That was beautiful, thank you so much. My dear friends, what a privilege it is for me to be with you today.
The Power of Creation
On a recent assignment to Milan, Italy, I had the privilege of seeing Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterful mural of the Last Supper. And to my surprise, it’s not found in an art gallery as you might imagine, but it’s painted on the wall of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the convent’s dining hall, called a refectory, where the monks once sat and ate their meals, reflecting on the depiction of the Savior's final supper with His disciples.
As I stood there, taking in the image, something profound struck me about Da Vinci’s work. While many artists had portrayed this sacred scene before, there was something uniquely captivating about Da Vinci’s version. It felt almost alive and, whether intentional or not, captured a certain declaration of faith that moved me. I couldn’t help but wonder about Da Vinci himself. I thought about the mastery of his technical skills, the uniqueness of his vision, and the originality of his point of view that reflected who he was as a creator. Not to mention the clear influence of his education that came from his grasp of light and movement and his sophisticated application of mathematics. All of this seemed to suggest this personal insight about Da Vinci’s work: he was different. It took him approximately three years to complete the painting, and interestingly, he chose to deviate from the traditional fresco technique of his time, in favor of a method that would allow him to work slowly and make changes as needed. [1]
I carried some questions home with me that I’ve continued to ponder since my time in Milan. Specifically, how can our life’s masterpiece be as intentional and as purposeful as Da Vinci’s brushstrokes? How do we discover the divine gifts we’ve been given, and how do we use them to create a life centered on Jesus Christ? And what does it mean to become the type of creator God intended us to be?
You Are a Creator and Your Gifts Come from God
As an early investigator of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I remember missionaries teaching me about God’s great plan of happiness [2] for His children. Central to the plan is the Savior and His infinite atoning sacrifice that makes it possible for each of us to return and live again in our true home, back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Our time in mortality is a critical phase within God’s divine framework that allows us to have experiences that can ultimately anchor our lives to Jesus Christ and build upon His sure foundation. Mortality, therefore, becomes the canvas for much of the self-directed experiences that the gift of our moral agency inspires us to paint our choices and actions upon. Mortality invites us to be creators.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that “the desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” [3] Recognizing that divine impulse within ourselves can invite us to discover what gifts we’ve been given and to ask what the Lord would have us do with them. We don’t need to wonder if we’ve been blessed with gifts; the scriptures affirm that each of us has been given divine capacities. The Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12 that spiritual gifts differ but that they all come from the same divine source. [4]
One of the most powerful ways to begin discovering our divine gifts is to pay attention to the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Often, the Spirit will confirm truth when we use a talent in a way that aligns with God’s purposes. He may speak peace to our hearts when we serve others, teach with power, or create something that uplifts. Sometimes, our gifts are revealed through other people, like when someone expresses how your example, kindness, or insight blessed them. These spiritual affirmations can help us see the full picture of who we are becoming in the Savior’s hands. Maybe your gifts are musical or artistic, or maybe they’re more intellectual. Perhaps your gifts include your ability to be a good friend or highlight your resilience or your generosity. God’s gifts are as diverse as His children.
In the parable of the talents, [5] Jesus teaches that God entrusts us with gifts, expecting us to use and multiply them. The Savior’s teachings help us understand that our talents are not meant to be hidden or remain dormant, but to be developed and shared for a greater purpose. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve shared some profound truths about this parable in his most recent general conference address. He taught that “one message of this parable is that God expects us to magnify the abilities we have been given, but He does not want us to compare our abilities to those of others.” [6] Elder Renlund then went on to share an insight from an 18th century Hasidic scholar, Zusya of Aniopol. Zusya taught that at the end of our life, God won’t ask why we weren’t like other people, but rather, why we weren’t fully ourselves. Why we didn’t become the person God created us to be. Our concern shouldn’t be of failing to match the greatness of others, but of falling short to live true to our own divine potential. Elder Renlund goes on to teach that “God will be disappointed if we do not rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Savior to magnify the God-given abilities we have received. With His loving assistance, He expects us to become the best version of ourselves. That we may start with differing abilities is irrelevant to Him. And it should be to us.” [7]
I can remember when I first discovered that the thoughts inside my head came to me as pictures. From a young age, I found that it was easier for me and more natural for me to express myself visually rather than practically. For example, if you asked me how I felt about a certain food, I might tell you that donuts taste like sunshine and that salads tastes like sadness. When something is yellow, my mind instinctively conjures the image of a lemon. And as a result, when discussing ideas and concepts related to that color, my thoughts often lead me to associations with citrus. What I initially thought was just a personal quirk over time revealed itself to be a gift that I came to recognize was deeply connected to my love of reading and writing. As a young woman, I would spend hours writing short stories that not only eventually helped me to learn how to express myself better but also allowed me to cultivate my love of words. Words weren’t just tools for clear communication in my native language; they were also the way to convey the emotion of my meaning because, for me, words always carried the power to paint vivid pictures. My hope was always that by using sensory or illustrative language I could help others understand the message I was trying to share.
Later in life when I embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, I discovered that this gift opened the way for the highest and most joyful expression of my ability to communicate. I realized that my voice, my thoughts, and my feelings were expressed most authentically when I used them for two sacred purposes: first, to bear witness of my love and devotion to Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ; and second, to express my love and care to others. I have felt the Lord’s Spirit and His power in my life as I share my witness of Him and His gospel. As I seek to use my gifts with even greater purpose, I find that the Savior guides me closer to Him and helps me realize that my gift is not accidental, nor incidental.
I’ve come to learn that our gifts that accompany us in mortality can be discovered as we rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ, to help us recognize our divine potential and that His power provides us with the help to fulfill that potential.
Focusing Our Creation on Christ
As we discover and magnify our gifts with the Savior’s help, it becomes clear that their highest purpose is to draw us, and others, closer to Him. Centering our lives on the Savior transforms not only what we create but who we ultimately become.
As I stood in front of Da Vinci’s masterpiece, one of the most powerful things I observed was how Da Vinci centered everything around Jesus Christ. This is where his love and understanding of mathematical symmetry really shines. The overall composition naturally draws our eyes to the Savior because of the numerous perspective lines that guide your eye toward and converge precisely on the image of Jesus Christ. The Savior is centrally placed, and all the emotional energy that each of the Apostles is displaying is directed toward Him, making Jesus Christ the focal point of the scene.
Likewise, our lives can intentionally point to Jesus Christ as we consider where the “perspective lines” of our life come together. Christ should be placed at the center. There are habits we can cultivate to ensure that the rhythm and energy of our life is directed toward Him. Steady and sincere efforts in daily worship can be the straight lines that guide our life toward the Savior. Prayer, scripture study, covenant keeping, and service are all essential tools that shape a Christ-centered life, as well as powerful daily practices that bring the Savior into sharper focus. In the Book of Mormon, the ancient prophet Alma promises that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” [8]
Alma’s teachings are a reminder that the greatness of our discipleship in the Savior is most often found in quiet, consistent, and deliberate effort. Engaging in these small and simple acts each day isn’t designed to check spiritual boxes but to draw spiritual lines that converge on Jesus Christ. Just as Da Vinci used perspective to lead every viewer’s eye to the Savior, the habits we build and the priorities we set can direct our own hearts toward Him. In this way, our daily devotion becomes both a spiritual discipline and a visual testimony.
Your Distinctive Discipleship
Our personal discipleship in Jesus Christ will cause the mural of our lives to look distinctly different from the patterns and values of the world. President Russell M. Nelson taught that “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world.” [9]
One of our greatest areas of distinction is our covenant commitment to Jesus Christ and His gospel. Baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, priesthood ordinances, and temple covenants all give structure, meaning, and power to the portrait of our lives, because, as Elder David A. Bednar has taught, “…covenants and ordinances point us to and help us always remember our connection with the Lord Jesus Christ…” [10] When we make covenants, we allow the Master’s hand to guide our creation.
None of us live one-dimensional lives. Relationships, education, religious observance, employment, as well as other pursuits and ambitions bring light, depth, movement, and emotion into our personal journey here on earth. Sometimes, our most sacred acts of creation are deeply personal and relational. We create peace in our homes, trust in our friendships, and belonging in our classrooms and congregations. We create hope when we speak kindly, and safety when we choose to listen. Every moment we choose to reflect the Savior in our ordinary settings, we participate in the divine work of creation. As Jesus’s disciples, we can be stewards of the environment around us. Our influence, tone, and choices can shape the atmosphere where others feel God’s love through us. In seeking to make our Christ-centered discipleship more distinct, we are invited to elevate our vision in the purpose of our pursuits.
A few key areas I’d like to highlight include how our discipleship in our Savior, Jesus Christ, allows us to view our education with an understanding that learning is an eternal principle. [11] Our education becomes more than a means to personal or professional success; it becomes an instrument, or talent, that through diligence we obtain and then find ways to apply to better serve God and others.
Similarly, our discipleship shapes how we approach the relationships in our lives, prioritizing our commitment to living in a way that reflects that the love of God is the greatest law. [12] The manner in which we treat our family, friends, and all of God’s children becomes a testament to how we receive and experience the love of God in our own life and how we strive to share it with others, as God has commanded us to do.
Our worshipful observance of the Savior and His gospel can become more meaningful as we learn to put God first in our lives. [13] As Jesus’s disciples, we recognize that our time, talents, and energy are consecrated to the Savior, and we seek to honor Him through consistent worship. This devotion is especially evident in our Sabbath observance, where we set aside time to worship God, partake of the sacrament, and reflect on the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. The Sabbath day is meant to be a time that God has appointed unto you to rest and show your devotion to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. [14] Speaking about his personal Sabbath observance, President Nelson has said, “I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father.” Consider these questions that President Nelson further poses about Sabbath observance: “How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?”[15]
President Nelson’s questions invite a deeply personal reflection on how we can elevate the Sabbath as a day filled with active and joyful devotion. Through our choices, we can make the Sabbath a distinct and sacred sign of our discipleship, a day set apart that points unmistakably to our love for the Lord.
And finally, as you consider your current or future profession, your perspective as a disciple of Jesus Christ can more broadly frame your understanding that work is a divine principle, [16] reminding us that even in our careers, living according to gospel standards allows us to contribute to God’s work on earth because our personal example can have profound influence wherever we stand.
As we strive to live as the Savior did, having a more elevated vision of our life’s pursuits and engaging in more distinct practices within our discipleship can help to deepen our connection with Jesus Christ and can allow us to become more like Him. And furthermore, our regular religious observances, when rooted in discipleship, can become a powerful tool in our journey of discipleship. When we prioritize our covenant connection to the Savior, our worship of Him and Heavenly Father and our commitment to come regularly to the house of prayer to offer our devotion to God can be another gateway to the promised blessings of joy in the gospel.
Conclusion and Testimony
Friends, every heart here today carries the divine desire to create. A part of God’s great plan of happiness for you is to create your personal life’s masterpiece. No one else can create exactly what you can. Heavenly Father didn’t send you into mortality to create a copy of someone else’s life. He sent you to discover the individual gifts and talents that have been given to each of you. He sent you to magnify and multiply those gifts through focusing your life’s lines on His Son, Jesus Christ, and on your discipleship in Him. Your personal process of discovering and magnifying your talents and skills as a creator may unfold gradually and be refined through learning and growth. But it’s important to remember that patience is a virtue and may be another gift that God is developing within you along your life’s journey. Trust that with time, effort, and faith, your divine potential will become clearer and your capacity will grow in strength and purpose. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, when you utilize the gifts and talents given to you from God to serve Him and participate in His work, you can feel more fully a part of the greater magnificence of the plan of salvation and see more clearly how your unique contribution to the gospel adds to the uniting of God’s children.
President Russell M. Nelson has taught that “We are to be creators in our own right—builders of an individual faith in God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith in His Church. We are to build families and be sealed in holy temples. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny—glory, immortality, and eternal lives.” [17]
Our efforts to be creators are not to be relegated merely to hobbies or side pursuits; they’re integral to our eternal identity and purpose. Every choice to live according to faith in Jesus Christ—whether it’s nurturing your testimony, strengthening your family, lifting a neighbor, fulfilling a calling, or standing as a witness of Christ—becomes a sacred contribution to God’s work of salvation and exaltation.
Since returning from Italy, I’ve come to believe that Jesus Christ was the point of Da Vinci’s Last Supper—the ultimate heart of the message he was trying to convey and the subject he aimed to illuminate above all else. And my friends, just as Leonardo Da Vinci was different in his time, you are different in your time. I know that upon reflection of the portrait of your life, the difference will be you—because your discipleship in Jesus Christ shapes the way you learn, love, work, worship, and serve. And it will leave a distinct signature on your life’s canvas as His disciple. Your life’s composition is currently a work in progress, and I testify that as you focus on the Savior, He can transform your talents into tools for good, your efforts into acts of faith, and your life into a masterpiece that testifies of the greatest Master, even Jesus Christ. Be confident that as His covenant disciple, the Savior has “begun a good work in you” and will continue helping you. [18]
Please remember you have the power to shape experiences wherever you are. The difference is you in every classroom you enter. The difference is you each week at church. The difference is you when you’re at work, and every moment you’re at home.
The difference is you - because for you Jesus Christ makes all the difference.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] CENACOLO Vinciano. The Last Supper: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
[2] Alma 42:8
[3] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Happiness, Your Heritage,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2008, 118
[4] 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 and Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-12
[5] Matthew 25:14-30
[6] Dale G. Renlund, “Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2025, 44
[7] Dale G. Renlund, “Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2025, 44
[8] Alma 37:6
[9] Russell M. Nelson, “ Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 40
[10] David A. Bednar, “But We Heeded Them Not,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2022, 15
[11] Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19
[12] Matthew 22:37-39
[13] Matthew 6:33
[14] Doctrine and Covenants 59:9
[15] Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 130
[16] Genesis 2:15
[17] Russell M. Nelson, “The Creation,” Ensign, April 2000, 86
[18] Philippians 1:6