Let's Discuss: "Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints" by Russell M. Nelson

"Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints"

By President Russell M. Nelson
7 October 2018, Sunday afternoon session

Hymn recommendations:
19  We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
24  God Bless Our Prophet Dear
81  Press Forward, Saints
287  Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter

Favorite quote:

"I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples."

One-sentence synopsis:
Study and apply conference; go to the temple.

Talk and Discussion questions:
(Emphasis in the text, font-size changes mine.)

As I studied this talk, the different types of statements he made struck out to me, so I decided to color-code them.  In a discussion setting, I might make some lists on the board.  Some of the types were comments/summaries on conference (burgandy), or a doctrinal affirmation (green).  There were several exhortations and pleadings (red).  There were also several promises (purple) and these usually followed the pleadings.  Also testimony (orange) and blessings (magenta).  There was also almost an interlude to announce new temples and temple maintenances (blue).  I think the promises are the most exciting.  There were just so many!  These are things I want for me and my family!  I thought the colors would be easier to distinguish if I bolded the text.

This has been an inspirational and historic conference. We look to the future with enthusiasm. We have been motivated to do better and to be better. The marvelous messages delivered from this pulpit by our General Authorities and General Officers and the music have been sublime! I urge you to study these messages, commencing this week.1 They express the mind and the will of the Lord for His people, today.

Please share your favorite parts of conference.  In a classroom, we might share how it has been inspirational and historic, or maybe answers to questions we may have received - the mind and will of the Lord.

The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.

I LOVE that he talks about the "potential to unleash the power of families!"  What is the power of families???  Share your thoughts in the comments below.  I have pondered on the idea of family unity - especially between husband and wife.  Is that our power?  I've also pondered the idea of gospel teaching in the home - even though throughout the day we may separate for work or school - family teaching time can powerfully for fortifying ourselves and especially our children to live "in" the world, without being "of" it.  That is powerful, too.  I would love to hear more thoughts on this - I feel like I'm only scratching the surface.  There is power in a parent praying fervently for their children.  There is power where two or more are gathering in Christ's name.  Can this power be the power to unitedly invite the Savior into our homes?

During this conference we have strengthened our resolve to execute the essential effort to honor the Lord Jesus Christ every time we refer to His Church. I promise you that our rigorous attention to use the correct name of the Savior’s Church and its members will lead to increased faith and access to greater spiritual power for members of His Church.

Speaking of power... There is a power in simply saying the name of Jesus Christ.  That is why the ancients were careful not to repeat His name too frequently.  That is why it is important not to say His name in vain.  What insights do you have about President Nelson's attention to referring to the correct name of the Church?  This isn't the first time this has been brought up.  I remember President Hinckley counseling us to do the same.  When Mitt Romney ran for President, the Church made a statement about the correct name, asking the media to honor it, etc.  But then, it seemed like there were several campaigns/website/etc. which used the nickname Mormon (for example, I'm a Mormon, Meet the Mormons, Mormons and Gays, etc.).  Still, the power of His name, and being conscientious of our words, will undoubtedly bless us.

Now let’s turn to the topic of temples. We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families.

After we receive our own temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with God, each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord. And our ancestors need us to serve as proxy for them.

I love this.  "Each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is possible only in the house of the Lord."  When I was preparing for my own endowment, one of the things my bishop said to me was that "The Lord wants a mighty people," and that one of the ways He makes us mighty is through our temple service.  It's kind of like praying or reading scriptures - if it does not seem to be working for you, keep at it!

Consider the great mercy and fairness of God, who, before the foundation of the world, provided a way to give temple blessings to those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. These sacred temple rites are ancient. To me that antiquity is thrilling and another evidence of their authenticity.2

The first sentence of the above paragraph was especially interesting to me.  It is the only imperative (command) that he used in this talk without prefacing with "I urge you to" or "I plead with you to," or some other exhorting speech.  Probably he wouldn't even consider it prophetic counsel - it is almost in passing.  Still, since he picks his wording with the precision of a surgeon, I found it interesting.

I also found President Nelson's comments on the temple's antiquity timely with an announcement made (on 2 Jan 2019) that changes periodically take place.  Here is an excerpt:  "Over these many centuries, details associated with temple work have been adjusted periodically, including language, methods of construction, communication, and record-keeping. Prophets have taught that there will be no end to such adjustments as directed by the Lord to His servants."  How do we reconcile changes with antiquity?  Footnote 4 in this talk actually provides part of an answer: "President Woodruff said: 'We have not got through [with] revelation. We have not got through [with] the work of God. … There will be no end to this work until it is perfected'"

My dear brothers and sisters, the assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety.3 Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.

Assaults increasing exponentially!  We need to be increasing in righteousness in balance, or we will drift downwards!  Going to the temple helps us with this.

"The miracles He knows you need" - what a huge promise!

Currently we have 159 dedicated temples. The proper care and maintenance of those temples is very important to us. With the passage of time, temples are inevitably in need of refreshing and renewal. To that end, plans are now being made to renovate and update the Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-generation temples. Details on these projects will be shared as they are developed.

This was interesting to me, because it seems like the Salt Lake temple was renovated somewhat recently.  It makes me curious.

Today we are pleased to announce plans to construct 12 more temples. Those temples will be built in the following locations: Mendoza, Argentina; Salvador, Brazil; Yuba City, California; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Praia, Cape Verde; Yigo, Guam; Puebla, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; Lagos, Nigeria; Davao, Philippines; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington County, Utah.

Building and maintaining temples may not change your life, but spending your time in the temple surely will. ...

The previous paragraph doesn't have the "I promise" preface.  It was one sentence I couldn't decide if it was promise or testimony.  Since President Nelson is the prophet, I went with promise.  ;)

To those who have long been absent from the temple, I encourage you to prepare and return as soon as possible. Then I invite you to worship in the temple and pray to feel deeply the Savior’s infinite love for you, that each of you may gain your own testimony that He directs this sacred and ageless work.4

I like that for current temple-going saints, he "pleads" and "urges," and with those who have been absent, he "encourages" and "invites."  It implies to me a continuum of duty.  It is our duty to go if we can go, and if we can't go, there is a way, and we are encouraged to work towards it.  This falls right into line with the doctrine that where much is given, much is required, and "he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation."  Doctrine & Covenants 82:3

Brothers and sisters, I thank you for your faith and sustaining efforts. I leave my love and blessing upon you, that you may feast upon the word of the Lord and apply His teachings in your personal lives. I assure you that revelation continues in the Church and will continue until “the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”5

I bless you with increased faith in Him and in His holy work, with faith and patience to endure your personal challenges in life. I bless you to become exemplary Latter-day Saints. I so bless you and bear my testimony that God lives! Jesus is the Christ! This is His Church. We are His people, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Do you believe President Nelson is a prophet of God?  With all the promises he gave us here, we can test his fruits and gain a testimony.  How will you go forward to claim the blessings he promised?  How can we help those we minister to to claim these blessings?