Excerpt
Small, steady choices create spiritual momentum. Tonight I staged the scene—one camera locked down for a 20-second exposure while I waited for a car to drive slowly and paint light across the temple. Planned movement, steady heart.
When life feels hot and hurried, deep roots matter. President Russell M. Nelson shows us how to build momentum that lasts—covenant by covenant, day by day.
Intro
Momentum changes games—and lives. President Nelson compared it to a team that grabbed two quick baskets before halftime and never looked back. “Momentum is a powerful concept.” In discipleship, positive spiritual momentum keeps us moving when heat, headlines, or hard days try to slow us down. And while “none of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families,” we can control ourselves. His five invitations—small, steady choices—gather power:
- Get on the covenant path (and stay).
- Discover the joy of daily repentance.
- Learn about God and how He works.
- Seek and expect miracles.
- End conflict in your personal life.
Notes from President Nelson (Sep 2022)
- “With all the pleadings of my heart, I urge you to get on the covenant path and stay there.”
- “Ordinances and covenants give us access to godly power. The covenant path is the only path that leads to exaltation and eternal life.”
- “Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man.”
- Daily worship/study nourishes testimony; without it, faith can crumble “with frightening speed.”
- “God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.” Do the spiritual work and believe, “doubting nothing.”
- “I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.”
- Promise: acting on these brings increased momentum, strength to resist, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater family unity.
Perspective
- Covenant power is real. Baptism, sacrament, and temple covenants plug us into godly power.
- Repentance is progress, not punishment. “Please do not fear or delay repenting… Cut it short… Start today…”
- The climb is designed to change us. “Now, a caution: Returning to the covenant path does not mean that life will be easy. This path is rigorous and at times will feel like a steep climb. This ascent, however, is designed to test and teach us, refine our natures, and help us to become saints. It is the only path that leads to exaltation.”
- Peacemaking is discipleship. Ending conflict invites the Prince of Peace into the room.
- Miracles may take time and may not match our first request—but the Lord moves the mountain in His way, in His time.
Practice (today, not someday)
Pick one small action to spark momentum today:
- Schedule the temple (or step toward worthiness with your bishop).
- Write one concrete repentance step; do it before bed.
- Give God 10 undistracted minutes—scripture + prayer.
- Ask for one needed miracle and the faith to act.
- Make peace with one person (forgive or seek forgiveness).
Final Reflection
My staged photo worked because the camera stayed still while the light moved. Discipleship is the same: a heart fixed on covenants lets grace “paint” our lives with motion and light. Small, holy repetitions—repent, learn, believe, reconcile—create a current that carries us when our own strength fades.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Walking the covenant path, coupled with daily repentance, fuels positive spiritual momentum.” That’s my pocket sentence for the week.
What I Hear Now
Keep the camera steady—covenant steady. Let Me provide the light and the timing. Do the small things today; I’ll handle the mountains.
Link to the talk
President Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum.” (General Conference)
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