President Russell M. Nelson on comfort through faith in Christ

President Russell M. Nelson (b. Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He was set apart as president of the Quorum of Twelve on July 15, 2015.

"Each individual with a testimony of the Lord has the privilege, in faith, to know of His divine parentage and to testify that Jesus is the Son of the living God. True testimony includes the fact that the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith.... That testimony includes the fact that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and is led by a living Lord via prophecy and revelation through authorized administrators who receive and respond to direction from Him.

"Even in the most troubled times of modern life, this knowledge brings us peace and joy. 'Be of good cheer,' the Master said, 'and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come' (D&C 68:6). Lovingly, we hold fast to His blessed promise."

- Russell M. Nelson, "The Peace and Joy of Knowing the Savior Lives," BYU devotional, Dec 10, 2002; see Ensign, Dec. 2011, p. 17
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The gift of true testimony is more valuable than we sometimes recognize. To actually know and understand the fundamental nature of the Savior's life, of His relationship to God including "His divine parentage" and His role with respect to this earth, will change and influence our choices and actions. One of the great keys this message suggests is that we gain peace and joy amidst the "troubled times of modern life" when that testimony is strong:

I'm so grateful for President Nelson's faithful example of one whose testimony is solid and vibrant, and who can encourage us to "lovingly... hold fast to His blessed promise" of divine companionship and comfort.