Posts about Jesus Christ's Restored Gospel

I am grateful for precious time spent with family in recent weeks. We have gathered for enjoyable occasions, including a family dinner, a holiday gathering, and, most importantly, a celebration of the birthday of my wife, Kristen.   On behalf of our entire family, I express deep love and appreciation for all that she is and all that she does. She exemplifies the love and teachings of Jesus Christ in countless ways. She has helped me to become a better husband, disciple of Jesus Christ, and Church leader.   I encourage each of you to cherish your family relationships. Family is a divine gift from our Heavenly Father, designed to help us progress through the experiences of mortality.   The whole purpose of mortal life is to prepare us for a heavenly destiny in a family organization. As we look toward that sacred future, let us express gratitude for our families.   With love, President Oaks

What Jesus Christ told the Samarian woman at the well applies to each of us today: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Everything in the world changed with this divine pronouncement in the spring of 1820: 

“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17).  

The heavens opened and God began, again, to speak to His children.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not spring from a pulpit of great acclaim with some self-proclaimed preacher. 

It returned to earth in quiet majesty with the appearance of God the Father and Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith, the first Prophet of the Restoration. 

In my remarks to students at BYU yesterday, I spoke of many important dates coming up or just behind us to celebrate the Restoration in these latter days—including the bicentennial anniversary of the establishment of the Church on April 6, 1830. Each of these dates is a reason to shout “Hurrah for Israel!”

Since the early days of the Restoration, the pioneer phrase “Hurrah for Israel!” has been an important expression in our faith.

We celebrate our history because when we know where we have been we know what the Lord expects from us now. We are to carry this work forward.

Nothing you do in your life will be more important than gaining and living your testimony of our Father in Heaven and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  

I pray that you will proclaim with hope and fervor as you serve the Lord, “Hurrah for Israel!”

“I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world Heav’nly Father created for me.” From the song of a bird to the colors of butterfly wings, the world around us offers countless reminders of our Heavenly Father’s love. When we pause to notice His creations, we can feel gratitude for the beauty He has given us and remember that we are part of His divine creation. What reminds you most of your Heavenly Father’s love?

The Book of Mormon is a great witness that the Lord loves all people and reaches out to all, everywhere. The Book of Mormon adds to our knowledge of how our Savior’s earthly ministry reached out to all of His scattered flock. Book of Mormon teachings contradict the erroneous assertion that the grace of God saves only a chosen few. The Book of Mormon teaches that our Savior "inviteth ... all to come unto him" (2 Nephi 26:33). His grace is for all. Similarly, the Book of Mormon tells us that the children of God in “every nation” have His promise that He “manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 26:13). These promises from the Book of Mormon are true. I call upon all to act on these truths and to share them with others, that we may all draw closer to Jesus Christ, our Savior.

The key to stronger faith is trying each day, one step at a time, to get closer to Jesus Christ. What small step can you take today to strengthen your relationship with the Savior? #TheBookOfMormon #GeneralConference

Jesus Christ is the central Being of all human history. In the 17 years I have been in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I have had special experiences and moments of powerful spiritual enlightenment that allows me to testify with honesty and completeness that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

When has a friend, teacher, family member, or another person in your life been an example of a light on the hill to you? The Savior has invited us to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). I love meeting disciples of Jesus Christ around the world. You reflect the Savior’s light in your countenance and inspire more people than you may ever know. I look forward to being with our exceptional disciples of Christ across the globe at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on November 1 and discussing how we can center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His hopeful, ever-shining light.

All of us can receive divine direction for our lives. If you are doing your best to honor the covenants you have made with your Heavenly Father, you can act in faith knowing that you will receive His guidance in your life. I was pleased to share my thoughts on this during a conversation with the director of social media for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during my time at BYU-Idaho last week.