Here is a list of the challenges and invitations Pres. Nelson has given us since being called as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, up to October 2020, as our prophet. In order to fully participate in the gathering of Israel, he is asking us to become more focused on Jesus Christ by fully engaging in these challenges and increasing our spiritual power.

 

“A Plea to My Sisters,” Oct 2015

• “We need each married sister to speak as “a contributing and full partner” as you unite with your husband in governing your family.”
• “We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ.”
• “Step forward! Take your rightful and needful place in your home, in your community, and in the kingdom of God … as you do so, the Holy Ghost will magnify your influence in an unprecedented way!”

 

“The Price of Priesthood Power,” Apr 2016

• “I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immortality, or preoccupation with things of the world. I fear that there are too many priesthood bearers who have done little or nothing to develop their ability to access the powers of heaven.”
• “In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeing to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity.”
• “The more those attributes (faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence, and humility) are developed, the greater will be our priesthood power.”
• “Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? The Lord will teach you. Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ—to study earnestly in order to have more power? Are you willing to worship in the temple regularly? Are you willing to follow President Thomas S. Monson’s example of serving others? And if you truly want more priesthood power, you will cherish and care for your wife, embracing both her and her counsel.”
• “May each one of us rise up as the man god foreordained us to be—ready to bear the priesthood of God bravely, eager to pay whatever price is required to increase his power in the priesthood. With that power, we can help prepare the world for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

 

“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Oct 2016

• “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”
• “As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase.”
• “Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.”

 

“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Apr 2017

• “I asked the young adults of the Church to … study everything Jesus said and did. … to let the scriptural citations about Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide become their personal core curriculum.”
• “I urge you to study “The Living Christ.”
• “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel.”
• “We also increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision.”
• “Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son Nowhere are those truths taught more clearly and powerfully than in the Book of Mormon. I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals.” (Listed in his talk)
• “When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power.”

 

“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Oct 2017

• “President Thomas S. Monson pleaded with ‘each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.’”
• “Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son.”
• “I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals.” (Lists at the end of the talk.)
• “Consider three related questions that I urge you to think about today: First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what would you not have?”
• “When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power.”
• “I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.”
• “We need to feel, deep in ‘the inmost part’ of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it.”
• “I testify that Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of this last dispensation It was he who, through the gift and power of God, translated this holy book. This is the book that will help to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. … I testify with my whole soul that in a most miraculous and singular way, the Book of Mormon teaches us of Jesus Christ and His gospel.”

 

“Introductory Remarks,” Apr 2018

• “[Men] have a divine mandate to learn and to teach, to love and to serve others.”
• “We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members and report our contacts with them. To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for His Saints.”

 

“Ministering with the Power and Authority of God,” Apr 2018

• “I have learned that it really doesn’t matter where one serves. What the Lord cares about is how one serves.”
• “We see faithful women who understand the power inherent in their callings and in their endowment and other temple ordinances. These women know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen their husbands, their children, and others they love. These are spiritually strong women who lead, teach, and minister fearlessly in their callings with the power and authority of God!”
• “We see faithful men who live up to their privileges as bearers of the priesthood. They lead and serve by sacrifice in the Lord’s way with love, kindness, and patience. They bless, guide, protect, and strengthen others by the power of the priesthood they hold. They bring miracles to those they serve while they keep their own marriages and families safe. They shun evil and are mighty elders in Israel.”
• “Too many of our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the concept of priesthood power and authority. They act as though they would rather satisfy their own selfish desires and appetites than use the power of God to bless His children.”
• “To all brethren holding the priesthood, I invite you to inspire members to keep their covenants, fast and pray, study the scriptures, worship in the temple, and serve with faith as men and women of God. We can help all to see with the eye of faith that obedience and righteousness will draw them closer to Jesus Christ, allow them to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and experience joy in life!”

 

“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Apr 2018

• “Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen!”
• Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”
• “I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”

 

“Ministering,” Apr 2018

• “Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood. We all need such protection from the cunning wiles of the adversary.”

 

“Let Us All Press On,” Apr 2018

• “I exhort you to study the messages of this conference frequently—even repeatedly.”
• “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 … I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ… I bless you to raise your voice in testimony…”

 

“Opening Remarks,” Oct 2018

• “To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans.”

 

“Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” Oct 2018

• “Every woman is a mother by virtue of her eternal divine destiny. Women have a special gift … a divine endowment. Your nature leads you to think of others first.”
• “I urge you, with all the hope of my heart, to pray to understand your spiritual gifts—to cultivate, use, and expand them, even more than you ever have.”
• “I’m extending a prophetic plea … to gather scattered Israel.
  1. First, I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media. Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little? I urge you to record and follow through with each impression.
  2. Second, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon. Mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Please teach those whom you love what you are learning from the scriptures.
  3. Third, establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. More regular time in the temple will allow the Lord to teach you how to draw upon His priesthood power with which you have been endowed in His temple. Seek to know more, to understand more, to feel more about temples than you ever have before.
  4. My fourth invitation, for you who are of age, is to participate fully in Relief Society. I urge you to study the current Relief Society purpose statement. I also entreat you to savor the truths in the Relief Society declaration.
• “I bless you with the ability to leave the world behind as you assist in this crucial and urgent work.”

 

“The Correct Name of the Church,” Oct 2018

• “Every Sunday as we worthily partake of the sacrament, we make anew our sacred promise to our Heavenly Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. We promise to follow Him, repent, keep His commandments, and always remember Him.
• “When we omit His name from His Church, we are inadvertently removing Him as the central focus of our lives.”
• “If we as a people and as individuals are to have access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ—to cleanse and heal us, to strengthen and magnify us, and ultimately to exalt us—we must clearly acknowledge Him as the source of that power. We can begin by calling His Church by the name He decreed.”
• “I promise you that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen.”

 

“Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints,” Oct 2018

• “The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families … and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.”
• “Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. … I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.”
• “I invite you to worship in the temple and pray to feel deeply the Savior’s infinite love for you, that each of you may gain your own testimony that He directs this sacred and ageless work.”
• Feast upon the word of the Lord and apply His teachings in your personal lives.”

 

“We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Apr 2019

• “’Does everyone need to repent?’ The answer is yes. … When Jesus Asks you and me to ‘repent,’ He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit—even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend our time, treat our wives, teach our children, and even care for our bodies.”
• “When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!”
• “Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God. Our repentance—our purity—will empower us to help in the gathering of Israel.”
• “Brethren, your first and foremost duty as a bearer of the priesthood is to love and care for your wife. …Never be the reason that a woman is unable to receive her temple blessings. It is time to put on the full armor of God so we can engage in the most important work on earth.”
• “Make your focus on daily repentance so integral to your life that you can exercise the priesthood with greater power than ever before. This is the only way you will keep yourself and your family spiritually safe in the challenging days ahead.”
• “I bless you that as you make these efforts, you will experience miracles in your life.”

 

“Come Follow Me,” Apr 2019

• “Exaltation is a family matter.”
• “What is required for a family to be exalted forever? We qualify for that privilege by making covenants with God, keeping those covenants, and receiving essential ordinances.”
• “Put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him. Humble yourself. Pray to have eyes to see God’s hand in your life and in the world around you. And then listen.”
• “As President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church … find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.”

 

“Closing Remarks,” Apr 2019

• “Topics were not assigned to the speakers. As you study them, seek to learn what the Lord is trying to teach you through His servants.”
• “God’s objective should be our objective.”
• “May we renovate our lives through our faith and trust in Him. May we access the power of His Atonement by our repentance each day. And may we dedicate and rededicate our lives to serving God and His children—on both sides of the veil.”

 

“Witnesses, Aaronic Priesthood Quorums, and Young Women Classes,” Oct 2019

• “In each ward, the Lord’s youth battalion is led by a bishop, a dedicated servant of God. His first and foremost responsibility is to care for the young men and young women of his ward.”
• “We also want to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes and provide support to bishops and other adult leaders as they serve this rising generation.”
• “The First Presidency and the Twelve are united in endorsing these efforts to strengthen our youth Oh, how we love them and pray for them! They are the ‘hope of Israel, Zion’s army, children of the promised day.’”

 

“Spiritual Treasures,” Oct 2019

• “I hope the sisters understand the spiritual treasures that are theirs in the temple.”
• “Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men have access to ‘all the spiritual blessings of the church.’”
• “Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.”
• “The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutor as you seek to understand what the Lord would have you know and do.”
• “I invite you to study prayerfully section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants and discover what the Holy Ghost will teach you.
• Part of this endeavor will require you to put aside many things of this world. The holy ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy. As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say not to some things, even though they may seem harmless.”
• “Satan certainly does not want you to understand that every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having ‘charge over’ you.”
• “It thrills me when I learn of priesthood leaders who eagerly seek the participation of women in ward and stake councils. I am inspired by each husband who demonstrates that his most important priesthood responsibility is to care for his wife. I praise that man who deeply respects his wife’s ability to receive revelation and treasures her as an equal partner in their marriage.”
• “From the dawning of time, women have been blessed with a unique moral compass—the ability to distinguish right from wrong. This gift is enhanced in those who make and keep covenants. And it diminishes in those who willfully ignore the commandments of God.”
• Sisters, your ability to discern truth from error, to be society’s guardians of morality, is crucial in these latter days. And we depend upon you to teach others to do likewise. Let me be very clear about this: if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never”
• “We Latter-day Saints are not of the world; we are of covenant Israel. We are called to prepare a people for the Second Coming of the Lord.”
• “As a righteous, endowed Latter-day Saint woman, you speak and teach with power and authority from God. Whether by exhortation or conversation, we need your voice teaching the doctrine of Christ.”
• “Your power will increase as you serve others. Your prayers, fasting, time in the scriptures, service in the temple, and family history work will open the heavens to you.”
• I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with Doctrine and Covenants sections 84 and 107. Those sections will lead you to other passages. The scriptures and teachings by modern prophets, seers, and revelators are filled with these truths.”

 

“The Second Great Commandment,” Oct 2019

• “Giving help to others—making a conscientious effort to care about others as much as or more than we care about ourselves—is our joy. Especially, I might add, when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.”

 

“Closing Remarks,” Oct 2019

• “As members of the Church, we need to be prepared to answer their questions. We can explain that the blessings of the temple are available to any and all people who will prepare themselves.”
• “It is understood that each adult temple patron will wear the sacred garment of the priesthood under their regular clothing. This is symbolic of an inner commitment to strive each day to become more like the Lord.”
• “I testify that such preparatory work brings innumerable blessings in this life and inconceivable blessings for the life to come, including the perpetuation of your family unit throughout all eternity ‘in a state of never-ending happiness.’”
• To commemorate the anniversary of the Restoration: “You may wish to begin your preparation by reading afresh Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision. How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away? How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference from me and my loved ones? Select your own questions. Design your own plan. Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.”

 

“Opening Message,” Apr 2020

• “We are to seek, in every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the power and ministering of the Holy Ghost.”

 

“Opening the Heavens for Help,” Apr 2020

• “The good this Church accomplishes around the world to alleviate human suffering and provide uplift for humankind is widely known. But its prime purpose is to help men, women, and children follow the Lord Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and qualify for the greatest of all blessings—that of eternal life with God and their loved ones.”
• “When we take the Savior’s name upon us at baptism, we commit to witness, by our words, thoughts, and actions, that Jesus is the Christ.”
• “Previously, I promised that if we would ‘do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church,’ He would ‘pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen’ I renew that promise today.”
• “Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!”
• “I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”

 

“Hear Him,” Apr 2020

• “Just think of the good each of us can do during this time of global upheaval. Your love of and faith in the Savior may very well be the catalyst for someone to discover the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
• “We have front-row seats to witness live what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision.”
• “’That the power of the Lamb of God’ would descend ‘upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.’”
• “What does it mean for you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth? It means that you and your family can be sealed together forever! It means that because you have been baptized by one who has authority from Jesus Christ and have been confirmed a member of His Church, you can enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. He will guide and protect you. It means you will never be left comfortless or without access to the power of God to help you. It means that priesthood power can bless you as you receive essential ordinances and make covenants with God and keep them.”
• “When we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.”
• “In those two words—‘Hear Him’—God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life.”
• “Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival.”
• “We can also hear Him in the temple. The house of the Lord is a house of learning. There the Lord teaches in His own way. There each ordinance teaches about the Savior. There we learn how to part the veil and communicate more clearly with heaven. There we learn how to rebuke the adversary and draw upon the Lord’s priesthood power to strengthen us and those we love. How eager each of us should be to seek refuge there.”
• “Take time to ponder. Ask the Lord to teach you how to open the heavens to bless your life and the lives of those you love and serve.”
• “I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him”
• “It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. Doing so will help you know how to move ahead with your life, what to do during times of crisis, and how to discern and avoid the temptations and the deceptions of the adversary.”

 

“Go Forward in Faith,” Apr 2020

• “We pray that you will begin anew truly to hear, hearken to, and heed the words of the Savior. I promise that decreased fear and increased faith will follow.”
• “During times of our distress when temples are closed, you can still draw upon the power of your temple covenants and endowment as you honor your covenants. Please use this time when temples are closed to continue to live a temple-worthy life or to become temple worthy.”
• “Study and pray to learn more about the power and knowledge with which you have been endowed-or with which you will yet be endowed.”

 

“Moving Forward,” Oct 2020

• “I pray that we as a people are using this unique time to grow spiritually. We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress. Our spirits long to progress. And we do that best by staying firmly on the covenant path.”
• “I pray that you will choose to lay hold upon the word of God as it is declared during this general conference.”

 

“Embrace the Future with Faith,” Oct 2020

• “Eight million strong. You have not only the numbers but the spiritual power to change the world.”
• “For decades, the Lord’s prophets have urged us to store food, water, and financial reserves for a time of need. The current pandemic has reinforced the wisdom of that counsel. I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared. But I am even more concerned about your spiritual and emotional preparation.”
• “When your home becomes a personal sanctuary of faith—where the Spirit resides—your home becomes the first line of defense.”
• “When the Holy ghost is with you, you can teach truth, even when it runs counter to prevailing opinions. And you can ponder sincere questions about the gospel in an environment of revelation.”
• “Each time we have the faith to be obedient to God’s laws—even when popular opinions belittle us—or each time we resist entertainment or ideologies that celebrate covenant-breaking, we are exercising our faith, which is turn increases our faith.”
• “Few things build faith more than does regular immersion in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is our latter-day survival guide.”
• “Life without God is a life filled with fear. Life with God is a life filled with peace.”
• “I promise that as you increase your capacity to receive revelation, the Lord will bless you with increased direction for your life and with boundless gifts of the Spirit.”
• “The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing!”
• “Dear sisters, you are adept at creating places of security for yourselves and those you love. Further, you have a divine endowment that enables you to build faith in others in compelling ways. And you never stop.”
• “My dear sisters, we have so much to look forward to! The Lord placed you here now because He knew you had the capacity to negotiate the complexities of the latter part of these latter days. He knew you would grasp the grandeur of His work and be eager to help bring it to pass.”
• “Let us embrace the future with faith! Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually. They are times when our influence can be much more penetrating than in calmer times.”
• “I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, god will bless us. He will ‘deliver us; yea, insomuch that he [will] speak peace to our souls, and [will] grant unto us great faith, and … cause us that we [can] hope for our deliverance in him.’”

 

“Let God Prevail,” Oct 2020

• “With the Hebraic definition of Israel in mind, we find that the gathering of Israel takes on added meaning. The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives.”
• “We have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work.”
• “Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.”
• “The gospel net to gather scattered Israel is expansive. Tehre is room for each person who will fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each convert becomes one of God’s covenant children, whether by birth or by adoption. Each becomes a full heir to all that God has promised the faithful children of Israel!”
• “The question for each of us, regardless of race, is the same. Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?
• “Now, my dear brothers and sisters, it takes both faith and courage to let God prevail. It takes persistent, rigorous spiritual work to repent and to put off the natural man through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It takes consistent, daily effort to develop personal habits to study the gospel, to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to seek and respond to personal revelation.”
• “The only way to survive spiritually is to be determined to let God prevail in our lives, to learn to hear His voice, and to use our energy to help gather Israel.”
• “As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life.”

 

“A New Normal,” Oct 2020

• “This is the dispensation when no spiritual blessing will be withheld from the righteous.”
• “If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Let that be your new normal. Embrace your new normal by repenting daily. Seek to be increasingly pure in thought, word, and deed. Minister to others. Keep an eternal perspective. Magnify your callings And whatever your challenges, my dear brothers and sisters, live each day so that you are more prepared to meet your Maker.”
• “I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.”
• “May we go forward together to fulfill our divine mandate—that of preparing ourselves and the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”