Teachings of President Russell M. Nelson (Religion 390R)

Dallin H. Oaks, “President Russell M. Nelson: Guided, Prepared, Committed,” supplement to Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 2–16.

“As President Nelson leads the Church into the future, Latter-day Saints can take great comfort in knowing that he will guide them in accordance with heaven’s will. ‘I declare my devotion to God our Eternal Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ,’ he said. ‘I know Them, love Them, and pledge to serve Them—and you—with every remaining breath of my life’ [Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, Apr. 2018, 7]” (Dallin H. Oaks, “President Russell M. Nelson: Guided, Prepared, Committed,” supplement to Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 15).

Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 4:11–15.

Russell M. Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 74–77.

“Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment that we will do our utmost to uphold their prophetic priorities. Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us” (“Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 75).

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38; 21:4–6; 26:2; 107:91–92.

Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 93–96.

“If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 94).

“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 96).

James 1:5–6; Moroni 10:3–5; Doctrine and Covenants 42:61.

Russell M. Nelson, “Sweet Power of Prayer,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 7–9.

“When we pray, we should not presume to give counsel but should inquire of the Lord and hearken to His counsel” (“Sweet Power of Prayer,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 8).

Matthew 7:7–11; 1 Nephi 15:8–11; Alma 37:36–37.

Russell M. Nelson, “The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 84–86.

“I testify that the earth and all life upon it are of divine origin. The Creation did not happen by chance. … The Creation itself testifies of a Creator” (“The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 85).

“The earth was created that families might be” (“The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 85).

1 Nephi 17:36; Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–15; Moses 2:1.

Russell M. Nelson, “Thanks Be to God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 77–79.

“Central to God’s eternal plan is the mission of His Son, Jesus Christ [see 3 Nephi 27:13–22]. He came to redeem God’s children [see Alma 11:40]. Because of the Lord’s Atonement, resurrection (or immortality) became a reality [see 2 Nephi 9:6–7, 20–22]. Because of the Atonement, eternal life became a possibility for all who would qualify” (“Thanks Be to God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 78).

John 3:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–22; Moses 1:39.

Russell M. Nelson, “Doors of Death,” Ensign, May 1992, 72–74.

“The grip of physical death is temporary. It began with the fall of Adam; it ended with the atonement of Jesus the Christ. The waiting period in paradise is temporary, too. It ends with the resurrection” (“Doors of Death,” Ensign, May 1992, 73).

1 Corinthians 15:20–22, 52–55; Alma 11:42–45; Doctrine and Covenants 29:43.

Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 39–42.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with His power, which is available to every earnestly seeking daughter or son of God” (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 42).

John 3:16; Helaman 5:12; Luke 8:43–48.

Russell M. Nelson, “Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 86–88.

“We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord” (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 88).

3 Nephi 12:48; Moroni 10:32–33; Doctrine and Covenants 67:13; 76:69.

Russell M. Nelson, “Now Is the Time to Prepare,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 16–18.

“We came to be tried, to be tested, and to choose. Our decisions determine our destiny” (“Now Is the Time to Prepare,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 17).

2 Nephi 2:27; Alma 34:32–34; Doctrine and Covenants 98:12–15.

Russell M. Nelson, “Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods,” Ensign, May 1996, 14–16.

“If we break God’s first commandment, we cannot escape retribution. If we allow any other person or cause to come before allegiance to Him, we will reap a bitter harvest” (“Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods,” Ensign, May 1996, 15).

Exodus 20:1–3; Matthew 6:19–24; Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–19.

Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 69–71.

“Our commitment to the Savior causes us to scorn sin yet heed His commandment to love our neighbors” (“Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 71).

Matthew 22:36–40; Moroni 7:43–48; Articles of Faith 1:11.

Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 16–18.

“To reach our objective of eternal life, we need to follow teachings in the standard works and other revelations received from prophets of God” (“Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17).

2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Nephi 32:3.

Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 60–63.

“The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls. … I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63).

1 Nephi 15:23–24; 2 Nephi 25:21–23; Helaman 3:29–30.

Russell M. Nelson, “Decisions for Eternity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 106–9.

“The Lord’s way is the only way for us to experience enduring happiness. His way brings sustained comfort to our souls and perennial peace to our homes. And best of all, His way leads us home to Him and our Heavenly Father, to eternal life and exaltation” (“Decisions for Eternity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 108).

John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20; Mosiah 3:19; 3 Nephi 12:27–30.

Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81–84.

“When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him” (“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82).

Mosiah 2:41; Alma 41:10; 4 Nephi 1:15–16.

Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129–32.

“The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath. It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so” (“The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129–30).

“How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?” (“The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 130).

Isaiah 58:13–14; Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–13.

Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign, May 2001, 32–35.

“The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house” (“Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign, May 2001, 32).

Exodus 19:5–6; Psalm 24:3–5; 1 Nephi 14:14.

Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92–95.

“Celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship. The earth was created and this Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally” (“Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 93).

Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17; 131:1–4; 132:19–20.

Russell M. Nelson, “Generations Linked in Love,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 91–94.

“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple” (“Generations Linked in Love,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 92).

Doctrine and Covenants 2:1–3; 128:17–18, 24.

Russell M. Nelson, “Children of the Covenant,” Ensign, May 1995, 32–35.

“We are also children of the covenant. … We are of Israel. We have the right to receive the gospel, blessings of the priesthood, and eternal life. Nations of the earth will be blessed by our efforts and by the labors of our posterity” (“Children of the Covenant,” Ensign, May 1995, 33).

3 Nephi 16:12–13; 3 Nephi 20:25–31; Abraham 2:9–11.

Russell M. Nelson, “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 79–82.

“[The] doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … We not only teach this doctrine, but we participate in it. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil” (“The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 80).

1 Nephi 10:12–14; 1 Nephi 15:12–18; Doctrine and Covenants 137:6–8.

Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 95–98.

“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!” (“A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 96).

“Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation” (“A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 97).

Proverbs 31:10; Matthew 5:14–16; Alma 56:47–48; 57:21.

Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 66–69.

“Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity” (“The Price of Priesthood Power,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 68).

3 Nephi 8:1; Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46.

Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering with the Power and Authority of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 68–70, 75.

“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” (“Ministering with the Power and Authority of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 69).

Doctrine and Covenants 20:46–47, 53–54; 84:19–22.

Russell M. Nelson, “In the Lord’s Own Way,” Ensign, May 1986, 25–27.

“Few, if any, of the Lord’s instructions are stated more often, or given greater emphasis, than the commandment to care for the poor and the needy” (“In the Lord’s Own Way,” Ensign, May 1986, 26).

Matthew 25:31–46; Mosiah 4:21–27; Doctrine and Covenants 104:14–18.

Russell M. Nelson, “Stand as True Millennials,” Ensign, Oct. 2016, 24–31.

“You ‘are a chosen generation’ [1 Peter 2:9] foreordained by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord!” (“Stand as True Millennials,” Ensign, Oct. 2016, 31).

“When you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same!” (“Stand as True Millennials,” Ensign, Oct. 2016, 27).

1 Peter 2:9; Doctrine and Covenants 123:17; 138:56.

Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34–36.

“We do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith” (“Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34).

“Obedience allows God’s blessings to flow without constraint. He will bless His obedient children with freedom from bondage and misery” (“Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34–35).

2 Timothy 1:7–8; Doctrine and Covenants 6:36; 68:6; 98:2–3.