Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson Chapter 1Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness From the Life of Russell M Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson The Creation, the Fall, and the Savior’s Atonement are pillars of God’s plan The family is central to God’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children God is the Father of our spirits, and we lived with Him before we were born Joy comes in this life when we choose to live in harmony with God’s eternal plan Returning to our heavenly home requires passage through the doors of death God’s plan is fair, allowing repentance and ordinances for the living and the dead After the Resurrection and Judgment, you will be assigned to your everlasting home Make the celestial kingdom your eternal goal Invitations and Promises You developed spiritual attributes premortally, and you can develop others now Joy comes when you choose to live in harmony with God’s eternal plan When you make choices, take the long view—an eternal view Make the celestial kingdom your eternal goal Related Talks Chapter 2The Atonement of Jesus Christ The Atonement of Jesus Christ From the Life of Russell M Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson The Savior’s atoning sacrifice is the central act of all human history The Savior was the only one who could accomplish the Atonement Rich meaning is found in the study of the word atonement The Savior’s Atonement is infinite The grip of physical death is temporary because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ can heal us and help us cope with our trials Through the Savior’s Atonement, we can be perfected in Him Essential ordinances of the gospel symbolize the Savior’s Atonement The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of love of all history We can be of good cheer because the Savior has overcome the world Invitations and Promises Find relief and peace through the Savior’s infinite Atonement Teach your children about the Savior’s Atonement Teach that the Savior’s Atonement can perfect us Videos Related Talks Chapter 3The Ministry of Jesus Christ The Ministry of Jesus Christ From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Nothing in human history equals the matchless life of the Son of God Jesus Christ’s names, titles, and responsibilities are of eternal significance During mortality, the Savior accomplished the Atonement and served as our example In a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah Choose to learn about Jesus Christ and be one of His true disciples now Invitations and Promises Choose to learn about Jesus Christ and be one of His disciples All we think and do and say can be steeped in our love for Jesus The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hears and our lives to Jesus Christ Videos Related Talks and Articles Chapter 4Faith in Jesus Christ Faith in Jesus Christ From the Life of Russell M Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Every blessing of eternal significance begins with faith in Jesus Christ Dynamic faith in the Lord leads to complete conversion Start today to increase your faith Faith always increases our access to godly power Faith will not prevent life’s problems but will help when things go wrong Embrace the future with faith! Invitations and Promises Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life Reach up for the Lord’s power Withstand attacks from the adversary Embrace the future with faith Videos Related Talks Chapter 5Repentance Repentance From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Repentance is required of every accountable person who desires eternal glory When we choose to repent, we choose to change—to become more like Jesus Christ Now is the time to prepare to meet God True repentance is not an event. It is a never-ending privilege. As you turn to the Savior and repent, you will feel how much He loves you The fruits of repentance are sweet Invitations and Promises Repentance brings God’s power into our lives Do not fear or delay repenting Be a little better each day There is always a way back; Jesus Christ is the way Videos Related Talks Chapter 6Divine Identity Divine Identity From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Know the truth about who you are You are a son or daughter of God with unlimited, divine potential You are a child of the covenant You are a disciple of Jesus Christ Our potential as children of God is to become like Him Invitations and Promises Never forget who you are and what God has offered you Progress from being a member of the Church to becoming a disciple of Christ Videos Related Talks Chapter 7Agency and Accountability Agency and Accountability From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Agency is a gift from God A major reason for mortality is to test how we will exercise our agency The proper exercise of moral agency requires faith in Jesus Christ If we make an unrighteous choice, we are bound to the consequences of that choice At the day of judgment, you will account for your faith, hopes, works, and sins When you make choices, make the celestial kingdom your eternal goal Invitations and Promises Develop and exercise faith in God and in His divine Son Do not let an obsession rob you of your freedom to follow God’s fabulous plan When you make choices, make the celestial kingdom your eternal goal Make eternal life your highest priority, and other choices will fall into place Videos Related Talks Chapter 8The Abrahamic Covenant The Abrahamic Covenant From the Life of Russell M Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson What is the Abrahamic covenant? And what does it have to do with each of us? We enter the covenant path at baptism and more completely in the temple Jesus Christ is at the center of the Abrahamic covenant Each person who fully embraces the gospel becomes one of God’s covenant children As children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us The Lord has renewed the Abrahamic covenant, and we get to participate in it! Invitations and Promises These divine promises are available to you! Receive and be faithful to essential ordinances and covenants You can lay claim to all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant Videos Related Talks Chapter 9The Gathering of Israel The Gathering of Israel From the Life of Russell M Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson God wants to gather Israel. He is our Heavenly Father! This gathering is all about giving every soul the chance to accept the gospel No other work is so universally inclusive The Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel, and you can be a part of it Participating in the gathering of Israel will require some sacrifice on your part The gathering of Israel is necessary to prepare the world for the Second Coming The endpoint of the gathering of Israel is the sealing of families in temples Invitations and Promises Read daily from the Book of Mormon Disengage from a constant reliance on social media Ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the covenant path Pray daily that all of God’s children might receive the blessings of the gospel Pray each day intentionally about what you can do to help gather Israel Be a light to the world Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance Videos Related Talks Chapter 10A Covenant Relationship with God A Covenant Relationship with God From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson A covenant is a sacred promise with God Covenants are intended to be binding and create a relationship with everlasting ties Those who covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy Everyone who makes and keeps covenants with God has direct access to His power Those who make and keep sacred covenants are promised eternal life and exaltation Teach the world about the beauty and power of the everlasting covenant Invitations and Promises If we let God prevail in our lives, [the baptismal] covenant will lead us closer and closer to Him Once we make a covenant with God, we have access to a special kind of love and mercy Because of our covenant[s] with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power Those who make sacred covenants and keep them are promised eternal life and exaltation If you have stepped off the path, I invite you to come back We plead with everyone to walk the covenant path with us Videos Related Talks Chapter 11Divine Law and Absolute Truth Divine Law and Absolute Truth From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson God’s laws reflect His perfect love and His desire for us to return home to Him God’s laws are those absolute truths that prevail in the universe There really is absolute truth—eternal truth—full of divine light and power Prophets and apostles communicate the Savior’s love and teach His laws and truth As you live by God’s laws, you will become increasingly free To be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, fill your life with truth Invitations and Promises If you continue to walk in truth, the Holy Ghost will be your companion There is always a way back I promise you that as you live by God’s laws, you will become increasingly free Videos Related Talks Chapter 12Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today You may be the very one to open the door to someone’s salvation All of us may preach the gospel by precept and example We need more full-time missionaries—more worthy missionaries Marvelous senior missionaries answer the pleadings of prophets and apostles Missionaries teach the fulness of the gospel and bless the lives of people everywhere We want missionaries to have the doctrine of Christ written in their hearts We need to proceed in faith and do our best, knowing that God will help us Invitations and Promises You may be the very one to open the door to someone’s salvation Each follower of Jesus Christ can become an effective member missionary Your decision to serve a proselyting or service mission will bless you and many others Faith, hope, charity, and love qualify senior missionaries for missionary labors Faithful missionaries will bring people to a knowledge of the Lord We need to proceed in faith and do our best, knowing that God will help us Video Related Talks Chapter 13The Holy Temple—the House of the Lord The Holy Temple—the House of the Lord From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson All we do in the Church points to the Lord and His holy house Ancient temple ordinances and covenants have been restored in the latter days Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life The temple is a house of learning where the Lord teaches us in His own way Women and men who are endowed in the temple receive a gift of priesthood power As temples are prepared for us, we need to prepare ourselves for the temple Temple and family history work blesses us as well as those beyond the veil Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater Invitations and Promises The Lord will bring you miracles as you serve and worship in His temples The Lord will teach you in His house of learning Seeking and receiving temple blessings will make all the difference in your life In the temple, we are endowed with the Lord’s power Doing temple work for your ancestors will enrich your life in unexpected ways Videos Related Talks and Article Chapter 14Revelation for Our Lives Revelation for Our Lives From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! You can receive personal revelation for your own circumstances God will speak to you in His own way and in His own time We must learn to receive revelation to survive spiritually You can learn for yourself how to receive personal revelation Increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation Counter the lure of the world by making time for the Lord in your life every day Invitations and Promises Grow into the principle of revelation Stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation Make time for the Lord If you will do the spiritual work, you will have all the direction you need Videos Related Talks Chapter 15Prayer Prayer From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Our loving Father in Heaven wants to hear from His children Jesus taught us how to pray The Lord has taught us ways our prayers can be enhanced Your heartfelt pleadings are important to God Heavenly Father answers our prayers according to His eternal perspective Plan private time each day to prepare, to ponder, and to pray Praying strengthens us and helps us bless others Invitations and Promises When we pray, the Lord opens the door to us God will heed your sincere and heartfelt prayers Heavenly healing will take place in God’s own way and time The Holy Ghost can reach you and teach you God will direct you toward acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity Video Related Talks Chapter 16Spiritual Strength and Momentum Spiritual Strength and Momentum From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Spiritual growth requires self-mastery—“spirit over body” Because of the Savior’s Atonement, we can overcome the spiritual plagues of the world Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward on the covenant path Invitations and Promises To reach your highest destiny, emulate the Savior I bless you in your quest to overcome this world Take these five specific actions to move forward on the covenant path Videos Related Talks Chapter 17The Sabbath Day The Sabbath Day From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Our activities on the Sabbath are a personal sign of our commitment to the Lord We are under covenant to hallow the Sabbath day Sacrament meeting is the highlight of our Sabbath day observance What activities can help to make the Sabbath a delight? Invitations and Promises The fulness of the earth is promised to those who keep the Sabbath holy The sacrament prayers contain covenants and a promise Sacrament meeting rekindles our faith and allows us to renew our covenants Using home-centered, Church-supported curriculum can transform homes into sanctuaries of faith Nothing invites the Spirit more than fixing your focus on Jesus Christ Videos Related Talks Chapter 18Joy and Hope through Jesus Christ Joy and Hope through Jesus Christ From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Regardless of our circumstances, we can find joy through Jesus Christ True joy comes from living in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ God can fill your heart with hope that transcends anything the world can offer As we love and serve our neighbors, we find joy in life Rejoice in the goodness of the gospel Invitations and Promises Look to the Lord, and He will fill your heart with hope Live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and you will find true joy As we love and serve our neighbors, we will find joy in life Teach others about the goodness of God Videos Related Talks Chapter 20The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson The Restoration provides knowledge and essential ordinances for exaltation The Restoration is not completed yet The prime purpose of the restored Church is to help us follow Jesus Christ and qualify for eternal life A proclamation: “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” Invitations and Promises Develop a knowledge of the Restoration Study, ponder, and teach from the bicentennial proclamation of the Restoration Video Related Talks Chapter 21Prophets Prophets From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson A prophet is one called of God to speak for Him God has always taught His children on the earth through prophets Prophets are ordinary men who have been given an extraordinary calling We honor Joseph Smith as the great Prophet of the Restoration Think about the majestic manner by which the Lord governs His Church Because prophets care deeply about all of God’s children, they proclaim His truth It takes faith to follow prophets Invitations and Promises Ask for your own witness about what the prophet has proclaimed Heed the words of prophets God will bless each prophet and those who heed prophetic counsel Videos Related Talks Chapter 24The Name of the Savior’s Church The Name of the Savior’s Church From the Life of Russell M. Nelson Teachings of Russell M. Nelson The Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should be Using the Church’s correct name is a vital way that we take the Savior’s name upon us The Church is the way by which the Master accomplishes His work The title of the Church bears the sacred name of Jesus Christ In the latter days, the Lord’s Spirit is being poured out upon the earth A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings Invitations and Promises As we restore the Church’s name, the Savior will pour down His power and blessings Video Related Talks