Russell M. Nelson Quotes & Sayings

The surest step toward joy in the morning is virtue in the evening. — Russell M. Nelson

Rationalization is one of the real obstacles to obedience. — Russell M. Nelson

It is important for you to know who you are and who you may become. It is more important than what you do, even as vital as your work is and will be. — Russell M. Nelson

The Savior's way of life is good. — Russell M. Nelson

We know that Elijah did return - at least twice - after Malachi's promise. At Christ's transfiguration, Elijah appeared on the mount to Peter, James, and John. At the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836, Elijah appeared to the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery and said, 'The keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands.' — Russell M. Nelson

Truth is truth! It is not divisible, and any part of it cannot be set aside. — Russell M. Nelson

Throughout the world, the family is increasingly under attack. If families fail, many of our political, economic, and social systems will also fail. — Russell M. Nelson

The Lord can only teach an inquiring mind. — Russell M. Nelson

Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families. — Russell M. Nelson

Keep studying the scriptures, keep doing the things that build your faith in Jesus Christ and then notice the wise choices you are naturally drawn to make — Russell M. Nelson

Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight. — Russell M. Nelson

When we love somebody, we show it by doing something nice. So learn to serve: find a need and fulfill a need. Surprise people with a good deed they hadn't planned on. We have that opportunity at home, at school, and at church. — Russell M. Nelson

A covenant made with God should be regarded not as restrictive but as protective. — Russell M. Nelson

Faith is the andtidote for fear — Russell M. Nelson

Who are we? We are children of God. Our potential is unlimited. Our inheritance is sacred. May we always honor that heritage - in every thought and deed. — Russell M. Nelson

We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. The Lord gave us this remarkable assurance: "Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong" (Ether 12:37). But wishing for strength won't make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity. — Russell M. Nelson

It really matters what you listen to ... Select music that will strengthen your spirit. — Russell M. Nelson

Fasting gives you confidence to know that your spirit can master appetite ... and helps to protect against later uncontrolled cravings and gnawing habits. — Russell M. Nelson

Unfinished business is our worst business. Perpetual procrastination must yield to perceptive preparation. Today we have a little more time to bless others-time to be kinder, more compassionate, quicker to thank and slower to scold, more generous in sharing, more gracious in caring. — Russell M. Nelson

Make the Sabbath a delight by rendering service to others. — Russell M. Nelson

Even if everyone is doing it, wrong is never right — Russell M. Nelson

Remember: sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God. — Russell M. Nelson

How you deal with life's trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. — Russell M. Nelson

Love for family and friends, great as it may be, is much more profound when anchored in the love of Jesus Christ. Parental love for children has more meaning here and hereafter because of Him. All loving relationships are elevated in Him. Love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ provides the illumination, inspiration, and motivation to love others in a loftier way. — Russell M. Nelson

A strong human spirit with control over appetites of the flesh is master over emotions and passions and not a slave to them. That kind of freedom is as vital to the spirit as oxygen is to the body! Freedom from self-slavery is true liberation! — Russell M. Nelson

They climbed the ladder of learning only to find it leaning against the wrong wall. — Russell M. Nelson

Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility. — Russell M. Nelson

Feelings of worth come when a woman follows the example of the Master. Her sense of infinite worth comes from her own Christlike yearning to reach out with love, as He does. — Russell M. Nelson

The Lord's way is the only way for us to experience enduring happiness. His way brings sustained comfort to our souls and perennial peace to our homes. — Russell M. Nelson

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. — Russell M. Nelson

Jesus suffered deeply because He loves us deeply! He wants us to repent and be converted so that He can fully heal us. — Russell M. Nelson

Every religious group, while perhaps a majority somewhere, is also inevitably a minority somewhere else. Thus, religious organizations should and do show tolerance toward members of other religious denominations. — Russell M. Nelson

Ask the missionaries, they can help you — Russell M. Nelson

It matters not that giants of tribulation torment you. Your prayerful access to help is just as real as when David battled his Goliath. see 1 Samuel 17. — Russell M. Nelson

Men are that they might have joy ... not guilt trips. — Russell M. Nelson

I doubt that the Lord cares much which honorable vocation you choose. But He does care if you love one another and serve one another. — Russell M. Nelson

Counting blessings is better than recounting problems — Russell M. Nelson

Sweet serenity is found in fervent prayer. Then, we forget ourselves and remember the reaching hands of the Savior, who said, "Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." As our burdens are shared with Him, they do become lighter. — Russell M. Nelson

The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change. Your yearnings to learn and change come from a divinely instilled striving for eternal progression. Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity. — Russell M. Nelson

Recently I was tenderly hugging one of our precious little five-year-old granddaughters and said to her, "I love you, sweetheart." She responded rather blandly: "I know." I asked, "How do you know that I love you?" Because! You're my grandfather! — Russell M. Nelson

Many religious confessions share common values. They teach that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us. — Russell M. Nelson

Regardless of gender, marital status, or age, individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth. By so doing, they become examples of righteousness to whom others will want to cling. — Russell M. Nelson

Eternal principles that govern happiness apply equally to all. — Russell M. Nelson

Each marriage starts with two built-in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people. — Russell M. Nelson

Agency, or the power to choose, was ours as spirit children of our Creator before the world was. It is a gift from God, nearly as precious as life itself. Often, however, agency is misunderstood. While we are free to choose, once we have made those choices, we are tied to the consequence of those choices. We are free to take drugs or not. But once we choose to use a habit-forming drug, we are bound to the consequences of that choice. Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose. — Russell M. Nelson

For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, ... they without us cannot be made perfect - neither can we without our dead be made perfect. — Russell M. Nelson

How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God's providence and love and express that gratitude to him. Ammon taught, 'Let us give thanks to (God), for he doth work righteousness forever.' Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for him. — Russell M. Nelson

Living life in separate compartments can lead to internal conflict and exhausting tension. — Russell M. Nelson

I honor women who are not mothers. They know that motherhood is but one of the realms of womankind. The virtue and intelligence of women are uniquely applicable to other realms as well, such as compassionate service and teaching. — Russell M. Nelson

All Church activities, advancements, quorums, and classes are means to the end of an exalted family. — Russell M. Nelson

Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God. — Russell M. Nelson

The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant ... is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. — Russell M. Nelson

You are God's agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hears as you teach and persuade. — Russell M. Nelson

Some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail frames. Great spiritual strength is often developed by those with physical challenges precisely because they are challenged. Such individuals are entitled to all the blessings that God has in store for His faithful and obedient children. — Russell M. Nelson

When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors ... — Russell M. Nelson

Increase your faith. Proclaim your faith. Let your faith show. — Russell M. Nelson

To those who feel defeated and downtrodden, look to the early hours of the day for your rescue ... Shadows of yesterday's grief melt in the rays of early morn's opportunity. — Russell M. Nelson

Contemplation of life after retirement and life after death can help you deal with contemporary challenges. — Russell M. Nelson

Each day is a day of decision, and our decisions determine our destiny. — Russell M. Nelson

An unprecedented wave of enthusiasm for missionary work is sweeping the entire earth. It is not man-made! It comes from the Lord, who said, "I will hasten my work in its time" (D&C 88:73). — Russell M. Nelson

You young men need to know that you can hardly achieve your highest potential without the influence of a good women, particularly you mother, and in a few years, a good wife. — Russell M. Nelson

The development of faith in the Lord is an individual matter. Repentance is also an individual matter. Only as an individual can one be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Each of us is born individually; likewise, each of us is "born again" individually. Salvation is an individual matter. — Russell M. Nelson

Material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and our real regard for our posterity-even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity. — Russell M. Nelson

We live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack,
and divorce rates are rising. We have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith. — Russell M. Nelson

The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. — Russell M. Nelson

Faith is the antidote for fear. — Russell M. Nelson

Physical conditioning from regular exercise is important. And we can do so much more to keep our bodies strong. — Russell M. Nelson

I urge you to choose companions well and cherish those friends who lift you and make you better in their presence. And be such friends to one another. — Russell M. Nelson

While we are free to choose, once we have made those choices, we are tied to the consequences of those choices. — Russell M. Nelson

When priorities are proper, the power to endure is increased. And when internalized, those priorities will help keep you from "going overboard." — Russell M. Nelson

Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary? — Russell M. Nelson

When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. — Russell M. Nelson

The temptation to be popular may prioritize public opinion above the word of God. Political campaigns and marketing strategies widely employ public opinion polls to shape their plans. Results of those polls are informative. But they could hardly be used as grounds to justify disobedience to God's commandments! — Russell M. Nelson

From time to time, ask yourself these questions: "Am I ready to meet my Maker?" "Am I worthy of all the blessings He has in store for His faithful children?" "Have I received my endowment and sealing ordinances of the temple?" "Have I remained faithful to my covenants?" "Have I qualified for the greatest of all God's blessings-the blessing of eternal life." — Russell M. Nelson

Our busy lives force us to focus on things we do from day to day. But the development of character comes only as we focus on who we really are. — Russell M. Nelson

A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations. — Russell M. Nelson

David Whitmer wrote: ' Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine.' — Russell M. Nelson

There is mounting concern worldwide over the consumption of alcohol. The U.S. government estimates that 10.6 million adults are alcoholics and that one family in four is troubled by alcohol. It is a factor in half of all the nation's traffic deaths. — Russell M. Nelson

Your life will be a blessed and balanced experience if you first honor your identity and priority. — Russell M. Nelson

Keeping divine commandments brings blessings, every time! Breaking divine commandments brings a loss of blessings, every time! — Russell M. Nelson

Act by inspiration, motivated by love. — Russell M. Nelson

I thank God and His Son, Jesus Christ, for the Restoration and its power to propel a magnificent wave of truth and righteousness across the earth. — Russell M. Nelson

The highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. — Russell M. Nelson

When we speak of faith - the faith that can move mountains - we are not speaking of faith in general but of faith in the Lord 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. — Russell M. Nelson

Integrity safeguards love, and love makes family life rich and zestful-now and forever. — Russell M. Nelson

From the holy scriptures, heaven-sent lift will be found for heaven-sent duties. — Russell M. Nelson

Each day is a day of decision. — Russell M. Nelson

You can experience true delight on the Sabbath from family history work ... Finding family members ... can bring immense joy. — Russell M. Nelson

The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever. — Russell M. Nelson

Be we reminded that the gathering of Israel is not the ultimate endpoint. It is but the beginning. The true endpoint is eternal life. It is that God's children, in a covenant relationship with Him either by lineage or by adoption, will be able to dwell with Him and their families forever. That is God's glory-eternal life for His children! — Russell M. Nelson

In the pursuit of education, individual desire is more influential than institution, and personal faith more forceful than faculty. — Russell M. Nelson

Be patient with yourself. Perfection comes not in this life, but in the next life. Don't demand things that are unreasonable, but demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you through that, He will make the difference. — Russell M. Nelson

The full flower of divine love and our greatest blessings from that love are conditional-predicated upon our obedience to eternal law. I pray that we may qualify for those blessings and rejoice forever. — Russell M. Nelson

We were born to die and we die to live. As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven. — Russell M. Nelson

Focusing on the Lord and everlasting life can help us not only at Christmas, but through all the challenges of mortality. — Russell M. Nelson

If the restoration did anything it shattered the age-old myth that God has stopped talking to his children. — Russell M. Nelson

As loud voices argue on, let us remember that those who advocate abortion have already been born! — Russell M. Nelson

Now is the time to align our goals with God's goals. — Russell M. Nelson

The second of our Lord's two great commandments carries a double charge: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matt. 22:39). Therefore, love of companion is governed, in part, by esteem of self. — Russell M. Nelson

Through all of our various Christmas traditions, I hope that we are focused first upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Wise men still adore Him. — Russell M. Nelson