This session happened overnight for us here in the Adriatic South Mission so I am watching this on Sunday morning. A beautiful choir of youth and children.

President Oaks conducting. First speaker is Bishop Caussee. He and Elder Kopischke released me as SP. A very humble man.

Bishop Gerard Caussee Our earthly stewardship

Visiting Monet’s gardens.

The emotions we feel kindle within us a deep sense of gratitude for our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who created this magnificent earth.

The work of creation is not an end in itself.

The entire earth includng all life thereon belongs to God.

As stewards of God’s creation we have a duty to honour and care for them.

These wonderful creations were prepared entirely for our benefit and are living proof of the love the Creator has for His children.

The care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility. It is also an integral component of our discipleship. How can we honour and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ without honouring and loving their creations?

Our stewardship over God’s creations also includes, at its pinnacle, a sacred duty to love, respect and care for all human beings with whom we share the earth. They are sons and daughters of God, our sisters and our brothers.

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbour as ourself.

We are invited to participate in the divine work of creation.

We participate in the work of creation whenever we cultivate the earth or add our own constructions to this world — as long as we show respect for God’s creations.

There is no stewardship more sacred, more fulfilling, but also more demanding, than that of partnering with our Creator in providing physical bodies for His spirit children and then helping them reach their divine potential. The responsibility of co-creation serves as a contstant reminder that life and each person’s body are sacred.

I testify that great spiritual blessings are promised to those who love and care for the earth and their fellow men and women. As you stay faithful in this sacred stewardship and honour your eternal covenants, you will grow in the knowledge of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ and you will feel their love more abundantly in this life.

Sister Michelle D Craig Whole-hearted

Christ’s disciples have always experienced hard times.

Story of mud-drenched pioneer woman.

We can keep our covenants even when it is not easy.

When your faith, your family or your future are challenged — when you wonder why life is so hard when you are doing your best to live the gospel — remember that the Lord told us to expect troubles. Troubles are part of the plan and do not mean that you’ve been abandoned; they are part of what it means to be His.

The point of walking the covenant path is to approach the Savior. He is the point, not our perfect progress. It is not a race, and we must not compare our journey to others. Even when we stumble, He is there.

I am learning that Heavenly Father is more interested in my growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ than He is with my comfort.

We can be whole hearted and joyful in our devotion.

When hard times come, I try to remember that I chose to follow Christ before I came to earth and that challenges to my faith, my health and my endurance are all part of the reason I’m here. … Trials do not mean that the plan is failing; they are part of the plan meant to help me seek God.

With all my heart I choose to stand with the Lord.

When I stumble I will keep getting up, relying on the grace and enabling power of Jesus Christ. … This is my path of discipleship.

Kevin W Pearson Are you still willing?

How many times have we witnessed unto God that we are willing?

Keeping my covenants must be more than good intentions.

Willingness to focus on the Savior is so crucial, it is the central message of the two most quoted scriptures in the Church — the sacrament prayers.

Is our own spiritual foundation built solidly on Jesus Christ?

The precepts of men rarely align with divinely revealed truth.

Are we willing to put forth more than a superficial effort into strengthening our faith in Christ? Heavenly Father loves us perfectly, but that love comes with great expectations.

Faith in Jesus Christ is a choice.

The Book of Mormon is our most powerful resource for growing and restoring our faith.

True discipleship leads to a fullness of Joy. Are we willing to pay the price of discipleship?

The covenant path is not a simple checklist.

Discipleship is not cheap because the companionship of the Holy Ghost is priceless.

Parable of the wise and foolish virgins.

This parable is a metaphor for our time.

Casual and inconsistent covenant keeping leads to spiritual casualty. The spiritual damage is often greatest on our children and grandchildren. Parents and grandparents, are we still willing?

Are we still willing to follow the living prophets?

(A powerful address!)

Elder Denelson Silva Courage to proclaim the truth

Story of his conversion in 1983.

I see how important the courage of my classmate was.

I learned that when I decided to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I had accepted the task of not only defending the truth, but also of proclaiming it.

As you proceed firmly in Christ and with courage not only to proclaim the truth but to live the truth, you will find comfort and peace during the turbulence that you shall encounter in these days.

The privilege of representing the Savior Jesus Christ and His Church cannot be ignored.

Please, young men, do not postpone your preparation to serve the Lord as missionary.

Young women you are very welcome if you so desire to work in the vineyard of the Lord.

Please do not minimise the importance of a service mission.

The defence of the truth should never be done in an aggressive manner.

Trust in Heavenly Father and do not give up.

Elder Neil L Andersen Drawing close to the Saviour

Wheat and tares growing together side by side.

This will be our world until the Savior returns, with much that is good and much that is evil on every side.

We realize that as evil increases in the world, our spiritual survival, and the spiritual survival of those we love, will require that we more fully nurture, fortify and strengthen the roots of our faith in Jesus Christ.

We need not fear. The Lord will never desert his covenant people.

As we know very well, having faith in Jesus Christ and being a true disciple is more than a one-time decision — more than a one-time event. It is a sacred, ongoing process that grows and expands through the seasons of our lives, continuing until we kneel at His feet. With the wheat growing amidst the tares in the world how can we strenghthen and deepen our commitment to Jesus Christ.

First, we can immerse ourselves more completely into Jesus’s life, His teachings, His majesty, His power and His atoning sacrifice.

We pledge to always remember Him and keep His commandments.

Making and keeping covenants allows the love of the Saviour to sink more deeply into our heart.

We are a light to the world and when necessary we willingly choose to be different.

Seeking with all our heart to know and love the Savior, we separate ourselves from the world through covenants with God, being distinct, uncommon and special as we honor Him and His teachings.

As you allow your love for the Savior and His love for you to sink deep into your heart, I promise you added confidence, peace and joy in meeting the challenges of your life.