Discussion Material: President Oaks - “The Gospel of Jesus Christ Is for All”
Discussion, Monday, October 26, 2026
Listened to the Inkling’s podcast — focused on the names of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost— framer of heaven and earth —”God the Father, the great Elohim, is the Father of our spirits, the framer of heaven and earth, and the author of the plan of our salvation. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son, Jehovah, and the Messiah, “the God of the whole earth.”
Noticed the emphasis on “His church” —change the way we speak—not “the church” but “His church.” Less critical when I think or speak of it as His church.
Noticed President Oaks said, “As your President,” later he said, “A major source of concern to your prophet leaders . . .”
We need one another’s prayers. “I feel the positive effect of your prayers,” reminded us of our last meeting when one members noted we are bound to each other when we pray together or pray for each other. We each have had too many experiences not to know that or to be a witness of that binding.
Elaine Pagels prayer experience as noted in her book, Why Religion? She had a vision of the prayers being said for her son at the time it was happening.
Husband deployed—she has the kids—felt supported and knew people were praying for her—she didn’t feel alone; that was confirmed to her time and time again.
One member was teaching at school and another teacher knew she was struggling with something and told her “I’ll pray for you.”
When a friend is struggling, and one prays, temple prayers, etc., watch the help they receive. It is astounding and faith affirming.
Appreciated President Oaks pointing out there are two ways to learn, and we are expected to learn from all sorts of sources. "There is no ultimate conflict between knowledge obtained by these different methods because God, our omnipotent Eternal Father, knows all truth and expects us to learn by both methods.” Never let your secular learning limit your spiritual horizons.
[Humility] is forgiving others in the realization that there may be errors of the same kind or worse [that we ourselves commit].”
Really appreciated to know what being teachable is—President Spencer W. Kimball defined humility as “teachableness.” He explained: “Teachableness [is] an ability to realize that all virtues and abilities are not concentrated in one’s self. …
We are to do what we can to protect ourselves—”Protect yourself with the weekly renewing of your covenants by partaking of the sacrament and with consistent efforts to live according to those sacred covenants. Those who have been endowed should include regular attendance at the temple. These simple practices will protect and strengthen you.”
Some noted the very scattered approach of the talk—each paragraph is powerful and not tied in smoothly, however each statement he made caught our attention.
“We believe that the Lord will eventually cause the inspired teachings He has given to His children in various nations to be brought forth for the benefit of all people. This will include accounts of the visit of the resurrected Lord to what we call the lost tribes of Israel and His revelations to all the seed of Abraham.” Buckle up—new scripture is not always well-received no matter who introduces it.
Hagar—Ishmael—scriptures and sacred writings
2 Nephi 29:13 (The scripture footnoted in President Oaks’ conference talk related to additional records)
Grant Hardy’s footnote from The Annotated Book of Mormon, for 2 Nephi 29:13. 12: Three collections of God’s words are specifically mentioned—the Bible of the Jews, the BoM of the Nephites, and a still-to-be-recovered record of the lost tribes of Israel (that is, the ten tribes carried away captive by the Assyrians in 722 bce; cf. 1 Ne 22.4; 3 Ne 17.4)—yet apparently remnants of revelation can be found among all nations of the earth (cf. Alma 29.8). Like Hel 10.8–10, this verse features both anaphora and epistrophe. 13–14: The gathering of Israel (to multiple lands) will be accompanied by a gathering of sacred texts. Show unto them…that I am God, as in v. 8 above. Them that fight against my word, those who reject additional scripture. Covenanted with Abraham…forever, see Gen 17.7. Hardy, Grant. The Annotated Book of Mormon (p. 170). Kindle Edition.
This is for everyone — not just the Jews or the Gentiles but every single person on Earth.
“He is relentless in His loving pursuit of each of you. Because of this concern and according to His words, I urge you to keep the commandments and be true to the covenants so many of you have made to guide you along the covenant path. Never let your secular learning limit your spiritual horizons.”
These covenants we are making and keeping will help us eternally
When in Initiatory, I am thinking about my healthy living body and how this applies to their spirit without a body. And how does the garment we covenant to wear fit with the woman we are doing proxy for? His her spirit covered with the garment? Will the garment, the blessing of the garment and our body will help us in the eternities with the process of resurrection? Most likely.
Resurrection is not one big event—it is ongoing
The restoration is ongoing, so is the resurrection
Are the blessings in initiatory symbolic?
Everything is symbolic
He lengthens the days for repentance — it’s a gift of grace
Trust in His timing—but we are not a patient people
“As your President, I pray for what our Heavenly Father wants for each of us—to be active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, proceeding forward on the covenant path into the eternities.”
We all could use additional scripture
His talk brings us back to the basics—Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, reflecting on her testimony for the last 5-7 years—
Always read the footnotes—
President Oaks acknowledged that the Church has “not always been wise in using the great qualification and powers of the daughters of God.” “We have work left to do,” President Oaks said, “but we are a lot better off than we were even a decade ago.” https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-first-presidency-interview?cid=email-CCD_EM_NEWS_101825_News2c