First Chapters of ‘Teachings of President Russell M. Nelson’ Manual Released

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has digitally released the four chapters of the new “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson” manual in Gospel Library in 12 languages.

The manual details life lessons, teachings and personal insights of the Church’s current prophet and President, Russell M. Nelson, who was sustained and set apart January 14, 2018, as the 17th leader of the worldwide Church of over 17 million members. He celebrates his 100th birthday on September 9, 2024.

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A Living Document

This is the first time the Church has released a Teachings manual about a living prophet. The digital format allows this manual (as well as manuals about future Church Presidents) to become a living document that can be updated as President Nelson continues his ministry.

The released chapters are Chapter 2: The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Chapter 4: Faith in Jesus Christ, Chapter 8: The Abrahamic Covenant and Chapter 14: Revelation for Our Lives. Two additional chapters will be released in September and two in October. The Church will continue to release additional chapters until the full resource of 28 chapters is available digitally.

Chapter 8 relates President Nelson’s experiences learning the importance of the Abrahamic Covenant in his life. He explained he was not “raised in a gospel-centered home” but was baptized at age 16 along with his siblings. “As I matured and began to understand the magnificence of Heavenly Father’s plan,” he recalled, “I often said to myself, ‘I don’t want one more Christmas present! I just want to be sealed to my parents.’ That longed-for event did not happen until my parents were past 80, and then it did happen. I cannot fully express the joy that I felt that day, and each day I feel that joy of their sealing and my being sealed to them.”

A ‘Remarkable Example’

On Thursday, August 1, President Nelson’s First and Second Counselors in the First Presidency posted comments on social media about President Nelson and the manual about his teachings.

President Dallin H. Oaks stated: 

I have known President Russell M. Nelson, my dear friend, for many years. In that time, he has endured difficulties of varying degrees. Yet he has provided a remarkable example of how understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ can bring to us heavenly relief in our trials.

In the just-released “Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson,” we are fortunate to learn from these experiences.

He has said:

“Because of the Savior’s sacrifice, we have access to His healing power. He will heal our hearts, give us strength when we are weak, enable us to do things we never could do on our own, and heal us from sin when we repent. The Atonement of Jesus Christ can help us cope with grief, sadness, weakness, fear, anxiety, all of those things that are part of mortality’s trials.

“Life can be overwhelming at times. I remember when my wife Dantzel died suddenly when her heart stopped beating. All my knowledge as a heart surgeon could not save her. Cancer has claimed the lives of two of our daughters. I understand the heartbreak of separation from loved ones.

“But Jesus is the Light that shines in the dark. He is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ [John 14:6]. He is our anchor when we are desperately in need” (“The Happiest Place on Earth” (devotional in Orlando, Florida, June 9, 2019), unpublished).

I assure you that President Nelson doesn’t just teach these truths, he truly believes and lives them. Like him, let us find peace in our challenges by turning to the Savior Jesus Christ.

President Henry B. Eyring wrote:

I am grateful for the sweet testimony and inspired guidance that can be found in the Gospel Library app under “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson.”

Our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has said: “The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power. But He does ask us to believe. …

“... Start today to increase your faith. Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.

“Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary, and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith. ...

“The mountains in our lives do not always move how or when we would like. But our faith will always propel us forward. Faith always increases our access to godly power.

“The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” general conference, Apr. 2021).

Let us follow President Nelson’s example as we seek to increase our faith in the Savior that we may all overcome the mountains we face.

How to Find the Manual

The manual is available in Gospel Library under Books and Lessons > Teachings of Presidents in Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog and Tongan.

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The latest resource is the 17th manual in the “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church” series. The manual “Teachings of Thomas S. Monson” for the Church’s previous president, who passed away in 2018, was released in November 2022.

The manuals containing prophetic teachings are no longer part of the Church’s annual curriculum of gospel study, which is now “Come, Follow Me,” but the series continues to be a valuable study and reference resource for individuals and families.

To study more of President Nelson’s teachings since he became the President of the Church, including devotionals and messages given in addition to general conference talks, go to the Gospel Library app and select the Home icon at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down to the Study Plans section and search for the Messages from President Nelson study plan.

Related Links

See a list of every general conference message President Russell M. Nelson has given.