President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has shared profound insights throughout his ministry. Since giving his first address in 1984, Russell M. Nelson’s talks have covered topics like love, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. President Nelson quotes have the special ability to make your burdens feel lighter. Let’s delve into some of his inspiring messages and explore the spiritual treasures they offer.
Confidence in the Presence of God
His most recent talk in the April 2025 General Conference was called “Confidence in the Presence of God.” As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord. Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and your faith in Jesus Christ will increase.
The Significance of Temples
Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. This significant promise applies to every dedicated temple today. As we speak of our temples old and new, may each of us signify by our actions that we are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined.
All our efforts to minister to each other, proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead converge in the holy temple. We regard a temple as the most sacred structure in the Church. Whenever plans are announced to construct a new temple, it becomes an important part of our history.
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The Lord said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” I have learned that such faith gives emancipating power.
In fact, in April 2024, plans were announced to construct temples in the following locations:
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Orem, Utah
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Bacolod, Philippines
- McAllen, Texas
- Cobán, Guatemala
- Taylorsville, Utah
Think Celestial!
When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way.
The Importance of Repentance
Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. May we renovate our lives through our faith and trust in Him. May we access the power of His Atonement by our repentance each day.
Hope is linked to repentance. You can change.
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Living the Gospel in Daily Life
Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. Technology can help you. Today we often hear about “a new normal.” If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
The future is always uncertain. Weather changes. Economic cycles are unpredictable. Disasters, accidents, and illness can change life quickly. These actions are largely beyond our control. The Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, “doubting nothing.” Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith.
Our spirits long to progress. We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress.
The Power of Covenants
We Latter-day Saints are not of the world; we are of covenant Israel. As children of God, we should not let anything enter the body that might defile it. Every person who has made covenants with God has promised to care about others and serve those in need.
Children of the covenant have the right to receive His doctrine and to know the plan of salvation. Obedience allows God’s blessings to flow without constraint. He will bless His obedient children with freedom from bondage and misery.
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We strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ as we strive to keep His commandments and “always remember him.” Further, our faith increases every time we exercise our faith in Him.
The Unique Role of Women
From the dawning of time, women have been blessed with a unique moral compass-the ability to distinguish right from wrong. This gift is enhanced in those who make and keep covenants. We Latter-day Saints are not of the world; we are of covenant Israel. President Nelson explained that women who have made covenants with God have receptivity to the Spirit and an “enhanced moral compass” that give capacity to receive personal revelation and discern truth.
During the October 2019 general women’s session, President Nelson taught women about priesthood power, covenants and holy temples. In his talk titled “Spiritual Treasures,” he said:
“The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.”
President Nelson asked women to prayerfully study Doctrine and Covenants 25 and all the truths they can find about priesthood power. He promised, “As your understanding increases and as you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available to you will increase.”
He continued, “My dear sisters, whatever your calling, whatever your circumstances, we need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. … Married or single, you sisters possess distinctive capabilities and special intuition you have received as gifts from God. We brethren cannot duplicate your unique influence.”
Personal Application and Reflection
President Nelson invites us to continually seek personal revelation and understanding through prayer and scripture study. Consider these questions to ponder:
- How do you draw the Savior's power into your life?
- How can the Holy Ghost be your personal tutor?
- What conditions help you learn from the Spirit?
- What does it mean to labor with the Spirit?
- Why does President Nelson call this process a personal spiritual endeavor?
- How will this endeavor help you gain, understand, and use the power with which you are endowed?
Additional Insights
- On Serving Others: My dear sisters, your power will increase as you serve others.
- On Temple Attendance: If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often-not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there.
- On Ministering: All our efforts to minister to each other, proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead converge in the holy temple.
Quick Facts About President Russell M. Nelson
- The 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was born on September 9, 1924, making President Nelson 100 years old.
- Russell M. Nelson put his heart surgery skills to use when he joined the United States Army during the Korean War.
- President Spencer W. Kimball called Russell M. Nelson to be an Apostle in 1984.
- Yes, President Nelson has perfect pitch.
- President Nelson did not serve a full-time proselytizing mission due to the outbreak of World War II.
| Topic | Quote |
|---|---|
| Temples | "Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so." |
| Repentance | "Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind." |
| Women | "The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood." |
By studying the words of President Russell M. Nelson, we can gain a deeper understanding of our potential and the spiritual treasures available to us through faith, covenants, and temple worship.