Need help preparing a sacrament meeting talk this week?
Here's a 20-minute sacrament talk based on Elder Clement M. Matswagothata's General Conference message, "He Knows You by Name." This talk explores the comforting truth that Jesus Christ knows us personally—our names, our struggles, our joys, and our hearts.
If you've ever needed the reminder that you are seen and never forgotten by the Savior, this message is for you. Head to the blog to read, study, and prepare your own testimony of His perfect love.
He Knows You by Name
A Sacrament Meeting Talk Based on Elder Clement M. Matswagothata's April 2026 General Conference Address
Brothers and sisters, today I would like to speak about a beautiful truth that Elder Clement M. Matswagothata reminded us of in General Conference: Jesus Christ knows each of us personally. He knows our names, our stories, our joys, and our sorrows.
In a world that often feels busy and impersonal, this message is one of great comfort. There are times when we may feel unnoticed, forgotten, or alone. We may wonder if anyone truly understands what we are carrying. Elder Matswagothata testified that our Savior does.
The Lord knows each one of us.
He knows our names.
He knows our hearts.
He knows our needs.
And He will never forget us.
The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep
One of the scriptures that immediately comes to mind is found in John chapter 10. The Savior said:
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep" (John 10:14).
I love that image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. A shepherd doesn't simply know that he has sheep. He knows them individually. He notices when one is missing. He recognizes when one is hurt or struggling.
Likewise, the Savior knows each of us individually.
He doesn't know us as a crowd.
He doesn't see us as a number.
He knows us one by one.
I think sometimes we underestimate how personal God's love really is. We know in our minds that God loves everyone, but we sometimes struggle to believe that He loves me—with all my weaknesses, worries, and imperfections.
The scriptures teach us over and over that He does.
The Lord Calls Us by Name
One of my favorite stories in the New Testament takes place after the Resurrection.
Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb weeping. She didn't recognize the resurrected Savior at first. Then the Lord spoke just one word:
"Mary" (John 20:16).
He called her by name.
And immediately she knew it was Him.
I imagine there was great comfort in hearing her name spoken by the Savior.
I think there is a lesson for all of us in that moment. The Lord knows our names too. He knows where we are and what we are experiencing.
President Russell M. Nelson once taught:
"The Lord loves effort because effort brings rewards that can't come without it."
I believe one of those rewards is coming to know that Jesus Christ is personally involved in our lives.
As we pray, study the scriptures, attend the temple, and seek Him, we begin to recognize His hand in our lives more clearly.
The Savior Knows Our Sorrows
The scriptures teach that the Savior doesn't just know our names; He knows our sorrows.
Alma testified:
"He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people" (Alma 7:11).
He understands our grief.
He understands our fears.
He understands our disappointments.
He understands our loneliness.
Sometimes when we are going through difficult things, we may feel like no one understands. Perhaps others don't fully understand—but Jesus Christ does.
Because of His Atonement, there is no heartache He cannot comfort.
No burden He cannot help us carry.
No sorrow He cannot understand.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said:
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed… I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love."
That is possible because the Savior knows us personally.
The One
I love how often the scriptures show the Savior caring for individuals.
He left the ninety and nine to find the one lost sheep.
He stopped to bless one blind man.
He noticed one woman touching the hem of His garment.
He called Zacchaeus by name.
He comforted Mary and Martha.
He appeared to the Nephites one by one and invited them to come and feel the wounds in His hands and feet.
The pattern is clear.
Jesus ministers one by one.
I think there are times when each of us is that one.
The one who is struggling.
The one who feels forgotten.
The one who is carrying a burden.
The one who needs comfort.
And because we are precious to Him, He comes looking for us.
Sometimes He Speaks Through Others
Many times, the Savior answers our prayers through other people.
A text message.
A friend checking in.
A ministering brother or sister.
A kind word.
A scripture that seems written just for us.
A prompting during sacrament meeting.
I think many of us can look back and recognize moments when Heavenly Father sent someone into our lives at exactly the right time.
Those moments remind us that we are known and remembered by Him.
The Lord often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary acts of love.
We Can Help Others Feel Remembered
Because Jesus knows each of us by name, we should strive to know and remember one another.
We can learn names.
Notice people sitting alone.
Invite someone to join us.
Reach out to someone who has been absent.
Send a text.
Write a note.
Offer an act of kindness.
President Thomas S. Monson often reminded us:
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
People need to know that they matter.
And one of the greatest ways we can represent Jesus Christ is by helping others feel seen and remembered.
You Are Not Forgotten
Perhaps there is someone here today who feels forgotten.
Maybe life has been difficult.
Maybe prayers haven't been answered in the way you hoped.
Maybe you're carrying something heavy.
Please remember this truth:
You are not forgotten.
The Savior knows your name.
He knows your heart.
He knows your tears.
He knows your hopes.
He knows your story.
And He loves you perfectly.
The Lord declared in Isaiah:
"I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:16).
What a beautiful promise.
We are never far from His thoughts.
We are never beyond His reach.
We are never forgotten.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, I testify that Jesus Christ lives.
I know He is the Good Shepherd.
I know He knows each of us personally.
I know He knows our names.
I know He understands our struggles and rejoices in our victories.
I know that because of His infinite love and Atonement, we never walk through life alone.
May we remember that we are known, remembered, and loved by Him. And may we help others feel that same love as we strive to become more like the Savior.
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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