Jeffrey R. Holland on peace through conference teachings

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (b. 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"A general conference of this Church is a remarkable occasion indeed—it is an institutional declaration that the heavens are open, that divine guidance is as real today as it was for the ancient house of Israel, that God our Heavenly Father loves us and speaks His will through a living prophet....

"Peace and good tidings; good tidings and peace. These are among the ultimate blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings a troubled world and the troubled people who live in it, solutions to personal struggles and human sinfulness, a source of strength for days of weariness and hours of genuine despair. This entire general conference and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which convenes it declare that it is the Only Begotten Son of God Himself who gives us this help and this hope. Such assurance is as 'firm as the mountains around us.'"

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom," Ensign, Nov. 1996, pp. 82-84
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Holland expresses the joy and anticipation that we feel as we anticipate the blessing of a Conference weekend—"a remarkable occasion indeed." This is a beautiful expression of the feelings of peace and joy that accompany this event, for those whose hearts are open and prepared.

 And the greatest message of all is that the "Son of God Himself" is the one who provides the inspiration that will bring "solutions to personal struggles and... a source of strength for days of weariness and hours of genuine despair." Prepare to be refreshed and reinforced!