{"id":40998,"date":"2020-10-24T11:17:25","date_gmt":"2020-10-24T16:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.timesandseasons.org\/?p=40998"},"modified":"2020-10-24T11:17:25","modified_gmt":"2020-10-24T16:17:25","slug":"president-nelsons-favorite-topics-and-statements-part-4-the-plan-of-salvation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2020\/10\/president-nelsons-favorite-topics-and-statements-part-4-the-plan-of-salvation\/","title":{"rendered":"President Nelson\u2019s Favorite Topics and Statements, Part 4: The Plan of Salvation"},"content":{"rendered":"

For forty years before his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Russel M. Nelson spent his career as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon.\u00a0 One aspect of his work that had a profound impact on him was that it \u201cbrought me into contact almost daily with seriously ill patients who faced the real prospect of death.\u201d\u00a0 While he saw death as a foe to fight against while he was a doctor, his later time in the ministry led him to \u201cno longer feel that death is always that foe to be feared.\u00a0 Instead,\u201d he wrote, \u201cI view it as a potential friend to be understood.\u201d\u00a0 And with that perspective, he came to feel that the Lord\u2019s \u201cgospel will help us to prepare for that great day of judgment.\u00a0 His gifts will assuage the grief of the bereaved and bring joy to those who love him.\u00a0 He will help them to fulfill their noblest purposes in life.\u201d[1]<\/a>\u00a0 With that background in mind, it\u2019s not very surprising to find that aspects of human existence, including the purpose of life and preparation for life after death, are central topics in President Nelson\u2019s conference addresses.<\/p>\n

This is the final post of the second part of my analysis of President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s general conference addresses.\u00a0 In the overall scheme of things, this puts us here:<\/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<\/a>\u00a0Church,<\/a>\u00a0Priesthood,<\/a>\u00a0and<\/a>\u00a0Gathering<\/a>\u00a0I<\/a>srael<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. Family<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. Plan of Salvation<\/strong><\/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

      Without further adieu, let\u2019s look at some of his major thoughts on topics closely related to what we often refer to as the Plan of Salvation.<\/p>\n

      The Three Pillars<\/strong><\/p>\n

      In his general conference talks that deal with the Plan of Salvation, President Nelson often orients his discussion around Elder Bruce R. McConkie\u2019s idea of the \u201cThree Pillars of Eternity<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0 As President Nelson summarized on one occasion: \u201cBefore we can comprehend the Atonement of Christ, however, we must first understand the Fall of Adam. And before we can understand the Fall of Adam, we must first understand the Creation. These three crucial components of the plan of salvation relate to each other.\u201d[2]<\/a>\u00a0 Or, in another talk devoted to discussing the Creation: \u201cThe plan required the Creation, and that in turn required both the Fall and the Atonement. These are the three fundamental components of the plan.\u201d[3]<\/a>\u00a0 This structure to President Nelson\u2019s views reflects back to Elder McConkie and has served to reinforce his perspective.<\/p>\n

      I\u2019ve discussed the key points that President Nelson has shared about the creation previously<\/a>, so we\u2019ll move the second pillar\u2014the Fall. \u00a0Coming from a medical background, President Nelson has some interesting things to say about the physiological effects of the Fall of Adam and Eve:<\/p>\n

      The Fall of Adam (and Eve) constituted the\u00a0mortal creation <\/em>and brought about the required changes in their bodies, including the circulation of blood and other modifications as well.\u00a0They were now able to have children. They and their posterity also became subject to injury, disease, and death. And a loving Creator blessed them with healing power by which the life and function of precious physical bodies could be preserved. For example, bones, if broken, could become solid again. Lacerations of the flesh could heal themselves. And miraculously, leaks in the circulation could be sealed off by components activated from the very blood being lost.[4]<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      He added elsewhere that: \u201cWhile I do not fully understand all the biochemistry involved, I do know that their physical bodies did change; blood began to circulate in their bodies. Adam and Eve thereby became mortal.\u201d[5]<\/a>\u00a0 He even carries the thought through to the resurrection: \u201cThat atonement must enable our physical bodies to be resurrected and changed\u00a0to a bloodless form, no longer liable to disease, deterioration, or death.\u201d[6]<\/a>\u00a0 It\u2019s an interesting fixation with blood as the agent of the Fall that, while not entirely unique to Russell M. Nelson in our theology, has received the most emphasis from him in modern times.<\/p>\n

      Russell M. Nelson\u2019s teachings about the Atonement of Jesus Christ are fairly standard for the Church.\u00a0 For example, through the Savior\u2019s Atonement: \u201cThe Savior\u2019s gift of\u00a0immortality<\/em>\u00a0comes to all who have ever lived. But His gift of\u00a0eternal life<\/em>\u00a0requires repentance and obedience to specific ordinances and covenants.\u201d[7]<\/a> One point of interest that he has brought out a few times is \u201cthat atonement required a personal sacrifice by an immortal being not subject to death. Yet He must die and take up His own body again. The Savior was the only one who could accomplish this. From His mother He inherited power to die. From His Father He obtained power over death.\u201d[8]<\/a>\u00a0 Another point, in connection with his fixation about knowing and using the names of Jesus Christ, is that: \u201cIt is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord\u2019s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as \u2018the Atonement\u2019 or \u2018the enabling power of the Atonement\u2019 or \u2018applying the Atonement\u2019 or \u2018being strengthened by the Atonement.\u2019 These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event<\/em>\u00a0as if\u00a0it<\/em> had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.\u201d\u00a0 Rather, he believes that: \u201cThe Savior\u2019s atoning sacrifice\u2014the central act of all human history\u2014is best understood and appreciated when we expressly and clearly connect it to Him.\u201d[9]<\/a>\u00a0 And, as I mentioned in my initial post<\/a>, President Nelson has an interest in languages, so it is no surprise that he has taken the time to explain the etymology and meaning of various words used to describe the Atonement of Jesus Christ, both in English and in Biblical languages.[10]<\/a>\u00a0 In any case, the Atonement of our Lord is a central component of President Nelson\u2019s teachings, with his belief that \u201cas we repent and live in accordance with the commandments of God, the Atonement of Jesus Christ becomes a force for permanent change in our lives.\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n

      Human Bodies and the Resurrection<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Also reflecting President Nelson\u2019s background in the medical field is his repeated emphasis on caring for our bodies and an interest in the topic of the Resurrection.\u00a0 He has expressed that \u201cyour body, whatever its natural gifts, is a magnificent creation of God,\u201d[12]<\/a> and that he stands \u201cin awe of the miracle of the human body. \u2026 In giving us the gift of a body, God has allowed us to take a vital step toward becoming more like Him.\u201d[13]<\/a>\u00a0 He has encouraged us to take care of our bodies with that perspective in mind, often also pointing to the words of \u201cthe Apostle Paul, that our bodies are temples for our spirits, divinely created by our loving Father in Heaven.\u201d[14]<\/a><\/p>\n

      Based on this, both obedience to the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity are repeated themes in his conference addresses. \u00a0In particular, he has expressed concerns about addictions, stating that: \u201cIf you yield to anything that can addict, and thus defy the Word of Wisdom, your spirit surrenders to the body. The\u00a0flesh<\/em>\u00a0then enslaves the\u00a0spirit.<\/em>\u00a0This is contrary to the purpose of your mortal existence.\u201d[15]<\/a> Still, he emphasizes that: \u201cFull repentance from addiction is best accomplished in this life, while we still have a mortal body to help us.\u201d [16]<\/a> And, while he emphasizes and cites the health benefits of following the Word of Wisdom, he balances that with an emphasis on how \u201cthe Word of Wisdom is a spiritual law\u201d that should be followed (regardless of whether medical advice backs it up or not) out of obedience to God.[17]<\/a>\u00a0 In any case, taking proper care of our bodies is a repeated focus of President Nelson\u2019s ministry.<\/p>\n

      As already discussed, while talking about the Fall, President Nelson likes to sprinkle medical ideas into his discussions about doctrine that involve the human body, and the resurrection is another area where he does this.\u00a0 For example: \u201cOur bodies undergo constant rebuilding according to genetic recipes that are uniquely ours. Each time we take a bath, we lose not only dirt, but cells dead and dying, as they are replaced by a newer crop. This process of regeneration and renewal is but prelude to the promised phenomenon and future fact of our resurrection.\u201d[18]<\/a>\u00a0 He added on a later occasion that: \u201cThe Lord who created us in the first place surely has power to do it again. The same necessary elements now in our bodies will still be available\u2014at His command. The same unique genetic code now embedded in each of our living cells will still be available to format new ones then.\u201d[19]<\/a>\u00a0 It\u2019s interesting effort on President Nelson\u2019s part to flesh out our understanding of the resurrection through incorporating modern life sciences into his explanation of the process by which it will take place. \u00a0While such things are interesting, however, President Nelson is also interested in the resurrection and the future state of the human soul, encouraging Latter-day Saints to prepare for our eternal futures.<\/p>\n

      Death<\/strong><\/p>\n

      As the opening of this post indicates, death is something that has frequently been on President Nelson\u2019s mind throughout his lifetime.\u00a0 One of his most frequently-repeated statements is that: \u201cWe live to die, and we die to live again. From an eternal perspective, the only death that is truly premature is the death of one who is not prepared to meet God.\u201d[20]<\/a>\u00a0 There are echoes here of the statement made by the early Christian bishop Irenaeus when he wrote that: \u201cThe business of the Christian is nothing else than to be ever preparing for death.\u201d[21]<\/a> \u00a0Indeed, Russell M. Nelson feels that his orientation towards death has taken on an eschatological perspective,[22]<\/a> and he speaks of how \u201cyou (and I) are going to die, be resurrected, be judged, and be awarded a place in eternal realms\u201d one day, sooner or later.[23]<\/a><\/p>\n

      Because of this orientation towards death and judgement by God, President Nelson frequently discusses death in terms of prioritizing one\u2019s life in view of what is to follow.\u00a0 For example, in one talk, he shared a story of how he \u201cwas asked to perform an operation upon a very wealthy man. A surgical biopsy confirmed that he had an advanced cancer that had spread throughout his body. As I reported this news, his immediate response was to rely upon his wealth.\u201d\u00a0 Of course, the man’s wealth didn\u2019t save him, and \u201che soon passed away. Someone asked, \u2018How much wealth did he leave?\u2019 The answer, of course, was, \u2018All of it!\u2019\u201d\u00a0 To President Nelson, this was a negative example of someone where: \u201cHis priorities were set upon things of the world. His ladder of success had been leaning against the wrong wall.\u201d[24]<\/a>\u00a0 Hence, he encourages people to turn to God and has expressed that: \u201cFrom an eternal perspective, death is only premature for those who are not prepared to meet God.\u201d[25]<\/a><\/p>\n

      President Nelson does offer solace to those who are preparing for death in his talks as well.\u00a0 He talks about death being merciful, and that \u201cdeath, like birth is part of life.\u201d \u00a0Without it, we \u201cwould be stranded here on earth!\u201d[26]<\/a>\u00a0 Hence, \u201cThe aging process is also a gift from God, as is death. The eventual death of your mortal body is essential to God\u2019s great plan of happiness.\u00a0Why? Because death will allow your spirit to return home to Him.\u201d[27]<\/a> In the perspective of eternal life, he feels that \u201cwe regarded the returning home as the best part of that long-awaited trip\u201d while we prepared for life in the premortal existence.[28]<\/a>\u00a0 Yet, even knowing that, he does realize that: \u201cIrrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. \u2026 The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.\u201d[29]<\/a>\u00a0 Throughout his general conference addresses, President Nelson frequently brushes the topic of death, discussing how it something that is a positive experience for those who are well-prepared.<\/p>\n

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

      President Russell M. Nelson\u2019s background as a surgeon has shaped his interests and focuses as an apostle.\u00a0 This includes discussions about the Plan of Salvation (which are deeply rooted in the \u201cThree Pillars of Eternity\u201d structure outlined by Bruce R. McConkie), caring for the human body, and preparing for death and the resurrection.<\/p>\n

      Having discussed these aspects of his ministry, along with previous installments covering his interests in families, the Church and the Gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil, and the power of God, I\u2019ve covered most of the major themes that come out repeatedly over the years in President Nelson\u2019s addresses.\u00a0 Along the way, I\u2019ve also tried to bring out points of particular interest from various talks.\u00a0 In the next part of my analysis, I\u2019ll turn towards examining the sources President Nelson cites in his conference talks and what we can learn from them.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

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

      [1]<\/a> Russell M. Nelson, The Gateway We Call Death<\/em> (SLC: Deseret Book Company, 1995), vii-xii.<\/p>\n

      [2]<\/a> \u201cThe Atonement,\u201d CR October 1996, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1996\/10\/the-atonement?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [3]<\/a> \u201cThe Creation,\u201d CR April 2000, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/2000\/04\/the-creation?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [4]<\/a> \u201cThe Atonement,\u201d CR October 1996, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1996\/10\/the-atonement?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [5]<\/a> \u201cConstancy amid Change, CR October 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/10\/constancy-amid-change?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [6]<\/a> \u201cConstancy amid Change, CR October 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/10\/constancy-amid-change?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [7]<\/a> \u201cThe Atonement,\u201d CR October 1996, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1996\/10\/the-atonement?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [8]<\/a> \u201cConstancy amid Change, CR October 1993, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1993\/10\/constancy-amid-change?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [9]<\/a> \u201cDrawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,\u201d CR April 2017, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2017\/04\/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [10]<\/a> \u201cThe Atonement,\u201d CR October 1996, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1996\/10\/the-atonement?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [11]<\/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

      [12]<\/a> \u201cWe Are Children of God,\u201d CR October 1998, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/1998\/10\/we-are-children-of-god?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [13]<\/a> \u201cWe Can Do Better and Be Better,\u201d CR April 2019, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2019\/04\/36nelson?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [14]<\/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

      [15]<\/a> \u201cSelf-Mastery,\u201d CR October 1985, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1985\/10\/self-mastery?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [16]<\/a> \u201cWe Are Children of God,\u201d CR October 1998, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/1998\/10\/we-are-children-of-god?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [17]<\/a> \u201cAddiction or Freedom,\u201d CR October 1988, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1988\/10\/addiction-or-freedom?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [18]<\/a> \u201cLife after Life,\u201d CR April 1987, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1987\/04\/life-after-life?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [19]<\/a> \u201cDoors of Death, CR April 1992, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1992\/04\/doors-of-death?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [20]<\/a> \u201cFace the Future With Faith,\u201d CR April 2011, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2011\/04\/face-the-future-with-faith?lang=eng<\/a> See also \u201cNow is the Time to Prepare,\u201d CR April 2005, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2005\/04\/now-is-the-time-to-prepare?lang=eng<\/a> and \u201cDoors of Death,\u201d CR April 1992, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1992\/04\/doors-of-death?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [21]<\/a> Fathers, Church. The Complete Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Collection of Early Church Fathers: Cross-Linked to the Bible (Kindle Location 280563). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.\u00a0 There are also similarities here to the words Dumbledore shares in the Harry Potter series: \u201cTo the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.\u201d (Dumbledore, Rowling, J.K. [2012-03-27]. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone [Book 1] [p. 297]. Pottermore Limited. Kindle Edition).<\/p>\n

      [22]<\/a> Nelson, The Gateway<\/em>, ix.<\/p>\n

      [23]<\/a> \u201cChoices,\u201d CR October 1990, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1990\/10\/choices?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [24]<\/a> \u201cNow is the Time to Prepare,\u201d CR April 2005, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2005\/04\/now-is-the-time-to-prepare?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [25]<\/a> \u201cDecisions for Eternity,\u201d CR October 2013, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2013\/10\/decisions-for-eternity?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [26]<\/a> \u201cThanks Be to God,\u201d CR April 2012, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2012\/04\/thanks-be-to-god?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [27]<\/a> \u201cDecisions for Eternity,\u201d CR October 2013, https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/study\/general-conference\/2013\/10\/decisions-for-eternity?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [28]<\/a> \u201cDoors of Death,\u201d CR April 1992, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1992\/04\/doors-of-death?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n

      [29]<\/a> \u201cDoors of Death,\u201d CR April 1992, https:\/\/www.lds.org\/general-conference\/1992\/04\/doors-of-death?lang=eng<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      For forty years before his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Russel M. Nelson spent his career as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon.\u00a0 One aspect of his work that had a profound impact on him was that it \u201cbrought me into contact almost daily with seriously ill patients who faced the real prospect of death.\u201d\u00a0 While he saw death as a foe to fight against while he was a doctor, his later time in the ministry led him to \u201cno longer feel that death is always that foe to be feared.\u00a0 Instead,\u201d he wrote, \u201cI view it as a potential friend to be understood.\u201d\u00a0 And with that perspective, he came to feel that the Lord\u2019s \u201cgospel will help us to prepare for that great day of judgment.\u00a0 His gifts will assuage the grief of the bereaved and bring joy to those who love him.\u00a0 He will help them to fulfill their noblest purposes in life.\u201d[1]\u00a0 With that background in mind, it\u2019s not very surprising to find that aspects of human existence, including the purpose of life and preparation for life after death, are central topics in President Nelson\u2019s conference addresses. This is the final post of the second part […]<\/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-40998","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\/40998","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=40998"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41018,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40998\/revisions\/41018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}