The Revival Within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At a time when almost every Christian denomination is shrinking and praying for a revival or great awakening, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is experiencing one. When President Nelson, age 94, took over as the prophet of the church many people expected the “status quo” to be maintained. If that was your expectation, President Nelson has and will continue to surprise you. Here are a few ways the Lord, through President Nelson, is challenging the status quo, shaking things up, and causing a revival within the church.

Policy Changes.

If you did not know Policy within the church could change, then the past 13  months with President Russell M. Nelson would’ve been shocking and revelatory to you. He started with a bang in the April Session of General Conference restructuring the Melchizedek Priesthood by discontinuing High Priest Groups and consolidating them into the Elders Quorums. He also ended probably the single most struggled with gospel program, Home Teaching; but he did not just discontinue it, he asked us to do even more with a call to the celestial version of Ministering.

During the interim between conferences, it was announced we would be getting new hymn books, the church also announced it was leaving the Boy Scouts of America by the end of 2019 and that the Church will be reworking the youth programs of the Church.

Then in August, President Nelson reemphasized the proper name of the Church.  Even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was renamed  Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (#TabCats). And in October President Nelson explained that we are moving to a more family center church with only a two-hour block. And in late October the church announced that it was scaling back or canceling many pageants including ending the Hill Cumorah pageant. Also announced at the end of October, was that in some areas the calling of Ward/Branch Mission Leader was being discontinued and that the Elders Quorum Presidency would be taking over those duties. In December they announced Sister Missionaries would be allowed to wear pantsuits, and in February they changed policies for missionaries communication, allowing them to call home weekly instead of twice a year.

New Temples.

Since President Nelson was sustained as the Prophet 13 months ago he has announced 19 new temples; bringing the total of announced, operating, and under construction to over 200. The most in any single 13-month span since 20 years ago when President Hinckley announced 33 temples in the quest to have 100 temples by the end of the year 2000. President Nelson did not just announce new temples, the new temples are all across the globe! He announced temples in the following locations:

Central and South America (5)
Mendoza, Argentina
Salta, Argentina 
Salvador, Brazil
Puebla, Mexico
Managua, Nicaragua

Utah (2)
Layton, Utah
Washington County, Utah

USA Outside of Utah (3)
Richmond, Virginia
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Yuba City, California

Asia (5)
Bengaluru, India
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Davao, Philippines
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
A major city yet to be determined in Russia

Pacific (2)
Auckland, New Zealand
Yigo, Guam

Africa (2)
Lagos, Nigeria
Praia, Cape Verde

It is exciting to see the Asia region getting FIVE new temples. But I think the other impressive thing is that they are also renovating the Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-era temples!

World Tours

Arguably one of the most exciting aspects of President Nelson’s ministry is the global nature of it. It has been decades since we have had a prophet as far traveled as President Nelson, but no prior Prophet has visited so many countries as quickly as President Nelson has. In a mere 13 months, he has engaged in four different tours across 5 continents, 15 countries,  and visiting a total of 25 different cities!   including:

Europe (1)
London, England

Africa (2)
Nairobi, Kenya
Harare, Zimbabwe

Asia (4)
Bengaluru, India
Bangkok, Thailand
Hong Kong, China
Jerusalem, Israel

South America (5)
Lima, Peru
La Paz, Bolivia
Asunción, Paraguay
Montevideo, Uruguay
Concepción, Chile

Caribbean (1)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The United States (3)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Seattle Washington
Honolulu, Hawaii
San Antonio, Texas
Phoenix, Arizona

Canada (7)
Vancouver British Colombia
Edmonton, Calgary, and Raymond Alberta.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Montreal, Quebec
Hamilton, Ontario

A Sense of Revival.

In addition to the policy changes, new temples, and the tours; you have his talks, challenges to fast from social media, read the Book of Mormon, and his clarion call to walk the covenant pathway. All of this has caused a sense of revival within the church. I recently did a poll on my Facebook page that had almost 600 hundred responses; 85% of people said they feel more excited to live the gospel and had felt a sense of revival compared to only 15% who said they felt the same or less excited. I talk with people at school, work, and church and everyone says they feel more excitement and urgency in gathering Israel, walking the covenant pathway, and preparing for the second coming. They say it is because the raw energy and enthusiasm that President Nelson emanates. They feel a sense of revival.

And if you think that is the policy changes, new temples, and world tours are exciting, then you better buckle up! As more changes are on the way as the Lord prepares His Church for His return. President Nelson even teased about this in a recent tweet, and yes, our 94-year-old Prophet tweets!

We are witnesses to the process of restoration. If you think the Church is fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There’s much more to come. Wait until next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamins, get your rest. It’s going to be exciting!

— Russell M. Nelson (@NelsonRussellM) November 1, 2018