During the April 2023 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson, his counselors and 11 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also invited listeners to pray, ponder and take certain actions in their lives.
Below is a summary of some of the invitations extended by these 14 Church leaders and a special note from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who was excused from participating while recovering from COVID-19.
True disciples are peacemakers
“In situations that are highly charged and filled with contention, I invite you to remember Jesus Christ. Pray to have the courage and wisdom to say or do what He would. As we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers.”
— President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church, “Peacemakers Needed”
‘We believe in Christ’
“We are given the scriptures to direct our lives. As the prophet Nephi taught us, we should ‘feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.’”
— President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, “The Teachings of Jesus Christ”
‘I pray that you may find peace’
“Your great faith and love are reaching people and allowing the Lord to change hearts and so gain a desire to offer others the gift of peace that passes all understanding. I pray that you may find peace, help many others to find it and pass it along.”
— President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, “Finding Personal Peace”
What matters most
“I invite you to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ more often. Bear testimony of what you know and believe and what you feel, not just of what you are thankful for.”
— President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Remember What Matters Most”
The strength of parents
“With God’s help, you can learn to know your children in a pure and heavenly way. I invite you to accept God’s offer to guide your family by personal revelation. Seek His guidance in your prayers.”
— Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents”
Promise to abide
“I now invite each of us as His disciples to ask, seek, knock and learn for ourselves by the power of the Holy Ghost other meaningful ways we can make Christ the center of our lives in all that we do.”
— Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore, Walk With Me”
Love, share and invite
“My specific prayer today is for every child, young man, young woman, family, and quorum, Relief Society and class to review how we individually and collectively accept dramatic counsel to help gather Israel that [has] been issued by the Lord and our beloved Prophet.”
— Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Safely Gathered Home”
Become one in Christ
“Let us resolve never to forget what Christ endured to redeem us. And let us never lose the overwhelming joy we will feel once again on Easter as we contemplate His victory over the grave and the gift of universal resurrection.”
— Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “One in Christ”
Catch hold of this thought of Jesus Christ
“My prayer at this Easter season is that we will more consciously shape, strengthen and secure this preeminent thought of Jesus Christ in the chambers of our soul, allowing it to eagerly flow into our mind, guiding us in what we think and do, and continually bringing the sweet joy of the Savior’s love.”
— Elder Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “My Mind Caught Hold Upon This Thought”
A different bucket list
“Embrace prophecy and prophetic teachings, act on promptings of the Holy Ghost, become a true disciple and seek the healing power of our Lord’s Atonement. That bucket list will take you somewhere you want to go — back to your Father in Heaven.”
— Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Hosanna to the Most High God”
Greatest Easter story
“I invite you to look at the Book of Mormon in a new light and consider the profound witness it bears of the reality of the Risen Christ as well as the richness and depth of the doctrine of Christ.”
— Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Greatest Easter Story Ever Told”
Becoming a ‘pororoca’
“Going against the flow may be difficult. But when we yield ‘to the enticings of the Holy Spirit’ and put off the selfish tendencies of the natural man or woman, we can receive the Savior’s transforming power in our lives, the power to do difficult things.”
— Elder Dale G. Renlund, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Accessing God’s Power Through Covenants”
Ministering as He would
“Let us reach out and care as our Savior would, especially to those whom we are privileged by love and assignment to minister. In so doing, may we draw closer to Jesus Christ and each other, becoming more like Him and the followers of Jesus Christ He would have us each be.”
— Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Ministering”
Instruments of His peace
“I invite you to consider ways we can transform ourselves into uplifting and supportive people, people who have an understanding and forgiving heart, people who look for the best in others, always remembering that ‘[i]f there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.’”
— Elder Ulisses Soares, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Followers of the Prince of Peace”
Palm Sunday gratitude
While Elder Holland did not speak at general conference, he did post a message on his social media channels as conference started on Saturday morning.
“In preparation for Easter Sunday next week, I hope you will join me in recognizing and appreciating that all sins and sorrows, all disappointment and depression, all temptation and all tears may be put behind us through the divinity, atoning sacrifice and triumphant resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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