Study Guide for "Closing Remarks"

In these brief but powerful closing remarks, President Dallin H. Oaks summarizes the central message of General Conference: Jesus Christ is the focus of our worship, learning, and testimony. He emphasizes that the Lord inspires His people through conference, teaches them through His servants, and blesses them with greater light as they prayerfully study, ponder, and act on what they receive. He also highlights the importance of ministering with charity, strengthening marriage and family, and seeking personal revelation through faithful obedience.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does President Oaks teach about Jesus Christ as the center of General Conference?
How does this talk describe the relationship between worship, learning, and testimony?
What invitations does President Oaks give for studying conference messages after the conference ends?
What blessings are promised to those who receive and act on prophetic teachings?
How does President Oaks connect the Savior’s example to the way we treat others?
What does this talk teach about marriage and families in Heavenly Father’s plan?

Topics

Center worship and learning on Jesus Christ

President Oaks teaches that the messages of conference have focused on Jesus Christ and the Father’s plan. He points to the conference music and messages as witnesses that the Saints should center their worship, learning, and testimonies on the Savior. Christ is presented as the source of peace in this life and eternal life in the next.

What a suitable summary of the messages of these last two days.

Both hymns continue the focus of the two days of this 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.

Truly, Jesus Christ is the way to peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

According to President Oaks, what was the central focus of the conference messages?
How does President Oaks describe the role of the Spirit in conference worship and learning?
What does President Oaks teach that Jesus Christ offers in this world and in the world to come?
How are worship, learning, and testimony united in the teachings of Jesus Christ?
How can I make Jesus Christ a more deliberate focus of my personal worship and study?
What conference messages most helped me center my thoughts on the Savior?
In what ways have I experienced Jesus Christ as the source of peace?
What can I do this week to align my learning more fully with the teachings of Christ?

Walk with the Savior and follow His example

President Oaks testifies that Jesus Christ knows and loves each person perfectly. He invites all to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow His example. This includes ministering to others personally, one by one, with charity and love.

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.

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 does President Oaks teach about how well the Savior knows and loves us?
What invitations does Jesus Christ extend to each of us according to this talk?
How does President Oaks describe the Savior’s pattern of ministering?
What does it mean to demonstrate the pure love of Christ?
When have I felt that Jesus Christ knows and loves me personally?
Who in my life needs one-by-one ministering from me right now?
How can I better abide in Christ in my daily routines?
What is one specific way I can show charity and love in my interactions this week?

Strengthen marriage and family in God’s plan

President Oaks reminds listeners that marriage and families have a central place in Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. He calls members to show Christlike love within the home and to honor the divine role of family relationships.

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 place do marriage and families hold in Heavenly Father’s plan according to President Oaks?
How does President Oaks connect family life with the pure love of Christ?
Why is family central to the eternal destiny of God’s children?
How can I show greater Christlike love in my family relationships?
What can I do to strengthen my home as a place of faith and charity?
How has my testimony of the divine role of family grown?
What family relationship needs more patience, love, or attention from me?

Study conference messages prayerfully and act in faith

President Oaks invites all to continue receiving from conference after it ends by studying and pondering the messages prayerfully. He emphasizes that the purpose of conference is not only to listen but also to act in faith on the principles taught.

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.

What does President Oaks invite members to do with conference messages after conference ends?
Why is prayerful pondering important in studying prophetic messages?
What does it mean to act in faith on conference principles?
How will I create a plan to study this conference’s messages?
Which talk or principle do I feel prompted to act on first?
How can I make my conference study more prayerful and intentional?
What action of faith can I take today based on something I learned in conference?

Receive greater light through obedience and revelation

President Oaks teaches that when people receive and treasure up the teachings of conference and act on them, the Lord gives more. He promises continued teaching, inspiration, personal revelation, and guidance to those who follow prophetic counsel and look to God.

The Lord has promised, “Unto him that receiveth I will give more.”

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.

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 does President Oaks quote about those who receive truth?
What blessings come from treasuring up and acting on conference teachings?
How does President Oaks connect prophetic direction with personal revelation?
What does it mean to look to God and live?
When have I received more light after acting on truth I had already been given?
What conference counsel do I need to treasure up more carefully?
How have I seen personal revelation come as I follow prophetic direction?
What does looking to God more consistently look like in my current circumstances?