Elder Evan A. Schmutz, General Authority Seventy, spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. He taught about what it means to trust the doctrine of Christ. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Schmutz’s talk summary
The need to trust in the doctrine of Jesus Christ is a topic President Russell M. Nelson taught mission presidents and is applicable to everyone.
“If we are to accept President Nelson’s invitation to have the doctrine of Christ rooted in the marrow of our bones, we must deepen our conversion to the Lord by study, prayer, faithful living and continual repentance. We must invite the Holy Ghost to engrave the doctrine of Christ ‘in fleshy tables of [our hearts]’ (2 Corinthians 3:3) as permanently as it was engraved by Nephi upon the plates of gold.”
Trusting the doctrine of Christ means living by His every word, approaching Heavenly Father every day in prayer, setting aside the shiny things of the world to focus on the Redeemer of the world, following the Savior and covenanting with Him and enduring to the end regardless of life’s challenges.
“In God’s perfect plan, suffering with faith in Christ is linked to becoming perfect in Christ.”
Building “on the foundation of a covenantal relationship with Christ, we are trusting the doctrine of Christ, and, as we come unto Him, we have His promise of eternal life.”
Notable quotes
“If we are to accept President Nelson’s invitation to have the doctrine of Christ rooted in the marrow of our bones, we must deepen our conversion to the Lord by study, prayer, faithful living and continual repentance.”
“In God’s perfect plan, suffering with faith in Christ is linked to becoming perfect in Christ.”
“When we have built our houses on the foundation of a covenantal relationship with Christ, we are trusting the doctrine of Christ and, as we come unto Him, we have His promise of eternal life.”
See the full text of Elder Schmutz’s talk: ‘Trusting the Doctrine of Christ’
Who is Elder Evan A. Schmutz?
- Elder Schmutz was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 2, 2016.
- Elder Schmutz married Cindy Lee Sims on Feb. 3, 1978. He attributes much of his happiness and success to her.
- He worked for 32 years as an attorney after earning his law degree from Brigham Young University.
What has Elder Schmutz done recently?
- In a 2021 BYU–Idaho devotional, Elder Schmutz taught how to receive all of God’s promised blessings.
- Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Elder Schmutz participated in the 2021 Utah Inauguration Ceremony.
- National Day of Service: A look at how some Utah communities gathered to serve.
- He last spoke in general conference in 2016, where he taught about enduring life’s challenges with faith in Jesus Christ.
- As a previous area president over the Church’s Philippines Area, Elder Schmutz worked with members in that country to overcome malnutrition.
Read more of Elder Schmutz’s’ general conference addresses.
