Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Sunday morning session of October 2022 general conference. One can be among both the many called and the few chosen, according to moral agency, he taught. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Bednar’s conference talk summary
Jesus’ parable of the royal marriage feast depicts rebellion to the king’s invitation — refusing to attend or being inappropriately attired. Symbolizing God’s call and individual responses, it concludes: “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).
Being chosen is not an exclusive status. “Rather, you and I ultimately can choose to be chosen through the righteous exercise of our moral agency.”
God does not have a list of favorites nor a limit to “the chosen.”
“Instead, our hearts, our desires, our honoring of sacred gospel covenants and ordinances, our obedience to the commandments, and, most importantly, the Savior’s redeeming grace and mercy determine whether we are counted as one of God’s chosen.”
Each should evaluate temporal and spiritual priorities sincerely and prayerfully to identify what impedes blessings from Heavenly Father and the Savior. “The Holy Ghost will help us to see ourselves as we really are.
“As we appropriately seek for the spiritual gift of eyes to see and ears to hear, I promise that we will be blessed with the capacity and judgment to strengthen our individual covenant connection with the living Lord. We also will receive the power of Godliness in our lives — and ultimately be both called to and chosen for the Lord’s feast.”
Notable quotes from Elder Bednar’s conference talk
“You and I ultimately can choose to be chosen through the righteous exercise of our moral agency.”
“The Holy Ghost will help us to see ourselves as we really are.”
“As we appropriately seek for the spiritual gift of eyes to see and ears to hear, I promise that we will be blessed with the capacity and judgment to strengthen our covenant connection with the living Lord.”
See the full text of Elder Bednar’s talk: ‘Put On Thy Strength, O Zion’
Who is Elder Bednar?
- Elder David A. Bednar has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 18 years, having been ordained and set apart on Oct. 7, 2004.
- He served as president of Ricks College during its transition to BYU–Idaho, and has stated, “The creation of BYU–Idaho was one of the most important educational events of the Restoration.”
- He met his wife, Sister Susan Robinson Bednar, after returning from his mission to Germany and while playing flag football for family home evening at BYU. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 20, 1975, and are the parents of three sons.
What has Elder Bednar done recently?
- During the April 2022 general conference, he counseled listeners to hold fast to Christ’s doctrine and “heed not” the mockings of the world.
- 2022 Sharing the Gospel broadcast: Invitations from Elder Bednar, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Cook to ‘love, share, invite’
- Elder Bednar dedicates first temple in Guam, asking members to ‘connect Jesus Christ with the temple’
- Elder Bednar shares 7 lessons on ‘the blessed and happy state’ of obedience
- Elder Bednar: ‘It is unreasonable to claim that faith in Jesus Christ is unreasonable’
- Watch Elder Bednar’s live Q&A on Instagram
- In exclusive national interview, Elder Bednar calls Washington D.C. Temple ‘a place of light, of peace’
Read more of Elder Bednar’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
