President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. He affirmed that abuse is “an abomination to the Lord” and testified that God is the source of all truth. The following is a summary of what he said.
President Nelson’s conference talk summary
Abuse constitutes the influence of the adversary and is a grievous sin. “Let me be perfectly clear: Any kind of abuse of women, children or anyone is an abomination to the Lord. … 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.”
For decades the Church has taken extensive measures to protect children, in particular, from abuse. The Church website has several aids. “I invite you to study them.”
Another disturbing tactic of the adversary is his effort to blur the line between what is true and what is not true. God is the source of all truth. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces all truth that God conveys to His children, whether learned in a scientific laboratory or received by direct revelation from Him.
“From this pulpit today and tomorrow you will continue to hear truth. Please make notes of thoughts that catch your attention and those that come into your mind and stay in your heart. Prayerfully ask the Lord to confirm that what you have heard is true.”
Notable quotes from President Nelson’s conference talk
“I urge each of us to be alert to anyone who might be in danger of being abused and to act promptly to protect them.”
“The Savior will not tolerate abuse, and as His disciples, neither can we.”
“Dear brothers and sisters, God is the source of all truth.”
See the full text of President Nelson’s talk: ‘What is True?’
Who is President Nelson?
- President Russell M. Nelson became the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2018, after serving 34 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is now the oldest President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the longest-living Apostle in this dispensation.
- A renowned surgeon, President Nelson assisted on the first human open-heart surgery in Utah 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 more than 140 great-grandchildren. He married Sister Wendy Watson in 2006.
What has President Nelson done recently?
- During the April 2022 general conference, he taught that contention violates everything the Savior stood for, shared five ways to maintain positive spiritual momentum, and announced 17 new temple locations.
- A surprise guest at the Ephraim Utah Temple groundbreaking, President Nelson honors central Utah’s history, pioneers
- Calling every temple ‘a symbol of Jesus Christ,’ President Nelson rededicates the Washington D.C. Temple
Read more of President Nelson’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
