President Russell M. Nelson on the importance of families

President Russell M. Nelson (born 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 became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

[Earlier in this talk, President Nelson described meeting a man who had frantically searched for his family in the aftermath of a massive fire, and the feelings of concern and desperation the man had experienced. President Nelson likened that experience to our own desires to see our families safe and saved.]

"In that coming day when you will complete your mortal probation and enter the spirit world, you will be brought face-to-face with that heart-wrenching question: 'Where is my family?'

"Jesus Christ teaches the way back to our eternal home. He understands our Heavenly Father’s plan of eternal progression better than any of us. After all, He is the keystone of it all. He is our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior.

"Ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, Jesus the Christ has offered His mighty arm to help all who choose to follow Him. Repeatedly, scriptures record that despite all kinds of sins from all kinds of people, His arms are outstretched still."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Come, Follow Me," General Conference April 2019
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Any parent, or any family member for that matter, feels deep concern for the welfare of those who are closest and dearest. We want them to feel the love of the Savior and be choosing the right. President Nelson teaches that the greatest safety and refuge is in and through the Savior, Jesus Christ—"our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior."

How blessed we are to know of His unending love, symbolized by the open, outstretched arms waiting to welcome in a loving embrace!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)