"Five Truths": President Russell M. Nelson Devotional - September 17, 2019

Here are my notes from the devotional address given today at BYU by Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Five Truths

1. You are sons and daughters of God.  God chose to be part of his battalion during the climax between truth and error.  Help to gather God’s elect
2. Truth is truth.  Some things are simply true. God is the arbiter of truth, not social media and not those disaffected from the Church. Eternal laws affected us whether we believe it or not.
3. God loves every one of us with infinite, perfect love.  Our reason for being on earth is to qualify to live with him forever.  Because of deceptive tricks and traps, the covenant path would not be easy to stay on.  Thus, Christ’s atonement helps us to stay on the path in a way we could never do on our own. Strong connection between God’s love and his laws. We are never too far away in the universe for God to stop loving us (height, depth, principalities, etc.)  There must be laws to govern the beating heart, because:

1. All blessings predicated on obedience to law  (DC 130)
2. To every kingdom there is a law given (DC 88)

He learned he could touch the heart and it will still continue to beat. Could “turn heart on and off” with increase and decrease of sodium and potassium.  It always works, because it is divine law. Divine laws are God’s gifts to his children.  As we abide God’s laws, we more closely approach exaltation. God’s greatest blessings are reserved for those who obey his laws. His laws are due to his infinite love for us.

4.            The Lord Jesus Christ appoints prophets and apostles. Each apostle has been given the ability to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for his children.  There is always a way back.  No sin is so serious as to be beyond Savior’s atoning grace.  Sometimes leaders are criticized for holding firm, defending savior’s doctrine, etc. Leaders are not uncaring as they teach the doctrinal requirements, but NOT teaching would be more uncaring. Prophets are rarely popular. Exaltation is not easy.  Use focused and persistent effort, repenting when we don’t. Leaders cannot modify divine law. 

a.            Marriage: We respect and abide by laws of land, but marriage was ordained by God from the very beginning as between man and woman.  Policy can be adjusted when the Lord so directs. Policy changes are an ongoing part of the restoration. November 2015 policy showed concern for reducing friction between parents and children, wanted to facilitate harmony in the home. Exceptions to the policy could happen, but required First Presidency approval, and in nearly every case the exception was granted.  The policy ended up creating concern and heartache, which grieved the leaders of the Church.  Prayer continued, and policy was adjusted so that bishops could authorized if parents request the baptism and understood that children will be taught sacred covenants. If a baby has been so blessed, they can be baptized.  Homosexual immorality to be treated as heterosexual immorality.  Both policies were motivated by love. 

5.            You May Know for yourself by the whisperings of the Spirit what is true and what is not. It speaks of things as they really are and will be. Seek a confirmation from the spirit that what Pres Nelson has taught us is true. If you ask, you will receive revelation upon revelation. Are we prophets?  Did we receive revelation to formulate policies?  

He gave those in attendance--particularly the younger generation--an apostolic blessing to discern right and wrong, to see deception, with a greater capacity to receive revelation and to feel infinite reach of God’s love for you.