Amid the seemingly endless onslaught of sobering news and challenges of today’s world, President Russell M. Nelson promised peace to those who honor their covenants with God above all other commitments.
“Entering into a covenant relationship with God binds us to Him in a way that makes everything about life easier,” President Nelson said in his Sunday morning address during October 2022 general conference.
The Prophet and President of the Church emphasized that he did not say making covenants makes life easy — rather, easier.
“In fact, expect opposition, because the adversary does not want you to discover the power of Jesus Christ,” President Nelson said. “But yoking yourself with the Savior means you have access to His strength and redeeming power.”
Finding peace through covenants with God was one of several topics President Nelson spoke about in October 2022 general conference. He also spoke about truth, reaffirmed the Church’s position on abuse and invited all to focus on the temple.
Finding ‘rest,’ peace through covenants
The Savior has promised: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; … and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).
Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power. Thus, covenant-keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest, President Nelson said.
Before submitting Himself to the agony of Gethsemane and Calvary, the Savior declared to His apostles, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The Savior entreated all to do the same when He said, “I will that ye should overcome the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:2).
“Dear brothers and sisters, my message to you today is that because Jesus Christ overcame this fallen world and because He atoned for each of us, you too can overcome this sin-saturated, self-centered and often exhausting world. …
“Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest — meaning relief and peace — even amid your most vexing problems,” President Nelson said.
What does it mean to overcome the world? “It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of the world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth. … [And] growing to love God and His Beloved Son more than you love anyone or anything else.”
By seeking for and following the promptings of the Spirit and striving to live His higher laws, one’s heart and nature changes.
“When you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world, He, and He alone, does have the power to lift you above the pull of this world,” President Nelson said.
He reaffirmed President Ezra Taft Benson’s teaching that “men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.”
President Nelson then reiterated an invitation he extended to young adults in May. He pleaded with all Latter-day Saints “ to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Work for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving men and women. …
“My plea to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through your covenants with God.”
Reemphasizing the importance of the gathering of Israel, President Nelson said one crucial element of the gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready and worthy to receive the Savior when He comes again — “a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world.”
“I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people. Cherish and honor your covenants above all other commitments. As you let God prevail in your life, I promise you greater peace, confidence, joy and, yes, rest.”
President Nelson concluded by leaving an apostolic blessing upon all who listen to or read his words.
“With the power of the holy apostleship vested in me, I bless you in your quest to overcome this world. I bless you to increase your faith in Jesus Christ and learn better how to draw upon His power. I bless you to be able to discern truth from error. I bless you to care more about the things of God than the things of this world. I bless you to see the needs of those around you and strengthen those you love.
“Because Jesus Christ overcame this world, you can too.”
Abuse ‘is an abomination to the Lord’
Abuse constitutes the influence of the adversary and it is a grievous sin, President Nelson declared in the Saturday morning session.
“As President of the Church, I affirm the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ on this issue. Let me be perfectly clear: Any kind of abuse of women, children or anyone is an abomination to the Lord.
“He grieves and I grieve whenever anyone is harmed. He mourns, and we all mourn, for each person who has fallen victim to abuse of any kind. Those who perpetrate these hideous acts are not only accountable to the laws of man, but will also face the wrath of Almighty God.”
He invited all to study the resources on abuse.ChurchofJesusChrist.org on help, healing and protection from abuse.
“I urge each of us to be alert to anyone who might be in danger of being abused and to act promptly to protect them,” he said. “The Savior will not tolerate abuse, and as His disciples, neither can we.”
‘God is the source of all truth’
Another disturbing tactic of the adversary, President Nelson said Saturday morning, is his effort to blur the line between what is true and what is not true.
“Dear brothers and sisters, God is the source of all truth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces all truth that God conveys to His children, whether learned in a scientific laboratory or received by direct revelation from Him.”
He encouraged those listening and watching general conference to make notes of thoughts that catch their attention or come to their mind. “Prayerfully ask the Lord to confirm that what you have heard is true,” he said.
‘Focus on the temple’
At the conclusion of October 2022 general conference, President Nelson expressed his hope that all will act on the impressions they recorded during the five sessions. “Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, stand ready to help you. I urge you to increase your efforts to seek Their help.”
He showed an excerpt from a scene of Season 4 of the Book of Mormon Videos — depicting the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites — and pointed out the significance of the Savior choosing to appear to the people at the temple. “It is His house. It is filled with His power,” President Nelson said.
Never lose sight of what the Lord is doing now — He is making His temples more accessible, He is accelerating the pace at which temples are built, He is increasing the ability to help gather Israel, and He is making it easier for all to become spiritually refined, President Nelson said.
“I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.”
President Nelson’s announcement of 18 new temple locations includes four in the Mexico City metropolitan area.
“My dear brothers and sisters, may you focus on the temple in ways you never have before,” he concluded. “I bless you to grow closer to God and Jesus Christ every day. I love you. May God be with you until we meet again.”
