Who Is Columbus?

My VIP for this week is Christopher Columbus because October 12, 2026, is Columbus Day. Today marks the 534^th anniversary since Columbus made landfall in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Columbus’s fleet, consisting of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria had sailed from Palos, Spain, more than a month earlier.

A lookout aboard the Pinta sighted land on the night of October 11, 1492, and shouted “Land” early in the morning on October 12. That morning, Columbus and his crew landed on a small island known to Lucayan Taino people as Guanahani, which he renamed San Salvador. This is the first known contact from Europe with the Americas, and it led to sustained exploration and colonization of the Caribbean by Europeans. This landfall initiated the Age of Discovery.

For many years, Americans celebrated Columbus Day on October 12 annually. It became a federal holiday in 1937. Since the Uniform Monday Holiday Act became law in 1971, Americans celebrate Columbus Day annually on the second Monday in October. It is one of eleven federal holidays. Federal offices, courts, and the U.S. Postal Service close, while most banks also close. Numerous federal employees take Friday off to make a four-day weekend.

Many states, cities, and school districts observe the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a day to honor Native American history, culture, and contributions.

Should President Be Able to Fire Agency Heads?

The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns what might be “the Supreme Court’s biggest decision” and possibly its least popular. According to Alan Hurst, a Marquette Law School poll shows “only 49% of Americans approve of Trump v. Slaughter, the court’s ruling that presidents can fire the heads of independent executive agencies.” 

After discussing all thirteen Supreme Court decisions in the Marquette poll, Hurst explained why he thinks “it’s good that the president can fire the heads of executive agencies, regardless of whether I like the president?”

To answer, let’s consider a “who cares if you’re angry” theory of government, in which we place government institutions into one of three general categories – reviewed here in order from the least to the most democratic.

Category 3: An intentionally insulated judiciary

If you’re angry about a federal court’s decision, does anyone in the judiciary care?

Not particularly. They don’t answer to you.

I don’t mean to suggest judges are heartless or immune to outside influence. You’re free to criticize their decisions publicly, engineer lawsuits to move the law in your direction, or file amicus briefs and try to be persuasive.

But if you’re hoping to do more than persuade – if you’re hoping to pressure them to do something they’re not inclined to do – then you’re unlikely to succeed. The whole point of life tenure is not to let you do that, because justice by public opinion is no justice at all.

Category 2: A president who responds to his coalition (but not necessarily anyone else)

If you’re angry about a decision by an executive agency – say, the FDA or the EPA – does anyone at the agency care?

Unlike Supreme Court justices, the heads of the FDA and the EPA can be fired by the president, which means their goals and priorities can’t stray too far from the president’s goals and priorities.

And while the president doesn’t care about you individually, there are people he does care about: key senators, senior advisers, media figures he respects, or allies and interest groups whose support he depends on to pursue his goals and win the next election (either for himself or for his party).

And what that means, practically speaking, is that there are people you can lobby. It’s a ladder-climbing exercise: You find somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody. Maybe you know a state legislator who can introduce you to someone in your state attorney general’s inner circle, who can then put your issue in front of the attorney general’s official contact at the White House.

Or maybe someone can introduce you to a popular blogger or columnist who can publish your story and try to put it on the radar at a big media himself.

But at every rung, the person you’re hoping will help is going to be asking, “Is the guy above me going to think this was worth bringing to his attention? Is it an issue he cares about, or is it coming from a constituency he cares about?”

And if the answer is no – as it usually will be if you’re in the wrong political party – then your attempt to influence the agency democratically will never get off the ground.

Category 1: Intentionally vulnerable representatives

In the final category, if you’re angry about a decision anywhere in government, will your member of Congress care? And here the answer is “very probably.”

Thanks to gerrymandering, social media, hyper partisanship, and so on, Congress isn’t what it used to be – to keep their seats, congresspeople have had to fall in line more often and get more ideological.

But to this day, senators and representatives maintain staff for “constituent services,” i.e., they employ people whose job responsibilities include hearing your complaints and trying to do something about them. And what’s more, when it comes to helping constituents deal with federal agencies and such, ethics rules require them to provide their help without regard to a constituent’s political affiliation.

There’s no guarantee you’ll get the answer you like – nothing stops your legislator from just disagreeing with you. But even if she does, you’ll probably still get a personal response and an explanation of why she’s saying no.

Why the president should be able to fire agency heads

So what does this “who cares if you’re angry” theory have to do with letting presidents fire the heads of independent agencies?

In a nutshell, the decision tries to move independent agencies from Category 3 to Category 2 – from “intentionally insulated against public opinion” to “susceptible to public pressure through the White House.”

It’s an improvement, but it’s not ideal – ideally you want to move most of the power not to Category 2 but to Category 1, where a normal person can raise an issue as directly as possible with someone who wants his vote.

And on this point, I encourage you to read Justice Neil Gorsuch’s Slaughter concurrence, in which he lays out the basic problem: a trend beginning in the early 20^th century to undo the separation of powers and turn the work of government over to supposedly impartial experts….

While Slaughter fixes part of the damage, the larger work still depends on future cases (and future legislation by Congress) that can return powers to Congress that it foolishly turned over to the executive.

            I’ll give the last word to Gorsuch: “From here, the only sure path is to finish the journey we start             today and restore legislative and judicial powers to where they belong: in Congress and the                    courts. We have tolerated adventurous theories long enough. It is time to return, all the way, to                the Constitution.” 

Who Does Christ Want to Return to His Presence?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Isaiah 50-57 and a lesson titled “He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows.” The following information introduced the lesson. 

Throughout his ministry, Isaiah spoke of a mighty deliverer. These prophecies would have been especially precious to the Israelites centuries later when they were in captivity in Babylon. Someone who could tear down the walls of Babylon would be a mighty conqueror indeed. But that isn’t the kind of Messiah that Isaiah described in chapters 52-53: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him. … We did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:3-4).

By sending such an unexpected deliverer, God taught us about true deliverance. To save us from oppression and affliction, God sent One who Himself “was oppressed, and … afflicted.” Where some expected a lion, He sent a lamb (see Isaiah 53:7). Surely, God’s ways are not our ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9). Jesus Christ frees us not by just opening the prison but by taking our place there. He relieves us from our chains of grief and sorrow by bearing them Himself (see Isaiah 53:4-5, 12). He does not save us from a distance. He suffers with us, in acts of “everlasting kindness” that “shall not depart from thee” (Isaiah 54:8, 10).

The scripture block teaches the following principles: (1) The future is bright for the Lord’s people (Isaiah 50-52); (2) Jesus Christ took upon Himself my sins and sorrows (Isaiah 53); (3) Jesus Christ wants me to return to Him (Isaiah 54; 57:15-19); (4) The Lord invites all to “take hold of my covenant” (Isaiah 55-56). This essay will discuss principle #4 about Christ desiring each of us to return to Him.

Each of us has times when we feel far from God. Usually, the distance comes because of our sins or weaknesses. I have found that stress and extreme fatigue can affect how quickly the distance grows. Isaiah 54 and 57 are chapters that are full of reassurance and encouragement. Isaiah 54:4-10 is one place that contains encouragement.

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6 ¶ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 ¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

The above verses tell us how the Savior feels about each one of us. What difference does it make in your life to know these things about Him? President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught the following.

“It matters not how completely ruined our lives may seem. It matters not how scarlet our sins, how deep our bitterness, how lonely, abandoned, or broken our hearts may be. Even those who are without hope, who live in despair, who have betrayed trust, surrendered their integrity, or turned away from God can be rebuilt. …

“The joyous news of the gospel is this: because of the eternal plan of happiness provided by our loving Heavenly Father and through the infinite sacrifice of Jesus the Christ, we can not only be redeemed from our fallen state and restored to purity, but we can also transcend mortal imagination and become heirs of eternal life and partakers of God’s indescribable glory” (“He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 102). 

What Is the Difference Between Strong Families and Struggling Families?

Strong families strengthen communities, states, and nations. Research shows that strong families share certain characteristics. I asked AI for strategies to strengthen families and found the following list. 

·       1. Open and Honest Communication

Strategies: Encourage family members to share thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Use active listening, ask open-ended questions like “How was your day?” and express feelings with “I” statements, such as “I feel upset when…” to avoid blame. Regular check-ins, even for 10 minutes a day, help maintain understanding and prevent misunderstandings.

·       2. Spend Quality Time Together

Prioritize meaningful activities that everyone enjoys, such as family meals, game nights, walks, or shared hobbies. Quality time strengthens emotional bonds, fosters cooperation, and creates lasting memories. Even simple moments, like watching a movie together or cooking, can be impactful when distractions are minimized.

·       3. Show Appreciation and Gratitude

Expressing thanks and acknowledging small acts of kindness build positive feelings and reinforces family cohesion. Compliments, thank-you notes, or verbal recognition of efforts help family members feel valued and supported.

·       4. Create Family Rituals and Traditions

Rituals, such as weekly pizza nights, Sunday movie outings, or annual vacations, provide a sense of identity, continuity, and belonging. These shared experiences strengthen connections and offer stability during life changes.

·       5. Support Individual Interests

Respect and encourage each family member’s hobbies and personal goals. This demonstrates recognition of individuality while maintaining family unity, helping children and teens develop confidence and self-esteem.

·       6. Handle Conflicts Constructively

Identify the root causes of disagreements and approach them with empathy. Use strategies like agreeing to disagree, setting boundaries, and compromising when necessary. Transform challenging moments into opportunities for growth and learning.

·       7. Share Responsibilities and Roles

Clearly define household roles and parenting responsibilities to ensure balance and teamwork. Regularly communicate and adjust roles as needed to prevent stress and model cooperation for children.

·       8. Engage in Community or Service Activities Together

Participating in charitable projects or community service as a family fosters empathy, shared purpose, and teamwork, while reinforcing family values.

·       9. Foster Emotional Support and Resilience

Encourage open discussions about challenges, provide reassurance, and model healthy coping strategies. Strong family bonds help children and teens develop resilience, self-esteem, and better decision-making skills.

The strategies above can strengthen families. The following additional practices can further reinforce family bonds.

      ·       Family Prayer

“Families that pray together stay together.” Family prayer at least once per day will unite a family.

·       Eat Meals Together – without phones or television.

Family members should eat at least one meal together every single day. Research shows that this single activity will strengthen family relationships.

·       Study Scriptures Together

Reading and discussing scriptures together each evening before family prayer will strengthen family ties.

·       Attend Church Together

Sharing faith together strengthens relationships.

 

Are Caravans in Mexico Threatening to U.S. Sovereignty?

The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns national sovereignty – the ability of a state to govern itself. This ability includes the authority to decide who enters the nation. This topic is back in the news because a migrant caravan left Honduras with plans to travel to the southern border of the United States.

In his article, Todd Bensman explained that the aspirations of the caravan ended soon after it crossed into Mexico. He continued with the following information. 

Mexico’s Policy of Controlled Dispersal

My assessment about Mexican caravans is based on experience traveling with the old rebel-style migrant caravans that aimed to crash the border back in 2018 and 2019 and the very new and different escorted transit caravans forming now.

I discovered these during a field research trip to Tapachula City just north of the Guatemala border in November 2024. The city of 400,000 is a major waystation and chokepoint on the Latin American migration trail exiting Guatemala.

Border hawk Trump had just been elected president, but open-borders dove President Joe Biden was still in office. Thousands of migrants in Tapachula were forming caravans and heading north, prompting American commentators to sound the alarm that the caravans intended to breach the U.S. border before Trump took office. I joined one of about a thousand north of Tapachula.

I was surprised to learn that the pundits were wrong.

The Mexican government was allowing these caravans to form so that its military and state police could inexpensively transfer them out of Tapachula and into other southern Mexican cities. The government scheme was (and still is) intended to relieve a growing humanitarian crisis in Tapachula, where shortages of work, food, and shelter had become critical. What I saw was a purposeful, government-controlled dispersal operation.

Influenced by Washington Policies

Why would Mexico volunteer to do any of this in the fourth year of Biden’s historic mass migration crisis when its central government under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had let millions move on through largely unchecked?

The little-known answer is that, in December 2023 as I fully reported then, Biden’s emissaries initiated a quiet deal to have Mexico reduce the incoming U.S. border crowds because the social media video looked terrible for Democrats running in the 2024 presidential election campaign.

The simpatico progressive liberal Obrador, wanting a Democrat president, deployed 32,000 troops to block all roads leading out of Tapachula and southern states like Chiapas. Next, Mexico began aggressive, sustained roundups of undocumented foreign nationals in Mexican cities and towns along its northern border with the U.S. from Tijuana to Matamoros.

The soldiers and police forced tens of thousands from Mexico’s north onto jets and buses and shipped them to the Tapachula while thousands a day were still arriving from Guatemala.

Trump won the election in large part on Biden’s open border and, once inaugurated, demanded that Mexico’s new President Claudia Sheinbaum, also a progressive liberal, continue the blockades and border sweeps under threat of devastating trade tariffs. 

How It Works

To prevent a humanitarian disaster and relieve Tapachula’s misery, the Sheinbaum government initially handed out “transit slips” and brought in buses to transport migrants to other Chiapas State cities and as far north as Mexico City. But demand outstripped the bus supply, so officials defaulted to the cheaper escorted foot caravans.

Whereas the caravans of old would violently break through security roadblocks, the Mexican military and police would surround this new kind of caravan in the front, back and all along its length and protect the marchers from predatory criminals. The security forces would gently direct them to turn down this or that road fork. Then at destinations, the security forces would deliver the compliant marchers to aid organizations and shelters and block them from further movement north.

While the many walkers I interviewed in late 2024 said sure they’d love to enter the United States someday, all told me they fully understood that Mexico’s government was to simply move them to other southern Mexican towns offering more work and sustenance while they waited for work and residency permits. The police and soldiers all confirmed the intercity transfer caravan policy and that it was a relatively new policy.

What to Look For

The Fey Esperanza caravan was hardly the first, but it attracted significant U.S. media attention because a major U.S. midterm election campaign is underway. In 2025 and so far in 2026, Mexico escorted at least another dozen intercity transit caravans to southern Mexican cities that drew no similar American media attention.

The telltale clue that these and the Fey Esperanza were controlled dispersal caravans not heading to the U.S. border: the Mexican security escorts.

A lot of Americans would not have known which kind of caravan they were seeing from video and naturally presumed it was enroute to the U.S. border.

Indeed, the transit caravan was rapidly disintegrating during Oct. 3-4 weekend as per the routine. The Trump administration was correct to noisily telegraph to Sheinbaum that she cannot let caravans reach the U.S. border and that migrants in them would face a tough confrontation if she let them through.

The article concluded that the caravans would continue because immigrants are still moving from Guatemala to Mexico, and Mexican security forces are still moving immigrants from the north and sending them south. However, Trump’s tariff threats against Mexico force Mexico to work with the United States to keep caravans away from the border.

Bensman says, “All bets are off once Trump leaves office in January 2029, no matter if a Republican or Democrat takes his spot. Look for caravans that might try their luck in the months before or after January 2029. Those will not be benign.”

Articles of Faith: What Do Latter-day Saints Believe About the Atonement of Jesus Christ? 5

                                                                        Article of Faith 3

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved,

by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

This is the fifth essay about the Atonement of Jesus Christ as stated in the third Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first week, I discussed the importance of understanding how the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as the third pillar of eternity, is essential to Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal happiness of His children. The second week, the discussion was about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the nature of the atonement. Last week, the discussion concerned the Atonement of Jesus Christ as a vicarious sacrifice. Last week, the discussion was about Christ’s sacrifice being voluntary and love inspired. The discussion for this week will be about the Atonement being foreordained and foretold, using the words of Elder James E. Talmage (Articles of Faith [1913], 81-85).

The Atonement Foreordained and Foretold – As already shown, the plan of the Father to open a way for the redemption of mankind, then to leave all men free to exercise their agency, was adopted by the council in heaven to the rejection of Lucifer’s plan of compulsion. Even at that remote period Christ was thus ordained as a mediator for all mankind; in fact, “a covenant was entered into between Him and His Father, in which He agreed to atone for the sins of the world, and He thus, as stated, became the ‘Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.’” Prophets who lived centuries before the time of Christ’s birth testified of Him and of the great work He had been ordained to perform. These men of God had been permitted to behold in prophetic visions many of the scenes incident to the Savior’s earthly mission, and they solemnly bore record of the manifestations. The testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophecy, and without it no person can rightly claim the distinction of being a prophet of God [emphasis added.] Adam’s despair incident to the fall was changed to joy when, through revelation, he learned of the plan of redemption to be wrought by the Son of God in the flesh. Righteous Enoch taught the same truths, which had been declared to him from the heavens. This testimony was borne by Moses, Job, David, Zechariah, Isaiah, and Micah. The same declaration was made by John the Baptist who was characterized by the Lord as more than a prophet.

Should there be doubt as to the application of such prophecies, we have the conclusive testimony of Christ that they refer to Himself. On that memorable day, immediately following His resurrection, while walking incognito with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He taught them the scriptures that had been written concerning the Son of God: “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” A few hours after this event the Lord appeared to the eleven at Jerusalem. He operated upon their minds “that they might understand the scriptures; and said unto them: Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer,” in this way testifying that He was fulfilling a previously ordained plan. Peter, one of the Savior’s most intimate earthly associates, refers to Him as “a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul characterizes Christ as the one “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past.” These are but a few of the Biblical evidences of Christ’s foreordination; both Old and New Testament writings abound in proofs of the Messiah’s appointed work.

Book of Mormon prophets are characterized by the directness of their testimonies concerning the Messiah. Because of his faith the brother of Jared was permitted to behold the Savior, twenty-two centuries prior to the meridian of time and to be shown that man was created after the image of the Lord, at the same time being taught of the Father’s purpose that the Son take upon Himself flesh and dwell upon the earth. Note the personal declaration of the foreordained Redeemer to this prophet: “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have light, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.”

Nephi records the prophecy of his father Lehi concerning the future appearing of the Son in the flesh, His baptism, death, and resurrection; and this prophetic utterance specifies the exact date of the Savior’s birth – six hundred years after the time of Lehi’s exodus from Jerusalem. The mission of John the Baptist is described and even the place of baptism is designated. Shortly after the time of Lehi’s vision, Nephi was shown by the Spirit the same things, as also many others, some of which he has written but the greater part of which he was forbidden to write, as another, the Apostle John, had been ordained to set them forth in a book which should form part of the Bible. But, from the partial account of his vision we learn that he saw, in Nazareth, Mary the Virgin, first alone and shortly afterward with a child in her arms; and that the demonstrator of the vision informed him that the infant was the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father. Then Nephi beheld the Son ministering among the children of men, proclaiming the word, healing the sick, and working many other wondrous miracles; he saw John, the prophet of the wilderness, going before Him; he beheld the Savior baptized of John, and the Holy Ghost descending upon Him with the visible sign of the dove. Then he saw and prophesied that twelve apostles would follow the Savior in His ministry; that the Son would be taken and judged of men and finally be slain. Piercing the future even beyond the time of the crucifixion. Nephi beheld the strife of the world against the apostles of the Lamb and the final triumph of God’s cause.

Jacob, brother of Nephi, prophesied to his brethren that Christ would appear in the flesh among the Jews, and that He would be scourged and crucified. King Benjamin lifted his voice in support of the same testimony, and preached unto his people the righteous condescension of God. So also declared Abinadi, Alma, Amulek, and /Samuel the Lamanite prophet. The literal fulfilment of these prophecies furnishes proof of their truth. The signs and wonders indicative of Christ’s birth and death were all realized; and after His death and ascension the Savior manifested Himself among the Nephites while the Father proclaimed Him to the multitude.

The ancient scriptures, then, are plain in declaring that Christ came upon the earth to do a work previously allotted. He lived, suffered and died, in accordance with a plan that had been framed in righteousness even before the world was, for the redemption of the children of Adam. Equally important and explicit is the word of latter-day revelation through which the Son has declared Himself as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, man’s Advocate with the Father, the universal Redeemer. Consider a single citation from the many revelations concerning Christ given in the present dispensation: “Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.”

What Did LDS Apostles Teach During Sunday Morning Session?

The second day of the October 2026 General Conference consisted of two sessions – morning and afternoon. This essay will share excerpts from talks given by members of the First Presidency and other Apostles during the morning session. Holly Wallace reported on the conference in her article published in the Deseret News. 

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency

The Lord fulfills His promise to sustain us through trials, often through faithful disciples who respond to others’ needs.

President … Eyring affirmed the promises of divine help in “How Firm a Foundation,” explaining that “It is important to realize that the promise is not for the removal of challenges.” His mother’s lifelong medical trials illustrated how faith in the Lord’s presence can sustain a person through enduring hardship.

Trials help prepare Heavenly Father’s children to live in His presence, with Jesus Christ making repentance and spiritual growth possible. President Eyring emphasized the Savior’s personal understanding: “The Savior not only understands and has felt grief, but He has borne your griefs and carried your sorrows.”

Remembering his father’s bedside care for his dying mother and gratitude toward her nurses, President Eyring explained that the Lord often provides help through other people. He thanked listeners who respond to promptings to reach out, explaining, “That you felt prompted to reach out to them was evidence to them that the Lord knew and loved them.”

President Eyring encouraged kindness toward missionaries and appreciation for those serving in Church callings, whose responsibilities require strength and reassurance. He also urged listeners to seek the Holy Ghost’s help in comforting others, teaching that the Lord entrusts His disciples with helping fulfill His promise to sustain Heavenly Father’s children.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Faith in Jesus Christ gives disciples spiritual courage, and exercising that courage strengthens their faith.

… After testifying of the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection, he taught, “It has always taken spiritual courage, born of faith in Jesus Christ to be His disciple.”

Moroni’s refusal to deny Christ despite profound isolation illustrated the courage discipleship requires. Addressing today’s flood of information and distractions, Elder Andersen recalled quiet days tending cows and explained, “We need stillness to nourish our faith in Christ.”

Faith and courage strengthen each other through prayer, covenant keeping, and accepting opportunities to serve. Elder Anderson taught, “In those quiet moments when we speak with our Heavenly Father privately, independently, we are given the increased courage to choose the right,” and shared President Dallin H. Oaks’s decision to accept a demanding calling while working as a young attorney.

Spiritual courage also sustains disciples through missionary service, family responsibilities, disappointment, and devastating loss. Describing families whose homes had burned and a woman enduring her husband’s betrayal, Elder Andersen showed how faith helps people trust Christ when circumstances remain painful.

He promises answers and increased spiritual power to those who strengthen their faith by believing in Christ, following Him, and keeping His commandments. Recalling Peter and John’s courageous witness of the resurrected Savior, Elder Andersen concluded with his own testimony: “He guides this holy work, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles

Lifelong discipleship requires integrity and virtue expressed through daily choices, service, and repentance.

Elder … Cook taught that the covenant path is well marked, but following it requires a Christlike life of integrity and virtue. Recalling the inscription that inspired President David O. McKay to fulfill every responsibility well, he emphasized, “We need to live our lives with integrity and follow His example.”

Integrity means being honest with God and others and living according to one’s beliefs and commitments. Elder Cook connected virtue with lasting happiness, explaining, “True happiness, often translated as blessedness, is the actual outcome of integrity and being virtuous.”

He warned that coarse language and online attacks undermine civil discourse and violate the Savior’s teachings. Despite attacks directed at the Church, he counseled, “We cannot control the conduct of others, but we can strive to be a peaceable people who live in accordance with the Christlike conduct and virtues taught by the Savior Jesus Christ.”

Daily scripture study and spiritual renewal help disciples follow a Savior who came to save the world. Elder Cook explained that obedience, service, and virtue demonstrate integrity, teaching “The ultimate reward of integrity and virtue is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.”

Acknowledging faults and repenting daily are also essential expressions of integrity. Elder Cook recalled a World War II veteran who compared learning about repentance to the overwhelming relief of returning home, illustrating the joy available through forgiveness and the desire to share that joy with family.

President Dallin H. Oaks

Drawing closer to Jesus Christ is the way to face doubts and struggles while continuing on the covenant path.

“Strong faith requires more than strong desire. It means daily trying, one step at a time with prayer and scriptural learning.”

“There is no ultimate conflict between knowledge obtained by these different methods, because God, our omnipotent Father, knows all truth, and expects us to learn by both methods.”

President Dallin H. Oaks affirmed that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s Church, possessing the restored fullness of His doctrine and authority. Expressing love and gratitude for members’ prayers, he directed those facing struggles, questions, or doubts toward the Savior: “Whatever they are, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Building faith requires daily prayer, scriptural learning, and patience with ourselves and others. Acknowledging that resolving uncertainty can take time, President Oaks counseled, “Hold on to the first article of faith, even if something else is uncertain,” and urged listeners to trust the Lord’s timing and promises.

Addressing those whose faith is diminishing, he emphasized God’s persistent love and urged faithfulness to commandments and covenants. He taught that scientific and spiritual learning have no ultimate conflict because God knows all truth, while encouraging humility and warning, “never let your secular learning limit your spiritual horizons.”

President Oaks urged members to renew their covenants through the weekly sacrament, live according to those covenants, and attend the temple regularly if endowed. He promised, “These simple practices will protect and strengthen you,” and explained that forgiveness through Christ’s Atonement requires meeting His prescribed conditions, including faith, repentance, and baptism.

Through its account of Christ’s ministry to His scattered sheep, the Book of Mormon witnesses that He loves and reaches out to all people, with grace available to everyone.

Anticipating additional inspired records coming forth, President Oaks concluded, “I call upon all to act on these truths and to share them with others, that we may all draw closer to Jesus Christ, our Savior.”