Elder D. Todd Christofferson - November 26, 2020
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Dear missionaries, Sister Christofferson and I are so grateful to be with you.
Today in the United States is the annual holiday known as Thanksgiving. There is a similar holiday on a different date in Canada and in some other countries. It’s a day set aside to remember, ponder, and express gratitude for the blessings we enjoy and for the relationships with family and others that mean so much to us. In the United States, for example, we remember those we call the Pilgrims, who arrived in the New World from Europe on a ship called the Mayflower exactly 400 years ago this month. They were seeking the freedom to worship God and live according to the dictates of their own conscience.1 Half of them died during their first year in America. But with the help of Native Americans in the area, their colony survived. The Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest in September 1621 with the Native Americans and gave thanks to God for His grace and blessings.
Most, if not all, of you are aware that President Russell M. Nelson sent a message to the world just a few days ago about the healing power of gratitude. He offered a prayer of gratitude to God and a plea for continued divine help for the world. Perhaps you’ll find ways to use President Nelson’s message and prayer in your finding and teaching. But in all events, let’s follow the example in—his example in—counting our blessings and expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father, especially for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Sister Kathy Christofferson: We never want to be guilty of the sin of ingratitude. With COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, for example, we may think only about what used to be possible, how much easier and enjoyable life was, especially when interacting with friends and others. With that kind of focus, we may not appreciate what we can do and even forget to thank our Heavenly Father for the technology that helps us do and enjoy more of some things. As the Book of Mormon teaches, we should “live in thanksgiving daily.”2
Elder Christofferson and I miss going to the MTC and seeing the missionaries there and shaking hands. We miss the powerful Spirit we always felt walking into the auditorium as the missionaries were singing. It was overwhelming and wonderful. And we hope someday that will again be possible in MTCs around the world. Still, we are grateful that the Lord has blessed us with ways to communicate simultaneously to each of you wherever you are and wherever we are. We can talk to Africa, Europe, Asia, South and North America, and the Pacific Islands—all at the same time. And we can see and hear from some of you. The Holy Spirit can be with all of us everywhere.
Elder Christofferson: This year we celebrate the 200-year anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision and the beginning of the Restoration. Our greatest blessings are associated with the Restoration, including a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and plan of redemption, the return of the holy priesthood and its ordinances and covenants, the reestablishment of the true Church of Jesus Christ, and the added scripture witnesses of Christ in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.
We asked some of you to answer this question: “What is one aspect or part of the Restoration that you are most grateful for and why?” We received many wonderful responses. We wish we could play all of them for you. But time will permit us to play and comment on only just a few. We hope that you who responded to our request, but whose message of gratitude can’t be shown today, will still know that what you contributed was excellent. We truly appreciate each one and the effort you made to record your answer. Thank you all. So now let’s play and talk about a few of the expressions of gratitude for particular blessings of the Restoration.
Sister Santiago: As I earnestly and prayerfully familiarize myself with the details of Joseph’s time, I have learned that I find affection and admiration for me grow. I find comfort and encouragement for those particularly hard things of life and service. For me, the lesson of Joseph Smith’s life and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon was so amazing. That in spite of failure and bitter opposition, Joseph Smith got exactly where he needed to be to fulfill his mission.
Sister Marigmen: What I am grateful for about the Restoration is that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to young Joseph Smith when he prayed to be able to know the truth, and They have chosen him. And if Prophet Joseph Smith doesn’t have the desire to know the truth, the gospel will not be restored in these times or in these days, and we will never have the opportunity to serve in our missions. But we are so blessed. Because of the help of Prophet Joseph Smith, the gospel was known even unto our generations. And he helps us to be prepared and to be able to know the things and to prepare ourselves to be with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Elder Christofferson: I guess I should mention that these two sisters, and the others we’ll hear from, are missionaries serving in the Philippines, a few in the United States, and in Africa. So it’s a broad sampling.
But these two have made a crucial point to begin with, when you think about it. I mean, without Joseph Smith to start it all, what would we have? We do all owe him a great debt of gratitude for persevering despite persecution, despite hardships—“hard things,” as she said. Where would we be if we hadn’t had such a person, such a being, such a man to stand up against all of that and persevere so that we could have the blessings of the Restoration?
Sister Christofferson: You know, we all have to face hard things once in a while. Everybody gets that in life. I think Joseph Smith’s example—and those who also helped establish the Church—let us know that we can do this, that we can handle hard things, and that we can be strong.
Elder Christofferson: It is a good example. I love the prophet. I hope the day will come when I can meet him and thank him, as I guess all of us feel that great debt of gratitude.
Let’s go on to this next group of responses.
Sister Benito: One aspect of the Restoration that I’m so grateful for is to know that we have a living prophet who guides us in these latter days. In these perilous times, the more we need to hear Him through His prophet. I know that if we follow the counsels of our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, we will not go astray. His teachings provide an anchor of eternal truth in a world of shifting values and help us avoid misery and sorrow. Life would be more meaningful, and mortality would be full of great experiences.
Missionary 1: One part of the Restoration that I am grateful for is by having our living prophets. I’m so blessed that I am a member of this restored Church and that we still have someone to guide us in these days. Before, when I was not a member of this Church yet, I thought to myself that we just only need scriptures to guide us, but I was wrong. And I am so blessed and grateful that I met the missionaries in my life and that they helped me understand how important that we need prophets in these days. I studied their message of the Restoration, and I gained witness and answers to my prayers. And I know that God loves us so much, and that’s why He called prophets to help us know the things that we need to do to gain our salvation. And I know this is the only Church that still have someone to receive revelation from Heavenly Father. And every time when I hear the voice and the words of the prophet, I feel love of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. And I know that is the witness that He is called by God.
Missionary 2: I am particularly grateful for the calling of a modern-day prophet so that I am not lost in, as Joseph Smith put it, “the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions.”3 This disagreement and confusion is as prevalent now as it ever has been. And I am grateful that I can always look to a living prophet who receives guidance and revelation from God so that I am not left to my own imperfect judgment.
Sister Christofferson: You know, as we had Joseph Smith, who restored the gospel, we have a living prophet in our day who gives us specific instruction just for our time. Take the home-centered, Church-supported gospel study program. This was announced in 2018, wasn’t it?
Elder Christofferson: Right, right.
Sister Christofferson: And who would have known then that in 2020 that would be the norm throughout the Church, that we would be doing this, and it would be a necessity for us to have that in place and have a year to practice it and try it out? And now here we are because a living prophet had the foresight to know that would be the thing that we needed.
Elder Christofferson: It’s a very, very good point that this sister and these elders make—and that you made—that it started with Joseph Smith but didn’t end with Joseph Smith. And we do need the prophet in our own time for the specific needs and challenges of our moment in time. As one of them said, he felt initially the scriptures should be sufficient. And the scriptures are critical. They’re critically important. But you do need more than that. You do need the prophet in your own day and time, both in the application of those scriptures and for things unforeseen, like you just said.
And as regards President Nelson, when he was called and set apart to serve as President of the Church, it was January 2018 and my first experience as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in that process for the calling of a new president and the reorganization of the First Presidency. And I thought it would be … I expected it would be somewhat pro forma, because I know the pattern that exists in the Church—that we reorganize the First Presidency soon after a president dies and that it’s the senior Apostle who becomes the President. But what was really powerful to me in that experience in the temple was the revelation to me personally that this is not just a pattern, this is not just a practice—it was the Lord’s will in this instance that Russell M. Nelson be called and set apart and become the President of the Church and the prophet in our time. So I have no hesitation in bearing witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith, all who have succeeded him, and specifically of President Nelson today in his role. The Restoration continues in that sense.
Well, let’s go to our next subject.
Missionary 3: My favorite aspect of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the knowledge that I have of my relationship with my Father in Heaven, to know that I am a beloved son of Him and that He wants to give me knowledge that I need in order to have a happy life. I can receive that personal revelation anytime that I need to, especially when I have the Spirit. And right here in the Sacred Grove, it’s more spiritual than ever. And as I’ve been in here, I’ve been able to really come to see Him as my Father in Heaven. Much like being in a temple, I’m able to receive that personal revelation on what I need. And without the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, I don’t think I would have that. But now, I can receive personal revelation from my Father in Heaven anywhere, anytime.
Sister Filo: In a most and miraculous single way, the Restoration teaches us about Jesus Christ and His gospel. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer. And that is what I am grateful for. I always feel His love because of all things that I do. I overcome many trials and challenges of life because I always choose to look upon Him. His example leads my life and the life of others to enduring to the end. And I know and believe that He rose and gained victory over death because I believe that He is my Savior, the best example that I ever know, and He is my Redeemer. He loves us. And He never, ever leaves us alone. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Missionary 4: I am so grateful for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And because of this Restoration, I am able to know of my personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And I know that His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane was for me specifically and that He suffered for my sins. And that because of that, I am able to have a personal relationship with my Savior. And I am so grateful for this Restoration because it helps me to have more love for my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Elder Christofferson: They’re really pointing out what is a crowning aspect to the Restoration. And that is the true knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit as They are—not an essence in the universe, not something impersonal, but real beings, glorified beings who know us, with whom we can have a relationship. And in the case of the Savior, the witness—again—that He actually lives and is the Savior, the Redeemer, and that we have the opportunity for personal revelation. It’s not impersonal; it’s personal.
Sister Christofferson: Well, I remember when I was younger and I used to take the sacrament. I used to think about all the suffering that the Lord took upon Himself for all the sins of the world and all the pains of mankind. And I really thought I felt close to the Savior at that time. But when I started to put my true concentration on what He had suffered for me and what pains I may have given to Him because of my actions, it totally changed my relationship with the Savior. And I’m glad that was pointed out about His sacrifice for each of us individually because it makes a lot of difference in our relationship and the love that I feel for Him.
Elder Christofferson: That is important, what they mention, that we feel Their love for us, but there’s also our love for Him that guides us. Just think about it, really, to have a true, correct understanding of God, and of His Son, and of the Holy Spirit that has come with the Restoration—that’s so foundational to everything else. What a blessing. Well said.
Well, let’s see what these next comments were.
Elder Baclaan: Hi, I’m Elder Baclaan and one thing that I’m particularly grateful for about the restored gospel is that having a knowledge of the plan of salvation. Isn’t it amazing knowing the answers of one of the greatest questions of the soul? Namely, where we came from, what is our purpose, and where are we going after this life? But above all, is having a knowledge about our loving and merciful Heavenly Father and a magnanimous and gracious Savior, even Jesus Christ.
Sister Lucillo: One of the many things that I am particularly grateful for the Restoration is knowing the plan of salvation. It may sound cliché to anyone, but it’s not for me. Through the plan of salvation, I know that I am a child of God, and the environment and the circumstances I am bound to live in will allow me to progress. Because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, my difficult and bumpy journey will bring enduring joy, not only for me, but also to my Father in Heaven.
Elder Christofferson: Thank you for that beautiful smile. What do you think about those comments?
Sister Christofferson: Well, the one thing that I think about when I think about the plan of salvation is that we know that we lived before this life. And I think that makes a lot of difference in our outlook on why we’re here and what we’re doing.
This whole concept was actually there in the scriptures before the Book of Mormon came forth. But it says this in Job chapter 38, the Lord is talking to Job and He’s saying, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? … When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”4
Now, that’s not just a nice, poetic comment, that’s an actual reality that we were there and were so excited that the world was finally being created. And I want to say that’s for not just the sons of God shouting for joy but the daughters of God as well.
Elder Christofferson: I’m sure.
Well, think about it, we know our purpose. We know what this is all about and why we’re here, and what’s happening, and what happened before, and what is to come. It’s just amazing to realize, frankly, that we’re, well, we’re not left to wonder. We’re not left to guess about what it’s all about. And I think of what Alma said on commandments, the purpose of commandments related to the plan of salvation. And in Alma 12:32, he says, talking about Adam and Eve and our first progenitors, “Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption.” So there’s some significance in this, a sequence, that first, the plan, first, the understanding of the whole purpose and overarching direction of our existence, then the commandments, because then they make sense. Then we can see why we have the commandments, where they’re leading us, what the point is.
If we thought that our existence began with birth—that we’re nothing there until we were born—and that it ended with death—that there’s totally nothing, no existence after death, we cease to be a conscious entity of any kind—and all there is, is birth to death, then I think your philosophy would be “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”5 I mean, this is it. But when you know that we existed eons before this and we’re children of our Heavenly Father, we were with Him, we know the purpose of this probation, and that there’s an eternity that comes afterward, it all makes sense. The commandments make sense.
Well, thank you for that. Let’s see what else we have.
Elder Saraos: One part of the Restoration that I am grateful for is the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. And in “Bicentennial Proclamation to the World,” it states there that “as a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven.”6 This is one of my reasons why I go on a mission—to help my brothers and sisters, to help them to come closer to our dear Heavenly Father and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. I leave everything for two years so that others can have everything for eternity. And I know that this is a life-changing experience, and I am forever grateful. And I testify what our living prophet said, as we read “the Book of Mormon every day, [we] will [have] better decisions—every day.”7
Missionary 5: My favorite part about the Restoration is that we have the Book of Mormon. I can recall when I was 12 years old when I first read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know that it was true and the power of the Holy Ghost testifying to me that it is God’s word. And I have always been able to use this to be the center ground of knowing this is how I knew that this Church was true. I also love that it is the keystone of our religion, definitive evidence that this work is God’s work. And that’s why I love the Book of Mormon. That is my favorite aspect of the Restoration.
Missionary 6: So as part of the Restoration, I’m so much grateful for prophet and apostles that guide us in this last days. Even through the gospel of Jesus Christ, with which when we follow their teachings, we are able to have our hearts and minds closer to Heavenly Father at all times.
Missionary 7: I’m also eternally grateful for the Book of Mormon. In the Book of Mormon, I’ve been able to learn about how to make right choices. And I’ve come to know for myself that writers of the Book of Mormon were actually inspired by God. Mormon taught that “this is written for the intent that ye may … believe [that] also.”8 I’ve come to know the truthfulness of that particular truth, in that my knowledge of the Book of Mormon motivates me to also study the Bible.
Elder Christofferson: I like Elder Saraos’s statement that “I leave everything for two years so that others can have everything for eternity.” Elders and sisters, that’s you. You’ve left everything for this time of your mission so that others can have everything for eternity. That really captures the essence of what we’re all about and what you’re all about.
Well, I like this. I love the Book of Mormon. It’s the foundation of my witness of the Savior and my testimony. And I agree with what was said here that it does bring you closer to the Spirit. I recall what President Kimball said once about when he feels distant from God, doesn’t feel the Spirit, he immerses himself again in the scriptures—particularly the Book of Mormon—and feels that Spirit immediately. And that’s been my experience. It really is an anchor to my soul to God, to the Savior, to the Holy Spirit.
Sister Christofferson: Well, the one thing that I love about the Book of Mormon is think of how unique it is that this is the only book of scripture, really, where you have a man—you have Mormon—having all the records of his people for hundreds of years and was selecting the very things that he knew we would need, having seen our day and knowing what we were going to face, and made things that were just messages just for us in our time. And that’s such a powerful thing. What others don’t know is when we read the scriptures together—and we do read every night, and we’ve gone through the Book of Mormon several times—and every time we go through it again, we’ll say, “Oh, there’s one more thing that’s happening in our day that we hadn’t seen before.” We never thought we’d see such and so thing happening, and it happens.
Elder Christofferson: Yeah.
Sister Christofferson: And it’s so current. It’s so meant for our time.
Elder Christofferson: It really is more and more relevant. It seems more and more relevant all the time. And if you just take the number of pages in the book, the majority are dedicated to that brief period, relatively brief period, 100 or so years before Christ coming and then His mission. So it’s really teaching us about the kind of preparations we need to make.
Well, one of the elders said that this is evidence that this is God’s work, “definitive evidence that this is God’s work.” And the Book of Mormon is. It is proof, in my view, that this is the work of God, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the Christ. It exists. It’s a physical object that exists. And how did it come to be? And the only rational explanation when you think of all that has been said, or supposed or imagined, is that it came by the gift and power of God. Nothing else can account for it. And for that reason, it is the instrument of conversion in our time. It is what God has prepared for this dispensation for the conversion, our conversion and those that we are teaching—those that you missionaries are teaching. I hope you always, always use that book. And the Spirit that comes with it will lead to conversion.
Well, why don’t we just end with one other comment. And that is the elder who said the Book of Mormon helps me love the Bible more, the other scriptures. And truly it does. That’s been my experience. This is such a foundational scripture and so clear that it helps us love all scripture, and profit from all scripture, and, as President Nelson said, make better decisions. Well, let’s continue then.
Missionary 8: One thing I am grateful about the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith is having the priesthood restored, the power of God, the authority to act upon His name. And that priesthood authority made possible that families can be together forever. And because of that priesthood, I was given a chance to perform my duties while I am here on earth, to make those and perform those saving ordinances. And I am able to receive the blessings of the temple. And I am so grateful about that. And I am so happy to have that opportunity to have my family together eternally and to be able to prepare through saving ordinances, to prepare and come back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. And I really love it.
Elder Gara: If I were to be asked one part of the Restoration that I am very grateful for was the restoration of the keys of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the children to their fathers.9 And for me, that was one of the most precious things that was brought here on earth. Whenever I think on—when I think of my ancestors and the privilege to work for their saving ordinances inside the temple, I feel very grateful for the Restoration and the priesthood authority that was given back here on earth to worthy and faithful men so that we can be with our families forever, together with our dear Heavenly Father.
Sister Christofferson: You know, a lot of religions have a special observance in their homes at different times of the year where they have, probably, a meal, and they set a seat there for Elijah. They know that Elijah is supposed to return. They don’t know that he already has. And they don’t really know what his purpose is. And we know what that purpose is and that great work of redemption of the dead and, with the priesthood keys restored, to be able to join families together forever through the ordinances of the temple. It’s such an exciting thing. And that’s in all four standard works of the scriptures; it talks about Elijah being sent to prepare the way, that the hearts of the children will be turned to their fathers and the hearts of the fathers will be turned to the children. And we understand that. And we know a lot in detail about the great blessings that we get from having those ordinances performed, for all eternity what those great blessings are going to be.
Elder Christofferson: There’s not a great understanding in the world today of the need for priesthood authority and for ordinances and covenants, but the Restoration teaches us how crucial they are for celestial glory. Maybe you don’t need them for the terrestrial or the telestial kingdom, but you need them for the celestial kingdom, where God and Christ dwell—and including, well, starting with baptism and then on up through the exalting ordinances of sealing and so on.
I guess the one thing that indicates how significant that is, is the fact that the priesthood was restored, even before the Church was restored. It is foundational to everything. And their comments point out just how crucial it is and what a blessing it is that we have the means to help others, as well as ourselves, do what’s needed to come to Christ and to come back to our Father in Heaven. It wouldn’t be there but for the priesthood.
Sister Christofferson: Well, and one other important element, too, that we understand with the priesthood is that those priesthood blessings and power are for men and for women and for children. Therefore, each individual has wonderful blessings that come through the priesthood.
Elder Christofferson: As the Lord said to Abraham, all the nations of the earth are blessed through that priesthood.10
Well, I think we have a couple more. Let’s go ahead with the next one.
Sister Banza: My name is Sister Banza, a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As part of the Restoration, Christ’s original Church has been restored back here on this earth, which we have today to be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I am so privileged to even be a member of this Church, because there are so many correct principles that I have learned, which have made me a better person, that even boost me to make this great decision to even serve a mission. And I am so grateful to be a member of the Church.
Elder Christofferson: Thank you. I’m so grateful to be a member of the Church. You know, she’s pointing out something that not everybody realizes. In today’s world, a lot of people think, “Well, I don’t need a church. I don’t need an organization. I don’t need any institution. I just have my relationship with God.” But that’s fine, as far as it goes, but that’s a pretty inward-looking religion, kind of a selfish faith when you think about it.
With the Church of Jesus Christ, we are called upon to serve one another, to lift, teach, bless, help each other, to look outwardly. Paul, when he was talking about the Church in 1 Corinthians 12, refers to it as the body of Christ.
“But now [there are] many members, yet … one body.“ (I’m reading in verse 20.)
“The eye cannot say [to] the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
“Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: …
“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
“And whether one member suffer, all members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”11
So we’re part of the body of Christ. We’re part of an institution that will teach us, that will lift us and help us and allow us to be of service to others at the same time. This is where the principles of the gospel get a practical application. This is not theory; this is application when you talk about the Church. And I would just say to people who think a church is not necessary, Christ thought it was necessary. He’s the one that organized it. There must be something very important to it. And truly, it’s key, not just to its members but to the whole world—to bless in humanitarian ways all that we can—but to reach out with the gospel—which is one of the things this Church is doing and what you missionaries are doing—so that everybody can have access to the blessings of eternity that want it. I’m just thrilled to think this is the kingdom of God on the earth. And the kingdom of God goes forth so that the kingdom of heaven may come. The Church is so crucial to that happening, to the preparations for the Second Coming. And I am grateful, with Sister Banza, to be a member. Thank you.
One more, I believe.
Elder Ariate: To say I’m grateful for the pioneers is an understatement. I wouldn’t have become the missionary I am today if the pioneers didn’t pave the way for me. I just can’t thank them more for that. I want to be like the pioneers. Despite their trials and challenges, they remained faithful and strong in the gospel. Truly, they were tested, proved, and polished. And in today’s world, I have the choice to follow their footsteps. And now, I am one with the pioneers in exclaiming, hurrah for Israel!
Elder Christofferson: Elder Ariate, we’re with you. Hurrah for Israel!
And all of you are pioneers. You really are. You’re paving the way. You’re opening the way. You’re setting the example. And we love you for it. Thank you so much. Hurrah for Israel.
All right. Well, let me say again how grateful we are to be reminded of the blessings of the Restoration that we’ve just discussed. And once again, our most sincere thank you to all of you who sent us your recordings as we requested, even if we weren’t able to play them today. Your many joyful expressions of gratitude lifted us.
We’d like to conclude with our own expressions of gratitude to our Heavenly Father and the Savior. But before we do, let us say once again how grateful we are for you. We love you. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles consider you our companions in the great work of the Lord to gather His covenant people. We thank you for every effort you’re making, every bit of service that you give, and for your good desires. The scriptures say that “the Lord [requires] the heart and a willing mind,” and He promises that “the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”12 That’s our prayer for you as we thank our Heavenly Father for each of you.
Sister Christofferson: I, with you, want to say my thanks to all those who have participated in this program. And thanks to the Lord at this Thanksgiving time for the great blessings of the gospel. I don’t know where I’d be without this knowledge that we have, and without the gifts of the Spirit to bless our lives, and all the truths that have been restored that we’ve talked about today. It’s such a marvelous thing to have. And I’m so very, very thankful to Heavenly Father for all that He’s given to us, especially the spiritual blessings that have been abounding in our lives. And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Christofferson: Amen.
We should always remember that without God, without the Savior, without the Holy Spirit, we could never do the work we’re called to do. We’re not much without Their influence and blessing. As King Benjamin reminds us, God is supporting and preserving us from day to day, even lending us breath, so that we can live, and move, and choose what we’ll do.13 Thank your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ continually for all He does for you and that He allows you to have a part in His holy work, to work in the vineyard with Him. Gratitude is important to our happiness and peace in the present and our preparations for the future. In fact, if we’re not grateful for today’s blessings, our faith in God and our Savior will be weaker as we look toward the future.
I look toward the future with great anticipation, with great gratitude for the Restoration. And I bear testimony of the Restoration; of the reality of our Heavenly Father; of His Son, Jesus Christ; and of the Holy Spirit; of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s calling; of those who have succeeded him, down to and including President Russell M. Nelson; of the Book of Mormon; the plan of happiness; and all the other things we’ve talked about here today. I know they’re true. And the truth, the proof of those things, is in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The fact of His Resurrection is the seal of proof and authenticity to everything we’ve talked about. He lives. As the wonderful choir sang to us at the beginning, our Redeemer lives. And He is the head of the Church. He is your guide. I bear witness of Him, with great gratitude and joy, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.