Editor’s note: To support elders quorum and Relief Society classes, Church News is publishing teaching materials on October 2024 general conference talks. These are intended as a starting point and not as a strict lesson plan.
Stay tuned for more conference teaching resources.
About this conversation
Read the full conversation here.
Read a summary of President Nelson’s speech here.
Talk overview
- President Nelson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to speak. He invited listeners to study the messages from the conference and use them as a litmus test of what is true over the next six months.
- Work to preserve and renovate the Salt Lake Temple is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. There have been nine temple dedications or rededications in the past six months, and five more through the end of 2024.
- President Nelson announced this 17 more temples.
- The Lord is hastening His work. Temple blessings help Saints gather Israel on both sides of the veil and prepare the world for His Second Coming.
- Jesus Christ will direct the affairs of His Church from both Old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem. He will be known as King of kings and Lord of lords.
- Now is the time to prepare for Christ’s return and make discipleship a top priority.
- Keeping temple covenants increases our access to the strengthening power of the Lord. Every sincere seeker for Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple.
- Following Christ is the most important decision President Nelson has ever made. It has brought purpose, direction and comfort to overcome life’s challenges, such as the death of his late wife Dantzel and an armed robbery.
- The Lord brings peace even in the midst of chaos. There are no limits to the Savior’s infinite Atonement or ability to help.
- Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, painful moments in life are temporary and we do not have to bear them alone. It is neither too early nor too late to become a devout disciple of His.
- Someday soon, Jesus Christ will return to earth as the millennial Messiah. Saints can prepare for this Second Coming by rededicating their lives to Him and helping to gather scattered Israel.
- The best is yet to come, because the Savior is coming again and because the Lord is hastening His work. The best comes when you turn your heart and life to Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and it is an honor to be His servant. The Second Coming will be a joyful day for the righteous.
Discussion questions
In what ways have you seen the Lord hasten His work in these last days?
How can we make discipleship a higher priority this week?
How have temple covenants helped you gain greater access to the strengthening power of the Lord?
When have you experienced healing by connecting yourself to the Savior?
What does it look like to rededicate our lives to Jesus Christ?
Notable quotes
- “There are no limits to the Savior’s ability to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Golgotha was for you. His infinite Atonement is for you.”
- “It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will fully experience the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel.”
- “The best is yet to come, dear brothers and sisters, for the Savior is coming again. The best is yet to come, for the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we focus our hearts and lives completely on Jesus Christ.”
Key texts
- “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
- “And whoever receives you, there will I be also, for I will go before you. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit will be in your hearts, and my angels around you, to uphold you.”
- “And he will go on and suffer pain and torment and all kinds of temptations. …And he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to minister to his people according to their infirmities.”
Invitations and promises
- “During this conference the Lord spoke to us through His servants. I urge you to study their messages. Use them as a litmus test of what is true and what is not over the next six months.”
- “Now is the time for you and me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. This is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.”
- “Every sincere seeker for Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most difficult questions. You will better understand the joy of His gospel.”
- “I urge you to spend time each week for the rest of your lives expanding your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
- “He will heal your wounded soul. As you connect with Him, your burdens will feel lighter. As you make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments in your life are temporary.”
- “Someday soon, Jesus Christ will return to earth as the millennial Messiah. That is why I call you today to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call on you to help gather scattered Israel and prepare the world for the Lord’s Second Coming. I call on you to talk about Christ, to testify of Christ, to have faith in Christ, and to rejoice in Christ.”
Stories
- While in medical school, President Nelson gained a testimony of the divinity of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Since then, the Savior has been the rock upon which President Nelson built his life. This choice has made all the difference for him by making decisions easier, providing purpose and direction and helping him weather the storms of life.
- When President Nelson’s late wife, Dantzel, died unexpectedly, President Nelson was devastated and alone, unable to reach any of their children. Yet the Lord taught him by His Spirit why his wife was brought home, and he was comforted. Over time, he became better at coping with grief and eventually married Sister Wendy Nelson.
- On an assignment in a far country, armed robbers put a gun against President Nelson’s head and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. His and Sister Nelson’s lives were threatened, but they felt an undeniable peace “that passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Notable footnotes
- 10. Like Ammon, you might say, “Who can boast too much in the Lord? … See, … I cannot say the smallest part of what I feel’ (Alma 26:16).
Additional Resources
President Russell M. Nelson, seventeenth President of the Church. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints