Introduction
Elder Caussé:
Valérie and I are delighted to be with you today. I am especially grateful for the privilege of joining your outstanding choir for the musical number. Truly, today is a “day of joy and gladness”—when, as the lyrics declare, “the children of the promise shall be gathered in the fold.” [1]
I testify that you are the children spoken of in this hymn. And it is wonderful to see you gathered in this auditorium. Valérie and I have a great love and respect for the students and young adults here. There is a spirit on this campus that is unique—something you can feel the moment you arrive.
That spirit is strengthened in large part by your exceptional leaders and faculty—particularly President Meredith and his wife, Jennifer. They are exactly the kind of leaders every student hopes for—full of love, joy, and inspiration. We are deeply grateful for their leadership.
What Kind of Church Is This?
Many of you may know that Valérie and I grew up in France. We both come from families who were pioneers in our country. Our parents joined the Church when we were young children, at a time when the Church in France was still in its early days.
As we grew up, we became very aware of how rare—and at times, how unusual—it was to be members of the Church in France.
Most of the time, we were the only Latter-day Saints in our schools. The values we lived by set us apart. People were generally kind and respectful, but they didn’t miss a chance to remind us that we were different.
Yet, despite these challenges, we loved the Lord and His Church with all our hearts. We enjoyed living the gospel. And we felt deeply grateful to be among the very few in our country who had received such precious gifts—the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and a testimony of its truth.
At school, once my classmates figured out that my beliefs and lifestyle differed from theirs, they almost always asked the same questions: “What kind of Church is this?” or “How is your Church different from my Church?”
I must admit, I didn’t always do a good job of answering these questions. I was often so eager to share everything I knew that I would try to fit all the missionary lessons into just a couple of minutes.
But those experiences taught me something important. They helped me realize how deeply grateful I should be for the clear and precious truths found in the Lord’s Church.
Sometimes, it may seem easier—or more socially comfortable—to just say, “After all, we all believe in the same God, and our teachings are mostly the same.” But if that were entirely true, why would there have been a need for a Restoration? Why would the Lord have called for the effort and sacrifice that accompanied the return of His Church to the earth if nothing essential had been lost?
The reality is that something vital—something not minor, but fundamental—needed to be restored. That something is what we call the fulness of the gospel.
The Fulness of the Gospel
The word fulness is used in the scriptures to describe the richness, completeness, and abundance that come from the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We live in what is called the dispensation of the fulness of times—a time when eternal truths that were once altered or lost have been restored through divine revelation.
As we interact with our friends of other faiths, our purpose is not to take away from what they believe, nor to diminish their faith. Rather, we hope to enrich and expand it by sharing something more—something greater. We simply want to invite them to experience the joy that comes from the fullness of restored truths.
After teaching His disciples, the Savior said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [2]
That is the kind of joy the fulness of the gospel brings—a deep, lasting joy that fills the soul. It is the greatest source of peace and hope we can receive in this life.
The Parable of the Éclair
Valérie likes to share a parable of her own creation that she calls the parable of the éclair. I thought about including it as part of my talk—but she made it very clear that she holds the copyright!
Sister Caussé:
Imagine walking into a bakery in Utah, or perhaps Idaho, and asking for an éclair. You’re handed a pastry that looks much like the famous French version. You take a bite, enjoy it, and feel perfectly satisfied—never wondering if there could be something more.
Now, let me brag a little bit about French food.
Then, one day, you travel to France. You step into a small bakery there, order an éclair, and taste it. Immediately, you sense the difference—everything is richer, deeper, more complete. And once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to return to what you had before.
In many ways, the gospel is like that. It’s possible to feel content—even happy—with a partial understanding. But when the fullness of the gospel is revealed—when you truly experience it—everything changes. And once you’ve tasted that fullness, you cannot go back to what you once had and be satisfied.
By the way, I’ve brought a box of homemade French éclairs. President and Sister Meredith, I would be delighted to offer them to you—perhaps as a small test of the truth of this parable.
Elder Caussé:
I’m sorry we don’t have enough éclairs for all of you. And I will not attempt to multiply them like the loaves and fishes in the New Testament!
Many of our missionaries have heard people say: “I’m not interested in your Church—I am happy with my own beliefs.” And that is understandable.
But when someone truly “tastes” the fulness of the gospel—when they sincerely seek, learn, and receive a testimony of its truth—something changes.
The Conversion of Valérie’s Mother
Many first-generation members of the Church—like my parents, and perhaps your parents (or even you)—came to know the gospel after discovering the truths of the Restoration. They embraced these truths with enthusiasm because they filled some essential things that were missing in their spiritual understanding and their way to live the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The story of the conversion of Valérie’s mother is especially meaningful in our family.
Francine was a young mother of three children, living in Nancy, France, when two missionaries knocked on her door in 1967. At that time, Francine was in the middle of a sincere and searching spiritual journey. She had many questions about life, but she had not been able to find clear or satisfying answers.
During that first visit, she felt something she could not fully explain. The Spirit filled the room. Before leaving, the missionaries invited her to read the Book of Mormon. They showed her a page inserted in the book that listed some of life’s most important questions, along with passages from the Book of Mormon that provided inspired answers—questions like: What is the purpose of life? And how can I know what is true?
The elders promised that if she read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart, with “real intent,” [3] and with faith in Jesus Christ, she could find the answers she was seeking.
Francine began to read—and she could not put the book down. She read day and night, finishing the Book of Mormon in less than a week. For her, it was a moment of pure revelation. She knew it was true. She had found what she had been seeking, and from that moment, she had only one desire: to be baptized.
Francine passed away four years ago. But throughout her life, she and her husband remained faithful and devoted, bearing powerful witnesses of the life-changing truths found in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Distinctive Truths of the Restored Church
Brothers and sisters, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just another religion. Nor is it an American church. Rather, it is the restoration of the Church established by Jesus Christ during His mortal ministry—the Church containing the fulness of His gospel.
We have so much to be grateful for—especially for the knowledge revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith in the early days of the Restoration.
What we call the Restoration began with a series of events in the early 1800s through which Jesus Christ reestablished His Church on the earth.
These foundational events are typically presented in the following sequence:
- The First Vision (1820)
- The translation and publication of the Book of Mormon (1827-1830)
- The restoration of the Priesthood (1829)
- The organization of the Church (1830)
- The restoration of Priesthood Keys (1836)
These events brought doctrinal clarity and priesthood authority—restoring truths that had been lost for centuries and that distinguish the Lord’s Church today. They help define who we are and what we believe.
Let me mention just a few of these important truths:
- The true nature of the Godhead
- The role of Jesus Christ and His Atonement in the redemption of mankind
- God’s plan of salvation and exaltation
- Priesthood authority, keys, and the eternal nature of families
- Continuing revelation through living prophets and apostles
These restored truths—and many more—bring to our lives meaning and understanding, a clearer sense of purpose, and a deeper, more enduring joy. They also prepare us for our eventual exaltation.
I would now like to share how these truths have shaped and blessed my life from a young age. As I do, I invite each of you to reflect on the extraordinary gift they represent in your own lives.
Restored Truth #1: The True Nature of the Godhead
Through Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the truth about the nature of the Godhead was restored. Joseph learned that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct and separate beings. He later taught that each has a glorified body of flesh and bones. We also have come to know that we are literally sons and daughters of God—that He yearns for us to become like He is.
As Latter-day Saints, we see this divine relationship in a very real and personal way. Just as loving parents want their children to grow, succeed, and find happiness, our Heavenly Father’s greatest desire is for us to develop divine attributes, return to His presence, and inherit all that He has.
As stated in Gospel Topics Essays: “The teaching that men and women have the potential to be exalted to a state of godliness clearly expands beyond what is understood by most contemporary Christian churches and expresses for Latter-day Saints a yearning rooted in the Bible to live as God lives, to love as He loves, and to prepare for all that our loving Father in Heaven wishes for His children.” [4]
For me, understanding this truth changed everything. It transformed the way I saw myself—and the way I see others. It gave me greater confidence and hope in life. It helped me look at each person I met as individuals with a divine potential—the young and the old, family members, friends and strangers, those who are kind, and even those who are less so. It has helped me trust more, love more deeply, and see others not just as they are, but as who they can become.
Another powerful truth I learned from the account of the First Vision is that God knows us personally—and that we can speak to Him directly.
As a young man, I was deeply struck by the fact that a 14-year-old boy—a very ordinary farm boy with little formal education—prayed to God and received a personal answer through a heavenly visitation. That realization filled me with confidence. I came to believe that if Joseph could speak to God and be heard, then so could I. And so can you, brothers and sisters.
Let me share a personal experience.
When our family was living in France and our children were young, we made it a practice to invite friends and neighbors—most of them not of our faith—to attend their baptisms. We hoped these occasions would help them become more familiar with our Church.
At the end of one of these services, a friend approached me and shared her impressions. “What touched me the most,” she said, “was the young woman in your family who offered the opening prayer. She spoke to God so naturally—as if she knew Him. All my life, I have prayed through proxies, but I never felt comfortable enough to talk to God directly. He felt distant—even frightening at times. Oh, how I wish I could pray like this young woman!”
How grateful we are to know that God knows us personally, that He loves us, and that we can speak with Him directly. He is not distant. He is aware of us, and He cares—even about the smallest details of our lives.
Restored Truth #2: The Role of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement in the Redemption of Mankind
A few years ago, while serving in the Presiding Bishopric, I received a letter from the First Presidency inviting me to speak in general conference. Knowing that such an opportunity might come, I had already chosen a topic that was very dear to me—something I was eager to share with the members of the Church.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I opened the letter and found that a different topic had been assigned to me.
For a brief moment, I felt a little disappointed. But that feeling quickly gave way to deep gratitude as I realized that the subject I had been given was one of the most sacred and meaningful topics I could ever address: “The Atonement of Christ, as taught in the Book of Mormon.”
The weeks that followed were filled with study and a sense of excitement. I read and re-read passages in the Book of Mormon that teach of the Savior's Atonement. I studied every talk and resource I could find on the subject. And I prayed constantly for the companionship of the Holy Ghost as I prepared my message.
Even though I thought I already understood this doctrine, something remarkable happened—my understanding deepened, and my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of the Book of Mormon grew in ways I had never previously experienced.
I came to understand more deeply that the central message of the Book of Mormon—its very purpose—is to restore the true and complete knowledge of the essential role of Jesus Christ in the salvation and exaltation of mankind.
Let me share just a couple of examples of truths about the Savior’s Atonement that are taught with remarkable clarity in the Book of Mormon—truths that deepen our understanding of this precious gift.
We learn that Jesus Christ not only suffered for our sins—He also took upon Himself our sorrows, infirmities, sicknesses, and every affliction that is part of our mortal experience. There is no anguish, no pain, no sadness we can have that He has not felt for us.
How meaningful it is to know that all things can be made right through His Atonement—even the sufferings and injustices for which we are not responsible.
We also learn that through His Atonement, the Savior provides enabling power. Through Him, we can “[put off] the natural man,” [5] and progress and increase in holiness. “Line upon line, precept upon precept,” [6] we can become more like Him—until one day, we are ready to return to God’s presence and receive all the blessings of the kingdom of heaven.
For me, it was so enlightening to understand that Jesus Christ gave His life not only for those who have sinned, but also for those faithful people who sincerely strive to become better each day—to grow, to change, and ultimately to become perfected in Him.
These truths, restored through the Book of Mormon, have changed my life—and the lives of millions around the world. They remind us that if we do our part, despite our weaknesses and trials, the Lord will lift us and help us become what we could never become on our own.
There is hope. There is always hope. And that hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Restored Truth #3: God’s Plan of Salvation and Exaltation
During the open house of the Paris France Temple in 2017, Valérie and I had the special opportunity to serve as guides for a group of visitors from another faith.
As we walked together through the rooms of the temple, we had a delightful time sharing what we believe. At the end of the tour, one of our guests made a comment that I have never forgotten.
He said, “In our Church, we don’t believe in a life before this life, and we don’t know much about what comes after. But you Latter-day Saints seem to understand eternity. You seem to know where you come from, why you are here, and where you are going. Why is that?”
That question has stayed with me.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, we read: “Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.” [7]
How grateful I am for the knowledge, restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, of God’s plan of salvation and exaltation, which spans the past, the present, and the future. We know that we lived with God before this life, that our brief time on earth has a divine purpose, and that “through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah,” [8] we can one day be resurrected and return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Many people move through life as if they were on a train traveling at full speed. Everyone seems busy—but if you ask the passengers where they came from or what is their destination, they cannot say—and sometimes they don’t even seem to care.
But the knowledge we have of the great plan of happiness is a priceless gift. It gives direction, purpose, and hope to life. It helps us focus less on what is temporary—that which we might lose—and more on what is eternal. It shapes our choices and guides our daily lives.
Valérie and I have never regretted choosing to place our eternal purpose above everything else. At times, it may feel like sacrifice—but we have come to know that, in the end, it is the only thing that truly matters.
Restored Truth #4: Priesthood Keys and the Eternal Nature of Families
Shortly before our wedding, forty years ago, Valérie and I experienced something we will never forget. We were briefly taken hostage during an armed robbery attempt near Paris, France.
We had just pulled into in the parking lot of a local post office when, suddenly, a car blocked our way. Four men armed with sawed-off shotguns came over and forced us out of our vehicle.
Within moments, we were lying face down on the ground, our heads pressed into the grass, with a gun pointed at us while the gangsters attempted to break into the post office. What felt like an eternity passed. Fortunately, they were unable to force their way inside and eventually fled. Valérie and I were left shaken—but safe.
I have often reflected on this key moment, when our lives seemed to hang by a thread. What was going through my mind?
My thoughts and all my energy were focused on one thing: our temple sealing that was just a few months away. During those long minutes, I pleaded with God to spare our lives so that we could be united in His Holy House and sealed together for eternity—that nothing would ever separate us.
I realized more than ever the truth that President M. Russell Ballard taught when he said: “What matters most is what lasts longest.” [9]
Jesus Christ taught His apostles that what they bound on earth would be bound in heaven. Thanks to the restoration of priesthood keys returned by heavenly messengers in the Kirtland Temple, this divine power is once again upon the earth. Ordinances performed by proper authority allow us to enter covenants that do not end with this life. Through our righteousness, they extend throughout the eternities.
Because of that restored power, a husband, wife, and their children can be sealed together in the house of the Lord. This truth brings me profound peace and joy. It is impossible for me to imagine heaven without the presence of my beloved eternal companion and our family.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “If nothing else came out of all of the sorrow and travail and pain of the restoration than the sealing power of the holy priesthood to bind together families forever, it would have been worth all that it has cost.” [10]
I will now invite Valérie to present truth #5.
Restored Truth #5: Continuing Revelation Through Living Prophets and Apostles
Sister Caussé:
In ancient times, prophets taught about the coming of our Savior and warned people about choices that would keep them away from God. When Jesus Christ came to the earth, He called apostles and entrusted them with the mission to testify of Him and establish His Church. After the death of those early apostles, the keys and authority of the priesthood were eventually lost, and the world entered a period of spiritual darkness.
But God did not forget His children. Through that Restoration, we are once again guided by living prophets.
I love a story President Holland shared. After a stake conference, a sister handed him a note. It said:
“Dear Elder Holland, thank you for the testimony you bore of the Savior and His love. Forty-one years ago I prayed earnestly to the Lord and told Him I wished I had lived on earth when the Apostles walked upon it, when there had been a true Church, and when Christ’s voice was still heard. Within a year of that prayer … two missionaries [came to my door] and I found that all those hopes could be realized.” [11]
That story reminds me that we are not missing out—we are living in a time when those same blessings are available to us, and we should never take for granted the blessings of having true messengers of our Lord Jesus Christ among us today. In a world filled with confusion and competing voices, living prophets and apostles help us stay anchored in truth and strengthen our faith in Christ.
More than ever, we need guidance to help us prepare for the Savior’s return. I am especially grateful for prophetic teachings, such as those found in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” When it was first shared, some people may have wondered about its importance. But today, we see so much confusion about identity and purpose. That proclamation has helped me know who I am, understand my divine destiny, and testify of those truths to my children and grandchildren.
Most of all, I want to share my testimony of President Dallin H. Oaks. I am deeply grateful for his inspired leadership, his faith, and his Christlike love. On the day I sustained him as our new Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I felt a personal witness and confirmation of his sacred calling and divine appointment.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Keeping a Sense of Awe and Gratitude
Elder Caussé:
Thank you, Valérie.
We have mentioned only a few of the truths that were returned to the earth through the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.
There is so much that is remarkable about this Church. Yet, when these blessings are constantly before our eyes, it can be easy to take them for granted. Over time, we can lose our sense of wonder and gratitude for what they truly represent.
My hope today is that you discover or rediscover what a blessing it is to be part of this dispensation—the dispensation of the fulness of times.
We live in an extraordinary time. Never has the gospel been preached so widely. Never have so many missionaries been called, so many people introduced to the restored gospel and baptized, so many nations opened to hear the message of the Restoration, and so many temples built throughout the earth.
During His mortal ministry, Jesus said to His disciples: “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” [12]
Similarly, our day can be described, as the scriptures say, as a time when “a marvelous work and a wonder” [13] is spreading throughout the world.
Celebrating the Restoration of Christ’s Church
The work of the Restoration is far from complete. It is still ongoing—and it will continue to expand among mortals until the Savior returns to reign personally on the earth.
President Russell M. Nelson shared this powerful vision of the days ahead: “So many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns ‘with power and great glory,’ He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.” [14]
In the years to come, we will commemorate the bicentennial of the Restoration. Interestingly, in 2030, we will also commemorate the beginning of the Savior’s mortal ministry some 2,000 years ago.
This convergence will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As Elder Gary E. Stevenson has taught, in the next decade “we will experience seminal events that will result in extraordinary opportunities to serve, to unite with members and friends, and to introduce The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to more people than ever before.” [15]
My invitation to you who are gathered here in this great auditorium is simple: be ready.
You are the children of the Restoration. Yours is the generation called to help lead this work forward. You are among those the Lord has chosen for this remarkable time. You will carry the light of the Restoration into the next hundred years—with faith and with joyful determination.
I invite you to prepare your hearts, prepare your minds, and familiarize yourselves with the events and the truths of the Restoration. Begin now to consider how you will participate in these exciting celebrations—how you will contribute in meaningful ways.
I also invite you to become more active witnesses of the Restoration—owning, expressing, and sharing your beliefs in ways that are personal and visible.
We have great confidence in you. With your faith, your creativity, and your devotion, you will help move this work forward in ways we have never seen before.
Final Testimony
Now, as a humble servant of the Lord and one of His special witnesses, I testify that the events of the Restoration occurred as Joseph Smith declared they did. He did see the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. He was entrusted with sacred records, which he translated by the gift and power of God. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and stands as the most powerful testament of the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Priesthood authority has been restored to the earth, making it possible for ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation to be performed with eternal validity. The Church of Jesus Christ is once again upon the earth, containing the fulness of the gospel. President Dallin H. Oaks is God’s prophet for our time.
I bear witness of the Father and the Son. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He lives—resurrected and glorified—and stands “on the right hand of God.” [16] Through confirmation from the Holy Ghost, we can all know these truths.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] “On This Day of Joy and Gladness,” Hymns, no. 64.
[2] John 15:11.
[3] Moroni 10:4.
[4] Gospel Topics Essays, “Becoming Like God,” Gospel Library.
[5] Mosiah 3:19.
[6] 2 Nephi 28:30.
[7] Doctrine and Covenants 93:24.
[8] 2 Nephi 2:8.
[9] M. Russell Ballard, “What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005.
[10] Gordon B. Hinckley, “As One Who Loves the Prophet,” in Susan Easton Black and Charles D. Tate Jr., eds., Joseph Smith: The Prophet, the Man, Provo, Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center,(1993), 6.
[11] Jeffrey R. Holland, “Prophets, Seers, and Revelators,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004.
[12] Luke 10:23-24.
[13] 2 Nephi 25:17.
[14] Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95.
[15] Gary E. Stevenson, “Days Never to Be Forgotten,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 90.
[16] Moroni 7:27.
About Elder Gérald Caussé
Elder Gérald Caussé was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve on November 6, 2025. At the time of his call, he had been serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Church since October 2015. Prior to this calling, he had served as the First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric since March 2012. He previously served as a General Authority Seventy and as a counselor in the Europe Area Presidency.
He has served in numerous Church callings, including elders quorum president, counselor in a bishopric, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, and Area Seventy.
Elder Caussé received a master’s degree in business from ESSEC in 1987. His career has been in strategy consulting and the food industry, where he has worked with several retail and food distribution companies. At the time of his call as a General Authority Seventy, he was the managing director of Pomona, a food distribution company in France.
Elder Caussé is also an accomplished pianist and has participated in the recording of several piano albums.
Gérald Caussé was born in Bordeaux, France, on May 20, 1963.
About Valérie Caussé
Valérie Caussé was born in Nancy, France, and grew up in the Paris area. She studied to become an elementary school teacher and met Elder Caussé while they were attending the same young single adult ward in Paris.
She married Gérald Caussé in the Bern Switzerland Temple in August 1986. They are the parents of four daughters and one son.
Sister Caussé considers it a great privilege and joy to have been a stay-at-home mother. In addition to raising her family, she served for seven years on the city council in her community in France, where she oversaw school affairs.