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).
In our day, with social media, artificial intelligence, and all the technology of our modern age, it is very easy to be misrepresented or to misrepresent the intent of others.
Let us be determined to be completely honest and most generous as we speak of others.
Our Savior Jesus Christ taught us how to relate to one another. The great commandments in the law, He taught, were to love—God and neighbor. (Matthew 22:37-39)
In the 19th century, early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Laie, Hawaii, were baptized at this beach. Years later, the Laie Hawaii Temple was built just a few hundred yards directly in front of this beach.
This is a beautiful representation of the connection in covenant making—first to be baptized, then going to the temple to make further covenants there.
3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold has sadly passed away at the age of 47 after a battle with kidney cancer.
"With his beloved wife Jennifer and his family by his side, [Brad] passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in his sleep after his courageous battle with cancer," 3 Doors Down said in a statement.
"Brad's songwriting became a cultural touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s, including the band's breakout hit, "Kryptonite," which he wrote in his math class when he was just 15 years old."
"His music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on."
"Above all, he was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humor, and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends."
Back in May, Arnold released a video, revealing that he found out he had cancer.
Rest in peace, Brad.
I was recently at a sacrament meeting for a branch comprising those who have been released from prison and are now transitioning back into normal life.
We discussed how, because of the Savior’s infinite Atonement, forgiveness of sin is absolutely available. At times, the Lord requires our patience and humility as we wait upon His full approval “by degrees” (Mosiah 21:16).
While the power of the Savior is so present in the forgiveness of sin, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the spiritual miracle needed to heal the serious wounds caused by the sins of others. Forgiveness and relief from the pain of injustice are both found in Jesus Christ.
For you who have been unfairly injured by the serious sins of another, I long to share the Savior’s love and compassion, His comfort and peace.
The sadness you have felt, the heartbreak, the loss, the suffocating feeling of betrayal, the upending of your life as you imagined it to be—I give you my absolute assurance, the Savior knows you and loves you.
Reach out to Him. He is your comfort and strength; He will send His angels to bear you up. When will your pain be gone, your grief subdued, the unwanted memories forgotten? I do not know.
But this I do know: Jesus Christ has the power to bring beauty from the ashes of your suffering (see Isaiah 61:3).
During the winter, days can feel heavy and gray.
As a regular part of their work before flights, pilots do outside checks of their aircraft. During cold and rainy days, this is not their favorite part of the job.
But one of my favorite experiences as a pilot on a day like that came after taking off and climbing through dark clouds when, suddenly, the aircraft climbed into the clear, brilliant, and beautiful sunlight—leaving behind dark clouds, rain, and slush.
That instant contrast taught me that when we focus our eyes on heaven, we can emerge into light—even during the seemingly darkest of days.
However thick the clouds, the sun is always there, waiting to shine on us as we rise toward heaven.
If you feel weighed down and troubled, please don’t lose heart. Keep moving forward and upward with faith, prayer, and trust in the Lord. His light is always there to lead and comfort us.
I grieve the passing of President Jeffrey R. Holland. Our relationship in education and Church service began more than 50 years ago. It was a long and loving relationship in the work of the Lord.
During my service as President of Brigham Young University, I had the privilege of inviting him—then a young scholar in his early 30s—to serve as Dean of Religious Education.
From the beginning, his influence strengthened the university’s sacred mission to unite spiritual purpose with academic excellence.
Over the last three decades as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he lifted the weary, encouraged the faithful, and bore a powerful witness of the Savior—even through seasons of significant personal trials.
We honor his unwavering devotion, his steadfast witness of the Savior, and his inspired ability to strengthen faith and deepen understanding.
We thank our Father in Heaven for the blessing of shared service and for our united witness that Jesus Christ lives and directs His Church today.
Jesus’ condescension, His willingness to live in this fallen world and show us the meaning of His gospel in day-to-day life, is truly an act of genuine love.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, I invite you to reflect on the mortal life and mission of Jesus Christ—and His condescension to save you.