Okay, I’m going to admit something that I am very ashamed to admit and hope I don’t get struck by lightening for saying it …. I have not always like President Nelson as a prophet as much as I have liked other prophets. Let me explain.
I always end up feeling inadequate, unworthy, never good enough when I listen to President Nelson speak. With President Monson and President Hinckley, I could always and easily feel their love and kindness for all. With President Nelson, I feel his urgency and no nonsense, down to business focus of the gospel. It’s probably because I do have things in my life to fix that I feel this way, but, nonetheless, this is how I feel when he is speaking. And this feeling in turn makes me enjoy him less.
That said (and not struck by lightening yet), I believe in God’s calling of prophets. I don’t doubt for a second that President Nelson is supposed to be the prophet of this time and age. And because I believe in God and His plan, I wanted to better understand who President Nelson is and how and why he operates (no pun intended, ha ha) the way he does. So I decided to read the book, “Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson” by Sheri Dew. I have not regretted a second of it!
President Nelson is easily becoming one of my most favorite prophets. From the examples and stories of his life, I am learning about focus, about confidence, about determination and humility, about choice and agency and perspective, about genuinely fostering a relationship with my Heavenly Father, but mostly I am learning about love.
His love and marriage relationship with his wife, Dantzel, was truly inspiring. It is exactly what I envision marriage should be. Dantzel is an angel who loved and supported her hard working husband in all ways possible. She sat with him while he bitterly wept over losing patients. She held it down at home so that he could focus on work and his church callings without feeling stressed that home life was falling apart without him. She was lovingly direct and firm with him when he needed her correction and direction, encouraging him to get back to work. She was patient and selfless.
When President Nelson informed Dantzel of his call as an Apostle, she simply said, “I know of no more of a worthy man.” He said that this response meant the world to him. She knew his imperfections and his flaws better than anybody. Her faith in him calmed his heart as she had done many times before.
Their love for one another and their ability to create a functional unity is so beautiful and inspiring to me! I want that. That is what I am willing to work my tail off for.
Forever grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who continues to provide me with ways to stay focused on His kingdom. I feel so blessed.
