From the Church

President Nelson Gives 13 Challenges to Help Church Members Unlock the Secrets and Mysteries of God

43428.jpg

During his first talk as prophet speaking to all Church members in general conference, President Russell M. Nelson bore a powerful witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ: "Without our Redeemer’s infinite Atonement, not one of us would have hope of ever returning to our Heavenly Father. Without His Resurrection, death would be the end. Our Savior’s Atonement made eternal life a possibility and immortality a reality for all."

President Nelson told Church members of the sacred experiences he witnessed in the temple when he was sustained as our new prophet, as well as the process he underwent to select his counselors in the First Presidency and our new apostles. President Nelson assured Church members of the care he took interviewing each member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and listening to the Spirit while in the temple. He testified that, "[Jesus Christ] lives. It is He who directs and guides this Church. . . . I am humbly grateful for your sustaining support."

President Nelson shared a little of his life, of his conversion to the Church as a young boy seeking the Lord's will. With a laugh, he told about the moment he wanted to encourage his family to live the Word of Wisdom and "smashed on the concrete floor every bottle of liquor" in his home. This seeking for the Spirit helped President Nelson as he raised his children, pursued his career, struggled with the "almost immobilizing" grief he felt with the passing of his first wife, Dantzel, and in his decision to marry his second wife, Wendy. 

Using these personal examples, President Nelson demonstrated "how willing God is to reveal His mind to us," saying he prayed for revelation and to thank the Lord every day of his 34 years as an apostle.

President Nelson then promised Church members that if we will truly seek for the influence and guidance of the Holy Ghost, we will be guided in matters large and small.

"How can we become the men and women, the Christlike servants, the Lord needs us to be?" President Nelson asked. "What will your seeking open for you?" He then gave us these challenges and instructions to better ask of God and seek personal revelation:

1. "Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph."

2. "Find a quiet place where you can regularly go."

3. "Humble yourself before God."

4. "Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father."

5. "Turn to him for answers and for comfort."

6. "Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart."

7. "And then, listen."

8. "Write the thoughts that come to your mind."

9. "Record your feelings and follow through with actions you are prompted to take."

10. "Repeat this process."

11. "I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life."

12. "Choose to do the work needed to hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and clearly."

13. "Come unto Christ. Lay hold of every good gift, including the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"I urge you to stretch beyond your current ability to receive personal revelation," President Nelson said. As we repeat and refine this practice "day after day, month after month, year after year," our prophet promised us that we can know the mysteries of God, that which brings eternal life.

"There is so much more that your Heavenly Father wants you to know," President Nelson taught. He then quoted Elder Neal A. Maxwell, saying, "God is giving away the spiritual secrets of the universe, but are we listening?"

Along with these challenges, President Nelson shared how scripture study, temple attendance, expressing gratitude, honoring God's timetable, and accomplishing family history work can increase personal revelation by bringing us closer to God.

"Every blessing the Lord has for you, even miracles will follow," President Nelson promised, assuring members that miracles that attest of God's magnificence and glory still await the Church in the future.

Lead image a screenshot from lds.org
Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content