Latter-day Saint Life

Talks by President Nelson Most Referenced by Other Church Leaders

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Editor's note: Our weekly Friday column “Found in the Footnotes” explores some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In October 2018, Bishop Dean M. Davies, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, shared that in recent months he had studied all of the remarks President Russell M. Nelson had given during general conference. 

“President Nelson’s teachings witness and reveal for our benefit the life and character of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Davies said in his general conference remarks. He continued, "Listening to and hearkening to living prophets will have profound, even life-changing effects in our lives. We are strengthened. We are more assured and confident in the Lord. We hear the word of the Lord. We feel God’s love. We will know how to conduct our lives with purpose."

A study of these talks, Bishop Davies said, can guide one to the Savior. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has also stated, “A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior.”

Many leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the words of the prophet. In the four general conferences since President Nelson's call, over 100 footnotes in general conference talks reference his words. 

A full list of general conference talks by President Nelson can be found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Below, I highlight President Nelson's remarks that have been frequently referenced in general conference by Church leaders since April 2018. I've also included quotes by the prophet that Church leaders have shared in their messages.

► You may also like: President Nelson's Insight about the Sacrament You May Have Missed

"A Plea to My Sisters," General Conference October 2015 

“The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!”

"As We Go Forward Together," Live Broadcast January 2018 

"Now, to each member of the Church I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere."

"Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints," General Conference October 2018

"The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith."

"Hope of Israel," June 2018 Worldwide Youth Devotional 

"Stand out; be different from the world. You and I know that you are to be a light to the world. Therefore, the Lord needs you to look like, sound like, act like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ."

"Joy and Spiritual Survival," General Conference October 2016 

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."

"Opening Remarks," General Conference October 2018 

"The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families. In this complex world today, this is not easy. The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans."

"Let Us All Press On," General Conference April 2018

"Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life."

"Ministering," General Conference April 2018

"We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others."

"Ministering with the Power and Authority of God," General Conference April 2018

"A hallmark of the Lord’s true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families. Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did. We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-kindness."

"Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives," General Conference April 2018

"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

"The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?," General Conference October 2017

"When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls."

"We Can Do Better and Be Better," General Conference April 2019

"When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!"

Lead image: Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Insights from a Prophet's Life offers a candid view of President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from childhood to the current day. More than a biography, this landmark volume invites readers to experience President Nelson's life through dozens of brief vignettes and hundreds of photographs. Available now at Deseret Book stores and at deseretbook.com


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