Yesterday, June 27, was the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum—the day they sealed their testimonies of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1844.
We remember this day with solemnity—but we also rejoice in the June 27, 2002 dedication of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. And, yesterday June 27, 2026, was the day the Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center and Brigham and Mary Ann Young home were dedicated.
What was revealed here in Nauvoo continues to bless Heavenly Father’s children everywhere. The new Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center will help visitors gain a deeper appreciation for sacred temple covenants and ordinances restored by the Lord to Joseph Smith here in Nauvoo and offered in temples worldwide today.
To those who are trapped in tradition: When I met John Raas, he was not yet a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His wife, Kailani, had catered dinner for the stake presidency, and we invited them to join us.
John appeared weary of a spiritual discussion, but I assured him we would become fast friends. You see, John was a former BYU football star and I grew up cheering for him.
We eventually asked John why he had never joined the Church. He cited the need to honor the faith traditions of his deceased parents. We helped him recognize that they now understood the Church and would honor his decision. John then chose to meet with the missionaries.
Two months later, he was baptized. A year later, his family was sealed in the temple.
Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling all of us home.
I feel increasingly drawn to the Savior’s love and the never-ending blessings promised us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
When I think of the suffering I have personally seen as I have traveled throughout much of the world in my calling as an Apostle—which is so infinitesimally small compared with all those who have or will ever walk the earth—I cannot, with any words I know, describe the feelings in my heart for what must have occurred in the heart and mind and body and soul of the Savior in His sacred moments of all-encompassing suffering for the sins and pain of all humanity.
He did not shield us from the difficult experiences of life that bring immeasurable pain, but He protected us from everlasting suffering and estrangement from Heavenly Father and allowed us, through His all-encompassing suffering, to have the blessing of perfect joy and eternal happiness in the presence of God.
The human mind can scarcely begin to comprehend how completely the destiny of mankind changed because of what happened in Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the tomb.
Today, the beautiful doors of the Salt Lake Temple were installed. This temple and the temples around the world are meaningful to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because when we enter through these doors, we enter the house of the Lord. There is no place on earth in which we are closer to Him.
There is something profoundly symbolic about stepping into the Lord’s holy house. In doing so, we leave behind the noise and burdens of a troubled world and enter a place of peace, light, and divine love. Within the holy walls of the temple, we make promises that connect us to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
As we leave the temple, we walk through these doors strengthened and renewed. We feel a sense of purpose and gratitude. And we carry with us a deeper sense of God’s love for us.
The joyful sacredness and importance of the temple can be taught to and felt by the youngest of God’s children. Holiness to the Lord is not just a text on the outside of the temple, it is a condition of life promised by Heavenly Father that can be felt anywhere, at any time.
#TempleDoors
Years ago, I flew a brand-new B747 on its first flight from Seattle to San Francisco. It was a clear day, and I was amazed by the beauty of the remarkable lineup of six solitary volcanoes, from Mount Rainier and Mount Hood to Mount Shasta.
Today, along the same route, we find more than six temples proclaiming Holiness to the Lord—the newest being the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple, which I was blessed to dedicate today. The house of the Lord lifts our vision, reorients our hearts, and reminds us who we are and whose we are.
Just as these great mountains mark the landscape, holy temples—and the covenants we make there—mark and connect our lives with the God of the Universe.
When you come to the temple during times of personal trial and great sorrow, you will find sweet peace for your soul. When you come to give thanks and worship God, our Heavenly Father, you will receive a special measure of affirmation and confidence from Him.
The temple will enrich your lives, inspire you to create in your homes and families a spirit of hope and peace, and endow you with blessings from on high.
For three Sundays in a row within the last few weeks, Harriet and I had the joyful privilege of participating in two stake center dedications and one temple dedication—first in Salzburg, Austria, then Prague, Czech Republic, and finally in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon, where we dedicated a house of the Lord.
How beautifully these sacred places work together. In our meetinghouses each Sabbath day, we gather to worship God, strengthen one another, and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ. In the holy temple, that same work continues in an even more sacred and eternal way.
Each dedication has pointed to the same divine purpose of turning our hearts in worship to our Heavenly Father and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
When we truly understand who we are, we can approach AI and other new technologies with greater confidence, purpose, and wisdom.
Learn more about hearing God’s voice in an age of artificial intelligence: https://t.co/2CqB7OZSri
What a remarkable and inspiring weekend we had at the Seminar for New Mission Leaders. We were blessed to hear from President Dallin H. Oaks, who shared that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will soon have more missionaries serving than ever before.
Missionary service is especially dear to me. From my own mission as a young man, to serving with Melanie as mission leaders of the New York New York North Mission, to my current service on the Church’s Missionary Executive Council, I have witnessed the miracles of this work. I love missionaries and I love this calling.
I hope that you will see and feel the majesty of this moment that is happening right before our very eyes.
To the 87,000 missionaries currently serving and those preparing to serve: you are serving in one of the most remarkable times in the history of God’s work. You have the privilege of representing the Lord Jesus Christ during a season of growth that fills us with wonder and awe. Count yourself blessed—called for such a time as this.
I feel that we are only scratching the surface of what the Lord has in store for us as He prepares the world for His second coming.
As we go forth from to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world, I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.
The Sacred Role of Fathers:
“Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to Deity, He has asked us to address Him as Father” ("Father, Consider Your Ways," Ensign, June 2002). Our Father in Heaven models this parental role for all of us.
In Elder David A. Bednar’s thought about my calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he captured my feelings about being a husband and a father. One of my favorite parts of the article was this quote from my daughter: “It’s cool to think of my father as an Apostle, but he’s still just my dad.” I’m also grateful for my own father’s comments and his efforts to be an example of righteous parenting.
I join with all of the striving fathers doing their best, knowing we all need heaven’s help in this sacred and demanding parental responsibility.
Happy Father’s Day
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On this Father’s Day, I express gratitude for fathers everywhere who strive to nurture their families in love, faith, and righteousness. I consider being a father and a grandfather one of my life’s greatest blessings.
The most powerful teaching happens not only through words but through the way we live our lives. As we align our will with the Lord and seek to do those things that please Him, our homes can become places of faith, love, and spiritual strength.
Fathers who lead with humility, devotion, and a desire to follow the Savior help their families draw closer to Him. Their quiet example can inspire faith and shape lives in ways that last for generations.
To all fathers and father figures—thank you for your patience, your sacrifices, and your devotion. Your influence matters more than you know.
Missionary work is soaring to new heights. We are days away from the opening of 55 new missions. This brings the total number of missions to 506. There is a total of over 87,000 full-time missionaries. And we are currently being reinforced by the first wave of 18-year-old sisters beginning their service.
In coming weeks, we will have the largest number of full-time missionaries in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
These missionaries’ first responsibility is to testify of Jesus Christ to a world that suffers without knowledge of His divine mission. They invite people across the globe to become part of His true and living Church.
I affirm my testimony of Jesus Christ and the truth of His gospel. The Holy Ghost has given me a witness of its truthfulness, and I rejoice that I can spend my life in proclaiming it.
It seems that the Trump Administration is taking down the Kingdoms of Europe outright. Which is in direct correlation to the prophecy of Daniel and the giant image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. The 10 toes mixed with iron and clay represent the kingdoms of Europe and there are seven remaining. They must fall according to the prophecy of Daniel. However, the only difference is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which represents the stone cut out of the mountain without hands will bring the kingdoms down, and not Trump.