April Conference 2026

One thing that stood out to me in this last General Conference wasn’t something anyone said directly, it was something that quietly kept getting dismantled. Perfectionism. Not the desire to grow. Not the desire to follow Christ. But that subtle, nagging belief that I should be further along than I am right now. What I heard instead, over and over, was a very different message. That Christ meets us exactly where we are.

Elder Rowe reminded us that Jesus Christ is not just a perfect example, but a “perfect and personal guide” who reaches out to us even when we feel inadequate. That phrase stuck with me. Personal guide. Not a distant evaluator. Not someone waiting at the finish line, shaking His head. A guide walks with you.

Elder Renlund’s message emphasized that Christ understands every factor that shapes who we are. He sees the full picture we often ignore when we judge ourselves. Perfectionism thrives on partial information. It zooms in on flaws and edits out context. Christ does the opposite. He sees completely and loves completely.

There was also a quiet correction to how we think about growth. Elder Soares’ talk described abiding in Christ as a constant, conscious choice, not a one-time act or a flawless streak. This isn’t about getting it right every time. It’s about staying connected.

And that’s where perfectionism starts to fall apart. Because perfectionism says, “You should be better by now.” But the gospel keeps saying, “Stay with Me.”

Even President Oaks’ invitation to be peacemakers hit me in a different way this time. Not just with others, but internally. Letting go of harshness, even in how I speak to myself. That’s uncomfortable, because for a lot of us, harshness feels productive. Like it’s what keeps us improving.

But what if the real growth doesn’t come from pressure, but from connection? What if becoming like Christ isn’t about eliminating weakness as fast as possible, but about walking with Him long enough that He changes us? Perfectionism wants transformation on a deadline. Christ offers transformation through relationship.