A Mis Queridos Amigos Hispanos: Hispanic youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a critical role ahead of them in building the future of the Lord’s Church. I recently spoke with a congregation of predominantly Hispanic youth in the United States Central Area. The broadcast originated with 500 youth in Chicago, but was broadcast to over 2,000 youth across the entire area. My message included a direct invitation in both Spanish and English for these young people to prepare to serve missions and prepare to receive further education. During our time together, I asked two future missionaries to join me at the pulpit. I gave them each my contact card, invited both to email me directly once their mission papers were submitted, and promised that I would look for their names during my turn to assign missionaries in the future. I felt deeply impressed that the Lord knows His children individually, and that He wants all to fully participate in these foundational experiences in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I shared an apostolic invitation and promised blessings from serving missions and pursuing education. These invitations are for the youth across the entire Church, but it felt significant to emphasize them in these communities at this important time of the Church.

“He Hath Borne Our Griefs”: One of the most evocative and poignant depictions from the Savior’s life is detailed in Carl Bloch’s “The Mocking of Christ.” You can see blood dropping down from the crown of thorns placed upon the Savior’s head. A soldier stands mocking Him in anger. Yet Christ is not fazed. He’s looking past the man and not only looking past those who would mock Him, but He’s looking to us. In this week’s "Come, Follow Me" lesson, we read Isaiah’s beautiful imagery of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4–5). I hope we can learn from these chapters in Isaiah and see the miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Teach Truth with Love: It takes courage to stand for truth. It takes even more courage to stand for truth with love. When we try to love others by minimizing God’s laws, we separate ourselves from the one person who loves them the very most. The Savior showed love for the woman taken in adultery. But he also charged her to “go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). For disciples of Jesus Christ, truth and love always walk together. I believe teaching truth with love will be the hallmark of Christ’s disciples in the last days. For some this will require greater conviction. For others it will demand greater charity. I know the Lord will help us as we strive to teach truth with love. #GeneralConference Artwork: Jesus and the Adultress © GoodSalt.

The Name of Christ: Meetinghouses across the world boldly and clearly declare the name of Jesus Christ on the entrance of our buildings. Earlier this month, a faithful young adult shared an insight with us during a stake conference in Denmark about the importance of recognizing and remembering Jesus Christ even before entering the chapel to worship Him. That reminder rests with His name on the entrance of our Church buildings. Later that day we were able to see some of the inspiring images of the Savior by Danish painter Carl Bloch which seemed to crystalize this message of the Savior. Modern scripture teaches us, “For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4). This is the Church of Jesus Christ. Christ’s name and image are not just a formality but signal our central focus to come unto Him. I’m grateful for this visual reminder from a young adult in Denmark.

“May God Preserve and Protect This Country”: Our recent visit to Norway came at a unique moment in the nation's history. Christine and I arrived the day after the burial of King Harald V in time to witness a stunning commemorative memorial of countless flags and flowers in front of the royal palace in Oslo. I was intrigued by a statement new monarch King Haakon VIII, son of the late King Harald V, shared in his ascension address: “With God’s help and the support of the people, I look forward to taking on the great task ahead of me. I ask that we all unite together in the traditional prayer of hope: May God preserve and protect our country.” For a nation in which many feel that religion is a private matter, this public reference to Deity was significant. Reflective moments can help turn our hearts to God and help us remember what matters most. Inspired by the King’s statement and guided by the Spirit, I later felt inspired to offer an apostolic blessing upon the congregation of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with whom I met in Norway. For me, it was a moving experience. There was a spirit of unity in that gathering that we could feel as they gathered to bid us farewell. God loves the Norwegian people—and all of His children across the globe. During difficult times, He will bless all nations, families, and individuals who turn to Him for guidance.

Building Leaders: This year, the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will see over 60,000 converts baptized into the Church.   With so much growth, one of the primary efforts we are focused on in the area is building leaders.   One of the miracles happening in the Church isn’t just the baptismal growth, but it’s how the Church prepares everyday people just like you and me to serve in callings and to grow and become leaders in the restored Church of Jesus Christ.  It’s very clear that the Lord is preparing His people to prepare the world for His return. The Saints in the Africa West Area are becoming those leaders the Lord needs all across His Church.

Game Changers: It was a pleasure yesterday to be formally introduced to His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and learn of the country’s “Big Five Game Changers” initiative focused on education and building human capital. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is committed to education and in creating opportunities for God’s children here in Sierra Leone. BYU-Pathway Worldwide has blessed thousands of students in this country to acquire professional skills, certificates, and degrees since enrollment began in the country in 2019. Church programs such as Seminaries and Institutes and Succeed in School have likewise transformed lives of children, youth, and young adults for many years. I admire the work of Sierra Leone’s leaders toward their “Big Five Game Changers”—prioritizing formal education opportunities for their citizens. We hope our involvement in education will continue to strengthen the education of the nation. Of course, we also believe that the biggest game changer in the lives of God’s children is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and rejoice in how it continues to guide our educational efforts of young people across the world.

The Living Christ: Of the many significant names of the Savior, I am so inspired by the title “the Living Christ.” As one of the “special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:23) it is a special privilege for me to bear my testimony of the Savior for the first time here in Ghana as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

The Savior loves all of us and is tenderly calling for you and for me to “Come Home! Come Home!”

Time Together as Family: Despite all the demands tied to my new calling, preserving time to be a husband and a father remains an absolutely important part of my life. As Christine and I gear up for what will be a very busy fall schedule, we're so grateful we had time together with our family this summer. I love what President Henry B. Eyring’s taught during a BYU speech titled “Child of Promise.” It has helped guide my thinking for our stewardship of family, Church callings, and professional responsibilities. “Time passes at a fixed rate and we can’t store it. You can just decide what to do with it or not to do with it. . . . Time is the property we inherit from God, along with the power to choose what we will do with it.”

Choices for Eternity: During a remarkable young single adult conference in the Europe North Area, I was impressed by the discipleship and faith of so many of our young adults. As I spoke with them in the Burnley FC football stadium, we discussed how knowing their divine identity will make life’s choices easier and clearer. I reminded them of President Nelson’s counsel: “There are various labels that may be very important to you, of course. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that other designations and identifiers are not significant. I am simply saying that no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: ‘child of God,’ ‘child of the covenant,’ and ‘disciple of Jesus Christ’” (“Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library).

To those who are trapped in tradition: When I met John Raas, he was not yet a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His wife, Kailani, had catered dinner for the stake presidency, and we invited them to join us. John appeared weary of a spiritual discussion, but I assured him we would become fast friends. You see, John was a former BYU football star and I grew up cheering for him. We eventually asked John why he had never joined the Church. He cited the need to honor the faith traditions of his deceased parents. We helped him recognize that they now understood the Church and would honor his decision. John then chose to meet with the missionaries. Two months later, he was baptized. A year later, his family was sealed in the temple. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling all of us home.

The Sacred Role of Fathers: “Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to Deity, He has asked us to address Him as Father” ("Father, Consider Your Ways," Ensign, June 2002). Our Father in Heaven models this parental role for all of us. In Elder David A. Bednar’s thought about my calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he captured my feelings about being a husband and a father. One of my favorite parts of the article was this quote from my daughter: “It’s cool to think of my father as an Apostle, but he’s still just my dad.” I’m also grateful for my own father’s comments and his efforts to be an example of righteous parenting. I join with all of the striving fathers doing their best, knowing we all need heaven’s help in this sacred and demanding parental responsibility. Happy Father’s Day churchofjesuschrist.org/stud…

God Loves His Children: Every time I go somewhere, I think “Who does the Lord want me to see?” During my recent assignment to the Europe North Area, Christine and I joined nearly 1,500 young single adults gathered in from across Europe. We could feel their strength, hope, and commitment to the gospel. More specifically, I could hear the Lord reaching through me to try to communicate just how much the He loved each one them. Those feelings were real and profound. I know that God loves His children and one of the miracles of my calling is that I repeatedly feel that love pour through me as I teach and minister to others in His name.

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.

To those who doubt: Justin and Kenna Valdez moved away from family so they could more easily walk away from their faith. But their eight-year-old son still wanted to be baptized. Sensing a door opening, a wise stake president scheduled us for a ministering visit to their home. Kenna eventually confided that she still had faith in the Savior, and even a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but faced a few triggering issues that held her back. We promised them that as they anchored on the things they believed, the Lord would help with the things they didn’t. Overcoming their concerns was not an issue of resolving every faith question but of helping them recognize the Holy Ghost. As President Dallin H. Oaks recently taught, “You live in a season where the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.” Justin and Kenna began to make the changes necessary to come back to church. Six months after our visit, Kenna texted me: “Hi Elder Gilbert! We are ready to be sealed as a family.” This is a photo from the day they were sealed at the temple. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling all of us home.

I recently met with the entire Africa West Area Presidency, which reaffirmed how grateful I am to witness the majesty of this moment of growth in the Church. Elder Kyungu is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Elder Ojediran is from Nigeria, and Elder Morrison is from Ghana. I love these men and am inspired by the impact their leadership is having. In a recent visit, we discussed the growth of the Church in the Africa West Area, the impact BYU–Pathway is having, and the strength of the seminary program in the lives of our youth.

"Because She is a Mother" President Jeffrey R. Holland titled his talk on the subject after these lines attributed to Victor Hugo of a young mother who gave bread to her children, but none to herself. When a young sergeant asked why, his colleague replied with the famous line "because she has a mother." I've watched Christine show the same selfless care through the birth of eight children, late nights, first days of school, journal entries, temple visits and earnest prayers, soccer games, cheer tryouts, and swim meets, phone calls and late night conversations, organizing projects and homework assignments, shouts of joy, tears of empathy and prayers of hope, personalized outreach, messages, and ministering. Mothering has changed for Christine since James first joined our family in October of 1996. Nearly 30 years of mothering. Eight children! Boy, girl, boy, girl, followed by the twins, then two more daughters who are still at home with us! Now a granddaughter! And this week, another granddaughter coming! And through it all she continues to minister, to teach, and to love with patience and spiritual care, because she is a mother!

To those who feel they don’t measure up: A ministering visit took me to the San Antonio Texas Temple, where the missionaries and I met with the Vargas family. Andrea was serving as a Primary president. Luis, though not yet a member, did come to church. The mission president shared with me that Brother Vargas felt like he wasn’t good enough to be baptized. On the steps of the San Antonio Temple, I said, “Brother Vargas, you don’t have to be perfect to be in this Church. You just have to do your best, and Christ will make up the difference.” At the end of the tour, Brother Vargas turned to his wife and said, “Honey, it’s time I join this Church so that I can become a better father and a better husband.” He was baptized a month later, and their beautiful family was eventually sealed in that same temple. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling all of us home.

Faith Surges at BYU: In my previous calling as Church Commissioner of Education, I was inspired by the efforts of @BYU to realize its mission. I am thrilled to see this report of strengthened faith in Christ among BYU graduates. I am thankful for President Reese, the BYU leadership, students, and faculty who are striving to become the BYU of prophecy and promise foreseen by past and current prophets. deseret.com/education/2026/0…