CEDAR CITY, Utah — Conveying the love of the First Presidency to college-age young adults, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared his testimony of the senior Church leaders’ recent general conference remarks with Southern Utah University students attending the Cedar City Institute of Religion on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Elder Andersen’s testimony of President Russell M. Nelson’s prophetic teachings inspired Rachel Barker — a student from Tooele County, Utah — to “want to gain my own testimony like that, to have that same faith that Elder Andersen has in the First Presidency.”

For some students, the devotional was a much-needed reminder of the most recent messages of the highest governing body of the Church. For many, Elder Andersen’s own strong feelings about the First Presidency’s messages evoked powerful promptings from the Spirit about the direction of their futures.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to Southern Utah University students — with President Mindy Benson, left, president of Southern Utah University, in attendance — in the America First Event Center in Cedar City, Utah, on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

Anita Bunker, Cedar City Institute of Religion

Addressing a capacity congregation of 2,061, Elder Andersen spoke about the powerful October 2023 general conference messages of President Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring.

Elder Andersen emphasized the themes of President Nelson, who said that in nearly 100 years, “I have learned that Heavenly Father’s plan for us is fabulous, that what we do in this life really matters, and that the Savior’s Atonement is what makes our Father’s plan possible. ... Your choices today will determine three things: where you will live throughout all eternity, the kind of body with which you will be resurrected, and those with whom you will live forever.”

Brady Campbell, a student from Bountiful, Utah, said, “The Spirit really testified that [members of the First Presidency] are prophets, seers and revelators, and the guidance that they give we can really trust.”

Lauryn Thomas from St. George, Utah, is planning to start her mission papers next week but has been met with opposition. “It’s been a trying time recently, so [this devotional] was just a reiteration from conference that everything works out in the end. It’s going to be fine.”

The Holy Ghost in spiritual survival

As a newly ordained President of the Church, President Nelson cautioned in April 2018 that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” Five and a half years later, President Eyring repeated this warning in October 2023 general conference.

Elder Andersen invited his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, to bear her testimony about the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Elder J. T. Cammack — a missionary from Kalamazoo, Michigan, serving in the Utah St. George Mission — shared how touched he was by Sister Andersen’s heartfelt witness. “Sister Andersen really brought home her testimony of the Holy Ghost and how it can impact us in our lives.”

‘Everything we do really does matter’

Elder Andersen spoke of President Oaks’ statement in general conference that “the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts — what we have done. It is based on the final effect of our acts and thoughts — what we have become.”

Ashlee Zile from Panaca, Nevada, said, “Do the things you’re meant to do, and you’re going to have a good life.”

“Everything we do really does matter,” said Daniel Christensen from Tooele County, Utah. “Every decision we make, every action we take throughout the day, is either perpetuating a path of eternal life or kind of distracting and taking us away from that.”

‘Grow[ing] up into the gift of the Holy Ghost’

Elder Andersen shared this thought from President Eyring: “We can be taught by and learn from the Spirit line upon line, receiving what we need, and then when we are ready, we will receive more.”

Building on this, Elder Andersen encouraged the congregation to “be patient with yourself. ... You grow up into the gift of the Holy Ghost. ... Be patient. Listen inside your heart. Follow those feelings that you have, and see where they lead.”

Learning to trust in God’s timing, Christian El-Bakri from St. George, Utah, said, “I think I’ve heard [this message] from several apostles and the Prophet before, but in person, it was more special today.”

Elder Talmage Williams — a missionary from Tyler, Texas, serving in the Utah St. George Mission — appreciated this insight of learning to “grow up into the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He said, “If we aren’t seeking to build that relationship and grow that ability to receive revelation, then we’re falling short of our potential as divine sons and daughters of God.”

Brooke Dewey from Mesa, Arizona, realized that “we need to rely more on the Holy Ghost and what He’s telling us.”

Robert Goebel from American Fork, Utah, shared, “I need to spend more deliberate time focusing on learning to listen to the Spirit.”

The Prophet’s plea to ‘think celestial’

President Nelson admonished all to “think celestial.”

“We have to choose which direction we want to go,” said Elder Andersen, “who we want to become, and what we want to gain, what talents, what capacities.”

Danielle Nikolashim from Spanish Fork, Utah, considered personal growth and development, wondering, “Just how can I reflect on myself to better myself?”

Elder Andersen concluded the devotional with an apostolic witness that the Savior lives and that all will kneel at His feet. “I know He loves you, and I testify to you with sureness and with certainty that He is who we claim Him to be.”