Closing Remarks
Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Oaks testifies that Jesus Christ brings peace, eternal life, and loving discipleship.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Center worship on Jesus Christ
President Oaks teaches that the unifying focus of conference was the Lord Jesus Christ. He points listeners to the Savior as the center of worship, learning, testimony, peace, and eternal life.
The Tabernacle Choir has just sung a musical prayer, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.” What a suitable summary of the messages of these last two days.
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.Key Points:
- The messages of conference were centered on Jesus Christ.
- Worship should be concentrated on the Savior.
- Learning and testimony are strengthened when focused on Christ’s teachings.
- Jesus Christ is the source of peace now and eternal life hereafter.
- Conference helps unite disciples in their witness of Christ.
- When have you felt greater peace by focusing more intentionally on Jesus Christ?
- What conference message or hymn has recently helped you think more deeply about the Savior?
- When has your testimony of Jesus Christ been strengthened in a gathering of the Saints?
- How have you seen Christ become the center of your worship at home or at church?
Trust the Father’s plan for eternal increase and joy
The talk connects the teachings of Jesus Christ with Heavenly Father’s plan. President Oaks reminds listeners that the plan of salvation leads to eternal increase and joy.
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.Key Points:
- The Father’s plan is inseparably connected to the mission and teachings of Jesus Christ.
- The plan is designed for eternal increase.
- The plan is designed for joy.
- Conference messages help members better understand and embrace the plan of salvation.
- When has understanding Heavenly Father’s plan brought you comfort during a difficult time?
- How has the plan of salvation helped you see your family relationships more eternally?
- What personal experience has helped you trust God’s plan more fully?
- When have you felt joy from seeing your life in the context of eternity?
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 one-by-one pattern of ministering in 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.Key Points:
- Jesus Christ knows each person individually.
- The Savior’s love is perfect.
- Discipleship means walking with and abiding in Christ.
- The Savior ministers one by one.
- Members should imitate His charity and love in serving others.
- When have you felt that the Savior knew and loved you personally?
- What experience has taught you what it means to walk with or abide in Christ?
- When have you been blessed by someone ministering to you one by one?
- What opportunity have you had to serve someone personally in charity and love?
- How has following the Savior’s example changed the way you see people around you?
Strengthen marriage and family in God’s plan
President Oaks highlights the central role of marriage and families in Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. He invites members to show Christlike love first in their homes.
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.Key Points:
- Marriage and family are central in Heavenly Father’s plan.
- Families are part of the eternal destiny of God’s children.
- Christlike love should be demonstrated in the home.
- Family relationships are a primary setting for discipleship.
- The doctrines taught in conference should influence family life.
- What family experience has taught you the importance of Christlike love at home?
- When have you seen the Lord strengthen a marriage or family relationship?
- How has your family helped you better understand Heavenly Father’s plan?
- What simple act of love in your home has had a lasting spiritual effect?
Show the pure love of Christ to all of God’s children
The talk broadens Christlike love beyond the home to communities and every interaction. President Oaks calls members to demonstrate charity consistently in all relationships.
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.
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.Key Points:
- The pure love of Christ should shape every interaction.
- Charity belongs in families, communities, and all relationships.
- Every person is one of God’s children.
- Christlike love is active and visible, not just felt inwardly.
- Ministering one by one reflects the Savior’s pattern.
- When has someone shown you the pure love of Christ in a simple interaction?
- What experience have you had serving someone in your neighborhood or ward?
- How have you learned to see others more clearly as children of God?
- When has a small act of charity opened the door to spiritual influence?
- What example of Christlike love from your community could you share?
Study conference messages prayerfully and act in faith
President Oaks invites members to continue their conference worship after the sessions end by studying, pondering, and acting on the published messages. He teaches that spiritual growth comes through faithful response.
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.
The Lord has promised, “Unto him that receiveth I will give more.”Key Points:
- Conference should lead to continued study after the meetings conclude.
- Members are invited to study and ponder prayerfully.
- The purpose of study is to act in faith on true principles.
- Receiving truth faithfully prepares a person to receive more truth.
- Conference becomes more powerful when its teachings are applied.
- When has reviewing conference talks later brought new insight or strength?
- What principle from a recent conference have you tried to act on in faith?
- How has prayerful pondering helped you understand prophetic counsel more deeply?
- When have you received more light after acting on what you had already been taught?
Receive revelation by following prophetic counsel and looking to God
President Oaks promises that those who treasure up and act on conference teachings will receive continued divine instruction. He closes with a testimony that personal revelation comes as members follow the Lord’s servants and look to God.
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.”Key Points:
- The Lord continues to teach those who treasure up conference teachings.
- Obedience to prophetic direction invites personal revelation.
- God gives guidance to those who act on what they have heard.
- Looking to God brings spiritual life and help.
- President Oaks gives an apostolic promise tied to faithful response.
- When have you received personal revelation after following prophetic counsel?
- What experience has taught you the value of treasuring up spiritual instruction?
- When has looking to God changed the outcome of a challenge in your life?
- How have you seen obedience open the door to greater guidance?
- What promise from a prophet have you seen fulfilled in your own life?
