Fasten Your Seatbelt (No. 10)

From his talk Overcome the World and Find Rest

Part of the President Nelson Series

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

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The Plea

plea: a request made in an urgent and emotional manner.

Dictionary – Oxford Languages

President Nelson gifted us with urgent guidance – during this prolonged season of CRAZY WORLD. See what comes up for you as you read this distinctive, prophetic set of instructions.

My plea 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 to rise above this fallen world.

Russell M. Nelson’s 2022 Descriptions of the World

See if any of these words resonate with what you see and experience in our world right now.

• intensity
• uncertainty
• anguish
• fallen

Are these words still current in 2023? Oh goodness, yes, and even more so than last year.

Fortunately, President Nelson lights the path that leads to peace and well-being.

The Playbook

What steps did the prophet outline?

• overcome through your covenants with God
  • baptismal ordinance
  • weekly Sacrament ordinance
  • temple worship
• prayers
• actions (how you spend your time, efforts, and habits)
• ask to have your mind enlightened
• ask for Him to send the help you need
• record your thoughts that come during prayer EACH DAY
• follow through diligently
• go to the temple often
• seek to understand the temple (study temple things, ask about temple things)

What step or two stands out for you today? What small change can you make right now and in the future?

Small changes significantly alter daily, weekly, and lifetime outcomes.

Your Playbook

Let’s take that prayer journal idea, for example. It sounds cutesy and Girl Scoutish at first pass. But what is it really?

The prayer journal is a golden key to a better life.

I can now tell you from personal experiences, it’s a lot like the brass serpent. Illogically, all you had to do was look at the snake on a stick, and you were miraculously healed. The prayer journal creates more miracles and outcome than it reasonably should. I can only conclude that the Heavens see your obedience and add all kinds of opportunities, insight, wisdom and divine help to your efforts.

Perhaps we gain a crew of angels to open doors and work their wonders?

Get a small journal book or notepad and try it out. It becomes your very own, highly inspired playbook from Heaven. And not in a small way. Did you notice the picture at the top of this article – the lighted path? That’s what a prayer journal does.

From Proselyting to Gathering

This is a significant change of focus. In fact, it’s a sign of the times.

You don’t hear much about proselyting anymore. (proselyting: missionizing, recruiting, knocking on doors) Our chief activity has changed. We are now in the preparation phase because time is running out. Even our full-time missionaries are commissioned to work with and strengthen current members as part of their daily routine.

As I have 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.

Did you catch that? “a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world.” Whatever issues and spirituality you need to work on. Now is the time. You are loved, and you are wanted in the Kingdom. But for your own personal sake, step it up.

“Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out…” (April 2019)

I say all of this to my own soul as I write this. I know what my issues are; I know where I lack.

Blessings and success to you as you strive for more Sainthood!

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For teaching helps – please see “5 Highlights for “Overcome the World and Find Rest” by President Nelson.