Brief summary

President Oaks’s central message is that Jesus Christ and His gospel are for every person, everywhere. The invitation to “come unto Christ” is universal, and the Saviour’s Atonement and grace are available to all who exercise faith, repent, and follow Him.

Key quotes and questions to ponder

‘We all have present or future concerns or struggles we are trying to overcome. Those may include questions or doubts. Whatever they are, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.’ (Paragraph 5)

When we have doubts where should we turn?
How can we get closer to the Saviour?

‘Strong faith requires more than strong desire. It means daily trying, one step at a time, with prayer and scriptural learning.’ (Paragraph 5)

What am I doing regularly to develop faith?

‘We are all a work in progress. We are all at different places on what President Russell M. Nelson called “the covenant path.” We need to be patient with one another and, occasionally, even with ourselves. Overcoming uncertainty and doubt—which may include resolving conflicts between the evolving understanding of science and the sometimes incomplete teachings of religion—can be a lengthy process. It involves building faith and strengthening humility.’ (Paragraph 6)

How patient am I with people whose faith is at a different stage to mine?

‘I urge you to keep the commandments and be true to the covenants so many of you have made to guide you along the covenant path. Never let your secular learning limit your spiritual horizons.’ (Paragraph 7)

In what ways can secular learning limit our spiritual horizons? How can we guard against this?

‘We are grateful to know that there are two methods of gaining needed knowledge: (1) the evolving disclosures of man through the scientific method and digital information, which may be inaccurate, and (2) the truths discovered through the spiritual method, which begins with faith in God and relies on scriptures, inspired teaching, and personal revelation. There is no ultimate conflict between knowledge obtained by these different methods because God, our omnipotent Eternal Father, knows all truth and expects us to learn by both methods.’ (Paragraph 8)

How should we handle any perceived conflict between scientific and spiritual truths?

‘Along the way we should work to draw closer to Jesus Christ by increasing our humility. President Spencer W. Kimball defined humility as “teachableness.” He explained: “Teachableness [is] an ability to realize that all virtues and abilities are not concentrated in one’s self.”’ (Paragraph 9)

How teachable am I?
Can I learn something from someone whose experience is very different from mine?

‘Other Book of Mormon teachings contradict the erroneous assertion that the grace of God saves only a chosen few. The Book of Mormon teaches that our Savior inviteth “all to come unto him … ; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” His grace is for all.’ (Paragraph 15)

Are there people of whom we unconsciously think ‘The Gospel is not for them’?

Invitations

‘Focus on developing your faith in God and the mission of His Son, Jesus Christ.’ (Paragraph 5)

‘Protect yourself with the weekly renewing of your covenants by partaking of the sacrament and with consistent efforts to live according to those sacred covenants. Those who have been endowed should include regular attendance at the temple.’ (Paragraph 10)

‘These promises from the Book of Mormon are true. Millions believe them and have had experiences to affirm their truth. I invite all to believe them.’ (Paragraph 16)

‘I call upon all to act on these truths and to share them with others that we may all draw closer to Jesus Christ, our Savior.’ (Paragraph 18)

Application

Come unto Christ.


Keep moving forward in faith, even when you don’t have all the answers.


Be teachable and patient with yourself and others.


Make the gospel genuinely welcoming to everyone.


Invite someone else to come unto Christ.

“What is one thing President Oaks is inviting me to do differently this week?

You can watch President Oaks’ talk here.

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