AN INVITATION FROM PRESIDENT ETHAN WILLIS OF THE GILBERT ARIZONA SEVILLE STAKE
Oaks 101: This is Real
7-Week Challenge to Know What is Real
In a world of deep fakes, artificial intelligence, and competing voices, President Oaks taught us: “You live in a season when the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you do not have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.” President Willis testified that there are deep truths more powerful than any deep fake—truths taught clearly by a prophet of the Lord that help us see past the confusion. President Oaks declared: “This is real. Let us be part of it.”
Since being called as an Apostle, President Oaks has given 101 general conference talks. As we prepare our hearts for April’s General Conference, I invite you to study his teachings and embrace the clarity we need in these confusing times. We can come to know, even more deeply, the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ and build an even stronger testimony that he is the prophet prepared by the Lord for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). This will be important for the conference ahead.
Step: 1
Read one talk per week.
Read or listen to one of the following seven talks given by President Oaks each week over the next seven weeks leading up to General Conference.
Step: 2
Discuss as a family.
Use the weekly discussion guide to share insights and let President Oaks’ teachings prepare your hearts together.
Step: 3
Track your progress.
Mark off each completed week and share what you’re learning with friends, in your journal, and social media.
Challenge Download
You can download and print the challenge with links to the talks and study guides for each talk.
Seven of Elder Oaks’ Talks
WEEK 1: Good, Better, Best
WEEK 2: Be Not Deceived
WEEK 3: Testimony
WEEK 4: The Need for a Church
WEEK 5: Apostasy and Restoration
WEEK 6: The Challenge to Become
WEEK 7: Small and Simple Things
A Special Promise
I promise that as we take this seven-week challenge, our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be strengthened. We will know with greater conviction, as President Oaks declared, “This is real”—and we will have a greater desire to be part of it. We will gain perspective and clarity to see past the disguises and deceptions of the adversary. You will have greater Spirit in your home, and your families will be more firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. When General Conference comes, your families will be better prepared to hear the counsel and direction of the prophet. And as President Oaks points us to the Savior, Jesus Christ will “change [your] heart forever and help [you] clearly see” (Hymn 1004, “I Will Walk with Jesus”).