President Russell M. Nelson on living with faith in Jesus Christ

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.

"When we remove the Lord’s name from the name of His Church, we inadvertently remove Him as the central focus of our worship and our lives. When we take the Savior’s name upon us at baptism, we commit to witness, by our words, thoughts, and actions, that Jesus is the Christ.

"Previously, I promised that if we would 'do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church,' He would 'pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen.' I renew that promise today....

"As followers of Jesus Christ, living in a day when the COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world in commotion, let us not just talk of Christ or preach of Christ or employ a symbol representing Christ.

"Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!"

- Russell M. Nelson, "Opening the Heavens for Help," General Conference April 2020, Saturday evening

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

In his talk during the Saturday evening "general session" of general conference, President Nelson reminded the members of the Church about the importance of respecting and using the name of the Savior, and trying to use the full name of the Church instead of nicknames and abbreviations. He promised blessings that would follow as we do so.

And he introduced the new "logo" that would be used to represent the Church in media and publications, again focusing on the Savior as portrayed in the familiar Christus statue.

Particularly in this time of commotion and comfusion due the COVID-19 pandemic and other problems in 2020, we must turn to the Savior. But talking of Him, preaching, employing proper symbols—those are only steps leading to the things that matter most, as we strive to put our faith into action. Our actions and deeds, the testimony of our lives—those are the things that will make the most difference.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)