Be Reconciled to God

In his October 2025 General Conference address, “Be Reconciled to God,” Elder Kelly R. Johnson invites disciples to think differently about repentance and discipleship—not as occasional correction, but as an ongoing effort to remain aligned with God.

Drawing on his background as a forensic accountant, Elder Johnson explains reconciliation as the careful work of bringing two things back into alignment. Spiritually, to be reconciled to God means restoring harmony between our will and His will through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Simply put, being reconciled to God means aligning our will and actions with God’s will. . .

This framing emphasizes that reconciliation is not about punishment or shame, but about relationship.

Common Criticism: “If I’ve drifted spiritually, reconciliation with God is difficult, distant, or uncertain.”

Many people quietly assume that once they have moved away from God—through neglect, disobedience, or doubt—the path back is complicated or unclear. They may feel unsure where to begin or question whether reconciliation is still possible.

Fallacy at Work: Distance Means Disqualification

This mindset assumes that spiritual misalignment permanently damages the relationship with God. It treats repentance as something reserved for major turning points rather than a regular, accessible practice.

Elder Johnson’s Correction: Reconciliation Is Chosen and Enabled by Christ

Elder Johnson teaches that reconciliation begins with awareness and choice. Just as we may choose to distance ourselves from God, we must also choose to initiate the effort to return. Crucially, this return is made possible not by personal perfection, but by mercy.

He explains that reconciliation “is dependent on mercy,” and that “Jesus Christ’s gracious act of atonement makes reconciliation possible.” Through Christ, strained relationships with God can be restored fully and confidently.

Resolving this Fallacy:

Reconciliation is not a rare event reserved for dramatic moments. It is a repeated invitation to realign our lives with God through repentance, humility, and trust in the Savior’s Atonement.

Living Apologetics: Alignment, Not Fear

Elder Johnson’s message responds to the belief that repentance is primarily about guilt or consequence. Instead, he teaches that reconciliation brings peace, clarity, and confidence before God.

This perspective addresses concerns such as:

“I’ve moved too far away to come back easily.”
“Repentance feels overwhelming or discouraging.”

By reframing repentance as reconciliation, Elder Johnson shows that discipleship is about restoring alignment, not erasing worth.

Practical Apologetic Use

If someone says: “I don’t even know how to fix my relationship with God.”
You can respond: “Elder Johnson teaches that reconciliation begins by choosing to realign with God, made possible through Jesus Christ’s Atonement.”

Ways to Apply Today

1️⃣ Notice areas of spiritual misalignment, however small they may seem.
2️⃣ Choose to draw nearer to God through prayer, obedience, and repentance.
3️⃣ Trust in Christ’s mercy, not personal self-sufficiency.

Keep This Talk With You

Elder Johnson testifies that reconciliation through Jesus Christ leads to peace, confidence, and strength. Like Enos, those who rely on the Savior’s Atonement find that guilt is swept away and faith becomes unshaken.

Reconciliation is not a one-time correction but a sustaining pattern of discipleship—one that keeps us connected to the Savior and anchored in hope.

Where might I need to realign my will more fully with God’s will right now?

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.