D. Todd Christofferson

Putting money or something of value at risk to bet on a particular outcome or event is an activity that has plagued mankind almost, I suppose, from the beginning of time. And time has not made it any more worthwhile or any less harmful. Unfortunately, in recent years, gambling has become incredibly pervasive. #GeneralConference

During the rededication of the San Diego California Temple today, I shared that the words at the door of the temple—“Holiness to the Lord”— are both an invitation and a mandate to all who would enter. Just as the temple is in the world and yet is a place apart, here each of us learns how to be in the world and yet not of the world. As we enter the temple, we temporarily leave the world. We leave our problems and challenges at the door and focus our minds on the things of God, on the ordinances and covenants of salvation and exaltation. As we leave the temple, we realize that the problems and challenges we left at the entrance are still there. We are required to take them up again. They haven’t changed, but thankfully, our time in the temple has changed us. Our perspective is more confident and accurate. Now we see that what seemed overwhelming and impossible can, with the Lord’s help, find a solution, and we are more certain of His help. With our time in the temple we have been refined, if only to a small degree, and heaven is nearer. The temple is a conditioning for life in a holy, celestial realm.

Scriptural miracles are not just stories. They actually occurred, showing us how Heavenly Father acts in His power. In the Old Testament, we read about a faithful widow who, following the inspired instructions of the prophet Elisha, gathered as many empty pots as she could and poured oil from her one small pot into each of them. The oil filled them all, running out only when the widow ran out of pots (see 2 Kings 4:1–7). When sharing that story, Sister Christofferson likes to point out that the Lord’s blessing of oil for the widow expanded to fill all the capacity she had to receive it and presumably would have continued had she had more pots—suggesting that the Lord is willing to give what we are prepared to receive. Miracles teach us that God, according to His purposes, timing, love, and wisdom, will give us what we are prepared to receive.

An experience we had with one of our young children many years ago taught me and my wife a valuable lesson that still applies today.

How can we discern between truth and deception in a world today with such rapidly evolving technology and change?

Ask yourself, “Does the Lord know that I will do what He wants me to do?”

To me, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is something of a sacred place. Historically and spiritually, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the Constitution of the United States led the way for religious liberty as the first freedom granted by the First Amendment. How grateful we are to celebrate what the Lord has done through wise men and women to bring about the privileges many now enjoy throughout the world.

Religious freedom is the cornerstone of peace in a world with many competing philosophies. We were privileged to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Canterbury Medal Gala hosted by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—a fitting venue for celebrating religious liberty. I was honored to offer the invocation at this event. Moral agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for ourselves, is essential to God’s plan of salvation. Religious freedom ensures that people can exercise their agency in matters of faith. We are grateful to be associated with so many wonderful people of faith who we stand with to advocate for religious freedom.

In the temple we learn to distinguish between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean.   The words at the door of the temple—“Holiness to the Lord”— are both an invitation and a commandment to all who would enter.  Just as this newly dedicated Yorba Linda California Temple is in the world and yet is a place apart, here each of us learns how to be in the world and yet not of the world.    Gradually all that is impure or unworthy in our character is rooted out as we draw closer to the Lord in His house. Our very desires change over time. It is a conditioning for life in a holy, celestial realm.

In recognition of the 250-year anniversary of the founding of the United States of America as a free and independent nation, Elder Quentin L. Cook and I discussed the importance of religious liberty and its underlying significance for the restored Church of Jesus Christ. We believe in religious liberty. As the Eleventh Article of Faith reminds us, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

Jesus thinks and acts out of pure love; He yearns to bless and lift others; and He delights to do the will of God. With faith in Christ, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will effect a mighty change in us to instill these same divine motivations in our hearts and help us practice the attributes of a Christlike character.

With faith in Christ, may our character come to mirror His so that “when he shall appear we shall be like him ... that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:48).

When we consider the character of the Savior we tend to focus immediately on His attributes, such as virtue, integrity, humility, compassion, and courage, but we should also consider, what is it in Jesus that gives rise to such character traits? I believe they are the natural fruit of the thoughts, desires, and intents of His heart. Christlike character grows out of a Christlike heart. Thus, if we are to succeed in developing a Christlike character, we must possess His motivations—His thoughts, desires, and intents of the heart. For us, it will require what the scriptures call a “mighty change of heart.” Jesus thinks and acts out of pure love; He yearns to bless and lift others; and He delights to do the will of God. With faith in Christ, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will effect a mighty change in us to instill these same divine motivations in our heart and help us practice the attributes of a Christlike character. #GeneralConference "Little Lamb" by Greg Olsen. Used with Permission. GregOlsen.com

No effort is wasted in trying to do good to others.

During a recent visit to Rome, Italy, in late September, I had the privilege of sharing some remarks on human dignity, moral agency, and religious pluralism at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. This panel discussion and its audience included prominent Catholic scholars and theologians. It is good to gather with fellow disciples to share what we have in common and to strengthen one another.

After repenting and receiving forgiveness from the Lord, how do we overcome lingering feelings of guilt and shame?

Ministering provides some of the most joyful experiences we can have as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Savior invites us, no matter where we are at this moment, to walk with Him (see Moses 6:34). We don’t have to achieve some minimum level of ability or spirituality before He will take an interest in us. His invitation and His hands are extended right now, and all are included.