You can watch Elder Teh’s talk here.

From the Church website:

‘Elder Michael John U. Teh was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2007. At the time of his call, he was serving as a member of the Eighth Quorum of the Seventy and Second Counselor in the Philippines Area. He later served as Area President from 2011 to 2013.

During his time at Church headquarters, he served as an area assistant in the then North America Southwest Area, Assistant Executive Director in the Temple Department, and on various committees. Most recently, he served as a counselor in the Asia Area Presidency. He currently serves as Second Counselor in the Asia North Area Presidency.

Elder Teh has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Philippines Davao Mission, bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, counselor in a mission presidency, and president of the Taiwan Taichung Mission from July 2016 to June 2018.’

Elder Teh taught that following living prophets is one of the clearest ways we follow Jesus Christ. He emphasised that discipleship is not occasional but a continuous covenant commitment. Using experiences from his own family, ministering visits in Asia, and a simple experience with reflected sunlight in Hong Kong, he illustrated:

• the need to choose “gospel culture” over traditions that conflict with covenants,
• the strengthening power of the Savior’s Atonement during trials,
• and the role of prophets as watchmen who help prepare us for the future.

He testified that when we follow prophets, seers, and revelators, we are following the Savior Himself.

Key quotes

‘When my parents joined the Church, little did they know that they were embracing yet another set of values and traditions—even the gospel culture, based on the plan of salvation, God’s commandments, and the words of living prophets.’ (Paragraph 5)

‘…embracing gospel culture simply meant keeping our covenants.’ (Paragraph 7)

‘My intention was to minister to others. However, at the end of my visits, it felt like I was the one being ministered to.’ (Paragraph 12)

‘…when we strive to follow the Savior, He will use us to bless others. Through our example and service to others, they will feel the Savior’s love for them.’ (Paragraph 15)

‘It is interesting to me that some people would think that God’s prophets live in the past and are not attuned to the times. Everything I know of prophets is the opposite. They actually see into the future as watchmen on a tower.’ (Paragraph 17)

‘I testify that we are led today by a living prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks. He, along with the counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, are indeed prophets, seers, and revelators. I am grateful to have participated in the solemn assembly this morning. My dear brothers and sisters, especially you, my dear young friends, when we follow their teachings and examples, we are following our Savior, Jesus Christ.’ (Paragraph 19)

Questions to discuss or ponder

How can we ensure that our commitment to follow Christ does not become casual or occasional?  (Paragraph 3)

What traditions, habits, or attitudes today can compete with “gospel culture”? (Paragraphs 5 and 10)

How can we lovingly preserve family culture while still putting covenants first? (Paragraph 7)

Have you known people who have responded to tragedy in the same way as the Stake President in this story? How were they able to do it? (Paragraph 11)

What do you take from this story? (Paragraphs 14 and 15)

What does it mean that prophets are “watchmen on a tower”? (Paragraph 17)

Why do you think following prophets helps us follow Christ more fully? (Paragraph 19)

Scriptures to Pair with the Talk

Luke 18:22 — “Come, follow me.”

Mosiah 8:17 — Role of a seer

Matthew 5:14–16 — “Ye are the light of the world”

Ezekiel 33:7 — Watchman on the tower

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 — “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants”

Invitations and application

Consider whether your following of Jesus Christ is casual or committed.  (Paragraph 3)

Consider whether of your traditions are inconsistent with gospel culture. (Paragraph 5)

Consider whether you are a light to the world. (Paragraphs 14-16)

Review your most recent General Conference notes and identify one prophetic invitation to act on this month. (Paragraphs 17-19)

Additional Thoughts

‘Serving Him requires all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. See  Doctrine and Covenants 4:2 Consequently, selflessly serving others counteracts the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man. We grow to love those whom we serve. And because serving others is serving God, we grow to love Him and our brothers and sisters more deeply. Such love is a manifestation of the spiritual gift of charity, even the pure love of Christ.’ (David A Bednar, General Conference, October 2016)

“We continue to warn the people and plead with them, for we are watchmen upon the towers, and in our hands we have a trumpet which we must blow loudly and sound the alarm.” (Spencer W Kimball, General Conference, October 1975)

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