Russell M. Nelson

“As a medical doctor, I have known the face of adversity. I have seen much of death and dying, suffering and sorrow. I also remember the plight of students overwhelmed by their studies and of those striving to learn a foreign language. And I recall the fatigue and frustration felt by young parents with children in need.”

“The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.”

“Whether full-time missionaries or members, we should all be good examples of the believers in Jesus Christ.”

“Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can be bolstered as we learn about Him and live our religion. The doctrine of Jesus Christ was designed by the Lord to help us increase our faith.”

“Sometimes a nickname is used instead of the real name. But a nickname may offend either the one named or the parents who gave the name.”

“Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love.”

“He chose to honor us with His priesthood. So we honor Him by honoring His priesthood - both its power and those who bear it.”

“Obedience brings success; exact obedience brings miracles.”

“All leaders in the Lord's Church are called by proper authority. No prophet or any other leader in this Church, for that matter, has ever called himself or herself. No prophet has ever been elected.”

“Many religious confessions share common values. They teach that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.”

“No, we don't own our children. Our parental privilege is to love them, to lead them, and to let them go.”

“A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify.”

“In legal language, a covenant generally denotes an agreement between two or more parties. But in a religious context, a covenant is much more significant. It is a sacred promise with God. He fixes the terms.”

“When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, 'What sign do I want to give to God?' That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.”

“Preparation for a mission is important. A mission is a voluntary act of service to God and humankind. Missionaries support that privilege with their personal savings. Parents, families, friends, and donors to the General Missionary Fund may also assist.”

“As a member of the Church, you have made sacred covenants with the Lord.”

“A covenant made with God should be regarded not as restrictive but as protective.”

“The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity.”

“Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are not superhuman. They are ordinary people with ordinary frailties. But therein lies the power of their example.”

“The decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and their posterity for generations to come. A desire to serve is a natural outcome of one's conversion, worthiness, and preparation.”