12 Teachings from President Nelson That Will Give You Hope and Motivation for the New Year

Throughout his service in the Church, President Nelson's teachings have brought hope, direction, and a deeper commitment to the Savior. Here are a few uplifting teachings that will inspire you as you prepare for a new year, excerpted from the new book  Teachings of Russell M. Nelson.

This is part of an ongoing series where we highlight the teachings of our prophet weekly.

The River Jordan was the site Jesus chose for His baptism by John to “fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15; 2 Nephi 31:5–6). Is it significant that this sacred ordinance was performed in virtually the lowest body of fresh water on the planet? Could He have selected a lower place to symbolize the humble depths to which He went and from which He rose? By example, He wanted to teach us that He literally descended beneath all things to rise above all things. Surely this would signify that through our obedience and effort we, too, can come from our deepest depths to ascend to lofty heights of our own destiny. (“Why Palestine?” Missionary Training Center, October 11, 1994)

We recognize the daring difference in striving to do what we do—compared to striving to become whom we ought to be.

Thus our goals are great and greater. Great goals I relate to temporal attainments. Greater goals I relate to attributes of personal character. Goals to do can be incremental; goals to be can be monumental. Such attributes of character are worthy of our attention as we strive to be whom we ought to be. (“Goals Great and Greater,” Rebild Festival, Denmark, July 4, 2000)

The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change. Your yearnings to learn and change come from a divinely instilled striving for eternal progression. Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity. (“Decisions for Eternity,” Ensign, November 2013)

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ, and our families. For these powers, privileges, and gospel gifts, thanks be to God! (“Thanks Be to God,” Ensign, May 2012)

In a coming day, you will present yourself before the Savior. You will be overwhelmed to the point of tears to be in His presence. You will struggle to find words to thank Him for paying for your sins, for forgiving you of any unkindness toward others, for healing you from the injuries and injustices of this life.

You will thank Him for strengthening you to do the impossible, for turning your weaknesses into strengths, and for making it possible for you to live with Him and your family forever. His identity, His Atonement, and His attributes will become personal and real to you.

But you don’t have to wait until then. Choose to be one of His true disciples now. Be one who truly loves Him, who truly wants to serve and lead as He did. (“Prophets, Leadership, and Divine Law,” Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, January 8, 2017)

If I were to ask which of the Lord’s commandments is most difficult to keep, many of us might cite Matthew 5:48: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” . . . When comparing one’s personal performance with the supreme standard of the Lord’s expectation, the reality of imperfection can at times be depressing. My heart goes out to conscientious Saints who, because of their shortcomings, allow feelings of depression to rob them of happiness in life.

We all need to remember: men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips! We also need to remember that the Lord gives no commandments that are impossible to obey. But sometimes we fail to comprehend them fully. (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, November 1995)

I would suggest you turn to the Topical Guide in the back of the Bible and find the heading “Jesus Christ.” You will find eighteen pages of cross references about Jesus Christ. Don’t try to read all of it at once. Take a little bit at a time. There are fifty-seven subheadings. You could take one subtitle a week and study that, and you’d have a curriculum for fourteen months. Study about Jesus Christ as the “Son of God” and what that really means, about His being the “Anointed One.” His title as the “Anointed One” was carried in the Hebrew language as “the Messiah,” in the Greek language as “the Christ.”  (Louisville Kentucky Temple Dedication, session one, March 19, 2000)

Difficult days are ahead for all mankind. Sin is on the increase. We live in a time of wars and rumors of wars. The Church and its members will come under attack and endure persecution (see 2 Timothy 3:1–13; Doctrine and Covenants 112:24). Jesus descended below all things in order to rise above all things. He expects us to follow His example. Yoked with Him, we can rise above all challenges, no matter how difficult they may be (see Matthew 11:19–30). Peter offered this counsel: “If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16). (“Christ the Savior Is Born,” Brigham Young University Devotional, December 10, 2002)

Brothers and sisters, let us do the best we can and try to improve each day. When our imperfections appear, we can keep trying to correct them. We can be more forgiving of flaws in ourselves and among those we love. We can be comforted and forbearing. The Lord taught, “Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now . . . ; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected” (Doctrine and Covenants 67:13).

We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love Him and keep His commandments. It includes thrones, kingdoms, principalities, powers, and dominions (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:19). It is the end for which we are to endure. It is the eternal perfection that God has in store for each of us. (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, November 1995)

Will you establish priorities to help you make your choices in life?

Your choices will not all be between good and evil. Many will be choices between two good options. Not all truths are created equal. So you will need to establish priorities. In your pursuit of knowledge, know that the very most important truth you can learn comes from the Lord. In His intercessory prayer to His Father, the Savior Himself confirmed this. He said: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). . . . Above everything else you are seeking to learn, seek to know God, your Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Come to know Them and love Them as I do.

Another priority scripture has helped me throughout my life. It is: “Seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (JST, Matthew 6:38).

More than anything else in this world, you want to make choices that lead to the ultimate and glorious destiny of eternal life. That is God’s greatest goal for you (see Moses 1:39; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). Choose eternal life as your highest priority! (“Youth of the Noble Birthright: What Will You Choose?” Church Educational System Devotional for Young Adults, September 8, 2013)

[God’s] goals should become your goals, too! (“Historians in the True and Living Church,” Church History Department Devotional, May 30, 2013)

To anyone so struggling, know that you can be redeemed. You can be made whole. All that He asks is that you walk, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, away from darkness into His light. He has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows,” Isaiah declared, “and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4–5)—if we truly seek Him.

Follow the Good Shepherd, brothers and sisters, and be a positive part of His fold. Remember that His Church is not intended to be a sanctuary for the sinless; it is to be a hospital of hope for those who want to get well. Do whatever you have to do to be fully in the fold. For some that means to live with greater faith, to believe more. For others it means to repent. For all of us it means to live more by the promptings of the Holy Ghost and to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men” (2 Nephi 31:20). (“Love of the Lord—in Language and Living,” Ricks College Commencement, April 28, 2001)

You who may be momentarily disheartened, remember, life is not meant to be easy. Trials must be borne and grief endured along the way. As you remember that “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37), know that He is your Father. (“‘With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible,’” Ensign, May 1988)

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Internationally renowned as a surgeon, teacher, and man of great faith, President Russell M. Nelson has dedicated his life to healing hearts and ministering throughout his medical career and his Church service. This definitive volume of his teachings presents excerpts from his speeches and writings spanning more than three decades as an Apostle of the Lord, including many from his recent world tour and other unpublished addresses. Alphabetically arranged by topic, these teachings on more than 100 subjects provide a perfect, easy-to-use resource for talks, lessons, and more.