpose of the structure is to help people “find the right way, even in the darkest hours of the night.” His grandson later referred back to the lighthouse as “the temple.”
“Thanks to parents and the many teachers who help our children recognize the Light of Christ wherever it may shine,” Elder Uchtdorf said.
Following the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship, the Young Women general presidency — President Emily Belle Freeman, Sister Tamara W. Runia and Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus — asked participants to comment where they are from, where they met, what their favorite part of the discussion was and what they learned.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a video in which he invited everyone to “engage in acts of learning and service” with people of other faiths.
“I’m convinced we can all live together peacefully as we love God and follow the Golden Rule — treating others as we ourselves want to be treated,” he said.
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, shared how Mount Carmel in Israel is nourished daily by tiny amounts of dew, allowing it to remain green year-round. Reflecting on the impact of “small and simple things (Alma 37:6),” she posed the question, “How do you seek to nourish your soul daily?”
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that, despite the increasing contention in the world today, people can find personal peace in Jesus Christ.
“Gently the Savior reminds us,” Elder Cook said, “‘Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me’ (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23).”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared his testimony that no other book of scripture compares to the Book of Mormon’s witness of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
“It is the word of God, and ‘the virtue of the word of God’ (Alma 31:5) is that it produces faith in the Savior — faith that pushes out the doubt, depression and anxiety that might otherwise overwhelm us, and leaving in their place strength and reassurance,” Elder Christofferson wrote.
Speaking to participants of the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited them to develop a better understanding of the 2024 youth theme and to apply the attributes of discipleship “over and over again.”
“Jesus Christ is the perfect example for us to follow,” Elder Stevenson said, “Let us all strive to become more dedicated disciples this year.”
In a video made during a recent trip to Cambodia, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and testified that the infinite power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all injustice and tragedy.
“Everything that is unfair about life can and will be made right by the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Elder Renlund said, paraphrasing “Preach My Gospel.”
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a video telling the story of a Jewish rabbi who asked his two friends how they know that a new day has begun.
After the two gave their answers, he responded, “When you can look into the east and see the face of a woman or the face of a man and can say, ‘she is my sister, he is my brother.’”
Elder Soares assured his social media followers that their days will shine brighter when they treat others as their brothers and sisters.
In a video posted on Young Men Worldwide, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund spoke on the benefits of age-group progression — a policy instituted by the Church in 2019 that allows young men to be ordained to a new priesthood office the year they turn the appropriate age, as opposed to waiting until their birthday.
Among the positive results, President Lund said, is that young men can progress together, like a team. He urged ward leaders to think now about what they can do to organize and train new Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes so they are better prepared to advance together.
Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace outlined the actions the prophet Nephi and Church President Joseph F. Smith each took before they received their individual visions as recorded in 1 Nephi 11 and Doctrine and Covenants 138, respectively.
In both patterns applied by the prophets, they pondered and faithfully sought a greater understanding of spiritual things they had recently read or heard.
“We have to do the spiritual work ourselves,” President Pace said, “No one can do this for us.”
Brother Jan E. Newman, second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, shared examples of faith demonstrated by the prophet Nephi in the Book of Mormon. He then asked his social media followers the following questions:
- What is your favorite example of faith in the Book of Mormon?
- What do you do to recognize when the Spirit speaks to you?
- How has faith in Jesus Christ helped you face life’s challenges?
