October 2025

The recent passing of President Russell M. Nelson brings to memory his last conference talk, where he quoted verses from this week’s section: Doctrine and Covenants 121. President Nelson referenced D&C 121:45, where the Lord shares that having confidence “in the presence of God” comes from having charity and virtue. Additionally, we’re told that if we have charity and virtue, we will have a greater understanding of “the doctrine of the priesthood.”

Doctrine and Covenants section 115 is the first time we read the name of the Church as we know it today: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (D&C 115:4). As the saints were driven from both Kirtland, Ohio, and Independence, Missouri, they found a new haven in Far West, Missouri. This new start was a gathering point, allowing the saints to come together for support and grow their faith as one people.

Have you ever had a powerful spiritual experience and felt the joy of God’s love, only to feel down again when normal life resumes? Or an hour where your children were seemingly perfect and kind to one another, but the rest of the day was awful? This might have been how the early saints felt by the end of the year following the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Life itself didn’t get easier with the temple’s completion. Financial troubles and increased persecution made enduring to the end difficult for many saints. Yet those who persevered were blessed not only with strength but also with direction on how they could be a blessing to God’s children even amidst their own trials. The Lord’s comforting words to them are extended to us today as we also can help others feel loved during our own struggles: “Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face… for I, the Lord, have a great work for thee to do” (D&C 112:4,6).