Sunday, July 06, 2025
Confidence Before God
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| President Nelson and his great-granddaughter - LDS Photo |
President Nelson’s Invitation to Charity and Virtue to Prepare for the Second Coming
By John Fisher (assisted by AI)
In his April 2025 General Conference address, President Russell M. Nelson delivered a powerful and personal message titled “Confidence in the Presence of God.” With clarity and love, he reminded members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that true confidence—especially in approaching our Heavenly Father—comes not from worldly accomplishments, but through charity, virtue, temple worship, and covenant keeping. In a world shaken by hostility, fear, and confusion, President Nelson offered a Christ-centered path to spiritual confidence and peace.
Summary:
President Nelson acknowledged the ongoing progress and strength of today’s rising generation, sharing a tender experience with his great-granddaughter that prompted deep reflection on faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasized that confidence before God is available to all who earnestly live the gospel and seek the Savior. Drawing upon the Lord’s counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 121, President Nelson taught that charity and virtue are the spiritual keys to confidence before God.
He reiterated his previous call to be peacemakers, denouncing contention in public and private dialogue. Charity, he declared, is the “foundation of a godly character.” Virtue, likewise, transforms our thoughts and uplifts our minds. Time spent in the temple increases our spiritual strength, enhances both charity and virtue, and prepares us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Five Powerful Quotes:
1. “When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit.”
2. “Charity and virtue open the way to having confidence before God.”
3. “Contention prevents the Holy Ghost from being our constant companion.”
4. “Virtue will drive away those thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.”
5. “As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase.”
Conclusion:
President Nelson’s message is a clarion call to discipleship rooted in the Savior’s love and purity. In a time when moral clarity and spiritual peace are under siege, we are invited to intentionally cultivate charity and virtue. By doing so, we increase our confidence before God, prepare for the Savior’s return, and serve as instruments of peace in a turbulent world. His promise is both personal and universal: with spiritual preparation, our joy, faith, and divine power will grow beyond our greatest hopes.
Suggestions for Follow-Up:
1. Reflect on your personal level of confidence in approaching God. What might be hindering it?
2. Study Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46 and journal ways to apply it in daily life.
3. Choose one way each week to demonstrate charity in your home, church, or online interactions.
4. Commit to weekly temple attendance or temple preparation efforts.
5. Pray specifically for the gift of charity and increased virtue in your thoughts and actions.
Reference:
Nelson, R. M. (2025, April). Confidence in the presence of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/57nelson?lang=eng
Keywords:
charity, virtue, confidence, temple worship, Second Coming
Hashtags:
#PresidentNelson #ConfidenceInGod #CharityAndVirtue #GeneralConference2025 #FollowTheProphet
Labels: charity, confidence, Second Coming, temple worship, virtue
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