Elder John C. Pingree, General Authority Seventy, spoke during the Sunday afternoon session of October 2023 general conference. He spoke about the importance of eternal truth and how to identify it. The following is a summary of what he said.

Elder Pingree’s talk summary

With an unprecedented amount of information available at all times, knowing where to find truth and how to recognize truth has become an invaluable skill — especially as it relates to eternal progress. 

“Truth is critical for us to establish and strengthen our relationship with God, find peace and joy, and reach our divine potential.”

Satan attempts to both keep people from the truth and to distort truth in order to keep people from obtaining eternal life. Heavenly Father, however, has an established way of conveying truth to His children. 

“God reveals eternal truth to us through a network of revelatory relationships involving Himself, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, prophets and us.”

After Heavenly Father has confirmed an eternal truth through that network, He also has an expectation that the truth will be shared in loving ways to help others find their way to Him. For teachers, parents and leaders, it is important to teach truth in an environment and using methods that invite the Holy Ghost. 

“Both truth and love are essential for our spiritual development. Truth provides the doctrine, principles and laws necessary to gain eternal life, while love engenders the motivation needed to embrace and act upon what is true.”

Notable quotes

See the full text of Elder Pingree’s talk: ‘Eternal Truth’

Who is Elder Pingree?

Elder John C. Pingree Jr., General Authority Seventy

Cody M Bell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Elder Pingree’s father wrote him a letter the day after he was born and saved it to send to him when he left to serve a mission. 
• He later wrote letters each week to his future wife, Anne Pugsley, while she served a mission. 
• He earned college degrees in English, political science and business. He and his wife are the parents of five children.

What has Elder Pingree done recently?

• During a BYU–Hawaii devotional, Elder Pingree gave three invitations that provide the key to enduring sense of identity and meaningful belonging.
• Elder Pingree last spoke at the October 2017 general conference about how an individual can come to understand and perform the work God intends him or her to do.
• When he was in the Church’s Mexico Area presidency, Elder Pingree shared the story behind the Mexico MTC.