Editor's note: "This Week from the Pulpit" highlights recent messages by General Authorities and General Officers of the Church.
It would be an understatement to say that a lot is happening this week. From COVID-19 updates to missionary changes to upcoming virtual General Conference, how can we even keep track?
Thankfully through social media, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are still able to deliver inspiring and informative messages. To stay up-to-date, here are a few summaries of their messages shared this last week.
Sister Cristina B. Franco, BYU-Pathway Worldwide Devotional
In a recent BYU-Pathway Worldwide online devotional, Sister Cristina B. Franco, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, spoke to students about what sacrifice truly means and how to make sacrifices to serve God.
Sister Franco compared the sacrifices we make to the sacrifices made by the pioneer sisters who helped build the Relief Society Building in Temple Square. For over a decade, Relief Society sisters from around the world donated money, time, talents, and even artifacts to help construct and beautify the building.
The building was finally completed in 1956 and dedicated by President David O. McKay. Sister Franco noted a line from President McKay’s dedicatory prayer that speaks to the sacrifice of these Relief Society sisters: “Their devotion to duty is never-ending; their loyalty to Thee and to Thy Priesthood unquestioned.”
Sister Franco challenged students to sacrifice their time to help build the kingdom of God, much like the Relief Society sisters.
“Sacrifice truly brings forth the blessings of heaven . . . Your building will be built through sacrifice and you and many others will call it beautiful and blessed,” Sister Franco concluded with this promise to students.
Messages of Peace Amid COVID-19
Many of us might feel fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. We might worry about our health, the health of others, the economy, or our own employment.
Although these challenges might create turmoil and chaos for our lives, President Russell M. Nelson reminds us that we are not alone in this. In a recent Facebook post, President Nelson recognized the concerns many of us have and assures us that we will be comforted by the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
► You may also like: President Nelson on Preparing Ourselves and the World for the Second Coming
“During trying times, few things are as reassuring and comforting as the truth. . . What is true is that amid the gloomy darkness of a troubled world, the light of Jesus Christ shines ever brighter. He can speak truth to our hearts and minds as we seek Him and learn to hear Him,” President Nelson wrote.
Read what President Nelson and other General Authorities posted about COVID-19 below.
President Russell M. Nelson
President M. Russell Ballard
► You may also like: “Everything Is Going to Be Just Fine”: President Ballard Reassures the World Will Overcome COVID-19
Elder Ulisses Soares
Missionary Service: Reassignments and Reassurance
Over the past two weeks, there have been changes in regard to missionaries. Many have been reassigned to new missions, some have come home earlier than expected, and some remain quarantined where they currently are.
These unexpected changes can be difficult for many serving, yet Church leaders continue to support and reassure these missionaries and their families. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf posted to Facebook uplifting videos of two missionaries spreading the gospel through music.
► You may also like: Watch: Quarantined Missionaries Around the World Share the Gospel Through Social Media Music Videos
In a recent Facebook post, President Jean B. Bingham welcomed home missionaries and assured those returning that they would have opportunities to share the gospel. “We are confident there is a divine plan that will enable you to be instruments in His hands to accomplish His work regardless of where you are located,” President Bingham wrote.
Read what Church leaders posted about missionary updates below.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Jean B. Bingham
Sister Sharon Eubank
Sister Reyna I. Aburto
General Conference: How We Can Prepare to #HearHim
Many of us have been anticipating this coming weekend for the past six months. Last general conference, President Nelson promised that April’s conference would be “different from any previous conference.”
This general conference coincides with the bicentennial celebration of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. In a recent Facebook post, President Bonnie H. Cordon wrote about the importance of this anniversary, “Joseph Smith went to Him in prayer on that incredible spring morning in 1820. He was looking up—he was searching in the right way for answers to his questions.”
She continued, “As we look forward to a historic general conference this weekend, I hope we will all remember to prepare for and look to Him for the answers we are seeking.”
Read what Church leaders posted about the upcoming general conference below.
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon
Sister Becky Craven
Sister Lisa L. Harkness
Sister Reyna I. Aburto