Last updated on September 3rd, 2025 at 10:11 am
General Conference Applied
S5 E32 – Sunday, July 27, 2025 | “Faith: A Bond of Trust and Loyalty” by Elder Sandino Roman; 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 Elder Roman’s April 2025 General Conference address, please pause this podcast episode and go review his address.
Bio
- “Elder Sandino Roman was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2024 general conference. At the time of his call, he had been serving as president of the Ecuador Quito North Mission.
“Elder Roman has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the México Torreón Mission, elders quorum president, bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, and Area Seventy.
“Elder Roman received a bachelor of science degree in computer systems from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in 2000, a master of business administration degree from Brigham Young University in 2006, and a master’s degree in operations management from OBS Business School in 2022. He has worked as a marketing manager for Johnson & Johnson and for the Church as the manager of the México Area Support Services Office.
“Prometeo Sandino Roman Corral was born in Iguala, Guerrero, México, on August 7, 1973. He married Guadalupe Villanueva Rojas in 1998. They are the parents of four children.” - This was Elder Roman’s first general conference address.
Invitations
- “What does it mean to have faith in Christ? Does it mean we believe in Him or have a testimony that He is real? That may be a start, but it’s more than that. Have you ever thought of faith as trust? Think of the person you trust the most—perhaps a family member or a friend. Why do you trust them? It is probably because you have seen their constant love and help.”
- In our own words: To learn what it means to have faith in Christ, think of the person or people you trust most in life, and strive to better understand why you trust them.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Journal on this topic: ‘Do others see me as someone who can be trusted? If not, why not? If so, why?’
- “[R]ecognize [Jesus Christ’s] blessings and develop a relationship of trust with Him. … Believe and trust in Jesus Christ.“
- In our own words: Recognize Jesus Christ’s blessings in your life, believe Him, and develop a relationship of trust with Him.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: President Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again“, October 2024 General Conference: “I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” Recommit to this invitation from the Lord’s prophet.
- “In a recent youth devotional, you were invited to meditate on a time in your life when you received a ray of heavenly light. Try this exercise!
- “Start by meditating about Christ and the happiness His Atonement and gospel bring to your life. Also, make a record of the ‘spiritually defining memories’ where God has been there for you, for your loved ones, and for the people in the scriptures. Now, these testimonies will not bring power to your life until the Spirit etches them in the ‘fleshy tables’ of your heart. So ponder and record all God set in motion for these miracles to come at just the right time.
“Next, use this exercise as an opportunity to get closer to God. Pray to your Heavenly Father as if it were the first time. Express your love and gratitude for His blessings. Even ask Him how He feels about you and about the direction your life is taking.” - In our own words: Try the following exercise: 1) Meditate about Christ and the happiness His Atonement and gospel bring to your life. 2) Make a record of the ‘spiritually defining memories’ where God has been there for you, for your loved ones, and for the people in the scriptures. 3) Ponder and record all God set in motion for miracles to come at just the right time in your life. 4) Pray to your Heavenly Father as if it were the first time and ask Him how He feels about you and about the direction your life is taking.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Elder Quentin L. Cook, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ Provides the Ultimate Rescue“, April 2025 General Conference: “[S]et aside consistent time to faithfully contemplate the Savior’s Atonement.” Recommit to this invitation from Elder Cook.
- Clay Application: Try the “ray of heavenly light” exercise
- “Start by meditating about Christ and the happiness His Atonement and gospel bring to your life. Also, make a record of the ‘spiritually defining memories’ where God has been there for you, for your loved ones, and for the people in the scriptures. Now, these testimonies will not bring power to your life until the Spirit etches them in the ‘fleshy tables’ of your heart. So ponder and record all God set in motion for these miracles to come at just the right time.
- “Notice that faith sprouts as we trust in Jesus Christ and blooms as we are faithful and loyal to Him. If you want a true relationship with Christ, show Him by making covenants and honoring them with faithfulness and loyalty. … [C]ommit to being loyal to [Jesus Christ].“
- In our own words: Commit to being loyal to Jesus Christ by making covenants and honoring them with faithfulness and loyalty.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Worship“, April 2025 General Conference: “For the penitent, partaking of the sacrament is the highlight of Sabbath worship.” Commit to this ideal, making the focus of each Sabbath day the partaking of the sacrament.
- “[F]aith in Jesus Christ is a bond of trust forged in loyalty and love. In other words, in gratitude for God’s merciful love (hesed), we show our loyal love (emunah) by keeping His commandments.”
- In our own words: Be grateful for God’s merciful love by showing our loyal love for Him by keeping His commandments. This will forge a bond of trust.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Ponder and then journal about the following passage from “The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life” by Terryl and Fiona Givens: “[Read Quote]
- “[H]ow should you respond to such adverse situations that require His miracles? While challenges are inevitable and sometimes frightening, simply walk undaunted toward Him, just as the 2025 FSY conference theme invites: ‘Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.'”
- In our own words: While facing adverse situations that require Christ’s miracles, apply the 2025 FSY theme: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Journal on this topic: ‘What are my fears that are causing me to doubt the Lord’s power in my life?’
- “Imagine that you are an explorer in uncharted territory. To overcome the obstacles ahead, you need a source of light. Your faithfulness to God and your constant interactions with Him are the fuel for your lantern. So when you encounter dark and perilous situations, instead of walking toward them blindly, you will turn on your lamp filled with the oil of faith in Christ to shed glimmers of hope on the uncertain path.”
- In our own words: Be faithful to God, constantly interact with Him, and reflect on past experiences to increase your hope that the Lord will help you through your journey’s challenges.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Study and then journal about President Steven J. Lund’s September 20, 2022, BYU Devotional entitled “Flashes of Light“.
- Mitch Application: Study and then journal about President Steven J. Lund’s September 20, 2022, BYU Devotional entitled “Flashes of Light“.
- “Our faith must be centered in Christ and our hope in His blessings, as He chooses to send them. ‘Expect miracles,’ but ‘let God prevail in our lives.'”
- In our own words: Center your faith in Christ and your hope in His blessings. Expect miracles, but let God prevail.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Study and journal about the two addresses referenced by Elder Roman in this section (footnotes 26 and 27): 1) President Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum“, April 2022 General Conference; 2) President Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail“, October 2020 General Conference.
- “I invite you to begin today to nurture your relationship with Jesus Christ. Make a commitment to never forsake Him.”
- In our own words: Begin today to nurture your relationship with Jesus Christ. Make a commitment to never forsake Him.
- Application Idea #1:
- Application Idea #2: Elder S. Mark Palmer, “‘Return unto Me … That I May Heal You’“, April 2025 General Conference: “When some of Jesus’s followers in Capernaum found His teachings hard and chose to leave, He turned to His Apostles and asked, ‘Will ye also go away?’ This is the question we each must answer as we face our individual times of testing. Peter’s response to Jesus is timeless and resounding: ‘To whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'” Consider creating a document which answers the Savior’s question (i.e., “Will ye also go away?”). Then save this document in a place that you can easily reference “as [you] face [your] individual times of testing”.
Discussion Questions
External Resources Referenced In This Episode
- Clay bio materials
- The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
- The Integrity Advantage
- Elder Cook April 2025 address
- Elder Cook April 2025 GCA episode and return and report episode
- President Eyring April 2025 GCA episode and return and report episode
- Elder Christofferson April 2025 GCA address
- The Last Supper and Peter denying the Savior three times
- Lehi’s dream (1 Nephi 8)
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: in the thick of thin things
- Peter walking on the water
- President Steven J. Lund BYU devotional
- Thirteen Lives movie
- Thirteen Lives documentary on YouTube (Thai Cave Rescue)
- The Lord of the Rings – Aragorn
- Hope: Guide to the Scriptures
- Hope: Preach My Gospel
- Elder Bednar: “but if not”
- President Nelson: The Power of Spiritual Momentum
- President Nelson: Let God Prevail
- Elder Palmer April 2025 address
- Elder Palmer April 2025 GCA episode
- Elder Holland April 2009 None Were With Him
- President Uchtdorf Sleeping Through the Restoration
- Elder Ballard 2016 To Whom Shall We Go
- Clayton M. Christensen 100% obedient
- Elder Cook social media
- Elder Christofferson “Fathers”
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 June 2025 General Conference+ Part Two resources that were delivered by members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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
Adversity | Faith | Hope | Jesus Christ | Loyalty | Prayer | Trust
Additional Content
Next Podcast Episode (June 2025 General Conference+ Part Two)