Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency and a member of the Missionary Executive Council, told missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, that a testimony of God's plan of salvation transforms every aspect of a person's life and their ability to fulfill a divine purpose.
The Puzzle of Purpose
During the weekly devotional, Wright explained that having knowledge of the plan of salvation provides a necessary perspective, comparing the process to assembling a puzzle. She noted that while a single, random piece may be difficult to understand on its own, building the foundational sides of the puzzle provides the context needed to see how the piece fits into the whole.
By providing this foundational context, Wright said missionaries can help others see a bigger picture, offering hope and clarity to the pieces of their lives that are not yet understood. This perspective is intended to help missionaries recognize that their efforts are a fundamental part of God's effort to gather His children.
Four Fundamental Truths
Wright identified four fundamental truths within God's plan of salvation to assist missionaries in fulfilling their mission. These truths include: Jesus Christ is the central figure of the plan; God's children lived with Him before birth; Jesus Christ served as the Creator of the earth under the direction of God the Father; and people can return to live with God the Father and Jesus Christ as eternal families.
She emphasized that the guide "Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ" instructs missionaries to focus their message on Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. According to Wright, focusing on His role in the plan of salvation makes lessons more meaningful and spiritually powerful.
Teaching with Exaltation
The role of the family was a key theme in the devotional. Wright explained that understanding that individuals lived with God before this life and can return to Him gives deeper meaning to the concept of families. She stated that the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ makes eternal families possible.
Wright urged missionaries to teach with exaltation in mind, which she described as ensuring that preparation for the house of the Lord happens alongside preparation for baptism and confirmation. She noted that throughout history, from the Israelites to the Nephites to modern Latter-day Saints, the Lord has directed people to build temples with exaltation in mind.
Historical Context
The teaching drew on historical context, referencing an April 2022 general conference address by President Dallin H. Oaks. In that address, Oaks stated that God desires individuals to strive for His highest blessings by keeping His commandments, covenants, and ordinances, which culminate in the building of holy temples throughout the world.
Spiritual Transformation
During the presentation, Wright shared a video featuring a poem written by her son while serving a mission. The poem told of a missionary who believed he was there to harvest, only to realize he was actually sowing seeds after someone else had plowed the ground.
She concluded her remarks by citing Matthew 2:11-12, recounting the account of the Wise Men who met and worshipped the young Jesus before departing into their own country "another way." Wright described this not merely as a change in direction, but as a spiritual transformation. She suggested that missionaries should experience a similar transformation, returning home from their missions changed in a higher and holier way.
The Miracle of Testimony
Brother James M. Wright also addressed the missionaries, speaking briefly on the topic of miracles. He referenced John 6, which details several miracles of Christ, such as walking on water and feeding the multitudes.
However, Brother Wright suggested that the greatest miracle in that chapter is the miracle of testimony. He noted that, like Peter, the missionaries present believe that Christ is the Son of the Living God and possesses the words of eternal life, and that they are there to prepare to share that message.
Missionary Perspectives
Individual missionaries shared their own reflections during the devotional. Elder Luke Beesley, from Salt Lake City and assigned to the New Jersey Morristown Mission, remarked that conversion is a lifelong process. He stated that all things are possible through Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ if one continues to convert themselves through faith, keeping commandments, and taking the sacrament weekly.
Elder Nathaniel Bennion from Atlanta, Georgia, added that Jesus Christ is the center of the plan of salvation. He noted that missionaries play various essential roles in His work, stating, "Some of us prepare people, some of us plant the seeds of His gospel, and then some of us harvest and actually baptize people, and each role is just as important as the other."
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