I grieve the passing of President Jeffrey R. Holland. Our relationship in education and Church service began more than 50 years ago. It was a long and loving relationship in the work of the Lord.
During my service as President of Brigham Young University, I had the privilege of inviting him—then a young scholar in his early 30s—to serve as Dean of Religious Education.
From the beginning, his influence strengthened the university’s sacred mission to unite spiritual purpose with academic excellence.
Over the last three decades as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he lifted the weary, encouraged the faithful, and bore a powerful witness of the Savior—even through seasons of significant personal trials.
We honor his unwavering devotion, his steadfast witness of the Savior, and his inspired ability to strengthen faith and deepen understanding.
We thank our Father in Heaven for the blessing of shared service and for our united witness that Jesus Christ lives and directs His Church today.
Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. Millions of us are mourning the passing of our beloved Prophet and President, Russell M. Nelson. He was a dear friend and a cherished leader.
His timeless teachings continue to guide us and help us find comfort amid suffering, especially in the wake of the recent violence aimed at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan this past Sunday.
The awful tragedy that took place in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, reminds us of our sacred responsibilities as followers of Jesus Christ. We mourn with our members who have lost loved ones, and we join in prayer for comfort with others around the world who are suffering from similar tragedies.
We all seek answers and understanding in the wake of trauma, shock, and grief. We are grateful to all who are reaching out with service, prayers, and words of support during this difficult time.
May we all remember the truth that each of us is a beloved child of God. Our Savior Jesus Christ, through His infinite Atonement, overcame death and gives us the joyful assurance that each of us will be gloriously resurrected.
On behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I extend this expression to the family and friends of those affected by this recent tragedy and all others who may be experiencing loss and heartache at this time.
It has been my distinct privilege to sit with President Russell M. Nelson in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than 41 years.
During this time, I have learned and observed much from him about following Jesus Christ, receiving personal revelation, and expressing genuine love to God’s children.
Next week is my dear friend’s 101st birthday, and I continue to learn from him as he encourages each of us to learn of and follow God’s plan for His children. How grateful I am for the things he has taught me. #PresidentNelson101
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men." (2 Nephi 31:20)
In a world of shifting sands, His path is sure. With eyes fixed on Christ, you can walk the covenant path—with Him.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring — has released the following Easter message:
During this joyful Easter season, we join with faithful followers of the Savior in celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Resurrection is a gift to all of Heavenly Father’s children who have ever lived on this earth.
We testify that Jesus Christ gives rest to those who are “heavy laden” (Matthew 11:28). He knows “how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:12) because He took upon Himself our pains and sins. “He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows ... and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Those who exercise faith in Him, keep His commandments, and receive the saving and exalting ordinances “shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal” (Moroni 7:41).
We invite all to come unto Jesus “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Binding ourselves to Him through making and keeping covenants enriches our lives now and eternally. May you find hope, healing, and happiness as you draw nearer to the Savior of the world this Easter season.
Russell M. Nelson (@NelsonRussellM)
Dallin H. Oaks (@OaksDallinH)
Henry B. Eyring (@EyringHB)
The First Presidency
Every act of kindness matters.
I am grateful for the kindness I felt from friends of other faiths during the International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates yesterday. I was pleased to describe what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does to empower youth and young adults to build unity in their homes, communities, and across the globe.
I was blessed to make many new friends who are seeking ways to build strong relationships in spite of cultural and religious differences. I pray that all of us will be inspired to take meaningful steps towards tolerance and peace in our respective spheres of influence, whether large or small.
We are living in a world that can be troubling and frightening. Do not fear. Have courage.
You have Jesus Christ on your side, the Light of the World, the Savior of the world. He is ready to help you.
At 100 years old, President Russell M. Nelson—a prophet of God—has lived a life of Christlike service that has influenced people of faith across the globe. Join us to learn from him and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 5–6 on https://t.co/xKCj6L1iHH
We sometimes wait upon the Lord. We may not yet be where we hope or wish to be in the future.
Isaiah’s promise is real: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Trust God. He knows us better and loves us more than we know or love ourselves. His love and knowledge are infinite and perfect. His covenants and promises are constant and sure.
This week I had the opportunity to visit by telephone with Olympian Kenneth Rooks, whose inspired steeplechase performance in Paris won him a medal and captured the admiration of millions of people around the world.
I congratulate him and all the athletes who remind us of what is possible when we give our all to something. Kenneth, like so many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, does extraordinary things in life both in and out of the spotlight.
My mind turns to the "races" that all of us run—those daily challenges and experiences that help us grow as children of God as we strive to be more like His Son Jesus Christ.
It may not feel as if it comes with a medal or trophy, but we know that the prize is real. It is what Christ conveyed at the conclusion of the Crucifixion when he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). “Into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Image: Ashley Landis, Associated Press
Many years ago, I spoke at general conference about the principle of how each of us should “lift where [we] stand” (“Lift Where You Stand,” general conference, Oct. 2008). I told of a small group of us in Darmstadt, Germany, being perplexed about how to move a heavy piano until we received the counsel for us to “stand close together and lift where you stand,” and we then moved the piano freely.
I was reminded of this important principle (and this heavy piano) recently as I found myself next to the very piano we had moved years ago.
The principle of lifting where we stand continues to resonate in my mind to this day. As strong as some of us are, we cannot and we should not try to lift a piano by ourselves.
Likewise, none of us can or should move the Lord’s work alone. But if we all stand close together in the place the Lord has appointed and lift where we stand, nothing can keep this divine work from moving upward and forward.
I have known President @NelsonRussellM, my dear friend, for many years. In that time, he has endured difficulties of varying degrees. Yet he has provided a remarkable example of how understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ can bring to us heavenly relief in our trials.
In the just-released “Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson,” we are fortunate to learn from these experiences.
He has said:
“Because of the Savior’s sacrifice, we have access to His healing power. He will heal our hearts, give us strength when we are weak, enable us to do things we never could do on our own, and heal us from sin when we repent. The Atonement of Jesus Christ can help us cope with grief, sadness, weakness, fear, anxiety, all of those things that are part of mortality’s trials.
“Life can be overwhelming at times. I remember when my wife Dantzel died suddenly when her heart stopped beating. All my knowledge as a heart surgeon could not save her. Cancer has claimed the lives of two of our daughters. I understand the heartbreak of separation from loved ones.
“But Jesus is the Light that shines in the dark. He is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ [John 14:6]. He is our anchor when we are desperately in need” (“The Happiest Place on Earth” (devotional in Orlando, Florida, June 9, 2019), unpublished).
I assure you that President Nelson doesn’t just teach these truths; he truly believes and lives them. Like him, let us find peace in our challenges by turning to our Savior Jesus Christ.
I’m glad to be back to share my thoughts about my recent personal study of the scriptures.
Just like Ammon, “I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Alma 26:16) about the Book of Mormon and the wonderful teachings of Jesus Christ contained in this record.
Elder @PatrickKearon has been called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Filling a vacancy left in the quorum after the death of President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Kearon, 62, was ordained on Thursday, Dec. 7, by President Russell M. Nelson and the other members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
After being ordained, Elder Kearon flew to Hawaii, where he is expected to speak today at BYU–Hawaii’s December commencement.
Learn more about Eler Kearon here: https://t.co/1i92DANTu8
📸: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
I was blessed to participate in the dedication of the Joseph and Emma Smith Kirtland home. It was a wonderful opportunity and caused me to reflect on the important events of the restoration of the Savior’s gospel that occurred in and around the home.
I have always been intrigued that in the Book of Mormon the Savior quotes Isaiah 54 as He teaches the people on the American continent following His resurrection.
As I recently read these teachings again, I was struck by the Lord’s words of mercy and everlasting kindness for each of us who fall short of following His perfect example.