Jesus Christ lives and loves to lift. As a teen learning to fly a two-seat glider, I learned the crucial skill in gliding is finding rising air, otherwise known as “lift.” You cannot see it, but you can see what it does. Just as there is rising air, there is sinking air, called “sink.” It likewise cannot be seen, but it can be felt, and I quickly learned to avoid it. During my journey of faith, I recognised that the principles of gliding I had learned in my teens have significant similarities with spiritual principles: We must avoid sink and find lift. Spiritual lift cannot be seen or touched, but as we learn to discern and act upon the sensitive impressions of the Holy Spirit, we can feel it—as surely as I felt the rising air lift a wing beneath me. When we first experience lift, it is wondrous. We may feel a soul-expanding lightness of being unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Pay close attention to the sweet, peaceful feelings that come when you choose spiritual lift, the rising forces that bring you into the Saviour’s loving upward pull. Likewise, pay attention to the dim and dampening feelings that lead away from the Redeemer and His infinite love. We can learn to live in spiritual lift. And when we sink, our gentle Saviour is there to lift us up as we turn to Him. Your Saviour is your lift. He is your ever-rising air. There is no limit to how high you can climb with Him. #GeneralConference "Finisher of Faith" by Kelsy and Jesse Lightweave

As we joyfully dedicated the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple this weekend, our eyes were drawn toward its delicate spires and then heavenward.   It is so easy for us to become distracted or even consumed with lesser things. A focus on the temple draws our hearts and minds to our Father in Heaven and to our Saviour. As we let our gaze be drawn heavenward in this way, we find the inward peace that can be so elusive in our busy lives.   The temple can be a constant reminder of God’s love for you and for all His children. Through sacred temple ordinances made possible through the atoning gift of our Redeemer, old wounds can be healed and broken hearts can be mended, on both sides of the veil. This is a house of miracles.

A truth I hope will sink deeply into your soul is that your best is certainly good enough, that you are loved more than you can imagine, and that it isn't your achievements that define you, far less that determine anything about your worth or how you are seen by your Father in Heaven and His Son.

Nowhere should our joy as a people be more apparent than when we gather together each Sabbath in our sacrament meetings to worship the source of all joy!

The purpose of making covenants is to draw us closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We are beloved sons and daughters of God, and He desires that we experience joy in this life. Our covenants can serve as constant reminders of these sacred truths.

When 12-year-old Jesus was found by His parents teaching in the temple, He told them that He had been “about [His] Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). And we can be too. Every calling, whatever it may be, is “His business” when embraced with a humble and willing heart and a desire to lift and comfort His children and to share His good news. President Dallin H. Oaks has provided us with a wonderful example of what it means to be about our Father’s business. Today we had the sacred opportunity to come together to raise our hands in support of President Oaks, to sustain him as the Lord’s prophet, seer, and revelator. We have signified our willingness to uphold President Oaks by our confidence, faith, and prayers. While today is certainly solemn in purpose, it is also a day full of gratitude and rejoicing at the opportunity for the whole Church to come together and exercise common consent. Life is better, everything is better, when we are about His business. I pray that on this day when we sustain our prophet and president you will find great joy as you also rededicate yourself to the Saviour’s ministry. #GeneralConference

When Mary returned to the Garden Tomb, angels—and then the risen Savior Himself—asked her a simple, searching question: “Why weepest thou?” (John 20:15). At Easter, that same loving question is quietly extended to each of us. I pray that you will find in your faith the light, the love, and the joy that He would have all of us feel at this sacred time of year. #GreaterLove

Our mortal life is but a moment in our existence, but that moment—sometimes very difficult—is of eternal importance. Yes, our Heavenly Father wants us to learn and grow. And, yes, that growth at times entails disappointment and suffering. But He wants our lives to be beautiful and hopeful. To that end, and to ease our journey back to Him, He has provided a Savior. Through His love and atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ has dealt with and healed everything we will encounter in life. What a joy to repent and be forgiven through Christ's redeeming love! Image courtesy of Havenlight “Eventide” by Yongsung Kim

I love this counsel Jen recently shared about being a true friend—even when we may not see eye to eye. Her steady kindness and care for others reflect a life centered on Jesus Christ. As we strive to always treat others as the Savior would, we can look to Him as our perfect example of listening, loving, and lifting.

While the Atonement of Jesus Christ may be beyond our full comprehension, it’s real. It’s there. It’s joyful. Because of Him, we can get through any trial and any challenge.

Jen and I were absolutely thrilled to be with you this evening. The “song of redeeming love” we raised together will stay with us forever. I plead with you to hold fast to the radiant, foundational truths the Lord has already woven into your lives. And if some of those truths still feel unfamiliar, please know this: you and I can keep practicing—again and again. As we do, we will come to truly understand the astonishing good news of the Savior's gospel. And in that understanding, we will feel His peace settle in our souls, His joy lift our hearts, and His divine love wrap around us in the very moments we need it most.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. He can fill our lives with unspeakable hope and joy. Jen and I are looking forward to discussing this—and other important topics on your minds—with you at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. MST. We hope you can join us.

New beginnings are at the heart of the Father’s plan for His children. Fresh starts are the mission of the Son! Please receive your new beginning—even today, right now.

Believe that there is a particular gift in this season for you. Seek for quiet, solitary moments when you can ponder, pray, and feel the loving-kindness of the One whose birth makes any joy in any life possible.

An empty arena is cold, joyless, and lacks connection. In many ways, it mirrors life without the light of Jesus Christ and His gospel. But when our lives are centered on His gospel light, that same arena is transformed. What was once empty becomes bright, full of life, purpose, and community. The light of Jesus Christ always overcomes darkness.

If you have turned away from God, please remember that no matter the reason, and no matter how long you’ve been away, He wants you back. The Savior’s arms are always wide open.

Across faith traditions, sacred spaces—whether soaring cathedrals, quiet temples, majestic mosques, serene synagogues, or humble meeting places—hold deep meaning. These houses of worship stand in nearly every land, offering refuge and inspiration for the faithful. I was grateful to share these thoughts with global faith leaders at the Eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions at the Palace of Independence in Astana, Kazakhstan. Regardless of religion, we honor the divine call to foster peace, mutual respect, and lasting fellowship for the whole human family.

All of us can have a new beginning through, and because of, Jesus Christ. Even you. New beginnings are at the heart of the Father’s plan for His children. This is the church of new beginnings! This is the church of fresh starts! Our new beginning doesn’t just happen once. We tend to think that baptism is our one shot at a new beginning. It isn’t. We don’t have just one chance. These new beginnings can happen every day! Jesus gives us as many new beginnings as we need. #GeneralConference