Last updated on September 7th, 2025 at 01:28 pm
General Conference Applied
S5 E44 – Thursday, September 4, 2025 | “Beware the Second Temptation” by Elder Scott D. Whiting; April 2025 General Conference
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Podcast Episode Outline
Introduction
As we begin this podcast episode, if you have not recently listened to or read [Insert Speaker]’s April 2025 General Conference address, please pause this podcast episode and go review [his/her] address.
Bio
- “Elder Scott D. Whiting was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2012. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America West Area. He has served as President of the Asia North Area and is currently serving in the Europe North Area Presidency.
“Elder Whiting has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Japan Tokyo North Mission, elders quorum president, bishop, stake Young Men president, high councilor, stake president, and Area Seventy.
“Elder Whiting received a bachelor’s degree in Japanese and a juris doctor degree. He worked as a lawyer and as an executive in various real estate investment companies based in Hawaii. Elder Whiting has been active in civic affairs, serving as a member of both the Aloha Council and Far East Council executive boards of the Boy Scouts of America and as chairman of the LDS-BSA Relations Committee in Hawaii and the Far East. He has also served as a member of the Brigham Young University–Hawaii School of Business executive advisory board and the board of Hawaii Reserves, Inc.
“Scott Duane Whiting was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 1, 1961. He married Jeri Olson in April 1984. They are the parents of five children.” - This was Elder Whiting’s 2nd general conference address. His most recent address was “Becoming like Him” from the October 2020 General Conference.
Invitations
- “As we progress in our maturity and understanding, we hope that our strength to avoid first temptations will continually improve as we strive to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
- In our own words: Have hope that you’ll get better at resisting temptations as you work to be more Christlike.
- Application Idea #1: Complete the Christlike Attribute Activity in Preach My Gospel chapter six, identify one Christlike attribute that needs improvement, and set specific goals to improve.
- “The accuser, as he is called in the book of Revelation, will tempt you with thoughts that sound like this: ‘You aren’t strong enough to change your life; you can’t do this; you don’t belong with these people; they will never accept you; you are too weak.’ If these thoughts seem to ring true to you who are newly planted on the covenant path, we plead with you not to heed the accuser’s voice.“
- In our own words: Don’t listen to those who would pull you off the covenant path.
- Application Idea #1: At the conclusion of each day for the next week, reflect on the words you used when speaking to others. Did you words edify, inspire, and strengthen? Or did they demean, deflate, and weaken? Set specific goals to improve your language. Then, at the conclusion of each day for the following week, reflect on any improvements you have made.
- “President Russell M. Nelson has taught that ‘overcoming the world is not an event that happens in a day or two. It happens over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ. We cultivate faith in Jesus Christ by repenting daily and keeping covenants that endow us with power. We stay on the covenant path and are blessed with spiritual strength, personal revelation, increasing faith, and the ministering of angels.'”
- In our own words: Repent daily.
- Application Idea #1: Write in your journal about what it means to you to “repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ.” You might also consider this statement from President Russell M. Nelson’s October 2021 General Conference address “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation“: “Should distance, health challenges, or other constraints prohibit your temple attendance for a season, I invite you to set a regular time to rehearse in your mind the covenants you have made.”
- Application Idea #2: Check out Elder Christofferson’s YouTube video
- “Don’t hide from those who will love and support you; rather, run to them. Good bishops, branch presidents, and leaders can help you access the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To those who may be in hiding, we implore you to come back. You need what the gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ offer, and we need what you offer. God knows your sins; you cannot hide from Him. Reconcile yourself before Him. … Beware this second temptation! Follow the counsel of prophets both ancient and modern and know that you cannot hide from a loving Father. Instead, avail yourself of the miraculous healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
- In our own words: Don’t hide from God or His servants when you sin. “Run to them” and start down the path of repentance.
- Application Idea #1: Learn more about repentance. For example, study Repentance in Gospel Topics and Questions (Overview | Gospel Study Guide). Or consider reading “The Miracle of Forgiveness” by President Spencer W. Kimball, “The Divine Gift of Forgiveness” by Elder Neil L. Andersen, and/or “We Can Do Better and Be Better” (April 2019 General Conference) by President Russell M. Nelson.
- Clay Application: Don’t hide anything from God in my prayers. Be humble, honest, and open with Him. Include my insecurities and especially anything for which I fear a heavenly reprimand. Have a notebook with me. Though my Heavenly Father might need to “reprove me with sharpness” on occasion, more often than not his reaction is like the prodigal son’s father – putting a robe on my shoulders, ring on my finger, and preparing a joyous feast, all because I’ve sought His counsel on difficult things and am committed to listen and act on what He says.
- Nate Application: Be more intentional about daily repentance.
- “As His Saints, each of us must foster a culture of belonging in the Church that is loving, accepting, and encouraging of all who desire to progress along His path.” [To new converts and others who struggle with maintaining worthy lifestyle changes:] We love you… We accept you… At a time when you need our love and support the most, don’t be deceived into thinking that we will reject you if you take a step back into your prior lifestyle.”
- In our own words: As members of the Church, create a culture of belonging, acceptance, and non-judgment. Make sure that all members of our wards and branches know that they are wanted and needed.
- Application Idea #1: As members, check your heart on this one. Be honest whether you have any unkind or judgmental feelings toward anyone in your ward who isn’t living the gospel fully. Do you love them? Do you accept them? Would you reject a family member, friend, or neighbor if you found out they’d given in to temptation? The wrong answers to those questions is why so many people have upset feelings toward the church. They’ve felt unwanted by a person and wrongly believed they’re unwanted by all of us. Spend honest time seeking charity and studying the atonement. Consider The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, by Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Application Idea #2: Elder David A. Bednar, May 10, 2005, BYU Devotional, “‘Quick to Observe’“: “Before attending her sacrament meetings, Sister Bednar frequently prays for the spiritual eyes to see those who have a need. Often as she observes the brothers and sisters and children in the congregation, she will feel a spiritual nudge to visit with or make a phone call to a particular person. And when Sister Bednar receives such an impression, she promptly responds and obeys. It often is the case that as soon as the ‘amen’ is spoken in the benediction, she will talk with a teenager or hug a sister or, upon returning home, immediately pick up the phone and make a call. As long as I have known Sister Bednar, people have marveled at her capacity to discern and respond to their needs. Often they will ask her, ‘How did you know?’ The spiritual gift of being quick to observe has enabled her to see and to act promptly and has been a great blessing in the lives of many people.” For the next four weeks, pray “for the spiritual eyes to see those who have a need” before attending Sacrament Meeting. Then courageously take action on any impressions that come.
- Mitch Application: For the next four weeks, pray “for the spiritual eyes to see those who have a need” before attending Sacrament Meeting. Then courageously take action on any impressions that come.
Discussion Questions
- What is the Lord, through Elder Whiting, inviting us to do? And how do we intend to take action?
- Elder Whiting stated: “I have reflected on that experience many times. I can now laugh at the folly of my youth, even as some underlying principles have become clear to me.” Have you reflected on any childhood experiences recently? Or ever?
- How might this statement from Elder Whiting help you remain active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even when you have questions that don’t seem to be answered: “A dear friend of mine, a recent convert, shared how difficult it is to sustain faith in isolation. There is great strength in becoming and remaining part of a supportive community—all stumbling yet progressing while blessed by the love of Jesus Christ.”
- Consider the interactions you are currently having with the other members of your ward or branch. How might you better “foster a culture of belonging … that is loving, accepting, and encouraging of all who desire to progress along [God’s] path”?
- Elder Whiting concludes his address by speaking of “the very purpose of our existence”. Did anything in this section surprise you as being included as part of “the very purpose of our existence”?
External Resources Referenced In This Episode
- Clay bio materials
- Elder Christofferson video
- Elder Roman address and episode
- Jared Halverson Unshaken Saints
- President Nelson ham radio
- President Monson pigeons
- The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin
- Searching for Bobby Fisher
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
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 Applications – Return and Report: Elder Giménez, Elder Román, and Elder Boom.
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, to like and share our content on social media, to share your own experiences with us on social media, and especially to contact us on our website.
Please remember that General Conference Applied is meant to be a supplement for your review of General Conference Addresses. We promise that you will get more out of each General Conference Applied episode when you study the General Conference address first.
Thank you for joining us in this effort to become doers of the word and to take action on general conference invitations.
Tags
Adam and Eve | Atonement | Repentance | Sin | Temptation
Additional Content
Previous Podcast Episode (“Charity — A Sign of True Discipleship” by Elder Michael B. Strong)