Jesus Christ has done everything necessary for you, for us, to have joy in this life and forever.
Even when we make mistakes and feel discouraged or wonder if we will ever be good enough. There is good news—wonderful, hopeful news!
Because God loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself our sins so we can repent, be forgiven, and keep progressing.
#GeneralConference
The covenants and ordinances of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are spiritual credentials that can open wide the heavenly windows of opportunity to receive in our lives divine purpose, direction, and strength. They provide the opportunity for promised blessings, which require ongoing faithfulness.
The Holy Ghost is also described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise who ratifies or confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts of His children. Thus, ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise to be binding on earth and in heaven.
Just as you need an authorized stamp on a passport to enter a foreign country, so each of us needs the verifying witness of the Holy Spirit of Promise in order for us to receive the eternal blessings associated with the covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s gospel.
Receiving this ratifying sealing by the Holy Ghost typically is not a one-time event; rather, it comes over time as we repent sincerely and consistently, honor our covenants, and yield our hearts unto God.
Each of us should ever be grateful for sacred opportunities to “walk in all the ordinances of the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 136:4) and to receive by the Holy Spirit of Promise, “in process of time,” (Moses 7:21) the ratifying seal that guarantees all promised blessings.
#GeneralConference
"Being a light opens more doors than any pointed argument ever will."
—Elder Clark G. Gilbert (@ClarkG_Gilbert)
#GeneralConference
https://t.co/DazvS38j03
“This is the Church of Jesus Christ, so named because it is His Church with the restored fulness of His doctrine and authority in these latter days.”
—President Dallin H. Oaks (@OaksDallinH)
#GeneralConference
https://t.co/5iGdckb2fK
"No faithful disciple will ultimately be deprived of any eternal blessing God has promised because of another individual’s unrighteous exercise of moral agency."
—Elder David A. Bednar (@BednarDavidA)
#GeneralConference
https://t.co/jfG2vzrwcL
Lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ best reflect the Savior’s teaching and direction when they joyfully live lives of integrity and virtue.
The virtuous Christlike life necessary to sustain us and propel us along the covenant path has never been more important or challenging.
What we are seeing in society and social media today is conduct and language that is often coarse and crude and lacks virtue. Any use of the internet to bully, destroy a reputation, or place a person in a bad light is reprehensible.
It is clear, evil communications are not just a matter of bad manners. If practiced by Latter-day Saints, they can adversely affect others who do not have a knowledge of God or a testimony of our Savior.
We cannot control the conduct of others, but we can strive to be a peaceable people who live in accordance with the Christlike conduct and virtues taught by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Lord wants us to experience the joy of a virtuous life. He provides us with many beautiful gifts both physical and spiritual. Those who make sacrifices in His name will be richly rewarded.
#GeneralConference
"Road to Emmaus" by Wendy Keller
Image courtesy of Havenlight
As your president, I pray for what our Heavenly Father wants for each of us—to be active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, proceeding forward on the covenant path into the eternities. We need one another’s prayers. I feel the positive effect of your prayers. I am thankful, and I love you.
In 1987, during the Frankfurt Germany Temple open house, I had the opportunity to speak with a national German television network about my faith and why temples are so precious to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I still remember the joy of bearing witness that the temple is the house of the Lord—a place of peace, covenants, and eternal hope.
Next year, exactly 40 years after that interview, we will celebrate the renovated Salt Lake Temple. Through the years, my love for the Lord’s holy house has only deepened. Temples remind us that God’s plan is filled with light, purpose, and promise.
We look forward with great joy to welcoming friends from around the world to come and see this beautiful and sacred house of the Lord.
Alma 37:36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
As I look forward to fulfilling my assignment from President Dallin H. Oaks to dedicate the Modesto California Temple and Pago Pago American Samoa Temple later this year, my mind is drawn to other temples I have had the privilege to dedicate in recent years.
This includes the Quito Ecuador Temple in 2022, the Moses Lake Washington Temple in 2023, and the Casper Wyoming Temple in 2024.
I have rejoiced in the opportunity to dedicate each of these temples—and we all are looking forward in anticipation of next year’s Salt Lake Temple Celebration during which we will welcome the world to rejoice in Christ with us.
Though sacred houses of the Lord stand in different corners of the earth and serve people of many cultures, languages, and backgrounds, what takes place within them is beautifully the same.
The sacred ordinances and covenants are the same. The peace found there is the same. The refuge, thanksgiving, instruction, and understanding we receive are the same.
In every house of the Lord across the earth, we rejoice in Jesus Christ and His redeeming love for all.
I was honored to share my thoughts on artificial intelligence in this @diplocourier article. AI is an important topic, and it is something I feel strongly needs moral compass.
If you have a moment, I invite you to read the article, and I’d love to hear what you think.
https://t.co/rFhAkVbFLp
As a Latter-day Saint, what does it mean to have your faith in Jesus Christ and your devotion to the restored gospel settled in your heart?
For me, it means that you have spiritually weighed the blessings and sacrifices of following Jesus Christ and exercising your precious will and agency, you have determined, you have chosen in your mind and spirit, that this will absolutely be the path your life will take.
How does this amazing choice and decision lift us, enrich us, and help us to be who we want to be? As we “settle this in our hearts” (JST Luke 14:27–28) we absolutely trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
I shared this with students at a BYU Devotional, but the principle applies to each of us.
When a heart willingly and completely, on its own, without compulsion, turns the key of consecration, a door of freedom and spiritual power is opened. We are given a heavenly conferral, a greater vision of our purpose here on earth, a sustained ability to feel and to know, and an added abundance of spiritual gifts.
“Immerse yourself deeply into the divine mission, the perfect life, the life-changing teachings, the incomparable atonement, and the breathtaking promises Jesus Christ offers you. Pray more in His name; read His words; apply His teachings; speak His name in reverence and conviction; believe in His power to forgive and refine you. The more you put Him into each of your days, the more you will know He is your Savior and Redeemer.”
- Elder Neil L. Andersen
#BYUDevo
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is preparing a new music collection called Hymns—For Home and Church, which will replace existing hymnbooks and children’s songbooks.
When this project is complete, it will reflect how we, as Latter-day Saints, understand and worship our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
In a similar way, the book of Psalms in the Old Testament served as the ancient hymnbook for God’s covenant people, revealing their feelings about Jehovah and their relationship with Him.
At its core, the book of Psalms is more centered on Jesus Christ and more frequently quoted in the New Testament than any other Old Testament book. The attributes of Jesus Christ, specifically His mercy and grace, are repeatedly emphasized.
The book of Psalms and Hymns—For Home and Church attest to the Savior’s willingness to forgive our sins and mistakes as we exercise faith in Him, and to help us in times of need. Both books encourage us to trust in Him because of His love and compassion.
The book of Psalms praises and extols Jesus Christ for His willingness to forgive repented sin. Through Him, all of Heavenly Father’s children can be saved (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:43). If all are included, then He can save everyone, anyone, even one—even you and me.
Because the Lord is our light and salvation, we can be confident and need not fear anyone. He is our strength (see Psalm 27:1–2). Because of His grace, we can “be still, and know that [He is] God” (Psalm 46:10).
The ending of our stories can be glorious, eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Because we know the ending, we need not be overly anxious or stressed, even though the journey is suspenseful at times. The book of Psalms teaches us that we can be optimistic and hopeful, despite challenges.
Many years ago, I was first counselor to a district president in the eastern United States. More than once, as we were driving to our little branches, he said to me, “Hal, when you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.”
The Lord has opportunities near you to feel and to share His love. You can pray with confidence for the Lord to lead you to love someone for Him.
As you do so, you will feel the love of God for you and for the person you serve for Him. When you help others in their troubles, your own will seem lighter and your faith and hope will be strengthened.
Artwork: "Return" by Kelsy & Jesse Lightweave
At Nikko in Japan, visitors often pause before a familiar carving of three monkeys—one covering its eyes, one its ears, and one its mouth.
The lesson is simple and memorable: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
But for disciples of Jesus Christ, avoiding evil is not the end of our responsibility. It is only the beginning.
As children of God blessed with the gift of agency, you and I choose what we will see, whose voice we will hear, and what messages we will speak.
President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will deliver a keynote address at the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
The event, titled “Faith, Freedom and the Common Good,” will explore the relationship between religious faith and American democracy. President @OaksDallinH will speak on faith, religious liberty and the United States Constitution on the eve of Constitution Day.
The free event begins at 6 p.m. EDT in the cathedral’s nave and will be available online via livestream.
Visit Church Newsroom for more details.
https://t.co/yINRvrnKPS
Real men are accountable for their actions, acknowledge their mistakes, apologize, and try to set things right. I met some real men recently, members of my home ward I want to tell you about.
Recently, my wife Ruth substituted as a teacher in a youth Sunday School class. The students were 12- and 13-year-old young men and young women. Some of the young men were acting like, well, 12- and 13-year-old young men. They were a bit casual and less than engaged than ideal in the lesson about Job. Ruth had given the students a handout with some scriptures to read. Of course, paper airplanes were made of the handouts (is anyone surprised?). Ruth who is an excellent and adaptable teacher collected the airplanes, continued with the lesson, and thought no more about it.
On the following Thursday evening, we had a knock on our door. Three of the young men were on the porch. They handed Ruth a letter that read:
Dear Sister Renlund,
We want to apologize for our behavior in Sunday School. We meant no disrespect even though our actions said otherwise. We failed to meet our duty as Deacons and we are sorry. We have learned from our mistake and better learned what our Aaronic Priesthood duty is.
We have made a bouquet of paper airplanes for you to show our appreciation for teaching our class and for helping us learn our duty better. Thank you for what you do for the Church.
Love,
The Deacons Quorum
I am grateful for their example to me of being priesthood holders and real men.
Rejoice in Christ!
With joyful hearts, we invite the world to join in the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, to be held from April-October 2027. But this is not just a Salt Lake City event—this is a worldwide celebration.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global church with a universal message of the joy the gospel in Jesus Christ brings. We invite all to rejoice with us.