Hello, Doer of the word! Let’s dive into the invitations from President Jeffrey R. Holland’s October 2025 General Conference address, “And Now I See.”
Invitations
"So what if the answers to our prayers come in plain or convoluted ways? Are we willing to persevere, to keep trying to live Christ’s gospel no matter how much spit and clay it takes?" (Referring to Christ's unexpected method to heal a blind man).
Application Idea: President Holland likened the Savior healing a blind man with spit and dirt to "Naaman resisting the River Jordan or the children of Israel refusing to look at the serpent on the staff." He stated, "how easy it is for us to dismiss the source of our redemption because the ingredients and the instruments seem embarrassingly plain." You could study all three of these scripture stories and any others like them, then pray for humility to accept the sometimes surprising methods the Lord employs to help you.
This invitation encompasses all of paragraphs 8-9 of the talk. Here’s my summary: Consider the unique and marvelous evidence of the church’s truthfulness that the blessings and covenants of unbroken priesthood authority are available to everyone, living or dead, in temples of the Lord.
Application Ideas: Create and commit to a temple worship routine. Including others can help you stick to it, but go regardless, even if you're the only one. If endowed, rotate through the multiple ordinances. Bring your own family names whenever possible.
Consider studying any of these books:
Tad R. Callister, The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration
Tad R. Callister, The Blueprint of Christ's Church
Richard E. Bennett, Temples Rising: A Heritage of Sacrifice
"I share with you my witness, justified here as the newly blessed man’s parents said their son should be heard because he was 'of age.' Well, so am I. He was old enough to be taken seriously, they implied. Well, so am I. I am two months away from my 85th birthday. I have been at the edge of death and back. I have walked with kings and prophets, with presidents and apostles. Best of all, I have at times been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit of God. I trust that my witness should be given at least some consideration here."
Application Idea: President Holland is asking us to seriously consider his honest witness of the truth. Why not revisit his witness through the years? It doesn't hurt that he's one of the church's most beloved teachers! You can easily filter conference messages in the Gospel Library app by speaker. Here are all of President Holland's.
BONUS: For fun, President Holland and President Oaks share an interesting connection. President Holland first spoke in the 1983 conference, but not again until 1989 as a Seventy. President Oaks first spoke in 1971, then not again until 1984 as an Apostle. Check out those links to see what those long gaps are all about (hint: look at their titles).
Additional Resources
Download a copy of these invitations: Google Sheets | PDF. If you use these resources as a handout in Church, use the PDF (it prints prettier) and please invite the members of your ward to subscribe to the General Conference Applied newsletter and podcast!
BONUS: Download a copy of President Oaks’ invitations: Google Sheets | PDF (sorry I forgot to attach these in our previous newsletter).
General Conference Applied S6 E5. Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube. This short podcast episode is an audio / video version of this newsletter.
General Conference Applied S6 E6. Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube. Don’t miss our Guest, Lee Wilson’s powerful story of faith, priesthood blessings, and a cancer diagnosis!
Take Action
Clay’s Application: President Holland taught, "God can bless us by whatever method He chooses.... How easy it is for us to dismiss the source of our redemption because the ingredients and the instruments seem embarrassingly plain." I haven't yet fully acted on two guiding promptings I've received in the past year, in part because the direction surprised me, like Jesus using spit and dirt. I'll stop second guessing that guidance and take faithful action instead."
Mitch’s Application: In my current study of the Book of Mormon, I am identifying precepts to abide by. I have a daily schedule, and I know how much to read to complete the Book of Mormon in one calendar year. Unfortunately, as of 10/15/2025, I am in Alma 42, when I wanted to be in 3 Nephi 6 (I am approximately 75 days behind). Thus, my application will be to complete my current study of the Book of Mormon by the end of 2025. This will bring the added blessing of getting me back in the Book of Mormon every day.
Your Application: Reply to this email and tell us how you’ll take action on one of these invitations and whether we can share your response in our newsletter, podcast, and/or on social media.
Thanks for joining us in becoming a “Doer of the word!” Please help others do the same by sharing this newsletter with them.