David A. Bednar

The authorized account for Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and is a principle of action, trust, and power.

As we act in accordance with the truths of the Savior’s gospel and trust in His promises, we are blessed with the spiritual capacity to “rise up” and press forward through the challenges of mortality while experiencing the joys His gospel makes possible in our lives.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Enduring to the end is linked inextricably to the spiritual gift of charity. Enduring to the end is not merely a relentless determination to grit our teeth, hold on to the limits of our physical strength and mental capacity, and push through the challenges and adversities of mortal life; it is so much more than that.

Enduring to the end is the joyous quest of a lifetime—a pressing forward with faith in Jesus Christ in a gradual process of trusting in and receiving help from our Savior to become more like Him. As our love for Him grows ever stronger and deeper, we can be blessed to receive spiritual perspective, the Lord’s empowering grace, and exceedingly great and indescribable joy.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Approximately eight months ago, a horrifying attack took place during a Sunday sacrament meeting in the Grand Blanc Ward in Michigan.

The following Tuesday morning, Susan and I were in Michigan to learn from and minister to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others involved in this tragic event. What we saw, what we felt, the friends we made, and the faith in Jesus Christ we witnessed were life-changing for us.

For my remarks at BYU Women’s Conference, I invited members of the Grand Blanc Ward to share with me lessons they had learned from this terrifying experience. Please notice the use of the words “light,” “glory,” and “darkness” in their reflections.

What lessons can we learn from the Michigan Latter-day Saints about “rising up” (as quoted in the slides with permission) after a devastating experience?

An eternal perspective grounded in the Father’s plan of happiness matters. Acknowledging we absolutely can never “rise up” without the power and blessings of the Savior’s Atonement matters.

Covenants received worthily and faithfully honored matter. Spiritual priorities grounded in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ matter. Consistency in learning, doing, and loving small and simple spiritual things matters—all the time and everywhere.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

The very purpose of having agency is to choose God and to love, serve, and bless our brothers and sisters.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

As mortal beings, we are in absolute and never-ending need of Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s help to realize our eternal destiny.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Enduring to the end is not merely a relentless determination to grit our teeth, hold on to the limits of our physical strength and mental capacity, and push through the challenges and adversities of mortal life; it is so much more than that.

Enduring to the end is linked inextricably to the spiritual gift of charity, or the pure love of Christ. As we are blessed to receive this supernal gift, a transformation occurs in our spiritual nature and character. Charity encompasses both what we do and what we can become as this spiritual gift ultimately possesses us.

As we follow, love, and serve the Savior, we gradually focus less on our own desires and interests, and more on understanding and addressing the needs of others. We do not merely perform benevolent deeds; rather, our state of being is changed and becomes increasingly Christlike. Charity, then, ultimately possesses us.

The scriptural phrase “endure to the end” is a repeated reminder of the mighty spiritual change in our hearts that should be ongoing throughout our lives; it also is His promise of what we may become if we truly are possessed of the pure love of Christ. #GeneralConference

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

In this special and sacred Easter season, I joyfully declare my witness that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. He lives. He is risen. #GreaterLove

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

If you feel discouraged in your efforts to hold family prayer or study the scriptures together, remember this: Power comes through consistency—not perfection.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Whether you grew up in a gospel-centered home or not, you can create one. It begins with you.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

My earnest prayer is that we will seize on the opportunity to study the Old Testament this year—not just read, but ponder, pray, and relish the truth we find in the scriptures.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

No matter how sophisticated and elegant AI technology ultimately may become, it simply can never bear witness of the Father and the Son nor reveal the truth of all things.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Our souls should swell with gratitude as we consider God’s great plan of salvation, redemption, restoration, mercy, and happiness. Knowledge of His plan provides precious perspective, enriches our joys, and strengthens us to overcome our challenges and adversities.

Heavenly Father yearns for us to return home to Him. He invites and promises blessings, but He will never compel, coerce, or constrain our exercise of the moral agency He gave to us. We must act and choose to return to Him by following the example of His Beloved Son.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Today I had the sacred privilege of dedicating the Alabang Philippines Temple—the fourth house of the Lord to be dedicated in this beautiful country.

As 10 additional temples are under construction or in planning here, it is clear the blessings of the temple are expanding across this remarkable nation.

In temples, we focus on the Savior, Jesus Christ. The covenants and ordinances we make in the house of the Lord enable us to have a covenant connection with the Father and the Son. Everything in the house of the Lord is about the Father’s plan of happiness and the Savior’s Atonement.

In a world that grows increasingly confused, we can be blessed with light and direction in the house of the Lord.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Sometimes we are asked why missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend their time, talents, and funds to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The answer is simple: They love God, they love His children, and they know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!” ("Joy to the World," Isaac Watts)

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, a witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, and a powerful tool for conversion. I invite you to read and study it often. To ponder it. To pray about it. And I promise that the Holy Ghost will confirm its truth to your heart and mind.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

In the quiet countryside of upstate New York stands a place of protection, divine preparation, and revelation. It was here that Joseph Smith first obtained the record which we now know and love as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

Three years after Joseph Smith’s miraculous vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who declared that God had a work for Joseph to do—including the translation of ancient records that we now know as the Book of Mormon.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

In response to a humble prayer of the 14-year-old Joseph Smith, the heavens were opened again. Revelation was restored. And the Lord’s voice was heard on earth. In this Sacred Grove began the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days.