Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, delivered a discourse titled “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” during the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2024 general conference. He discussed the importance of cultivating inner spiritual stillness and the blessings that come from building one’s foundation upon the Savior.
In his #GeneralConference address, Elder Bednar emphasized the significance of heeding the Lord’s admonition to “be still,” which serves as a reminder to focus on the Savior as the ultimate source of spiritual peace and tranquility. He likened the foundation of our lives to the connection between a building and its bedrock, stressing that a strong connection to Christ is essential for spiritual resilience.
Elder Bednar compared sacred covenants and ordinances to anchor pins and steel rods that secure our spiritual foundation to the rock of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that faithfully renewing and remembering these sacred commitments strengthens our connection to Christ and enables us to experience the stillness of soul promised by the Lord.
Furthermore, Elder Bednar highlighted the importance of sacred times and holy places, such as our homes, in facilitating this inner stillness and connection with God. He emphasized that our homes should be sanctuaries where we can “be still” and recognize our divine relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
Main Points from Elder Bednar’s Talk
- Sacred Stillness: The celestial room in the temple symbolizes peace and beauty, leading to an inner spiritual stillness that helps us know God.
- Experiencing Stillness: A journalist’s emotional reaction to the celestial room illustrates the power of overcoming external commotion to find inner peace.
- Divine Admonition: The Lord’s command to “be still and know that I am God” is a call to remember and rely upon His power in all aspects of life.
- Foundation on Christ: Building our lives on the rock of Jesus Christ ensures spiritual stability and strength to withstand life’s challenges.
- True Faith: Faith in Jesus Christ, as the Redeemer and Advocate, is essential for a strong spiritual foundation.
- Spiritual Anchors: Sacred covenants and ordinances are like anchor pins that secure our lives to Christ, increasing our spiritual strength over time.
- Sabbath Worship: The Sabbath is a sacred time to remember God, renew covenants, and experience spiritual stillness.
- Holy Places: Temples and meetinghouses are holy places that facilitate worship, learning, and an enhanced connection with God.
- Home as a Sanctuary: Homes should be the ultimate combination of sacred time and holy place, fostering an environment of spiritual stillness.
- Continuous Preparation: Ongoing Sabbath, temple, and home experiences should fortify us with the Holy Ghost and a stronger covenant connection to God.
- Overcoming Adversity: By building our lives on Christ, we can receive spiritual strength to withstand distress, despair, and persecution.
- Promise and Testimony: Elder Bednar testifies of the blessings that come from building our lives on Christ and promises that we can overcome hard things through Him.
Open-Ended Study Questions For Consideration
- How can we cultivate inner spiritual stillness amid the busyness and distractions of modern life?
- In what ways can building our lives on the rock of Jesus Christ help us withstand life’s challenges?
- What role do sacred covenants and ordinances play in securing our spiritual foundation?
- How can we enhance our Sabbath worship to experience greater spiritual stillness and renewal?
- What are some practical ways to make our homes a combination of sacred time and holy place?
- How can we apply the principle of “being still” in our daily lives to remember and rely on God’s power?
- What lessons can we learn from the experiences of the early Saints in Missouri about finding comfort in God’s promises?
- How does the symbolism of Christ as the “rock” influence our understanding of faith and spiritual stability?
- In what ways can we strengthen our covenant connection to God through regular temple and home worship?
- How can we support each other in overcoming the distractions and challenges that impede our spiritual stillness?
Great Quotes from Elder Bednar’s Remarks
- “Be still, and know that I am God.”
- “I did not know quiet like that existed in the world; I simply did not believe such stillness was possible.” (Spoken by a journalist attending a temple open house.)
- “True faith is always focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ—in Him as the Divine and Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father and on Him and the redemptive mission He fulfilled.”
- “The sacred covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel can be compared to the anchor pins and steel rods used to connect a building to bedrock.”
- “Our homes should be the ultimate combination of both sacred time and holy place wherein individuals and families can ‘be still’ and know that God is our Heavenly Father.”
- “The principal purposes of sacred time and holy places are exactly the same: to repeatedly focus our attention upon Heavenly Father and His plan, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”
- “As we build the foundation of our lives on the ‘rock’ of Jesus Christ, we can be blessed by the Holy Ghost to receive an individual and spiritual stillness of the soul.”