Study Guide for “Days Never To Be Forgotten” // Elder Gary E. Stevenson // October 2024 General Conference

“Days Never to Be Forgotten” by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reflects on the defining moments in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly the significant decade from 1820 to 1830, beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision and culminating in the organization of the Church.

He suggests that the decade from 2024 to 2034 may prove to be another pivotal period for Church members as they are presented with extraordinary opportunities to serve, share, and unite with people worldwide.

Elder Stevenson explains that the past few years have brought historic experiences, such as celebrating President Russell M. Nelson’s 100th birthday. The milestone provided a chance to introduce President Nelson as a global religious leader, drawing attention to his unique role as a “prophet, seer, and revelator” to people across the world.

The newly renovated Church Office Building plaza and the projected increase in temple dedications over the next decade are cited as manifestations of Isaiah’s prophecy that “the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established.” With an expected 164 temples, millions will have the opportunity to enter these sacred spaces, notably with the rededication of the Salt Lake Temple as a symbolic centerpiece of this effort.

Elder Stevenson anticipates more significant events, such as the 200th anniversary of the Church’s founding in 2030 and the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2034. These milestones provide unique opportunities for Church members to interact with a global audience, sharing their faith through service, kindness, and an invitation to “come and see” the Church’s influence on members’ lives.

Elder Stevenson emphasizes the importance of “glad tidings” —the message of the gospel, or “good news.” The gospel promises joy and eternal happiness, achievable through Jesus Christ. He calls upon young people to embrace their potential to spread the gospel, highlighting that they were chosen to be on earth at this time to lead with faith, resilience, and love.

Nov 10 2024 EQ lesson (Gong and Stevenson) by John Dye

Elder Stevenson outlines four “divinely appointed responsibilities” to help members share the glad tidings of the gospel:

1. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Elder Stevenson urges members to study prophetic teachings, cultivate love for God, and strive to follow Christ’s example. He encourages them to live with “covenant confidence,” knowing that making and keeping covenants with God provides spiritual strength.
2. Care for Those in Need: He commends the younger generation’s compassion, noting that they frequently volunteer in humanitarian efforts. Elder Stevenson emphasizes that service should reflect God’s love and be motivated by the desire to treat others with dignity and kindness.
3. Invite All to Receive the Gospel: Elder Stevenson points out the enthusiasm of many young people who continue to serve full-time missions, helping to open 36 new missions worldwide. He urges them to share the gospel with friends and family, expressing the gospel’s joy through their actions.
4. Unite Families for Eternity: Elder Stevenson celebrates the dedication of youth in family history work and temple service, highlighting how these efforts strengthen familial bonds and help youth prepare for eternal relationships. He encourages members to make the temple a consistent part of their lives.

Elder Stevenson concludes by acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead but assures members that embracing the responsibilities of living, caring, inviting, and uniting will lead to “days never to be forgotten.” He promises that those who genuinely seek the Lord will experience divine blessings, witness God’s love, and participate in a “grand and glorious pilgrimage” toward a deeper relationship with God.

10 Quotes:

1. “The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this dispensation is resplendent with divine experiences that demonstrate how the Lord has guided His Church.”
2. “Consider these remarkable events! The young prophet conversed with the angel Moroni, translated the gold plates, and published the Book of Mormon!”
3. “May I be so bold as to suggest that this year we have commenced a decade that may prove to be as momentous as any that has followed that unparalleled founding decade almost two centuries ago.”
4. “Surely, the monumental events that will occur during the next 10 years constitute one manifestation this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled.”
5. “Imagine tens of millions of you and your friends walking through a house of the Lord.”
6. “These upcoming moments will provide members of the Church everywhere with increased opportunities to share the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed, a decade never to be forgotten.”
7. “Happiness and joy in this life and the next are always linked with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
8. “The Atonement of Jesus Christ is central to God’s plan to redeem us. To receive eternal life, we must come unto Christ.”
9. “I testify that those who approach the Lord with a sincere heart and real intent…will discover and experience bounteous celestial blessings.”
10. “You will experience days never to be forgotten.”

10 Questions:

1. How can I more effectively recognize and embrace opportunities to share my faith with others?
2. What specific actions can I take to live the gospel of Jesus Christ more fully in my daily life?
3. In what ways can I reach out to people around me to offer help, support, and compassion?
4. How can I make sharing the gospel a natural part of my interactions with friends and family?
5. What can I do to strengthen my “covenant confidence” and trust in God’s promises?
6. How can I better prepare myself spiritually for the significant events that may unfold over the next decade?
7. How does the concept of “glad tidings” shape my understanding of the gospel and my relationship with God?
8. How am I currently engaged in family history and temple work, and how could I make these a more consistent part of my life?
9. What personal goals could I set to grow in my capacity to be a “light unto the world”?
10. How can I seek out and treasure “days never to be forgotten” through deeper commitment to living and sharing my faith?