A Sobering Moment and an Eternal Perspective

Good morning, brothers and sisters. It is good to be here with you today.
On September 10th, news rang out of Utah that shocked the nation. An assassination here at home quickly spread across every major news outlet. My phone was instantly filled with notifications—videos, commentary, and announcements surrounding the tragedy. Among them were countless clips of Charlie Kirk, a man whose political debates and bold voice had become nationally recognized.

Now, I’m not here to talk politics today. But there was something about Charlie that caught my attention—and that I believe offers a lesson for us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Whenever Charlie encountered someone who disagreed with him, or whenever he had an opening to bear witness, he spoke of the Savior. He didn’t shy away from declaring Christ. And though he didn’t preach the restored gospel, he consistently pointed to Jesus.

That struck me deeply, because at the end of the day, no matter our political leanings, cultural differences, or personal struggles—it is Christ we must look to.

One of Charlie’s mantras was: “Make heaven crowded.” We understand this in greater depth because of the restored gospel and the Plan of Salvation. But still, I appreciated that this phrase shaped his influence.

The Ripple of a Single Life

Since his passing, I’ve seen an outpouring on social media unlike anything I expected. People testified that they opened a Bible for the first time in years. Others said they felt convicted to attend church again. Many shared that his words reminded them to think about Christ.

It is remarkable to see the ripple effect of one life—a single person using his influence to point people back to Jesus.

But here’s where the contrast becomes powerful for us as Latter-day Saints: while Charlie reached millions through media, we have the structure and divine commission to reach the world through small and simple means.

In the April 2025 General Conference statistical report, we learned that there are now over 100,000 missionaries serving across the globe. That number includes young elders and sisters, senior couples, and service missionaries.

To put that into perspective, when I served my mission, there were about 30,000. The Lord has truly hastened His work.

Now imagine this...

If 100,000 missionaries each have 4–5 meaningful gospel conversations per day, that’s about 3.2 million conversations every week.

Over the course of a year, that becomes more than 243 million gospel conversations.


Think about that. Nearly a quarter of a billion opportunities every year where someone hears about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel—not from a famous influencer, but from an ordinary disciple filled with faith and love.

This reminds me that the Lord doesn’t need celebrities to build His kingdom. He needs covenant keepers. He needs disciples. He needs us.

Local Evidence of a Global Work

Even here in our own stake, we’ve seen evidence of this gathering power. Not long ago, annual baptisms could be counted on one hand—just one or two. But recently, we’ve seen that number rise to around 20. That may seem small compared to global numbers, but remember: heaven rejoices over every soul who comes unto Christ (Luke 15:7).

These increases aren’t happening because of massive campaigns or viral videos. They’re happening because of faithful members and missionaries quietly sharing the gospel, one conversation at a time.
And all of it echoes Joseph Smith’s bold declaration:

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

This work cannot be stopped. And we are living in the very days where prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes.

The Gathering in Asia: A Family Connection

On my mission to the Philippines (2009–2011), I experienced firsthand the power of small testimonies in a nation prepared by centuries of Christian tradition. In that country, I never once had to wonder if someone knew who Jesus was. Every Filipino had some background—whether Catholic or Protestant—because of Spanish influence.

But the Philippines stands almost alone in Asia. Out of 4.7 billion people on the continent, it is the only predominantly Christian nation. That means billions have yet to even hear the name of Christ, let alone the restored gospel.

This reality became personal for me through my grandfather. He served as the mission president of the Southern Far East Mission in 1955, which covered Hong Kong, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia—all the way to India.

In his time, he was never able to send full-time missionaries into mainland China. But when I was called to the Philippines decades later, he wept. For him, it was a full-circle moment—proof that the Lord’s timing is perfect.

I once asked him why he wasn’t disappointed that I didn’t serve in China. His response was prophetic: “The future of the Church in China will come through the Philippines.”

Filipinos are bilingual, talented, and capable of moving across cultural and language barriers. They look like the nations they’ll serve. And as President Nelson has said, “The Lord is accelerating His work.”

The ripple of faithful testimony stretches farther than we can imagine.

The Doctrine of Christ: The Foundation That Resolves All Else

During my mission, my president taught something simple but profound:
“If you focus on the doctrine of Christ, all other concerns will resolve themselves.”
The doctrine of Christ is this: faith in Him, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

When we anchor ourselves here, everything else falls into place. And when people truly believe, they naturally move along this path. Without faith, nothing else matters.

This focus also helps us discern different categories of doctrine:

Core doctrine — essentials for salvation, such as the doctrine of Christ.

Supporting doctrine — truths that clarify and expand on the core.

Policy doctrine — inspired guidance for administering the Church.

Esoteric doctrine — things not yet fully revealed.

Culture — traditions and practices, which can sometimes drift into false doctrine.

When we mistake culture for doctrine, confusion and division follow. But when we center on the core, unity and clarity prevail.

Four Anchors to Live the Law of the Gospel...

1. Love God and love your neighbor.
Christ made it plain: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39). On these two hang all the law and the prophets.


2. Follow modern prophets.
Each General Conference is a reminder of what matters most now. Elder Suarez recently reminded us to cultivate reverence. Elder Gong pointed us to the Atonement. Elder Christofferson invited us to joy in true worship. President Nelson urged us to grow confident in God’s presence. Their counsel points us back to Christ.


3. Remember the name we carry.
As 2 Nephi 25:26 proclaims: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.” The very name of the Church is centered on Him.


4. Rely on the Spirit.
Paul listed the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Galatians 5:22). Moroni testified that anything which persuades to believe in Christ is of God (Moroni 7:16). If it brings us closer to Jesus, it is truth.

The Invitation: Be Part of the Gathering

Alma once wished to speak with the trump of God to the whole earth (Alma 29:1). While we may not have that platform, the Lord has given us something better: daily opportunities to invite, testify, and love.

The world is waking up. The gospel is going forth. Israel is being gathered.
And you are part of it.

You don’t need a million followers. You don’t need a pulpit or a podcast. You simply need a heart willing to testify, to love, and to invite.

Through the law of the gospel—faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end—you can help make heaven crowded.

I bear witness of Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, and of His restored gospel. I leave this with you in His holy name. Amen.

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