Elder Renlund Shares Messages of Faith, Revelation and Spiritual Renewal in Japan

From the Japan Newsroom

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Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Ruth, recently ministered to Saints in Sendai, Japan, on the importance of personal revelation, and the joy of living the gospel.

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Stand Faithfully

Elder and Sister Renlund spoke May 19, 2025, in Japan and in Tokyo on May 23, 2025. Their messages centered on the healing power of Jesus Christ, and emphasized the importance of obedience to covenants and responsiveness to revelation. They said that for members of the Church, the foundation of gospel living is rooted in the First Vision and the truths restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Everyday gospel choices such as attending church, keeping the Word of Wisdom, and being faithful in marriage are grounded in revealed truth and bring spiritual power.

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In Sendai, Elder Renlund invited children aged 11 and 12 to the front of the chapel, where he encouraged them to read and pray about the Book of Mormon with their parents. He shared how he gained a personal witness at that age that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Sister Renlund added her own experience as a youth when she prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true and felt a quiet confirmation: “You already know.” They emphasized that young people can receive revelation and stand faithfully when they seek truth with real intent.

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Apostolic Witness and the Power of Spiritual Transformation

Elder Renlund, drawing from his professional experience as a heart transplant specialist, offered a powerful analogy: just as a failing physical heart can be replaced with a healthy one, spiritual hearts can be renewed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are children of God with divine potential. But when we make mistakes, we may experience “spiritual heart failure” — a condition that cannot be healed by our own efforts alone. Without intervention, we cannot enjoy eternal blessings. Yet God promises, “A new heart also will I give you” (see Ezekial 36:26-28).

Elder Renlund taught that God desires to perform a spiritual heart transplant in each of us to bring about “a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (see Mosiah 5:2). This transformation, he emphasized, is only possible through the Savior’s atonement.

He warned of the natural tendency to drift from spiritual commitments, likening it to the body’s rejection of a transplanted heart. Just as anti-rejection medication is essential to preserve a transplanted heart, spiritual practices such as prayer, repentance, partaking of the sacrament and temple worship are vital to maintaining a healthy spiritual life. These practices, he said, help us remain spiritually alive and connected to the Savior.

“I absolutely know that Jesus Christ lives,” Elder Renlund testified. “Because of Jesus Christ, we can have new hearts. He loves to heal. He is the great physician.”

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Learning, Living and Loving the Gospel

Sister Renlund described the Savior’s invitation to “come, follow me” as a deeply personal and loving call to each of us. She emphasized that this invitation is not just a general gospel slogan, it is a divine summons to walk with the Savior daily, to trust Him, and to follow His example in every aspect of life.

Sister Renlund emphasized that spiritual growth requires active participation and personal effort. She shared a story from high school, where she struggled in calculus because she only watched the teacher solve problems without practicing on her own. Eventually, she fell behind and dropped the class. She likened this to spiritual learning. “To know something, you have to do something,” she said.

She also recounted her experience relearning French decades after studying it in school when she and Elder Renlund were called to serve in French-speaking Africa. At first, she could only remember the word “croissant.” But through diligent study, language apps and a tutor, she regained fluency. Similarly, she said, faith and gospel knowledge must be exercised and renewed regularly through scripture study, prayer and obedience.

Encouragement and Instruction from the Esplins and McCunes

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Sister Kaye Esplin shared how her family made Family Home Evening meaningful, and how she and her husband prayed together, even over the phone if he was away on business. She emphasized the importance of consistency and love in gospel-centered homes.

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Elder McCune expressed joy at the Church’s growth in Japan, especially among the rising generation. He highlighted the emergence of third- and fourth-generation Church members and the increasing number of native Japanese missionaries. He praised Japanese cultural values such as honesty, integrity and diligence, while also acknowledging the challenges youth face in balancing spiritual priorities with academic demands and social pressures. Encouraging youth and adults to pray often and seek inspiration in meeting the challenges of life, he testified that “God rejoices when we ask.” He invited families to plan purposefully for spiritual nourishment.

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Sister McCune shared her gratitude for two life-changing invitations she received as a young woman: one from a friend who invited her to attend seminary, and another from the seminary teacher who challenged her to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if it was true. Through that experience, she came to know for herself that God loves her, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

A Unified Invitation to Deepen Discipleship

The meetings in Sendai and Tokyo inspired attendees to stand faithfully, seek personal revelation, and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.