Mosiah 7-10

President Russell M. Nelson is the most memorable prophet and seer experienced during my lifetime. He is powerful, inspired, revelatory, amazing, outside-of-the-box, non-traditional, free-spirited and I could not love him more. If I were ever lucky enough to be in the same room with him, I would have the strongest urge to hug him dearly. Anyone else loving on President Nelson?

In January of 2018, when President Nelson was first called, I thought, “he’s 93; he’s just a placeholder until the next younger, healthier prophet comes along.” Me in 2020? Just. Blown. Away. Has he not stunned us all with his miraculous foresight, tenacity and extreme ingenuity? Who can keep up with him? Promises like “fasten your seat-belts” and “eat your vitamin pills” have exceeded expectations.

“If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning,”

President Russell M. Nelson
October 2018

Russell M. Nelson immediately came to mind as I read Mosiah 8:17-18.

17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.

18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

Imagine all the snarky things which were said by detractors of the Church in downtown Salt Lake City when President Nelson announced a four-year closure of Temple Square in order to make Herculean modifications and make it EARTHQUAKE proof? Noah came to my mind when an earthquake hit Salt Lake City on March 18, 2020. Noah was laughed to scorn for building an ark on dry land. I live a few miles from the epicenter and it really did “shake my world” and the upgrading of Temple Square became a lot more obvious and relevant.

Even more amazing is the how essential Come Follow Me and a “home-centered church” has become in our lives with the COVID-19 pandemic. President Nelson put great emphasis on the shift that needed to take place back in 2018 including the reduction of church-building meetings like Sunday School and Relief Society and others. In October of 2018, he said, “We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings.” He even shared this quick story:

“I remember a family who, because of such circumstances, was required to meet in their home. I asked the mother how she liked going to church in her own home. She replied, “I like it! My husband uses better language at home now, knowing that he will bless the sacrament here each Sunday.”

And here so many of us are – living out that same scenario. I love President Nelson. As Mosiah puts it, he has remarkably become “a benefit to his fellow beings.” I’m not taking my eyes off this prophet.

Watch Now => Made a short video for this post. Come Follow Me in 90 seconds.

Please share this blog post with friends, ward members and family who might appreciate these sentiments.

Timshel (Hebrew for “thou mayest” rise and accomplish anything).