Tag: President Russell M. Nelson

What I Know

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My husband was sustained as the bishop of a new ward this past Sunday. For our first Sunday, he asked that I share my testimony in sacrament meeting. I’ve never shared my testimony as the bishop’s wife before and while a bishop, including my husband, and his family are not perfect, there is an expectation of behavior and belief. I’ve thought a lot this week about my testimony. Recently due to questions from family members and friends concerning the restored gospel and our prophet, I’ve questioned my own beliefs and had frequent doubts. While there is so much I don’t know and understand, there are some things I do know.

God is my Heavenly Father and He loves me. My earliest memory of this was when I was a child, sometime before I was eight years old. I was in bed at night and my dad was at a church meeting. A feeling of despair came over me, an almost tangible heavy darkness in my room. When my dad came home, I asked him for a blessing or to pray. I can’t remember which. He did what I asked and the darkness lifted. I had faith in my father. I knew he loved me, and I knew he could dispel the darkness. I now know that was because of the power of the priesthood. My earthly father’s love and power were a manifestation of my Heavenly Father’s love and power.

Jesus Christ is my Savior and because of His atonement, I can be cleansed of my sins and succored in my trials. I was praying for one of my children, crying in despair, and into my mind came the words, “Your child is in my hands” along with the image of the Savior’s open hands with the marks from the cross. I was taught that I am not my child’s Savior, to have faith in the Savior, and that Jesus Christ’s atonement was for me and my child.

Joseph Smith was a prophet. He translated The Book of Mormon and restored the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. I just finished reading Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman. There are pieces of church history that are uncomfortable, but Joseph Smith was able to accomplish more in his lifetime than seems humanly possible. And it wasn’t possible on his own. Learning more about Joseph Smith makes me appreciate his life and sacrifice and reminds me that the Lord can use my efforts to do great things.

I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real because of the personal revelation I receive through the Holy Ghost. Moroni, a prophet in The Book of Mormon, taught, “I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). When I was a child, I relied on the faith of my parents. They loved me and I felt good when I attended church, read my scriptures, and prayed. Much of my obedience was out of duty to my parents whom I loved and the culture of the church. As I began to receive consistent revelation of my own and I acted on that revelation, I saw the results of my faith and my faith increased. That still meant I needed to act in faith and then see what happened, but I had many experiences to remind me that I would be blessed when I acted in faith. One of those experiences was when I had the thought in the temple that I should start a book club in my new neighborhood. I resisted, but when I finally acted in faith, the eventual results were better than I imagined. I have come to love the women in my book club and am enriched every time we get together. I refer to this experience often to strengthen my faith. As the Stake Young Women’s Camp Director this past summer, I was reminded by the Spirit that as I did the Lord’s will concerning the book club, He made more of it than I could make on my own and that the same thing would happen with camp. On Sunday after my husband was set apart as the bishop, a member of the Stake Presidency asked if being the director for Young Women’s camp this past summer has helped me with my husband becoming the bishop. The answer is Yes! As I’ve had fear and doubts about how this would all work out and how members would feel about the changes and how all the callings would be filled and how my husband would be able to be the bishop during tax season, I’ve been reminded by the Spirit again and again of the miracles, personal revelation, and strength I received as the director of camp because of my willingness to do the Lord’s will. This is the Lord’s work!

I know that President Russell M. Nelson is a prophet. In April 2018, President Nelson said, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives”). That prophecy has been fulfilled for me. There is so much confusion, so much doubt, so much information and misinformation, that if I did not study my scriptures and pray daily and act on personal revelation, I would not survive spiritually.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Peace: Let God Prevail

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My son in high school is taking Eastern Geographical Perspectives. They spent one class period learning about Christianity and another learning about Islam. My son shared with me that Islam means submission to God. He made the connection between the word Islam and the word Israel that our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, recently shared. One of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is “let God prevail” (“Let God Prevail,” President Russell M. Nelson, Liahona, May 2021). I believe that repentance is the way we submit to God, the way we let God prevail.

In my scripture study this past week, I read about Alma, the prophet, calling the people of Ammonihah to repentance. He reminds them that God delivered their people out of Jerusalem, saved them from famine, sickness, “and all manner of diseases of every kind” and if they “transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they…have…and rebel against [the Lord], they will “utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth” (Alma 9:21, 23, 24). I particularly noticed the part about being saved from sickness and diseases. This past week two friends of mine lost parents to COVID. I’ve wondered like many others about God’s plan with this pandemic. Did these two people die because their mission on earth was finished. Did they die because they are needed in the Spirit world to further the work of the Lord there? Did they die simply because their bodies are mortal and disease kills some? I thought about all the people who have suffered with illness and death of loved ones over the past year-and-a-half and wondered if we are not being saved from this disease because we’ve transgressed. As soon as I had the thought, my heart rejected that individuals were dying or not dying because of their personal transgressions. Today in church two prayers were offered asking for the pandemic to be taken away from us. So I’ve been pondering if God is calling us to repentance through this pandemic. Then I thought about the meaning of repentance. I used to think that repentance was only admitting I made a mistake or sinned. I now understand that to repent means to turn to God. Repentance is giving my heart and mind to God and asking what I need to do to be closer to Him. Repentance is submitting to God, letting God prevail. I don’t know God’s plan with this pandemic, but I do know that He wants us to turn to Him. He wants us instead of blaming and accusing each other, to come to Him in prayer and ask for our hearts to be softened, ask what we can do to serve one another, ask how we can let Him prevail in our lives. Then will the pandemic be taken away? I don’t know. I do know that as Alma preached to the people in Gideon, that we “should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things [we] stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things [we] do receive” and then “the peace of God [will] rest upon [us]” (Alma 7:23, 27).

We all need peace, peace in Christ.

Seeing the Face of God

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The First Vision, by Gary E. Smith

I have been studying Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide of the scriptures and am currently learning about Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. Since as mortals, we all sin, we cannot be in the presence of God. Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ paid the price/gave himself as a ransom/reconciled us to God/ redeemed us. I previously thought of this redemption as something that happens in the future when we are judged and then if we’ve repented and strived to keep the commandments, Jesus Christ’s redemption will make it possible for us to be in the presence of God and have eternal life. But in my recent scripture study, I’ve learned through the Spirit that Jesus Christ’s Atonement offers me redemption now. I can be in the presence of God now. I can see His face daily.

For Family Home Evening we read the Gospel Topics Essay about Joseph Smith’s First Vision Accounts and we watched the video, “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision.” I love that Joseph Smith asked for forgiveness of his sins and wanted a closer relationship with God. He didn’t expect when he prayed aloud that he would be visited by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They appeared to Joseph Smith and forgave him of his sins. He learned that he should not join any of the current churches and that Jesus Christ’s church would be restored through him. I used to long for the same experience. I thought that if Jesus Christ appeared to me, then I would have no doubts and I would have assurance of my acceptability before the Lord. Joseph Smith made mistakes after his vision, needed to repent, learned how to receive revelation, learned line upon line, was chastised by the Lord, repented again, received more revelation, and tried to understand the revelation he received. That is the same process for me. I do not receive revelation for the church, but as I receive revelation for me, my family, and my calling, I am seeing the face of God or in other words, communicating with him.

Recently I received personal revelation for myself about the COVID vaccine. I felt very resistant to getting the vaccine. I won’t go into all the reasons, but generally I felt like I was healthy and my immune system could handle the virus. I also don’t like being told what to do. I value my agency. I’d seen the post from President Russell M. Nelson in January when he received the vaccine, but didn’t feel like he was saying I had to get it. After a talk in Stake Conference from our Stake President, I felt like he was saying in order to follow the prophet I needed to get the vaccine. I read the January statement thoroughly, but still didn’t feel like the prophet was issuing a commandment to get the vaccine. I did feel like the statement encouraged each person to be responsible and figure out for themselves what was best. I decided to pray and ask God. I prayed thinking I would receive a prompting that I should get the vaccine and I thought I would be unhappy with that answer. That’s not what happened. The distinct thought that came into my mind was, “It’s up to you.” As soon as I had that spiritual impression, I decided to get the vaccine. I still don’t know why that answer helped me decide to get the vaccine. Maybe I needed to not feel like I was being forced or commanded.

Many are struggling with the most recent letter from The First Presidency with greater emphasis on getting the vaccine and wearing masks if physical distancing isn’t possible. I know that our Heavenly Father wants each of us to communicate with Him. He wants us to share our concerns, our sorrows, our fears. He wants to communicate with us. He wants us to see His face. This is how we do that. “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:1).

Jesus Christ already redeemed us. He offered Himself for us. I believe that as each person does the work to receive personal revelation about the vaccine and any other concerns, what is more important than the answer they receive, is the process of coming to the Savior and seeing His face. And we can offer each other grace in this process.

Daily Answers: Peace and Patience

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The Coronavirus pandemic has gone on a long time and affected many aspects of my life, all our lives. I thought that if I sacrificed by staying home and giving up things like family reunions and vacations and in person attendance at church, that soon I’d be able to do those things again. At this time, the week before Thanksgiving, the cases of the virus are increasing and government officials are asking us to make sacrifices again for the safety of ourselves and others. How much longer will this go on? How much more will I have to sacrifice? Next week my children are all planning to be home for Thanksgiving. I don’t want to give that up. Then a week later my son and daughter-in-law have scheduled a date to be sealed in the Portland Temple. They were supposed to be married and sealed in the Portland Temple in April, but ended up getting married in a civil ceremony in March as the virus restrictions began. I want so much for them to have this day in December, and I want to be there. My question recently during my scripture study was, “How do I have peace and patience with the Coronavirus, specifically with Thanksgiving and the sealing?” I read in Ether 6 about the Jaredites crossing the sea in their barges built tight like a dish. Their experiences gave me direction. The Jaredites commended themselves unto the Lord. When they were “encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters” (Ether 6:7). During this time when they were buried in the sea and the wind did not cease, the people “did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord” (Ether 6:9). “They did have light continually” (Ether 6:10). And after “they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water…they did land upon the shore of the promised land…and…they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them” (Ether 6:11-12). Three hundred and forty and four days! I haven’t been restricted that long yet, and as I look back, there have been so many tender mercies. I am crying unto the Lord that my children can come for Thanksgiving and that I can attend the sealing of my son and daughter-in-law.

The Lord knows me. He knows you. I’m grateful for the light He’s given me as I ask in prayer and through my daily scripture study. I’m also grateful that we have a prophet on the earth like the brother of Jared. Our prophet is President Russell M. Nelson. He is experiencing the trials of the pandemic along with us and also has a responsibility to guide the people of the earth. I’m looking forward to hearing from President Nelson what the Savior wants us to know at this time. I know President Nelson’s words will provide me with more light and peace.

Daily Answers: On the Right Side of the Prophet

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I was discussing with my young adult son some of the current issues of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He said he doesn’t want to be on the wrong side of history. In the history of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there was a time when black men of African descent were not ordained to the priesthood. In light of current racial equity awareness, it might seem that our church was on the wrong side of history. We need to be careful about presentism, judging the past with our current perceptions, and remember that the culture of racism has changed, not just by our church, but within many social constructs. For a greater understanding of Race and the Priesthood, read the essay published by the church.

We might ask, if the church was founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Jesus Christ are true, aren’t they true at all times in history? When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, he taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). This is the highest law we can live. In ancient Israel the people were not ready to live the higher law so they were given the law of Moses by revelation to the prophet Moses through the god of the Old Testament who is Jesus Christ.

This week I read the account of the prophet Nephi in 3 Nephi from The Book of Mormon. This was shortly before Christ was born, and the people who believed in the prophesied signs of Christ’s birth were going to be put to death by the unbelievers if the signs didn’t happen by a designated day. Nephi sorrowed for the wickedness and was worried about the believers. “And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people” (3 Nephi 1:11). We have a prophet in our day, Russell M. Nelson. As I read about Nephi, I imagined President Nelson bowed down crying to God on our behalf. I know that President Nelson speaks to God, and I want to be a believer, one who looks to Christ and follows the prophet. I choose to be on the right side of the prophet.

Daily Answer: Prophets, Seers, Revelators in our day

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In my scripture study today I was prompted to learn more about prophesies of Jesus Christ. In Mosiah 8, Ammon and king Limhi discuss prophets, seers, and revelators. Ammon said, “a seer is a revelator and a prophet also…a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings” (Mosiah 8:16-18). I had written in a reference next to Mosiah 8:18 of Mosiah 13:33 which explains the role of a prophet, “For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began–have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be oppressed and afflicted?” (Mosiah 13:33-35).

We live in a time where we are blessed to have prophets, seers, and revelators who testify of Jesus Christ, reveal the mind and will of the Lord, who see the past and things to come, and are a great benefit to their fellow beings. In General Conference we sustain the President of the Church, the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

In this past General Conference, April 4-5, 2020, our prophet and President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson, presented a proclamation to the world in which our current prophets, seers, and revelators testified of Jesus Christ, revealed the Lord’s will for his people now and in the future as we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ, “With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

I was grateful in my scripture study today to be reminded that prophesies of Jesus Christ are not just something of the past. I have seen and witnessed during this pandemic the miracles of having current prophets, revelators, and seers. The implementation of “Come Follow Me” in our homes prior to the pandemic, allowed us to be successful in having church in our homes. The change of policy in not having to wait a year after a civil marriage for a temple sealing will directly bless our family as the temples are closed for now and my son and his wife were married civilly. As I’ve responded to President Nelson’s plea to “do whatever it takes to increase [my] spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation,” I’ve experienced the blessings promised by President Nelson of “additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness…miracles in…marriage, family relationships, and daily work” (Hear Him, Russell M. Nelson, April 2020 General Conference).