Fasten Your Seatbelt (No. 12)

From his talk What Is True?

Part of the President Nelson Series

All blue quotes by President Russell M. Nelson (unless otherwise noted).

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This is President Nelson’s shorter Saturday morning talk; it makes 4 big points about navigating our complicated world.

Point #1

We are delighted with reports of large youth conferences being held throughout the world. At these conferences, our noble youth are learning that no matter what happens in their lives, their greatest strength comes from the Lord.

The youth conferences teach the rising generation one of our era’s most valuable survival skills – how to get on board with Jesus Christ and fully intertwine Him into our lives. Sometimes I wonder if we don’t need adult getaway conferences too!

intertwine: interlace, weave, associate, braid, connect, criss-cross

What was the most predominant message from General Conference – October 2022? Get that relationship with Jesus Christ flowing, active and solid. It’s the only thing that will get us all through what is developing now and the greater calamities coming.

Point #2

We rejoice that more temples are being built across the world. With the dedication of each new temple, additional godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and counteracts the intensifying efforts of the adversary.

Where can we turn for help and rejuvenation with the world and the characters of men falling around us? We can recharge at the temple by participating in the ordinances performed there. It is my dearest hope you go within the next week or two and return often.

We add capacity to our souls every time we go. Sometimes I can physically feel spiritual power pour in. One shakes off the dust of the world and fills the troubled crevices that develop within the soul with strength and light.

And that new temple movie? Wow.

(We went yesterday – the Kansas City temple.)

Point #3

I urge each of us to be alert to anyone who might be in danger of being abused and to act promptly to protect them. The Savior will not tolerate abuse, and as His disciples, neither can we.

This point speaks for itself.

Point #4

The adversary has other disturbing tactics. Among them are his efforts to blur the line between what is true and what is not true. The flood of information available at our fingertips, ironically, makes it increasingly difficult to determine what is true.

There is so much false authority, flawed reporting, empty academics, faulty conclusions, greedy agendas, thirst for power, propaganda, conflicted scientific claims, and manipulation – the increasing mists of darkness are in every direction from where we stand. Family and friends get lost in them. Sometimes WE may have gotten caught up in them.

Many on earth today “are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.” Some would have us believe that truth is relative—that each person should determine for himself or herself what is true. Such a belief is but wishful thinking for those who mistakenly think they will not also be accountable to God.

Dear brothers and sisters, God is the source of all truth.

Truth is not relative. It is not an individual choice. It’s not based on feelings that come and go. We don’t alter truth simply by projecting social norms, fads, and wants onto it and proclaiming the words out loud.

Truth can’t be crowd-sourced, but rather, comes from a single, solitary source.

Him.

In the end, truth prevails. Truth saves. Truth exalts.

Truth is Christ.

Check everything by God, by prayer, by the Spirit, by temple attendance, by taking the Sacrament, by keeping the Sabbath day holy, and by the scriptures. If something can’t pass those tests, it is neither lasting nor real.

Although these pointers are simple – they must be solidly present in your life in order to survive the increasing rate of calamities and chaos. Reviewing these has helped me contemplate my priorities and thought processes.

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