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Hope In Our Hearts
Few people understand the human heart better than Elder Russell M. Nelson, who, prior to his call into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was a pioneering cardiac surgeon. Today, as an Apostle, he understands our hearts in a new way — most particularly, he understands our need for hope in our hearts. As a special witness of Jesus Christ, he testifies powerfully of where that hope can be found.
In Hope in Our Hearts, Elder Nelson brings his remarkable grasp of the gospel and his unique medical training to bear in eighteen outstanding messages that focus on family and relationships, Church doctrine, and personal growth. The book includes such classic addresses as: “Nurturing Marriage,” “Jesus Christ — The Master Healer,” and “The Magnificence of Man,” as well as some talks that aren’t widely available, such as “The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations,” a landmark message given at the World Congress on Families V. An introduction written especially for this book includes important experiences, lessons, and photographs from his life.
“All of God’s children encounter challenges and frustrations in life,” writes Elder Nelson. “That is part of our mortal experience. We also know that truly faithful people are produced not by fleeting flashes of exuberant effort but by continuous consistency in keeping the commandments of God. As we follow Jesus Christ, pressing forward one step at a time, we can do all that the Lord would have us do.”
In Hope in Our Hearts, Elder Nelson brings his remarkable grasp of the gospel and his unique medical training to bear in eighteen outstanding messages that focus on family and relationships, Church doctrine, and personal growth. The book includes such classic addresses as: “Nurturing Marriage,” “Jesus Christ — The Master Healer,” and “The Magnificence of Man,” as well as some talks that aren’t widely available, such as “The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations,” a landmark message given at the World Congress on Families V. An introduction written especially for this book includes important experiences, lessons, and photographs from his life.
“All of God’s children encounter challenges and frustrations in life,” writes Elder Nelson. “That is part of our mortal experience. We also know that truly faithful people are produced not by fleeting flashes of exuberant effort but by continuous consistency in keeping the commandments of God. As we follow Jesus Christ, pressing forward one step at a time, we can do all that the Lord would have us do.”
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
47 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Russell M. Nelson
35 books233 followersRussell Marion Nelson is the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is also a retired American physician and cardiothoracic surgeon.
A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 1947). He is a member of honorary scholastic societies Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Mass. General Hosptial in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his Ph.D. degree in 1954. Shortly after medical school, he began working with the team of doctors which created the first heart-lung machine. In 1951, the machine was used in the first open-heart operation on a human being. Four years later, Nelson was the first doctor in Utah to perform successful open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine.
Nelson served a two-year term of medical duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, being stationed in Korea, Japan, and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Later he worked for a year at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
Nelson returned to Salt Lake City in 1955 and was initially on the academic staff of the College of Medicine at the University of Utah, where in November of that year he performed the first cardiac operation in Utah utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. That operation was performed at the Salt Lake General Hospital (SLGH) on an adult with an atrial septa defect.
In March 1956, Nelson performed the first successful pediatric cardiac operation at the SLGH, a total repair of tetralogy of Fallot in a four-year-old girl. In 1959, he joined the staff of the Salt Lake Clinic, became associated with the LDS Hospital, and continued to make major contributions to the development of the thoracic specialty both in the clinical sciences and as the second director of the residency program.
Nelson's surgical volume was sufficiently large that it was a critical component of the residents' experience. He was an innovative and facile surgeon responsible for many improvements in cardiac operations. He also established a research laboratory at LDS Hospital.
By the late 1960s, Nelson's experience with artificial aortic valve implantation was such that he was able to report a large series of patients with an exceptionally low operative mortality.
In a unique combination of spiritual and professional obligations, Nelson performed heart surgery on LDS Church president Spencer W. Kimball.
A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 1947). He is a member of honorary scholastic societies Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Mass. General Hosptial in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his Ph.D. degree in 1954. Shortly after medical school, he began working with the team of doctors which created the first heart-lung machine. In 1951, the machine was used in the first open-heart operation on a human being. Four years later, Nelson was the first doctor in Utah to perform successful open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine.
Nelson served a two-year term of medical duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, being stationed in Korea, Japan, and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Later he worked for a year at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
Nelson returned to Salt Lake City in 1955 and was initially on the academic staff of the College of Medicine at the University of Utah, where in November of that year he performed the first cardiac operation in Utah utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. That operation was performed at the Salt Lake General Hospital (SLGH) on an adult with an atrial septa defect.
In March 1956, Nelson performed the first successful pediatric cardiac operation at the SLGH, a total repair of tetralogy of Fallot in a four-year-old girl. In 1959, he joined the staff of the Salt Lake Clinic, became associated with the LDS Hospital, and continued to make major contributions to the development of the thoracic specialty both in the clinical sciences and as the second director of the residency program.
Nelson's surgical volume was sufficiently large that it was a critical component of the residents' experience. He was an innovative and facile surgeon responsible for many improvements in cardiac operations. He also established a research laboratory at LDS Hospital.
By the late 1960s, Nelson's experience with artificial aortic valve implantation was such that he was able to report a large series of patients with an exceptionally low operative mortality.
In a unique combination of spiritual and professional obligations, Nelson performed heart surgery on LDS Church president Spencer W. Kimball.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 20, 2019
I love President Nelson so much and respect him more than I thought I’d ever respect another man. Though this book was not at all what I thought it was (I thought it was specifically about hope), it did answer a major prayer I’ve had in my heart the last few weeks. The book to me, was a compilation of different doctrinal principles which I guess an understanding of these principles is what offers us hope in the long run - but there were few actual references to hope. If you are looking for stories from Russell M Nelson’s life and really want to get to know him, I would highly recommend “Insights from a Prophet’s Life” by Sheri Dew.
January 29, 2024
I really appreciated his "Magnificence of Man" talk as it reminded me how amazing our bodies are. And I also appreciated his talk, "Neither Trust in the Arm of Flesh". My favorite line is, "Much more important than what you have done for a living is what kind of person you have become."
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July 26, 2016How I treasure the insights and counsel of Elder Russell M Nelson.
September 20, 2015
This is another good book by President Nelson. It is mostly a compilation of talks, but includes some special insights and updates on his life since his biography was written. The same themes are apparently – the importance of family, doing the Lord’s will, and having faith in Heavenly Father’s plan. The things he teaches here bring hope! ;)
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
Introduction – Beginnings, Happenings, and Endurings
“Knowing men and women of faith fosters faith.”
“President Spencer W. Kimball, who had entrusted his life to my surgical care, once asked me if I had written the story of my life. I answered, ‘No.’ ‘You should,’ he replied. ‘You will be an ancestor to a large posterity. They must know of your beginnings, your happenings, and your endurings.’ With that admonition from this beloved leader, I complied. My autobiography, From Heart to Heart, was prepared for the family as a sign of my obedience to the specific request of a prophet of the Lord.”
“My ultimate consolation came from the Lord. Because of His infinite Atonement, my knowledge was and is ever certain that resurrection is a reality and eternal life a possibility for everyone.”
“My desire, of course, has always been to serve the Lord. Whether I serve here or on the other side of the veil matters not to me. That decision is the Lord’s.”
“Privately and sacredly, each of us knew that the Lord was our matchmaker and that our companionship would benefit us, our families, and the Church….With so many people to learn to love, no ordinary woman would agree to such an enormous undertaking. But Wendy is extraordinary. She plunged forward in faith, having received her confirmation that the Lord had brought us together.”
“As a husband and wife immerse themselves deeply and totally in their love of the Lord, their capacity to love each other will increase. Those who put the Lord first will be rewarded eternally for so structuring and selflessly styling their marriage.”
“All of God’s children encounter challenges and frustrations in life. That is part of our mortal experience. We also know that truly faithful people are produced not by fleeting flashes of exuberant effort but by continuous consistency in keeping the commandments of God. As we follow Jesus Christ, pressing forward one step at a time, we can do all that the Lord would have us do. Faithfully, He strengthens us!”
“If one keeps focused on things of eternal significance, the daily ups and downs of life will be properly prioritized. Then we can comprehend that infinite blessings are in store for us in the celestial kingdom.”
Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women
“The highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought that caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me.”
“‘Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.’”
“You young men need to know that you can hardly achieve your highest potential without the influence of good women.”
“As daughters of God, their potential is divine. Without them, eternal life would be impossible. Our high regard for them should spring from our love of God and from an awareness of their lofty purpose in His great eternal plan.”
“The highest ordinances in the house of the Lord are received by husband and wife together and equally—or not at all!”
“Let nothing in life take priority over your wife—not work, recreation, or hobby.”
“An ideal marriage is a true partnership between two imperfect people, each striving to complement the other, to keep the commandments, and to do the will of the Lord.”
“The home is the great laboratory of love. There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love one for another.”
Set in Order They House
“As we go through life, even through rough waters, a father’s instinctive impulse to cling tightly to his wife and to his children may not be the best way to accomplish his objective. Instead, if he will lovingly cling to the Savior and the iron rod of the gospel, his family will want to cling to him and to the Savior.”
“Individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth.”
“In discharging these duties, we need both the Church and the family. They work hand in hand to strengthen each other. The Church exists to exalt the family, and the family is the fundamental unit of the Church.”
“First set in order thy house….This revelation represents one of the many powerful validations of the integrity of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He did not delete from scripture words of stinging rebuke, even though some were directed to him.”
“Teach faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost….the plan of salvation….commandments….consecrate their lives….establish the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth.”
“God has revealed the eternal nature of celestial marriage and the family as the source of our greatest joy. Material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But our union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To qualify, one needs only to deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances of the temple. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and for our posterity—even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity.”
Roots and Branches
“The photo shows nothing about my roots and branches. They are important parts of my identity.”
“Because we have a spirit as well as a physical body, we also have spiritual roots that go way back. They shape our values, our beliefs, and our faith. Spiritual roots guide our commitment to the ideals and teachings of the Lord.”
“Parents have a responsibility to share knowledge of their personal roots with their children and grandchildren. Learning their history together unifies a family.”
“We also need to know the roots of our religion.”
“Unfortunately, some members of faithful families drift away because their roots are weak.”
Nurturing Marriage
“I know that the earth was created and that the Lord’s Church was restored so that families could be sealed and exalted as eternal entities. And I know that one of Satan’s cunning methods of undermining the work of the Lord is to attack the sacred institutions of marriage and the family. Marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other human relationship….Marriages would be happier if nurtured more carefully.”
“True happiness is predicated on personal purity.”
“As I meet with priesthood leaders, I often ask about the priorities of their various responsibilities. Usually they mention the important Church duties to which they have been called. Too few mention their responsibilities at home. Yet priesthood offices, keys, callings, and quorums are meant to exalt families. Priesthood authority has been restored so that families can be sealed eternally. So, brethren, your foremost priesthood duty is to nurture your marriage—to care for, respect, honor, and love your wife. Be a blessing to her and your children.”
“Good communication includes taking time to plan together. Couples need private time to observe, to talk, and to really listen to each other. They need to cooperate—helping each other as equal partners. They need to nurture their spiritual as well as their physical intimacy. They should strive to elevate and motivate each other. Marital unity is sustained when goals are mutually understood. Good communication is also enhanced by prayer. To pray with specific mention of a spouse’s good deed (or need) nurtures a marriage.”
“Frequent participation in temple service and regular family scripture study nourish a marriage and strengthen faith within a family. Contemplation allows us to anticipate and to resonate (or be in tune) with each other and with the Lord. Contemplation will nurture both a marriage and God’s kingdom.”
“Determine specific goals to nurture your relationship….Generate a spirit of selflessness and generosity.”
Celestial Marriage
“While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. Only those who are married in the temple and whose marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise will continue as spouses after death and receive the highest degree of celestial glory, or exaltation.”
“Each marriage starts with two built-in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people. Happiness can come to them only through their earnest effort.”
“Harmony in marriage comes only when each spouse esteems the welfare of the other spouse among the highest of priorities. When that happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come.”
The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares with the companionship between a husband and a wife. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can provide the joy and growth that come from happy children who make a family circle.”
“If there is any hope for the future of nations, that hope resides in the family.”
“Spiritually, we need children as much as they need us. They are our spiritual wealth. Children teach us the joy of building goodness that will outlive our own. They teach us the joy of loving someone more than self. That love lifts us to give from the abundance of our own lives to help a child.”
“Future happiness and even the future of nations are linked to children. Families with children need to be re-enthroned as the fundamental unit of society.”
“Marriage is not simply a contract between individuals; it affects all of society. For that reason, governments have long recognized the family as the fundamental unit of society and have endorsed and encouraged traditional marriage through legal recognition, protections, and benefits.”
The Creation
“The plan required the Creation, and that in turn required both the Fall and the Atonement. These are the three fundamental components of the plan. The creation of a paradisiacal planet came from God, and mortality and death came into the world through the Fall of Adam. Immortality and the possibility of eternal life came through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
“Jesus volunteered willingly to be our Savior and Redeemer.”
“All members of the family are to be linked, sealed, and ‘edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.’”
“We are to be creators of our own right—builders of an individual faith in God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith in His Church. We are to build families and be sealed in holy temples. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny—glory, immortality, and eternal lives.”
Jesus Christ—The Master Healer
“I express special gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for His loving-kindness and for His open invitation to come unto Him. I marvel at His matchless power to heal. I testify of Jesus Christ as the Master Healer.”
“I know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pains, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and timing.”
“Jesus suffered deeply because He loves us deeply! He wants us to repent and be converted so that He can fully heal us.”
The Gathering of Scattered Israel
“We share an enormous responsibility to be who the Lord wants us to be and to do what He wants us to do.”
“As prophesied by the Apostles Peter and Paul, all things were to be restored in this dispensation. Therefore, there must come, as part of that restoration, the long-awaited gathering of scattered Israel….This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
“This dispensation of the fulness of times was foreseen by God as the time to gather, both in heaven and on earth.”
“The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment.”
“Zion is wherever righteous Saints are. Publications, communications, and congregations are now such that nearly all members of the Church have access to the doctrines, keys, ordinances, and blessings of the gospel, regardless of their location.”
“Spiritual security will always depend upon how one lives, not where one lives. Saints in every land have equal claim upon the blessings of the Lord.”
The Exodus Repeated
“Both groups shared many miracles that are memorialized annually….dry land….quail….plagues….They had to leave their homes and earthly possessions and learn to rely wholly upon God….Scriptures given to both societies speak of the strength of the Lord’s hand in their deliverance….Sabbath day….temples.”
“How thankful we are that the Lord chose to restore the highest blessings of the priesthood to His faithful sons and daughters.”
“The Abrahamic covenant will be fulfilled only in the latter days.”
“They were to lay the foundation of an endless work that would ‘fill the world.’”
“Upon our shoulders lies the responsibility to keep the faith through our own generation….We of modern Israel are destined to be ‘a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”
Christ the Savior Is Born
“Jesus was born of an immortal Father and a mortal mother. From His immortal Father, Jesus inherited the power to live forever. From His mortal mother, He inherited the fate of physical death….Those unique attributes were essential for His mission to atone for the sins of all mankind. Thus Jesus the Christ was born to die. He died that we might live.”
“Jesus descended below all things in order to rise above all things. He expects us to follow His example. Yoked with Him, we can rise above all challenges, no matter how difficult they may be.”
“The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do. Our safest insurance is to continue to be worthy of admission to His holy house….I plead with you to rise above the tasks of the day and the hurdles ahead. You can do more than the deeds scheduled in your daily planners. You can take the name of the Lord upon you and become more like Him. You can rise to your great potential.”
Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings
“As temples are prepared for our members, our members need to prepare for the temple.”
“The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
“To hold a temple recommend is a priceless privilege and a tangible sign of obedience to God and His prophets.”
“Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.”
“With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive but rather protective.”
Repentance and Conversion
“Hope is linked to repentance. You can change. You can ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him.’”
“The Lord is clear in His message that all need to repent—not only from sins of commission but from sins of omission as well.”
“He asked us to change—to change our mind, knowledge, spirit, and even our breath.”
“Repentance is the Lord’s regimen for spiritual growth.”
Worthy Music: A Source of Power and Protection
“Worthy music is powerful. It has power to make us humble, prayerful, and grateful.”
“Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.”
The Magnificence of Man
“I invite you to ponder things magnificent.”
“As we consider self-defense, self-repair, and self-renewal, an interesting paradox emerges. Limitless life could result if these marvelous qualities of the body continued in perpetuity. If we could create anything that could defend itself, repair itself, and renew itself without limit, we could create perpetual life. That is what our Creator did with the bodies He created for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Had they continued to be nourished from the tree of life, they would have lived forever….the fall of Adam instituted the aging process, which results ultimately in physical death.”
Reflection and Resolution
“What will your resolutions for your future life include? What would you like to be? Have you gone to a quiet, secluded spot to be all alone? Have you found your own ‘Sacred Grove’ equivalent, where you can pour out the secret longings of your soul in prayer to your Father in Heaven? Have you really conversed with God as one man speaks with another? Have you declared your allegiance to Him and your availability to Him, without any reservation? Have you said, ‘Here I am, Lord! Use me.’?”
“What will you resolve in your heart to be?”
“Together, resolve to make of your home a place of prayer. Make it a sanctuary of faith where servants of the Lord are always welcome and where scriptures are read and discussed together.”
“I don’t think it matters much whether you study to become a librarian, a lawyer, or a musician. Complete the course you have begun, and then God can use you to bless people with the fruits of your education.”
“Much more important than what you do is what you are.”
“Resolve now to be steadfast.”
“Quietly effect a warm fusion of your faith with your scholarship. Then you will have power, even the power of God, which will bless you and enlighten your way.”
“What do I think of when I partake of the sacrament? Do I really concentrate on the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Do I comprehend the magnitude of His sacrifice and the magnificence of my future as I take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ and resolve to keep His commandments?”
“How do you feel about the Sabbath day?....I have concluded that our activities on the Sabbath will be appropriate when we honestly consider them to be our personal sign of commitment to the Lord.”
“Prepare to do work of real worth for your fellow men.”
“Feast on the words of Christ. Apply His teachings in your lives. Then you will achieve your greatest potential for good.”
Now Is the Time to Prepare
“The Church was restored—the earth was created—so that families could be sealed in holy temples.”
“We came to be tried, to be tested, and to choose.”
“Now is the time to align our goals with God’s goals.”
“Celestial glory awaits those who have been faithful to God’s gentle commands.”
“Neither Trust in the Arm of Flesh”
“Truth never changes. God lives.”
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
“Much more important than what you have done for a living is what kind of person you have become.”
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
Introduction – Beginnings, Happenings, and Endurings
“Knowing men and women of faith fosters faith.”
“President Spencer W. Kimball, who had entrusted his life to my surgical care, once asked me if I had written the story of my life. I answered, ‘No.’ ‘You should,’ he replied. ‘You will be an ancestor to a large posterity. They must know of your beginnings, your happenings, and your endurings.’ With that admonition from this beloved leader, I complied. My autobiography, From Heart to Heart, was prepared for the family as a sign of my obedience to the specific request of a prophet of the Lord.”
“My ultimate consolation came from the Lord. Because of His infinite Atonement, my knowledge was and is ever certain that resurrection is a reality and eternal life a possibility for everyone.”
“My desire, of course, has always been to serve the Lord. Whether I serve here or on the other side of the veil matters not to me. That decision is the Lord’s.”
“Privately and sacredly, each of us knew that the Lord was our matchmaker and that our companionship would benefit us, our families, and the Church….With so many people to learn to love, no ordinary woman would agree to such an enormous undertaking. But Wendy is extraordinary. She plunged forward in faith, having received her confirmation that the Lord had brought us together.”
“As a husband and wife immerse themselves deeply and totally in their love of the Lord, their capacity to love each other will increase. Those who put the Lord first will be rewarded eternally for so structuring and selflessly styling their marriage.”
“All of God’s children encounter challenges and frustrations in life. That is part of our mortal experience. We also know that truly faithful people are produced not by fleeting flashes of exuberant effort but by continuous consistency in keeping the commandments of God. As we follow Jesus Christ, pressing forward one step at a time, we can do all that the Lord would have us do. Faithfully, He strengthens us!”
“If one keeps focused on things of eternal significance, the daily ups and downs of life will be properly prioritized. Then we can comprehend that infinite blessings are in store for us in the celestial kingdom.”
Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women
“The highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought that caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me.”
“‘Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.’”
“You young men need to know that you can hardly achieve your highest potential without the influence of good women.”
“As daughters of God, their potential is divine. Without them, eternal life would be impossible. Our high regard for them should spring from our love of God and from an awareness of their lofty purpose in His great eternal plan.”
“The highest ordinances in the house of the Lord are received by husband and wife together and equally—or not at all!”
“Let nothing in life take priority over your wife—not work, recreation, or hobby.”
“An ideal marriage is a true partnership between two imperfect people, each striving to complement the other, to keep the commandments, and to do the will of the Lord.”
“The home is the great laboratory of love. There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love one for another.”
Set in Order They House
“As we go through life, even through rough waters, a father’s instinctive impulse to cling tightly to his wife and to his children may not be the best way to accomplish his objective. Instead, if he will lovingly cling to the Savior and the iron rod of the gospel, his family will want to cling to him and to the Savior.”
“Individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth.”
“In discharging these duties, we need both the Church and the family. They work hand in hand to strengthen each other. The Church exists to exalt the family, and the family is the fundamental unit of the Church.”
“First set in order thy house….This revelation represents one of the many powerful validations of the integrity of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He did not delete from scripture words of stinging rebuke, even though some were directed to him.”
“Teach faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost….the plan of salvation….commandments….consecrate their lives….establish the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth.”
“God has revealed the eternal nature of celestial marriage and the family as the source of our greatest joy. Material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But our union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To qualify, one needs only to deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances of the temple. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and for our posterity—even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity.”
Roots and Branches
“The photo shows nothing about my roots and branches. They are important parts of my identity.”
“Because we have a spirit as well as a physical body, we also have spiritual roots that go way back. They shape our values, our beliefs, and our faith. Spiritual roots guide our commitment to the ideals and teachings of the Lord.”
“Parents have a responsibility to share knowledge of their personal roots with their children and grandchildren. Learning their history together unifies a family.”
“We also need to know the roots of our religion.”
“Unfortunately, some members of faithful families drift away because their roots are weak.”
Nurturing Marriage
“I know that the earth was created and that the Lord’s Church was restored so that families could be sealed and exalted as eternal entities. And I know that one of Satan’s cunning methods of undermining the work of the Lord is to attack the sacred institutions of marriage and the family. Marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other human relationship….Marriages would be happier if nurtured more carefully.”
“True happiness is predicated on personal purity.”
“As I meet with priesthood leaders, I often ask about the priorities of their various responsibilities. Usually they mention the important Church duties to which they have been called. Too few mention their responsibilities at home. Yet priesthood offices, keys, callings, and quorums are meant to exalt families. Priesthood authority has been restored so that families can be sealed eternally. So, brethren, your foremost priesthood duty is to nurture your marriage—to care for, respect, honor, and love your wife. Be a blessing to her and your children.”
“Good communication includes taking time to plan together. Couples need private time to observe, to talk, and to really listen to each other. They need to cooperate—helping each other as equal partners. They need to nurture their spiritual as well as their physical intimacy. They should strive to elevate and motivate each other. Marital unity is sustained when goals are mutually understood. Good communication is also enhanced by prayer. To pray with specific mention of a spouse’s good deed (or need) nurtures a marriage.”
“Frequent participation in temple service and regular family scripture study nourish a marriage and strengthen faith within a family. Contemplation allows us to anticipate and to resonate (or be in tune) with each other and with the Lord. Contemplation will nurture both a marriage and God’s kingdom.”
“Determine specific goals to nurture your relationship….Generate a spirit of selflessness and generosity.”
Celestial Marriage
“While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. Only those who are married in the temple and whose marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise will continue as spouses after death and receive the highest degree of celestial glory, or exaltation.”
“Each marriage starts with two built-in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people. Happiness can come to them only through their earnest effort.”
“Harmony in marriage comes only when each spouse esteems the welfare of the other spouse among the highest of priorities. When that happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come.”
The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares with the companionship between a husband and a wife. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can provide the joy and growth that come from happy children who make a family circle.”
“If there is any hope for the future of nations, that hope resides in the family.”
“Spiritually, we need children as much as they need us. They are our spiritual wealth. Children teach us the joy of building goodness that will outlive our own. They teach us the joy of loving someone more than self. That love lifts us to give from the abundance of our own lives to help a child.”
“Future happiness and even the future of nations are linked to children. Families with children need to be re-enthroned as the fundamental unit of society.”
“Marriage is not simply a contract between individuals; it affects all of society. For that reason, governments have long recognized the family as the fundamental unit of society and have endorsed and encouraged traditional marriage through legal recognition, protections, and benefits.”
The Creation
“The plan required the Creation, and that in turn required both the Fall and the Atonement. These are the three fundamental components of the plan. The creation of a paradisiacal planet came from God, and mortality and death came into the world through the Fall of Adam. Immortality and the possibility of eternal life came through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
“Jesus volunteered willingly to be our Savior and Redeemer.”
“All members of the family are to be linked, sealed, and ‘edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.’”
“We are to be creators of our own right—builders of an individual faith in God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith in His Church. We are to build families and be sealed in holy temples. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny—glory, immortality, and eternal lives.”
Jesus Christ—The Master Healer
“I express special gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for His loving-kindness and for His open invitation to come unto Him. I marvel at His matchless power to heal. I testify of Jesus Christ as the Master Healer.”
“I know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pains, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and timing.”
“Jesus suffered deeply because He loves us deeply! He wants us to repent and be converted so that He can fully heal us.”
The Gathering of Scattered Israel
“We share an enormous responsibility to be who the Lord wants us to be and to do what He wants us to do.”
“As prophesied by the Apostles Peter and Paul, all things were to be restored in this dispensation. Therefore, there must come, as part of that restoration, the long-awaited gathering of scattered Israel….This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
“This dispensation of the fulness of times was foreseen by God as the time to gather, both in heaven and on earth.”
“The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment.”
“Zion is wherever righteous Saints are. Publications, communications, and congregations are now such that nearly all members of the Church have access to the doctrines, keys, ordinances, and blessings of the gospel, regardless of their location.”
“Spiritual security will always depend upon how one lives, not where one lives. Saints in every land have equal claim upon the blessings of the Lord.”
The Exodus Repeated
“Both groups shared many miracles that are memorialized annually….dry land….quail….plagues….They had to leave their homes and earthly possessions and learn to rely wholly upon God….Scriptures given to both societies speak of the strength of the Lord’s hand in their deliverance….Sabbath day….temples.”
“How thankful we are that the Lord chose to restore the highest blessings of the priesthood to His faithful sons and daughters.”
“The Abrahamic covenant will be fulfilled only in the latter days.”
“They were to lay the foundation of an endless work that would ‘fill the world.’”
“Upon our shoulders lies the responsibility to keep the faith through our own generation….We of modern Israel are destined to be ‘a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”
Christ the Savior Is Born
“Jesus was born of an immortal Father and a mortal mother. From His immortal Father, Jesus inherited the power to live forever. From His mortal mother, He inherited the fate of physical death….Those unique attributes were essential for His mission to atone for the sins of all mankind. Thus Jesus the Christ was born to die. He died that we might live.”
“Jesus descended below all things in order to rise above all things. He expects us to follow His example. Yoked with Him, we can rise above all challenges, no matter how difficult they may be.”
“The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do. Our safest insurance is to continue to be worthy of admission to His holy house….I plead with you to rise above the tasks of the day and the hurdles ahead. You can do more than the deeds scheduled in your daily planners. You can take the name of the Lord upon you and become more like Him. You can rise to your great potential.”
Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings
“As temples are prepared for our members, our members need to prepare for the temple.”
“The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
“To hold a temple recommend is a priceless privilege and a tangible sign of obedience to God and His prophets.”
“Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.”
“With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive but rather protective.”
Repentance and Conversion
“Hope is linked to repentance. You can change. You can ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him.’”
“The Lord is clear in His message that all need to repent—not only from sins of commission but from sins of omission as well.”
“He asked us to change—to change our mind, knowledge, spirit, and even our breath.”
“Repentance is the Lord’s regimen for spiritual growth.”
Worthy Music: A Source of Power and Protection
“Worthy music is powerful. It has power to make us humble, prayerful, and grateful.”
“Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.”
The Magnificence of Man
“I invite you to ponder things magnificent.”
“As we consider self-defense, self-repair, and self-renewal, an interesting paradox emerges. Limitless life could result if these marvelous qualities of the body continued in perpetuity. If we could create anything that could defend itself, repair itself, and renew itself without limit, we could create perpetual life. That is what our Creator did with the bodies He created for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Had they continued to be nourished from the tree of life, they would have lived forever….the fall of Adam instituted the aging process, which results ultimately in physical death.”
Reflection and Resolution
“What will your resolutions for your future life include? What would you like to be? Have you gone to a quiet, secluded spot to be all alone? Have you found your own ‘Sacred Grove’ equivalent, where you can pour out the secret longings of your soul in prayer to your Father in Heaven? Have you really conversed with God as one man speaks with another? Have you declared your allegiance to Him and your availability to Him, without any reservation? Have you said, ‘Here I am, Lord! Use me.’?”
“What will you resolve in your heart to be?”
“Together, resolve to make of your home a place of prayer. Make it a sanctuary of faith where servants of the Lord are always welcome and where scriptures are read and discussed together.”
“I don’t think it matters much whether you study to become a librarian, a lawyer, or a musician. Complete the course you have begun, and then God can use you to bless people with the fruits of your education.”
“Much more important than what you do is what you are.”
“Resolve now to be steadfast.”
“Quietly effect a warm fusion of your faith with your scholarship. Then you will have power, even the power of God, which will bless you and enlighten your way.”
“What do I think of when I partake of the sacrament? Do I really concentrate on the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Do I comprehend the magnitude of His sacrifice and the magnificence of my future as I take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ and resolve to keep His commandments?”
“How do you feel about the Sabbath day?....I have concluded that our activities on the Sabbath will be appropriate when we honestly consider them to be our personal sign of commitment to the Lord.”
“Prepare to do work of real worth for your fellow men.”
“Feast on the words of Christ. Apply His teachings in your lives. Then you will achieve your greatest potential for good.”
Now Is the Time to Prepare
“The Church was restored—the earth was created—so that families could be sealed in holy temples.”
“We came to be tried, to be tested, and to choose.”
“Now is the time to align our goals with God’s goals.”
“Celestial glory awaits those who have been faithful to God’s gentle commands.”
“Neither Trust in the Arm of Flesh”
“Truth never changes. God lives.”
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
“Much more important than what you have done for a living is what kind of person you have become.”
March 15, 2018
This is a compilation book selected from talks given over several decades. Some of the talks were quite good, some were nice (but honestly, forgettable), some had a very dated feel, and at least one was so outdated as to be laughable. Overall I did enjoy the book as a whole. 3.5 stars
July 6, 2020
This book is a collection of addresses given by President Nelson over the years. It covers a wide range of topics. My favorite one is the chapter about the miraculous godlike nature of the human body. He has fascinating stories and a beautiful testimony of seeing God’s hand in all things.
February 18, 2023
Found some wonderful personal insights and messages within the pages of this book, so I am grateful to have read it. Notes in the margin were not as plentiful as other books, but excellent reminders are abundant.
February 25, 2024
Hope
This book is a compilation of talks given by President Nelson at BYU and conference. Each section is full of wonderful stories and reflections on how the gospel can improve our lives.
This book is a compilation of talks given by President Nelson at BYU and conference. Each section is full of wonderful stories and reflections on how the gospel can improve our lives.
October 27, 2018
A very insightful read. The chapters we short and to the point and it did make me feel like he cared and wanted to help all of us feel the hope that come from our Savior Jesus Christ.
December 11, 2018
Good book with some awesome stories from his life.
February 19, 2019
I liked the middle the best.
November 10, 2019
This book is filled with summaries from about 18 talks given by (now) President Russell M. Nelson. It is inspiring and uplifting!
didnt-finish
November 25, 2019These mini sermons felt disjointed to me. While I feel strange abandoning it, I felt like I would prefer reading his more recent talks than trying to follow along with these chapters.
March 6, 2020
How wonderful is thy Son?
I love this book though i haven't completed it. The teachings and the message in this book strengthens my spirit. Thank you.
I love this book though i haven't completed it. The teachings and the message in this book strengthens my spirit. Thank you.
September 27, 2020
Inspiring compilation of talks given that correlate to life’s challenges and are applicable to many aspects. Truly enjoyed what the book offered me.
November 5, 2020
Great book of selected talks from President Nelson.
February 3, 2021
Great book! It’s a compilation of some of his talks.
April 19, 2021
Inspirational thoughts on a variety of topics.
March 27, 2022
An excellent mix of advice, wisdom, knowledge, and insights.
August 17, 2024
I love President Nelson sm! He always explains things so eloquently and powerfully. He is also very clear and straightforward. I loved the whole book but chapter 15 really hit different.
February 28, 2017
This was so uplifting! What an inspiring man! Absolutely love him and the example he has always set!
March 14, 2013
Such a treasure trove of talks by Elder Nelson. He touches on such a wide variety of topics, and I was so inspired by his steady, constant faith in God (not that I would expect anything else from one of the Lord's ordained servants, but it just came through so clearly in this book). Thank you, Elder Nelson, for expounding doctrine and truth for all the world to hear.
There is truth for you to find in this book if you read it. And, if you read it with an open mind an heart, you will be taught.
There is truth for you to find in this book if you read it. And, if you read it with an open mind an heart, you will be taught.
July 25, 2016
While I enjoyed the doctrines and principles of this book, it's really just a collection of Russell M. Nelson's talks loosely organized into themes. It's really no different than going on to lds.org and searching through his General Conference talks from the last decade.
I prefer LDS books that have a cohesive theme throughout - books that are written as books and not collections of addresses. That would include Standing for Something by President Gordon B. Hinckley, To Draw Closer to God by Henry B. Eyring, and pretty much anything written by James E. Talmage.
I prefer LDS books that have a cohesive theme throughout - books that are written as books and not collections of addresses. That would include Standing for Something by President Gordon B. Hinckley, To Draw Closer to God by Henry B. Eyring, and pretty much anything written by James E. Talmage.
April 7, 2023
I loved the middle of this book and found much in it to inspire me. The beginning of the book focuses on Celestial marriage and the type of behavior that constitutes one. If you are single, divorced, or not in a healthy relationship, this might be a little painful to read. The end of the book is a hodgepodge of advice to various people, some of which I couldn't relate to and some I had already heard. Overall, it's still an excellent book, but the middle is what really shines.
December 9, 2024
9.0/10 Fantastic collection of President Nelson’s messages given in public conferences that inspired me to have a greater love for what Hope truly means. In both word and deed, His example is what depends the messages as I read them and I enjoyed reading the messages that came before his time as Prophet but allowed me to see how God prepared him to be the great leader and mentor to the world as His mouthpiece.
May 2, 2011
I feel weird only giving this 3 stars, I was just expecting something different. This ended up just being a collection of talks he has given which was not what the description made it sound like. So it didn't read like a cohesive unit, more just random bits and pieces. But the bits and pieces were good.
April 7, 2011
I'm always annoyed when I buy a book and think it is the author's perspective on the title content and then when reading it, it is a compilation of the person's talks, devotionals, etc. With that said there are some key interesting points. No doubt the author is a great speaker with profound wisdom. Just not exactly what I expected when I read the blurb before purchase, hence why it got a 3.
June 28, 2012
After reading this book, Russel M. Nelson has become one of my role models and favourite apostles. This is a beautiful book that really does allow you to get to know him on a personal level and it deepens your understanding about God and His works. Russel M. Nelson is a very humble and strong man. I've never read or heard anyone advocate for children and their importance as well as he has.
December 1, 2013
Nice compilation of talks and addresses that Elder Nelson has given. My favorites were "The Exodus Repeated," "Christ the Savior is Born," "Worthy Music: A Source of Power and Protection," "The Magnificence of Man," and "'Neither Trust in the Arm of Flesh.'" Almost all my favorites were in the Personal Growth section of the book, so I guess I need to grow. :)
June 8, 2010
Many of these talks were from conference, so familiar to me. Others were from other settings and I learned a lot. I especially enjoyed learning more about Elder Nelson's research involving the human heart and other personal stories from his life.
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