May 21, 2025, 4am MDT
Editor’s Note: To support individuals and families in gospel learning, Church News has published an article about the message from the April 2025 General Conference. In addition to reviewing these church resources, we recommend asking and reading the full address.
About this story
Read the full message here. Read the summary of Elder Palmer’s message here.
overview
When a powerful storm blew a willow tree near the entrance to his house, Elder Palmer planned to cut it until his neighbor told him how to save the tree. Twelve years later, the willows are full of vibrancy and full of life. Saints around the world remind Elder Palmer of the willow tree, and that “hope is even when everything appears to be lost.” Some saints lost their faith, their testimony became weaker, while others “hang in the slim of their roots” but many chose to renew as disciples and return to their church homes. Returning members of South Korea thanked the saints at the stake meeting for their kindness and acceptance. The once-attacked missionary from Africa shared how pleased he was to find his way home. And the American sisters realized that even if she had been away from the church for a while, her parents were constantly stretching out her. He prays and promises to feel the Spirit’s witness through the loving invitation of the Savior and return. Like the Savior’s New Testament apostle, each believer of Jesus Christ chooses to grow his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Each of Jesus Christ must answer whether they will stay or “go” (John 6:67). It teaches the need for patience, constant care and nutrition. Testimony grows through sensitivity to the spirit, teaching that the Lord knows the potential of man’s God. The Savior will bless everyone who returns to Him with greater peace and joy – it is never too late to come back.
Reflection Questions
How does weekly Holy Crawing worship with saints feed your faith in Jesus Christ?
What blessings will be lost by choosing to leave the Savior and “your spiritual home”?
When did someone’s love and acceptance show help you return to your Savior? How can we extend the same to “a longing for faith”?
Why does cultivating sensitivity in “emotional and spiritual witnesses” help our testimony grow?
What steps can you take this week to respond to Christ’s invitation to repent and return to him that he may heal you, in order to “renew the disciple”?
Speaker quotes
“You feed your faith and your testimony every week, and as you worship at the Lord’s house. He will never give up on you. Through the tone sin of Jesus Christ, everything that is broken can be healed.” Rejoice.
Reference Bible
“You will not spare because you are more righteous than them, and you will now return to me, and will you not repent of your sins, and convert that I may heal you?”
Invitations and promises
“To all those who long for faith, we encourage you to come back. I promise you that you will strengthen your faith when you worship with the saints again.”
story
While living in a house surrounded by majestic trees, Elder Palmer blew the willow tree next to the entrance of the house. The tree lay with its roots drawn out, and the neighbors intervened and pointed out how to save the tree, just as Elder Palmer was trying to cut it out for fire. Suspicious of the tree’s survival, Elder Palmer followed the advice of his neighbors. And what was born 12 years later was a tree full of vibrant life, proof that “there is hope that everything seems lost.” Inspired by the stories of people who were “chosen to renew their disciples,” I returned to my church home. These include returning members from Korea. Elder Palmer thanked the saint at the saints meeting for his kindness and acceptance towards him. Angry at the teachings of senior church leaders, the former African missionary left the church, but is pleased to be back 15 years later, realizing what he had lost. And the American sister, who has long since left the church, always felt the welcoming love of her parents, and eventually returned to her church home. Peter answered the Savior, “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the word of eternal life” (John 6:66-68).
From the footnote
Additional resources
Lectures from a recent conference on repentance
Who is Elder Palmer?
Elder S. Mark Palmer was called Directorate 70 in April 2016 and was appointed 70 presidential positions in 2021. Previously he served as mission leader for Sister Jacqueline Palmer, wife of the Washington Spokane Mission, and as interim leader for the Sydney South Mission, Australia.
