Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of October 2022 general conference. He outlined three parts of the doctrine of belonging. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Christofferson’s conference talk summary
The doctrine of belonging has three parts: the role of belonging in gathering the Lord’s covenant people, the importance of service and sacrifice in belonging, and the centrality of Jesus Christ to belonging.
As Zion is being established on every continent, the Church will be comprised of members from every nation and every people. “Having been given this privilege, we cannot permit any racism, tribal prejudice or other divisions to exist in the latter-day Church of Christ. … As our Church population grows ever more diverse, our welcome must grow ever more spontaneous and warm. We need one another.”
Belonging comes not in waiting for it but in reaching out to help one another. The pioneers derived a deep sense of belonging, unity and hope in Christ by the sacrifices they made. “Any sacrifice we make in the Lord’s cause helps to confirm our place with Him who gave His life a ransom for many.”
The highest and deepest sense of belonging is obtained through keeping covenants with God. All can feel joy in pursuing individually and communally “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
“Being one with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit is without doubt the ultimate in belonging.”
Notable quotes from Elder Christofferson’s conference talk
“We should be diligent in rooting prejudice and discrimination out of the Church, out of our homes and most of all out of our hearts.”
“Let us leave judgment in the Lord’s hands and those He has commissioned and be content to love and treat each other the best we can.”
“Being one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is without doubt the ultimate in belonging.”
See the full text of Elder Christofferson’s talk: ‘The Doctrine of Belonging’
Who is Elder Christofferson?
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since April 5, 2008. He was called as a General Authority Seventy in 1993 and served in the Presidency of the Seventy from 1998 until his call as an Apostle.
- In 1968, he married Kathy Jacob. The two met at a football game — at the time, he had been helping with crowd control, and she was a Cougarette. They are the parents of five children.
- From 1975 to 1980, Elder Christofferson practiced law in Washington, D.C., after serving as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge John J. Sirica during the trials and other proceedings known as Watergate (1972-1974).
What has Elder Christofferson done recently?
- During the April 2022 general conference, he taught about the faith, patience and refinement required to create a lasting relationship with God.
- Elder Holland and three other Church leaders tell seminary students: ‘Let us bless you with our experience’
- Elder Christofferson ministers in Peru and Bolivia, encourages faith and fellowshipping
- Elder Christofferson speaks on the ‘outsized influence’ of the Mormon Battalion
- Church leaders welcome first lady of Gambia, who also visits educational, humanitarian sites
Read more of Elder Christofferson’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
