In October 2005, Elder Paul V. Johnson of the seventy posed a thought-provoking question to Priesthood brethren which is still relevant to each of us especially as it pertains to General Conference teachings. Elder Johnson’s question follows: “How can you… be safe in these challenging times so you can fully do your part in this great work and find true happiness in this life and the life to come?” Elder Johnson referred to several sources for safety and finding true happiness but his primary focus was on heeding “the living prophets, seers, and revelators”. He continues, “in order for the messages of general conference to change our lives, we need to be willing to follow the counsel we hear”.

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Essentially, we have been commanded to gather and heed the counsel of our living prophets. In D&C 43:8, we are instructed in this way: “And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.”

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 We are promised tremendous blessings when we follow and heed our living prophets. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, members of the church were taught by the Lord to “give heed unto all his (Joseph’s) words and commandments which he shall give unto you… for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.” (D&C 21:4-5)

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When we give heed to the words and commandments which are given unto us, especially at General Conference, this mighty blessing will be reaped upon us. “For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good.” (D&C 21:6)

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I pray that we will each take the time to feast upon and heed the words of living prophet and apostles from general conference and be willing to follow the counsel that we are given so that we may have the blessings promised to us. I know that the Lord has not left us to find our way home to our Heavenly Father on our own. Through the promptings of the Holy Ghost in conjunction to studying the words of modern day prophets, we will know what we should do to accomplish our mission on this earth and find true happiness as we do so.

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With much love, 

President Thomas