{"id":40968,"date":"2020-10-12T06:30:10","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T11:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.timesandseasons.org\/?p=40968"},"modified":"2020-10-19T07:30:36","modified_gmt":"2020-10-19T12:30:36","slug":"president-nelson-favorite-topics-and-statements-part-2-the-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2020\/10\/president-nelson-favorite-topics-and-statements-part-2-the-church\/","title":{"rendered":"President Nelson’s Favorite Topics and Statements, Part 2: The Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year, the Church released the guidelines<\/a> by which a committee was evaluating hymns and songs for inclusion in the next hymnbook and children\u2019s songbook and a list of topics they wanted to see more hymns about.\u00a0 What surprised me as I studied President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s general conference talks was how frequently the list of topics the hymnbook committee wanted to see more hymn submissions focus on lined up with what seemed to be President Nelson\u2019s favorite topics: \u00a0\u201cPraise and Worship\u201d, \u201cThe Atonement of Jesus Christ\u201d, \u201cThe Plan of Happiness\u201d, \u201cGospel Learning and Revelation\u201d, \u201cThe Family of God\u201d, \u201cOur Families\u201d, \u201cPriesthood Power and Authority\u201d, \u201cThe Restoration of the Gospel\u201d, \u201cThe Gathering of Israel\u201d, \u201cThe Sabbath Day\u201d, and \u201cThe Second Coming.\u201d[1]<\/a>\u00a0 Perhaps it\u2019s coincidental, perhaps it\u2019s just the general waters of the Church\u2019s headquarters, but given that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are officially the ones compiling the new hymnbook and songbook (with input and suggestions from the committee), the fact that the initiative was announced shortly after President Nelson\u2019s became president of the Church, and the level of interest that President Nelson has displayed towards hymns in his talks, there is a good chance that President Nelson had some input there.<\/p>\n

This is the second part of the second part of my analysis of President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s General Conference addresses.\u00a0 In the previous post, I discussed some of the more Godhead-focused topics of interest in his talks (corresponding roughly to the topics listed above of \u201cPraise and Worship\u201d, \u201cThe Atonement of Jesus Christ\u201d, \u201cGospel Learning and Revelation\u201d and \u201cThe Family of God\u201d).\u00a0 Today will be much more ecclesiastical in its focus (corresponding roughly to the topics of \u201cPriesthood Power and Authority\u201d, \u201cThe Restoration of the Gospel\u201d and \u201cThe Gathering of Israel\u201d, as well as the Church and its leaders).\u00a0 As such, this puts us here in the overall scheme of things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Introductory Thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. President Nelson\u2019s Favorite Topics and Phrases\n
      \n
    1. God and Power<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. The Church, Priesthood, and Gathering Israel<\/strong><\/li>\n
    3. Family<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. Plan of Salvation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    5. Examining the Sources in President Nelson\u2019s Talks<\/li>\n
    6. Potential Long-Term Impact of President Nelson\u2019s Addresses<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The Church:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      As indicated in my word cloud analysis displayed in the previous post<\/a> in this series, the word \u201cChurch\u201d is one of the most frequently used words in President Nelson\u2019s conference addresses.\u00a0 He defines the Church as \u201cthe official organization of baptized believers who have taken upon themselves the name of Christ\u201d and explained that it \u201cis the way by which the Master accomplishes His work and bestows His glory. Its ordinances and related covenants are the crowning rewards of our membership.\u201d[2]<\/a>\u00a0 In his eyes: \u201cThe long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families.\u201d[3]<\/a> While he has generally been an advocate of respect towards other faiths and religious organizations, he still believes that this is the only Church with full authority from God: \u201cWhile many organizations can offer fellowship and fine instruction, only His church can provide baptism, confirmation, ordination, the sacrament, patriarchal blessings, and the ordinances of the temple\u2014all bestowed by authorized priesthood power.\u201d[4]<\/a>\u00a0 In many ways, his ministry has been marked by balancing respect, understanding, and tolerance towards other faiths while still maintaining claims of exclusivity for our Church.<\/p>\n

      One aspect of his teachings about the Church is that President Nelson tends to be authoritarian in his views about obedience towards Church leaders.\u00a0 As stated in one talk in the early 1990s: \u201cThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . . . is neither a democracy nor a republic. His is a kingdom\u2014the kingdom of God on earth. His is a hierarchical church, with ultimate authority at the top. The Lord directs His anointed servants. They testify to all the world that God has again spoken.\u201d[5]<\/a>\u00a0 Early in his apostolic ministry he also expressed that: \u201cI have learned not to put question marks but to use exclamation points when calls are issued through inspired channels of priesthood government,\u201d and that \u201cthe endless laws of the Lord are the doctrines taught by His Apostles.\u201d[6]<\/a>\u00a0 And, while he acknowledges the humanity of leaders of the Church, he still expect obedience to them: \u201cOf course the authorities are human. But to them God has entrusted the keys to His divine work. And He holds us accountable for our responses to the teachings of His servants.\u201d[7]<\/a>\u00a0 Many more quotes could be shared here, but suffice it to say, he has emphasized obedience to the teachings of Church leaders throughout his career.<\/p>\n

      The Restoration:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      In connection with his interest in talking about the Church, President Nelson has frequently talked about the Restoration of the Gospel. \u00a0This is, perhaps, best displayed by his organizing the entire April 2020 General Conference around the topic and issuing a proclamation on the subject<\/a> at that time as a monument of words.\u00a0 He has continued to teach the long-standing beliefs of the Church of previous dispensations of the gospel, apostasies, and restorations.[8]<\/a>\u00a0 He sees the Restoration of the Gospel as key to our understanding of the Church and has asked Church members to ponder what the Restoration or various aspects of it mean to them from time to time, while offering his own lists of what it means to him or should mean to us.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n

      One aspect of the Restoration that he talks about with some regularity is the Book of Mormon.\u00a0 In his talks, President Nelson has generally downplayed looking at the historical aspects of the book (\u201cthe Book of Mormon \u2026 is not a novel or a history book\u201d),[10]<\/a> choosing instead to emphasize the spiritual power of the book and its focus on Christ.\u00a0 For example, he noted on one occasion that he has \u201cread much that has been written about [the Book of Mormon]. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or its vignettes of history. Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures.\u201d\u00a0 Yet, he went on to say, \u201cinteresting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its\u00a0primary<\/em>\u00a0purpose\u2014to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.\u201d[11]<\/a>\u00a0 His most frequent observation is that study of the book changes lives for the better.\u00a0 For one example: \u201cWe have observed that sincere study of the Book of Mormon transforms the spirit and engenders a testimony of Jesus Christ that heals the spiritual hearts of men and women throughout the world.\u201d[12]<\/a> \u00a0I felt like this way of emphasizing the Book of Mormon is in line with President Nelson\u2019s general focus on drawing God\u2019s power into our lives while also gently side-stepping issues of historicity. (I will note here, however, that the recent proclamation does still hold that the Book of Mormon is a translation of an ancient record and President Nelson treats its contents as representing actual events (as the Book of Mormon videos put it), so I don’t think his downplaying of Book of Mormon as a history book is an indication that he doesn’t believe that it is a record of historical events in ancient America.)<\/p>\n

      The Priesthood and Priesthood Power:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Priesthood is another frequently-discussed topic for Russell M. Nelson.\u00a0 He has frequently followed the trend of differentiating between priesthood power and priesthood authority to emphasize the need for personal righteousness to access the power of the priesthood.\u00a0 As he stated a few years ago: \u201cI fear that there are too many men who have been given the\u00a0authority\u00a0<\/em>of the priesthood but who lack priesthood\u00a0power<\/em>\u00a0because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world.\u201d[13]<\/a>\u00a0 He usually then follows up on comments like this with discussions of how men can better tap into the power of the priesthood in their lives through powerful prayer, fasting, righteous living, and so forth.<\/p>\n

      Along the lines of priesthood authority and power, President Nelson has joined in the recent trend to state that women, while not allowed to be ordained or called to priesthood offices, can have access to priesthood power and authority through receiving priesthood ordinances and covenants.\u00a0 As he stated a year ago: \u201cEvery 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.\u201d[14]<\/a>\u00a0 He added that: \u201cWhen you [sisters] are set apart to serve in a calling under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys\u2014such as your bishop or stake president\u2014you are given priesthood authority to function in that calling.\u201d\u00a0 He also clarified that women are the presiding authority in their homes in the absence of a husband.[15]<\/a>\u00a0 These statements seem to be part of an effort to empower women in the Church without offering them ordination to the priesthood or the opportunity to serve in priesthood offices and quorums.<\/p>\n

      Priesthood keys are also a frequent topic of discussion for President Nelson.\u00a0 This includes celebrating the restoration of the priesthood and priesthood keys to Joseph Smith and his companions, discussion of lines of authority in the Church, and comparisons between priesthood keys and keys used for cars or other vehicles.\u00a0 For example, in one address, he spoke of the example of holding \u201ca set of keys to an automobile.\u201d\u00a0 He then remarked that: \u201cIf I give keys to you,\u00a0I<\/em>\u00a0have certain obligations, and\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0have certain obligations.\u201d\u00a0 The obligations on his part, as the giver of the keys, is \u201ctoward your success. Should you fail, in a measure I have failed. So I must teach and train adequately to ensure your personal safety and, at the same time, safeguard precious property you are to use.\u201d\u00a0 The recipient of the keys, on the other hand, \u201cmust know applicable laws and obey them. Loyalty is expected. And you should understand the power of your instrument. Obedience, loyalty, and understanding are implicit with your acceptance of those keys.\u201d\u00a0 The comparison for priesthood keys is that: \u201cYour stake president, quorum president, and bishop hold keys of presidency. Their keys control the power of their unit of the Church. Those leaders not only may call and release, but they must train and bear sacred responsibility that the mission of the Church be accomplished.\u201d\u00a0 On the other hand, \u201cthey who\u00a0receive<\/em>\u00a0ordinations or callings have obligations of obedience, loyalty, and understanding.\u201d[16]<\/a>\u00a0 Priesthood keys and the proper use of them are important to President Nelson.<\/p>\n

      The Gathering of Israel:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      During his Sunday morning address at the recent general conference, President Nelson stated that: \u201cThe doctrine of the gathering of Israel has captured my attention,\u201d noting in his footnotes that: \u201cI have spoken of Israel in at least 378 of the more than 800 messages I have delivered during my 36 years as an Apostle.\u201d[17]<\/a>\u00a0 A part of this fixation is an ongoing interest in covenants\u2014for example, two of his talks over the years have focused extensively on the idea of covenants and specifically going into detail about the Abrahamic Covenant (with significant repetition across those two talks).[18]<\/a>\u00a0 And, in line with that focus, he doesn\u2019t seem to be as interested in the idea of Church members being literal descendants of Israel (though he leaves room for that idea) so much as he is in the idea of becoming part of the covenant people through making and keeping covenants with God, creating a spiritual Israel.\u00a0 For example, he has stated: \u201cSome of us are the literal seed of Abraham; others are gathered into his family by adoption. The Lord makes no distinction.\u00a0Together we receive these promised blessings\u2014if we seek the Lord and obey His commandments.\u00a0But if we don\u2019t, we lose the blessings of the covenant.\u201d[19]<\/a>\u00a0 The declarations of lineage in patriarchal blessings is \u201cnot necessarily a pronouncement of his or her race, nationality, or genetic makeup. Rather, the declared lineage identifies the tribe of Israel through which that individual will receive his or her blessings.\u201d [20]<\/a> Hence, in his recent address on the topic, he defined gathering Israel as \u201cgathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.\u201d[21]<\/a><\/p>\n

      This represents part of an ongoing shift away from the more literalistic view of Church leaders in the 1800s and repurposing the language they used for activities and goals of the Church today.\u00a0 Earlier Church leaders focused on literally gathering converts to physical locations in the United States of America and often viewed converts as literal descendants of Israel (usually by way of co-opting the idea of British Israelism or identifying people as being descendants of groups in the Book of Mormon).[22]<\/a> \u00a0In contrast, President Nelson has taught that we participate in the gathering of Israel \u201cas we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil\u201d through \u201cmissionary, temple, and family history work.\u201d[23]<\/a>\u00a0 The gathering of Israel is more of a figurative term for President Nelson that ties into the Church\u2019s core goals to proclaim the gospel, perfecting the saints, and redeem the dead in preparation for the Lord\u2019s Second Coming.<\/p>\n

      One of the most important and frequently-discussed areas in this grouping is temple and family history work.\u00a0 In fact, Quentin Spencer found that President Nelson used the term \u201cfamily history\u201d in 16% of his sermons.[24]<\/a>\u00a0 President Nelson has repeatedly stated that all aspects of the Church\u2019s work and the Plan of Salvation \u201cconverge on the sacred work done in temples.\u201d[25]<\/a>\u00a0 Hence, he has stated that: \u201c\u2018Jesus wants me for a sunbeam\u2019?\u00a0Yes! And you too! He also wants us as bonding blacksmiths\u2014creating celestial welding links\u2014to curb the curse\u00a0of family fragmentation. The earth was created and temples provided so that families can be together forever.\u00a0Many, if not most, of us could repent and be converted to more temple and family history work for our ancestors. Thus, our repentance is necessary and essential for their repentance.\u201d[26]<\/a>\u00a0 This, of course, ties into his emphasis on strengthening families and preventing the fragmentation of families, which is a major topic in President Nelson\u2019s addresses in its own right.<\/p>\n

      In connection with temple work and family history, President Nelson has focused on the Spirit of Elijah a number of times in his conference addresses, even offering a well-developed definition to what the Spirit of Elijah actually is.\u00a0 According to President Nelson, the Spirit of Elijah is \u201ca manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family.\u201d[27]<\/a> This definition of the term \u201cSpirit of Elijah\u201d as being a function of the Holy Spirit is something that seems to be a new development, first articulated by President Nelson. \u00a0As far as I\u2019ve been able to find, it seems that when the Prophet Joseph Smith first articulated the idea of the spirit of Elijah, he meant spirit and power of Elijah either in the sense of taking the mantle or role of Elijah (he discussed it in contrast to the spirit or mantle of Elias as the role of a forerunner) or authority from Elijah (as in the priesthood keys Elijah restored).[28]<\/a>\u00a0 Subsequent Church leaders focused on the restoration of priesthood keys by Elijah and connected the growth of genealogical societies to that restoration, occasionally citing the 1844 sermon of Joseph Smith where he used the term \u201cspirit of Elijah\u201d in connection with those keys.[29]<\/a> \u00a0By at least the mid-1980s, the term \u201cspirit of Elijah\u201d began to be used by Church leaders to refer to a somewhat amorphous spiritual influence affecting people that led them to do genealogical work or to experience stronger family ties.[30]<\/a>\u00a0 When Russell M. Nelson offered the definition of the \u201cSpirit of Elijah\u201d as being an aspect of the Holy Spirit in 1998, he offered no source for the definition. \u00a0When subsequent Church leaders (such as Elder David A. Bednar) have used that definition since then, their citations are back to Elder Nelson\u2019s address.[31]<\/a><\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

      In today\u2019s post, I\u2019ve covered a set of topics that seem dear to President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s heart that have to do with ecclesiology\u2014the Church, the Restoration of the Gospel, the priesthood, and the gathering of Israel.\u00a0 He frequently celebrates our Church\u2019s history and legacy while offering encouragement to strengthen our own access to the power of God and further the work of the Church through missionary work, family history work, and temple work.\u00a0 Next time, I\u2019ll get into some of his focuses on strengthening and maintaining families.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Footnotes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Unless otherwise stated, all conference addresses cited are by Russell M. Nelson.<\/p>\n

      [1]<\/a> \u201cMusic Submission Content Guidelines\u201d,\u00a0https:\/\/www.lds.org\/bc\/content\/ldsorg\/music\/PD60008660_000%20MusicSubmission.pdf?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [2]<\/a> \u201cThus Shall My Church Be Called,\u201d CR April 1990, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1990\/04\/thus-shall-my-church-be-called?lang=eng<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      [3]<\/a> \u201cOpening Remarks,\u201d CR October 2018, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2018\/10\/opening-remarks?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [4]<\/a> \u201cThus Shall My Church Be Called,\u201d CR April 1990, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1990\/04\/thus-shall-my-church-be-called?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [5]<\/a> \u201cHonoring the Priesthood,\u201d CR April 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/04\/honoring-the-priesthood?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [6]<\/a> \u201cCall to the Holy Apostleship,\u201d CR April 1984, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1984\/04\/call-to-the-holy-apostleship?lang=eng<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      [7]<\/a> \u201cThe Canker of Contention,\u201d CR April 1989, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1989\/04\/the-canker-of-contention?lang=eng<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      [8]<\/a> See, for example, \u201cCombatting Spiritual Drift\u2014Our Global Pandemic,\u201d September 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/10\/combatting-spiritual-drift-our-global-pandemic?lang=eng<\/a> or \u201cBlessed Are the Peacemakers,\u201d October 2002, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2002\/10\/blessed-are-the-peacemakers?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [9]<\/a> \u201cHear Him,\u201d CR April 2020, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2020\/04\/45nelson?lang=eng<\/a>.; \u201cHow Firm Our Foundation,\u201d CR April 2002, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2002\/04\/how-firm-our-foundation?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [10]<\/a> \u201cBe Thou an Example of the Believers,\u201d CR October 2010, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2010\/10\/be-thou-an-example-of-the-believers?lang=eng<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      [11]<\/a> \u201cA Testimony of the Book of Mormon, CR October 1999, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/1999\/10\/a-testimony-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [12]<\/a> \u201cCombatting Spiritual Drift\u2014Our Global Pandemic,\u201d September 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/10\/combatting-spiritual-drift-our-global-pandemic?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [13]<\/a> \u201cThe Price of Priesthood Power,\u201d CR April 2016, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2016\/04\/the-price-of-priesthood-power?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [14]<\/a> \u201cSpiritual Treasures,\u201d CR October 2019, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2019\/10\/36nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [15]<\/a> \u201cSpiritual Treasures,\u201d CR October 2019, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2019\/10\/36nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [16]<\/a> \u201cKeys of the Priesthood,\u201d CR October 1987, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1987\/10\/keys-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng<\/a> See \u201cHonoring the Priesthood,\u201d CR April 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/04\/honoring-the-priesthood?lang=eng<\/a> for another address focusing on priesthood keys and lines of authority.<\/p>\n

      [17]<\/a> \u201cLet God Prevail,\u201d CR October 2020, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2020\/10\/46nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [18]<\/a> See \u201cCovenants,\u201d CR October 2011, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2011\/10\/covenants?lang=eng<\/a> and \u201cChildren of the Covenant,\u201d CR April 1995, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1995\/04\/children-of-the-covenant?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [19]<\/a> \u201cCovenants,\u201d CR October 2011, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2011\/10\/covenants?lang=eng<\/a> In the earlier talk about covenants, he stated that: \u201cWe are also children of the covenant. We have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are our ancestors. We are of Israel. We have the right to receive the gospel, blessings of the priesthood, and eternal life. Nations of the earth will be blessed by our efforts and by the labors of our posterity. The literal seed of Abraham and those who are gathered into his family by adoption receive these promised blessings\u2014predicated upon acceptance of the Lord and obedience to his commandments. (\u201cChildren of the Covenant,\u201d CR April 1995, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1995\/04\/children-of-the-covenant?lang=eng<\/a>, see also \u201cCovenants,\u201d CR October 2011).<\/p>\n

      [20]<\/a> \u201cLet God Prevail,\u201d CR October 2020, fn16, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2020\/10\/46nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [21]<\/a> \u201cLet God Prevail,\u201d CR October 2020, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2020\/10\/46nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [22]<\/a> I recommend Armand Mauss\u2019s book All Abraham\u2019s Children: Changing Mormon Conceptions of Race and Lineage<\/em> (University of Illinois Press, 2003) for an in-depth discussion of how we approach the topic of Israel has changed.<\/p>\n

      [23]<\/a> \u201cThe Gathering of Scattered Israel,\u201d CR October 2006, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2006\/10\/the-gathering-of-scattered-israel?lang=eng<\/a> and \u201cLet God Prevail,\u201d CR October 2020, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2020\/10\/46nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [24]<\/a> Kathy Stephenson, \u201cData reveals what Latter-day Saint leaders talk about at General Conference and how it changes over time,\u201d Salt Lake Tribune<\/em>, 29 Sept 2020, https:\/\/www.sltrib.com\/religion\/2020\/09\/29\/data-reveals-what-latter\/<\/a>,<\/p>\n

      [25]<\/a> \u201cThe Atonement,\u201d CR October 1996, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1996\/10\/the-atonement?lang=eng<\/a> See also \u201cSpiritual Treasures,\u201d CR October 2019, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2019\/10\/36nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [26]<\/a> \u201cRepentance and Conversion,\u201d CR April 2007, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2007\/04\/repentance-and-conversion?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [27]<\/a> \u201cA New Harvest Time\u201d, CR April 1998, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/1998\/04\/a-new-harvest-time?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [28]<\/a> Wilford Woodruff recorded Joseph Smith saying that \u201cthe spirit power & calling of Elijah is that ye have power to hold the keys \u2026 of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood.\u201d Franklin D. Richards recorded the same statement as: \u201cThe spirit of Elijah is that degree of power which holds the sealing power of the Kingdom to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children & of the children their fathers.\u201d\u00a0 See Joseph Smith discourse, 10 March 1844, Wilford Woodruff diary. Cook, Lyndon W. The Words of Joseph Smith (Kindle Locations 5760-5774). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.<\/p>\n

      [29]<\/a> See, for example, Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection<\/em>, pp. 168-169 or LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder<\/em> (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1950, 1958, 1976), 184-187.<\/p>\n

      [30]<\/a> See, for example, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson<\/em> (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 254, where he stated in 1985 that: \u201cWhen you attend the temple \u2026 certain blessings will come to you: You will receive the spirit of Elijah, which will turn your hearts to your spouse, to your children, and to your forebears.\u00a0 You will love your family with a deeper love than you have loved before.\u201d\u00a0 Gordon B. Hinckley stated in 1994 that: \u201cThere are millions across the world who are working on family history records. Why? Why are they doing it? I believe it is because they have been touched by the spirit of this work, a thing which we call the spirit of Elijah.\u201d (Gordon B. Hinckley, \u201cThe Spirit of Elijah,\u201d Liahona, <\/em>November 1996, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/liahona\/1996\/11\/the-spirit-of-elijah?lang=eng<\/a>). See also Richard G. Scott, \u201cRedemption: The Harvest of Love,\u201d CR October 1990, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/1990\/10\/redemption-the-harvest-of-love?lang=eng<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      [31]<\/a> See David A. Bednar, \u201cThe Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,\u201d CR October 2011, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2011\/10\/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn?lang=eng<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Last year, the Church released the guidelines by which a committee was evaluating hymns and songs for inclusion in the next hymnbook and children\u2019s songbook and a list of topics they wanted to see more hymns about.\u00a0 What surprised me as I studied President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s general conference talks was how frequently the list of topics the hymnbook committee wanted to see more hymn submissions focus on lined up with what seemed to be President Nelson\u2019s favorite topics: \u00a0\u201cPraise and Worship\u201d, \u201cThe Atonement of Jesus Christ\u201d, \u201cThe Plan of Happiness\u201d, \u201cGospel Learning and Revelation\u201d, \u201cThe Family of God\u201d, \u201cOur Families\u201d, \u201cPriesthood Power and Authority\u201d, \u201cThe Restoration of the Gospel\u201d, \u201cThe Gathering of Israel\u201d, \u201cThe Sabbath Day\u201d, and \u201cThe Second Coming.\u201d[1]\u00a0 Perhaps it\u2019s coincidental, perhaps it\u2019s just the general waters of the Church\u2019s headquarters, but given that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are officially the ones compiling the new hymnbook and songbook (with input and suggestions from the committee), the fact that the initiative was announced shortly after President Nelson\u2019s became president of the Church, and the level of interest that President Nelson has displayed towards hymns in his talks, there is a good chance that President […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10397,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1284,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-conference-features","category-general-doctrine"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10397"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40968"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40994,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40968\/revisions\/40994"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}