Last Word

Keeping Our Promises

By Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

From an October 2019 general conference address.

Illustrations by Emily Davis

One evening in my youth, my mother sat with me at the foot of her bed and spoke fervently of the importance of living the Word of Wisdom. She looked right into my eyes, and I felt her words penetrate my heart: “Promise me, Ronnie, today, that you will always live the Word of Wisdom.” I solemnly made that promise to her, and I have held to it all these years.

I also made a decision in advance to follow God’s laws, and I never had to revisit it. The Lord has said, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (Doctrine and Covenants 82:10).

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I invite you to consider the promises and covenants you make with the Lord, and with others, with great integrity, knowing that your word is your bond. I promise you, as you do this, the Lord will establish your words and sanction your deeds as you strive with unwearied diligence to build up your lives, your families, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will be with you, and you can, with confidence, look forward to being “received into heaven, that thereby [you] may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41).

Integrity means being honest. It also means doing the right thing even if no one is watching. We have integrity when we keep our promises.

Sanction means to give approval for an action.

Unwearied diligence means to keep trying, even when it’s hard.

What promises have you made to the Lord and to those around you? What promises should you make?