April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder Strong and Elder Whiting

Last updated on October 7th, 2025 at 09:54 pm

General Conference Applied

S5 E51 – Sunday, September 28, 2025 | April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder Strong and Elder Whiting; April 2025 General Conference

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Invitations

Elder Michael B. Strong – “Charity—a Sign of True Discipleship“

“To be the Lord’s disciples, we must intentionally imitate His thoughts and actions every day—for example, His obedience, humility, and patience.”
- Clay Application: I will complete the Christlike Attribute Activity in Preach My Gospel chapter six.
  - Observations:
    - Insightful, introspective questions in all 10 Categories that made me think
      - Categories: Faith, Hope, Charity and Love, Virtue, Integrity, Knowledge, Patience, Humility, Diligence, Obedience
      - “I think about the Savior during the day and remember what He has done for me. (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79)”
        
        This struck me as it was an outlier in an otherwise strong attribute for me (Faith). I discovered that I think about Christ when I’m actively doing gospel things (scripture study, GCA prep, temple), but He’s not on my mind enough during the day. I’ve got reminders of Him throughout the house in the form of paintings, figurines, even a ring I wear. However, too often when I look at those things, my mind drifts to frustration at my own shortfalls rather than love and gratitude for the Savior.
      - “I feel peaceful and optimistic about the future. (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23)”
        
        I tend to feel optimistic, but not peaceful – I trust it’ll all work out, but struggle to relax and be calm until it does. This tells me I need to work on the inner peace aspect of hope.
    - I also need to work on Patience and do better at planning and goal setting (under Diligence).
    - My wife was far more generous in her appraisal of me than I was of myself. It was very interesting to me though that without seeing my responses, she identified the same categories as strengths and weaknesses as I did, just with much higher scores.
“[Notice] the unspoken need and [act] in love.”
- Mitch Application: I will study Elder David A. Bednar’s May 10, 2005, BYU Devotional that was entitled “‘Quick to Observe’“. I will write in my journal about what I learned from this address, and then share what I learned with someone I love and/or on social media.
“I earnestly pray that we may follow President Nelson’s invitation to prioritize our discipleship. May we ‘pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart’ to ‘be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; … that when he shall appear we shall be like him.'”
- Landon Tracy Application: I will pray with a notebook beside me. I will specifically ask: “Who can I share Your love with today?” I will write down the names of those who God needs me to touch this week.

Elder Scott D. Whiting – “Beware the Second Temptation“

“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.”
- 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.
  - Example I experienced: D&C 93: 43 The Lord rebuked Frederick G. Williams, but also explained to him the cause of his affliction and gave him an escape route. In his case, it was from failing to teach his family the gospel, which allowed the devil to retain power over him. To overcome this, the Lord told Frederick, “And now a commandment I give unto you—if you will be delivered you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house.”
    - The Spirit tailored that scriptural directive to my situation with steps I can take that will deliver me from my private affliction.
    - Good example of how commandments are tied to agency.
      - “A commandment I give unto you” … but He says, “If you will….” In other words, here’s my commandment (because it was the Lord’s will that Frederick (and I) should get our houses in order), but we’ve also got to want and choose through taking correct action to be delivered.
  - Nate Boyle 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.”
- 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.

External Resources Referenced In This Episode

Preach My Gospel chapter 6
Mitch’s Christlike Attribute Activity spreadsheet
President Nelson April 2017
1 Nephi 8
Isaiah – sins white as snow
President Oaks October 2021

What will you do?

How have you taken action on the invitations extended in these two General Conference addresses?

Conclusion

The focus of our next podcast episode will be the April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder Kim and Elder Tai.

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.

Additional Content

Previous Podcast Episode (April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder James R. Rasband, Elder Vargas, Elder Shumway, and Elder McCune)

Next Podcast Episode (April 2025 General Conference Applications – Return and Report: Elder Kim and Elder Tai)

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