"Living the Yes: Choosing Jesus and the Life He Offers"
- April Tribe Giauque
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Elder Shumway, April General Conference 2025
Written by April T Giauque
Have you ever wondered why we are asked to do things in God’s kingdom that feel beyond our reach? I thought I would write this blog as If I were teaching. So I added questions, answers, and quotes from Elder Shumway. I thought I would mix it up a bit, and I hope you enjoy it.
Check out this quote: “Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.” When President Nelson said this, the Spirit taught me that as we participate in God’s work, we prepare ourselves and others for Christ’s return. This is what I want to do. I want to help myself and my family prepare for Christ’s Second Coming.
Elder Shumway shares that selflessly serving is the very essence of Christlike discipleship. But serving is rarely convenient. Boy, is that ever true. Usually, we just have to do what we can do, and this is why Elder Shumway admires your covenant-keeping disciples, including our dear missionaries, who set aside their desires and challenges to serve God by serving His children. God “delights to honor [you for serving Him] in righteousness.” He promises, “Great shall be [your] reward and eternal shall be [your] glory.” When we say yes to serving, we are saying yes to Jesus Christ. And when we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible.
Elder Shumway said yes to a calling that he claimed was a “nightmare calling,” but through that, he met his wife, Heidi. Remember, when we say yes to Jesus Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible.
This is something to think about: “We engage in God’s work not because God needs us but because we need God and His mighty blessings.”
God acknowledged the progress made by saying, “It was good.” He did not say the work was finished, nor that it was perfect. But what He did say was that there was progress, and in God’s eyes, that is good! That is something that we should step back and take a look at and say, “This is good.”
When we think about our callings and what we want to help others with, we need to remember that callings do not determine or validate a person’s worth or worthiness. Elder Shumway said, “Rather, as we labor with God in whatever way He asks, we grow into the measure of our own creation. Saying yes to things that stretch us is the only way to grow, as we turn to God and rely on Him, thereby forming a relationship with Him.”
Elder Shumway broke it down into four primary areas of how we can participate in God’s work, and accepting callings helps prepare people for the Second Coming.
God asks us to participate in His work.
Through accepting callings,
Ministering to others,
temple worship, and
Following promptings from the Spirit.
These simple, everyday things will help to uniquely prepare you to meet the Savior.
Elder Shumway said:
“When we say yes to serving, we are saying yes to Jesus Christ. And when we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible.”
First, participation in God’s work helps people progress toward “the measure of [our] creation.” During the Creation, God acknowledged the work that had been completed, not that it was finished or perfect.
“God rejoices in our progress, and so should we, even when we still have a work to do.”
Second, when we serve others by thinking about their needs first and not our own, and then go and help someone, this benefits both the one serving and the one being served. It elevates homes and churches into holy places where people can practice covenant living.
Question: How are you serving others in your family?
QUOTE:
“When we live the covenants connected with these ordinances, we transform, become the kind of person who wants to be in God’s presence.”
Third, it helps people receive God’s gift of grace. “When we consecrate our meager but best effort, God magnifies it.”
Question: How are you consecrating your time at the temple? Are you attending as much as your circumstances will allow?
Fourth, follow the Spirit! Here is one way: be aware of those who may appear unlikely for a calling but may be willing to serve. When leaders and parents let others learn and act for themselves, they blossom and flourish. If you felt prompted to have someone do something (even if we think they can’t), follow through with that, and you will see God making a way for them to improve their lives and help others.
So, if you want to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming, here are some great questions to ask yourself: How are you serving in your family? Are you consecrating your time at the temple ? Are you listening to the Spirit’s promptings—especially about others?
Think about this statement from Elder Shumway, “Because when we say yes to Christ, we step into the life He’s prepared for us—a life of purpose, joy, and divine partnership.”
“When we live the covenants connected with these ordinances, we transform—become the kind of person who wants to be in God’s presence.” When we say yes to serving, we are saying yes to Jesus Christ. And when we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible.
Every calling, every quiet act of service—it's all part of preparing ourselves and others for His return. 🙏🏽💛 Don’t underestimate the power of your “yes.” It’s how we walk with Him. It’s how we become more like Him. It’s how we prepare for the Second Coming. Are you preparing? Start now!
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