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[Music] President Holland just called this one of the most transcendent moments a human being could have in this world. What happened in this sacred meeting in the temple? Apostles rarely share about details, but they just did. And I want to break this down for you.
On October 14th, as many of us know, President Delan Chokes was ordained as the 18th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now, just days ago, President Holland and President Kristoffersonson have opened up about their sacred experience during that rare and holy event, and their words have caused me to ask myself, "What really happened in that sacred room in the temple on that sacred day?"
President Christopherson explained, "During that meeting, the senior apostle presides as they consider two questions. One, is it time to call a new prophet? And if yes, then is it appropriate and is it the will of the Lord that the first presidency should be reorganized?" At this time, President Christopherson bore his personal witness that it was indeed the will of the Lord that President Oak should be sustained and ordained and at this time that it was the will of the Lord. And many of us have felt that same confirming witness in our hearts as we have watched these events unfold. And many of us can see why the Lord has called President Oaks at this time to be our prophet, seer, and revelator.
So now I want to ask you, what does this mean knowing that this is God's will regarding his prophet for us today? And how is it helping us prepare for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? President Kristoffer says something really powerful. Watch this.
>> How uh how powerfully the spirit came in that moment to me to my heart to my mind. >>
That phrase really stood out to me. A powerful witness of the spirit because that is exactly how the Doctrine and Covenants describe moments when the Lord's will is confirmed. In Doctrine and Covenants 107:23, it says that the twel apostles are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world. And part of that witness is knowing without question whom the Lord has chosen to lead his church. Another scripture that comes to mind is Doctrine in Covenants 1:38. "Whether by thine own voice or by the voice of my servant, it is the same." That is what happened in that room. The Lord's voice and will was made known through the confirming power of his spirit. Moments like this are sacred confirmation that prophetic succession is divinely appointed and not administratively arranged like so many people today want to say. It's another reminder that the church truly is led by revelation, especially in these last days when the Lord is preparing the world for his return. This is vital that we understand this.
President Holland also shares something in this video and when he said this, it brought tears to my eyes. Listen to his voice.
>> It is one of the most transcendent moments a human being could have in this world is to be in the temple with those men and a new president, whoever it was. and and and I can say that he's set apart and our hands are on his head. And to do that is is just clearly one of the rarest and sweetest experiences one human being could have with another. >>
Now think about that. This is a man who experienced decades of sacred moments. And yet he calls this one of the most transcendent events that a human could witness. And he's now witnessed it several times. Let's pause on that word that he used. Transcendent. Transcendent means beyond or above the range of normal human experience, surpassing the ordinary. Elder Holland chose that word carefully. And like Elder Rasband said, words matter. This wasn't just spiritual. It was beyond what we normally experience in mortality. This is something that is reserved for sacred spaces with people who God calls to receive witness. But it is not only for them. We too are invited to have these experiences and to witness these transcendent events. And we too can bear witness that God called and chooses his prophets. He did anciently and he still does today.
Now this experience of President Holland reminds me of Moses. In Exodus 33:11 we read, "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto a friend face to face." Is that what happened in the temple that day? Personal, real. Moses didn't just know about God. He knew God. He had a witness of him. And here is what we know about prophets and apostles today. They are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ. Not witnesses of his teachings, not witnesses of his church, but witnesses of him personally, individually, and sacredly. And we too covenant in the temple to be a witness of Jesus Christ. We all can have this witness. President Nelson has testified, "I know the Savior. I know he lives." And Elder Holland has said, "I am a witness that Jesus is the Christ." These aren't poetic phrases. They are literal testimonies from prophets from men like Moses who have experienced that transcendent moment that transcends human understanding.
So when Elder Holland calls this ordination one of the most transcendent moments and when we hear that these sacred events took place in the house of the Lord, we can have confidence that the Lord made his will known unto them, exactly as they said it did. Likewise, with this, I want to remind you of what President Holland said in the dedication of the Grand Junction, Colorado temple dedication. She said that the temple is one of the ties on earth that God has with his children that are here. It is an obvious place to which God could come if he had family business on the earth. And ultimately all of his business on earth is family business. We can trust that something profoundly real happened there and is happening there. President Nelson has said that every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ can find him in the temple. I truly believe that the prophets and apostles witnessed something transcendent that day. Perhaps as President Oaks was ordained, the Savior himself bore witness. Perhaps he was present in ways that we could only imagine. Perhaps those apostles experienced what Moses experienced, knowing beyond any doubt that God was there. We don't need all the details, but we can trust their witness.
Apostles rarely share details about these deeply sacred experiences, but when they do, it is an invitation for us to feel something and not just learn something. It reminds me of the powerful accounts in church history like when Brigham Young to appear and sound like Joseph Smith to the saints confirming his prophetic call. Moments like these are spiritual signposts that God still speaks and that revelation has not ceased.
So what does this mean for us members who are trying to watch, wait, and prepare for the Savior's return? Every time prophetic succession happens under this unmistakable witness of the spirit, it is another fulfillment of the Lord's promise that "my word shall not pass away." It is evidence that Christ still governs his church personally and that he is actively directing it towards the culmination of his great millennial work. It is no surprise that the Lord called a man who understands both the law of the land and the laws of God. Both of which the world is increasingly deficient in. And in a world filled with confusion, having a living prophet is one of the greatest evidence that the heavens are still open today.
It is not enough for any of us to simply acknowledge that we are invited to receive our own spiritual witness of it. We too can have ears to hear and eyes to see. I invite you to ask the Lord to confirm to your heart that President Oaks has been called by him. You will feel that same peace, that same powerful witness of the spirit that filled the room that day. Personally, as I have pondered these events, I have felt such gratitude knowing that the church is in the Lord's hand, not man's. These moments remind me that revelation is real, that God's pattern never changes, and that he truly is hastening his work in preparation for his glorious return.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you felt that same strong spiritual confirmation as you've watched the prophetic transition unfold? Share your experiences in the comments below. And if this video helped strengthen your faith, please like and share it so more people can feel the same witness. And subscribe if you have not already subscribed. God still speaks today. The church is led by revelation and we are witnessing right now that prophecy is being fulfilled in real time. I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment. The Lord is indeed hastening his work. And with that, I hope you have a great day. I love you. We'll talk soon.