Nielsen-Ensign-2023
From Left to right are Sister Marcia Nielson, Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy, Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch and Sister Alynda Kusch after the weekly Ensign College devotional in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. President Kusch told the students that the Nielsons are his neighbors and Sister Kusch and Sister Nielson are ministering companions. Photo by Laryssa Gasparini, Ensign College, courtesy of the Church News.All rIghts reserved.
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By Mary Richards, Church News
If the story of the good Samaritan were told today, and a man fell among thieves and was left injured in the road, would the priest and the Levite not only have not helped him, but also taken out their smartphones to film him and share it on social media?
In contrast, Mormon from the Book of Mormon was described as being “quick to observe” (Mormon 1:2).
“Disciples of Jesus Christ are quick to observe,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy. “Instead of looking down, we are always looking up. We are looking to see who it is we can help, we are looking to see what we can do to share the gospel, we are looking to see what we can do when others are in need.”
Nielsen-Ensign-2023
Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy shakes the hands of an Ensign College student after giving a devotional in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on February 14, 2023, at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Photo by Laryssa Gasparini, Ensign College, courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.
Earlier this week, 113 million people watched the Super Bowl. Before that, more than a billion people watched the World Cup. Today, people are spectators who are always looking to see what other people are doing, said Elder Nielson at an Ensign College devotional Tuesday, February 14.
But the Savior taught people to do and to serve. “Discipleship is not a spectator sport. It requires you and it requires me to act,” Elder Nielson said.
Nielsen-Ensign-2023
Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy speaks to Ensign College students in a devotional Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Photo by Laryssa Gasparini, Ensign College, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.What Does Discipleship Look Like?
When a lawyer asked Jesus Christ how to obtain eternal life, the Savior answered with the two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).
Then the lawyer asked, “And who is my neighbour?” In response, the Savior gave the parable of the good Samaritan. After a man fell among thieves, a priest and a Levite walked by and did not help. But a Samaritan showed mercy and helped the victim (Luke 10:30-37).
Jesus told the lawyer, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” And he answered that it was the man who shewed mercy. Jesus told him to go and do likewise.
Elder Nielson said the scriptures gave warnings about the last days. 2 Timothy 3:2 says, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” And Doctrine and Covenants 45:26 says, “men’s hearts shall fail them.”
Nielsen-Ensign-2023
Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy speaks to Ensign College students in a devotional Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Photo by Laryssa Gasparini, Ensign College, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.Elder Nielson listed some of the things happening today:
- Constant screen time.
- Binge watching.
- The bystander effect.
- Using a smartphone to film rather than help.
But Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 says “men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause.” Meanwhile, James 1:22 says “be ye doers of the word.” And Elder Nielson said John 7:17 is also a powerful teaching: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.”
With that in mind, Elder Nielson told the students, “If you want to learn about missionary work, you actually have to do it. If you want to learn about the temple, you have to go to the temple. If you want to learn about serving other people, you actually need to serve other people.”
He emphasized, “We have to be doing.”
Nielsen-Ensign-2023
An Ensign College student takes notes during a devotional with Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Photo by Laryssa Gasparini, Ensign College, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.‘We Live in an Amazing Time’
Elder Nielson said the growing number of missionaries, members and temples around the world show there has never been a better time to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ than today. The Church and its members have an incredible capacity to give to others and to serve their neighbors around the world.
“We live in an amazing time,” he said. “I hope you can see as disciples of Jesus Christ that this is an amazing time to live, and that you will have a great desire to want to participate as active participants as we continue to move this work forward across the world.”
Nephi said “I will go and do” in 1 Nephi 3:7. Those words “go and do” are critical for disciples of Jesus Christ, said Elder Nielson. So are the words, “press forward” from 2 Nephi 31:20, and the message in Doctrine and Covenants 128:22 — “Shall we not go on in so great a cause?”
Disciples of Jesus Christ can move forward with faith in Him knowing that with Him, they can accomplish anything.
“Discipleship is not a spectator sport,” repeated Elder Nielson in closing. “You and I need to be really good at this. When we see people in need, we need to respond. When we see people who are struggling, we need to help. That’s what disciples do.”
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