“Change is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told 350 young adults in Tonga last Friday evening [15 November 2013].
”Have you ever said ‘I’m just not smart,’ or ‘I’m just not spiritual,’ or ‘That’s just the way I am’?” Elder Hallstrom asked the young people. “When you say that, you are giving up your ability to change and denying the power of the Savior’s atonement.”
Christ’s message, Elder Hallstrom taught, is that we are all children of a Heavenly Father and that only through repentance and the power of the atonement can we be changed to become like Him.
Elder Hallstrom, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy and one of the general authorities of the Church, is visiting Tonga with his wife, Sister Diane Hallstrom, to preside and speak at the Nuku’alofa Tonga Mu’a Stake conference.
He described himself as an island boy. He was born, grew up, and then raised his own family in Hawaii. “I was in seventh grade before I wore shoes to school,” he said. He also served a mission to another island, England. He later served the Church on the islands of Japan and Hong Kong. He said he feels very much at home in Tonga.
His powerful address affected many in the audience. “His speech was so important to me,” said Steven Piukala. While listening to Elder Hallstrom, “I had a very strong feeling I needed to make some changes in my life.”
Ma’ata Palanite said, “The most important thing I heard was that I can change. And I can change now.”
- Elder Hallstrom Tonga November 2013_1
- Hallstrom at Liahona, Tonga 2013
- Hallstrom at Liahona
- Hallstrom at Liahona
- Presidency of the Seventy
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Earlier that day the Hallstroms spoke at a devotional held for approximately 800 youth, family members, and school officials at Liahona High School.
Standing at a flower-draped pulpit Elder Hallstrom said, “The Church emphasizes education. It is important to learn and understand so that we can care for our families and be of service. We want our youth to learn language, science, math and all the other subjects. But we also need spiritual education. Spiritual scholarship gives us the knowledge of who we are.”
He encouraged the students: “Use education properly. Do not misuse it selfishly. Spiritual education properly applied, helps society and family and those around us.”
Sister Diane Hallstrom spoke about feasting on the scriptures. “Notice that the scriptures do not say to nibble or snack, but to feast! ‘For behold the words of Christ will tell you all things that ye must do.’”
“As you read the scriptures allow yourselves to feel them, weep with them, rejoice with them,” Sister Hallstrom said. “When we feel things, then we can change.”