Kathy and I recently attended the funeral of Sister Iris Larson—a long-time family friend of ours and the childhood best friend of Kathy’s mother. I rejoiced in bearing witness of the Savior and the Resurrection to many who are not yet members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For most of her life, Iris was not a member of Jesus Christ's restored Church. It wasn’t until she turned 95 years old that she decided to be baptized. Even toward the end of her life, Iris realized she wasn’t too old to change. President Dallin H. Oaks taught, “In the long run it is the growth, knowledge, and wisdom we achieve that enlarges our souls and prepares us for eternity” (“Learning and Latter-day Saints,” Liahona, April 2009). Repentance and change are available to each of us, no matter our age or where we are in life, because of our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

As a Latter-day Saint, what does it mean to have your faith in Jesus Christ and your devotion to the restored gospel settled in your heart? For me, it means that you have spiritually weighed the blessings and sacrifices of following Jesus Christ and exercising your precious will and agency, you have determined, you have chosen in your mind and spirit, that this will absolutely be the path your life will take. How does this amazing choice and decision lift us, enrich us, and help us to be who we want to be? As we “settle this in our hearts” (JST Luke 14:27–28) we absolutely trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I shared this with students at a BYU Devotional, but the principle applies to each of us. When a heart willingly and completely, on its own, without compulsion, turns the key of consecration, a door of freedom and spiritual power is opened. We are given a heavenly conferral, a greater vision of our purpose here on earth, a sustained ability to feel and to know, and an added abundance of spiritual gifts.

While visiting a seminary class recently in Los Altos, California, I thought about the invitation to youth from our dear prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, earlier this year about regularly attending seminary. President Oaks promised, “As you attend seminary, you will feel God’s love; find answers in your life; deepen your testimony of Jesus Christ; build emotional and spiritual strength; prepare for the temple, missions, education, and a future family; and gain courage to stand for truth.” How amazing it is that so many young people want to follow the prophet! Combined worldwide enrollment in seminary and institute programs is now nearing 1.1 million students. I am inspired by the faith and devotion of the youth of the Los Altos Stake and of the Seminary students across the world.

We grieve for those who have lost their homes, who have lost their possessions, or are living in uncertainty following the devastating wildfires last month in Spokane, Washington. But we rejoice that lives were saved. That is a miracle. Affected members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lost nearly everything, but they didn’t lose their faith in Jesus Christ. Despite overwhelming tragedy and loss, their faith is safe. I marvel at the faith of Cody and Haylee Woodbury (below). While fleeing from their home, they helped neighbors to learn of the danger. We rejoice in what we’ve seen of people taking care of people, independent of whether they are a member of the Church or not. We are all sons and daughters of God, and we are all linked together.

Eternal marriage is not a short-term experiment. It is an eternal journey of becoming who God desires us to become. We believe in eternal marriage, we teach of eternal marriage, and we seek an eternal marriage.

Earlier this year, President Dallin H. Oaks repeated the warning issued by President Russell M. Nelson from general conference in April 2018: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” What do you do to rivet your attention, to assure that you survive spiritually by having the constant influence of the Holy Ghost? You look carefully at your daily activities. Am I praying? Am I thoughtfully partaking of the sacrament? What am I putting into my mind? Am I associating with others who seek the constant influence of the Holy Ghost? What could be my distractions, my obstacles, or my deceptions? I invite you to pray for inspiration and courage to make any changes you need to make.

The Ten Commandments have been a foundation of our moral understanding of right and wrong for more than 3,000 years. Let us cherish these commandments given by the Lord.

I feel increasingly drawn to the Savior’s love and the never-ending blessings promised us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When I think of the suffering I have personally seen as I have traveled throughout much of the world in my calling as an Apostle—which is so infinitesimally small compared with all those who have or will ever walk the earth—I cannot, with any words I know, describe the feelings in my heart for what must have occurred in the heart and mind and body and soul of the Savior in His sacred moments of all-encompassing suffering for the sins and pain of all humanity. He did not shield us from the difficult experiences of life that bring immeasurable pain, but He protected us from everlasting suffering and estrangement from Heavenly Father and allowed us, through His all-encompassing suffering, to have the blessing of perfect joy and eternal happiness in the presence of God. The human mind can scarcely begin to comprehend how completely the destiny of mankind changed because of what happened in Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the tomb.

Today we will meet with media from throughout California and guide them through the recently renovated San Diego California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Soon, thousands will walk through the doors of the temple during an open house as we prepare for the August 23 rededication. It is an amazing blessing to see the Lord’s temples dotting the earth. I love the house of the Lord.

We care not only about the work our missionaries are doing to invite others to come unto Jesus Christ, but also about who they are becoming in the process.

Bacolod, Philippines is known as the “City of Smiles.” We are all smiling today because of the dedication of a beautiful new house of the Lord in this city. I also believe today that heaven is smiling as the Bacolod Philippines Temple became a dedicated house, a blessing to the wonderful saints in this area of the Philippines. It is a house of prayer, a house of peace, a house of power and revelation. The ordinances performed in this temple will bless the lives of the people of the Philippines and the eternal lives of family members who have already crossed through the veil. Our joy and their joy will fill this holy temple for many years to come.

We look on life differently; we see way beyond this mortal life. Our trust is in our Heavenly Father and in His Son. Our challenge is to believe in Him and trust in Him, and to know that our choices in this life will follow us beyond the veil. I shared this message while in New Zealand on a recent assignment. What Jesus said to His disciples anciently still applies to us today: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

In our day, with social media, artificial intelligence, and all the technology of our modern age, it is very easy to be misrepresented or to misrepresent the intent of others. Let us be determined to be completely honest and most generous as we speak of others.

In every season of our life together, I have witnessed Kathy’s amazing talent and capacity as she has mothered, blessed, taught, nurtured, and helped each of our children, and me as well, come to know the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am forever indebted to her. I am humbled and so very grateful that Kathy and I have the promise that as we are faithful, we will be together for all eternity because of the Savior's atoning grace and the priesthood power that flows from the covenants of His holy house. Happy Mother’s Day to all.

I really enjoyed sitting down with my son Derek for his podcast. This is my last post about our discussion. He asked some important questions about the influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I was grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

During a podcast interview with my son Derek, we discussed the importance of understanding our true identity as a daughter or son of God, especially when we are consumed by the day-to-day issues that we all face. Let us remember this special invitation from Jesus Christ: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meet and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).

We can learn much from the parable of the prodigal son in the Bible. I discussed this recently with my son Derek during a podcast recording.

I recently sat down for a podcast interview with my son Derek, and we discussed how it’s possible to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ by remembering spiritual experiences we’ve had throughout our lives. We can regenerate our faith. You can regenerate your trust in God. It’s possible. I’ve seen it many times throughout my life.

In my 74 years, there are only a few experiences where nearly every emotion and feeling are solidly cemented in my conscious mind. One of the most poignant is as I knelt across the altar from Kathy in a holy temple of God. The hopes, the dreams, the love we shared, all burst in a kaleidoscope of anticipation as we heard those unforgettable words, “for time and for all eternity.” Marriage is ordained of God. Because of the sealing authority, this journey is divinely ordained to stretch into the farthest reaches of eternity. With faith in Jesus Christ and devotion to your covenants with God and with each other, I promise you your marriage in this life and the next will become more glorious, more beautiful, more heavenly, more wonderous, more filled with an eternal love we can only now begin to comprehend. #GeneralConference

As the years have passed, I have become increasingly humbled as I have thought about, studied, and found immense comfort in the immeasurable gift of our Savior, the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The human mind can scarcely begin to comprehend how completely the destiny of mankind changed because of what happened in Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the tomb. There are no words to describe the magnitude of His precious gift. It will never be required of another. Jesus Christ suffered “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). As one of His ordained Apostles, I have experienced the spiritual and personal moments that have brought to me a sure and certain witness that Jesus Christ lives. At this Easter season, may we rejoice in singing: “He is risen! He is risen! ... Death is conquered; man is free. Christ has won the victory” (“He Is Risen!” Hymns, no 199).