2026: the year we no longer wait but act

There we stand. The first page of a brand new year, 2026, lies before us like an unwritten sheet. For many, such a beginning feels like a rare moment to take stock. We look at the world around us – a world that sometimes feels restless, in which we are overwhelmed by information, and in which major social issues can make us feel like we are just small, powerless spectators on the sidelines of history.

Yet, at the beginning of this year, I feel a deep, unshakeable hope. This hope does not stem from a naive optimism that all major problems in the world will solve themselves. On the contrary, my hope is rooted in a principle that I have increasingly felt over the years: we are not here to passively await what the future brings. We are here to shape that future ourselves, step by step, person by person.

The wonder of small things

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we sometimes forget how powerful one individual can be. We often have the idea that we must perform grand, sweeping deeds to make a difference. But in the Book of Mormon, there is a sentence that forms my compass for the coming year: 'By small and simple things are great things brought to pass' (Alma 37:6).

This is a universal truth that we see all around us, if only we look closely. A mighty oak begins as a small acorn; a rippling brook eventually forms a deep ravine. It works exactly the same in our own lives. For 2026, I want to challenge us to take those 'small things' seriously again. A sincere compliment to a stranger, a patient conversation with a lonely neighbor, or simply the choice not to give in to bitterness when others do. These are the true building blocks of a betterworld. They are small deeds that, when combined, can create an unstoppable wave of positivity.

Christ as a guide for active responsibility

Whether you are a deeply religious Christian, or simply someone looking for more moral guidance in their life: the teachings of Jesus Christ offer a blueprint for a life that matters. What always personally touches me in the stories about the Savior is that He never waited. He did not settle for the status quo. He sought out the people on the fringes, He healed where there was pain, and He spoke where others were silent.

In the New Testament, He teaches us: ‘You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden’ (Matthew 5:14). I do not see this text as a non-committal compliment, but as a direct call to responsibility. It tells us that we have a moral duty not to keep the good within us to ourselves. We all have a unique ‘light’ – a talent, a measure of empathy, a sharp insight – and 2026 asks us to let that light shine, especially where it is dark.

The gospel of Christ teaches us that we are not victims of our circumstances, but active participants. We have been given the power to spread good ourselves. There is a beautiful text in the Christian tradition that says we should 'be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of our own free will' (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27). The key word here is 'own free will'. We don't have to wait for a government, an organization, or even a church to tell us what to do. The calling to be agood person, we already carry in our hearts.

The world we build ourselves

When we take the teachings of Christ seriously, our focus shifts from ‘what can the world do for me?’ to ‘what can I do for the world?’. For me, the gospel is not an abstract theory for Sunday mornings, but a practical guide for taking personal responsibility from Monday to Friday.

King Benjamin, a wise leader from the Book of Mormon, said it very powerfully: ‘When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God’ (Mosiah 2:17). This principle transcends religious boundaries. It is about fundamental humanity. If we enter 2026 with the daily question: ‘Who can I help a little further today?’, then that changes the atmosphere in our families, our neighborhoods, and our workplaces.

Taking responsibility also means: stop pointing fingers at others. It's easy to blame ‘the other’ for the hardening of society. It's harder, but much more meaningful, to ask yourself: ‘Do I contribute to peace, or to conflict?’. By applying the principles of Christ – such as forgiveness, integrity, and selflessness – we ourselves become the change we hope for.

An invitation for the new year

My wish for you in 2026 is that you discover the power of your own influence. The world currently has no need for more cynicism or passive spectators. It needs builders. People who dare to believe that their actions matter.

Let's take control this year. Let's decide to be active spreaders of hope. Whether that happens by starting a big project or by simply putting a smile on one person's face every day: do it with all your heart.

The path of Christ is a path of action. It is a path of taking responsibility for yourself and for the people around you. If we do that, then 2026 will not just be a year that happens to us, but a year in which we build something beautiful together.

I wish you a blessed, hopeful, and above all, proactive 2026.