Growing up as a young man in the Philippines, I always looked forward to the end of the school year. I looked forward to graduations too. I didn’t think much of celebrating what I have learned. I was mostly just happy about ”being done” with school. I also wondered why school graduation ceremonies are fondly called commencement exercises. In my mind, they were two different things. Graduation means “the end” and “commencement” means beginning. Obviously, I was not a very bright young man. It wasn’t until later that I understood that it was meant to celebrate both the achievements of the past and the beginning of a new phase of life with all the future opportunities that come with it.
For the same reasons, the new year always brings with it a refreshing feeling. Sort of a renewal and sometimes even a reset. I love how it focuses us forward. The focus on the future is exciting. There is something exhilarating about looking forward and anticipating the future. As Nephi taught “we (ye) must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men…and endure to the end,..” (1)
King Benjamin prophesied that “the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people”. (2)
As we begin this new year, let us do our part to contribute to the fulfillment of this prophesy. We can do so by “hold(ing) up our (your) light that it may shine unto the world.” The Savior also said: “Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up.” (3) We help people know Christ through our actions. We can also do better at speaking His name and telling people about His life and mission.
During the seminar for Asia North Area Mission Leaders last November 2025, we invited mission leaders to teach missionaries to increase their focus on telling people about Jesus Christ in their finding and other activities. As an area presidency, we felt that they should speak more of Christ to both their Christian and non-Christian friends. We also reminded them to heed the counsel of living prophets to invite their new-found friends, the week they are found, to join us in worshipping Christ at sacrament meeting.
We extend the same invitation to members of the Church in our area. We hope that you invite your friends to worship with us and learn about Jesus Christ. The entire Church was blessed when we began using the full name of the Church as invited by President Russell M. Nelson. If we exercise faith and speak about Christ more to our friends and invite them to worship Him in our sacrament meetings, we are confident that our efforts will be blessed. More than ever before, we will find those who are willing to make covenants with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
Elder Neal L. Andersen taught: “as the world speaks less of Jesus Christ, let us speak more of Him.” (4)
We need to be more intentional in letting the world know more about Jesus Christ and His atonement.
I love the story of the two blind men as recorded in the New Testament.(5)
“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”
What lessons can we learn from these verses and in what ways is it applicable to our present circumstances? All around us we see the world trying to persuade men not to believe in Christ. Sometimes it is done through sharp rebuke. More often it is done through subtle distraction, deception, or disillusionment. In whatsoever form they may come, the goal is the same. They are meant to prevent men from finding and knowing the Savior or persuade them to take their focus off Him. We must be like the two blind men- as the world tries to silence us, we should have the courage to speak of Jesus Christ louder and more often. We need to “cry the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (6)
Our ultimate goal is to bring ourselves and others to Christ so He can heal us. As we experience this healing we will follow him. We will also have a greater desire to bring others with us. President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice. It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places. His teachings and His example define the path for every disciple of Jesus Christ. And all are invited to this path.” (7)
Let us therefore “talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, prophesy of Christ,..that our children (and friends) may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (8)
Notes:
1. 2 Nephi 31:20
2. Mosiah 3:20
3. 3 Nephi 18:24
4. Neal L. Andersen, We Talk of Christ, October 2020
5. Matthew 20:29-32
6. Matthew 10:32
7. Dallin H. Oaks, Following Christ, October 2024
8. 2 Nephi 25:26