General Conference Is for You

Finding Answers

If you listen to general conference, you can often find answers to the questions that concern you.

Temptation is so strong. Can I really resist it and repent?

We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. … The light of His everlasting gospel can and will again shine brightly where we feared life had gone hopelessly, helplessly dark.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

What is a testimony, and how can I gain one?

Testimony is personal knowledge, based upon the witness of the Holy Ghost, that certain facts of eternal significance are true. The Holy Ghost is the messenger for the Father and the Son and the teacher of and guide to all truth (see John 14:26; 16:13). Thus, “by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).

… Seeking for and obtaining these blessings require a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ (see Moroni 10:4).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How can I truly feel that I am beautiful?

I learned about what I now call “deep beauty”—the kind of beauty that shines from the inside out. It is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn’t wash off. It is spiritual attractiveness. Deep beauty springs from virtue. It is the beauty of being chaste and morally clean. … It is a beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring covenants.

The world places so much emphasis on physical attractiveness and would have you believe that you are to look like the elusive model on the cover of a magazine. The Lord would tell you that you are each uniquely beautiful.

Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president

How can I make good judgments?

Good judgment is needed not only in understanding people but also in facing decisions that often lead us to or away from our Heavenly Father. …

… The standards of morality are eternal and have not changed; neither should we try to discover a new interpretation of them. For the youth these standards are written in the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth. These standards are clearly aligned with the gospel of Jesus Christ and are intended to continue through adult life. …

… We are given the gift of the Holy Ghost after our baptism, but often we leave this gift on the shelf, forgetting that He will help us in the most important judgments of our lives. The Lord gave us this gift, knowing we would face difficult decisions in life. Listening to this voice is vital in developing good judgment.

Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer of the Seventy

What things will help me develop real faith?

Faith will not come from the study of ancient texts as a purely academic pursuit. It will not come from archeological digs and discoveries. It will not come from scientific experiments. It will not even come from witnessing miracles. These things may serve to confirm faith, or at times to challenge it, but they do not create faith. Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continue to feast on upon the word.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How serious is it, really, to break the Church’s moral standards?

In a complete reversal from a century ago, many today would dispute … about the seriousness of immorality. Others would argue that it’s all relative or that God’s love is permissive. If there is a God, they say, He excuses all sins and misdeeds because of His love for us—there is no need for repentance. Or at most, a simple confession will do. They have imagined a Jesus who wants people to work for social justice but who makes no demands upon their personal life and behavior. … The scriptures are … clear that real happiness lies not in denying the justice of God or trying to circumvent the consequences of sin but in repentance and forgiveness through the atoning grace of the Son of God (see Alma 42).

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Why me?

We must always attempt to correct the problem and overcome the trial, but instead of asking “Why me?” or “What did I do to deserve this?” maybe the question should be “What am I to do? What can I learn from this experience? What am I to change?”

Elder James B. Martino of the Seventy

Why are some people who receive priesthood blessings not healed?

If faith is sufficient and if the Lord wills it, the afflicted person will be healed or blessed whether the officiator speaks those words or not. Conversely, if the officiator yields to personal desire or inexperience and gives commands or words of blessing in excess of what the Lord chooses to bestow according to the faith of the individual, those words will not be fulfilled. … The words spoken in a healing blessing can edify and energize the faith of those who hear them, but the effect of the blessing is dependent upon faith and the Lord’s will, not upon the words spoken by the elder who officiated.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

What should I do if my prayers seem unanswered?

Heavenly Father does hear and answer our prayers. But often patience is required when we are “wait[ing] upon the Lord” (Isaiah 40:31). As we wait, we may begin to believe that we have been forsaken or that our prayers were not heard or that possibly we are not worthy to have them answered. This is not true. I love King David’s comforting words: “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).

Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency

What is true love?

True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long—we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it—but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

True love endures. But lust changes as quickly as it can turn a pornographic page or glance at yet another potential object for gratification walking by, male or female. True love we are absolutely giddy about—as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops. But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine—the later and darker the hour the better, with a double-bolted door just in case. Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence. Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

What is the Atonement, and what is its role in my life?

The Atonement gives all the opportunity to overcome the consequences of mistakes made in life. When we obey a law, we receive a blessing. When we break a law, there is nothing left over from prior obedience to satisfy the demands of justice for that broken law. The Savior’s Atonement permits us to repent of any disobedience and thereby avoid the penalties that justice would have imposed.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Why should I read the scriptures so often?

Many answers to difficult questions are found by reading the scriptures because the scriptures are an aid to revelation. Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day.

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president

What am I really in control of in my life?

Remember that the only real control in life is self-control. Exercise more control over even the marginal moments that confront you. If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it. Many of these influences, at least initially, may not technically be evil, but they can blunt our judgment, dull our spirituality, and lead to something that could be evil. An old proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, so watch your step.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

What is the difference between the authority and power of the priesthood?

The authority of the priesthood is with us. After all that we have correlated and organized, it is now our responsibility to activate the power of the priesthood in the Church. Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness.

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

If I’m sick, should I go to the doctor or just get a blessing?

The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings. When a person requested a priesthood blessing, Brigham Young would ask, “Have you used any remedies?” To those who said no because “we wish the Elders to lay hands upon us, and we have faith that we shall be healed,” President Young replied:

“That is very inconsistent according to my faith. …”

… Of course we don’t wait until all other methods are exhausted before we pray in faith or give priesthood blessings for healing. In emergencies, prayers and blessings come first. Most often we pursue all efforts simultaneously.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

General conference approached as I struggled to find and understand answers to my questions. Most of the talks seemed to be specifically for me. Especially as I heard the prophet’s talks, I know that God has been listening to my prayers and that He is aware of everything that I have been going through. I gained a desire to study and better understand the Atonement. Most importantly, my testimony has been edified. I can now say bravely and boldly that I know with every inch of me, with every little atom of my body and with all of my spirit, that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. This general conference has helped me to rededicate myself to living the gospel, and I am truly grateful that I was able to listen and learn.

Sophia B., 17, California, USA

Before conference I wrote down gospel questions I had. Through the sessions I got a lot of advice that applies to what I had written down and advice about other things too. I’m grateful for conference, and I love our Church leaders and their counsel.

Hannah G., 15, Utah, USA

I was touched during Elder Holland’s talk. This is a subject that was taught about in our ward conference recently. We need to stand up against this weapon of Satan’s and put our trust in the Lord.

Adam K., 15, Washington, USA

When Elder Holland took his place at the pulpit and explained that the subject he would talk on was very serious, it caught my attention. He looked as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. I knew he had something important to say. He talked of true love and chastity and self-control. “The only real control in life is self-control,” said Jeffrey R. Holland. It hit me. I knew what I needed to work on—self-control.

Eva S., 14, Utah, USA

This conference was especially wonderful for me. Before conference, I had been praying with some questions. Throughout the four sessions, I felt the spirit so strongly and knew with all my heart that what they were saying was true. I couldn’t deny the truth because all of the questions I had were answered. I know that Thomas S. Monson truly is a prophet of God and that what he tells us is true.

Bailey F., 13, New York, USA