General Conference Applied
S5 E11 – Sunday, May 18, 2025 | “Cherishing Life” by Elder Neil L. Andersen; April 2025 General Conference
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Podcast Episode Outline
Introduction
Bio
- What I Learned from Traveling with an Apostle | An Interview with Parker Walbeck:
- [Parker Walbeck] “[Elder Andersen] constantly quoted the Prophet. So you would think … he’s an apostle, … he has authority, so he can just stand on his own two legs, and whatever he says is scripture, and, you know, there’s a lot of truth to that. But I was shocked at how many of the words that came out of his mouth was: ‘the Prophet teaches this, the Prophet said that, the Prophet’, like, he would always start these sentences with just repeating what our living Prophet is telling us to do.
“So I thought that was really interesting, that I was kind of expecting him to be his own source of wealth of knowledge, and he is, but he was deferring to that authority of the prophetic mantle a lot, even as an apostle. Which I think is just a really good example of humility, even as somebody as wise and knowledgeable in the gospel as he is, to follow the Prophet, and not think we know better than him. Which I think is a common thing in the church. It’s like, well, he’s old and outdated, so I know more than he knows. Like, that’s a common thing that I hear people saying. I don’t believe that. But it’s just cool seeing somebody who would have every reason to say, I know a lot, to defer to the Prophet’s wisdom.”
- [Parker Walbeck] “[Elder Andersen] constantly quoted the Prophet. So you would think … he’s an apostle, … he has authority, so he can just stand on his own two legs, and whatever he says is scripture, and, you know, there’s a lot of truth to that. But I was shocked at how many of the words that came out of his mouth was: ‘the Prophet teaches this, the Prophet said that, the Prophet’, like, he would always start these sentences with just repeating what our living Prophet is telling us to do.
- This was Elder Andersen’s 38th general conference address. His most recent address was “The Triumph of Hope” from the October 2024 General Conference.
Invitations
- “Turn to [God] with a humble and repentant heart.”
- In our own words: Turn to God in humility.
- Christlike Attribute: “My prayers are earnest and sincere. (Enos 1:4)” (Humility)
- “[4] And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.”
- Clay Application:
- Mitch Application: Study and journal about the Christlike attribute of Humility in Preach My Gospel chapter 6.
- “When a woman and a man are in such a fragile time, facing a crucial choice, our words, our hands, our hearts—spiritually, emotionally, and financially—can bless them to feel the Savior’s love. … May we share our love even more abundantly with those who need us so desperately.”
- In our own words: Others do not need our judgment, they need our love.
- Christlike Attribute: “I reach out in love to help those who are lonely, struggling, or discouraged. (Mosiah 18:9)” (Charity and Love)
- “[9] Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.”
- Clay Application:
- Mitch Application: Journal about the many concerns and challenges that can “lead a thoughtful woman to take steps that will bring deep pain and regret”.
- “Nurturing and protecting life that is yet unborn is not a political position. It is a moral law confirmed by the Lord through His prophets. … As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cherish life.”
- In our own words: The injunction to love others as Jesus Christ has loved them includes the life of the unborn.
- Christlike Attribute: “I do not lower my standards or behavior so I can impress or be accepted by others. (1 Nephi 8:24–28)” (Integrity)
- “[24] And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. [25] And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. [26] And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. [27] And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. [28] And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.”
- Clay Application:
- Mitch Application: “Church members may appropriately choose to participate in efforts to protect life.” Become more informed about these efforts.
- “Let us speak more often with faith and compassion to our youth in our homes, and with each other in our Relief Society and elders quorum meetings, about the Lord’s law of chastity, the sanctity of life, and the care of the unborn and their mothers.”
- In our own words: Our youth need to learn about the Lord’s law of chastity from us, not from unknown and potentially misinformed other sources.
- Christlike Attribute: “I feel confident in my understanding of gospel doctrine and principles. (Alma 17:2–3)” (Knowledge)
- “[2] Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. [3] But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.”
- Clay Application:
- Mitch Application: Share this invitation with my elders quorum presidency and suggest that we prioritize discussing Elder Andersen’s address in a future elders quorum meeting.
Discussion Questions
- What is the Lord, through Elder Andersen, inviting us to do?
- Have we ever considered the many concerns and challenges that can “lead a thoughtful woman to take steps that will bring deep pain and regret”?
- Can we both belong to a political party that supports abortion and still “cherish life as disciples of Jesus Christ”?
- What can we learn from the words of President Dallin H. Oaks that Elder Andersen shared in the body of his address and the words of President Russell M. Nelson that Elder Andersen shared in footnote 10?
- In what ways can we “speak more often with faith and compassion to our youth in our homes, and with each other in our Relief Society and elders quorum meetings, about the Lord’s law of chastity, the sanctity of life, and the care of the unborn and their mothers”?
External Resources Referenced In This Episode
- Elder Neil L. Andersen, “The Divine Gift of Forgiveness“:
- “On one occasion, I was in a country far away, speaking a language that was not my native tongue. I was to meet a man and interview him on behalf of the First Presidency of the Church, for the restoration of his priesthood and temple blessings. After his marriage in the Holy Temple, and after three wonderful children had entered into their family, the man, very sadly, was unfaithful to his wife. A single young lady became pregnant with his child. The young lady desired an abortion. The noble wife of this unrighteous man pleaded with the young lady not to abort the baby, and promised that she would take the child once he was born and raise him with her own children. It had been more than ten years since the man’s name had been withdrawn from the records of the Church.
“I met the family. Normally, the husband and wife would come alone to meet with the General Authority, but on this occasion, the father and mother brought their children with them. As I reviewed the report on what had happened over the past many years, I was so saddened by the great selfishness of this man many years previous, and I truly marveled at the goodness of this righteous wife and mother.
“I asked first to speak to this remarkable woman. She was full of love and faith. The pain and sadness were years in the past. She loved the boy as her own, and desired to have him sealed to her and her husband, becoming part of their eternal family. She had found the strength, through her undaunted faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, to forgive her husband and pray that he could return with her to the house of the Lord. She described how her husband had humbly tried for a decade, in every way he possibly could, to make amends and to love and care for her and the family. The man had been rebaptized some years previous to our visit. When he came in the room with me, though it had been ten years, he was still full of remorse, and his tears were unending. He had watched his wife suffer. He had watched her take up her cross daily and follow the Savior. He loved her for her willingness to love him and their beautiful family.
“After establishing his worthiness and inviting his precious wife back in the room, I placed my hands upon his head and, with the approval of the First Presidency, restored his priesthood blessings and temple ordinances. Tears flowed freely as we felt the absolute power of the Savior’s love and mercy for this man, for this noble woman of God, and for their children, including the ten-year-old boy.
“Could this woman, who had been so wronged, be so forgiving and embracing? Miraculously, she was. Could the young boy, now ten years old, who could have been a constant reminder of the unfaithfulness of her husband, be so accepted and loved? Miraculously, he most certainly was. Could this man, who had done such wrong, be clean and forgiven? Yes. In that moment, I knew he was. I felt it powerfully and unquestionably as my hands were upon his head, sharing a blessing from God. How could it possibly be? I humbly witness, as one who knows, that it is only through the all-powerful gift of the Savior’s Atonement, only through the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ, and only by his incomparable gift of redeeming love and forgiveness. This is the miracle of forgiveness.”
- “On one occasion, I was in a country far away, speaking a language that was not my native tongue. I was to meet a man and interview him on behalf of the First Presidency of the Church, for the restoration of his priesthood and temple blessings. After his marriage in the Holy Temple, and after three wonderful children had entered into their family, the man, very sadly, was unfaithful to his wife. A single young lady became pregnant with his child. The young lady desired an abortion. The noble wife of this unrighteous man pleaded with the young lady not to abort the baby, and promised that she would take the child once he was born and raise him with her own children. It had been more than ten years since the man’s name had been withdrawn from the records of the Church.
- Official Statement, “Abortion“:
- “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life. Therefore, the Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience, and counsels its members not to submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions.
“The Church allows for possible exceptions for its members when:
“Pregnancy results from rape or incest, or
“A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or
“A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.
“Even these exceptions do not automatically justify abortion. Abortion is a most serious matter. It should be considered only after the persons responsible have received confirmation through prayer. Members may counsel with their bishops as part of this process.
“The Church’s position on this matter remains unchanged. As states work to enact laws related to abortion, Church members may appropriately choose to participate in efforts to protect life and to preserve religious liberty.”
- “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life. Therefore, the Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience, and counsels its members not to submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions.
- President Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial!“, October 2023 General Conference:
- “Thinking celestial will also help you obey the law of chastity. Few things will complicate your life more quickly than violating this divine law. For those who have made covenants with God, immorality is one of the quickest ways to lose your testimony.”
What will you do?
How will you take action on the invitations extended in this General Conference address?
Conclusion
The focus of our next podcast episode will be the April 2025 General Conference address that was delivered by Elder Ronald A. Rasband and was entitled “Right Before Our Eyes.”
As we conclude this episode, we would invite you to refer to the podcast episode details for this podcast episode where we have provided important information for connecting with us and further supporting the General Conference Applied Podcast. The best ways to help us are to like and subscribe to the podcast, to share the podcast with others, and to like and share our content on social media.
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Tags
Abortion | Children | Family | Love
Additional Content
Previous Podcast Episode (Non-General Conference Applied – April 2025)
Next Podcast Episode (“Right Before Our Eyes” by Elder Ronald A. Rasband)