Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. By walking the covenant path — from baptism to the temple and throughout life — one can receive the power to go against the natural worldly flow. The following is a summary of what he said.

Elder Renlund’s talk summary:

Twice a year, when the sun, moon and earth are aligned, a tidal bore sends powerful tidal waves up the Amazon River, against its natural flow. In Brazil, the phenomenon is known as “pororoca.”

“Unlike the Amazon, we can choose whether we yield to heavenly powers or ‘go with the flow.’” 

Going against the flow may be difficult. But by yielding “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit” (Mosiah 3:19) and putting off the selfish tendencies of the natural man or woman, one receives the Savior’s transforming power — the power to do difficult things.

“As you walk the covenant path, from baptism to the temple and throughout life, I promise you power to go against the natural worldly flow — power to learn, power to repent and be sanctified, and power to find hope, comfort and even joy as you face life’s challenges. I promise you and your family protection against the influence of the adversary, especially when you make the temple a major focus in your life.”

By coming to Christ and connecting to Him and Heavenly Father by covenant, something seemingly unnatural happens. “You are transformed and become perfected in Jesus Christ. You become a covenant child of God and an inheritor in His kingdom.”

Notable quotes

See the full text of Elder Renlund’s talk: ‘Accessing God’s Power Through Covenants’

Who is Elder Renlund?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Elder Dale G. Renlund was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 3, 2015.
• He was a professor of medicine at the University of Utah and medical director of the Utah Cardiac Transplant Program.
• Elder Renlund is the son of Swedish immigrants, served a mission in Sweden from 1972 to 1974, speaks Swedish and considers the country his “other homeland.”
• He met his wife, Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund, in his home ward in Salt Lake City. After mustering up the courage to ask her out, she said, “No.” He was more successful when he tried again a few months later. They were married on June 16, 1977, in the Salt Lake Temple and are the parents of one daughter.

What has Elder Renlund done recently?

• During the October 2022 general conference, he used an airplane analogy to give four elements of the framework of personal revelation.
• On Nov. 20, 2022, Elder Renlund tied rivers and ‘pororoca’’ to the dedication of the Belém Brazil Temple.
• Elder Renlund’s at-the-border leadership conference in mid-December 2022 was the latest in efforts to directly minister to Venezuelan Latter-day Saints.
• Speaking at a Jan. 29, 2023, devotional at the Tempe Arizona Institute of Religion, Elder Renlund warned against “spiritual hyperopia: and ‘looking beyond the mark.”
• Over 10 days in late February 2023, Elder Renlund ministered to Latter-day Saints in Honduras, Belize, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala, with a primary message being “to invite others to participate in the work of the Lord using specific, inspired invitations.”

Read more of Elder Renlund’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.