Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Sunday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. He spoke on ways the doctrine of Holy Week applies to one’s life. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Rasband’s talk summary
Nearly 2,000 years ago, throngs of worshippers stood at the gates of Jerusalem, holding palms and crying “Hosanna!” to Jesus of Nazareth. This first Palm Sunday “marked the beginning of the last week of the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ.”
This most important week in human history would close with His Crucifixion and Resurrection, making it possible for everyone to live with Heavenly Father for eternity.
“Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the events of the week that followed exemplify doctrine we can apply in our lives today.” The lessons are to “embrace prophecy and prophetic teachings, act on promptings of the Holy Ghost, become a true disciple and seek the healing power of our Lord’s Atonement.”
The parable of the 10 virgins teaches that members of the Church have lamps representing the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “We, like the 10 virgins, have lamps; but do we have oil? …
“If some of you are looking to fill what some call ‘a bucket list,’ this is it: Fill your bucket with oil in the form of the living water of Jesus Christ, which is a representation of His life and teachings. … That bucket list will take you somewhere you want to go — back to your Father in Heaven.”
Notable quotes
“Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the events of the week that followed exemplify doctrine we can apply in our lives today.”
“If some of you are looking to fill what some call ‘a bucket list,’ this is it: Fill your bucket with oil in the form of the living water of Jesus Christ, which is a representation of His life and teachings.”
“Embrace prophecy and prophetic teachings, act on promptings of the Holy Ghost, become a true disciple and seek the healing power of our Lord’s Atonement.”
See the full text of Elder Rasband’s talk: ‘Hosanna to the Most High God’
Who is Elder Rasband?
- Elder Ronald A. Rasband was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 3, 2015. Between his call as a General Authority Seventy in 2000 and serving in the Presidency of the Seventy in 2005, he served in the Temple Department first as an assistant executive director and then as the executive director of the Temple Department in 2004 — a position no other living Prophet or Apostle has held.
- Although he attended the University of Utah, Elder Rasband never graduated, due to a business opportunity. But in 1995, he received an honorary doctorate of business and commerce from Utah Valley State College, which is now Utah Valley University.
- Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Twitchell Rasband, were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1973 and have five children.
What has Elder Rasband done recently?
- During the October 2022 general conference, he invited Latter-day Saints to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon.
- NBA All-Stars package thousands of boxes for people in need during day of service in Salt Lake City
- Elder Rasband shared how the gospel’s joy abounds in Africa
- Elder Rasband invited members in Brazil to be ‘preachers of peace’
- Elder Rasband asked Weber institute students to ‘be moral, ethical and honest’
- Elder Rasband celebrated his 72nd birthday in February
Read more of Elder Rasband’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
