Come Home
Clark G. Gilbert, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Gilbert invites all to come home to Christ, who lovingly redeems and restores.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Rely on Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Repairer
Elder Gilbert opens by bearing witness of Jesus Christ and declaring that the Savior’s grace makes up the difference in our lives. He emphasizes that Christ not only redeems but also repairs what is broken as He invites us to come home.
We have felt the overwhelming weight of this calling, we have been grateful to know that Christ’s grace makes up the difference in our lives.
Today I echo that same declaration. I pledge my life to be a witness to the name of Jesus Christ.
Today, I will specifically witness to the names of Redeemer and Repairer, as I focus on Christ’s invitation for all of us to come home.
I witness that Christ is our Redeemer. When we fall short, He repairs the breaches in our lives.
The Savior loves all of us and is tenderly calling for you and for me to come home.Key Points:
- Christ’s grace is sufficient for our inadequacies and weaknesses.
- Jesus Christ is not only Redeemer but also Repairer.
- The Savior actively invites all of us to come home.
- Our failures and shortcomings do not place us beyond His healing power.
- A talk on this message can center on the Savior rather than merely on human effort.
- When have you felt the Lord help you in a calling or responsibility beyond your own ability?
- What experience has taught you that Christ can repair something broken in your life?
- When have you felt personally invited by the Savior to come closer to Him?
- How have you seen grace make up the difference when your best did not seem enough?
Trust that God keeps calling His children home
Elder Gilbert teaches that choices have consequences, but the gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to change course. Because of God’s covenant love and merciful patience, those who stray can still find their way back.
Choices do have consequences, but we know in the gospel of Jesus Christ that when we lose our way spiritually, the Savior still allows us to change.
Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us.
Should [we] stray, He will help [us] find [our] way back.
God Is Calling Us Home
In my weekend assignments as a General Authority, I have repeatedly witnessed people finding their way home.Key Points:
- Missed opportunities and wrong choices are real, but they are not the end of the story.
- The Savior makes repentance and return possible.
- God’s covenant relationship with His children means He continues reaching for them.
- The Lord’s patience is merciful and enduring.
- Many people do eventually find their way home through Christ.
- When have you seen the Lord patiently work with you or someone you love over time?
- What experience has shown you that repentance is hopeful rather than hopeless?
- Have you ever felt that God did not give up on you? What happened?
- When have you seen someone gradually return to faith after a long absence?
Welcome those who feel they do not belong
Through Tammy Anglesey’s story, Elder Gilbert shows that some stay away because they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or convinced they no longer fit in. Inspired invitations and patient love can help them return and receive the blessings they once thought were out of reach.
I will first speak to those who feel they don’t belong.
She had long known something was missing in her life but felt overwhelmed just to walk back into church.
All I could see was an experience I would never have. No sealing, and no [endowment].
She had spent Sundays sitting alone in a church parking lot.
But the Lord brought her home and restored her to His light, love, and joy.Key Points:
- Some people deeply desire to return but feel emotionally unable to step back in.
- Feelings of exclusion can be powerful barriers to faith and fellowship.
- Temple experiences and inspired invitations can awaken hope.
- A bishop’s simple note or invitation can become a turning point.
- The Lord can restore people to light, love, and joy even after many years away.
- Have you ever felt out of place at church and then been helped by someone’s kindness?
- When has a simple invitation changed your willingness to participate in the gospel?
- What experience have you had welcoming someone who seemed unsure whether they belonged?
- Have you seen the Lord help someone overcome fear or anxiety about returning to church?
Help people come to Christ even when they feel inadequate
In the story of Luis Vargas, Elder Gilbert teaches that people do not need to be perfect before entering the Church or progressing in the gospel. They need to do their best and trust Christ to make up the difference.
Next, I speak to those who feel they don’t measure up.
Brother Vargas felt like he wasn’t good enough to be baptized—that he couldn’t measure up to the other people he saw at church.
Brother Vargas, you don’t have to be perfect to be in this Church.
You just have to do your best, and Christ will make up the difference.
Honey, I think it’s time I join this Church so I can become a better father and a better husband.Key Points:
- Perfectionism can keep people from taking needed covenant steps.
- Comparison with others can create false barriers to baptism and belonging.
- The Church is a place for growth, not a reward for already being perfect.
- Christ honors sincere effort and supplies what we lack.
- Coming unto Christ blesses families and strengthens roles such as spouse and parent.
- When have you felt you were not good enough, yet the Lord still invited you to move forward?
- What experience taught you that discipleship is about progress, not perfection?
- How has the gospel helped you become a better spouse, parent, or family member?
- Have you ever helped someone see that they did not need to have everything figured out before acting in faith?
Anchor faith in the Holy Ghost when doubts arise
Through Justin and Kenna Valdez’s experience, Elder Gilbert explains that returning to faith does not always require resolving every question first. As people anchor themselves in what they do believe and learn to recognize the Holy Ghost, the Lord helps them with what they do not yet understand.
To those who doubt.
We promised them that as they anchored in the things they did believe, the Lord would help with the things they didn’t.
Overcoming their concerns was not an issue of resolving every faith question but of helping them recognize the Holy Ghost.
You live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.
Hi Elder Gilbert! We are ready to be sealed as a family.Key Points:
- Some people distance themselves from faith because of unresolved concerns or painful triggers.
- A wise leader can discern openings for ministering and help.
- Faith can begin by holding to what one already knows is true.
- Recognizing the Holy Ghost is essential in a confusing and deceptive world.
- Spiritual progress often comes step by step and can lead to temple blessings.
- When have you moved forward in faith even though not every question was answered?
- What truths have anchored you during times of doubt or confusion?
- How have you learned to recognize the Holy Ghost in your life?
- Have you seen a family member or friend return to faith gradually rather than all at once?
Overcome limiting traditions through eternal perspective
In John Raass’s story, Elder Gilbert addresses those who hesitate because of family traditions or loyalty to the faith of loved ones. He shows that an eternal perspective can help people move forward in truth while still honoring those they love.
I speak next to those who are trapped in traditions.
He cited the need to honor the faith traditions of his now deceased parents.
We helped him realize that they now understood the Church and they would honor his decision.
John then chose to meet with the missionaries.
Two months later he was baptized. And a year later his family was sealed in the temple.Key Points:
- Family tradition can become a sincere but significant barrier to conversion.
- People may fear that embracing restored truth dishonors parents or heritage.
- An eternal perspective can reframe those fears.
- Missionary discussions and spiritual openness can lead to covenant steps.
- Choosing Christ blesses not only individuals but entire families.
- Have you ever had to choose gospel truth despite social or family expectations?
- What experience has helped you see your family relationships with an eternal perspective?
- When have you seen someone overcome a cultural or traditional barrier to follow the Savior?
- How has temple worship strengthened your understanding of family across generations?
Minister with patience, love, and covenant faithfulness
Elder Gilbert teaches that those helping others come home must stay rooted in truth and keep their own covenants. Helping others requires patience, service, love, and steady discipleship.
We all struggle. We need patience, service, and love from others.
To those who are trying to help those they love, hold on to the truth.
Keep your covenants.
Helping others requires you to stay in your covenants.
In the end, everyone must make their own choices to come home.Key Points:
- Ministering effectively requires Christlike patience and love.
- Those who help others must remain anchored in truth themselves.
- Covenant keeping gives spiritual strength to bless others.
- We can invite, love, and support, but we cannot choose for someone else.
- Respecting agency is part of helping people come home.
- When have you tried to help someone spiritually while learning to be patient?
- How have your covenants strengthened you as you ministered to others?
- What have you learned about balancing love, truth, and agency?
- Can you share an experience where steady service mattered more than immediate results?
Hold up the light and invite others to come sit with you
Using the image of students turning on phone flashlights to guide late arrivals to open seats, Elder Gilbert illustrates how disciples can signal belonging and make room for others. The Lord’s invitation to come home is often extended through His people.
Students who had already found their seats began to turn their phone flashlights on to signal to the late-arriving students that there was still space.
It was as if they were holding up a light to say, "Please come sit with me; we saved a seat just for you."
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling—Calling for you and for me.
Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching—Watching for you and for me!
Come home! Come home! Ye who are weary, come home!Key Points:
- There is still room in the Lord’s kingdom for those who are arriving late or returning.
- Disciples can actively signal welcome and belonging.
- Simple gestures can communicate, "There is a place for you here."
- The Lord’s call is tender, patient, and personal.
- A sacrament meeting talk can invite listeners to become that light for others.
- When has someone helped you feel that a place was saved for you in the Church?
- What simple act of welcome have you seen make a big difference for someone?
- How can you "hold up a light" for someone who is hesitating to return?
- Have you ever felt the words "come home" apply personally to you or someone you love?
