This is based on the talk by President Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum”.
This was a very powerful talk for me. President Nelson begins by saying “None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even the members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others – whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us.
It can be painfully difficult to let go of anger that feels so justified. It can seem impossible to forgive those whose destructive actions have hurt the innocent. And yet, the Savior admonished us to forgive all men.
We are followers of the Prince of Peace. Now, more than ever, we need the peace only He can bring. How can we expect peace to exist in the world when we are not individually seeking peace and harmony? Brothers and sisters, I know what I am suggesting is not easy. But followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.”
Not only does President Nelson ask us to do things that while simple are very often challenging but he does so in a way that is so filled with understanding and compassion that I always want to do what he has asked, no matter how hard it is. However President Nelson always gives us a way to accomplish what he has pleaded with us to do. This time is no different.
President Nelson gave us the principle of spiritual momentum and how to create it and use it in our lives. Momentum is something that as a writer I am very familiar with. When I sit to write as I am now, and the more in tune with what I am writing about, the more what I write flows from my mind to the keyboard. However, it is a near-universal principle that the more that you do, the greater the effort you can put into it.
The principle of momentum can be broadly applied in our lives in both positive and negative ways. What President Nelson teaches us about spiritual momentum is that “Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty created by pandemics, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and armed hostilities. Spiritual momentum can help us withstand the relentless, wicked attacks of the adversary and thwart his efforts to erode our personal spiritual foundation.”
President Nelson then gave us five specific actions that would help ignite and maintain positive spiritual momentum. The beauty is that each action not only supports the others but feeds into the others so they become a positive spiritual cycle that will continue as long as we continue to maintain it by the choices that we make on a daily basis. The five actions are:
1. Get on the covenant path and stay there.
2. Discover the joy of daily repentance
3. Learn about God and how He works
4. Seek and expect miracles
5. End personal conflict in your life
First; get on the covenant path and stay there. The covenant path starts with baptism and continues with the covenants we make in the temple. President Nelson stated “Ordinances and covenants give us access to godly power. The covenant path is the only path that leads to exaltation and eternal life.” Do you know the covenants that you have made? Do you understand them and what they mean to you? Do you understand how to live them on a daily basis so that you can access the power of God daily to help with all the struggles large and small, and be able to hear and follow the promptings you receive? Getting on and staying on the covenant path means understanding and living our covenants. In her talk on Sunday in sacrament meeting Sister Delgado said that knowledge is revelation, that the more we know the better we can serve. This struck me as it is so true. The more we know about our covenants the better we are at serving the Lord. The more we come to know others the better we are at serving them.
Second; discover the joy of daily repentance. Repentance means change. “Repentance is required of every accountable person who desires eternal glory. There are no exceptions. Repenting is the key to progress.”
Repentance is about changing direction. It is about choosing to make a different choice. It is about drawing closer to the Savior. We are not expected to be perfect at this moment. Repentance is the gift given from the Savior through the atonement that we can do better, that we can be better, that we can change.
President Nelson cautions us “Returning to the covenant path does not mean life will be easy. The path is rigorous and at times will feel like a steep climb. This ascent, however, is designed to test and teach us, refine our natures, and help us to become saints.” Repentance can be challenging but in my experience it is always a good experience because I become a better person. Do not let the rigorous path or the steep ascent intimidate you. You are a child of God. You have within you all the abilities and strength to handle both the path and the climb ahead of you.
Third; learn about God and how He works. Knowing the difference between how God and Satan work and who they are is important because it clarifies who is trying to influence us and the direction we choose to take in our lives. One of the ways we can discern the difference is to remember that Satan delights in our misery. The Lord delights in the faith filled and peace inspiring experiences we have. Moses gives us additional direction on how to discern the difference in Moses 1.
President Nelson states “Cast Satan’s influence out of your life! Please do not follow him down to his gulf of misery and endless wo.
With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily by the good word of God can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satan’s scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshiping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.”
This hit me and I had to ask myself, am I giving God time in my life on a daily basis? Do I worship Him daily? One thing I am trying to do is consecrate my day to Him and then report back in my nightly prayers about the day. I am not perfect but it is an effort and the Lord always appreciates my effort.
Fourth; seek and expect miracles. Moroni assures us that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. The scriptures are full of miracles as are our lives. The miracles often take time and are not in the manner that they were requested. President Nelson states “In the same way, the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, doubting nothing. Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith.” Prepare to receive and recognize miracles. Even the Savior in the scriptures fasted and prayed before performing miracles.
And finally, end conflict in your personal life. So President Nelson ends where he began. This is by design I think. His call, his plea to end conflict in our lives comes at a time when conflict surrounds us. I believe he pleads for us to do this so we can feel the peace of the Savior and be able to endure the whirlwinds that surround us but not be blown over. We each need the peace of the Savior in our lives. President Nelson asks us to “exercise the humility, courage, and strength required both to forgive and to seek forgiveness. If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum. I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families.”
It is not easy to end personal conflict in our lives. It is a choice to dwell in turbulence and chaos. All we can do is individually strive to end the conflict in our lives, in our relationships. We cannot end it for or in others lives. Each of us has our own agency. We each must make that choice. It is why President Nelson calls to each of us as an individual, even as he speaks to the church as a whole.
If we prayerfully take the invitation that president Nelson has given. I know it will bring greater peace to our souls and greater harmony to our relationships.
