Boyd K. Packer on the influence of good thoughts

President Packer (1924- ) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1970.  He currently serves as the president of that Quorum.

"No good thought is ever lost. No turn of the mind, however brief or transitory or illusive, if it is good, is ever wasted. No thought of sympathy, nor of forgiveness, no reflection on generosity or of courage or of purity, no meditation on humility or gratitude or reverence, is ever lost. The frequency with which they are experienced is the measure of you. The more constant they become, the more you are worth, or, in scriptural terms, the more you are worthy. Every clean thought becomes you. Every clean thought becomes you."
- Boyd K. Packer, "Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts," BYU Devotional, Sept. 26, 1967; "That All May Be Edified" [Bookcraft 1982], p. 39

In 1967, Elder Packer gave a landmark address at BYU about the importance of thoughts, controlling our thoughts, and being blessed by appropriate and virtuous thoughts. This paragraph comes near the end of that address, which included the well-known analogy about the mind being a stage that only one actor can occupy. I love this testimony about the power of "good thoughts" and how they bring strength and blessings. What a powerful goal, to help us increase in worth and worthiness as we fill our minds with virtue!

Thomas S. Monson on how to live greatly

President Monson (1927- ) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley until becoming Church president in 2008.

"All of us are prone to excuse our own mediocre performance. We blame our misfortunes, our disfigurements, or our so-called handicaps. Victims of our own rationalization, we say silently to ourselves: 'I'm just too weak,' or 'I'm not cut out for better things.' Others soar beyond our meager accomplishments. Envy and discouragement then take their toll.
"Can we not appreciate that our very business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves? To break our own records, to outstrip our yesterdays by our todays, to bear our trials more beautifully than we ever dreamed we could, to give as we have never given, to do our work with more force and a finer finish than ever--this is the true idea: to get ahead of ourselves.
"To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. You ask, 'How might we achieve these goals?' I answer, 'By getting a true perspective of who we really are!' We are sons and daughters of a living God, in whose image we have been created. Think of that truth: 'Created in the image of God.' We cannot sincerely hold this conviction without experiencing a profound new sense of strength and power, even the strength to live the commandments of God, the power to resist the temptations of Satan."
- Thomas S. Monson, "Yellow Canaries with Gray on Their Wings," Ensign, July 1973
Click here to read the full talk

It's so easy to fall into the traps Pres. Monson describes—looking for a scapegoat for our shortcomings, doubting our personal abilities, comparing our performance or achievement to others around us. His reminders about personal progress are worth pondering; a better perspective is not only healthier as we encounter trials, but enables us to achieve far more than those self-limiting perspectives..

George Q. Cannon on the importance of prayer

President Cannon was born on January 11, 1827 — 188 years ago today. He was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1860. He served as counselor in the First Presidency to Brigham Young beginning in 1873, and then to the next three presidents, until his death in 1901.

"To live without prayer is to live a mere animal existence. It is to leave the best part of our natures in a starving condition; for without prayer the spirit is starved, and men dwindle in their feelings, and die in their faith. If anyone is disposed to enquire into the truth of this and satisfy himself upon this point, let him visit the families of those who observe their prayers in the season thereof. The effect upon the household is very marked. Children grow up in an atmosphere of faith. A reverence for God, for truth, and for everything holy and pure is developed within them. They are more easily controlled. Their consciences are more tender. They have a higher conception of that which is right.
"If a family where prayer is neglected be visited, the children will be of a different type and disposition. What influence is there to hold them? If the parents do not honor God, what grounds have the children for honoring their parents?
"We trust that every reader... will make it a fixed rule to attend to secret and family prayers. Better go without a meal than to neglect this duty. If your stomach is empty, you will feel faint and be reminded that you must give it food. Remember that the spirit also needs food, and make it your business to attend to supplying it in the way that God has appointed. Then your spirit and your body will be developed alike, and strength will be maintained."
- George Q. Cannon, Juvenile Instructor 27:58-59, January 15, 1892; see also Gospel Truth 2:170

Jesus often used analogies comparing physical needs to spiritual.  In the "sermon on the mount" he taught, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).  And he elaborated: "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).  President Cannon's teaching echoes that message: without prayer, the spirit is starved, and we should be at least as concerned with nurturing our spiritual strength as we are our physical strength.

Richard G. Scott on the purpose of life

Elder Scott (1928- ) served as a Seventy from 1977-1988, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you (see Abr. 3:25).  The tempering effect of patience is required (see Mosiah 3:19).  Some blessings will be delivered here in this life; others will come beyond the veil. The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience. If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you (see 1 Ne. 3:7).
"Your agency, the right to make choices, is not given so that you can get what you want.  This divine gift is provided so that you will choose what your Father in Heaven wants for you.  That way He can lead you to become all that He intends you to be (see D&C 58:26–32).  That path leads to glorious joy and happiness."
- Richard G. Scott, "Finding Joy in Life," Ensign, May 1996, p. 24; click to read the full talk

It's easy to lose sight of the purpose of life, in the midst of demands that are often urgent and options that may seen endless. When challenges come, it's sometimes natural to turn to God; but there is also a tendency to question or tire in the midst of endurance. How crucial it is for us to learn to trust, to seek the good and the growth! A true disciple learns to view "every unpleasant challenge" as a sign of God's love, not as a sign of his absence; and as an opportunity to grow closer to Him and become more like Him.

Eldred G. Smith on patriarchal blessings

Eldred G. Smith was born January 9, 1907—108 years ago today. He served as "Patriarch to the Church" from 1947 to 1979, during which time he was sustained as a prophet, seer, and revelator along with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. He was then released and designated an emeritus general authority; he was not replaced as presiding patriarch. Elder Smith passed away on April 4, 2013 at age 106.

"A patriarchal blessing is much like an anchor to a ship. It is referred to at times as an anchor for your soul, to keep you from being buffeted around.  You know what an anchor is to a ship?  When the winds rise and the waves come, they drop anchor and that keeps the ship from drifting off course.  Well, that is what we need sometimes; is an anchor we can drop in times of emergency, in times of trial, to keep us from drifting off course.  Sit down and read your patriarchal blessing, or read a blessing given to you by your father, at a time when you are disturbed, distressed, discouraged and not satisfied with your life.  To read your patriarchal blessing sometimes gives you courage and brings you back to where you started from and gets you in the right groove again.  It gets your mind set on the proper goals, keeps you from drifting off to one side and going down skid row.  It can give you a little extra courage some times when you need it the most."
- Eldred G. Smith, "Lectures on Theology: Last Message Series," Salt Lake Institute of Religion, April 30, 1971, pp. 6-7 

A man who is said to have given over 20,000 patriarchal blessings during his life is a good source for counsel on the strength and gifts those blessings can provide.

Most of us in today's world are pretty unfamiliar with the sea, and the challenges of ocean travel. We know an anchor is supposed to help keep a ship in one place; but this imagery of how critical the anchor is in the midst of a raging storm, to keep a ship from being blown far off course, is a grand one. The application to patriarchal blessings (and other Priesthood blessings) should make us hunger for that strength, particularly in times when we might personally be "disturbed, distressed, discouraged and not satisfied."

Perhaps Elder Smith had Paul's counsel to the Hebrews in mind, wherein he reminded them that there is "consolation" and "refuge" in the hope made available to us through Jesus, "which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...." (see Hebrews 6:18-20).  Certainly a patriarchal blessing provides a link between us and Him who is "a high priest forever" and the most sure anchor we could have.

Howard W. Hunter on growth and progress

President Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"Part of our difficulty as we strive to acquire spirituality is the feeling that there is much to do and that we are falling far short. Perfection is something yet ahead for every one of us; but we can capitalize on our strengths, begin where we are, and seek after the happiness that can be found in pursuing the things of God. We should remember the Lord’s counsel:
"'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
"'Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.' (D&C 64:33–34.)
"It has always been encouraging to me that the Lord said it is the 'willing and obedient [who] shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.' All of us can be willing and obedient. If the Lord had said the perfect shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days, I suppose some of us would be discouraged and give up....
"The place to begin is here. The time to start is now. The length of our stride need be but one step at a time. God, who has, 'designed our happiness,' will lead us along even as little children, and we will by that process approach perfection."
- Howard W. Hunter, "Developing Spirituality," Ensign, May 1979, pp. 24-26
Click here to read the full talk

It's easy to get discouraged when we find ourselves "falling far short."  This reminder about perspective is helpful. We don't need to be perfect—yet.  We just need to be "willing and obedient."  And we can start doing a little better at that today!

Gordon B. Hinckley on the blessings of temple worship

President Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"I would hope that we might go to the house of the Lord a little more frequently....
"Most of our temples could be much busier than they are. In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord. The element of selfishness crowds in upon us constantly. We need to overcome it, and there is no better way than to go to the house of the Lord and there serve in a vicarious relationship in behalf of those who are beyond the veil of death. What a remarkable thing this is. In most cases, we do not know those for whom we work. We expect no thanks. We have no assurance that they will accept that which we offer. But we go, and in that process we attain to a state that comes of no other effort. We literally become saviors on Mount Zion. What does this mean? Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth.
"And so, my brothers and sisters, I encourage you to take greater advantage of this blessed privilege. It will refine your natures. It will peel off the selfish shell in which most of us live. It will literally bring a sanctifying element into our lives and make us better men and better women."
- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Closing Remarks," Ensign, Nov. 2004, p. 104
Click here to read the full talk

The Payson Utah Temple

President Hinckley provides two insights into the temple attendance.  First, we go because we are providing a gift of unmatched service, becoming "saviors on Mount Zion" as we assist in the salvation of those for whom we do ordinances. We serve unselfishly, receiving no expression of appreciation, not even knowing if our gift is received. It's a great model for the best kind of pure-hearted service.

But yet, the promised blessings of temple service are a great treasure to us. President Hinckley also encourages us to attend for our own benefit.

Promises like these should make it easier for us to respond to Pres. Hinckley's invitation to "go to the house of the Lord a little more frequently."