Notable quotes:
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance. Because of the Savior’s Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing and becoming more pure.”
“The gospel is a message of joy! Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take.”
“Part of the gathering of Israel, and a very important part, is the charge for us as a people to be worthy and willing to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”
Summary points:
- The Lord directs the affairs of His Church.
- The Lord has directed and executed the hastening of His work — even during a global pandemic.
- The strength of the Church lies in the efforts and ever-growing testimonies of its members.
Talk summary:
Part of the gathering of Israel, and a very significant part, “is the charge for us as a people to be worthy and willing to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1). “Because of the Savior’s Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing and becoming more pure. It is a gospel of hope, of healing and of progress. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy! Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take.”
During the past year defined by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, many have learned things they did not know previously. “Some lessons that I knew before have been written on my heart in new and instructive ways. The Lord directs the affairs of His Church; He has executed the hastening of His work — even during a global pandemic.
“My dear brothers and sisters, the strength of the Church lies in the efforts and ever-growing testimonies of its members. Testimonies are best cultivated in the home. During this past year, many of you have dramatically increased the study of the gospel in your homes.”
In the news:
- In a video message on Palm Sunday, President Nelson invited all to feel “the peace and hope of Easter” by focusing on the Savior.
- During a special, virtual family Christmas devotional to his large and growing posterity on Dec. 20, 2020, President Nelson spoke of joy.
- President Nelson offered the concluding address of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Dec. 6, 2020. He said there is “nothing more important we can do this Christmas” than to focus on the Savior.
- President Nelson shared “a fast-acting, long-lasting spiritual remedy” with the world on Nov. 20, 2020. He later expressed gratitude to all who responded to his invitation to #GiveThanks.
- In his three years as leader of the nearly 17 million Latter-day Saints worldwide, President Nelson has traveled extensively, changed Church organization and issued several historic invitations.
About the speaker:
- President Russell M. Nelson became the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2018.
- He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 34 years.
- A renowned surgeon, President Nelson assisted on the first-ever human open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine. In June 2018, the University of Utah honored President Nelson with an endowed chair in surgery.
- He and his late wife, Sister Dantzel White Nelson, who died in 2005, have 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and 140 great-grandchildren.
- He married Sister Wendy Watson in 2006.
- President Nelson turned 96 years old on Sept. 9, 2020.
Recently on social:
- “As we near the end of a challenging year, one that may feel to many as a time of uncertainty and darkness,” President Nelson wrote on Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, “Let us never forget that the light of hope still shines brightly.”
- On Jan. 19, President Nelson posted a picture of him receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and said that “vaccinations administered by competent medical professionals protect health and preserve life.”
- President Nelson invited all to #GiveThanks for seven days in November, and to thank God through daily prayer.
