Taniela B. Wakolo · Of the Seventy
1My dear brothers and sisters, I rejoice with you in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2When our daughter, Jasmin, was 14 years old, she described general conference as a gathering where “prophets, seers, and revelators testify of Jesus Christ and teach His doctrine so simply that it cannot be misunderstood.”
3Even simple messages can be made clearer. Take, for example, road signs that we might see when driving a car. When seeing a sign like this one, we should know to stop.
4However, in the beautiful Philippines, they made the message much more direct: “Full stop.”
5And in Missouri, they went one step further: “Really you gotta stop.”
6How grateful we are for living prophets and apostles who speak with simplicity and clarity—whose collective voices invite us to “come unto Christ.”
7In the book of Moses, we read of a sacred experience. Moses beheld the earth and many lands—“yea, even all of it.” He saw its inhabitants, “and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.”
8Overwhelmed by this vision, Moses asked two profound questions to God: Why? And by what means? In other words, he wanted to understand the purpose.
9The Lord answered, “For mine own purpose have I made these things … to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The prophet Nephi later testified, “For … he denieth none that come unto him … ; and all are alike unto God.” How is this purpose fulfilled? Because of Jesus Christ, all can receive the gift of eternal life—which includes living in God’s presence eternally as families.
10Six months ago, our prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, taught:
11“The doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family. Essential to our doctrine on the family is the temple. The ordinances received there enable us to return as eternal families to the presence of our Heavenly Father. …
12“ … The gospel plan … is implemented through our mortal families, and its intended destiny is to exalt the children of God in eternal families.”
13The Lord has also declared that “marriage is ordained of God … that the earth might answer the end of its creation,” and without the sealing authority needed to enter these eternal covenants that unite families forever, “the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.”
14The temple stands as a symbol of hope, not pressure. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a wedge to divide families but a bridge to unite them eternally. We must ensure that our discipleship reflects the Savior’s patience, His gentleness, and His perfect love. Temple sealings invite us into the divine order of God. Is it any wonder that the temple sealing is often described as the crowning ordinance?
15My dear brothers and sisters, many of you are from families yet to be sealed in the temple. Some of you who are listening are not members of the Church. Others of you who are members of the Church may have spouses not of our faith. Today I say to each of you: You are essential to God’s plan.
16May I share a few sacred stories of patience, agency, and the quiet, persistent invitation to come unto Christ—together?
17In New Zealand, Denny and Alex were childhood friends who attended different churches. Friendship blossomed into courtship, and courtship into marriage. Religion had never been discussed during their dating years, but after they were married, Denny and Alex faced a dilemma: Which church should they attend?
18At one point, Denny, who was a member of the Church, felt he could not continue living in a way that felt divided. His father gave him simple counsel: “Keep going to church. They are your family.” He listened. Two years later, his wife chose to be baptized. In time, they were sealed in the house of the Lord. What began with tension ended in unity. They chose to come unto Christ—together.
19In Brisbane, Australia, a seven-year-old boy pleaded with his father to join the Church so his father could baptize him. While his father had attended church for several years and had good experiences there, he had not taken the step to be baptized. When I met with them, I extended a bold invitation to the dad to accept his son’s loving request. He gently declined. And yet the love remains. The invitation remains. The agency remains. Sometimes the seed is planted long before it breaks the soil.
20In Farmington, Utah, there lived a good man named Bob Hasenyager, who was not yet a member of the Church. His wife, Marlene, was devoted to the gospel. She honored her covenants quietly and patiently, never pressuring—only loving. Bob was serving and helping in the local ward. One day the stake president asked Bob, “Are you aware that your wife longs to attend the temple but still waits, not wanting to hurt you?”
21Bob wept when he was told this. Then he gave his full support. Marlene received her endowment and began attending the temple regularly. Bob noticed something different: not pressure, not argument, but peace. Then one day a young missionary simply suggested Bob be baptized on a specific date. In Bob’s words: “I felt the Holy Ghost. I felt warmth and joy and peace. I finally had my answer.” Bob was baptized. He was later diagnosed with terminal cancer. He and Marlene were sealed four months before he passed away.
22Brothers and sisters, the Lord honors patient faith. And it is never too late for miracles.
23In Fiji, I know of a faithful wife who waited eight long years for her husband to join the Church. Eight years of attending church alone while her husband remained uninterested and hesitant. Yet she did not withdraw. She did not resent. She served.
24When the wife received her patriarchal blessing, she was promised that if she remained true and faithful, a day would come when her husband would take her to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. Over eight years and 24 missionaries later, the husband was baptized and the couple was sealed in the house of the Lord.
25To be clearer, I should say my wife, Anita, and I were sealed in the house of the Lord. My only regret? I wish I had been baptized sooner. In fact, Elder Quentin L. Cook, who spoke before me today, extended the call for me to serve as stake president while he was serving as Area President.
26Brothers and sisters, God keeps His promises—but in His timing. These stories are not about statistics. They are about souls.
27I witness that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know every family represented in these stories. They know the tears, the prayers, and the patience. They know the feelings of every waiting spouse, every praying heart, and every child. They know every sacred promise. These things remind us that conversion is personal. Timing is individual. Agency is sacred.
28To those in part-member families—do not lose heart.
29To those who are waiting—do not give up.
30To those who have been endowed or sealed and need to return—come, come again to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
31To those who are invited—know that the invitation is rooted in Christlike love.
32To all members of the Church—let’s continue to minister one by one and ensure that “no one sits alone.”
33The Savior never forces. He invites. He blesses. He fulfills promises according to faith and faithfulness.
34This month, as we celebrate and remember the Resurrection of our Savior, I invite you to make a commitment and choose to come unto Christ—together. Eternity shall be your reward. In the name of the resurrected Lord, even Jesus Christ, amen.