Elder Nelson

ELDER NELSON

“Decisions for Eternity” October 2013

This Talk focused on the effects of the decisions we make, the importance of our decisions, what should influence our decisions, and family.

“Recently I heard a chorus of children sing the beloved song “I Am a Child of God.” I wondered, “Why haven’t I heard that song rendered more often by singing mothers or faithful fathers?” Are we not all children of God? In truth, not one of us can ever stop being a child of God!”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, October 2013 General Conference

So true! We are all dearly loved children of our Heavenly Father and we should never forget that! It is not only children who benefit from being children of God but it is all of us!

“Each time you look in the mirror, see your body as your temple. That truth—refreshed gratefully each day—can positively influence your decisions about how you will care for your body and how you will use it. And those decisions will determine your destiny. How could this be? Because your body is the temple for your spirit. And how you use your body affects your spirit. Some of the decisions that will determine your eternal destiny include: How will you choose to care for and use your body? What spiritual attributes will you choose to develop?”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, October 2013 General Conference

Seeing our bodies as temples can help us make beneficial decisions for our temporal and spiritual health. Sometimes it is hard to see our bodies as temples because we often only see the imperfections and wish that our bodies were different somehow but this precious gift from God should be seen as just that, precious! Seeing your body as a gift and then treating it as such can and will have great positive effects on our health and spirituality!

“God implanted strong appetites within us for nourishment and love, vital for the human family to be perpetuated. When we master our appetites within the bounds of God’s laws, we can enjoy longer life, greater love, and consummate joy.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, October 2013 General Conference

Desires are not bad! They are divine! We just need to “master our appetites” which is possible with help from the Lord and through the atonement!

“We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you!”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, October 2013 General Conference

I feel like this is something that is very difficult for us humans. Permanent change. But the atonement is there for us if we will use it! Heavenly Father wants to see us succeed so He will help us through our difficult times if we ask him. We cannot be above asking for help, we all need it at one point or another!

“My dear brothers and sisters, each day is a day of decision, and our decisions determine our destiny. One day each of us will stand before the Lord in judgment. We will each have a personal interview with Jesus Christ. We will account for decisions that we made about our bodies, our spiritual attributes, and how we honored God’s pattern for marriage and family. That we may choose wisely each day’s decisions for eternity is my earnest prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, October 2013 General Conference

                               

“Living by Scriptural Guidance” October 2000

This talk talked about why we need guidance, where we can get it, and how we can achieve it. The scriptures were the answer to all of these questions.

“He provided a guide—a spiritual road map—to help us achieve success in our journey. We call that guide the standard works, so named because they—the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price—constitute the standard by which we should live.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Living by Scriptural Guidance, October 2000 General Conference

Heavenly Father loves us so much, He did not just send us down here to fend for ourselves, He sent us down here with a map. I feel like often, mankind is just like that, men, who never ask for directions and thinks that maps are beneath them. Being humble and putting our pride aside is a huge factor in our general success in this life.

“In your journey through life, you meet many obstacles and make some mistakes. Scriptural guidance helps you to recognize error and make the necessary correction. You stop going in the wrong direction. You carefully study the scriptural road map. Then you proceed with repentance and restitution required to get on the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.””
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Living by Scriptural Guidance, October 2000 General Conference

                               

“To feast means more than to taste. To feast means to savor. We savor the scriptures by studying them in a spirit of delightful discovery and faithful obedience.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Living by Scriptural Guidance, October 2000 General Conference

Feast! I know I do not do this enough! Yeah sure I read the scriptures every day, but do I feast? No. Should I be feasting? Absolutely. Especially in a spirit of delightful discovery! I love that phrase! No matter how many times we have read the scriptures and think we know what is in them, we simply do not.

“As you ponder and pray about doctrinal principles, the Holy Ghost will speak to your mind and your heart. From events portrayed in the scriptures, new insights will come and principles relevant to your situation will distill upon your heart.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Living by Scriptural Guidance, October 2000 General Conference

Such a great promise! We all need insights relevant to our own situations. We can gain those insights from the events portrayed in the scriptures!

“Time for scripture study requires a schedule that will be honored. Otherwise, blessings that matter most will be at the mercy of things that matter least.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Living by Scriptural Guidance, October 2000 General Conference

                                Just do it!

“Perfection Pending” October 1995

“We all need to remember: men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips! We also need to remember that the Lord gives no commandments that are impossible to obey. But sometimes we fail to comprehend them fully.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Perfection Pending, October 1995 General Conference

“Mortal perfection can be achieved as we try to perform every duty, keep every law, and strive to be as perfect in our sphere as our Heavenly Father is in his. If we do the best we can, the Lord will bless us according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Perfection Pending, October 1995 General Conference

“No accountable individual can receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom without the ordinances of the temple. Endowments and sealings are for our personal perfection and are secured through our faithfulness.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Perfection Pending, October 1995 General Conference

“Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, let us do the best we can and try to improve each day. When our imperfections appear, we can keep trying to correct them. We can be more forgiving of flaws in ourselves and among those we love. We can be comforted and forbearing. The Lord taught, “Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now … ; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected.””
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Perfection Pending, October 1995 General Conference