In his October 2025 General Conference address, “Adorned with the Virtue of Temperance,” Elder Ulisses Soares taught that temperance is not a secondary or optional trait of discipleship but an essential reinforcement of a life built upon Jesus Christ. Using the imagery of erosion and structural instability, he warned that without deliberate spiritual reinforcement, even faithful disciples can experience weakening foundations.
Temperance, Elder Soares explains, is not merely restraint. It is a Christlike virtue that harmonizes desires, emotions, words, and actions, allowing disciples to remain steady and faithful even amid pressure, provocation, or adversity.
“Temperance is an essential reinforcement for a firm foundation in Jesus Christ.”
This framing invites a deeper look at how discipleship is sometimes misunderstood in a world that often prizes intensity over balance.
Common Criticism: “Strong conviction requires strong, forceful, or uncompromising behavior.”
In both religious and secular settings, passion is often equated with volume, urgency, or aggressiveness. Some assume that calm restraint signals weakness, while intensity—even harshness—is viewed as evidence of sincerity or moral courage.
Fallacy at Work: False Strength
This mindset confuses emotional excess with spiritual power. It assumes that anger, impatience, or rigidity demonstrate commitment, when in reality they often erode trust, relationships, and personal discipleship. Over time, such excess can weaken testimony rather than reinforce it.
Elder Soares’s Correction: Temperance Strengthens, Not Softens, Discipleship
Elder Soares teaches that temperance is not the absence of conviction but the refinement of it. It brings harmony to the heart and steadiness to discipleship, allowing faith, hope, and charity to flourish together. Far from diluting devotion, temperance protects disciples from spiritual erosion caused by impulsiveness, pride, or unchecked emotion.
He reminds us that the Savior Himself embodied perfect temperance—never surrendering to anger or aggression, even under extreme provocation. True strength, Elder Soares teaches, is revealed through restraint guided by the Holy Spirit.
Resolving this Fallacy:
The gospel invites disciples to cultivate temperance as a sign of maturity, not moderation of belief. When guided by temperance, conviction becomes steadier, charity becomes deeper, and discipleship becomes more resilient.
Living Apologetics: Quiet Strength in a World of Excess
In a culture that often rewards outrage and impatience, temperance can appear countercultural. Elder Soares reframes this perception by teaching that temperance is a divine strength that anchors disciples amid adversity.
This perspective responds to concerns such as:
- “If I’m calm, people won’t take my beliefs seriously.”
- “Strong faith requires forceful expression.”
Elder Soares teaches otherwise: Christlike discipleship is marked by serenity, patience, and dignity—even when challenged.
Practical Apologetic Use
- If someone says: “The Church should be more forceful to defend truth.”
- You can respond: “Elder Soares teaches that temperance strengthens conviction. Christ defended truth with perfect restraint, not aggression.”
Ways to Apply Today
1️⃣ Notice emotional triggers that lead to impulsive words or reactions.
2️⃣ Pause before responding, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide tone and timing.
3️⃣ Choose restraint as an act of faith, not avoidance.
Keep This Talk With You
Elder Soares reminds us that discipleship is not fortified through intensity alone, but through Christlike balance. Temperance steadies faith, preserves charity, and protects testimony from the quiet erosion caused by excess.
As disciples adorn their lives with this virtue, they anchor themselves more securely to the Savior, becoming calm, faithful instruments in His hands—prepared to endure, to serve, and to stand firm.
Where might cultivating greater temperance help me strengthen my foundation in Jesus Christ?
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.
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