You can watch and read Elder Andersen’s talk at Drawing Closer to the Savior (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Wheat and Tares

The Lord explained that in this final time prior to His return, the “wheat,” whom He describes as “the children of the kingdom,”⁵ would grow side by side with the “tares,” or those who do not love God and do not keep His commandments. They would “both grow together,” side by side.…You may at times not feel like a strong, mature strand of wheat. Be patient with yourself! The Lord said that the wheat would include tender blades springing up. We are all His Latter-day Saints, and although not yet all we want to be, we are serious in our desire to be His true disciples.

‘The gospel of repentance is a constant reminder that the most righteous are still being tested and may yet fall, and that the most wicked are not yet beyond redemption and may still be saved. And that is what God wants: “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” (Ezekiel 18:23). There are poles for all to see, but in this life no one has reached and few have ever approached either pole, and no one has any idea at what point between his neighbor stands. Only God knows that.’ (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.8, Ch.20, p.461 – p.462).

What are the implications of the fact that the wheat and the tares grow side by side?

Strengthen Our Faith in Jesus Christ

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. The Apostle Paul counseled us to be rooted, grounded, and settled in our love for the Savior and our determination to follow Him. Today and the days ahead require more focused and concentrated effort, guarding against diversions and carelessness.

What do you think it means to be rooted, grounded and settled?

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.

How have you seen your faith grow and expand? How will you keep it growing and expanding?

Immerse Ourselves in the Life of Jesus

First, we can immerse ourselves more completely into Jesus’s life, His teachings, His majesty, His power, and His atoning sacrifice. The Savior said, “Look unto me in every thought.” The Apostle John reminds us, “We love him, because he first loved us.” As we better experience His love, we love Him even more and, very naturally, better follow His example of loving and caring for those around us. With every righteous movement toward Him, we see Him more clearly. We adore Him, and we try in our small ways to emulate Him.

What does it mean to immerse something? How can we more completely immerse ourselves in Jesus’s life, teachings, majesty, power and atoning sacrifice?

Make Covenants with the Lord

Next, as we better know and love the Savior, we desire even more to promise Him our allegiance and trust. We make covenants with Him. We begin with our promises at baptism, and we confirm these promises and others as we repent daily, ask for forgiveness, and eagerly anticipate receiving the sacrament each week. We pledge to “always remember him and keep his commandments.”

In what ways is keeping covenants a characteristic of being a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Can you think of examples from the scriptures of people who have kept covenants and what the consequences were?

Making and keeping covenants allows the love of the Savior to sink more deeply into our heart. In this month’s Liahona, President Russell M. Nelson said: “[Our] covenant[s] will lead us closer and closer to Him. … God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him.” And as President Nelson said so beautifully this morning, “With the dedication of each new temple, additional godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and counteracts the intensifying efforts of the adversary.”

How have you seen your covenants bring you closer to the Saviour?

Safeguard the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Finally, my third thought: in this sacred quest, we treasure, protect, defend, and safeguard the gift of the Holy Ghost. Both President M. Russell Ballard earlier and Elder Kevin W. Pearson just moments ago spoke of President Nelson’s prophetic warning that I will repeat again: “It will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” It is a gift beyond price. We do our very best to protect our daily experiences so the influence of the Holy Ghost remains with us. We are a light to the world, and when necessary, we willingly choose to be different from others. President Dallin H. Oaks recently asked young adults: “Do [you] ‘dare to be different?’ … [Especially] important … are the choices you are making in your personal life. … Are you going forward against the world’s opposition?”

What actions can we take to heed President Nelson’s warning that it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the constant influence of the Holy Ghost?

Choose to Be Different from the World

President Nelson said, “Yes, you are living in the world, but you have very different standards from the world to help you avoid the stain of the world.”

What is the stain of the world? How do we avoid it?

The Promise of Eternal Life and Celestial Glory

…It is a wondrous journey to be wheat among the tares, sometimes fraught with heartache but always calmed by the maturing and assuring settling of our faith. 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. And the Savior promises us: “I [will] gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory.” In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

How do you feel about the blessings promised by Elder Andersen? What do you need to do to claim them?

NB: Passages in italics are direct quotes from Elder Andersen’s address.