Family Discovery Day: A Gift Passed from Generation to Generation

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Melanie, not only spoke of a gift passed from generation to generation, but demonstrated it in an hour of conversation, interviews with their grandchildren, and scenes from the British pageant during Family Discovery Day at RootsTech 2026.

They noted that as temples are rising across the world, the Lord is eager to link together His eternal family and give us access to power beyond our own. Sister Rasband said, ”In performing crucial temple work of binding together our past, present, and future” we are “uniting families for eternity.”

Elder Rasband said, “We recognize that our faith is not ours alone. It is a gift passed from generation to generation, as we honor the sacrifices and devotion of those who came before us with testimonies often born through trial and unwavering trust in the Lord. Their stories now become linked to and a part of our own. 

“Creating a heritage of faith is a sacred stewardship, as each generation strengthens the next. When we link our lives to those that came before and to those who will follow, we form a chain of faith that leads directly to Jesus Christ, giving us purpose and belonging,” noted Sister Rasband.

She pointed to Helaman 5 where Helaman had purposely taught his sons, Nephi and Lehi, about their ancestors’ faith in Jesus Christ and reminded them to “remember, remember”. “Their remembrance gave them strength in moments of peril. And their faithfulness to Christ brought heaven’s power. By living true to our commitment to Jesus Christ, we have our own link to a growing legacy of discipleship,” she said.

Elder Rasband shared two stories of faith from his own ancestors.

“In May of 1833, my fourth great grandfather, Ashael Perry, traveled from northern New York to Kirtland, Ohio. Not yet a member of the church, but yearning, yearning, to meet the prophet Joseph Smith. He arrived just as the first council convened to plan the building of the Kirtland Temple. During that meeting, many objected, because the church was too poor, and the temple project seemed so grand, but Ashael’s faith would not be deterred. 

“He and a few friends quietly counted their funds, and despite the cost of their journey home, he stepped forward. My grandfather approached Joseph Smith, pulled out a $5 gold coin, and presented it to the prophet. Joseph stood before the council and held up the coin, then speaking energetically, he said that the work had commenced, and the House of the Lord would be built according to the pattern presented by the Lord Jesus Jesus Christ. 

“To me, that act of humble sacrifice was more than a donation. It was a beautiful expression of my ancestors’ budding, yet profound faith. In time, the Perry family joined the church, received their blessings in the Nauvoo temple, and later crossed the plains to Utah and are buried in Springville, Utah. 

He continued,“This is one of many stories in my family history that has echoed through the generations, and has touched my soul deeply and united our family. Brothers and sisters, whether you are a first generation member of the church, or a 10th generation member, you can build your family’s legacy of faith that unites and binds generations together.”

Elder Rasband shared a second story about his ancestors. 

“The Prophet Malachi taught that in these latter days, the hearts of the fathers will turn to the children, and the hearts of the children will turn to their fathers. My heart, for one, has been turned to my ancestors, and I will be forever grateful for the heritage they left behind, a legacy of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

“My great grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Moulton, was born in Gloucester, England, in 1837. When she was four-years-old, her family was converted to the gospel and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At that time, their great desire was to emigrate to America, to be with the majority of the saints. By 1856, the Moulton family had seven children, and 18-year-old Sarah was among them. 

“With the help of the Perpetual Immigration Fund, and bits of savings in a fruit jar, the family set sail from Liverpool, England, to America. Before departing, the family was promised that if they would go to Utah, they would make the journey safely without losing even one member of the family. The Moultons arrived in America and ultimately joined the ill-fated Willie Hancart Company. 

“It is difficult for me. Surrounded by the comforts and amenities of modern life to imagine the daily misery of Sarah and of the remarkable men and women who traveled with her. Can we imagine, day after day, the blistered feet and hands, the sore muscles, the dust and grit, the sunburn, flies, and mosquitoes, the ever-dwindling food stores and scarcity of water? 

“By October, they were trapped in a snowstorm, below Rocky Ridge on the Sweetwater River, about 350 miles from Salt Lake City. When Brigham Young learned of the mortal danger of the struggling travelers, he quickly made a call for men, food, and supplies to leave and render assistance. 

“As the rescuers finally reached the Willie Camp, they were greeted with indescribable joy and gratitude from the frozen and starving saints. When the survivors finally completed the journey and arrived in Salt Lake City, 66 of their company had died, and many suffered from frozen feet and limbs. But the promise to the Moulton family, and that blessing in England, had been fulfilled. They had not lost even one of their children, including a baby born on the ship from Liverpool. 

“Gratitude and appreciation toward one of the young rescuers, John Bennett Hawkins, blossomed into romance and love for Sarah. On December 5, 1856, they were married, and later had 10 children, including my grandmother, Esther Emily. This great heritage of faith and endurance lives on in the generations that have followed the pioneers by their descendants, as well as those who have been touched by the incredible devotion to a cause greater than themselves.”

A group of performers from Nauvoo’s British pageant then performed the story of Ann and George Cannon, Sister Rasband’s ancestors. The Cannons had heard the gospel in Britian from John Taylor and yearned to come to Zion, saving for some time to make the journey. But Ann never saw the Zion she yearned for. She died on the journey and was buried at sea. Still, through her six children her faith is carried by descendants who number in the hundreds of thousands.

Share Your Ancestors’ Faith; Strengthen Your Grandchildren

So with, stories of faith behind them, the Rasbands look to their grandchildren to carry on the legacy. They were joined on the stage by many of them, including three returned missionaries who shared how knowing their ancestor’s faith had buoyed them in their lives.

Haley, a granddaughter and a returned missionary from Brazil said, “On my mission, there were moments when it got really, really tough, and I would feel the strength and the faith of my ancestors buoying me up when it got hard, and it helped me to keep going, and so for that, I feel extremely grateful.”

Ellen, another granddaughter said, “I love the temple more than anything.” She had been taught to find family names to take to the temple in ordinances ready on FamilySearch, and took that skill to Spain. “I had this friend who had just barely gotten baptized, and she wanted to go to the temple more than anything. She was able to research her ancestor’s names, and we went to the temple and I could see the joy on her face.” 

Modern Pioneers

Elder Rasband said, “I have met many modern pioneers throughout the world, and I have seen that legacy carried on through them. As modern pioneers, our personal journeys may be no less daunting, but we are creating a heritage of faith for those who will follow us. As I look upon my own children and grandchildren, and at the host of God’s children across the globe, my fondest hope is that we will continue in this sacred heritage built upon the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ. Whether you have multiple generations of Latter-day Saint ancestry, or if you are the first modern pioneer in your family, build upon and continue the legacy of these great men and women who have come before us. 

“What move them on? What pushed them forward? It was a sure testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. I did not pull a handcart across the plains, but as a great grandson of pioneers, What they felt, I feel and what they knew, I know. That Jesus is the living Christ, the Son of God. I love him, and this is his church.”

See the video of this presentation here:

 

Make Plans for RootsTech 2026 Family Discovery Day

Press release and photo courtesy of the FamilySearch Newsroom. To visit their website, CLICK HERE.

Join the world’s largest family celebration at RootsTech 2026 Family Discovery Day, hosted by FamilySearch on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MST), at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Enjoy inspiring keynote speakers, including Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, and Steve Young, an American football legend, along with free activities, games, and experiences for all ages. Select sessions will also be available online on-demand at RootsTech.org. Find and share this announcement in the FamilySearch Newsroom.

Family Discovery Day 2026 Keynote Speakers

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, will speak at 1:30 p.m. MST about coming unto Christ by uniting families for eternity. 

American football legend, Steve Young, will speak at 11:00 a.m. (MST) and will share stories about his life and family. Family Discovery Day keynotes will be available both in person and online. Registration is free. 

Family Discovery Day activities are also free and will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (MST) at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Attendees will enjoy cultural performances, storytelling, live music, classes, and family discovery experiences. 

Family Discovery Day 2025 Classes

RootsTech Family Discovery Day classes will be offered in-person and online. Topics covered will include engaging teens in family discovery experiences, using your ancestors’ stories to build emotional resilience, tips and tricks for using FamilySearch and other leading genealogy websites, a Q&A panel for those with Latter-Day Saint temple and family history callings, and more. 

Explore the complete list of RootsTech 2026 classes available at RootsTech.org. See Latter-day Saint Sessions for classes of interest specifically to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction

A 30-minute, pre-recorded training featuring Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Kearon will provide guidance for Church leaders on blessing members through temple covenants and ordinances. The instruction will be accessible in multiple languages and available on demand March 5, 2026, at ChurchofJesusChrist.org and in the Gospel Library app.

Related

Look Who’s Coming to RootsTech 2026: Keynote Speakers Announced!

NFL Legend Steve Young to Keynote at RootsTech 2026

Plan Your RootsTech 2026 Schedule!

Registration for RootsTech 2026 Is Now Open

What Is RootsTech?

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by leading genealogy organizations, offers hundreds of classes, expert tips, and inspiring stories to help attendees connect through family history. Explore our on-demand learning library or join the next virtual or in-person conference for access to 200+ sessions, exhibitors, and experiences designed to help you discover, remember, and share your story.

About FamilySearch 

FamilySearch International is the world’s largest nonprofit genealogy organization, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For over 125 years, FamilySearch has gathered, preserved, and increased access to genealogical records worldwide. Millions access our free resources monthly online at FamilySearch.org or through more than 6,400 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Church Leaders to Address Global Audiences in Upcoming RootsTech and Young Adult Events

Photos courtesy of the Church Newsroom. To visit their website, CLICK HERE

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Melanie, will speak at the 2026 RootsTech Family Discovery Day on March 7. Their message will focus on coming unto Christ by strengthening eternal family connections. Their remarks will be broadcast live at 1:30 p.m. MST and will be available on demand through Gospel Library and on broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

RootsTech Family Discovery Day will also feature free, family-friendly activities at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, including music, cultural performances, classes, and hands-on family history experiences. Additional details and registration information are available at RootsTech.org.

In addition, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, will speak to young adults worldwide during a special devotional this February. Broadcast from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, the devotional will commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Institutes of Religion, marking a century of faith, learning, and spiritual growth for young adults across the globe.

Together, these events highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, deepen family connections, and support individuals at every stage of life.

 

Elder Rasband Sees Gospel Growth During Central Africa Ministry

The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full story, CLICK HERE. 

“We are on the front edge of the gospel in the Africa Central Area,” said Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as he concluded a five-country ministry to East and Central Africa on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

“Everything that we’re doing here is putting in place a foundation for the Church to grow strong and be healthy and bring many, many more souls to the Lord Jesus Christ,” said the Apostle.

The senior Church leader was joined by his wife, Melanie; Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Nancy; and members of the Africa Central Area Presidency.

In the Republic of the Congo, Elder Rasband spent time with young adults at the Church-sponsored BYU–Pathway Global Education Center in Brazzaville on Friday, October 31, one of four centers worldwide. Students in the BYU–Pathway Worldwide program receive a spiritually based education available online.

“As I went from room to room, they were packed with students. They’re not only there for Pathway, but they’re there for institute,” said Elder Rasband. “It was a joy for me to see how members and nonmembers are responding to the invitation to learn English.”

Other Global Education Centers are in Nigeria, the Philippines and South Africa.

MTC Dedication

The Apostle crossed the Congo River by boat for his final stop in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he met with local Church leaders. It’s one of the fastest-growing areas of the Church of Jesus Christ, with new missions announced and Sunday’s dedication of a missionary training center (MTC) in Kinshasa by Elder Rasband.

“Many young converts are of missionary age, and they want to go on missions. And so, this MTC in the Congo will cater more to the Congolese missionaries,” he explained.

“We have missionaries come from other parts of Africa as well, coming here to learn to speak French, or we have some French speakers learning English,” added President Myles Proudfoot, mission leader at the Democratic Republic of the Congo MTC.

“I’ve been learning so many things about the English language,” explained Elder Khalifa Kikuli, a missionary from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, who will serve in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

“I felt honored to be part of the missionaries who witnessed the dedication,” expressed Elder Deniel Siles Acquaah, who will be serving a mission in Cameroon. “And being the first Ghanaian missionary to be trained in the Kinshasa MTC. Elder Acquaah is the first missionary from Ghana to train at the new missionary training center.

To read the full story from the Church Newsroom, CLICK HERE. 

Elder Rasband Shares Five Keys to a Stronger Family

The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” is “the Lord’s plan for the eternal destiny of all His children.”

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared this message and more as he spoke to students at Brigham Young University (BYU) on September 23, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the landmark document first read to the public by President Gordon B. Hinckley at a global gathering of women on September 23, 1995.

Elder Rasband, a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was speaking to students at the weekly campus devotional in Provo, Utah.

As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Rasband said one of his duties is to teach people about the proclamation. He and other Church leaders have done this with kings and religious and civic leaders around the world, he said. This includes President Henry B. Eyring speaking about it during his 2014 visit to the Vatican.

“The proclamation helps us as disciples of Jesus Christ to recognize that our lives, our daily choices, distinguish us from the ways and advocacy of the world around us,” Elder Rasband said. “We have accepted the teachings and example of our Lord and Savior to help us live righteously.”

The Apostle, reiterating his April 2024 general conference message that “words matter,” highlighted five words and phrases from the proclamation: family, creator, eternal destiny, children, and happiness.

Family

The Apostle urged students to make the Savior of the world the beating heart of their family life, saying, “Whether there is just one in your family or already a handful, decide right now to put the Lord Jesus Christ at the center of your family. Read the scriptures together. Pray together and ask the Lord to guide you in these critical years ahead.”

Creator

God “created the plan that brought us here,” the Apostle said, encouraging students to live according to God’s plan to one day return to his presence.

Eternal Destiny

The proclamation is clear that “our life did not begin here in mortality, nor does it end at the grave. You are here, on earth, with a physical body and the agency to choose your direction in life,” he said, advising students to stay vigilant in their spiritual pursuits.

Children

Each person is a “son or daughter of heavenly parents.” That means God “loves us. Every one of us — no exceptions,” Elder Rasband said, explaining that God knows where we will thrive and what experiences we need to help us grow in spirituality.

Happiness

“The answer to finding happiness is always Jesus Christ,” he concluded, testifying of the Lord’s love for us.

To read the full article from the Church Newsroom, CLICK HERE. 

‘A gathering oasis’: Elder Rasband dedicates the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple

The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

As Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles prepared to dedicate the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, he was inspired by the vision of it serving as a “gathering oasis” in the hearts of members in west Africa’s Republic of Côte d‘Ivoire.

Referencing President Russell M. Nelson‘s 2018 landmark address, “Hope of Israel‚” which calls Latter-day Saint youth to join the Lord’s battalion in gathering Israel through missionary efforts and temple and family history work, Elder Rasband commended members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ivory Coast for their exemplary faithfulness.

They are gathering through missionary work. In only a few decades, Church membership has surpassed 67,000 members and the temple district includes 38 stakes across several west African countries.

The Saints are also actively gathering names for the temple. Since the dedication of the Accra Ghana Temple in 2004, Ivorian Saints have shown exceptional dedication to temple and family history work.

“Ivory Coast — Côte d‘Ivoire — is a gathering oasis,” Elder Rasband said. “Of all the people I have been around in the world, they understand the gathering here.”

Elder Rasband dedicated the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple — the Church’s 205th operating house of the Lord and the country’s first — in one session on Sunday, May 25, one decade after it was announced in 2015.

The session was broadcast to all units in Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Senegal — as well as two branches in the Gambia.

The temple will serve members in Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and Western Sahara.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

Video: New Apostles Introduced to News Media

The three new apostles, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Elder Dale G. Renlund were introduced to the news media and fielded questions at a press conference on Saturday. Become better acquainted with them here.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s Landmark Talk at BYU: 3 Things to Do about Religious Freedom

Elder Ronald A. Rasband gave BYU students important perspective on religious freedom and fairness to all in a landmark devotional Tuesday, Sept. 15. He said that in preparing his remarks he had worked closely with the Public Affairs Committee of the Church which is headed by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.

He said, “Because you are a sophisticated and intelligent audience, I intend to speak to you with the candor your generation craves. I suspect that for some of you the phrase religious freedom feels more like freedom to discriminate. I want to talk to you about this view and help you understand what the Church means when it talks religious freedom and why it is so vitally important for your future and for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.

“Some in your age group wonder why religious groups are involved in politics in the first place and are often skeptical of the motives of religious people when they do so. In recent years, the collective voice of groups who feel that religion should not play a role in political deliberation has grown louder.

“The opportunity to be involved in the political process is a privilege given to every citizen. Our laws and legislation play an important teaching role in shaping our social and moral cultlure. We need every individual in society to take an active role in engaging in civic dialogue that helps frame laws and legislation that are fair for everyone.”

To explain what Elder Rasband meant by religious freedom he told the hypothetical stories of two people, both in careers that were important to them and where they hoped to make a good impression.

The first is Ethan who had started his job in a career he longed for and wants to make a good impression. He comes early, stays late and does excellent work. Then one day at lunch he shares with some of his co-workers that he is gay. Awkwardness follows in this conservative environment and Ethan feels hurt and rejected. Things become increasingly more difficult at work for him and he finds himself excluded from large projects and social activities. His productivity suffers and soon his boss feels that he is not keeping up and fires him. “Despite all claims to the contrary, Ethan knows he has been fired for being gay.”

Then there’s Samantha who works in the administrative offices of a local university. She loves her job in a stimulating environment, full of diversity until one day a co-worker approaches her and asks if she is a Mormon. When Samantha cheerfully responds that she is, the co-worker asks, “Why do you hate gays?” Samantha is surprised by the question but tries to explain her belief in God and his commandments which includes guidelines on moral and sexual behavior. Soon other co-workers begin to confront her with questions and attacks and her boss cautions her against proselytizing at work or her job will be in jeopardy. Her work, like Ethan’s begins to suffer, and rather than risk being fired, Samantha starts to look for another job.

Elder Rasband said, “Now these are hypothetical stories and yet they are not. There are many Samantha’s and Ethan’s. However we choose to live and whatever choices we make, we share a common humanity and desire for fairness and kindness. Ethan should not have been fired for being gay and Samantha should not have been intimidated for being religious. Both were wrongly criticized, judged and retaliated against.

“Now in today’s society it is politically correct to empathize with Ethan’s situation but less so with Samantha’s. Ethan may find his case picked up by an advocacy group as yet another example of anti-gay discrimination and indeed he does deserve protection. But what about Samantha? Who will defend her right to religious conscience? What about her right to live authentically as a person of faith, committed to love and serving everyone, but also with the right to choose what is right and wrong and to live her life accordingly? Our society has become so blind by its quest to redress wrongful discrimination against one class of people that it is now in danger of creating another victimized class–people of faith like you and me.

“Already some religious schools are being questions because they require students and faculty to adhere to an honor code that requires fidelity and chastity,” Elder Rasband noted. “CEO’s of large companies have been marginalized or forced to resign because their personal religious views are no longer politically acceptable. And some businesses have been forced to close because their owners have spoken their conscience.

“Despite what you may have read or heard over the years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has stood consistently for freedom of choice and conscience. Many years ago the prophet Joseph Smith wrote, “We believe that all men are created equal and that all have the privilege of thinking for themselves upon all matters relative to conscience.” He went on to say, ‘If I have been willing to die for a Mormon I am just as willing to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.’”

Elder Rasband said that he can assure that Apostles and Prophets have given significant consideration to the position of the Church on religious freedom. He said, “We believe in following the commandments of God which are designed to secure our eternal happiness. However, God will force no man to heaven.

“We believe in creating a space for everyone to live their conscience without infringing on the rights and safety of others. When the rights of one group collide against the rights of another, we must follow the principle of being as fair and sensitive to as many people as possible. The Church believes and teaches in fairness for all. Protecting conscience is about safeguarding the way someone thinks and feels and their right to act on those beliefs.

“I am talking about someone telling you that the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs you have are not allowed, valued or acceptable because your views are not popular. A war in heaven was fought for agency. It is a gross violation of that agency to force someone to betray their conscience because their views do not align with the crowd.

He said not to misunderstand him on this. When he spoke of being authentic, “the Lord does not give us a free pass to live anyway we choose without consequences. We are still accountable to Him for out choices. He has said, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect.’The commandment to seek after perfection implies we start where we are and seek the Lord’s help to lift us to where he wants us to go. Being true to our authentic self requires continual effort to increase our light, knowledge and understanding.”

Elder Rasband said that “the Church favors a balanced approach that secures the rights of all people.” At the January press conference on “Religious Freedom and Fairness to All”, Elder Oaks had said, “We call on local, state and the federal government to serve all of their people by passing legislation that protects vital religious freedoms for all individuals, families and churches and other faith groups, while also protecting the rights of our LGBT citizens in such areas as housing, employment and public accommodation, in hotels, restaurants and transportation, protections which are not available in many parts of the country.”

With the Church’s support within six weeks, Utah had passed a law that protected the LGBT community against eviction, housing discrimination or being fired from a job because of sexual orientation and at the same time protected religious people in the workplace and the public square.

Elder Rasband said, “No doctrinal or religious principles were sacrificed. No changes were made to God’s moral law and our belief that sexual relations should only occur within marriage between a man and a woman. The outcome was fair to all and reflects the consistency and moral teachings and respect for others.”

Elder Rasband made the following suggestions to negotiate the challenging times we live in regarding religious freedom.

“First, try to view others through a lens of fairness. To do this requires you to first acknowledge that Heavenly Father loves each of his children equally. He has said, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ There is no choice, sin or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change his love for you or for them.

“That does not mean he excuses or condones sinful conduct, nor do we in ourselves or in others, but it does mean that we reach out in love to persuade, to help and to rescue. When you feel completely and perfectly loved, it is much easier to love others and see them the way the Savior does.

“Please turn to our Savior in prayer and ask to receive his pure love, both for yourself and for others. He has promised that you will feel his love if you ask in faith. Being filled with this pure love will guide your thoughts and actions, especially in a political arena that at times can be very contentious.

“Tensions can flare easily when discussing politics and especially when discussing religious freedom. If we allow these moments to get the better of us, we will appear very unChristian to our family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances Remember how the Savior handled tough questions and challenging viewpoints. He remained calm. He showed respect. He taught truth, but never forced anyone to live the way he taught.

“Second, let fairness guide your treatment of others. Jesus Christ looked past people’s ethnicity, race and circumstances in order to teach them simple truth. The Samaritan woman at the well, the Roman centurion, the unpopular publican.

“He has commanded us to follow his example, saying ‘Ye shall observe to do the things which you have seen me do.’ Do not judge people or treat them differently because they sin differently than you or we do. Perhaps the greatest challenge in treating others fairly is in the balance required in supporting religious freedom when you have friends or family members who experience same-sex attraction or are firm supporters of their rights. Some of you worry that you will appear intolerant and unsupportive if you seek protections to exercise your faith publicly and freely.

“Again, study the life of our Savior and seek his guidance. The Savior demonstrated perfectly how to reach out in love and encouragement while also holding firm to what he knew to be true. Remember when the woman was caught in adultery? He asked for anyone without sin to step forward and to be the first to condemn her. When no one approached our Savior who was without sin, he commented, ‘Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.’

“The forgiveness and kindness he showed her did not contradict his teachings that sexual intimacy is meant for a husband and a wife who are legally and lawfully married. You too can be unyielding in right and truth yet still reach out in kindness. When Christ’s friends and followers ended their relationship with Him, He expressed sadness and pain. However when a relationship did end, it was because they were uncomfortable with his teachings, not because he was uncomfortable with them.

“As we seek to treat others fairly, we must remember the principle of agency. We must always respect the ability of others to make choices and ask that they extend to us the same courtesy. When talking with others about religious freedom we must always remember that we can disagree without becoming disagreeable. Please do not shy away from a dialogue regarding these important issues simply because you are worried that it might be difficult or uncomfortable. We can pray for help and we can expect that the Savior can help us act and speak in a way that is pleasing to HIm.

“Third, I would encourage you to stand up for fairness if you see another’s rights being impeded… From the time of Joseph Smith to our present day, our legacy is reaching out to heal breaches and hurt without compromising the doctrine. That is not ours to trade away.”

Elder Rasband concluded with an appeal to the rising generation.

“I stand with the leaders of our Lord’s church when I say that we need your generation’s natural understanding of compassion, of respect and fairness. We need your optimism and your determination to work through these complex social issues.

“We have faith that you will turn to the Savior to understand how to live a Christ like life when also showing fairness and love to others who do not share your beliefs. We know you want to be part of something meaningful and we know that you are resilient and collaborative.

“Most importantly, we need you to engage regarding the complexities of this issue and find solutions for how to best extend fairness to everyone including people of faith.

“These conversations need to be occurring in our schools, perhaps right here at Brigham Young University, in our homes, and in relationships with friends and co-workers. When you have these conversations, please remember the principle that we have discussed today which are simply these:

“See others through a lens of fairness. Treat them with respect and kindness and expect the same treatment in return.”

He invited students to come to his Facebook page and share their experiences of love and fairness. Comments have already begun pouring in.