David J Smith

My 2nd acct focused on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For my Utah Jazz coverage: @davidjsmith1232 #generalconference #BYU #Philanthropies

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf @UchtdorfDF]

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.

[D. Todd Christofferson @ChristoffDTodd]

In the temple we learn to distinguish between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean.  

The words at the door of the temple—“Holiness to the Lord”— are both an invitation and a commandment to all who would enter. 

Just as this newly dedicated Yorba Linda California Temple is in the world and yet is a place apart, here each of us learns how to be in the world and yet not of the world. 

Gradually all that is impure or unworthy in our character is rooted out as we draw closer to the Lord in His house. Our very desires change over time. It is a conditioning for life in a holy, celestial realm.

[Clark G. Gilbert @ClarkG_Gilbert]

Men on a Mission: My recent assignment to the Europe North Area with Elder Quentin L. Cook left me with deep appreciation for both early and modern missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of the historical areas we visited was the River Ribble, where Elder Cook’s great-great-grandfather, Elder Heber C. Kimball, performed the first baptisms in England in 1837. He was one of nine apostles called to serve in that early British Isles mission. Eventually, over 50,000 converts from that era emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley and became the strength of a growing Church.

On our recent visit, we also met with missionaries in front of Royal Albert Hall in London. It was inspiring to be with such a large group of valiant missionaries in such an historic location. We later had opportunities to witness of Jesus Christ at Pembroke College, Oxford University.

Those early “men on a mission” paved the way for future elders and sisters to invite God’s children to come unto Christ. Today there are six missions in the British Isles, part of a missionary force of more than 84,000 missionaries worldwide. Walking in the footsteps of those pioneering Apostles reminded me of the call we share with them even today, to be a witness to the name of Christ in all the world.

[Ronald A. Rasband @RonaldARasband]

All who live or ever have lived who come unto Christ and live His gospel will feel joy beyond any earthly expression as we reunite, resurrected, with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and with our parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and ancestors.

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf @UchtdorfDF]

In 2016, I had the sacred privilege of organizing the first stake in Prague, Czech Republic. You can imagine the joy I felt returning 10 years later to dedicate a beautiful new stake center in this same stake. 

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this region has not always been easy. Yet through unwavering devotion and trust in the Lord, the faith of members of the Church has endured. 

As we look back with gratitude for those who came before, we can move forward with hope and confidence in the future. This new meetinghouse symbolizes the faith of members old and new and will be a blessing for all who come and see.

[Gérald Caussé @Gerald_Causse]

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are all united in faith and in our commitment to living the gospel. But unity does not mean uniformity. Our church congregations are like a beautiful mosaic—rich with diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences. 

I invite each of you to find and recognize your gifts so that you can use them to bless others and move the Lord’s work forward.

[Gérald Caussé @Gerald_Causse]

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we bear witness of Him whenever we share His love with all around us—and help it take root in each person we meet.

[D. Todd Christofferson @ChristoffDTodd]

In recognition of the 250-year anniversary of the founding of the United States of America as a free and independent nation, Elder Quentin L. Cook and I discussed the importance of religious liberty and its underlying significance for the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

We believe in religious liberty.

As the Eleventh Article of Faith reminds us, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

[Gérald Caussé @Gerald_Causse]

Today is Mother’s Day in France.

With children living on both sides of the Atlantic, our family has the blessing of celebrating Mother’s Day twice each year—a privilege certainly well deserved by my wife, Valérie.

One of our daughters once shared a touching testimony of how her mother’s example continues to guide her in her own role as a young mother. She said:

"Today, whenever I have a decision to make regarding my own children, I think about what my mother would do.

When I reflect on the joyful nature she has always had—and still has today—I simply want to be like her.

Her example has inspired me to create a happy home, just as she did, and to lead with love as she always has.

I find joy in raising my children because she often told me how much she loved being a mother.

Each Sunday, I feel a desire to attend church with my family because she passed on to me the joy she felt in taking us to church."

I feel deeply grateful for Valérie and for the happiness she brings into our lives.

May we all strive to create loving, Christ-centered homes—places where joy can flourish and where our children are inspired to cherish the gospel throughout their lives.

[Neil L. Andersen @AndersenNeilL]

Bacolod, Philippines is known as the “City of Smiles.” We are all smiling today because of the dedication of a beautiful new house of the Lord in this city.

I also believe today that heaven is smiling as the Bacolod Philippines Temple became a dedicated house, a blessing to the wonderful saints in this area of the Philippines. It is a house of prayer, a house of peace, a house of power and revelation.

The ordinances performed in this temple will bless the lives of the people of the Philippines and the eternal lives of family members who have already crossed through the veil. Our joy and their joy will fill this holy temple for many years to come.

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf @UchtdorfDF]

Surrounded by majestic mountains and serene lakes, Salzburg, Austria has a quiet beauty that has long touched our hearts. Harriet and I felt a deep sense of gratitude as we returned to this remarkable place—a place filled with sacred memories. 

I was serving in the Europe West Area Presidency when Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—who had once served as a young missionary in Salzburg in 1937—organized the Salzburg Austria Stake in 1997. 

Now, nearly 30 years after that special occasion, I was blessed to dedicate the beautifully renovated Salzburg Stake Center. Moments like these remind us that the Lord is mindful of His children, wherever they may be. 

We express heartfelt gratitude for the faithful members who are building up The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this land. Much of what has been accomplished is the result of quiet devotion—of disciples, both seen and unseen, who follow the Savior with humble, steadfast faith. 

I pray that this chapel will always be a house of peace—where Jesus Christ is at the center, where His love is felt, and where all are joyfully invited to come unto Him.

[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.

[Gerrit W. Gong @GerritWGong]

As I stand on Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul preached about the “unknown God,” I am reminded how grateful I am to know, as Paul said, that “in [God] we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

[Dale G. Renlund @DaleGRenlund]

It was remarkable to have been in Otavalo, Ecuador and hear that the prophet of the Lord has authorized the building of a temple here.

To see the faith of the people here who came to a devotional on a Thursday evening, not knowing this would also be a temple announcement, is incredible.

I’ve been so impressed with the faith in Jesus Christ that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador have and feel grateful for them and their example over the decades.

[Dallin H. Oaks @OaksDallinH]

The Savior has commanded each of us to love God and to love our neighbor. We are grateful for the faithful efforts of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who strive to fulfill this divine commandment. Their service is a witness of discipleship. 

My counselors in the First Presidency and I recently visited the Church’s new humanitarian center in Salt Lake City. This facility will serve an important role in preparing and distributing emergency supplies to meet global needs. 

I express appreciation for members of the Church and for all who minister in quiet and consistent ways. I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guide the children of God in caring for the poor and the distressed throughout the world.  

May we each accept and act upon this sacred responsibility to bless the lives of all of our Father’s children.

[Gérald Caussé @Gerald_Causse]

During a church meetinghouse tour with city councilors many years ago, I was asked this very important question about the need for multiple priests in our congregations.

[Gary E. Stevenson @StevensonGaryE]

Being here in beautiful New Caledonia for the first time with Elder Peter F. Meurs, I am amazed how the people are partaking of the delicious fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ just like Lehi described in the Book of Mormon.

[Patrick Kearon @PatrickKearon]

The purpose of making covenants is to draw us closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We are beloved sons and daughters of God, and He desires that we experience joy in this life. Our covenants can serve as constant reminders of these sacred truths.

[Neil L. Andersen @AndersenNeilL]

We look on life differently; we see way beyond this mortal life. Our trust is in our Heavenly Father and in His Son. Our challenge is to believe in Him and trust in Him, and to know that our choices in this life will follow us beyond the veil.

I shared this message while in New Zealand on a recent assignment.

What Jesus said to His disciples anciently still applies to us today: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf @UchtdorfDF]

Music speaks to the soul in a language that transcends words—illuminating the heart, lifting the mind, and gently reminding us of heaven’s light.

I was pleased to learn during my current ministry visit to Europe that the BYU Singers are also traveling through the region, sharing their gifts as they prepare for the Musica Sacra International Festival in Marktoberdorf, Germany.

What made the experience even more meaningful was learning that these devoted young people were scheduled to perform in the very chapel in Salzburg that I was dedicating the same weekend. It was as though their music helped prepare not only the building, but also our hearts.

As I listened to these talented voices testify of Jesus Christ, I felt a deep and abiding gratitude—for music as a divine gift, and for its ability to carry a joyful witness that He lives.

Music has a remarkable power to allow us to love, share, and invite. It reaches across cultures and languages, drawing us closer to one another and, more importantly, to the Savior.