Closing Remarks
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Invite class members to share one phrase or idea they remembered from general conference that helped them focus more on Jesus Christ. After a few responses, explain that President Oaks’s closing remarks highlighted the central themes of the conference and invited members to study, ponder, and act on those teachings.
- Begin by displaying the phrases “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus,” “Redeemer of Israel,” and “look to God and live.” Ask the class what these phrases taught about the purpose of conference. Then connect their answers to President Oaks’s testimony that Jesus Christ is the way to peace and eternal life.
- Ask class members to quietly think about a conference message that they felt was meant especially for them. Invite a few to share why. Then introduce President Oaks’s invitation to prayerfully study the conference messages and act in faith on the principles taught.
- Start with a brief discussion about what makes general conference more than just a series of talks. Encourage the class to identify how the Spirit united the messages around Jesus Christ, the Father’s plan, and discipleship. Use that to transition into President Oaks’s summary of the conference.
- Invite the class to consider this question: “What should happen after conference ends?” Let members respond, then guide the discussion toward President Oaks’s teaching that the blessings of conference continue as we study, treasure up, and act on what was taught.
Topics
Center worship on Jesus Christ
President Oaks said the conference messages had centered on the Lord Jesus Christ. He taught that the Spirit had inspired the Saints to focus their worship, learning, and testimonies on Jesus Christ and on the Father’s plan. He presented this Christ-centered focus as a fitting summary of the conference.
The Spirit of the Lord has inspired all of us to concentrate our worship, focus our learning, and unite our testimonies on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father’s plan for our eternal increase and joy.
- What did President Oaks say conference had helped us center on?
- How can we better concentrate our worship on Jesus Christ during sacrament meeting and in daily life?
- What does it mean to focus our learning on the teachings of Jesus Christ?
- When have you felt your testimony become more united with others through Christ-centered worship or study?
- What changes could we make so that our homes and classes stay more centered on the Savior after conference?
- How does focusing on the Savior change the way we listen to and apply conference messages?
Trust the Father’s plan for eternal joy
President Oaks said the conference had emphasized Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal increase and joy of His children. He connected the teachings of Jesus Christ with the Father’s plan, showing that discipleship is part of God’s eternal purposes. His remarks invited listeners to see conference in the larger context of salvation and eternal destiny.
The Spirit of the Lord has inspired all of us to concentrate our worship, focus our learning, and unite our testimonies on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father’s plan for our eternal increase and joy.
- What did President Oaks teach about the purpose of the Father’s plan?
- How does understanding the plan of salvation affect the way we face present challenges?
- Why is it important to connect the Savior’s teachings with Heavenly Father’s plan?
- When has the doctrine of eternal joy given you hope or perspective?
- How can we teach our families and ministering brothers or sisters more clearly about the Father’s plan?
- What part of the Father’s plan do you feel more grateful for after studying this talk?
Walk with the Savior in daily discipleship
President Oaks testified that Jesus Christ is the way to peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. He said the Savior knows and loves each person perfectly and invites all to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow Him. His words emphasized personal discipleship and trust in the Savior’s love.
Truly, Jesus Christ is the way to peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. He knows and loves each of us perfectly and invites us to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow His example
- What stood out to you in President Oaks’s testimony of Jesus Christ?
- What does it mean to walk with the Savior in everyday life?
- How have you felt peace through Jesus Christ during difficult times?
- Why does it matter to know that the Savior knows and loves each of us perfectly?
- What is one way you could more fully abide in Christ this week?
- How can following the Savior’s example change the way we make decisions?
Minister one by one with charity
President Oaks said the Savior invited His followers to minister to others one by one in charity and love. He pointed to Christ’s example as the pattern for discipleship. His remarks suggested that true devotion to Jesus Christ should show itself in personal, loving service to individuals.
He knows and loves each of us perfectly and invites us to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow His example of ministering to others one by one in charity and love.
- Why do you think President Oaks emphasized ministering one by one?
- How does one-by-one ministering reflect the Savior’s way of loving people?
- When have you been blessed by someone who ministered to you personally and with charity?
- What can make it hard to minister one by one, and how can we overcome those obstacles?
- How can we show more charity and love in our ministering assignments and daily relationships?
- Who might need one-by-one care from us right now?
Strengthen marriage and family relationships
President Oaks said conference had reminded listeners of the central role of marriage and families in Heavenly Father’s plan. He urged members to demonstrate the pure love of Christ in their families and communities. His remarks connected family relationships with both doctrine and daily Christlike living.
We have been reminded of the central role of marriage and families in our Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. May we all demonstrate the pure love of Christ in our families, in our communities, and in all of our interactions with God’s children.
- What did President Oaks say about the role of marriage and families in God’s plan?
- How can we demonstrate the pure love of Christ more fully in our homes?
- What are some practical ways to strengthen family relationships through discipleship?
- How can class members who are single, widowed, or in difficult family situations still find hope in this doctrine?
- When have you seen Christlike love bless a family relationship?
- How can we bring the pure love of Christ into tense or imperfect family situations?
Study conference messages prayerfully
President Oaks invited all to study and ponder the conference messages after they were published. He taught that conference should continue beyond the weekend through prayerful reflection. His invitation showed that spiritual growth comes as members revisit inspired teachings with real intent.
As the messages from this conference are published, we invite all to study and ponder them prayerfully and to act in faith on the principles they explain.
- Why did President Oaks invite members to study conference messages after conference ended?
- What does it look like to ponder conference messages prayerfully?
- How have you been blessed by revisiting conference talks instead of only listening once?
- What habits could help us study conference more consistently as individuals or families?
- How can prayer improve the way we receive and understand prophetic counsel?
- Which conference messages do you feel impressed to study more deeply right now?
Act in faith on revealed principles
President Oaks did not only invite members to study conference; he also urged them to act in faith on the principles taught. He taught that spiritual blessings come through faithful response, not just hearing. His counsel emphasized obedience, application, and movement toward the Lord.
As the messages from this conference are published, we invite all to study and ponder them prayerfully and to act in faith on the principles they explain.
- Why is acting in faith different from simply agreeing with a conference message?
- What conference teachings are easier to admire than to apply?
- How have you seen blessings come when you acted promptly on prophetic counsel?
- What is one principle from conference that you feel prompted to act on now?
- How can we help each other move from inspiration to action?
- What role does faith play when a teaching feels difficult or stretching?
Receive revelation through treasured teachings
President Oaks promised that as members treasured up and acted on conference teachings, the Lord would continue to teach and inspire them through personal revelation and guidance. He linked revelation with both valuing prophetic words and living them. His promise encouraged members to expect continued divine help after conference.
As we treasure up and act upon the teachings of this conference, the Lord will continue to teach and inspire us with personal revelation and guidance.
- What does it mean to treasure up the teachings of conference?
- How does obedience open the door to personal revelation?
- When have you received guidance after sincerely studying and applying prophetic counsel?
- How can we better recognize the Lord’s continued teaching in our lives?
- Why do you think President Oaks connected revelation with both treasuring and acting?
- What can we do to keep conference teachings alive long enough for revelation to come?
Follow prophetic direction and look to God
President Oaks promised blessings to those who followed the directions of the Lord’s servants and looked to God. He ended with a clear witness that life and spiritual safety come through trusting God and heeding prophetic counsel. His conclusion reinforced the importance of obedience and faith in divine leadership.
I promise this to each of us as we follow the directions of the servants of the Lord and “look to God and live.”
- What promise did President Oaks give to those who follow the Lord’s servants?
- What does the phrase “look to God and live” mean to you?
- How has following prophetic direction blessed your life?
- Why can it sometimes be challenging to follow counsel from the Lord’s servants?
- How can we strengthen our trust in God when we do not yet see the full outcome of obedience?
- What is one recent example of prophetic counsel that invites us to look to God?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What themes did President Oaks identify as central to this general conference?
- How did his closing remarks help you see conference as a unified witness of Jesus Christ?
- What does this talk teach about the relationship between peace in this life and eternal life in the next?
- How can we make conference a continuing source of revelation instead of a past event?
- What role did President Oaks say charity and love should play in our interactions with others?
- How can we better apply conference teachings in our families, wards, and communities?
- What is the difference between hearing prophetic counsel and treasuring it up?
- How does remembering that the Savior knows and loves us perfectly affect our willingness to follow Him?
- What invitation from this talk feels most urgent or personal to you?
- If someone asked what President Oaks wanted us to do after conference, what would you say?
