Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in Christ, worship Him and follow His teachings in the scriptures, President Dallin H. Oaks declared in the Sunday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference.
“We are given the scriptures to direct our lives. As the prophet Nephi taught us, we should ‘feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things [that] ye should do,’” President Oaks said, citing 2 Nephi 32:3.
One of several scripture passages of the Savior’s words President Oaks quoted was “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9) — echoing President Russell M. Nelson’s charge from the previous session to replace contention with peace.
“We believe in Christ,” President Oaks emphasized. “I affirm the truth of these teachings.”
Throughout the five sessions of April 2023 general conference, held on Palm Sunday weekend, Church leaders testified of Jesus Christ, taught His words, and invited all to follow Him and live His teachings.
Abide in Christ, focus on Him
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles based his message on the Lord’s counsel to the prophet Enoch, who felt inadequate because of personal limitations: “abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me” (Moses 6:34).
Jesus Christ extends to all this same invitation to abide in Him, and His promise is twofold — “If we abide in Him, He will abide in us,” Elder Bednar taught. “I testify the Savior’s promise to abide in us is true and available to every covenant-keeping member of His restored Church.”
Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson taught a similar principle: “Covenant keepers are blessed with the Savior’s relief.”
When the people of Alma in the Book of Mormon were persecuted, they poured out their hearts to God and their burdens “were made light” (Mosiah 24:15). “Those covenant keepers received relief in the form of comfort, increased patience and cheerfulness, an ease in their burdens so that they felt light, and ultimately deliverance,” President Johnson said.
Referencing the experience of Alma, who “caught hold upon” the truth of Jesus Christ (Alma 36:18), Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles promised heavenly guidance to those who fill their mind with the Savior’s power.
“My prayer at this Easter season is that we will more consciously shape, strengthen and secure this preeminent thought of Jesus Christ in the chambers of our soul, allowing it to eagerly flow into our mind, guiding us in what we think and do, and continually bringing the sweet joy of the Savior’s love,” Elder Andersen said.
Testify of Christ in word and deed
President Bonnie H. Cordon, who will be released as Young Women general president Aug. 1, reflected on counsel from her late father: “Bonnie, never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ.”
She taught that closeness to Jesus Christ grows through frequent temple worship, daily repentance, scripture study, attending Church and seminary, pondering patriarchal blessings, receiving ordinances, honoring covenants and testifying of Him.
“All of these invite the Spirit to enlighten our minds, and they bring added peace and protection. But do we honor them as sacred opportunities to testify of Christ? … There is power in making these holy habits less of a checklist and more of a witness,” President Cordon said.
One of the most evident signs an individual is drawing closer to the Savior “is the loving, patient and kind way with which we treat our fellow beings, whatever the circumstances,” Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said.
“I invite you to consider ways we can transform ourselves into uplifting and supportive people, people who have an understanding and forgiving heart, people who look for the best in others, always remembering that ‘if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things,’” Elder Soares said.
Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy, spoke of spiritual poise, or the ability to “stay calm and focused on what matters most, especially when we are under pressure.”
The Savior is the ultimate example of poise, and His enabling power — made possible by His Atonement — gives strength to endure. “May we seek the blessings of Christlike poise, not only to help ourselves in challenging times, but to bless others and help them through the storms in their lives,” he said.
‘Jesus Christ is the solution’
In his message about the importance of the doctrine of Christ, Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt — the former first counselor in the Young Men general presidency who was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on Saturday — recalled talking to a friend about Jesus Christ and why He had to die.
“I testified to my friend, and I witness to you, that Jesus Christ is that Savior, that He had to suffer, die and rise again — His infinite atonement — to redeem all humanity from physical death and to give eternal life with God and our families to all who would follow Him,” Elder Corbitt said.
Brother Milton Camargo, first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, testified that “the Lord Jesus Christ is the solution to even our most difficult problems.” Brother Camargo detailed four specific problems Christ overcame that an individual cannot solve on their own:
- Physical death
- Sadness, pain and unfairness of this world
- Spiritual death from sin
- Limited, imperfect natures
How can one avoid losing focus on the Savior? “I believe the answer lies in the covenants we are invited to make with Him and our Father in Heaven,” Brother Camargo said. “Our covenants help us focus our attention, our thoughts and our actions on Christ.”
Elder Vern P. Stanfill, General Authority Seventy, reminded all that whatever their best but imperfect offering is, the Savior can make it perfect.
“No matter how insignificant our efforts may seem, we must never underestimate the Savior’s power,” Elder Stanfill said. “A simple word of kindness, a brief but sincere ministering visit, a Primary lesson lovingly taught can with the Savior’s help comfort, soften hearts and change eternal lives.”
‘He will heal you’
During the final address of April 2023 general conference, President Nelson testified that whatever the question or problem, “the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”
He noted the observance of Easter the next week, which he called “the most important religious observance for followers of Jesus Christ.”
Because of Him, all can repent and be forgiven of sins. “Because of Him, each of us will be resurrected.”
In 3 Nephi 9, the Savior invites the Nephites to return to Him, to repent and be converted so He could heal them.
“Jesus Christ extends that same invitation to you today,” President Nelson said. “I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you. He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.”
