Russell M Nelson (President of the Church 2018-2025) - “Any abuse or prejudice toward another because of nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, educational degrees, culture, or other significant identifiers is offensive to our Maker!” “Choices for Eternity”- Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults with President Nelson)

Patrick Kearon (Quorum of the Twelve) - “We need to treat (LGBTQ members) like everybody else, treat them as the Savior treated those He ran into… He blessed them. That’s our model. The invitation to all of us is to get better at being like Him. When we treat people the way He would have us treat them, we feel more peace, we feel more joy. And that’s what we want for them.” ”LDS Church’s newest apostle talks singles, women and LGBTQ members in sit-down interview” - The Salt Lake Tribune, Jan 23, 2024

M. Russell Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve) - “We need to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly we must do better than we have done in the past so that all members feel they have a spiritual home where their brothers and sisters love them and where they have a place to worship and serve the Lord” source

Gérald Caussé (Quorum of the Twelve) - “Unity is not achieved by ignoring and isolating members who seem to be different or weaker and only associating with people who are like us. On the contrary, unity is gained by welcoming and serving those who are new and who have particular needs. These members are a blessing for the Church and provide us with opportunities to serve our neighbors and thus purify our own hearts” source

Reyna I Aburto (Counselor in General Relief Society Presidency 2017–2022) - “Let us follow the Savior’s path and increase our compassion, diminish our tendency to judge, and stop being the inspectors of the spirituality of others” “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!” November 2019

Gary E. Stevenson (Quorum of the Twelve) -“We have a primary responsibility to set a tone and be role models of kindness, inclusion, and civility—to teach Christlike behavior to the rising generation in what we say and how we act. It is especially important as we observe a marked societal shift toward division in politics, social class, and nearly every other man-made distinction” “Hearts Knit Together” - April 2021 General Conference

Quentin L. Cook (Quorum of the Twelve) - “As a church, nobody should be more loving and compassionate. … Let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach. … Let’s not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender.” source

Carol F. McConkie (Counselor in Young Women General Presidency April 2013 - 2018) - "The gospel of Jesus Christ does not marginalize people. People marginalize people…If we are going to build the kingdom of God on earth, we need everyone to come” (“Sister McConkie: Too Many Walk Away from Church Feeling Judged. We Need to Do Things Differently”)

Sharon Eubank (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 2017 - 2022) - "Each of us is going to have deeply wounding experiences, things that should never happen. Each of us will also, at various times, allow pride and loftiness to corrupt the fruit we bear. But Jesus Christ is our Savior in all things. His power reaches to the very bottom and is reliably there for us when we call on Him. We all beg for mercy for our sins and failures. He freely gives it. And He asks us if we can give that same mercy and understanding to each other” “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power With God” - Oct 2020 General Conference

Joseph Smith Jr - “Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.” source

Gary E. Stevenson (Quorum of the Twelve) - “The Lord expects us to teach that inclusion is a positive means toward unity and that exclusion leads to division.” source

topic: prejudice

M. Russell Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve) - “We need to embrace God’s children compassionately and eliminate any prejudice, including racism, sexism, and nationalism. Let it be said that we truly believe the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are for every child of God” source

Quentin L. Cook (Quorum of the Twelve) - “Anyone who claims superiority under the Father’s plan because of characteristics like race, sex, nationality, language, or economic circumstances is morally wrong and does not understand the Lord’s true purpose for all of our Father’s children.” source

Sharon Eubank (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 2017 - 2022) - “We have power to remove prejudice and build unity” “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God” October 2020 General Conference

First Presidency Statement on God’s Love for All People (1978) - “Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father… We believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation” “Statement of the First Presidency regarding God's love for all Mankind” February 1978)

topic: diversity

Cheiko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “Hooray for differences! Without them, there would be no harmony” source

Gérald Caussé (Quorum of the Twelve) - “Unity is not achieved by ignoring and isolating members who seem to be different.” source

D. Todd Christofferson (Quorum of the Twelve) - “The diversity we find now in the Church may be just the beginning… Frankly, I think we will see greater and greater diversity. It’s not just diversity for diversity’s sake, but … people can bring different gifts and perspectives. And the wide range of experience and backgrounds and challenges that people face will show us what really is essential in the gospel of Christ. And much of the rest that’s been, perhaps, acquired over time and is more cultural than doctrinal can slip away, and we can really learn to be disciples.” source

Cheiko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “To make our diversity a strength, not a divisiveness, we need to communicate more and communicate better. As sisters in the gospel, let’s talk. Let’s share experiences. When we see or hear something we don’t understand, let’s check it out.“ source

John K. Carmack (Seventy)- “Experience teaches me that we must work hard at creating unity in diversity. We must push on that door with active and strong leadership. Unity in diversity will not happen if we let nature take its course. Isolation and discrimination are still capable of surfacing in every location of the Church. We each need to assign ourselves as a “committee of one” to create the attitudes of inclusion, acceptance, and unity wherever we find ourselves. It needs to be a high priority with us. We especially need leaders to show the way by precept and example. Each of us should be fair to everyone, especially the victims of discrimination, isolation, and exclusion. Let us be careful not to snicker at jokes that demean and belittle others because of religious, cultural, racial, national, or gender differences. All are alike unto God.” source

John K. Carmack (Seventy)- ”Our Heavenly Father truly is no respecter of persons. He made us different for important reasons. Increased diversity in the Lord’s Church is not coincidental. These differences serve the purposes of God.” source

Gary E. Stevenson (Quorum of the Twelve) - “The Lord expects us to teach that inclusion is a positive means toward unity and that exclusion leads to division” source

topic: preventing suicide

Ronald A. Rasband (Quorum of the Twelve)- “We can make a difference in their lives. Particularly vulnerable for suicide are those youth and young single adults who struggle with gender issues. They need to be encircled in the arms of their Savior and know they are loved. So often the Lord calls on us; He expects us to be His welcoming, loving arms” (“Jesus Christ Is the Answer” -Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 8, 2019)

topic: church

M. Russell Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve) - “I want anyone who is a member of the Church who is gay or lesbian to know I believe you have a place in the kingdom and I recognize that sometimes it may be difficult for you to see where you fit in the Lord’s Church, but you do” source

3 Nephi 27:21 - “Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do”

Carol F. McConkie (Counselor in Young Women General Presidency 2013 - 2018) - "I know people who come to church every Sunday so that they can be inspired and uplifted and who just simply walk away feeling judged and unloved—unneeded, like there is no place for them at church…We need to do this differently "(“Sister McConkie: Too Many Walk Away from Church Feeling Judged. We Need to Do Things Differently”)

Chieko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “Now, I ask this question of all of us and lay this burden upon us: What circumstances are at work right now in our wards, silently separating one sister here and another sister there from the sisterhood of the Relief Society, marginalizing them, making them invisible? And what can we do about it?” source

Gérald Caussé (Quorum of the Twelve) - “My brothers, it is your duty to reach out to anyone who appears at the doors of your Church buildings. Welcome them with gratitude and without prejudice. If people you do not know walk into one of your meetings, greet them warmly and invite them to sit with you… In this Church our wards and our quorums do not belong to us. They belong to Jesus Christ. Whoever enters our meetinghouses should feel at home” source

Chieko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “When our burdens are grievous to be borne, when we face a world in which it seems that there is only struggle and no rest, I hope we can remember the immense strength of our sisterhood, the reservoirs that we have within us, and the unfailing wellspring of the Savior’s love for us, even in the midst of adversity.” source

topic: personal revelation / spirit

Camille M. Johnson (General Relief Society President) - “Every time someone says something that is hurtful or makes you doubt what you’re doing, just remind yourself: I know how to receive personal revelation for myself and for my family.” source

Chieko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “Be spiritually independent enough that your relationship with the Savior doesn't depend on your circumstances or on what other people say and do. Have the spiritual independence to be a Mormon--the best Mormon you can--in your own way. Not the bishop's way. Not the Relief Society president's way. Your way.” source

topic: individual worth

Chieko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “The good news of the gospel is that who we are is okay. Our best is good enough. The Savior came for us--just as we are.” source

topic: family

Chieko N. Okazaki (Counselor in Relief Society General Presidency 1990 – 1997) - “All of us face different family circumstances and home situations. All of us need strength in dealing with them. This strength comes from faith in the Savior’s love and in the power of his atonement. If we trustingly put our hand in the Savior’s, we can claim the promise of the sacramental prayer to always have his Spirit with us. All problems are manageable with that strength, and all other problems are secondary in urgency to maintaining a strong spiritual life.” source

topic: adversity / trials

Gary E. Stevenson (Quorum of the Twelve) - “As you strive to extend yourself in love, respect, and kindness, you will undoubtedly be hurt or negatively affected by the bad choices of others. What do we do then? We follow the Lord’s admonition to ‘love your enemies … and pray for them which despitefully use you.’ We do all we can to overcome the adversity that is placed in our path. We strive to endure to the end, all the time praying that the hand of the Lord will change our circumstances. We offer thanksgiving for those He places in our path to assist us.” source

Gary E. Stevenson (Quorum of the Twelve) - “When adversity and affliction are brought upon us by critical, negative, even mean-spirited acts, we can choose to hope in Christ. This hope comes from His invitation and promise to “be of good cheer, for I will lead you along” and that He will consecrate your afflictions for your gain.” source