In his April 2026 General Conference address, “I Will Give Away All My Sins to Know Thee,” Elder Wan-Liang Wu teaches that coming to know God is not merely a matter of belief—it requires faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and a willingness to change. Through Christ, we can come to know our Heavenly Father and receive the gift of eternal life.
“What are we willing to give up or change to truly know God and be saved at the last day?”
Common Criticism: “If God loves me, why should I have to change?”
Many people believe that a loving God should simply accept people as they are. Repentance can seem unnecessary, restrictive, or even judgmental.
Fallacy at Work: Status Quo Bias
Status Quo Bias is the tendency to prefer things to remain as they are, even when change would lead to something better.
Spiritually, this bias can cause us to view repentance as a loss rather than a blessing. We focus on what we must give up instead of what God is offering us through Jesus Christ.
Doctrine: Repentance Is the Path to Knowing God
Elder Wu teaches that eternal life comes through knowing “the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). We come to know God by coming unto Christ, exercising faith, repenting, and following Him.
Repentance is not about earning God’s love. It is about removing the things that keep us from fully receiving it.
Elder Wu’s Correction
King Lamoni’s father did not ask what repentance would cost him.
Instead, he asked God:
“I will give away all my sins to know thee.”
Elder Wu teaches that true conversion requires the same willingness. Knowing God becomes possible when our desire for Him becomes greater than our desire to hold on to anything that separates us from Him.
Solution
The gospel does not teach that God loves us only after we change.
It teaches that because God loves us, He invites us to change.
Repentance is not evidence of rejection. It is evidence of divine potential. Through Jesus Christ, we can become more than we are today and prepare to return to God’s presence.
Living Apologetics: Seeing Repentance Differently
Many people think repentance is primarily about giving things up.
Elder Wu’s message invites us to see repentance as gaining something greater: a deeper relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change.”
Practical Apologetic Use
If someone says: “I don’t think God should expect me to change.”
You can respond: “The gospel teaches that God loves us exactly as we are, but He also loves us enough to help us become more. Repentance isn’t about proving our worth—it is about allowing Christ to transform us.”
Ways to Apply Today
1️⃣ Identify one habit, attitude, or fear that may be keeping you from drawing closer to God.
2️⃣ Ask yourself Elder Wu’s question: What am I willing to give up or change to know God more fully?
3️⃣ Focus on what Christ promises through repentance rather than what repentance requires.
Keep This Talk With You
Elder Wu reminds us that conversion begins with a choice. Like King Lamoni’s father, each of us must decide what matters most.
This week:
- Seek one way to draw closer to Jesus Christ.
- Pray to know Heavenly Father better.
- Identify one change that would help you follow the Savior more faithfully.
As we choose faith, repentance, and discipleship, we discover that God is not asking us to lose ourselves. He is helping us become who we were always meant to be.
What step can you take this week to choose Christ over comfort, habit, or fear?
The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.
Leave a Reply