Hello, Doer of the word!
Let's dive into the invitations from President Dallin H. Oaks' April 2026 General Conference address, "Introduction" and “Closing Remarks.”
Invitations
1 - "In advance, I express our gratitude as leaders of the Church for our members’ sustaining vote, prayers, and support."
Application Idea: I do a decent job of praying for my Church leaders in my personal prayers, but I could do a better job of praying for my Church leaders in my family prayers (see Elder Matswagothata's April 2026 address). My idea is to pray for my Church leaders by name in family prayers.
2 - "We [leaders of the Church] also pray for you to be guided and prospered as you continue the great service you give to the children of God throughout the world."
Application Idea: I was recently called as a Priests Quorum Adviser. I think it's very meaningful for youth Church leaders in the Young Men and Young Women organizations to pray for the members of their quorums and classes by name. Perhaps you serve with the youth. Consider suggesting or demonstrating praying for other members of the quorum or class by name to the youth Church leaders with whom you serve.
3 - "The Spirit of the Lord has inspired all of us to concentrate our worship, focus our learning, and unite our testimonies on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father’s plan for our eternal increase and joy."
Application Idea: In your daily, personal scripture study for the next seven days, no matter where you are in the scriptures, find Jesus Christ. Write in your journal each day about what you learned from this exercise. You might also consider studying "Part 1: Focus on Jesus Christ" in "Teaching in the Savior's Way."
4 - "[Jesus Christ] knows and loves each of us perfectly and invites us to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow His example of ministering to others one by one in charity and love."
Application Idea: Listen to the 2026 Youth Album theme song: "Walk With Me." Then, read through the song's lyrics. What do the lyrics teach you about Jesus Christ? About how He ministered? About how He wants you to minister now?
5 - "May we all demonstrate the pure love of Christ in our families, in our communities, and in all of our interactions with God’s children."
Application Idea: Commit (or recommit) to following Elder Gary E. Stevenson's "one-week, three-step peacemaker plan" (see "Blessed Are the Peacemakers," October 2025 GC): 1) "A contention-free home zone"; 2) "Digital bridge building"; 3) "Repair and reunite: Each family member could seek out a strained relationship in order to apologize, minister, repair, and reunite."
6 - "As the messages from this conference are published, we invite all to study and ponder them prayerfully and to act in faith on the principles they explain."
Application Idea: Study Jani Eitelgeorge's September 2024 Liahona magazine article: "How I Bring General Conference Insights into My Life Each Day." Like Sister Eitelgeorge, choose one task each week to work on that was inspired by the April 2026 General Conference. Consider posting these tasks on your bathroom mirror.
7 - "[F]ollow the directions of the servants of the Lord and 'look to God and live.”
Application Idea: Revisit President Russell M. Nelson's classic 2023 talk "Think Celestial!" Write in your journal about whether an addiction has replaced your focus on God and His Son. President Nelson taught: "As you think celestial, you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency. Any addiction—be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God. Why? Because your obsession becomes your god. You look to it rather than to Him for solace."
Additional Resources
General Conference Applied S7 E1. "Are There Any "Throwaway" Talks at Conference?—Exploring President Oaks' Opening/Closing Invitations” - Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube. Are there any wasted words in General Conference? Surely the opening and closing remarks by the Prophet aren't very important, right? ... Right? Welcome to Season 7 of General Conference Applied! Mitch and Clay are kicking it off with an overview of the season to come and by demonstrating how much applicable value there is even in what some might consider throwaway addresses at conference, the introduction and closing remarks given by President Oaks. We walk through the many invitations the Prophet extended even in these short comments. They are definitely not to be ignored!
External Resources Shared In This Episode:
In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks by Richard E. Turley Jr.
Elder Clement M. Matswagothata, "He Knows You by Name," April 2026 General Conference
His Holy Name by Dallin H. Oaks
Elder Neil L. Andersen, "President Dallin H. Oaks and the Law of Witnesses," BYU-Idaho Devotional: February 22, 2026
GCA S6 E35 – Thursday, December 11, 2025 – LDS Children's Songs Saved My Life—Emily Susan Pack's Story—Tracy Y. Browning, "Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music" – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, "Come unto Christ—Together," April 2026 General Conference
GCA S6 E53 – Sunday, February 8, 2026 – Teaching in the Savior's Way—Chad H Webb "That All May Be Edified" – Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
President Emily Belle Freeman, "Best Days and Worst Days," April 2026 General Conference
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, "'Tis Eastertide: No One Walks Alone," April 2026 General Conference
Elder Brian J. Holmes, "Jesus Christ Is the Way," April 2026 General Conference
President Henry B. Eyring, "Prayers for Peace," April 2026 General Conference
Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Eternal Marriage Is an Eternal Journey," April 2026 General Conference
Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, "The Joy of a Covenant Relationship with God," April 2026 General Conference
President Dallin H. Oaks, "Alive in Christ," April 2026 General Conference
President Camille N. Johnson, "Spiritually Whole in Him," April 2025 General Conference
Elder Brent H. Nielson, "Is There No Balm in Gilead?," October 2021 General Conference
Elder Richard G. Scott, "The Power of Scripture," October 2011 General Conference: "Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world. Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change."
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation," October 2006 General Conference: "[W]hen we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures. They are our spiritual lifeline."
John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Hymn Number 6 - "Redeemer of Israel"
Children's Songbook Number 57 - "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"
Lane Johnson, "Russell M. Nelson: A Study in Obedience," January 1983 Liahona: "Russell M. Nelson is obedient to the president of the Church, and he is baffled when he hears people ask questions like, 'Is it really the will of the Lord that we do everything that President Kimball says?' 'The Lord said, 'Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same,'' Dr. Nelson reminds us. 'My experience is that once you stop putting question marks behind the prophet's statements and put exclamation points instead, and do it, the blessings just pour. I never ask myself, 'When does the prophet speak as a prophet and when does he not?' My interest has been, 'How can I be more like him?'"
President Dallin H. Oaks, "Divine Helps for Mortality," April 2025 General Conference
Joshua 4:14 - "On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life."
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