In an address to European young adults from 24 countries, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited those in attendance to follow the counsel of living prophets and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as they navigate an increasingly complex world.
Elder Gilbert spoke during the One-by-One Young Adult Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Lancashire, England. The conference brought together around 1,500 young adults from across Europe for a weekend of worship, service and friendship.
Drawing on remarks by President Dallin H. Oaks earlier this year, Elder Gilbert emphasised the importance of prophetic guidance in an age where truth is increasingly challenged and distorted.
Quoting teachings from both President Oaks and President Russell M. Nelson, he reminded attendees that spiritual strength requires the ongoing influence of the Holy Ghost.
Using the analogy of brightly illuminated lights that others insist are switched off, Elder Gilbert explained that repeated exposure to falsehoods can cause people to question truths they once knew with certainty.
“You will need the Holy Ghost to quietly witness to you, ‘It is true. The light is on. What you believe is real and you can count on it,’” he taught.
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Stay Anchored in Jesus Christ
Elder Gilbert said that prophetic counsel provides practical principles for remaining spiritually grounded. Chief among them is developing a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Whatever doubts you may have, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Saviour, Jesus Christ,” he said.
He encouraged young adults to strengthen their faith through service, explaining that one of the most effective ways to draw nearer to the Saviour is to minister to others as He did.
“If you have fears or concerns or anxieties, or even doubts, and you want them to lessen or resolve or go away, start by serving other people the way the Saviour would.”
Elder Gilbert shared the experience of one of his daughters, who explained that some of her strongest spiritual impressions had come through serving others.
“If you want to know if the Church is true, serve other people,” Elder Gilbert said. “Because when you do, you will see that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are active in their lives. They know them. And they will talk to you as you try to serve other people.
“As you serve other people, you will feel God and Jesus Christ working in the lives of these other people… You will feel [The Holy Ghost], and you will know they are there. And you will believe.”
Seek Trusted Sources
Elder Gilbert also encouraged young adults to seek counsel from faithful and trusted sources, particularly when facing questions or uncertainty.
Quoting President Oaks, he urged participants to “seek friends and associates who are striving to follow the Lord, with whom you can feel the Spirit and reinforce your faith.”
Reflecting on the One-by-One conference that has brought together around 1,500 young adults from 24 countries, Elder Gilbert acknowledged the strength that comes from gathering with fellow believers.
“This isn't going to happen every week,” he said. “You're not going to walk into work next week or into university next week and everyone around you feels like this. But you can remember what you felt this weekend.”
He encouraged attendees to remain connected to faithful friends and to continue building spiritual strength through worship, service and participation in Church activities.
Have Faith and Be Patient
Addressing questions and concerns that many young adults encounter, Elder Gilbert taught that faith requires both humility and patience.
He assured young adults that sincere questions are important and testified that answers come through continued discipleship and trust in the Lord.
“Every faithful question, in time, will be answered.”
Quoting President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Gilbert taught that lasting happiness is found through Jesus Christ rather than through the changing values of the world.
“The truth is, it is much more exhausting to seek happiness where you can never find it,” he said. “When you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world, He, and He alone, has the power to lift you above the pull of this world.”
He continued, “I can promise you, with the most clarity I know how to give, you will be happier and have more meaning throughout your life if you will hold on to the truths you know.”
Young Adults Reflect on Apostle’s Remarks
For many young adults in attendance, Elder Gilbert's message resonated with the realities of living and sharing their faith in Europe.
Emily, from Billingham, England, said one of the strongest messages for her was the repeated invitation to follow the prophet and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
“One thing that stood out to me was how much emphasis there was on following the prophet and having the Holy Ghost,” she said. “It really reinforced how important that constant companionship is in our lives.”
For Josva from Denmark, Elder Gilbert's analogy of a crowd insisting that a brightly illuminated light was switched off provided a powerful reminder of the importance of holding on to truth.
“The example of the light really stood out to me,” he said. “Sometimes it can feel like everybody around you is telling you something isn't true, even when you know it is. The way he explained it made so much sense to me.”
Josva added that the devotional strengthened his desire to serve a mission.
“His message just made me so motivated to go on a mission,” he said. “So now, I feel like I should go on a mission, because I've not served a mission yet, I got my papers, but I've not finished them, but now I'll go and finish them for sure. And that's because of [what I heard today].”
Erin, from Leicester, England, was particularly touched by Elder Gilbert's message about the happiness and purpose that comes through discipleship.
“I loved when Elder Gilbert talked about how being involved in church brings greater happiness,” she said. “It was encouraging to hear that faith and church participation genuinely help people find greater meaning and joy in life.”
Romina, a young adult from Switzerland, said Elder Gilbert's invitation to stay close to faithful friends particularly spoke to her.
“When he spoke about staying close to people you trust and who believe, it really resonated with me,” she said. “That's one of the reasons we're willing to travel from so many different countries to be here. It reminded me how important it is to stay connected to people who strengthen your faith.”
Reflecting on the conference experience, she added: “Singing together and worshipping together made me feel such peace. It reminded me that we're not alone.”
‘We Have a Prophet in the Land’
Elder Gilbert was accompanied by his wife, Sister Christine Gilbert, who shared a message centred on what she described as the spiritual pattern for navigating life.
Drawing on Doctrine and Covenants 52, she taught that the Lord provides patterns to help His children avoid deception and remain anchored in truth.
“The pattern is this: first, always, always, always follow the living prophet,” she said. “Second, along with following the prophet, do everything you can do to keep the Holy Ghost with you, always.”
Sister Gilbert testified that following living prophets has guided her throughout every stage of life and encouraged young adults to make prophetic counsel a foundation for their own decisions.
“I invite you now to choose to always look toward the prophet,” she said. “A trusted leader, a guide, a watchman on a tower, and someone who sees around corners and can help you know what is ahead.”
She also encouraged participants to cultivate the companionship of the Holy Ghost through prayer, scripture study, regular worship and temple attendance.
“We don't need to fear,” she said. “We have a prophet in the land. As we look to our living prophet and study and follow the counsel that he is giving, we can trust him to help us know what God would have us do.”
‘You Are the Hope of Israel’
Concluding his remarks, Elder Gilbert bore testimony of Jesus Christ and the divine role of living prophets.
“We have a living prophet on the earth today,” he said. “This is the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. It is Christ’s Church.”
As an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Gilbert offered a blessing upon the young adults gathered and expressed confidence in their future.
“I bless you with the gift of faith,” he said. “The things you have felt this weekend will become an anchor to you in the coming years.”
He concluded with a message of encouragement and hope:
“You are the very hope of Israel.”
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |