Current Lesson No. Nineteen
The Ministry of President Russell M. Nelson
President Russell M. Nelson
President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, January 14, 2018. In the ministry of President Nelson it is clear that the Lord is hastening His work. (See D&C 88:73) Some have lovingly referred to President Nelson as “Hussle” M. Nelson.
I will share a few teachings of President Nelson that have been impressed on my heart by the Spirit:
We can receive personal revelation that the Lord speaks through latter day Apostles and prophets – In a sermon entitled “The Love and Laws of God” given at Brigham Young University on September 17, 2019, President Nelson spoke of five truths. He said, “Truth number four: The Lord Jesus Christ, whose Church this is appoints prophets and Apostles to communicate His love and teach His laws.”
In speaking of some the divisive social issues of our day, he said: “We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth!”
“Now, for the fifth truth: You may know for yourself what is true and what is not by learning to discern the whisperings of the Spirit. For the ‘Spirit speaketh truth and lieth not….It speaketh of things as they as they really are, and of things as they really will be.’
“My dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to seek earnestly a confirmation from the Spirit that what I have told you is true and is from the Lord. He has declared that we may seek knowledge from heaven and expect to receive it: ‘If thou shalt ask,’ the Lord promised, ‘thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge.’
“Ask your Heavenly Father if we truly are the Lord’s Apostles and prophets. Ask if we have received revelation on this and other matters. Ask if these five truths are – in fact – true.”
I know that “the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God” (1 Nephi 17:35), and that all people who repent from day to day and strive to keep the commandments are favored of God, and they will receive personal revelation to the extent that they desire and ask for it.
“Male and female…all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33) – From its beginning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taught the equality of men and women, and that our Father in Heaven loves His daughters as much as His sons. Recent policies and practices adopted by the Church emphasizes this equality. President Nelson has led in the adoption of these policies and practices and in teaching the equality of men and women. This has been especially apparent with regard to the temple.
The first witness of the resurrected Savior was a woman, Mary Magdalene. (See John 20:11-17) How appropriate that women now can be assigned as witness for baptismal and temple ordinances.
Women, the temple, and priesthood power – President Nelson set me apart as president of the Louisville Kentucky Temple, and he counseled Sister Lunt and me about the sacredness of the temple. It was while serving as a temple president that I learned firsthand the important role women have in the temple. My greatest blessing as temple president was to be sealed to the temple matron. She had the responsibility to work with all the sister workers and patrons, and she did it with inspiration and grace.
In a landmark sermon at the Woman’s Session of General Conference on October 5, 2019 President Nelson greatly enhanced my understanding of women, the temple, and priesthood power. He said:
“How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man. Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men have access to “all the spiritual blessings of the church” or, we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children.”
“Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power.”
“The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.”
“Most certainly, the adversary does not want you to understand the covenant you made at baptism or the profound endowment of knowledge and power you have received or will receive in the temple—the house of the Lord. And Satan certainly does not want you to understand that every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having “charge over” you.”
“From the dawning of time, women have been blessed with a unique moral compass—the ability to distinguish right from wrong. This gift is enhanced in those who make and keep covenants. And it diminishes in those who willfully ignore the commandments of God.”
Now, may I clarify several additional points with respect to women and priesthood. When you are set apart to serve in a calling under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys—such as your bishop or stake president—you are given priesthood authority to function in that calling.
Similarly, in the holy temple you are authorized to perform and officiate in priesthood ordinances every time you attend. Your temple endowment prepares you to do so.
If you are endowed but not currently married to a man who bears the priesthood and someone says to you, “I’m sorry you don’t have the priesthood in your home,” please understand that that statement is incorrect. You may not have a priesthood bearer in your home, but you have received and made sacred covenants with God in His temple. From those covenants flows an endowment of His priesthood power upon you. And remember, if your husband should die, you would preside in your home.
Testimony – I believe the words of President Ezra Taft Benson when he said: “If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord, then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain. How closely do our lives harmonize with the words of the Lord’s anointed – the living prophet” (Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, BYU Devotional address, February 26, 1980).