President Russell M. Nelson
April 2018 | Let Us All Press On
Your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days.
President Nelson concluded conference by announcing that seven new temples would be built. Those temples will be located in the following locations: Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua, Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; and a major city yet to be determined in Russia.
When he announced Layton, Utah the congregation cheered. With a big smile on his face, he paused to let them soak it in.
“My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. I bless you with greater harmony and love in your homes and a deeper desire to care for your eternal family relationships. I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a greater ability to follow Him as His true disciples.”
Something he said right before he announced the new temples really stood out to me. I did some further research on this statement and ran across this commentary. I though it was interesting and insightful.
President Nelson said: ”Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life.”
President Nelson extended an invitation to everyone in the Spirit World. Our prophet didn’t just ask us to repent and come unto the Savior, he invited those who right now are on the other side of the veil and considering their options, to come unto Christ and receive the blessings of the temple.
I did some further research on this statement and ran across this commentary. I though was interesting and insightful.
“This reminds me of Doctrine and Covenants section 138 that explains the very principles that those who have passed on are learning, and it’s slightly different from the missionary discussions they would have been taught on earth. Section 138 speaks of Christ and His organization of missionary work among the dead. Verses 32-34 read:
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
33 These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Those on the other side of the veil are taught the fullness of the gospel, but they are taught about vicarious baptism, the vicarious reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost, and vicarious ordinance work in the temples of God.
I find it incredible that President Nelson was addressing not just the living, but those on the other side of the veil. He was inviting those in the spirit world, he was challenging them to come unto the Savior and follow His gospel plan. As they do so, they are afforded the opportunity to receive every blessings of the Atonement through sacred covenants.
“The Lord has so arranged his plan of redemption that all who have died without this opportunity shall be given it in the spirit world. There the elders of the Church who have died are proclaiming the gospel to the dead. All those who did not have an opportunity here to receive it, who there repent and receive the gospel, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:132).”
I don’t know if those on the other side of the veil are able to listen to General Conference from wherever they are, but if they can, I hope they will accept President Nelson’s invitation so that they may have enduring joy and qualify for eternal life. I have hope that my family members on the other side of the veil have accepted the invitation to come unto Christ.
“…a favorite hymn summarizes our renewed resolve, our challenge, and our charge going forward:”
Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,
That when life is o’er we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey.
“I exhort you to study the messages of this conference frequently—even repeatedly—during the next six months. Conscientiously look for ways to incorporate these messages in your family home evenings, your gospel teaching, your conversations with family and friends, and even your discussions with those not of our faith. Many good people will respond to the truths taught in this conference when offered in love. And your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days.”
I’m so thankful for a living prophet, President Nelson. It is such a joy to have a prophet who is in good health (even at the age of 93), and is able to speak to us, and inspire us with his testimony and wisdom. I feel like the Lord is hastening His work on both sides of the veil.
