David J Smith

As the years have passed, I have become increasingly humbled as I have thought about, studied, and found immense comfort in the immeasurable gift of our Savior, the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The human mind can scarcely begin to comprehend how completely the destiny of mankind changed because of what happened in Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the tomb. There are no words to describe the magnitude of His precious gift. It will never be required of another. Jesus Christ suffered “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). As one of His ordained Apostles, I have experienced the spiritual and personal moments that have brought to me a sure and certain witness that Jesus Christ lives. At this Easter season, may we rejoice in singing: “He is risen! He is risen! ... Death is conquered; man is free. Christ has won the victory” (“He Is Risen!” Hymns, no 199).

In this special and sacred Easter season, I joyfully declare my witness that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. He lives. He is risen. #GreaterLove

The Atonement of Jesus Christ, culminating with His Resurrection after three days in a borrowed tomb, stands as the greatest miracle in human history. “For behold,” He pronounced, “I am God; and I am a God of miracles.” (2 Nephi 27:23). Because Jesus Christ lives, miracles have not ceased. Miracles abound among His followers today, in your lives and in mine. They may seem small, but the magnitude does not distinguish a miracle, only that it came from God. As we celebrate the miracle of our Lord’s Resurrection this Easter Sunday, I humbly pray that you will feel the love and power of the Redeemer in your life. #GreaterLove

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.

In the 19th century, early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Laie, Hawaii, were baptized at this beach. Years later, the Laie Hawaii Temple was built just a few hundred yards directly in front of this beach.   This is a beautiful representation of the connection in covenant making—first to be baptized, then going to the temple to make further covenants there.

Elder Rasband will be outstanding in this new role. He was BYU’s Academic VP at the time we was called to be a General Authority.

Melanie and I enjoyed every second of RootsTech Family Discovery Day with some of our children and grandchildren.   Our family means everything to us. Because of our Savior Jesus Christ, families can be together forever—an eternal truth I am so grateful for.

In a world where so much information is available, it is increasingly important to be certain that what we accept as truth is grounded in eternal principles. The Lord’s scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, will be even more important in our day than they were for prior generations. I recently shared at a BYU devotional that we need to slow down enough to listen to the Spirit and allow Him to direct us. We must all learn to use technology as a servant, not a master. The future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and our very civilization depend on members and individuals who have deep faith, moral courage, and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex world. The Lord will continue to provide prophets who will guide and focus us on the most important principles. The Lord’s prophets will help this generation move forward and confidently accomplish His purposes. Please do not be discouraged as we all face these unique challenges. You will be blessed. Let us never forget that it was not easy for the Savior in the volatile world, during his mortal sojourn—especially in his final hours as he accomplished the Atonement. I am grateful for our Savior’s ultimate sacrifice in our behalf. I am also grateful for living prophets who can provide us with the guidance we need in our day. President Dallin H. Oaks will provide that spiritually powerful legacy.

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

My father-in-law, Elder Richard P. Lindsay, served as the first Area President in Africa. An entry in his journal dated Sunday, June 21, 1992 records, “We attended first the sacrament meeting in the Highland Branch in Harare…A number of new branches have been organized and we are beginning to see a potential Stake in embryo.” The beautiful dedication of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple on March 1, 2026 reminds us the Lord is hastening His work (Doctrine and Covenants 88:73) to bring the blessings of His restored gospel everywhere to families in time and eternity.

When I was a stake president in Paris, I spent countless hours in this office. This is where I learned that serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about helping others walk the covenant path.

If you feel discouraged in your efforts to hold family prayer or study the scriptures together, remember this: Power comes through consistency—not perfection.

There may be times when you may think of other, more capable people who could more successfully accomplish what you have been called to do. The counsel I shared with students at @byuhawaii this weekend applies to all of us. Remember that the Lord put you here, now. And He did it for a reason. This is your season. You may not see the reason clearly now, but faith requires that we proceed without seeing—trusting the Lord. Let us not get discouraged or frustrated when things don’t go perfectly. We are all a work in progress. Through Jesus Christ, we will be able to become our best selves and accomplish the work God wants us to do.

Thanks to our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness, our families can be sealed together forever. Melanie and I will be sharing messages of eternal significance for our families—including personal family histories, inspired music, and fascinating excerpts from the British Pageant—during Family Discovery Day at RootsTech. Please join us on Saturday, March 7—either in-person or online at ChurchofJesusChrist.org at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. We look forward to being with you soon.

On the week of my call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of my former inner-city youth reached out to Christine to recognize her impact on what had happened. Today is her birthday, and I want to acknowledge all the times she has nudged me to be a better husband, a kinder father, and a more committed disciple.

What a pleasure it was to meet with His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana. We discussed our shared Christian beliefs and desire to serve all of God’s children. Ghana is a beautiful land rich in devotion to God and service to one another. I was impressed by President Mahama’s vision for a hopeful future in Ghana. In our commitment to follow the Savior’s example, the @Ch_JesusChrist hopes to contribute to his vision by blessing lives through various humanitarian efforts. I am grateful for this relationship rooted in love of God and His children and look forward to future collaboration.

On Monday, I had the great privilege of accepting on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the highest award the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo can give. This honor recognizes the 100-year anniversary of the preaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in South America and the humanitarian work carried out by the Church in this state. I want to thank the members of the @Ch_JesusChrist in Brazil who give of their time to bless the lives of people in Brazil. Because of their faith in Jesus Christ, they love God and love their neighbor. That is what this recognition represents.

As Mary Magdalene and her companions mournfully approached the Garden Tomb, two angels appeared to them and shared the clarion call of all Christianity: "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" "He is not here, but is risen" (Luke 24:5-6). This Easter season we also joyfully testify of this same eternal truth—Jesus Christ is risen. He lives! The Savior of the world was crucified and, on the third day, rose from the dead, "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). His Resurrection allows all to be resurrected, and through His grace, we can find peace "which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) and "be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32). We invite each of you during this Easter season to "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" (Ether 12:41). As you do so, we testify that your Easter celebrations can strengthen your own faith and testimony that "death is conquered; man is free. Christ has won the victory" ("He Is Risen!" Hymns, no. 199). —The First Presidency @OaksDallinH @EyringHB @ChristoffDTodd

My heart was deeply touched today by a wonderful conversion story and I wanted to share it with all of you.