President Nelson’s New Invitation: Increase Your Confidence in the Lord

Editor’s Note: This article is based on President Russell M. Nelson’s inspiring message at the conclusion of the April 2025 general conference. At 100 years old, President Nelson continues to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with clear vision, deep faith, and immense love for every child of God.

President Russell M. Nelson recently met a new great-granddaughter. As he held her in his arms, he thought about the challenges this little girl will face throughout her life: illness, disappointment, loss—challenges we all know all too well.

Take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord.

What does it mean to have “confidence before God”?

It’s not just about feeling good about yourself. President Nelson explained that this confidence is not that of the world. It’s a spiritual assurance, a power born of the Spirit that comes to us when we make and keep covenants with God.

Having confidence before God means daring to pray with an open heart, with the certainty that He hears us, loves us infinitely, and desires to help us reach our full potential. It means knowing that we can turn to Him right now , with everything we are and everything we feel.

The secret: Charity and virtue

The formula the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith for obtaining that confidence is in Doctrine and Covenants 121:45:

Let thy bowels … be full of charity towards all men, … and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.

Charity and virtue. Two words that change lives.

Charity: the seal of peacemakers

Two years ago, President Nelson called us to be peacemakers. Today he repeats that message with the same urgency: the world needs more charity, not less.

Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.

President Nelson lamented the growing hostility on social media and in public conversations, and encouraged us to rise above it. True charity , he explained, “causes us to stop judging, hurting, and belittling… and fills us with the pure love of Christ.”

He asked that we plead with Heavenly Father for a heart more filled with charity, even (and especially) toward those we find difficult to love.

Virtue: thoughts that liberate

The other ingredient of this divine trust is virtue. President Nelson invited us to enrich all our thoughts with virtue: kindness, purity, goodness. The result?

Virtue makes everything better and happier!

As the world grows darker, the Lord calls us to be purer. Not perfect, but committed to filling our lives with what builds, what heals, and what brings us closer.

More time in the temple, more trust in the Lord

President Nelson also reminded us that the temple is a place where our charity and virtue are strengthened. Spending more time in the house of the Lord prepares us for something much greater: the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready…

In announcing the construction of 15 new temples, he testified that the Savior leads His Church. And he left a promise: if we fill our lives with charity and virtue, our confidence before God will grow right now. And with it, joy, faith, and a spiritual power beyond our greatest hopes.

One step at a time

Maybe we don’t know how to begin. But we do know where to turn. This call from President Nelson isn’t an impossible request. It’s a loving invitation, like that of a great-grandfather looking to the future with hope.

Today is the perfect time to approach the Lord with confidence.

Below is President Nelson’s full message.