Editor’s note: “This week from the Pulpit” highlights recent messages by General Authorities and General Officers of the Church.
From Asia to Latin America to Spain to Provo, devotionals from Church leaders quite literally covered the world this past week. Most messages were delivered virtually and they also varied in topic, with speakers focusing on things like gratitude, trusting in God’s will, and hearing the voice of the Shepherd. The Relief Society also celebrated its 179th birthday as the largest and one of the oldest women’s organizations in the world.
Learn more about these messages and see other recent social media posts from Church leaders below.
By Scott Taylor, Church News
More than a mere “thank you,” gratitude is both a heartfelt expression and a commandment, taught Elder Ronald A. Rasband in a March 13 devotional for young adults in the Church’s Asia, Asia North, Pacific and Philippines Areas.
“Gratitude is more than just words of appreciation; it is an expression of the heart, one filled with love, humility, integrity, steadfastness, and courage,’’ said the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “In a world facing tension, conflict, economic upsets and a raging virus, gratitude at times seems in short supply.”
The Lord’s latter-day charge is to “rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:1).
“Our growth, our very progress in mortality, is diminished when we fail to say ‘thank you,’” added Elder Rasband. “Gratitude requires we set aside hurt feelings, jealousies, frustrations, disappointments, setbacks or prayers that seem to go unanswered and look with ‘eyes to see’ the hand of God in our lives.”
Read the full article, which includes remarks from Sister Melanie T. Rasband, at Church News.
By Scott Taylor, Church News
A focus on increasing faith served as the common message for two senior Church leaders and their wives in a Sunday, March 14, devotional for Spanish-speaking young adults throughout Latin America and Spain.
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, told listeners: “We all need to increase our faith in God the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ.
“Faith means trust—trust in God’s will, trust in His love for each of us, trust in His plan of salvation, and trust in His commandments. You are in this meeting because you have that faith and trust.”
Read the full article, which includes remarks from Sister Kristen Oaks, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and Sister Kathy Christofferson, at Church News.
By the Young Women General Presidency and advisory council, published in Church News
Asking inspired questions can invite the Spirit to teach in deep and meaningful ways. Consider how your mind ponders the following question: “Lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15)
When the Savior taught His disciples and others, He asked questions to allow the listeners to consider their own hearts and gain answers for themselves.
Sister Lori Newbold, a member of the Young Women general advisory council, recalled that as a 13-year-old girl, an adult leader said some unkind things to her at a Church activity. As a result, Lori went home determined to never go to another Young Women activity or class. The next Sunday, she went to sacrament meeting but immediately walked home afterward, holding true to her determination to avoid Young Women classes.‘’
Shortly after her family returned home from Church, her inspired bishop came over for a visit. When the subject of her hurt feelings was brought up, he lovingly listened to her justifications for never returning to class, and then he asked a question that changed her life: “Are you going to let someone else’s actions determine your salvation?”
Read the entire article at Church News.
By Rachel Sterzer Gibson, Church News
On August 8, 1844, six months after Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum had been martyred, thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered just east of the Nauvoo Temple. With mob violence threatening and with no precedent of how to replace their beloved leader, the Saints were anxious and uncertain.
After Sidney Rigdon proposed that he led the Church as its “guardian,” Brigham Young, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addressed the assembly.
At least 95 people recorded accounts of what happened next, including Emily Smith Hoyt, 37; George Romney, 12; and Wilford Woodruff, 37. All bore witness in some form that Brigham Young “had the voice of Joseph, and it was the voice of the shepherd.”
“That afternoon, the influence of the Holy Ghost rested on the Saints,” said President Mark L. Pace, Sunday School general president, in recounting the events. “These were the true sheep of the true Shepherd, and they recognized His voice—it was the familiar voice of the Spirit.”
Speaking during a BYU campus devotional broadcast on March 16, President Pace said the need for members of the Church to hear the voice of the true Shepherd has never been greater. But “the influence of the Holy Ghost is available for us in our lives, every day,” he testified.
Read more about the devotional at Church News.
By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News
March 17, 2021, marks the 179th birthday of Relief Society, the organization for women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The largest and one of the oldest women’s organizations in the world, Relief Society works every day to help those in need, build faith in Jesus Christ and strengthen families.
With the world currently plunged into the chaos of the coronavirus pandemic, the Relief Society motto “Charity Never Faileth” has come to mean even more as Latter-day Saints from around the world have rallied to comfort those who are in need of comfort. This episode of the Church News podcast, released during Women’s History Month, featuresRelief Society General President Jean B. Bingham.
Read a transcript of the episode at Church News.
Church Leader Social Posts
As you can imagine, it was a difficult decision to close our temples last year. Like so many of you, I have missed... Posted by Russell M. Nelson on Monday, March 15, 2021
We all need to increase our faith in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ. Yesterday I had the... Posted by Dallin H. Oaks on Monday, March 15, 2021
Some of you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He offered an infinite and eternal atoning... Posted by David A. Bednar on Sunday, March 14, 202
Did you know that children spend half their time in Primary learning the gospel through music? Whether you currently... Posted by Joy D. Jones on Friday, March 12, 2021
Usually by the time I get to my office, the sun is already shining and I see the Salt Lake Temple outside my window,... Posted by Bonnie H. Cordon on Sunday, March 14, 2021
I was sitting in my office going through emails and noticed that someone had sent me a link to a song. The music began... Posted by Michelle D. Craig on Sunday, March 14, 2021
What do we learn from the Savior’s life that can strengthen our faith? Jesus showed us by His birth that the worth of a... Posted by D. Todd Christofferson on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
In a recent devotional with young adults in the Asia and Pacific Areas, I focused on the principle of gratitude. In a... Posted by Ronald A. Rasband on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
At a recent BYU devotional, I spoke about the link between blessings and responsibilities for members of The Church of... Posted by Gary E. Stevenson on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
The Relief Society turns 179 today! In this divinely established sisterhood, it is marvelous to see women working... Posted by Jean B. Bingham on Wednesday, March 17, 2021
I recently read an article in the Liahona about how Emma Smith faithfully and courageously protected the gold plates... Posted by Reyna I. Aburto on Wednesday, March 17, 2021