Infuriating Unfairness | Dale G. Renlund | | April 2021

Elder Dale G. Renlund speaks at the 191st Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 3-4, 2021.
Elder Renlund teaches that we should not let unfairness make us bitter or corrode our faith but should ask God for help and increase our reliance on the Savior.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/s...

[@jaredstreeper5564]

I have listened to this talk half a dozen times in the week and a half since it was given. I’ve struggled with a body that is imperfect and injured throughout my life. I’ve often wondered “why me”. This talk really struck a chord with me and helped me to see that hope and happiness really can be found through Christ if we seek him. I’ve seen this prove true in my life. I love this gospel and the hope it provides to me.

[@rjsimpkins2911]

We have some body issues experience in common. As they say, instead ask why not me? Some things are custom made for us and most others aren't gangster enough to experience them anyway. At the end of our time in this world, we will wear our trials like Olympic medals, because we endured so much to get to the finish line.

[@SadieRTrego]

That's so beautiful don't loose heart or hope I really enjoyed this talk to and have similar issues with my body and looks. But your testimony of the gospel over rules all that isn't perfect in this life but knowing we are perfected in Christ and will have rest in him proves his grace is sufficient for all of us . 💗🙏🌷

[@bro.jemalwatson2043]

Amen and amen

[@lindamoses3697]

Your words are so true. I am disabled and it is awful the things done to me in my life. The only comfort is in Christ. He suffered and understands everything.

[@amanchabra8947]

Elder Renlund may not have the dynamic delivery style of Elder Holland, or a cool accent like Elders Uchtdorf and Soares, or even the familiarity of other longer tenured Apostles, BUT... I have gained a HUGE appreciation for how inspired he is as an Apostle of the Lord. I listened to as many talks of his as I could every day for a month in March. He is amazing! My favorite is actually one he gave BEFORE he was an Apostle. It's called "A Latter-Day Saint Keeps on Trying"! That one, along with this one are definitely up there among his best!

[@cliftontaylor8392]

Good, now don't compare the Lord's servants to each other. He is a MIGHTY APOSTLE!!! Love you and Merry Christmas!

[@CJT-jp1vb]

I needed this! So many years of suffering, I know the Lord understands me and gives me hope and strength to move forward! Thank you

[@Brigsam1970]

Don’t get bitter, get better. Thank you Elder Renlund

[@ishmaelthupantsi3722]

Years ago I lost my job, through no fault of my own, what happened there after is something I won't even wish on my worst enemy - I lost all my household goods and went in to debt as I struggled to survive and support 2 young children who are dependent on me. Can you imagine how I felt when during a general conference I was privileged to listen Heavenly Father's words of comfort directly to me from his humble servant. Indeed all that is unfair about life will be made right through the Atonement of Christ.

[@churchofjesuschristgeneralconf]

Thank you for sharing this testimony Ishmael!

[@happylatter-daysaint3503]

"Be stone catchers!" I love that!!! 🙏🏻😭🙌👏💙

[@strawberryme08]

I’ve listened to this so many times. Here I am again listening. Working through my infuriating unfairness situations.

[@melissacheckland6755]

That’s why I’m here as well. Blessings to you

[@evonne315]

Exactly what I needed to hear today, thank you. Rather than fight or plea to my injustice, I simply move twards Christ and my higher purpose. The injustice can then fade away as I fill my life with the meaning and purpose meant for me. 💗🙏💗

[@acuerdo3]

And Christ is so ready to reach out and help us.

[@MyParadise69]

"He (Jesus Christ) will use the unfairness for our benefit" This is true 🙏

[@reedblackburn8192]

Thank you Elder Renlund! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the way you share God's truth with compassion, love, and understanding.

[@scottbrandon9390]

What he says about unfairness in acts of genocide like Rwanda is a tough one. Same for the Holocaust, South African Apartheid. Unfairness cannot always be explained. Human suffering often cannot be explained intellectually. But much of this unfairness is due to moral agency and human error. Blaming God is not the solution. We have the benefits of the Atonement. Jesus Christ understands all of our suffering. Bitterness is a danger when unfairness occurs. We need to turn toward the Savior more in that situation. We need to become stone catchers.

[@acuerdo3]

Like Elder Renlund said, one day, everthing will be made right. One day, people who have participated in hurting the people in genocides will pay. God will take care of that. God will make everything right. I would not want to be in the persecuters' shoes.

[@heatherluna5075]

I know God loves us all.💚🧡💜💙💚🧡💜💙

[@nancyd2758]

Loved this talk. This message was to emphasize the fact that the Savior knows what we are going through. The general public treated Jesus Christ inhumanely and didn’t bat an eye to the horrific things they were doing to him. Because He suffered the things in this world as a human he has the ability to succor to us in the deepest of sorrows that will come to us. His atonement is there for us to rely on as a promise that all will be made right. All the wrongs in this world will end. There is peace in Christ.

[@ilorenzotv]

I really testifying that the Lord he undertand perfectly and all suffering are temporary. We can heal all sufferings because of thề Atonement of Jesus Christ. Thanks this messages😊

[@brockallstate]

One fair thing about unfair situations on earth is they are all temporary!! That’s not your eternal state, get through it and work towards a better eternal state

[@hollywillis608]

Nice to listen to something beautiful.

[@lovetoflylovetofly3843]

Such a fantastic talk, and the spirit in which it was delivered. Thank you!

[@DavidNellTheHarbinger]

Amen...........I was abused savagely as a kid, and this talk encapsulates a good portion of what I have experienced,

[@ncshomevids]

He is the best. I just love our leaders so. They don't play into the fuss. They team up with the Lord and forge through. Oh, how I love them!❤❤❤

[@peternaizer9329]

This is inspiring and counselling talk. Thank you Elder Renlund

[@lindamoses3697]

I love this talk.

[@gaymichaelis7581]

I really enjoyed this KZbin video and talk of Elder Dale G Renlund!!! I had heard it the week before last, during general conference… I didn’t get half of what I got out of it tonight!!!!! Anyway, I used to say to my mother, I remember, a lot that such & such thing or whatever was so unfair!!!! And my mother, not being raised in the gospel, and also myself not being a member then, would tell me that life wasn’t always fair! And she didn’t know how else to answer me! But her explanation was frustrating, and not getting any other response or explanation, it was very frustrating to me! So I love this topic and Elder Renland speaking about it! Thank you, to Elder Ranel one and to anyone else who helped bring us this video!!!

[@josevasquez-ju8rb]

Even your wife already know your apostol of Jesus...I really admired your courage to speak Jesus name

[@timheavrin2253]

What a calm and quiet voice, yet so wonderfully beautiful too.

[@ClaudiaRodriguez-oc6fy]

Each word is for meditation, this topic is deep and very meditative, I have heard it repeatedly and there is so much to ponder to be able to convert to this wonderful message.

[@leslielacqurico9688]

Just love his voice, so beautiful 💝.

[@allisoneldredge.cellist]

❤️❤️❤️❤️love your explanation and eternal perspective on the Savior’s love and plan, Elder Renlund! Thank you for sharing it! 🌈😍🙏

[@mammamia8882]

To say he's one of my favorites is an understatement. I have met apostles, elders, I've even met the prophet before he was the prophet of the church, I shook his hand, I spoke with him, I think he gave me a hug, I had full knowledge that I was speaking to a man of God. When the prophet's daughter to our church to speak, I said to her, your Dad must be pretty nervous right now? She said, I spoke to him this morning and yeah we share the same sentiments. I told her don't worry, that I know that he is a prophet, and I am so grateful that it is him! As far as this wonderful man, Renlund, I will always go to two occasions, one when he was touring the temple, when I was called to serve in the temple. And second when he came into a sealing session, asking me if the family wouldn't mind him being there? With teared-filled eyes, I said it would be an honor for him to be there, because the couple is so very special. I explained the circumstances, he gave me the most loving talk I've ever had, telling me how I was important, and to let no one dissuade me. I will forever be grateful to this man, and if you're reading this, please know that couple is now a family of three, and of all the family, they are doing the best, because they listen to wise counsel, they're doing very very well, and I am so very proud of them.

[@k.b.9716]

Thanks for sharing！ I love ❤️ Elder Renlund as one of our apostles, even though I do not know him personally. :) His talks are full of Holy Spirit. Also, I can feel the harmonious bond between Elder Renlund and sister Renlund. God bless!

[@ernawatisuharto1691]

I'm right away intrigue with everything he says. Thank you

[@SadieRTrego]

Reflection is Healthy, I like that, a lot. 💕🖐️

[@lisacollier9179]

This talk was an answer to my prayers! The contractor who is building our home has become a dear friend. Recently he lost his father and uncle within a month of each other and he was very close to these two men. This has softened his heart and has helped him to have a greater desire to turn to God. This talk was exactly what he needed to hear!! Thank you!

[@brigitteromoleroux-chonghi5473]

Thankful for the love and your talk God bless in Jesus name Amen

[@kelaarin]

"The Problem of Evil" - one of theology's oldest and most argued-about questions. This talk will not be popular among the worldly. But God allows us agency, so that His judgments will be truly Just.

[@StompMom5]

It's the best talk ever given on the subject. So well said👍👍

[@andreacloyd3672]

I hav always tried 2 explain 2 my children that God does not 2 take away the free agency of others 2 exercise their free will 2 do wrong or right. Like in the case of bullying all the way 2 murder. We must hav faith that it will all b righted in the end. Do not judge or don't show compassion 4 it will serve us well.

[@kevinhatchwork8811]

Thank you for reminding me. I need to hear these words, and feel of the testifying spirit that these words are true. While this world may seem unfair, the Lord is fair with me, and I need to recognize and accept that.

[@toadbascom4978]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@DogSoldier0351]

Beautiful Truth!!!

[@ladyjade6446]

One of the greatest gifts we were given was free agency. Works both ways.

[@icarus7552]

^^^

[@benildaghiegonzales5510]

This is my lesson in Relief Society class. Im thankful cause I learned a lot!

[@lizzyham]

This talk is so helpful ♥️♥️♥️ Love this apostle! Thanks for visiting us in Gilbert 🌵

[@jtk6533]

Our Heavenly Father has no color.

[@kellymcdonald1895]

Thank you Elder Renlud!

[@coreycheng9926]

thank you

[@beau4307]

Excellent talk.

[@ilorenzotv]

❤❤❤❤

[@canalrayzeker780]

Wonderful.

[@ooeyb]

Yes! Think about the fact that Christ did no wrong, yet suffered. I suppose you could look at unfairness as tests. If you overcome you get extra credit with the Lord and become stronger. Adversity makes you stronger. Remember that the Lord will never give you more than you can bare.

[@SadieRTrego]

Unfairness 😇❤️🤍💛🙏💛🤍❤️😇 wow

[@leslielacqurico9688]

Excellent 😊❤️

[@lunabeta3516]

❤

[@AD4Audio]

"Some have kind parents and others do not." So how can we all sing along to I am a child of God? (Has sent me parents kind and dear)

[@SharonMJones-cn5hu]

Yep. I have to think about my Dad while singing that, bc my mother and i, different story.

[@hopeisachoice9822]

I have struggled with that same thing. I always sat quietly during that part or even through the whole song because it wasn’t true for me. But as a mother now I’ve chosen to focus more of my attention on making sure that when my sweet babies are old enough to sing that song that they will know it’s true for them. And I hope you always know that having imperfect earthly parents, has no impact on the perfect love of our Eternal Parents. ❤️

[@Quetzalcoatl-Dragon_97]

I feel this.

[@eyeleans]

Think about your heavenly parents instead of earthly parents.

[@lilymarie847]

💕

[@JCarvalho8]

He is so skinny now! Im worried about him! But this talk was my favourite! It was for me!

[@ohana-bordi]

Same thoughts. He's skinny

[@moniqueteh6330]

Yes, we do pray for him

[@markurry3149]

He has stated it was an intentional diet and exercise to improve his health as to the reason he has lost weight. Good for him.

[@jills2ube]

Maybe President Nelson is asking the apostles to be kinder to their hearts. Soares has also lost weight.

[@essentialfriend]

I noted the same thing Jacquie!! ....greetings from Australia 🇦🇺

[@jtk6533]

Rawanda.. if there were a God wouldn’t he have had a God?

[@bettybarnard4245]

Where can o find the individual talks?

[@beckylglazier]

It looks like they’re still working on getting all the transcriptions done. But, when they do they can be found at churchofjesuschrist.org, the Gospel Library App, or the May Liahona magazine (also found in the gospel library app or at Deseret Book.

[@TheFauxmaster]

I feel like I missed something… what does the parable of the shoes mean? what is being insinuated?

[@brentmelander7740]

I think a couple of sentences in this talk were deleted from the original broadcast... where he said in-part "somthing must of happened" and more... Anyone else recall or record the live broadcast or take notes?

[@tiannahly]

Probably. I wonder if the transcripts online might have a full text?? He is coming to my ward this month, I can ask if you would like.

[@outdooradventures4166]

why is it that some only need to come and get a body and don't need to be tested like the rest of us? why do we need to risk our eternal souls here where it SEEMS like they get a free pass to eternal life and most likely exaltation. this is an honest question as well. I'm not trying to be rude or anything. I'm just searching for answers.

[@churchofjesuschristgeneralconf]

Hi, thanks for your great question. While we don’t have all the answers, Elder Renlund addresses this question when he says, “In mortality, we can “come boldly” to the Savior and receive compassion, healing, and help. Even while we suffer inexplicably, God can bless us in simple, ordinary, and significant ways. As we learn to recognize these blessings, our trust in God will increase. In the eternities, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will resolve all unfairness. We understandably want to know how and when. How are They going to do that? When are They going to do it? To my knowledge, They have not revealed how or when. What I do know is that They will.”

[@choosehigherground]

One thing to consider and ponder is: don’t try to focus on others’ circumstances too much. Consider possible answers: 1) the ones who only need a body are more valiant or dedicated to obedience than us 2) love God more than us 3) etc. none of these possible answers help to further our individual progression. These answers can actually make us more hard, or upset, on ourselves in an un-constructive way. And in fact, we don’t know. They may be less valiant or loving or so on, but there is always wisdom in Heavenly Father’s way. That we can know. It is in similitude of comparing ourselves to others. Just as the “currant bush” story, your best self is different than the best self of others (the currant bush was attempting to be as the trees, but produced no fruit). There is a need for trees and there is a need for fruit bushes. Without one, life would be much less. In such, focus on your love for God and it will help you to pull through your trials much happier than if you focus on what happens to other people. It’s extremely easy to switch from the healthy way we learn from other peoples’ mistakes to the unhealthy way of thinking our circumstances should be the same. When I think of Job, or Joseph Smith, or anyone else who had a brutally trying life… I am grateful that my trials are different. I don’t know that I could handle some of the trials that others seemingly pass through. All I can offer is the comfort that I KNOW God loves each one of us individually. I promise you that He cares about you. This life is indeed a test to prove to God what we will do in a given situation (and to ourselves). Just as we may say “if someone was being mugged I would absolutely step in to help” or “if someone on the side of the road needed help, I would absolutely stop and help” only to find ourselves in those situations saying “oh, it’s probably best if I don’t make things worse” or “they probably don’t need help or have already been helped”. While you may see it as a risk to our souls, I testify to you that it is actually an Opportunity to grow. The first time I passed someone on the side of the road, I justified not stopping. It was then that I chose to change. Without these tests to fall short, we don’t learn to change our hearts. This I can promise you: so long as you continue to love Jesus Christ, you will never fail. Yes, you will fall down. You will fall short at times, but you will never fail so long as He lives. And He lives!

[@outdooradventures4166]

how does gaining knowledge here give you an advantage in the next world? after the resurrection if you have a perfect body which means you have a perfect brain wouldn't your learning be exponentially higher? honest question.

[@choosehigherground]

I agree that our pace of learning with a perfected body, would be great (or at least we would have an eternity to study). However, the key recipe for much knowledge comes from experience. Consider how you could study a topic all day, and then go to do a lab and feel as if you have no clue what to do. There is much you can learn in the studying phase, but there is also much you MUST learn in the action phase. Many of these action phases require a chance to fall short to learn. I know personally, messing something up promptly teaches me to correct and do my best to not repeat the same mistake. I learn much more quickly when I fall short. Consider the story once taught: sometimes going down the wrong path for a brief moment (without knowing it’s the wrong path), is actually a blessing in that you adjust course… you then walk down the other path knowing it’s the right path. What a blessing it is to know and not doubt. If you had gone down the right path from the very beginning you might stumble.. you might hesitate.. you might drag your feet, all while doubting and second guessing your choice in path. When you know the path you walk is right, you can put full purpose of heart into it and march on with confidence. Sometimes it takes unintentionally falling a little bit to know with confidence what makes you happy. Gaining earthly knowledge unlocks the potentials in the experiences we can have. Academic studies allow us greater opportunities to learn by unlocking doors. So to circle back to your question, our advantages are a result from our experiences. Knowing the right choice because we’ve physically made it before is much better than someone telling us what the right answer is. The confidence we can muster as a result of experience is a huge source of peace. There’s also the point to make that: would you trust someone to just tell you the answer? Consider children: parents tell their children to not touch the hot stove. Some children do it anyways, and then promptly find out their parents were right and they should have just listened. Now, you may not be one to touch a hot stove, but each and every one of us has been disobedient to a parent who tried to protect us from consequences. If not an earthly parent, then definitely a Heavenly one. Our Father in Heaven loves us more than we can possibly comprehend in this life. And many of us, when we become parents, can feel the soul-wrenching love when we long for our child’s success. That love is only a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father has for us. I can testify to you that He loves us in ways language can not describe. Because of that love, I can testify to you that He would not make us doing anything that wasn’t for our good. This life is important. The work you are doing is important. You are important. There is much happiness in store for each of us to learn. The Plan of Salvation is truly one of happiness. It is designed to maximize each and every one of our potentials, no matter what choices we decide to make. There is a place for all of us to be.

[@darronsanderson4837]

Why 26 thumbs down? 🤔

[@tiannahly]

Renlund often can sound like tough love. When people are going through a lot of pain, the "tough love" approach can be the wrong method for certain personalities even if everything being said is true.

[@michaelbarrister429]

Equality vs. equity (candy vs. bike). Very timely.

[@sherigraham3873]

Michael Barrister, you hit the nail on the head! This talk says it all about the times we live in! Elder Renlund has the answer to much of the last year's civil unrest and angst.

[@HyLo-rule]

I'm lgbtqa I think God is unfair to people like that 🏳️‍🌈☹

[@klosmaximus9530]

God loves you just like He loves all His children. There have been times when I have felt God was unfair to me. I later realized it wasn’t God being unfair, it was me sinning. We cannot blame God when the natural consequences of our actions come into fruition.

[@darronsanderson4837]

It is not God, it is people in religion. The Christ I know in the Bible would not judge. He would accept and love, no matter what orientation everyone is. Love is love. 🌈

[@chiprutledge7644]

Maybe you volunteered to have this challenge so others could learn to love unconditionally like the Savior? What a sacrifice, let Christ’s love radiate from you. Don’t forget your story isn’t over, it’s just beginning.

[@yeshalloween]

@@darronsanderson4837 except the Savior DOES judge. He is the judge of us all. A compassionate, merciful, and fair judge but a judge nonetheless.

[@allengarner3922]

maybe you should ache for those who lost jobs, businesses, oppunities, experienced increase of depression due to lock downs and all the other wrong things that happened due to tyrants and evil people who created the disease .

[@ohana-bordi]

Nice talk. But I'm surprised he got so old and looks so skinny!

[@kimnielschris]

Just to ease your concerns, he has mentioned on his Instagram account that he and his wife decided to make some exercise and lifestyle changes over the past year, which resulted in improved health and some weight loss.

[@fredjones5137]

Strange to say, but he looked a lot healthier when he was fat. Good grief he has aged 20 years. Someone give this man a cheeseburger.