When missionaries introduce new friends to the Book of Mormon, they often turn to the “crowning event” in the record—the Savior’s personal ministry among the Nephites soon after His resurrection. These young missionaries might be surprised to learn that President Russell M. Nelson takes the same approach, sharing 3 Nephi 11 with influential leaders and visitors worldwide.

Recently, in a prerecorded message shown at the 2024 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, President Nelson shared: “We do not just hand [people] this treasured book. ... We open it to 3 Nephi 11. I read aloud about the resurrected Savior’s appearance to the people in the New World.”

In his message, President Nelson emphasized the significance of the truths found in the Book of Mormon. He encouraged mission leaders to help their missionaries understand the book’s message contains “power to help them do the impossible on their mission, power to help them become increasingly pure, power to help them teach with authority from God.”

“Very simply, the Book of Mormon is filled with godly power because it is the word of God,” he said.

Time and again, President Nelson has witnessed and experienced this power as he has shared 3 Nephi 11:10–11, 14 with guests from around the globe. He said that each person reacts to these verses differently but shared, “[Often] our guests are overwhelmed by the feeling that enters into the room, which of course is the Holy Ghost testifying of Jesus Christ.”

He promised mission leaders would have similar experiences by making the Book of Mormon the “cornerstone” of teaching their missionaries. Though he focused on the importance of 3 Nephi 11, President Nelson encouraged mission leaders to guide their missionaries in delving into the full book—“[learning] how to treasure the truths taught from the first page to the last page.”

He concluded with this prophetic promise:

Read more about President Nelson’s message at the 2024 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Church News.

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President Nelson: What 100 Years of Living Have Taught Me

It is a rare opportunity to learn from the wisdom of one who has witnessed a century of life, including all of its joys, sorrows, changes, and unchanging truths. It is even rarer to have such a witness from a prophet of God. Having been first called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984, President Russell M. Nelson has viewed much of the world’s modern history through the lens of a special witness of Christ. Living through technological innovation from radio to rocket ships, wars and resolutions, cultural shifts and progress, President Nelson has seen the workings of the Almighty in all aspects of life. In Heart of the Matter, he reflects back on his one hundred years of living and the lessons he’s learned over the past century, including the core truths he has come to know matter most for this life and the next.

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