Seeking to know and love the Savior, we separate ourselves from the world through covenants with God, being distinct, uncommon, and special, without isolating ourselves from others who believe differently.
My dear brothers and sisters, this evening I speak to the humble and devoted followers of Jesus Christ. As I see the goodness of your lives and your faith in our Savior here in this country and in the nations across the world, I love you all the more.
Toward the end of His ministry, Jesus’s disciples asked Him to tell them of “the sign of [His Second Coming], and of the end of the world.”1
Jesus told them of the conditions that would precede His return and concluded by declaring, “When ye shall see all these things, [you will] know that [the time] is near.”2
In the last general conference, I listened very closely to the words of President Henry B. Eyring: “Each of us,” he said, “wherever we are, knows that we live in increasingly perilous times. … Anyone with eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of prophets knows that is true.”3
The Savior commended His valiant disciples: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”4 May this blessing be ours as we listen closely to the words of the Lord through His prophets and others in this conference.
Wheat and Tares
The Lord explained that in this final time prior to His return, the “wheat,” whom He describes as “the children of the kingdom,”5 would grow side by side with the “tares,” or those who do not love God and do not keep His commandments. They would “both grow together,”6 side by side.
This will be our world until the Savior returns, with much that is good and much that is evil on every side.7
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “Church members will live in this wheat-and-tares situation until the Millennium. Some real tares even masquerade as wheat” (“Becometh as a Child,” Ensign, May 1996, 68).
You may at times not feel like a strong, mature strand of wheat. Be patient with yourself! The Lord said that the wheat would include tender blades springing up.8
4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—
6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
We are all His Latter-day Saints, and although not yet all we want to be, we are serious in our desire to be His true disciples.
Strengthen Our Faith in Jesus Christ
We realize that as evil increases in the world, our spiritual survival, and the spiritual survival of those we love, will require that we more fully nurture, fortify, and strengthen the roots of our faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul counseled us to be rooted,9 grounded, and settled10 in our love for the Savior and our determination to follow Him. Today and the days ahead require more focused and concentrated effort, guarding against diversions and carelessness.11
In Matthew 13:22, Jesus cautioned His disciples to not allow the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to “choke the word” and stop their spiritual progress. I like to tie the phrase “choke the word” to the first chapter of John, where John declares the word to be Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. … All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1, 3). Our faith in Jesus Christ, our determination to follow Him, our love for the Savior can be choked, or prevented from growing, as it is deprived of spiritual light and nourishment (see Alma 32:37–41).
But even with the increasing worldly influences around us, we need not fear. The Lord will never desert His covenant people. There is a compensatory power of spiritual gifts and divine direction for the righteous.12 See Neil L. Andersen, “A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous” (Brigham Young University devotional, Aug. 18, 2015), speeches.byu.edu.
As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight. To understand better, think of these comparisons: If the world were growing more physically dark, He could give us enhanced night vision. If loud noises were constantly in our ears, He could give us a filtering mechanism to block the unwanted sound. If the race we were running was extended, He could give us increased lung and muscle capacity. If the exam we were taking was more difficult, He could quicken our minds—a blessing many here at BYU would like to receive. This added blessing of spiritual power does not settle upon us just because we are part of this generation. It is willingly offered to us; it is eagerly put before us. But as with all spiritual gifts, it requires our desiring it, pursuing it, and living worthy of receiving it. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?”14 Let us have confidence in the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to lift us and to lift those we love to greater heights. One of President Packer’s favorite scriptures was in Alma 31—and he would read it to us in the way I will read it to you:
As the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had [a] more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.15
There is virtue in the word of God. There is power in the testimony of Jesus Christ. There is truth in the Savior’s gospel. It will shape us and mold us as we allow its powerful effects to move upon our mind and upon our spirit.
Faith is the muscle of spiritual knowledge and power. Faith is a spiritual gift of God, but it is developed and magnified as we eagerly pursue our journey of embracing and following the Savior.
My brothers and sisters, as evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory power, an additional spiritual endowment, a revelatory gift for the righteous...I emphasize once again: As evil increases in the world, the Lord does not leave us on the same footing. In a world that would diminish or discard or impair belief, there is an added spiritual power for those who are willing to set their course on increasing their faith in Jesus Christ.
This added blessing of spiritual power, however, does not settle upon us just because we are part of this generation. It comes as we strengthen our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keep His commandments, as we come to know Him and love Him. “This is life eternal,” Jesus prayed, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”13
As we know very well, having faith in Jesus Christ and being a true disciple is more than a one-time decision—more than a one-time event. It is a sacred, ongoing process that grows and expands through the seasons of our lives, continuing until we kneel at His feet.
With the wheat growing amidst the tares in the world, how can we deepen and strengthen our commitment to the Savior in the days ahead?
Here are three thoughts:
Immerse Ourselves in the Life of Jesus
First, we can immerse ourselves more completely into Jesus’s life, His teachings, His majesty, His power, and His atoning sacrifice. The Savior said, “Look unto me in every thought.”14 The Apostle John reminds us, “We love him, because he first loved us.”15 As we better experience His love, we love Him even more and, very naturally, better follow His example of loving and caring for those around us. With every righteous movement toward Him, we see Him more clearly.16 We adore Him, and we try in our small ways to emulate Him.17
Make Covenants with the Lord
Next, as we better know and love the Savior, we desire even more to promise Him our allegiance and trust. We make covenants with Him. We begin with our promises at baptism, and we confirm these promises and others as we repent daily, ask for forgiveness, and eagerly anticipate receiving the sacrament each week. We pledge to “always remember him and keep his commandments.”18
When we are ready, we embrace the ordinances and covenants of the temple. Feeling the influence of eternity in our sacred, quiet moments in the house of the Lord, we gladly make covenants with God and strengthen our resolve to keep them.
Making and keeping covenants allows the love of the Savior to sink more deeply into our heart. In this month’s Liahona, President Russell M. Nelson said: “[Our] covenant[s] will lead us closer and closer to Him. … God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him.”19 And as President Nelson said so beautifully this morning, “With the dedication of each new temple, additional godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and counteracts the intensifying efforts of the adversary.”20
Can we see why the Lord would direct His prophet to bring the holy temples closer to us and allow us to be in His house more often?
As we enter the temple, we are freed for a time from the worldly influences crowding against us as we learn of our purpose in life and the eternal gifts offered us through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Safeguard the Gift of the Holy Ghost
Finally, my third thought: in this sacred quest, we treasure, protect, defend, and safeguard the gift of the Holy Ghost. Both President M. Russell Ballard earlier and Elder Kevin W. Pearson just moments ago spoke of President Nelson’s prophetic warning that I will repeat again: “It will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”21 It is a gift beyond price. We do our very best to protect our daily experiences so the influence of the Holy Ghost remains with us. We are a light to the world, and when necessary, we willingly choose to be different from others. President Dallin H. Oaks recently asked young adults: “Do [you] ‘dare to be different?’ … [Especially] important … are the choices you are making in your personal life. … Are you going forward against the world’s opposition?”22
Choose to Be Different from the World
In a recent social media post, I asked fellow disciples to share choices they had made that required them to be different from the world. I received hundreds of responses.23 Here are just a few:
Amanda: I am a nurse working in the local jail. I try caring for inmates as Christ would.
Rachel: I am an opera singer, and it’s often taken for granted that I will wear whatever costume I’m given, regardless of modesty. [Because I am endowed,] I told [the producers] that the costume would need to be [modest]. They were unhappy … but reluctantly made the alterations. I wouldn’t trade the peace that comes from standing as a witness of Christ at all times.
Chriss: I’m an alcoholic (in recovery), temple-worthy, member of the Church. I’m not quiet about my experiences with addiction and gaining a testimony of the Atonement [of Jesus Christ].
Lauren: I was writing a skit with my classmates in high school. They wanted to have my quiet, reserved character have a sudden outburst of profanity. They kept pressuring me, but I refused and held my ground.
Adam: A lot of people do not believe me when I say I keep the law of chastity and choose to abstain from pornography. They don’t understand the advantage of joy and peace of mind it gives me.
Ella: My father is a member of the LGBTQ community. I always try to keep other people’s feelings in consideration while standing as a witness of Christ and being true to what I believe.
Andrade: I decided to continue to go to church when my family decided not to go anymore.
And finally, from Sherry: We were attending an event at the governor’s mansion. They began handing out champagne for a “toast.” I insisted on water, although the staff said it would be offensive. We toasted the governor, and I held my water glass high! The governor was not offended.
President Nelson said, “Yes, you are living in the world, but you have very different standards from the world to help you avoid the stain of the world.”24
Anastasia, a young mother in Ukraine, was in the hospital having just given birth to a baby boy as the bombings began in Kyiv this past February. A nurse opened the hospital room door and said with an urgent voice, “Take your baby, wrap him in a blanket, and go into the hall—now!”
Later, Anastasia commented:
“I never imagined my first days of motherhood would be so difficult, … but … I am focusing on … the blessings and miracles I have seen. …
“Right now, … it might seem impossible to ever forgive those who have caused so much destruction and harm … , but as a disciple of Christ, I have faith that I will be able to [forgive]. …
“I don’t know all that will happen in the future … but I know that keeping our covenants will allow the Spirit to be with us continually, … allowing us to feel joy and hope, … even during difficult times.”25
The Promise of Eternal Life and Celestial Glory
My brothers and sisters, I have been blessed to abundantly receive the love of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He lives and guides His holy work. I do not fully have the words to express my love for Him.
We are all “children of the covenant” stretching across the earth in nations and cultures on every continent, numbering in the millions, as we await the glorious return of our Lord and Savior. Shining as a light to those around us, we consciously shape our desires, thoughts, choices, and actions. Seeking with all our heart to know and love the Savior, we separate ourselves from the world through covenants with God, being distinct, uncommon, and special, as we honor Him and His teachings without isolating ourselves from others who believe differently.
It is a wondrous journey to be wheat among the tares, sometimes fraught with heartache but always calmed by the maturing and assuring settling of our faith. As you allow your love for the Savior and His love for you to sink deep into your heart, I promise you added confidence, peace, and joy in meeting the challenges of your life. And the Savior promises us: “I [will] gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory.”26 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Lessons Learned:
Be a humble, devoted follower of Christ
Know the signs of the Second Coming and the conditions preceding His return so you will know when the time is near.
If you have eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of the prophets, are a valiant disciple and you know we live in increasingly perilous times
The “wheat” are the children of the kingdom and the “tares” are those who do not love God and do not keep His commandments. They are both growing together side by side and will until the Savior separates them.
Some real tares masquerade as wheat.
Some “wheat” are tender blades still springing up with weak faith.
You can be a serious disciple even if you are not all you want to be yet.
As evil increases, your spiritual survival will require you to more fully nurture, fortify, and strengthen the roots of your faith in Christ.
Be more rooted, grounded and settled in your love for the Savior and your determination to follow Him.
Don’t allow the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke your faith in Christ and your determination to follow Him, preventing you from growing as you will be deprived of spiritual light and nourishment.
You need not fear. The Lord will never desert His covenant people.
There is compensatory power of spiritual gifts and divine direction for the righteous. As evil increases the Lord does not leave us on the same footing. There is added spiritual power for those willing to set their course on increasing their faith in Christ.
World more dark - you get enhanced night vision
Constant loud noises - you get filtering mechanisms to block it
Race is extended - you get increased lung and muscle capacity
The exam is harder - you have your mind quickened.
These gifts require our desiring it, pursuing it, and living worthy of receiving it by strengthening our faith in Christ and keeping His commandments.
Continue on this course until you kneel at His feet.
Immerse yourself in the life of Jesus. Look unto Him in every thought. Move towards Him. See Him more clearly. Adore Him. Try to emulate Him.
Make Covenants with the Lord. Promise Him your allegiance and trust.
Feel the influence of eternity in sacred, quiet moments in the temple. Free yourself from worldly influences there.
Allow the love of the Savior to sink more deeply in your heart.
Covenants lead you closer and closer to Christ and He will not abandon His relationship with you when you have forged such a bond with Him.
Each new dedicated temple adds more godly power into the world to strengthen us and counteract the intensifying efforts of Satan.
Safeguard the Gift of the Holy Ghost - treasure, protect, defend it. You will not survive spiritually without it.
Protect your daily experiences so the Holy Ghost can remain with you.
Be a light to the world and choose to be different if necessary. Move forward against the world’s opposition.
Consciously shape your desires, thoughts, choices, and actions.
Seek with all your heart know and love the SaviorSeparate yourself from the world through your covenants with God
Be distinct, uncommon and special as you honor Him and His teachings without isolating yourself from others who believe differently.
Be maturing wheat among the tares. Let the assurance of your faith settle you.
The Savior will gather His people and secure them in the garners to possess eternal life and be crowned with celestial glory.
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