An early Church leader, John A. Widtsoe said, “The most important prophet in any age is the living prophet. … To follow the living prophet, the interpreter of the past, is the essence of wisdom. The very strength of the Church lies in the doctrine of continuous revelation through a living prophet”. For us today, right now, that man is President Russell M. Nelson. Since he became the President of the Church and the main prophet, seer, and revelator from January 2018 to now, he has shared many important quotes and inspiration. In this article I am going to highlight a few of his quotes that, in my opinion, have particular application for single members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Hopefully these quotes will be useful to share again here.
President Nelson Quotes:
Good inspiration is based upon good information:
When I recently faced the daunting task of choosing two counselors, I wondered how I could possibly choose just two from twelve men whom I love and respect.
Because I know that good inspiration is based upon good information, I prayerfully met one-on-one with each Apostle. I then sequestered myself in a private room in the temple and sought the Lord’s will. I testify that the Lord instructed me to select President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring to serve as my counselors in the First Presidency.
--Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, April General Conference, 2018
Application for singles: please spend time reading materials, listening to materials, and/or watching videos to teach yourself quality information about what makes for happy, healthy relationships. This includes seeking materials on how to meet quality partners and how to be proactive in the search for an eternal partner.
Repentance is essential:
Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us. Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path, or can’t even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day.
--We Can Do Better and Be Better, April 2019 General Conference
Application for singles: Repentance is important for all of us. For singles in particular, it is common and understandable that there will periodically be challenges keeping the law of chastity, among other challenges. Therefore, please approach repentance as a positive thing and a liberation from the unhappiness resulting from violations of this law. Repentance provides freedom for the consequences of sin. Please look to repentance as the truly the only way to move on from sin and instead again have peace.
Loving our neighbors:
Latter-day Saints, as with other followers of Jesus Christ, are always looking for ways to help, to lift, and to love others. They who are willing to be called the Lord’s people “are willing to bear one another’s burdens, … to mourn with those that mourn; … and [to] comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” They truly seek to live the first and second great commandments. When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle. It would be impossible to calculate the amount of service that Latter-day Saints render around the globe every day of every year, but it is possible to calculate the good the Church as an organization does to bless men and women—boys and girls—who are in need of a helping hand.
--The Second Great Commandment, October, 2019 General Conference
Application for singles: a great way to lessen loneliness and focusing on our personal challenges and problems is to give love and service to others. Acting loving towards others not only uplifts them, but it also helps the giver to have a reprieve from whatever personal struggles and ailments they may be struggling with. To give, love, and support others brings the Spirit and elevates both the giver and the receiver. This makes for a win-win situation.
Think Celestial:
Here is the great news of God’s plan: the very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be! Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded. We learn from the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob that “to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.”
When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view—an eternal view. Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.
When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! As you recover from an accident or injury, as I am doing now, think celestial!
--Think Celestial! October 2023 General Conference
Application for singles: Whenever you are facing a challenge, dilemma, or opposition personally or relationally, looking at the bigger picture is the answer. More specifically, “thinking Celestial” relates to healthy and ideal perspective taking, as well as decision making one way or the other. When you think Celestial, your decision will work towards what works best for yourself spiritually and eternally. Please apply this rule of thumb to every notable everyday decision where spiritual guidance is relevant and important. Life will go much better for you (and all of us) when that is the approach.
Final Thoughts:
Again, the most important prophet is the living one. The guidance and inspiration they offer is the freshest and most relevant for us right now. Singles can especially benefit from the words of President Russell M. Nelson. Please review these and other words he has for all of us since 2018. Of course, his words as a general authority before that point are relevant as well. But his words since taking on the mantle of the main President of the church the last few years have relevance for us all. Please review and apply accordingly. And remember that “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Dr. G
P.S. If you have any questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com
| 2023-12-03 | Randy Gilchrist | Spirituality |
About the author
Hello, my name is Dr. Randy Gilchrist (aka "Dr. G"). I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed marriage & family therapist, and a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Roseville, CA (www.dr-rg.com), practicing since 1997. Also, I am happily married in the temple (Manti) since 1996 and have 4 sons. I am a volunteer writer and contributor to LDS Dimension. I use my training, education, and experience to share insights with LDS Dimension on all things of interest to the LDS dating community. Please read my articles and columns on this site to assist you in your online dating journey. Also, to be considered for an answer in a future Q and A column, please email me your dating/relationship oriented questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com. Finally, I also offer a powerful, effective worldwide custom hypnosis recording service just for LDS Dimension members for weight loss, pornography, and many other issues of concern to those in the LDS dating community (please learn more now at www.dr-rg.com/lds; email me questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com).