President Russell M. Nelson's Same Life Long Message to the World! - 100th Birthday Compilation

A Long-Awaited Day Saturday of April Conference of 84 has been circled on our calendar for many years for that date was targeted as the first time in my life that our only son would be old enough to attend General priesthood meeting with me last night that long awaited goal became a reality brothers and sisters little did we know that on that day my name would be A New Calling and Family Joy presented as a member of the Quorum of the 12 as we didn't know our children didn't know either our married daughters telephoned us between sessions one who was expecting a baby said Daddy I was so shocked by that announcement I think I'm going into labor that she did so president hinley your announcement from the first presidency should get credit for at least an assist our 20 second grandchild arrived safely last evening a wide array of feelings has flashed through my mind since I heard Reflections on Personal Inadequacy the call that will change my life the first feeling is that of personal inadequacy that feeling is intensified as I think of the incomparable power of Elders LeGrand Richards and Marie Peterson whose absence we keenly sense they were to me dear friends as well as esteemed leaders then as I look about and see the strength of those more qualified and able than I I truly am humbled by this calling the creation of the earth and Fundamentals of God's Eternal Plan all that dwell therein the necessary fall that enabled man to be and the atonement of the Lord are three fundamental components of God's Eternal plan without that atoning sacrifice there would be neither immortality nor eternal life his message is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is administered by the church that bears his name he directs the Affairs of his church by the power of the priesthood and by Revelation through prophets who Proclaim his Doctrine to all all people of the world the testimony that I bear is but an echo of the resounding testimonies of Testimonies and Responsibilities the 84 who previously have received this call to the 12 since the spring of 1820 I know that God the father and the son appeared to usher in this last great dispensation of Eternal truth I testify that we are of the House of Israel specifically of the lineage of Joseph bearing the birthright and charged with the irrevocable responsibility to prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior then numberless multitudes among Every Nation Kindred tongue and people will eventually join in proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ the son of the Living God Joy comes from our posterity and we rejoice as they are blessed by Joy in Posterity and Eternal Families the ordinances of salvation and exaltation our family experienced that in a special way recently as our youngest daughter was sealed to her Eternal companion in the Holy Temple to witness this event along with other family members were her parents and all eight of her older sisters and their husbands for us there was truly joy in the morning on that day then we really felt the spiritual truth men are that they might have joy these experiences glorious as they are become but Prelude The Second Coming and Eternal Glory to that great day ahead when the faithful will stand at the latter day upon the Earth they shall abide the second coming of the Lord and shall stand with him when he appears on that joyous morning the mirror will reflect the miracle of the first resurrection the faithful shall be crowned with Glory immortality and eternal lives once again morning Stars will sing together and all the Sons and Daughters of God Will shout for Joy for on that morning the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and All Flesh shall see it together then there will be peace and contentment Evermore every heart every voice on that day will rejoice there will be joy in the morning on that day the purposes of The Sacred Work of Temples the creation the fall and the atonement all Converge on sacred work done in temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints the Earth was created and the church was restored to make possible the sealing of wife to husband children to parents families to progenitors Worlds Without End this is the great latterday work of which we are a part that's why we have missionaries that's why we have temples to bring the fullest blessings of the atonement to faithful children of God that is why we The Power of the Atonement respond to our own calls from the Lord when we comprehend his voluntary atonement any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving him as one of the Witness of Jesus Christ special Witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world I testify that he is the son of the Living God Jesus is the Christ Our atoning Savior and Redeemer this is his church restored to bless God's children and to prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord each exemplary follower of Jesus Christ can become an effective member missionary members and full-time missionaries may walk arm and arm in bringing the blessings of the Gospel to Cherished friends and neighbors many of them are of Israel now being gathered as promised this is all part of the preparation for the second coming of the Lord he wants each of us truly to be an example of the Believers I know that God Lives Jesus is the Christ this is his church The Book of Mormon is true Joseph Smith is its translator and the prophet of this last dispensation attacks against the church its Doctrine and our way of life are The Role of Women in the Church going to increase because of this we need women who have a Bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and he will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin resistant generation we need women who can can detect deception in all of its forms we need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to Covenant Keepers and who Express their beliefs with confidence and charity we need women who have the courage and vision of our mother Eve my dear sisters nothing is more crucial to your eternal life than your own conversion it is converted Covenant keeping women and I include my dear wife Wendy whose righteous lives will increasingly stand out in a deteriorating world and who will thus be seen as different and distinct in the happiest of ways so today I plead with my sisters of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints to step forward take your rightful and needful place in your home in your community and in the kingdom of God more than you ever have before I plead with you to fulfill president kimbell's prophecy and I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that as you do so the Holy Ghost will magnify your influence in an unprecedented way I bear witness of the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ and of his redeeming atoning and sanctifying power and as one of his Apostles I thank you my dear sisters and bless you to rise to your full stature to fulfill the measure of your creation as we walk arm in arm in this sacred work to together we will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord in these latter days we know there will be earthquakes in diverse places perhaps one of those diverse Priesthood Power and Responsibilities places will be in our own homes or spiritual earthquakes may occur priesthood power can calm the Seas and heal fractures in the earth priesthood power can also calm the minds and heal the fractures in the heart Heart s of those we love are we willing to pray fast study seek worship and serve as men of God so that we could have that kind of priesthood power because two little girls were so eager to be sealed to their family their father and brother were willing to pay the price to Bear the holy melchisedec priesthood my dear brethren we have been given a sacred trust the authority of God to bless others May each one of us rise up as the man God for ordained us to be ready to Bear the priesthood of God bravely eager to pay whatever price is required to increase his power in the priesthood with that power we can help prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior Jesus Christ this is his church LED today by his Prophet president Thomas S Monson whom I dearly love and sustain I testify that Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of this last dispensation it was he who through the gift and power of God translated this holy book this is the book that will help to prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal and living son of our living God he is our savior Our Redeemer our great Exemplar and our Advocate with the father he was the promised Messiah the Mortal Messiah and will be the millennial Messiah I testify with my whole whole soul that in a most miraculous and singular way the Book of Mormon teaches us of Jesus Christ and his gospel Brethren there are doors we can open priesthood blessings we can give Hearts we can heal burdens we can lift testimonies we can strengthen lives we can save and joy we can bring into the homes of the latterday Saints all because we hold the priesthood of God we are the men who have been called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the forn knowledge of God on account of our exceeding Faith to do this work tonight I invite you literally to rise up with me in our great Eternal Brotherhood when I name your priesthood office please stand and remain standing deacons please arise teachers arise priests Bishops Elders High priests Patriarchs 70s Apostles now Brethren will you please remain standing and join with our chorus in singing all three verses of rise up oh men of God while you sing think of your duty as God's Mighty Army to help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord this is our charge this is our privilege I dear sisters we need you we need your strength your conversion your conviction your ability to lead your wisdom and your voices we simply cannot gather Israel without you I love you and thank you and now bless you with the ability to Leave the World Behind as you assist in this crucial and Urgent work together we can do all that our heavenly father needs us to do to prepare the world for the second coming of his beloved Son Jesus is the Christ This is his church of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ my dear brothers and sisters I promise that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord's church he whose church this is will pour down his power and blessings upon the heads of the latterday Saints the likes of which we have never seen we will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to Every Nation Kindred tongue and people and to prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord so what's in the name when it comes to the name of the Lord's Church the answer is Everything Jesus Christ directed us to call a church by his name because it is his church filled with his power power I know that God Lives Jesus is the Christ he leades his church today when a man understands the majesty and power of a righteous seeking endowed latterday Saint woman is it any wonder that he feels like standing when she enters the room from the dawning of time women have been blessed with the unique moral compass the ability to distinguished 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 I hasten to add that I do not absolve men in any way from God's requirement for them also to distinguish between right and wrong but my dear sisters your ability to discern truth from error to be society's Guardians of morality is crucial in these latter days as we depend upon you to teach others to do likewise let me be very clear about this if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women the world will never recover we latterday Saints are not all of the world we are of Covenant Israel we are called to prepare of people for the second coming of the Lord you remember that I have invited the Youth of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints to enlist in the Lord's youth Battalion to participate in the greatest cause on Earth today the Gathering of Israel I issued this invitation to our youth because they are unusually gifted in reaching out to others and sharing what they believe in a convincing fashion the cause of the Gathering is in essential part of helping to prepare the world and its people for the second coming of the Lord now as we contemplate The Restoration of the Gospel this significant time in the history of the world and the Lord's charge to gather scattered Israel in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ we the first presidency and Council of the 12 apostles issue the following Proclamation its title is the restoration of the fullness of the the Gospel of Jesus Christ a bicentennial proclamation to the world now as we contemplate this significant time in the history of the world and the Lord's charge to gather scattered Israel in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ we the first presidency and Council of the TW Apostles issue the following Proclamation its title is the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ a bicentenial proclamation to the world it is authored by the first presidency and the Council of the TW Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints it is dated April 2020 we solemnly Proclaim that God loves his children in every nation of The World God the father has given us the Divine birth the incomparable life and the infinite adoring sacrifice of his beloved Son Jesus Christ by the power of the father Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death he is our savior our Exemplar and Our Redeemer 200 years ago on a beautiful spring morning in 1820 young Joseph Smith seeking to know which church to join went into the woods to pray near his home in Upstate New York USA he had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him in humility we declare that in answer to his prayer God the father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the rest of ution of all things as foretold in the Bible in this Vision he learned that following the death of the original Apostles Christ's New Testament Church was lost from the earth Joseph would be instrumental in its return We affirm that under the direction of the father and the son Heavenly Messengers came to instruct Joseph and reestablish the Church of Jesus Christ the resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins three of the original 12 Apostles Peter James and John restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood Authority others came as well including Elijah who restored the authority to join families together forever in ET Eternal relationships that transcend death we further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record The Book of Mormon another Testament of Jesus Christ pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal Ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after his resurrection it teaches of life's purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ which is Central to that purpose as a companion scripture to the Bible the book of Morman testifies that all human beings are Sons and Daughters of a loving father in Heaven that he has a divine plan for our lives and that his son Jesus Christ speaks today as well as in days of old we declare that the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints organized on April 6th 1830 is Christ's New Testament Church restored this church is anchored in the perfect life of its Chief Cornerstone Jesus Christ and in his infinite atonement and literal resur res rection Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood Authority he invites all of us to come unto him and his church to receive the Holy Ghost the ordinances of Salvation and to gain enduring Joy 200 years have now elapsed since this restoration was initiated by God the father and his beloved Son Jesus Christ Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events we gladly declare that the promised restoration goes forward through continuing Revelation the Earth will never again be the same as God will gather together in one all things in Christ with reverence and gratitude we as his apostles invite all to know as we do that the heavens are open we affirm that God is making known his will for his beloved Sons and Daughters we testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its Divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the Pro promised second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ beloved brothers and sisters that is our Bicentennial proclamation to the world regarding the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness it has been translated into 12 languages other languages will soon follow it will be available immediately on the Church website from which you may obtain a copy study it privately and with your family members and Friends Ponder the truths and think of the impact those truths will have on your life if you will hear them hearken to them and heed the Commandments and Covenants that accompany them I know that Joseph Smith is the for ordained Prophet whom the Lord chose to open this last dispensation through him the Lord's church was restored to the Earth Joseph sealed his testimony with with his blood how I love and honor him God Lives Jesus is the Christ his church has been restored he and his father our heavenly father are watching over us the Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives for centuries prophets have foretold this Gathering and it is happening right now as an essential Prelude to the second coming of the Lord it is the most important work in the world this premillennial Gathering is an individual Saga of expanding faith and spiritual courage for millions of people and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday Saints or latterday Covenant Israel we have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work as we build and maintain these temples we pray that each of you will build and maintain yourself so you can be worthy to enter the Holy Temple now my dear brothers and sisters I bless you to be filled with the Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ his peace is beyond all Mortal understanding I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God God I promise that as you do you will be showered with blessings including greater courage increase personal revelation sweeter Harmony in your homes and joy even amid uncertainty may we go forward together to fulfill our divine mandate that are preparing ourselves and the world for the second coming off of the Lord I have thought about the need Personal Revelation and Temple Worship for each of us to remove with the savior's help the old debris in our lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance because of the savior's atonement his gospel provides an invitation to keep changing growing and becoming more pure it is a gospel of Hope of healing and progress ress thus the gospel is a message of Joy our Spirits Rejoice with every small step forward we take part of the Gathering of Israel and a very important part is the charge for us as a people to be worthy and willing to help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord my dear brothers and sisters so many wonderful things are ahead in coming days we will see the greatest manifestations of the savior's power that the world has ever seen between now and the time he returns with power and great Glory he will bestow countless privileges blessings and miracles upon the faithful the truth is that it is much more exhausting to Overcoming the World seek seek happiness or you can never find it however when you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world he and he alone does have the power to lift you above the pull of this world now how does overcoming the world bless our lives the answer is clear entering into a covenant relationship with God binds us to him in a way that makes everything about life easier please do not misunderstand me I did not say that making covenants makes life easy in fact expect opposition because the adversary does not want you to discover the power of Jesus Christ but you yourself with a savior means you have access to his strength and I reaffirm a profound teaching of President Ezra Benson quote men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can he will deepen their Joys expand their Vision Quicken their minds lift their Spirits multiply Their Blessings increase their opportunities Comfort their souls raise up friends and pour out peace close quote these incomparable challenges follow those who seek the support of Heaven to help them overcome this world to this end I extend to members of the entire church the same charge I gave to our young adults last May I urg them then and I plead with you now to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel work for it nurture it so that it will grow feed it truth don't pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving men and women as you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority watch for miracles to happen in your life my plead to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity uncertainty and anguish of This World by overcoming the world through your covenants with God let him know through your prayers and your actions that you are serious about overcoming the world ask him to Enlighten your mind and send the help you need each day record the thoughts that come to you as you pray then follow through diligently spend more time in the temple and seek to understand how the temple teaches you how to Rise Above This Fallen World as I've stated before the Gathering of Israel is the most important work taking place on Earth today one crucial element of this Gathering is preparing a people who are able ready and worthy to receive the Lord when he comes again a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this Fallen World a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher Holier laws of Jesus Christ I call upon you my dear brothers and sisters to become this righteous people cherish and honor your Covenant above all other commitments as you let God Prevail in your life I promise you greater peace confidence joy and yes rest with the power of the Holy apostleship vested in me I bless you in your quest to overcome this world I bless you to increase your faith faith in Jesus Christ and learn better how to draw upon his power I bless you to be able to discern truth from error I bless you to care more about the things of God than the things of this world I bless you to see the needs of those around you and strengthen those you love because Jesus Christ overcame this world you can to do de Brothers and Sisters Jesus Christ extends that same invitation to you today I plead with you to come unto him so that he can heal you he will heal you from sin as you repent he will heal you from sadness and fear he will heal you from the wounds of this world whatever questions or problems you have the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ learn more about his atonement his love his Mercy his Doctrine and his restored Gospel of healing and progression turn to him follow him my dear brothers and sisters I am deeply grateful to speak with you today at my age each New Day brings wonderful as well as challenging surprises three weeks ago I injured the muscles of my back so while I have delivered more than 100 General Conference addresses standing today I thought I would do so sitting I pray that the spirit will carry my me message into your hearts today I recently celebrated my 99th birthday and thus commenced my 100th Year of Living I'm often asked the secret to living so long a better question would be what have I learned in nearly A Century Of Living time today does not allow me to answer that question fully but may I share one of the most crucial lessons I have learned I have Think Celestial learned that Heavenly father's plan for us is fabulous that what we do in this life really matters and at the savior's atonement is what makes our father's plan possible as you think Celestial you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency any addiction be it gaming gambling debt drugs alcohol anger pornography sex or even food offense God why because your obsession becomes your God you look to it rather than to him for Solace if you struggle with an addiction seek the spiritual and professional help you need please do not let an obsession rob you of your freedom to follow God's fabulous plan thinking celes will also help you obey the law of Chastity few things will complicate your life more quickly than violating this Divine Law for you who have made covenants with with God immorality is one of the quickest ways to lose your testimony many of the adversaries most Relentless Temptations involve violations of moral Purity the power to create life is the one privilege of godhood that Heavenly Father allows his mortal children to exercise god Set clear guidelines for the use of this living divine power physical intimacy is only for a man and a woman who are married to each other much of the world does not believe this but public opinion is not the Arbiter of Truth the Lord has declared that no unas person will attain the Celestial Kingdom so when you make decisions regarding morality please think Celestial and if you have been unchaste I plead with you to repent come unto Christ and receive his promise of complete forgiveness as you fully repent of your sins as you think Celestial you will view trials and opposition in a new light when someone you love attacks truth think Celestial and don't question your testimony the Apostle Paul prophesied that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils there there is no end to the adversaries deceptions please be prepared never take counsel from those who do not believe seek guidance from voices you can trust from prophets hearers and revelators and from the wh Springs of the Holy Ghost who will show unto you the things what ye should do please do the spiritual work to increase your capacity to receive personal revelation time in the temple The Power of Temple Worship will help you to think Celestial and to catch a vision of who you really are who you can become and the kind of life you can have forever regular Temple worship will enhance the way you see yourself and how you fit into God's magnificent plan I promise you that we are also promised that in the temple we may receive a fullness of the Holy Ghost imagine what that promise means in terms of having the heavens open for each Earnest seeker of Eternal truth we are instructed that all who Worship in the temple will have the power of God and with angels having charge over them how much does it increase your confidence to know that as an endowed woman or man armed with the power of God you do not have to face life alone what courage does it give you to know that Angels really will help you finally we are promised that no combination of wickedness will prevail over those who Worship in the house of the Lord understanding the spiritual privileges made possible in the temple is vital to each of us today my dear brothers and sisters here is my promise nothing will help help you more to hold fast to the iron Rod then worshiping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world's Mists of Darkness nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and his atonement or help you understand God's magnificent plan more nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain nothing will open the heavens more nothing my dear brothers and sisters I testify that this is the Final Testimonies and Promises Church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints he stands at its head we are his disciples let us rejoice in the restoration of priesthood Keys which make it possible for you and me to enjoy every spiritual blessing we are willing and worthy to receive my dear brothers and sisters the length of your life is not as important as the kind of life that you live for each of us even for a 100y old man life passes quickly my prayer is that you will let God Prevail in your life make covenants with him stay on the Covenant path prepare to return to live with him again with joy in my heart and a spirit of deep Thanksgiving I express my love for you dear brothers and sisters humbly I invoke a blessing upon each precious one of you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ amen