Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Sunday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. He taught how one can learn and come to abide in Jesus Christ. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Bednar’s talk summary
Jesus Christ extends to all the same invitation He extended to the prophet Enoch: “Abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me” (Moses 6:34). “The word ‘abide’ denotes remaining fixed or stable and enduring without yielding.”
Abiding in Christ is remaining firm and steadfast in devotion to the Redeemer and His holy purposes, taking upon one’s self His yoke through covenants and ordinances, strengthening one’s covenant bond with the Father and the Son, feasting upon the words of Christ, preparing to participate in the sacrament and serving God’s children.
In the Book of Mormon, Alma compared the word to a seed that must be planted and nourished — “the word” being the life, mission and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (see Alma 33:22-23). “My beloved brothers and sisters, is the word in us? Are the truths of the Savior’s gospel written in the fleshy tables of our hearts?”
To walk in and with the Savior is to obey God’s commandments and remember and honor the covenants that connect one to the Father and the Son. “If we abide in Him, He will abide in us. And as we walk in and with Him, we will be blessed to bring forth much fruit.”
Notable quotes
“We abide in Christ as we are firm and steadfast in our devotion to the Redeemer and His holy purposes, in times both good and bad.”
“I testify the Savior’s promise to abide in us is true and available to every covenant-keeping member of His restored Church.”
“I testify that as we press forward in faith and walk in the meekness of the Lord’s spirit, we are blessed with power, guidance, protection and peace.”
See the full text of Elder Bednar’s talk: ‘Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me’
Who is Elder Bednar?
- Elder David A. Bednar has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 19 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 October 2022 general conference, he taught that one can be among both the many called and the few chosen, according to moral agency.
- At an Ensign College devotional on Jan. 31, Elder Bednar answered questions about change, personal revelation, covenants and balance as he focused on the role of the Holy Ghost.
- Elder Bednar met with members, missionaries and leaders in the Philippines Feb. 18-25.
- He taught missionaries during an MTC devotional on Nov. 9, 2022, about the importance of sequences and putting Christ first.
- Elder Bednar ministered in five countries in Central Europe in October 2022.
Read more of Elder Bednar’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
