Russell M. Nelson Stories

This page includes stories from the life of Russell M. Nelson, president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These stories are shared in his own words from public sermons and writings.

Salvation is an Individual Matter

Some years ago I met with a tribal king in Africa. When he realized that he was being taught by an Apostle of the Lord, he was deeply moved. He said that throngs of his people would be baptized if he were to give them such a mandate. I thanked him for his kindness but explained that the Lord does not work in that way.

The development of faith in the Lord is an individual matter. Repentance is also an individual matter. Only as an individual can one be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Each of us is born individually; likewise, each of us is “born again” (John 3:3, 7; Mosiah 27:25; Alma 5:49; 7:14; Moses 6:59) individually. Salvation is an individual matter. [1]