“Simplicity in Christ” – Church News

Editor’s note: To support individual and family gospel study, Church News is publishing articles about the October 2025 general conference messages. In addition to checking out these resources, we encourage you to listen and read the entire address.

About this lecture

Read the full message here. You can read a summary of Elder Chesla’s message here.

overview

1. Introduction

As a missionary in the Utah Ogden Mission, Elder Chesla was impressed by the discipleship of many Latter-day Saints and the scale of fully functioning Church programs. After completing his mission and serving as a ward Young Men president, Elder Chesla learned that the joy of discipleship has little to do with the size of church meetings or programs. He and his wife decided to remain in their native Germany to raise their family.

2. Simplicity in Christ

In an increasingly secular world, disciples can remain focused on “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). The doctrines of Christ are so simple that even small children can understand them. Following Christ requires constant effort and continuous change. Applying the doctrines of Christ in a simplified and focused way helps individuals find joy in their daily lives. Choosing to follow Christ’s example and move forward in faith in Christ brings love, hope, gratitude, and patience. Those who are focused on applying pure and simple doctrine can see how the gospel can work wonders for them, even in difficult situations.

3. Oma Chesla

Elder Czesla’s grandmother, Oma Cesla, accepted the gospel in East Prussia. Although she was far from her nearest congregation, she continued to pray, read the scriptures, and sing the songs of Zion. She gave her children a “100% family-centered church experience.” After being too far away to attend church for about 25 years, Oma Chesla found a congregation just 32 miles away. She attended the following Sunday with the father of her then 17-year-old son, Elder Chesla. When I heard the Song of Zion that I learned as a child, it stuck with me and I immediately knew that the Church was true. He was baptized three weeks later.

4. Something small and simple

A faithful focus on the “small and simple things” of the gospel (Alma 37:6) and Christ leads to true joy, great miracles, and confidence in the promised blessings.

reflection questions

How can we simplify our approach to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

When has applying the doctrines of Christ “in a simplified and focused manner” brought blessings into your life?

How can we create an effective “100% family-centered church experience”?

What is one small, simple thing you can do this week to strengthen your faith in Christ?

Who can help you see the beauty in the “small and simple things” of discipleship?

speaker’s words

“Regularly I ask, “What would the Lord Jesus Christ do for me?” Reveal deep direction. Following His example provides a safe path through uncertainty and a loving guiding hand to hold daily. He is the Prince of Peace and the Good Shepherd. He is our Comforter and Savior. He is our rock and our refuge. He’s a friend – your friend, my friend. He encourages us all to love God, keep His commandments, and love our neighbor. ” But when we realize that we don’t need to “do something big” and focus on applying pure and simple doctrine, we begin to see how the gospel “works wonderfully” for us, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Even when we experience heartache, we find strength and ‘confidence before God.’ ” “Applying simplicity in Christ leads us to prioritize people over processes and eternal relationships over short-term actions.” Rather than getting preoccupied with the administration of ministering, we focus on “what matters most” in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. We are free to prioritize what we can do instead of being weighed down by what we can’t do. ”

Reference scripture

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” “Do not therefore grow weary in good works, for ye are laying the foundation of great works; and from small things begin great things.” Things can bring about great things, but often small means confuse wise men. ”

invitation and promise

“Applying the doctrines of Christ in a simplified, focused way can help you find joy in your daily life, guide you in your calling, answer life’s most complex questions, and empower you to face your greatest challenges.” “When we choose to follow the Lord’s example and move forward in faith in Christ, accepting the power of His Atonement and remembering our covenants, love will fill our hearts, hope and healing will lift our hearts, and bitterness and sorrow will be replaced by gratitude and patience as we wait for the promise.” “I have learned through my own experience that the small and simple things of the gospel and a faithful focus on Christ lead us to true joy, bring about great miracles, and give us confidence that all the promised blessings will come true.”

story

As a missionary in the Utah Ogden Mission, Elder Chesla was impressed by the discipleship of many Latter-day Saints and the scale of fully functioning Church programs. He was determined to return to support his family. After his mission, while serving as a Young Men president in his ward, Elder Chesla learned that the joy of discipleship has little to do with the size of church meetings or programs. Elder Czesla’s grandmother Martha Cesla (whom he called Oma Cesla) accepted the gospel in East Prussia. She married a nonmember in 1930 and continued to pray, read the scriptures, and sing the songs of Zion, even though she was far from the nearest congregation. When she had children, she gave them a “100% family-centered church experience.” After nearly 25 years of being far away and unable to attend church, Oma Chesla found a congregation just 32 miles away. She attended the following Sunday with the father of her then 17-year-old son, Elder Chesla. When I heard the Song of Zion that I learned as a child, it stuck with me and I immediately knew that the Church was true. He was baptized three weeks later.

From footnote

2. A reference to the famous last sentence of Music and the Spoken Word, originally introduced by Richard L. Evans: “Once again we place you in the shadow of the eternal hills. Peace be with you today and evermore.”7. “Stay on the path of the covenant” is President Russell M. Nelson’s message to all members of the Church in his first address as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“As we move forward together,” Liahona, April 2018).

additional resources

Recent Conference Talks on Doctrine

Who is Elder Chesla?