Elder Peter F. Meurs, General Authority Seventy, spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. Relating how he struggled with personal feelings of guilt and remorse, he realized that the Savior could help heal him.
Elder Meurs’ talk summary:
In 1990, while driving his family home in Australia, Elder Meurs momentarily fell asleep and caused a head-on car accident. His wife was seriously injured and his infant son was initially unresponsive until receiving a priesthood blessing while the ambulance was en route.
With three of his five family members hospitalized, he pleaded with Heavenly Father that his family and those injured in the other vehicle would recover. All were healed over time.
But he faced ongoing deep feelings of guilt and remorse, reliving the horrific events. “I struggled for years to forgive myself and find peace. Then as a priesthood leader, while assisting others to repent and helping them to feel the compassion, mercy and love of the Savior, I realized that He could heal me.”
The Savior’s healing and redeeming power applies to accidental mistakes, poor decisions, challenges and trials of every kind — as well as sins. “As I turned to Him, my feelings of guilt and remorse were gradually replaced with peace and rest. …
“Whether you are carrying the burden of unresolved sin, suffering because of an offense committed against you long ago, or struggling to forgive yourself for an accidental mistake, you have access to the healing, redeeming power of the Savior Jesus Christ.”
Notable quotes
“While assisting others to repent and helping them to feel the compassion, mercy and love of the Savior, I realized that He could heal me.”
“As I turned to Him, my feelings of guilt and remorse were gradually replaced with peace and rest.”
“Whether you are carrying the burden of unresolved sin, suffering because of an offense committed against you long ago, or struggling to forgive yourself for an accidental mistake, you have access to the healing, redeeming power of the Savior Jesus Christ.”
See the full text of Elder Meurs’ talk: ‘He Could Heal Me!’
Who is Elder Meurs?
- Elder Peter F. Meurs, a native of southeastern Australia, was called as a General Authority Seventy in April 2016 general conference. He had served previously as a bishop, stake president and Area Seventy.
- When he accepted his call as a general authority, Australia media expressed shock that the high-profile oil, gas and mineral executive would set aside his career for full-time Church service.
- Elder Meurs met his future wife, Maxine Thatcher, when he was 15 years old and moved to Melbourne. Initially feeling intimidated going to the large ward in the city, he received a note from the Sunday School class president, Maxine Thatcher — whom he would later marry after serving a full-time mission.
What has Elder Meurs done recently?
- The First Presidency recently announced the April 22, 2023, groundbreaking for the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple, with Elder Meurs to preside.
- In late March 2023, Elder Meurs was announced as the presiding leader for the April 22 groundbreaking for the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple.
- He accompanied Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in his ministry to Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji last month.
- Previously as a counselor in the Asia Area president, he was the lead manager for a major water filtration project for Pakistan that involved BYU students.
- Six months after his call as a General Authority Seventy, Elder Meurs spoke in October 2017 general conference, with remarks titled “The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy.”
