I recently celebrated my 99th birthday and thus commenced my 100th year of living. I am often asked the secret to living so long. A better question would be, “What have I learned in nearly a century of living?”
I have learned that Heavenly Father’s plan for us is fabulous, that what we do in this life really matters, and that the Savior’s Atonement is what makes our Father’s plan possible.
Here is the great news of God’s plan: The very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be!
Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import. Far too many people live as though this life is all there is. However, your choices today will determine three things: where you will live throughout eternity, the kind of body with which you will be resurrected, and those with whom you will live forever. So, think celestial.
When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view—an eternal view. Put Jesus Christ first, because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.
When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies “prematurely,” think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! As you recover from an accident or injury, think celestial!
As you think celestial, your heart will gradually change. You will want to pray more often and more sincerely. The Lord’s perspective transcends your mortal wisdom. His response to your prayers may surprise you and will help you to think celestial. #GeneralConference
At the Silicon Slopes Summit yesterday, I was asked if I could help people understand the scale of the global operations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I described the Church’s four overarching responsibilities:
-Learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ
-Invite all to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ
-Strengthen and unite families
-Care for those in need
The Church’s operations are focused on accomplishing this mission. This work includes ensuring the successful operation and maintenance of almost 20,000 meetinghouses and approved facilities for 35,000 local congregations; 315 temples (with more to come); and four institutions of higher education—among many other things. In learning from the example of Joseph in the Old Testament who interpreted the dream for Pharoah, we are also grateful that in times of plenty we can save and prepare for the future when resources may be scarcer. This approach is necessary to accomplish the mission for which The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored—to bless the lives of individuals and families everywhere.
Dear brothers, sisters and friends, we have the cherished opportunity this coming weekend to attend or watch our semiannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! General conference weekends are two of my favorite weekends of the year. How I love meeting in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City with all who gather there.
This weekend, however, I will be watching general conference through technology just as most of you will. Three weeks ago, I fell and injured the muscles in my lower back. This episode has reminded me of the reality that things sometimes change quickly in our lives. This photo of my counselors and me was taken at the celebration of my 99th birthday. Two days later, I fell.
Thankfully, my healing is progressing. But as my physician says, “We don’t have much data on how 99-year-olds recover from an injury like this one, so I am prescribing a slow, careful approach to healing so that you achieve a full recovery.” Having prescribed just such a course of action for many of my own patients years ago, I feel duty-bound to follow doctor’s orders.
I am still not able to sit in a chair for long periods of time. However, I am hoping to record my general conference message and look forward to participating in this marvelous October 2023 general conference through technology.
I pray that each of us, wherever we may be, will approach this sacred weekend with our hearts full of gratitude for the privilege of hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by His servants. May this general conference be a time of joy and spiritual rejuvenation for you. I know that it will be for me!