I wish I could respond to every question. I received 767 of them! They covered a variety of topics, including life at BYU, dating, doctrine, marriage, revelation, seeking perfection, and showing love to others. In the end, I was surprised how many questions you have. Unfortunately, passing around a portable microphone in the Marriott Center is virtually impossible today, so I invited two local young single adult stake presidents and several BYU professors to solicit questions in advance for my consideration in preparing my talk for you. Since then, Church leaders have taken many opportunities to respond to questions in various settings. The Prophet’s tongue-in-cheek answer reveals his witty personality: “Ask her she was of age, she can answer for herself.” 4 I smiled at Joseph’s response to another question in the series: “Did not Jo Smith steal his wife?” Joseph’s answer reminds us what is most important and essential: the core gospel message of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. The fundamental principles of our religion the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, “that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven” and all other things are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion. The first is an excellent question: “What are the fundamental principles of your religion?” We do not have time to explore those twenty questions, but I did pick two of them. The questions, along with his responses, were published in the Church’s newspaper, the Elders’ Journal, in July 1838. Recently I learned about a time when Joseph Smith answered twenty questions he had received. 1 An adapted version of that talk appeared in the Ensign magazine last December with the hope that all parents, Church leaders, and teachers would do their best to listen and to respond to the questions from those they love. I love you and constantly pray for you.Ī year ago I spoke to our full-time religious educators and explained that we need to listen more and do our best to respond to sincere questions. I would like you to picture me as your grandfather who believes in you and who is cheering for you. I want to include you in our family today. We have been blessed with seven children, forty-three grandchildren, and eighty-six great-grandchildren-with more on the way! I am now in my ninetieth year and have been happily married to my dear wife, Barbara, for sixty-six years.
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