quick-start-guide

On Sunday, November 1, six Apostles and their wives spoke to young adults in a series of devotionals broadcast throughout the United States and Canada. Below are summaries of the counsel they offered.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf

  • Elder Uchtdorf proposed a “Quick Start Guide to Mortal Life.”
  • Sister Uchtdorf offered the assurance to “those of you who are single, divorced, or live in challenging family circumstances,” that “God knows and loves you, and when you stay true to your covenants, the joy of family life will not be shortened or kept from you.”

Elder David A. Bednar and Sister Susan Bednar

  • Elder Bednar reminded us, “If you are asking, seeking, and knocking spiritually” then the Holy Ghost will “bless you in powerful ways.” He reminded us to be diligent in learning how to hear God better and to be guided by Him.
  • Sister Bednar taught that prayers are not always answered immediately or in the way we are expecting. But, she said, “God does answer prayers. He does hear our prayers. But he answers on his timetable and according to His will.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook and Sister Mark Cook

  • Elder Cook explained that the challenge for young adults is to find the time for spiritual growth, while acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a competitive world today.
  • Sister Cook reminded us that we are children of Heavenly Parents. She counseled us, “As you go forward in life stay close to family and friends where you are loved and accepted beyond expression.”

Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Sister Lesa Stevenson

  • Elder Stevenson explained that part of “hearing Him” is finding times and places “we can be quiet and still.” He said that revelation comes when we are still and childlike, “keeping our hearts open to the voice of the Lord.”
  • Sister Stevenson said that during this time of pandemic, there are many limitations. “But we have been blessed with so much. We just have to look and see the different things that we’ve been blessed with. We’ve been blessed with more time, so that we can hear Him. We’ve been blessed to be around family, or to reach out to family in different ways.”

Elder Dale G. Renlund and Sister Ruth Renlund

  • Elder Renlund said, “When faced with temptations or challenges that easily beset us, we are wise to be on guard every day. We need to do the small and simple things—praying, reading the scriptures, keeping the sabbath day holy, repenting daily—that protect us. Letting our guard down, even briefly, can quickly remind us that we are spiritually vulnerable.”
  • Sister Renlund taught that “Although we are children of our Heavenly Father, and that will always be true, He doesn’t want us to forever be children when it comes to our own spiritual maturity.” She provided ideas on how to become a “grown-up” in God’s Kingdom.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Susan Gong

  • Elder Gong reminded us to focus on the holy scriptures and the words of the prophets and apostles and what we learn through prayer, temple service, sabbath worship, institute and personal revelation.
  • Sister Gong said, “We don’t talk about character, conscience, and right and wrong nearly as much as we did a generation ago. How often do our social media feeds encourage integrity, chastity, respect for parents, self-control, or restraint?” She reminded us that “It’s not enough just to do good; we need to be good…”

Read more about what the six apostles said and what their wives taught in two Church News articles.

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