Neil L. Andersen

Not only does the beautiful Pacific Area span across 20 countries and territories, but it also covers seven time zones where a myriad of languages are spoken. Additionally, there are currently 11 temples with many more planned, in operation, or under construction and 16 missions—with five more being created in July. So much good is being done in this region of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We love those who live and serve here.

Meet my two friends from Tahiti and listen to their incredible testimonies of Jesus Christ. Faithful Latter-day Saints throughout the world are having miraculous experiences with the Savior in their lives.

What does a day look like for us while on assignment? Elder Edward Dube and I reflected on the special opportunity it was to speak with local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord’s restored Church is in very good hands here in New Zealand.

As evil increases in the world, the Lord is preparing the way for those who seek Him. He is giving us an added compensatory power to address the challenges we face in this life. I was grateful to be with Elder Peter F. Meurs as we discussed these principles and the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia.

Listen in on this wonderful conversation between me and Elder Taniela B. Wakolo of the Seventy. God’s glorious work of salvation and exaltation is truly hastening here in the Pacific.

I invite you to follow along over the next several days on my social media accounts as I share insights from friends and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who I am meeting on my assignment to the Pacific.

Developing faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing we can learn to do in this lifetime.

Nearly 30 years ago, President Henry B. Eyring, who was then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said something in general conference that I have not forgotten. I shared his insight this past Sunday as I spoke to the students of BYU–Idaho. “One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time” (“Finding Safety in Counsel,” Apr. 1997). Two weeks ago, President Dallin H. Oaks repeated the warning issued by President Russell M. Nelson from general conference in April 2018: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” So, what do you do to rivet your attention, to assure that you survive spiritually by having the constant influence of the Holy Ghost? You look carefully at your daily activities. Am I praying? Am I thoughtfully partaking of the sacrament? What am I putting into my mind? Am I associating with others who seek the constant influence of the Holy Ghost? What could be my distractions, my obstacles, or my deceptions? You pray for inspiration and courage to make any changes you need to make. Let us be true disciples of Jesus Christ. The Redeemer of Israel knows you, loves you, and will strengthen you as you seek to draw closer to Him.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Time has taught me that the greatest quality one can find in a companion is faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ can overcome all the difficulties, all the injustices, all the distractions of this mortal life. I love my precious companion of more than 50 years—my eternal companion, Kathy, and I treasure her amazing spirit of faith in Jesus Christ. Her gift of faith has blessed my life in immeasurable ways. I will love her forever.

I was recently at a sacrament meeting for a branch comprising those who have been released from prison and are now transitioning back into normal life. We discussed how, because of the Savior’s infinite Atonement, forgiveness of sin is absolutely available. At times, the Lord requires our patience and humility as we wait upon His full approval “by degrees” (Mosiah 21:16). While the power of the Savior is so present in the forgiveness of sin, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the spiritual miracle needed to heal the serious wounds caused by the sins of others. Forgiveness and relief from the pain of injustice are both found in Jesus Christ. For you who have been unfairly injured by the serious sins of another, I long to share the Savior’s love and compassion, His comfort and peace. The sadness you have felt, the heartbreak, the loss, the suffocating feeling of betrayal, the upending of your life as you imagined it to be—I give you my absolute assurance, the Savior knows you and loves you. Reach out to Him. He is your comfort and strength; He will send His angels to bear you up. When will your pain be gone, your grief subdued, the unwanted memories forgotten? I do not know. But this I do know: Jesus Christ has the power to bring beauty from the ashes of your suffering (see Isaiah 61:3).

It was 60 years ago, this year, that I moved into this house in Pocatello, Idaho. Being here again after so many years floods me with wonderful memories and helps me to further realize that life is quick in passing. Let us remember what the Book of Mormon teaches us: “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors” (Alma 34:32).

Just as He did thousands of years ago, the Lord continues today to make promises to His covenant people.

The powerful compassion of the Savior in forgiving sin and in healing the wounds caused by the sins of others is a most miraculous manifestation of the love of God. In the Lord’s time, you can feel His voice telling you, “Let these things trouble you no more” (Alma 42:29). One day, as you continue to turn to the Savior, your Heavenly Father will take “away the guilt from [your heart], through the merits of his Son” (Alma 24:10).

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). Last March, as Kathy and I were assigned to speak at RootsTech, President Jeffrey R. Holland told me he was planning to attend. I insisted that he participate with us on the stand. He shared a very sacred experience when he teetered between life and death a few months before and what he learned about the importance of prayer. It is a message for all of us, and is shared in his open and transparent way of speaking. I will never forget his profound influence upon me and I look forward with great anticipation to our reunion in the years ahead.

Above anything else, President Jeffrey R. Holland pursued being a disciple of Jesus Christ—and the Lord magnified him in an unbelievable way. There will never again be anyone quite like him.

With all the worry and uncertainty, the difficulties and the trouble that follow us here in our mortal life, for those who are righteous—who have faith and trust in the Lord—in the end, all will be well. Thinking about the sacred time of the Savior’s birth, why did Mary need to wonder about the course before her and Joseph question his place in the story of all stories? Why would the role of a manger and shepherds and angels be unknown until the events took place? In the premortal world, the Lord declared: “We will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25). In our times of uncertainty, in our days of trouble and difficulty, in our struggles, let us be faithful. Jesus came that holy night. And because He came, the billions who have lived upon this earth will live again and may, if they choose, inherit eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God.

How grateful I am that the Lord has preserved Dallin Harris Oaks through these many decades, teaching him, tutoring him, and preparing him for these final years of his life. Early in his life, he resolved to establish a personal motto that would be, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) This he has done without any attention to worldly fame or fortune. The Lord has shaped his heart and will use him to help shape each of us as he serves as God's prophet upon the earth. To give you a sense of our prophet, this intriguing painting by Maynard Dixon has hung in his office for more than 40 years. Its title is "Forgotten Man." The painting shows a man on a curb sitting in discouragement behind him. The world walks by, showing him no attention. President Oaks loves every son and daughter of God, and this painting has reminded him that he is to reach out to those who feel alone, who are discouraged, who need to know of their own worth, and the love of their Heavenly Father. President Oaks has pointed out that while the man in the painting feels forgotten, the sun is shining on his head, meaning his Heavenly Father knows his struggles. President Oaks has said of the painting that it speaks to him and reminds him of things he needs to remember. I love the heart of President Dallin H. Oaks. Maynard Dixon (1875-1946), Forgotten Man, 1934, oil on canvas, 40 x 50 1/8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1937.

I personally have been taught, tutored, and influenced by President Dallin H. Oaks (@OaksDallinH) and his teachings for more than 50 years. I know he is a prophet of God.

I thought this inquiry I received from a young returned missionary in the Philippines during my most recent trip there was an excellent question. My advice to anybody seeking a temple marriage is to observe the faith and righteousness of those with whom you are spending your time.

I spoke last weekend at a worldwide devotional for young adults about the remarkable service and example President Dallin H. Oaks has provided as an Apostle of Jesus Christ for more than four decades. The most important thing an Apostle does is testify of our Savior. For 41 years, President @OaksDallinH has shared his testimony as a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ. I give you my solemn and humble witness that President Oaks is the Lord’s prophet upon the earth. He knows the voice of the Savior. He will guide us in truth and point us toward the Lord Jesus Christ. President Oaks’ lifetime of testifying of the divinity of Jesus Christ inspires me to do the same. I, too, testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. It is through Him and His holy atonement that death and sin are conquered.