President Nelson’s invitations

Do you remember when President Nelson invited the women of the church to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year and do a 10-day social media fast? (October 2018)

Do you remember when he asked the youth in a devotional to do a 7-day social media fast? (June 2018)

Do you remember when he invited the whole church to #givethanks on social media each day for a week? (November 2020)

Do you remember when he encouraged us to end a personal conflict by Easter? (April 2022)

Well how about…

Do you remember when he pleaded with us to repent daily? (April 2019)

Do you remember when he called on us to implement extraordinary measures to strengthen our spiritual foundations? (October 2021)

Do you remember when he invited the women of the church to fully participate in Relief Society? (October 2018)

Do you remember when he encouraged us to increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation? (April 2018)

Now, maybe you do remember these things, and maybe you don’t.

But if there’s ever been a recent prophet who has asked us to make dramatic or public sacrifices or commitments, it’s President Nelson!

Every talk he gives, I sit there with a pen in my hand ready to see what big challenge he’s going to give us next.

But is that excitement for the “big stuff” overpowering the less flashy pleas he’s also made?

Because looking at my list, repenting daily, increasing my capacity for personal revelation, and strengthening my spiritual foundation seem essential.

I’ve remembered some of these, but I’ve honestly forgotten about others.

“My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:13)

Are we willing to do the big things AND the small things that the prophet asks?

Would we have built the ark with Noah AND repented of our sins?

Would we have gotten in the barges with the brother of Jared AND worked to increase our faith?

Would we have crossed the plains in a covered wagon with only a few possessions AND read the scriptures daily?

Because it’s not really the prophet inviting us to do these things, right?

He’s the Lord’s mouthpiece.

Sometimes the Lord needs big, dramatic changes and miracles.

But more often, He needs the quiet, consistent, daily efforts from our heart.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black