As 2023 began, several leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared their thoughts on hope for the year, finding wisdom, seeking healing and peace and studying the scriptures.
Church President Russell M. Nelson shared deep sea fishing lessons to help improve lives in 2023. See the lessons here.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared on Jan. 1, 2023, on Facebook and Instagram: “With the new year comes a fresh start and anticipation for what lies ahead, moving on from a year that may have been tragic or difficult for some. Because of the work of the Almighty God, we have every reason to hope for great blessings and opportunities in the days, months, and years to come.”
He extended an invitation to join him and Sister Patricia Holland for a young adult devotional on Sunday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. MST to “discuss facing the future cheerfully” and “to follow the example of our dear Savior Jesus Christ.”
The broadcast can be viewed on the Church satellite system, at broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and on YouTube.
Wisdom can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places, wrote Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Uchtdorf opened the new year by imparting wisdom he found in a fortune cookie.
“We sometimes find wisdom in unexpected places,” he wrote in a social media post Twitter, Facebook and Instagram on Jan. 1, 2023. “I recently received a fortune cookie that read, ‘Tomorrow will be an important day for you.’ What a great motto for our lives!”
The Apostle continued with the following message: “Don’t wait for tomorrow to make changes you want to see in your life now. Every day is a new beginning. Turn to Jesus Christ today. Repent today. Seek the spirit more in your life today. Every day is a new opportunity to grow from the past and to create an even better future centered on following Jesus Christ. We need to live so that tomorrow we are happy about our today — which is then our yesterday.”
In a video posted on Facebook and Instagram, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified of the Resurrection.
“Doctrine and Covenants 138:17 explains that the spirit and the body will be united never again to be divided, that we might receive a fulness of joy. God our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son live. They offer peace, joy, and healing to each of us,” he said.
It’s the first of several doctrinal principles from the scriptures “that we can personally relate to as we seek healing and peace from life’s trials” that Elder Gong plans to share during the next couple of months.
On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2022, Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace asked two questions in a video on Facebook and Instagram: “Has 2022 been your best year of Old Testament scripture study ever?” and “As you look back over 2022, what is one thought that the Holy Ghost has taught you during your Old Testament scripture study with ‘Come, Follow Me’?”
President Pace said that for him, it has been his best year of Old Testament scripture and study. And he’s learned from it is “heeding the words of the living prophet.” He invited people to share their thought in the comments.
