Oaks BYU Speech at Prophet

 

Coming Closer to Jesus Christ

Dallin H. Oaks

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I share four impressions that will draw us closer to our Savior:

• First, strengthen our faith in Him.
• Second, increase our humility.
• Third, seek help from others.
• Fourth, be patient.

The Lord Wants a Relationship with You, Not For You to Be Comfortable

 

Growing Closer to God in Times of Change

By Sister Kristin M. Yee

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

I think the Lord is more interested in building a relationship with you and me than He is in our comfort in knowing what lies ahead.

He has promised His power, perspective, and peace as we prioritize our covenants and time with Him—in personal prayer, studying His word, repenting often, ministering in His name, engaging in His healing work of family history, and worshipping in His house, the house of the Lord.

I’ve learned that having faith, even great faith, does not preclude us from seeing our weaknesses and opportunities to change. In fact, the closer we come to Christ and become more like Him, the more we “see” by the Spirit those things we need to change.

Turning to Him in our humility and weakness builds trust and love.

Increasing our faith in Christ increases our peace in Christ.

Offer Him Our Own Sacrifice

 "Come unto Christ and Receive His Gifts"

Elder David P. Homer

Liahona Dec 2025

"If we truly love Christ, we will offer Him our own sacrifice - a humble heart and a willingness to follow Him." 

Building Christlike Connections in Relationships

 

Keys to Building Christlike Connections in Relationships

By Jeremy R. Jaggi

Of the Seventy

Many young adults struggle with pornography use, which, when left unchecked, can create barriers to developing true intimacy with others. Artificial intelligence is also becoming a tool not just for information but also for fabricated connections. Some young adults falsify their feelings of belonging by devoting their time to comparing themselves to social media influencers or keeping up with the world’s beauty and lifestyle trends. Some invest excessive time in books, video games, or television, imagining connections with fake people with unrealistic relationships. Others merely seclude themselves and substitute worldly comforts for true intimacy, avoiding interactions with real people as much as possible....

Unfortunately, the adversary makes isolation look much more enticing than connection—it’s easier to stick to old habits than to take steps to change and build relationships. He knows that compassionate, authentic relationships among friends, family, leaders, and spouses can help us feel more connected to each other and to the pure love of Jesus Christ...

What we choose to give our time, energy, or focus to will determine the reward we will reap...

Start with small goals. Get off the computer, the gaming system, the phone, and spend time every day in the Word!...

Envelop yourself in Jesus Christ. He is the Word!...

If you need motivation to connect with God and with others, ask Heavenly Father for help. As you grow in intimacy and connection with God, your capacity for experiencing charity in your own life and in your relationships will deepen....

Sharing our struggles, weaknesses, desires, interests, and feelings takes vulnerability and courage. But there is one main barrier that keeps us from talking deeply about these kinds of issues:

Pride.

It’s the feeling that we can’t let our true selves show because of what someone might think. Will we be loved, or will we be rejected? Comparison to others can steal away our joy.

Vulnerability, meekness, and candor lead to increased trust, closeness, and intimacy in relationships. Sharing sensitive emotions can feel like a risk, but we are protecting our pride when we don’t share feelings in our relationships.

We need humility.

How can we invite deeper humility into our lives?

Stand in holy places. Be with holy people. Engage in holy habits....

If we prioritize being where the Spirit has touched our hearts, such as the temple, institute, or sacrament meeting, we will begin to desire humility; we will begin to desire a closeness with God and want to have deeper, connecting conversations....

Our connection with Jesus Christ is the key to changing our habits, our attitudes, and our willingness to connect deeply with those around us. As we prioritize our relationship with Him, we can fully show up as our authentic selves and build true intimacy and meaningful relationships that enrich our lives with enduring joy and love.

Be Aware of Your Weaknesses

 President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, has taught us an important principle about seeing ourselves: “Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress. Your awareness of your weakness is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and keeps you turning to the Savior. The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature. Then weak things become strong.”

Henry B. Eyring, “My Peace I Leave with You,” Liahona, May 2017, 16.

“My Peace I Leave with You”

April 2017 General Conference

Humility, Courage, Forgiveness, and Sacrifice

 

To Be a Follower of Christ

By Elder Alfred Kyungu

Of the Seventy

Let us live in humility because it brings peace (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:23). Humility precedes glory, and it brings God’s favor upon us: “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Humility brings gentle answers. It is the source of a righteous character....

Let us have the courage to do what is right even when it is unpopular—the courage to defend our faith and to act by faith. Let us have the courage to repent daily, the courage to accept God’s will and obey His commandments. Let us have the courage to live righteously and to do what is expected of us in our various responsibilities and positions....

“Through His infinite Atonement, you can forgive those who have hurt you and who may never accept responsibility for their cruelty to you.

“It is usually easy to forgive one who sincerely and humbly seeks your forgiveness. But the Savior will grant you the ability to forgive anyone who has mistreated you in any way” (“Four Gifts That Jesus Christ Offers to You” [First Presidency Christmas devotional, Dec. 2, 2018], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Let us sincerely forgive each other to obtain the forgiveness of the Father. Forgiveness sets us free and makes us worthy to partake of the sacrament every Sunday. Forgiveness is required for us to be truly disciples of Jesus Christ....

We can sacrifice our time to perform ministering, to serve others, to do good, to do family history work, and to magnify our Church calling.

We can give of our financial means by paying tithing, fast offerings, and other donations to build the kingdom of God on earth. We need sacrifice to keep the covenants we have made with the Savior.

My prayer is that by following Jesus Christ and drawing upon the blessings of His Atonement, we become more and more humble, we are more courageous, we forgive more and more, and we sacrifice more for His kingdom.

Accept and Even Seek Correction

 

Becoming More in Christ: The Parable of the Slope

By Elder Clark G. Gilbert

Of the Seventy

Elder Godoy stated emotionally: the Lord will “help you more than you can help yourself. [So] involve the Lord in this process.”

Harvard professor Clayton M. Christensen taught that the most successful people are the humblest because they are confident enough to be corrected by and learn from anyone.¹³ Elder D. Todd Christofferson counseled us to “willingly [find ways] to accept and even seek correction.”¹⁴ Even when things appear to be going well, we must seek out opportunities to improve through prayerful petition.

Elder Kearon

 

Elder Patrick Kearon: Prepared and Called by the Lord

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

One Saturday several years after having been called as a General Authority Seventy, Elder Patrick Kearon and his wife, Jennifer, were entering a supermarket as Elder W. Rolfe Kerr and his wife, Janeil, were leaving. They visited briefly, and then the Kerrs headed to their car.

Almost immediately, a man approached Elder Kearon and excitedly asked him, “Was that a General Authority you were speaking to?” Elder Kearon responded, “Yes. That was Elder W. Rolfe Kerr of the Seventy.” The man nodded, looked directly at Elder Kearon without recognizing him, and said, “You can always tell a General Authority, can’t you?” Then the man hurried off.

“I love that story because it so represents how I feel,” says Elder Kearon with a smile. “I could have the same experience today, and that man would still probably not pick me out of a crowd as being a General Authority.”

Not Being Humble = Being Humiliated

 

Humble to Accept and Follow

By Elder Joni L. Koch

Of the Seventy

In the fifth chapter of Alma, an introspective question is posed: “Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble?”¹ That question implies that humility is a mandatory requirement for us to be ready to return to the presence of God....

when we choose not to be humble, we end up being humiliated....

Then what is humility? According to Preach My Gospel, it is a “willingness to submit to the will of the Lord. … It is being teachable. … [It] is a vital catalyst for spiritual growth.”...

Above all, in developing humility, we must also understand and accept that we are not able to overcome our challenges or to achieve our full potential through our own efforts only.

Become Sanctified When We...

 “The scriptures teach us that among other things, we can be sanctified or become more holy when we exercise faith in Christ, demonstrate our obedience, repent, sacrifice for Him, receive sacred ordinances, and keep our covenants with Him. Qualifying for the gift of holiness requires humility, meekness, and patience.”

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Holiness and the Plan of Happiness,” Liahona, Nov. 2019, 100–101.

Don't Insist or Demand that Others Recognize Our Correctness

 

The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth

By Elder S. Mark Palmer

Of the Seventy

4. Although as disciples of Christ we may know we are right, there are times when insisting or demanding that others recognize our correctness would simply cause unneeded offense. And even worse, it could become a stumbling block in someone else’s spiritual progression.

A wonderful example of this meekness and unwillingness to become a stumbling block is found in this experience of President James E. Faust (1920–2007), a former counselor in the First Presidency. “His son, Marcus, talked … about going with him to the Washington, D.C., temple to participate in a temple [endowment] session. When President Faust presented his recommend for admission—a special one used by general authorities—the temple worker didn’t recognize him or the recommend and denied him access. ‘Rather than embarrassing the man by telling him who he was, Dad politely excused himself and we all left.’”...

Like Peter, we will learn from the example of our Master, who was patient with faults and meek despite having all power.

Sufficient Humility

The Eternal Everyday

By Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Having sufficient humility in our lives to help establish the Church is particularly valuable. ...

Sometimes humility is accepting callings when we do not feel adequate. Sometimes humility is serving faithfully when we feel capable of a more high-profile assignment. Humble leaders have verbally and by example established that it is not where we serve but how we faithfully serve. Sometimes humility is overcoming hurt feelings when we feel that leaders or others have mistreated us.....

In our quest for humility, the modern internet creates challenges to avoiding pride. Two examples are the self-indulgent “look at me” approach or attacking others by ranting on social media. One more example is the “humblebrag.” It is defined as “an ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement [or picture] whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud.”...

Sufficient Humility

The Eternal Everyday

By Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Having sufficient humility in our lives to help establish the Church is particularly valuable. ...

Sometimes humility is accepting callings when we do not feel adequate. Sometimes humility is serving faithfully when we feel capable of a more high-profile assignment. Humble leaders have verbally and by example established that it is not where we serve but how we faithfully serve. Sometimes humility is overcoming hurt feelings when we feel that leaders or others have mistreated us.....

In our quest for humility, the modern internet creates challenges to avoiding pride. Two examples are the self-indulgent “look at me” approach or attacking others by ranting on social media. One more example is the “humblebrag.” It is defined as “an ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement [or picture] whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud.”...

When we are truly humble, we pray for forgiveness and forgive others...

Holding a grudge and refusing to forgive and refusing to humbly approach our relationships in a Christlike manner truly brings us under condemnation. Holding a grudge is poisonous to our souls.

Let me also caution against any form of arrogance...

Humility also includes being grateful for our numerous blessings and divine assistance....

 It is my prayer that in this contentious world we will continuously strive for true humility every day.

Meekness

Meek and Lowly of Heart

By Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

April 2018

Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others.

Whereas humility generally denotes dependence upon God and the constant need for His guidance and support, a distinguishing characteristic of meekness is a particular spiritual receptivity to learning both from the Holy Ghost and from people who may seem less capable, experienced, or educated, who may not hold important positions, or who otherwise may not appear to have much to contribute. ...

Meekness is an attribute developed through desire, the righteous exercise of moral agency, and striving always to retain a remission of our sins.

Spiritual Eclipses

With so many appropriate and inspired uses of technology, let us use it to teach, inspire, and lift ourselves and to encourage others to become their finest—rather than to portray our idealized virtual selves. 

Let’s now address the age-old stumbling block of pride. Pride is the opposite of humility, which is a “willingness to submit to the will of the Lord.”14 When prideful, we tend to take honor to ourselves rather than giving it to others, including the Lord. Pride is often competitive; it is a tendency to seek to obtain more and presume we are better than others. Pride often results in feelings of anger and hatred; it causes one to hold grudges or to withhold forgiveness. Pride, however, can be swallowed in the Christlike attribute of humility.

Relationships, even with close family and loved ones, especially with close family and loved ones—even between husbands and wives—are fostered in humility and are stymied by pride.

In my experience in the Church as well as throughout my professional career, some of the greatest, most effective people I have known have been among the most meek and humble.

If you discover anything that seems to be blocking the light and joy of the gospel in your life, I invite you to place it in a gospel perspective. Look through a gospel lens and be vigilant not to allow insignificant and inconsequential matters in life to obscure your eternal view of the great plan of happiness. In short, don’t let life’s distractions eclipse heaven’s light.

Spiritual Eclipse

By Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles