PROVO, Utah-Tuesday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Authority Seventy Elder Jack N. Gerard spoke to BYU students via a digital live stream from an empty Marriott Center as part of the weekly devotional.

In citing his previous experiences as a college student who married while still attending school and starting a family with his wife, Claudette, he was often criticized by others for stretching himself too thin.

Nevertheless, as he told his audience, “if you place your trust in God, not only will things work out-they will yield eternal blessings.”

Gerard is the executive director of the Church’s communication department and said that he and his wife have made every big decision against the standard of eternal life.

Gerard called such a decision “critical” as this is the best way people can protect themselves from gradually sliding into relativism.

His complete address is available at byutv.org.