SALT LAKE CITY — Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke on a variety of church topics Thursday in a speech at The National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Among the topics discussed by Elder Bednar were global humanitarian, welfare, educational, temple, missionary and genealogical initiatives.

Speech at The National Press Club

“The basic purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help people learn about the nature and attributes of God, to love God, to become disciples of His Son Jesus Christ, and to love and serve our brothers and sisters,” Elder Bednar said. “We believe God can change our hearts and make more of us from the inside out than we can ever make of ourselves. And we also believe that change many times is required from the outside in.”

Before Elder Bednar began his speech, he addressed Tuesday’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

“We mourn with those who mourn and pray for all those impacted by this senseless act of violence,” Elder Bednar said. “My prayer and my blessing is that we will be guided, comforted and helped in our important work, and that victims, families and nations might be granted the peace that surpasses all understanding — the peace that comes from Jesus Christ.”

Elder Bednar is the first church leader to speak at The National Press Club since 2000. In March 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley delivered an address there.

Read more:

• President Nelson is now the oldest president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• 17 new temples announced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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