Some of my thoughts upon hearing what the Prophet teaches

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Institutional neutrality


The Church reaffirms its institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates


Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church

Citizens of the United States have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects their communities and nation today and in the future. We urge Latter-day Saints to be active citizens by registering, exercising their right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs.

We also urge you to spend the time needed to become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering. Along with the options available to you through the Internet, debates, and other sources, the Church occasionally posts information about particular moral issues on which it has taken a position at www.Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles.

While the Church affirms its institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates, individual members should participate in the political process. Please strive to live the gospel in your own life by demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.

Sincerely yours,

Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyring

Monday, October 3, 2022

wrath of Almighty God

Since 1885, the phrase "wrath of Almighty God" has been used only twice in General Conference (apart from 5 quotations of D&C 76).

And both times the speaker was Russell M. Nelson.

[The five quotations of D&C 76 were in 2001 (Maxwell), 1971 (Petersen), 1956 (Lee), 1954 (Hunter), and 1942 (Smith).]

_____


Now, as a servant of the Lord, I dutifully warn those who advocate and practice abortion that they incur the wrath of Almighty God, who declared, “If men … hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, … he shall be surely punished.”
(Ex. 21:22.)

(1985, April, Russell M. Nelson, ‘Reverence for Life,’ Ensign, May 1985, ¶ 37)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1985/05/reverence-for-life?lang=eng

 



Let me be perfectly clear: any kind of abuse of women, children or anyone is an abomination to the Lord. He grieves and I grieve whenever anyone is harmed. He mourns, and we all mourn, for each person who has fallen victim to abuse of any kind. Those who perpetrate these hideous acts are not only accountable to the laws of man, but will also face the wrath of Almighty God.

(2022, October, Russell M. Nelson, ‘What is True,’ Liahona, November 2022)

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2022-general-conference-prophet-summary




Sunday, September 11, 2022

98 statements for his 98th birthday

The Church News published 98 gems of President Nelson's council to commemorate his 98th birthday.

https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/9/23334785/president-russell-m-nelson-98-birthday-statements-of-counsel

They're all great.

_____

In honor of President Nelson’s 98th birthday, following are 98 pieces of counsel, listed in random order, that he has shared as the leader of the Church:

1. “The temple is central to your spiritual foundation.”

2. “I have complete faith in you.”

3. “The power of Jesus Christ will heal us, strengthen us, comfort us and renew us.”

4. “Seek truth.”

5. “Make covenants with God and keep them.”

6. “Whatever your concerns, whatever your challenges, there is a place for you in this, the Lord’s Church.”

7. “As you make your testimony your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.”

8. “Never forget that the Restoration of the gospel commenced so that all men and women might know that it is true!” 

9. “The name of the Church is not negotiable.” 

10. “Your potential is divine.”

11. “Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life?”

12. “Spend more time in the temple and in family history work.”

13. Remember “God loves all of His children and has a vision for each of us.”

14. “Resolve to strengthen your spiritual foundation.”

15. “Resolve to be kind to others.”

16. “Resolve to be resolute.”

17. “Take charge of your testimony of Jesus Christ.”

18. “The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power. But He does ask us to believe.” 

19. “We call upon people everywhere to pray for those in need, to do what they can to help the distressed, and to seek the Lord’s help in ending any major conflicts.”

20. “Know the truth about who you are.”

21. “Know the truth about what Heavenly Father and His Son have offered you.” 

22. “Know the truth related to your conversion.”

23. “You are literally spirit children of God.” 

24. “It is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures — perhaps measures we have never taken before — to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations.”

25. “We are witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you are just seeing the beginning. 

26. “Give thanks.”

27. “Though our world is filled with serious challenges, I am optimistic about the future and confident about the fundamental goodness of humankind.”

28. “We live in the most vibrant era in the history of the world.”

29. “Look forward to the future with hope.” 

30. “No greater influence exists in the kingdom than the women of the Church.”

31. “Whenever I’m comfortably situated in my home, I’m in the wrong place. I need to be where the people are.

32. “Keep on the covenant path.”

33. “Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It’s going to be exciting.”

34. “Bounce out of bed each morning and see what the day will bring.”

35. “You can get personal revelation for your own circumstances, just as naturally as I can for my circumstances.”

36. “Flood social media with a wave of gratitude.”

37. “Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”

38. “Faith in God is, and has always been, the preeminent force for good in this world.” 

39. “Let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer.”

40. “We believe in freedom, kindness and fairness for all of God’s children!”

41. “With all the pleadings of my heart, I urge you to get on the covenant path and stay there.”

42. “Experience the joy of repenting daily.”

43. “Learn about God and how He works.”

44. “Seek and expect miracles.”

45. “Strive to end conflict in your life.”

46. “The adversary never sleeps. There will always be opposition to the truth.”

47. Share “the message of the ongoing Restoration of the Savior’s gospel.”

48. “Having questions does not mean that you don’t have a testimony.”

49. Read “afresh Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.”

50. “Engage in daily, earnest, humble prayer.”

51. “Ask the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better.”

52. “We plead with leaders of nations to find peaceful resolutions to their differences.”

53. “The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today.”

54. “Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught.”

55. “The Holy Ghost will testify to you — and to every sincere seeker of truth — that the gospel is true.”

56. “Every person who has made covenants with God has promised to care about others and serve those in need.”

57. “I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. … For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but optional, opportunity.”

58. “The blessings of the gospel are for every race, language and people.”

59. “There is room for each person who will fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

60. “Regardless of relationship status, there is one source to whom we can all turn to either enhance the love we feel for others or mend our hearts when they feel broken — the Savior Jesus Christ.”

61. “If we have any hope of reclaiming the goodwill and sense of humanity for which we yearn, it must begin with each of us, one person at a time.”

62. “The Church of Jesus Christ is a global Church.”

63. “Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants!”

64. “Things are going to move forward at an accelerated pace. The Church is going to have an unprecedented future, unparalleled.”

65. “Partake of sacred ordinances worthily.”

66. “I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple.”

67. “Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all belief and the conduit of divine power.”

68. “Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ.”

69. “It is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.”

70. “The Restoration is a process, not an event, and will continue until the Lord comes again.”

71. “The Lord, in His wisdom, has reserved each of you — regardless of age — to come to earth at this crucial time.”

72. “The ultimate objective of the gathering of Israel is to bring the blessings of the temple to God’s faithful children.”

73. “The ongoing Restoration needs ongoing revelation.”

74. “I plead with you to seek — prayerfully and consistently — to understand temple covenants and ordinances.”

75. “When you know for yourself that the gospel of Jesus Christ contains the most important truths available on earth — absolute truths — nothing in your social media feeds will confuse you.”

76. “We need to work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of segregation.”

77. “Arm in arm and shoulder to shoulder, may we strive to lift our brothers and sisters everywhere, in every way we can.” 

78. “Decide what kind of life you want to live forever.”

79. “Now is your time ‘to prepare to meet God.’”

80. “The first great commandment — to love our God — is inexorably yoked to the second great commandment, to love our neighbor.”

81. “To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan.”

82. “There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul.”

83. “His love for you is unfailing. He and His Beloved Son ‘will not leave you comfortless’ (John 14:18).”

84. “God’s laws are gifts to His children.”

85. “With your diligent seeking, God will give you glimpses of who you may become.” 

86. “Nourish yourself in the words of ancient and modern prophets.”

87. “The pure doctrine of Christ changes the life of everyone who understands it and seeks to implement it.”

88. “I assure you that your standing before God is not determined by the color of your skin.”

89. The Savior’s “gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear.” 

90. “The Lord has never needed His faithful Saints more than right now.”

91. “The gospel net to gather scattered Israel is expansive.”

92. “Taking the Savior’s name upon us includes declaring and witnessing to others — through our actions and our words — that Jesus is the Christ.”

93. “Everything we believe and every promise God has made to His covenant people come together in the temple.”

94. “I promise you that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen.”

95. “My prayer is that the Spirit has spoken to you directly about things the Lord would have you do.”

96. “Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.”

97. “Living in accord with the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to experience sustained joy — now and forever.”

98. “There’s much more to come.”

Friday, November 5, 2021

The Heartland of the United States

On October 17, 2021, President Nelson, his wife Wendy, and Elder and Sister Uchtdorf spoke to the Latter-day Saints in Kansas and Oklahoma. 

He said, "You live in the heartland, the very center of the continental USA. Your geography provides a powerful metaphor about where the Lord wants us to live. He wants us to keep in the center of the covenant path. He wants us to understand the core or center of His doctrine. He wants us to purify our hearts, our very centers so that we can withstand the attacks of the adversary. God pleads with us to live in the center of our temple covenants, where we find ultimate spiritual safety. ...

[The Book of Mormon] is a gift to us from God. It is the keystone of our religion because it contains the very heart, the center of his doctrine. That book was written for us. ...

Now I would like to mention some of the facts about the translation of the Book of Mormon from an unknown language into English. Joseph Smith translated nearly all the Book of Mormon in 65 to 75 working days from April 7 to the end of June 1829 with Oliver Cowdery as principal scribe. Joseph's average rate of translation was 7 to 8 pages per day. What the prophet Joseph accomplished is something translators cannot duplicate even today with modern technology. In language of an oath, the authenticity of the translation was certified by the Lord Himself. He declared, "[Joseph Smith] has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true." (Doctrine and Covenants 17:6)

You can see his talk here: 

https://youtu.be/9Ne1KsTocbc?t=226

The official news release omitted the term "heartland" from its report.

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-americans-museum-donation

Fortunately, on his Facebook page, President Nelson reiterated his point:

Today, I spoke from my heart to the Saints in what is often referred to as the heartland of the United States. I shared with my brothers and sisters in Oklahoma and Kansas that their geographic location is a metaphor for how, and where, the Lord wants us to live—in the center of His covenant path and in the center of our temple covenants. He also wants us to understand the central core of His doctrine and message, which is why He has given us the gift of the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon centers on Jesus Christ. It contains the very heart of His message. It was written for us, in our day, for our lives. As we study, ponder, and apply the principles taught within its pages, we will receive strength to center our lives in Jesus Christ and enjoy the joyful blessings that He promises us, now and forever.

President Nelson's description of the Heartland as a metaphor is what the term means to me. Staying in the center of the covenant path is ideal. It makes life easier and more productive, plus more fun. It's both enjoyable and joyful to serve others and help build Zion.

I write about this on the HowtoZion blog. here:

https://howtozion.blogspot.com/

Sunday, April 4, 2021

General Conference April 2021

 President Nelson offered five suggestions to help Latter-day Saints develop that faith and trust.

  • First, study. Become an engaged learner.
  • Second, choose to believe in Jesus Christ.
  • Third, act in faith.
  • Fourth, partake of sacred ordinances worthily.
  • And fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.

President Nelson said faith takes work. “Truly, faith is the power that enables the unlikely to accomplish the impossible.

“Do not minimize the faith you already have. It takes faith to join the Church and remain faithful. It takes faith to follow prophets rather than pundits and popular opinion. It takes faith to serve a mission during a pandemic. It takes faith to live a chaste life when the world shouts that God’s law of chastity is now outmoded. It takes faith to teach the gospel to children in a secular world. It takes faith to plead for the life of a loved one, and even more faith to accept a disappointing answer.”

Mountains do not always move “how or when we would like. But faith will always propel us forward.”

Fatih always increases access to godly power, said President Nelson.

“Please know this: If everything and everyone else in the world whom you trust should fail, Jesus Christ and His Church will never fail you.”


https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-04-04/april-2021-general-conference-president-nelson-faith-209571

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Summary of three years

Wonderful article that summarizes the first three years of President Nelson's role as President of the Church.


https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-12-30/president-nelson-first-three-years-prophet-overview-200750


Under his leadership, Latter-day Saint leaders replaced home and visiting teaching with ministering, adjusted Sunday meetings schedule in order to accommodate home-centered, Church-supported gospel study and asked members to use the full and correct name of the Church. He changed a Church policy allowing the children of parents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to be blessed as infants and baptized; discontinued a policy requiring couples who marry civilly to wait one year before being married or sealed in the temple; and established a policy allowing women to serve as witnesses of temples sealing and women, youth and children to serve as witnesses for baptismal ordinances.

“One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will,” said President Nelson during the Church’s April 2018 general conference. “The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.”

Quotations from all of President Nelson's conference talks

The Church News extracted a quotation from each of President Nelson's talks since 1984 when he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve. _...