As prophet from 2018–2025, President Russell M. Nelson spoke again and again of the great work of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. He taught that revelation, temples, repentance, and discipleship all converge in one grand purpose: binding God’s children to Jesus Christ through sacred covenants.

In truth, President Nelson testified that gathering Israel is the most important work on earth today, because it is how we prepare individuals and families to meet the Savior with joy. The increased number of temples built, the changes in how youth serve in the temple and the church and the focus on ‘gathering’ all lead to this end.

President Nelson preached and practiced gathering throughout his tenure as prophet, dispelling ideas that the Gathering of Israel is culturally or racially defined. The unprecedented building of temples is not about appearances, wealth or exclusivity. It is about making the ordinances of salvation available to all of God’s children.

“Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.” — President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail

Common Question: Are All of God’s Children of Equal Value?

In today’s world, political and cultural voices often divide us, ranking people by race, wealth, nation, gender, or ideology. Sadly, some assume the Church does the same. They feel that it is exclusive, favoring some groups, cultures or races over others; or that it values members more than those outside the faith.

Fallacy at Work: Ranking Fallacy
The assumption that if God (or an institution) gives special attention, blessings, or responsibilities to one group or individual, others must be less valued. It treats worth as comparative rather than intrinsic.

The ranking fallacy assumes that worth is comparative—that if some are chosen, others must be less. It mistakes God’s covenantal invitations as favoritism, when in reality His work is to unite all His children in Christ.

President Nelson’s Example: President Nelson taught and exemplified that the gathering of Israel is universal. Every man, woman, and child is invited to come unto Christ and receive His healing and power. 

President Nelson traveled the globe more than any prophet before him—ministering in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific—bearing witness that God “denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female” (2 Nephi 26:33). To gather Israel is to reach every soul, in every land, with equal love and urgency.

Resolving this Fallacy: The apologetic truth is that God’s kingdom is not built on rankings but on relationships: covenant relationships that make us one in Christ. Far from excluding, the covenant path is Christ’s way of bringing everyone home. 

To say the Church elevates some and diminishes others is to misread the very heart of President Nelson’s ministry. His legacy is a call for us to honor the divine worth of all God’s children and to treat one another accordingly. In an age of division, his prophetic voice pointed us to unity, dignity, and peace in Christ.

Living Apologetics: Becoming Like Christ to Truly See Him 

President Nelson’s prophetic ministry centered on gathering Israel—not simply into congregations, but to Christ Himself. His repeated call was to choose Christ so fully that His image is written in our countenance. As John taught: “When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2; see also Moroni 7:48). 

President Nelson spent his ministry showing us how to become like Him—through covenants, revelation, temple worship, repentance, and peacemaking—so that ultimately, all may see Him face to face.

Practical Apologetic Use:

• If someone says: “The Church is just about excluding people with rules and rankings. It divides people instead of uniting them.”
• You can respond: “President Nelson’s ministry testifies the opposite: covenants and commandments are not barriers but bridges. They are how we learn to become like Christ, and how we prepare to see Him as He is. Gathering Israel is about unity in Christ, not division by man-made categories.”

Ways to Apply Today:

1️⃣ Choose to “Think Celestial.” Reframe daily decisions through the lens of who you are becoming in Christ.
2️⃣ See others as God sees them. When tempted to rank or dismiss someone, remember: they too are a child of God, invited to the same covenants.
3️⃣ Live for the presence of God. Let temple worship, repentance, and scripture study point you to the day when you will see Christ face to face.

Keep President Nelson’s Ministry With You

President Nelson’s legacy calls us to take the gathering of Israel personally: to gather our neighbors, our families, and (maybe especially) our own hearts to Christ. The best way we can honor his life and ministry is to let his teachings shape how we see others and how we prepare to meet the Savior.

This week, try one small step: 

• Pray to see one person the way God sees them—and act on the prompting that follows.
• Take one deliberate step on the covenant path: temple attendance, repentance, or seeking revelation.
• Record in a journal one way you felt God’s love for you personally this week.

“Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!”  President Russell M. Nelson, The Answer is Always Jesus Christ

How will you honor President Nelson’s ministry this week—by helping one soul draw closer to Christ, even if that soul is your own?

On a personal note, I wish to express my gratitude for the life, example and teachings of Russell M. Nelson. His love, enthusiasm and optimism have blessed my life and helped me come closer to my Savior. I’m grateful for him. I testify that he was a prophet of our God. I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to look more closely at his teachings thru this series. – DeLayna Beck

The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.

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