Church President Asks Members, All Christians To ‘Hear Him’

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a worldwide invitation on his social media pages, asking all Christians to “Hear Him” in preparation of the Easter season.

The video message was posted on Ash Wednesday, a day celebrated by Christians as the beginning of the Lenten season and a time of self-reflection, prayer, fasting and good works.

Church leadership have announced plans to mark the 200^th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision in the Spring of 1820.

In his video post, President Nelson reminded Latter-day Saints of the important Church anniversary and sent a message to all Christians about this holy season.

“In the scriptures, there are very few sacred instances in which the voice of God the Father has been heard,” he said. “Repeatedly, He has personally introduced his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, with a specific charge to ‘Hear Him!”

The message was a reference to Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision, which said God and Jesus Christ appeared to him in what has become known as the Sacred Grove in upstate New York.

According to Church scriptures, Smith said God spoke to him and introduced Christ, saying “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him.”

It was those two words, “Hear Him,” that President Nelson focused on.

“I invite you to think deeply and often about this key question: How to you ‘Hear Him?’” President Nelson said.

“This began with a young boy who wanted to seek personal forgiveness and personal connection with God,” said Jennifer L. Lund with the Church history department.

President Nelson said this should be a time of spiritual preparation for all Christians looking ahead to Easter.

General Conference weekend is April 4-5, when a special evening session has been planned commemorating the First Vision. Easter Sunday is April 12.