President Nelson on Identity, the Pioneer Stories of the Apostles, and FSY
During the week of July 17-23, President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared a message of true identity on social media. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency addressed the Notre Dame Religious Freedom Summit in Rome, Italy. Opening BYU-Idaho, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency spoke in his address of hope for the future.
President M. Russell Ballard, acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated a new memorial to black pioneers. To mark the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared personal pioneer stories and how pioneers influenced them. The Church News Pioneers in Every Country series continued this week with pioneering examples from several European countries.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles surprised youth at FSY in Seattle, Washington, while Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles welcomed and addressed FSY youth in Utah. Susan H. Porter, the new Primary general president, was interviewed on the Church News podcast this week.
Below are summaries and links to these nine articles.
1. President Nelson writes about identity
Labels can be fun and show your support for a number of positive things. But when some tag replaces your most important identifiers, the results can be mentally stifling, President Nelson wrote.
Check out the post
2. President Oaks in Rome

President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, called for “a global effort to defend and promote the religious liberty of all the children of God in every nation of the world” in Rome, Italy.
In his keynote address at the Notre Dame Religious Freedom Summit on July 20, President Oaks called on religious leaders to “unite and find common ground in defending and promoting religious freedom.”
Find out what he said
3. President Eyring speaks at the opening of BYU-Idaho

In his graduating address, President Henry B. Eyring recalled how the Spirit revealed to him as an undergraduate physics student the solution to a complicated mathematical problem. As an executive and teacher at Ricks College, he felt a revelation about what to say in classrooms or at faculty meetings.
“My experiences as a student and in the leadership of this school reinforce my testimony that when we choose, we can learn and be guided by the Spirit,” said the senior President Eyring.
Read what he advised
4. President Ballard dedicates a new memorial honoring black pioneers

On the 175th anniversary of the day Green Flake drove the first chariot into Emigration Canyon and brothers Hark Wales and Oscar Smith were in the same group, a memorial was erected to those three – and to Jane Manning James, who arrived later in 1847 – revealed. President M. Russell Ballard, acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a direct descendant and supporter of the early pioneers, dedicated the monument in front of several hundred people.
Find out how the new 1847 Pioneer Monument was created
5. Apostles share personal pioneer stories

Despite differences in language, culture, and nationality, the pioneers who crossed the plains into the Salt Lake Valley bore a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They showed “confidence in every step” as they traveled more than a thousand miles through prairie, desert and canyons.
This week, to mark the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first pioneer group in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared some of their families’ pioneering stories.
Learn about their pioneering ancestors
6. Elder Uchtdorf surprises youth at Seattle FSY

The 230 young FSY participants gathered on the Seattle University campus felt a collective “charge” as they were joined by surprise guests: Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf and several family members Uchtdorf.
Read about his interactions with youth in Seattle, Washington
7. Elder Renlund visits Utah FSY

As a teenager at a Conference “For the Strength of Youth”. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Salt Lake City, arriving for morning devotional Wednesday, July 20, stood at the door to greet them—one by one.
He shook their hands and looked into their eyes. He asked some where they are from and what they are learning. During lunch, Elder Renlund and his wife, Sister Ruth L. Renlund, personally visited as many of the youth as they wished to speak to.
Learn more about how He helped youth feel the Savior’s love
8. President Porter is interviewed on the Church News podcast

It is the task and purpose of the PV to “Help the children feel Heavenly Father’s love and learn about His plan of happiness.”
President Susan H. Porter has meant more to that purpose over the past year as she has served as First Counselor in the Primary general presidency. She was sustained as the new Primary President of the Church at the April 2022 general conference, effective August 1.
listen to their thoughts
9. Pioneers in all countries: Europe

From the earliest foreign missions in the late 1830s to planting roots in new lands at the turn of the 21st century, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can claim many pioneers over many generations and in the many countries of Europe.
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