Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages from General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church. This story may be updated throughout the week. Find summaries of remarks below or use the hyperlink menu to jump to a specific section.
- President Nelson addresses wildfire victims in the western United States
- John Bytheway shares insights on the Aaronic Priesthood theme
- Tad R. Callister on playing spiritual offense
- Other General Authority and General Officer social media posts
President Nelson addresses wildfire victims in the western United States
On Sunday, November 15, President Russell M. Nelson shared a video message with Latter-day Saints impacted by wildfires in the western United States. He spoke to members of 23 stakes in California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as reported by Church News.
President Nelson told the Saints that Heavenly Father is keenly aware of each of them. “His love for you is unfailing,” he said. “He and His Beloved Son ‘will not leave you comfortless’ (John 14:18). Through the healing, reassuring influence of the Holy Ghost, you will be directed to take steps that will help you move forward with your lives.”
The prophet also testified that the Lord blesses those who trust Him.
“Look forward to the future with hope,” President Nelson said. “Embrace it with the assurance that the Holy Ghost will strengthen and direct you. Help your children understand that now is the time to manifest their complete faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ.”
Read the full summary of President Nelson’s remarks and learn about the reactions of the local Latter-day Saints at Church News.
John Bytheway shares insights on the Aaronic Priesthood theme
As a new member of the Young Men general board, John Bytheway penned an article for Church News on how the Aaronic Priesthood theme can change the world.
Bytheway goes through each of the paragraphs of the Young Men theme, highlighting a key theme of each. For example, Bytheway highlights how the last two paragraphs highlight “my work” and “His work.”
“This theme was introduced just before the world pandemic affected our ability to gather,” Bytheway writes. “However, pandemic restrictions do not need to stop young men from coming to realize what a blessing it is to know who we are, why we are here, and what God expects them to become.”
Read Bytheway’s full article at Church News.
Tad R. Callister on playing spiritual offense
Tad R. Callister, emeritus General Authority Seventy and former Sunday School General President, explains in a new Church News article how we have to play spiritual offense, not just defense, in the battle against Satan.
“One cannot play defense alone and expect to beat Satan,” Elder Callister writes. “That was the counsel of Paul: ‘Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good’ (Romans 12:21), and also the counsel to the saints of our day: ‘men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness’ (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27). No wonder Luke summarized the Savior’s life—one of spiritual offense—in these words: ‘[He] went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38).”
Elder Callister goes on to explain how parents can help their children learn to take the spiritual offense by doing things like having morning and evening prayers, having daily scripture study, attending the temple, and more.
“We can and should be proactive in helping our children take the offense in spiritual matters,” Elder Callister writes.
Read the full article at Church News.
Other General Authority and General Officer social media posts
President Henry B. Eyring
Elder David A. Bednar
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
President Bonnie H. Cordon
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Sister Michelle D. Craig
Sister Becky Craven
