Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Thirty-Six

“Go Ye into All the World, and Preach the Gospel to Every Creature” (Mark 16:15)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is following the Lord’s commandment to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ world-wide in two remarkable ways:

First, over 90,000 full time missionaries are assigned to missions in every country world-wide that has enough religious freedom to allow it. These missionaries are mostly young men who start their two year missions at age 18. There are over 30,000 young women who start the 1.5 year mission also at age 18. There are many retired single senior missionaries and couples who also serve missions.

Second, the Restored Church of Jesus Christ holds a General Conference in April and October of each year. This way is seldom thought of as filling the Lord’s commandment to take His Gospel to all the world, but that is exactly what is happening. There is no other organization in the world, religious or otherwise, that does anything like these conferences.

General conferences is unique and critical to the Lord’s work. They are broadcast worldwide and reach millions of viewers in over 200 countries. These conferences are recorded and published, and they can be repeatedly read and viewed anytime world-wide. For six months following each conference the sermons given at the proceeding conference are studied in Sunday meetings world-wide. They connect and unify members of the Lord’s Church, world-wide, under the same prophetic leadership.

General conference is critical to each member as it provide the unique opportunity to publicly acknowledge and sustain the Lord’s chosen Prophet as “Prophet, seer, and revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, it provides us an additional opportunity to sustain 14 other men as “Prophets, seers, and revelators.” These consist of the two councilors in the First Presidency and the twelve members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

The Lord expects members of His Church to give strict heed to the council and teachings of His chosen Prophet, and He promises great blessings if we do. The Lord’s commandment first applied to Joseph Smith, and it applies to all of Joseph’s successors: “Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
“For by doing these things the gate of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:4-6, emphasis added).

President Ezra Taft Benson gave a landmark sermon at BYU on February 26, 1980, entitled Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet. President Benson introduced his theme by saying:

“To help you pass the crucial tests which lie ahead I am going to give you today several facets of a grand key, which if you will honor them, will crown you with God’s glory and bring you out victorious in spite of Satan’s fury…Here then is the grand key – follow the prophet.” President Benson then set forth “fourteen fundamentals in following the prophet, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” We should study the entire sermon, but I will address only the first and last fundamental.

“First fundamental: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.” (See D&C 21:4-6; 132:7) Alma inquired of the Lord on a military matter and was given an answer and the promise of deliverance. Certainly, President Dallin H. Oaks has inquired of the Lord regarding the contention and ill will that touches every aspect of our society. The Lord has prepared and is directing President Oaks to emphasize the importance of our Constitutionally protected religious freedom.

“Fourteenth fundamental: The prophet and the presidency – the living prophet and the First Presidency – follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.” President Benson concluded his sermon: “If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord, then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain. How closely do our lives harmonize with the words of the Lord’s anointed – the living prophet, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The following is my invitation to listen to General Conference held October 3 – 4, 2026:

“Come, listen to a prophet’s voice,
And hear the word of God.
And in the way of truth rejoice,
And sing for joy aloud.
We’ve found the way the prophets went
Who lived in days of yore.
Another prophet now is sent
This knowledge to restore.

(Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 21, verses 1and 4)

Released on October 3rd. 2026