Elder Neil L. Andersen (born August 9, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009.
"My young brothers and sisters, how we love you, admire you, and pray for you. Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Helaman 7:9.)
"Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.
"Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.
"Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.
"Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.
"As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are—tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ’s glorious return.
"The Savior said, 'I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you' (John 14:18). This is His promise to you. I know this promise is real. I know that He lives."
- Neil A. Andersen, "Spiritual Whirlwinds," General Conference April 2014
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In this conference address, Elder Andersen spoke especially to the young people of the Church, giving them instruction and warning about the challenges we face in our time—particularly the "spiritual whirlwinds" that threaten to disrupt our lives. It becomes a critical time in the history of the world to "stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ." Elder Andersen gives these specific recommendations:
I love the promises that follow this invitation to act. Elder Andersen promises discernment to perceive the challenges of the world for what they really are. But then he also reminds us that as we continue faithful through the years, repeated confirmation will be given of the divine nature of the Savior and His role, and our foundation, built on Him, "will be solid and secure." There can be no better way to withstand the spiritual and temporal whirlwinds of our time!
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)
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