Every 6 months, I do a brief review of the most recent general conference. In these reviews I pick out several valuable quotes from the latest conference that have particular value for and relevance to single members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Why? Because the most recent conference represents the latest and most relevant insights and inspiration for us as members. I recommend that you review these quotes and apply them to your life, as well as the rest of the conference talks, available on The Gospel Library app. Modern prophets speak the will of the Lord. Remember the classic scripture that “…whether by mine own voice (meaning, the Lord’s voice) or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (Doctrine & Covenants 1:38). So, these fresh conference messages are very important, relevant, and applicable. Please value them and incorporate them into your life accordingly.
Quotes from the October, 2023 General Conference:
We go to the kingdom in the next life that we will feel comfortable in:
Another unique doctrine and practice of the restored Church is the revealed commandments and covenants that offer all the children of God the sacred privilege of qualifying for the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom. That highest destination—exaltation in the celestial kingdom—is the focus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We know from modern revelation that “all kingdoms have a law given”and that the kingdom of glory we receive in the Final Judgment is determined by the laws we choose to follow in our mortal journey. Under that loving plan, there are multiple kingdoms—many mansions—so that all of God’s children will inherit a kingdom of glory whose laws they can comfortably “abide.”
--President Dallin H. Oaks, “Kingdoms of Glory”
Thoughts on this quote: in order to get to the celestial kingdom, we need to be worthy and valiant to qualify for it, which is what our church promotes and is the ultimate goal for everyone. Don’t settle for less. Eternity is at stake. If you don’t “feel comfortable” living celestial principles and being in celestial environments (most notably, the temple), this life is the time work to get there. Strive day by day. Conform your life to be comfortable at the celestial level through following and improving your commitment to the principles and ordinances of the gospel. When you do these things you will comfortably fit in with the celestial kingdom and that is where you will ultimately reside in the next life. And if you do not eventually have a celestial companion for exaltation in this life and you desire and are worthy of it, you will have the opportunity for this blessing in the next life.
Have the Holy Ghost and allow it to lead, guide, and direct you always:
We have heard again President Russell M. Nelson’s warning that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
We need, and you will need, the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Now, we desire it, yet we know from experience that it is not easy to achieve. We each think and say and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit.
When that happens, as it will, we may feel disapproval from the Lord. And we may be tempted to feel we are alone. It is important to remember the sure promise we receive each week as we repent and partake of the sacrament: “That they may always have his Spirit to be with them.”
-- President Henry B. Eyring, “Our Constant Companion”
Thoughts on this quote: When we sin and temporarily lose the Spirit, and as a result we can feel alone. I think feeling alone can be amplified and made even harder when relationally single as well. Perhaps this is partly when inactivity rates are higher among the single population in the church. Therefore, when you temporarily lose the Spirit, please commit to having the necessary faith and repentance necessary to invite and welcome back the Spirit as soon as possible. Please commit to doing so and you will not only survive spiritually, you will thrive.
When in doubt, always think celestial:
Here is the great news of God’s plan: the very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be! Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded. We learn from the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob that “to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.”
Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import. Far too many people live as though this life is all there is. However, 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. So, think celestial.
President Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial!”
Thoughts on this quote: this simple but powerful idea to think celestial can be applied in many situations to help you make the best choices. This includes who, how, and where to date, who to have a relationship with, who to marry, and ideally, where to marry (meaning, the temple). For a person you are getting to know and consider for a relationship, do they strive to live a celestial level life? And are you striving to do the same? Answers to these kinds of key questions will help guide and direct you successfully through your dating and relationship life to make the best relational decisions possible.
Final Thoughts:
In this article, some key ideas have been shared by the three highest ranking general authorities in the church (the First Presidency). The latest guidance and revelation from the Lord has been given through them to all of us to help us best navigate our lives today—right now. Please apply these ideas and incorporate them into your life. A part of thinking celestial is also to think about and make decisions leading you towards celestial marriage. I encourage you to do so, remembering that “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Dr. G
P.S. If you have any questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2023-10-14 | Randy Gilchrist | Spirituality |
About the author
Hello, my name is Dr. Randy Gilchrist (aka "Dr. G"). I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed marriage & family therapist, and a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Roseville, CA (www.dr-rg.com), practicing since 1997. Also, I am happily married in the temple (Manti) since 1996 and have 4 sons. I am a volunteer writer and contributor to LDS Dimension. I use my training, education, and experience to share insights with LDS Dimension on all things of interest to the LDS dating community. Please read my articles and columns on this site to assist you in your online dating journey. Also, to be considered for an answer in a future Q and A column, please email me your dating/relationship oriented questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com. Finally, I also offer a powerful, effective worldwide custom hypnosis recording service just for LDS Dimension members for weight loss, pornography, and many other issues of concern to those in the LDS dating community (please learn more now at www.dr-rg.com/lds; email me questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com).