Conference Talk of the Week

Overview

Elder Christian C. Chigbundu begins with the COVID-19 health sessions at his workplace, where one word kept coming up: immunity, which is the body's ability to defend itself against disease. He applies the idea to the soul. In troubled times marked by wars, family challenges, and economic uncertainty, members can build spiritual immunity through four small and simple things (Alma 37:6): scripture study, prayer, the sacrament, and covenants kept through temple worship. He tells of a new missionary who wanted to go home until daily Book of Mormon study helped him understand his purpose, and of a sister in Côte d'Ivoire with cancer who felt the Savior's love through daily prayer. He calls these four practices the armor of God, and he teaches that they give us the strength to withstand trials, even when the trials are not taken away.

Three Key Takeaways

• 1Scripture study does more than add knowledge. It helps us come to know the Lord, and as we apply what we read, His words shape how we think and how we respond to hard things. King Benjamin told his sons to search the records diligently so they could profit from them (Mosiah 1:6–7).
• 2Prayer does not always remove the burden, but the Lord can strengthen our backs to carry it, as He did for Alma's people in bondage (Mosiah 24:14–15). He promises, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63).
• 3Each week the sacrament renews our promises to take Christ's name, always remember Him, and keep His commandments (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79). Asking "What would He have me do?" can change our "Why me?" questions into "What can I learn, and what can I change?"

Reflection Questions

• What keeps you awake at night or weighs on your mind right now, and which of the four practices Elder Chigbundu names would help most with that burden?
• Like the new missionary, is there a part of your testimony that needs daily scripture study to grow? What could a simple, specific study plan look like for you?
• Think of a trial that has not been taken away. How has the Lord strengthened you to carry it, and how could prayer help you see His hands around you, as the sister in Côte d'Ivoire did?