Brother Wilcox offers a 2nd apology for ‘insensitive and hurtful’ comments

By Ryan Jensen

14 Feb 2022, 11:24 AM MST

Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, second counselor in the Young Men general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, apologized Sunday night for the second time for recent remarks that were “insensitive and hurtful.”

“This has been a hard week for me,” Brother Wilcox said, noting he has been “corrected” and “taught” following comments offered during a devotional in Alpine, Utah, on Sunday, Feb. 6. The day after that presentation, Brother Wilcox apologized in a Facebook post.

His remarks Sunday, Feb. 13, came at the beginning of a devotional broadcast to a group of youth in Edmonton, Alberta. Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, also addressed the youth. Both leaders focused their remarks on the Church’s2022 youth theme, “Trust in the Lord,” which comes from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Brother Wilcox began his remarks noting, “This has been one of those weeks when I have needed to trust in the Lord.”

Brother Wilcox said the talk he gave last week to youth from three stakes in Alpine, Utah, was one he had given before.

“It wasn’t the first time that I’ve used the ideas that I shared or the line of reasoning that I used to try to address some difficult topics,” he said.

Brother Wilcox said last night that he hadn’t previously understood the negative implications of part of his message.

“In the past, I failed to see how my comments could be seen as insensitive and hurtful. And I’m very grateful for friends — friends like Brother Corbitt — who have helped me and corrected me and taught me. Once again, I apologize. And I’m grateful, more than ever, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which allows us to trust in the Lord.”

Brother Corbitt, joining the virtual devotional from the campus of BYU–Idaho, shared a message with the youth in Edmonton about trusting in the Lord.

He was in Rexburg, Idaho, with Elder Ronald A. Rasband for a devotional Elder Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, delivered to the students of the university Sunday evening.

Prior to starting his remarks, Brother Corbitt mentioned the personal friendship he has with Brother Wilcox. “We are brothers, and our wives are friends,” he said.

The Edmonton devotional was scheduled prior to controversy emerging around Brother Wilcox’s comments last week. . . .