175. Eric Johnson on President Russell M. Nelson

In this episode, we welcome back Eric Johnson of Mormonism Research Ministry to discuss the legacy of President Russell M. Nelson. In this episode, we try to take the listener through some of the highlights of the theology and administration of Nelson, the 17th President of the LDS Church, as well as critique them from the perspective of evangelical Christians. From Nelson’s emphasis on the “correct name of the Church”, his administrative flexibility, his emphasis on Temples and temple work, his view of faith as a power, his encouragement of women to be like “Mother Eve”, the Restoration Proclamation – to his ruling theme of obedience to “the covenant path” being the key to one’s exaltation in the eternities, as heavenly parents have gone before – Eric takes us through what stands out most to him from the presidency of Russell Nelson. In a time when the LDS membership is so hungry for charismatic leadership – is there a popular confusion of pragmatic administrative change with the spiritual substance of revelations?Mormonism Research MinistryOther resources by Eric Johnson:- Introducing Christianity to Mormons- Sharing the Good News with Mormons - “President Nelson speaks on ‘The Everlasting Covenant’: A Review”- Hear our previous interview with Eric Johnson here- Also check out the response to Nelson’s “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys” hereSome talks of President Russell M. Nelson:“The Correct Name of the Church”“Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys”“Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel”“The Second Great Commandment”“Think Celestial!”“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives”“The Love and Laws of God”- (Revised) Temple Recommend Interview Questions- Restoration Proclamation“Call to the Holy Apostleship”“Reverence for Life”“Reflection and Resolution”“The Canker of Contention”“Thus Shall My Church Be Called”“The Atonement”“Blessed Are the Peacemakers”“Sweet Power of Prayer”“Lessons from the Lord’s Prayer”“Celestial Marriage”“Ask, Seek, Knock”“Divine Love”“Thanks be to God”“Becoming True Millennials”Also check out this very helpful archive: here- Nelson’s first GC talk- “President Nelson’s First Message to Members as Our Prophet” by Danielle B. Wagner- Interview, including line: “If you think the Church is fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning...”Other resources:D&C 14; 107; 132“Timeline of President Russell M. Nelson’s life and minsitry” by Sydney Walker“A by-the-numbers look at the 200 temples announced by President Nelson” by Scott Taylor“Mormon LGBT ban was ‘revealed’ to the prophet as God’s will, says Elder Nelson”; “Mormon leaders reverse LGBT policy, raising the question: What is revelation?” ;“The top 10 changes President Nelson has made in the LDS Church” by Jana ReissPresident George Albert SmithThe Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball (also here)“Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good’” by Elder Gordon B. Hinckley; also his book What of the Mormons?On the scandal of exaggerating (to even lying) about stories, see RFM: here, and hereFinancial Scandal: here, here, and here“The Correct [Domain] Name of the Church: Technology, Naming, and Legitimacy in the Latter-Day Saint Tradition” by Spencer P. GreenhalghThe Mysteries of Godliness by David BuergerThe Harvest of Sorrow by Robert ConquestThe Apostolic Preaching of the Cross by Leon Morris (also here)