The Heart of a Prophet
Since being called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles just two years ago, Elder Stevenson has had the opportunity to travel and serve with President Nelson, who has served as the president of that quorum. Although much of their association has been in ecclesiastical roles, Elder Stevenson said he has also become familiar with President Nelson's renown as a heart surgeon and a pioneer developer of the heart-lung machine prior to President Nelson becoming a General Authority.
"Interestingly, as President Nelson's call to the Twelve 34 years ago ended a professional medical career of strengthening and repairing hearts, it began a ministry as an apostle devoted to strengthening and repairing hearts of countless tens of thousands around the world."
When he envisions someone with a Christlike heart, Elder Stevenson said he pictures President Nelson. "He is the embodiment of a Christlike heart and an example to us all. From him, we learn that in any circumstance we find ourselves, our conduct and hearts can be in accordance with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Noting the "heavenly occasion" of a solemn assembly, Elder Stevenson said it is natural to feel a sense of sorrow at the death of a beloved prophet. "But our sadness is tempered by the joy and hope that comes as we experience one of the great blessings of the Restoration: the calling and sustaining of a living prophet on the earth."
This current "divine process" began with the death of President Thomas S. Monson on January 2, 2018, and the dissolution of the First Presidency. During the period of time between the death of the prophet and the reorganization of the First Presidency — known as an "apostolic interregnum" — the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles jointly holds the keys of the priesthood to administer the leadership of the Church. I have never heard the term apostolic interregnum before, I thought it was interesting.
The most recent interregnum ended on Sunday, January 14, when the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple and first raised their hands to sustain the reorganization of a First Presidency and then President Russell M. Nelson as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After the sustaining, the Brethren gathered in a circle and, placing hands upon President Nelson's head, ordained and set him apart with the next most-senior apostle acting as voice.
"This was a deeply sacred experience with an outpouring of the Spirit. I offer to you my absolute witness that the will of the Lord, for which we fervently prayed, was powerfully manifest in the activities and events of that day."
"Brothers and sisters, we can rejoice — even shout 'Hosanna!' — that the Lord's mouthpiece, a prophet of God, is in place and that the Lord is pleased that His work is being done in the way that He has divinely prescribed."
President Nelson has been prepared and specifically tutored by the Lord to lead at this time. "It is a great blessing to now have dear President Russell M. Nelson as our loving and devoted prophet."
Throughout President Nelson's life, he has magnified his roles as student, father, professor, husband, doctor, priesthood leader, grandfather, and apostle. He fulfilled these roles then — and continues to do so — "with the heart of a prophet."
During the Saturday afternoon session of general conference in October of 2007, Elder Wirthlin was giving a talk called, "The Great Commandment." We did not know it at the time but Elder Wirthlin basically locked his knees, and his muscles began to twitch. I will never forget when Elder Nelson stood up and put his hands on Elder Wirthlin's back and arm to steady him. Elder Wirthlin was 90 and in good health for someone his age. He was able to finish his talk with the assistance of Elder Nelson. It was easy to see that Elder Nelson has a Christlike heart and it was filled with love for his colleague and friend.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
The Great Commandment
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment."Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
True love lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the love our Heavenly Father bears for us.
We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings—even if we don’t deserve it."
