From Elder Rasband, speaking today at BYU’s Devotional— “Let us train our minds until we DELIGHT in that which is good, lovely, and HOLY— seeking continually after that intelligence which will enable us eventually to build up Zion. We have a work on hand whose magnitude can hardly be told. (Brigham Young) What is that mighty work? I think it’s partially the great restitution of all things. The ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to emphasize five things that are significant to the restoration. Each is a reason by itself, to shout Hurrah for Israel! 1. A Divine Visitation. 2. Prophetic Callings. 3. The Church of Jesus Christ 4. The Book of Mormon 5. Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone Nothing you do in your life will be more important than GAINING and LIVING your testimony of our Father in Heaven and His Son, our Lord and Savior. Their coming to earth to a young fourteen-year-old boy began this great restoration, and WE ARE TO CARRY IT FORWARD. Reality is that the heavens opened. Reality is that God lives and teaches through His beloved Son. Reality is that they have bodies as we do, and that they KNOW OUR NAMES. Reality is that they speak to us through chosen PROPHETS. By divine design, they (the six charter organizers of the Church who signed the official documents) were chosen by the Son of God. Months later, Joseph received a revelation describing the religion as the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth. Take note, that it was Jesus Christ who said this to Joseph. Some take issue with that statement, caught up, perhaps, in the political correctness of all things being equal. But the words, ‘the only true and living church’ speak of the POWER to lay the foundation of the restoration, and to bring it forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness. This true and living church has the FULNESS of the doctrine of Christ-- His priesthood power, ordinances and temples, prophets and apostles to teach His word, and the truths of the gospel that include the nature of God the Father, and our BOND to Jesus Christ. Last winter at BYU, President Oaks taught: “God is RELENTLESS in His loving pursuit of each of you.” I LOVE the word relentless. It means He never takes a break or pause in His loving pursuit to bring us home to Him. He asks us to keep His commandments and be true to the COVENANTS found throughout the Book of Mormon. Next year, we will host an Open House for the restored Salt Lake Temple—the House of the Lord. The official theme for the historic six-month event is REJOICE IN CHRIST. Bring your friends, neighbors, classmates... and ANYONE seeking a better life. This will be a mini World’s Fair, with new larger than life portraits of Jesus Christ, sculptures, musical performances, historical exhibitions, and tours of that historic temple. EVERYTHING you see will be in celebration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His truths, teachings, and His Holy House. Our charge is to SHARE the truths of the gospel with ALL. Dear friends—brothers and sisters—as an apostle called of God, I leave with you today a blessing of personal revelation and guidance of the Holy Spirit to make critical choices with righteous intent... that your very life will reflect the greatness of THIS RESTORATION. That you will honor the efforts of those who laid this foundation... that you will feel your Lord and Savior near... and that you will STAND WITH HIM as an example of all that is right, and good, and glorious in this Church. I pray that you will proclaim with HOPE and FERVER as you serve the Lord time and time again. Hurrah for Israel!” Ronald A. Rasband BYU Devotional October 27, 2026