This week on social: President Nelson says ‘think celestial’

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week shared social media posts encouraging members of the Church to have an everlasting perspective and to attract upon the facility of Jesus Christ by studying the Book of Mormon and applying its teachings.

Church President Russell M. Nelson shared clips from his October 2023 general conference address “Think Celestial.”

He invited Church members to have an everlasting perspective once they are confronted with trials, death and temptation.

“I even have learned that Heavenly Father’s plan for us is fabulous,” President Nelson said, “that what we do on this life really matters, and that the Savior’s Atonement is what makes our Father’s plan possible.”

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor within the First Presidency, testified of how the Book of Mormon will help readers feel the sunshine of Christ, despite personal struggles and worldly distractions.

“We will feel that light as we receive answers to our questions, guidance in making decisions, and strength to repent and withstand evil,” President Eyring said.

President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shared a message he gave to those that endure hard times, during an interview with the Church News while on a visit to Arizona on Jan. 20. He said people can press forward through trials in the event that they keep the top in mind.

“This is a victory already registered,” President Holland said, “This is the one ball game I do know of where the rating is already on the board, but we’re still trying to come to a decision which jersey we wear.”

President Holland’s ministry in Arizona was his first project outside Utah since he fell unwell last 12 months.

Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor within the Relief Society general presidency, invited Church members to “look more deeply for Christ” as they study the Book of Mormon this 12 months for “Come, Follow Me.”

“Then may we also talk of Christ with our family members,” Sister Dennis said, “so they’ll know to whom they’ll at all times turn to search out refuge and help.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminisced over his longtime friendship with the late President M. Russell Ballard, who was serving as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve when he died. He said their friendship began during a regional conference in Germany in Seventies where President Ballard taught that everybody has a private responsibility to come to a decision for themselves whether they’ll seek and follow the reality.

“And he bore his witness, saying, ‘I realize it is true,’” Elder Uchtdorf said.

The Young Women general presidency — President Emily Belle Freeman and her counselors, Sister Tamara W. Runia and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus — issued one other invitation for young women to affix the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship, which is able to feature Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Youth are encouraged to fulfill in local groups and pause the published when prompted to debate questions with their peers.

“We wish to talk with you. We want you to share your ideas together with your leaders and your mates.”

The presidency also asked young women to save lots of the date for other upcoming worldwide youth events on Aug. 10 and Oct. 27.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the message he gave during a recent BYU devotional that “we literally are the wondrous works of God’s marvelous work.”

“Our work,” he said, “is to like Him and keep His commandments.”

Primary General President Susan H. Porter shared five ways a Primary child can keep his or her baptismal covenants.

1. Pray to Heavenly Father and ask, “Help me know who I will help today.”
2. Welcome others to Primary.
3. Sit by someone who’s recent and help them learn the songs.
4. Help with Primary activities.
5. Be a frontrunner in your loved ones. Ask to have family prayer and share what you learned in Primary

“May all of us help these precious children know that Heavenly Father loves them,” President Porter said.

Coming off two consecutive Sundays of temple dedications in Lima, Peru, and Orem, Utah, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote that God uses His temples to bestow blessings upon past, present and future generations.

“If we’re faithful in mortality, by stepping into and keeping the gospel covenant,” Elder Christofferson said, “we can have everlasting life.”

Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor within the Primary general presidency, shared an excerpt from “Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Hope isn’t simply wishful considering. Instead, it’s an abiding confidence, grounded in your faith in Christ, that God will fulfill His guarantees to you (see Moroni 7:42). It is the expectation ‘of fine things to return’ through Christ (Hebrews 9:11).”

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote that Latter-day Saints should love and look after all of God’s children, reconcile themselves with those that think in a different way and be peacemakers.

“Whether or not it’s a friend with different religious beliefs, a neighbor with conflicting political beliefs, a relative experiencing a faith crisis, or a colleague making lifestyle decisions opposite of what you’d select,” Elder Andersen said, “all people on earth are ‘the offspring of God’ (Acts 17:29) and are loved by Him.”

Continuing her weekly Primary song lessons, Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor within the Primary general presidency, gave her thoughts on the song “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.”

“The love and luxury that’s expressed on this song is out there to us as we search out His messages present in His life, His ministry and His doctrine,” Sister Browning said.

In a video he shared, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reissued his invitation to youth to affix the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship.

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles praised the prime minister of Cambodia, whom he met on a recent visit to that country, for his government’s partnership with the Church in humanitarian efforts.

“I even have felt that something special is occurring here in Cambodia — something remarkable,” Elder Renlund said.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a video through which he described how he felt during his first media interviews since being called to the quorum in December 2023.

“I felt great peace as I shared feelings of gratitude for our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ,” said Elder Kearon.

President Mark L. Pace, Sunday School general president, encouraged Latter-day Saints to attract closer to the Savior by studying the Book of Mormon this 12 months as a part of “Come, Follow Me.”

“I do know that by doing this we’ll discover many recent and wonderful reasons to rejoice,” President Pace said.

Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor within the Young Men general presidency, shared a video through which he and a young man compared following a pattern to assemble stained-glass 2024 youth theme logos to following the pattern set by Jesus Christ. He reminded the youth of the Jan. 28 worldwide youth discussion on discipleship.