Finding Answers

General conference messages often hold answers to the questions that you or your peers may have.

Why is it so important to gain my own testimony?

We all need a personal testimony of truth. As our faith develops, we necessarily rely on the words and faith of others, like our parents, teachers, or priesthood leaders (see D&C 46:14). But if we are solely dependent on one particular priesthood leader or teacher for our personal testimony of the truth instead of getting that testimony through the personal line, we will be forever vulnerable to disillusionment by the action of that person. When it comes to a mature knowledge or testimony of the truth, we should not be dependent on a mortal mediator between us and our Heavenly Father.

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

What should I say when people ask me about the Church?

Let your response be warm and joyful. And let your response be relevant to that individual. Remember, he or she is also a child of God, that very God who dearly wants that person to qualify for eternal life and return to Him one day. You may be the very one to open the door to his or her salvation and understanding of the doctrine of Christ.

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Can I still repent?

Not one of you has thrown away your last chance. You can change, you can come back, you can claim mercy. Come unto the only One who can heal, and you will find peace.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy

Do I have to be so different from others?

Some ask, “Do I have to be so different from others?” “Can’t I be a disciple of Christ without thinking so much about my behavior?” “Can’t I love Christ without keeping the law of chastity?” “Can’t I love Him and do what I want on Sunday?” Jesus gave a simple answer: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How do we keep the Holy Ghost with us?

Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur in many ways: through the making and keeping of covenants; by praying sincerely as individuals and families; by searching the scriptures diligently; through strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; by seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and by worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church. Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether.

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

Why is chastity so important?

To be entrusted with the power to create life carries with it the greatest of joys and dangerous temptations. The gift of mortal life and the capacity to kindle other lives is a supernal blessing. Through the righteous exercise of this power, as in nothing else, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fulness of joy. This power is not an incidental part of the plan of happiness. It is the key—the very key.

Whether we use this power as the eternal laws require or reject its divine purpose will forever determine what we will become. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

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

Why don’t I get answers to my prayers?

With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow.

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

Why do we have so many rules and commandments?

Our kind, wise, and loving Heavenly Father has given us commandments not to restrict us, as the adversary would have us believe, but to bless our lives and to protect our good name and our legacy for our future generations—just as they had for Lehi and Nephi. Just like the cow that received the consequences of her choice, each one of us must learn that the grass is never greener on the other side of the fence—nor will it ever be, for “wickedness never was happiness.” Each one of us will receive the consequences of our choices when this life is over. The commandments are clear, they are protective—they are not restrictive—and the wonderful blessings of obedience are numberless!

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold of the Seventy

Why do we call ourselves the only true church?

The Lord has declared that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1:30). This restored Church is true because it is the Savior’s Church; He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). And it is a living church because of the workings and gifts of the Holy Ghost. How blessed we are to live at a time when the priesthood is upon the earth and we can receive the Holy Ghost.

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

I don’t really know if I have a testimony. What can I do?

A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future will be secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path. A testimony grows from understanding truth distilled from prayer and the pondering of scriptural doctrine. It is nurtured by living those truths with faith anchored in the secure confidence that the promised results will be obtained.

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

If confusion and hopelessness weigh on your mind, choose to “awake and arouse your faculties” (Alma 32:27). Humbly approaching the Lord with a broken heart and contrite spirit is the pathway to truth and the Lord’s way of light, knowledge, and peace.

If your testimony is immature, untested, and insecure, choose to “exercise even a particle of faith”; choose to “experiment upon [His] words” (Alma 32:27). The Savior explained, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).

Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

Is there anything wrong with having sleepovers?

May I express my personal warning about a practice that is common in many cultures. I am referring to sleepovers, or spending the night at the home of a friend. As a bishop I discovered that too many youth violated the Word of Wisdom or the law of chastity for the first time as part of a sleepover. Too often their first exposure to pornography and even their first encounter with the police occurred when they were spending the night away from home.

Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy

Should I change friends?

Often, becoming prey to sin starts with someone choosing friends whose standards are not consistent with the gospel; and in order to be popular or to be accepted by peers, the person then compromises gospel principles and laws, going down a path that will bring only pain and sadness to this person and to his or her loved ones.

Elder Jairo Mazzagardi of the Seventy

Should I be the one who decides what I can do with my body?

Those who believe that our bodies are nothing more than the result of evolutionary chance will feel no accountability to God or anyone else for what they do with or to their body. We who have a witness of the broader reality of premortal, mortal, and postmortal eternity, however, must acknowledge that we have a duty to God with respect to this crowning achievement of His physical creation. In Paul’s words:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

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

What’s so wrong about staying out really late?

When I was a teenager, my curfew was 10:00 p.m. Today, that is the time some go out in order to have fun. Yet we know that it is at night that some of the worst things happen. It is during the dark hours that some youth go to places with inappropriate environments, where music and lyrics do not allow them to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Then, under these circumstances, they become easy prey to sin.

Elder Jairo Mazzagardi of the Seventy

It seemed like everything was going wrong with every attempt I made to tune in to conference. Finally, I took a train to the nearest stake center with some of the missionaries in my city and got to watch the last session in peace. That session was truly perfect for me. Every question I had prepared beforehand, hoping to find answers in some of the talks, was addressed and answered powerfully with the Spirit there speaking peace to my soul and helping me know exactly what I needed at that time.

Brooke L., 17, Massachusetts, USA

In my ward, all of the young women were able to use this general conference to complete a value project for Personal Progress. We each decorated a general conference notebook and took notes on each speaker, paying special attention to those who spoke on the value we were completing. I used this for my faith project, and it strengthened my faith so much! I was assured by the Holy Ghost that the men who spoke to us are truly prophets of God.

Emily P., 15, California, USA

I liked David A. Bednar’s talk when he said that the Spirit makes you want to act, not be acted upon. Richard G. Scott said: “We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become.” If we want to be a person who has the Spirit, and therefore have an attitude of gratitude, then we must be constantly worthy of the Spirit, who will help us have a more grateful heart.

Marina S, 16, Pennsylvania, USA

My seminary teacher challenged my class to write down the things troubling us and then pray. I was touched, because during general conference every single problem I had listed on my paper in seminary, and others that I hadn’t, were all addressed. I received guidance for each and every one of my problems.

Tiffany E., 17, Utah, USA

I always love general conference. In each session I felt the Holy Spirit. One of my favorite talks was the one by Elder Costa. I thoroughly enjoyed what he said on prophets and how we need to obey and heed their counsel. I also liked the talk that Elder Scott gave and how the greater faith we have will bring us greater joy.

Emily H., 15, Washington, USA