Boyd K. Packer on discouragement and February

President Packer (1924- ) served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve (a position that no longer exists) from 1961 to 1970, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He currently serves as the president of that Quorum.

"Did you know that it is normal and healthy to be depressed occasionally? As General Authorities, we face a long line of people who call upon us because they are unhappy—they are depressed. They are worried about this and that and really not certain what they are worried about. They are a little like the man who insisted: 'You can't tell me that worry doesn't help. The things I worry about never happen!'
   "When we search the revealed word for some evidence of the nature of man, we find statements such as this:
   "'For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, ... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.' (2 Nephi 2:11.)
   "If you happen to hit a good sorry mood once in a while, relax and enjoy it—it is a good sign that you are normal. It is all right to worry about things now and again, I suppose, but when you get worried about being worried, that is when you are getting off the track....
   "Watch out for February! We learned in supervising teaching that after the interesting beginnings of school—you have the football season, the holidays, the beginning of the basketball season—then, after the first of the year, come the cold, dreary days of winter. We noted that at that time the teacher would fail and the students would have problems. Depressions are then accentuated. It has been interesting to notice this and to point it out when people come in during those dreary days of winter, depressed and unsettled. Then they find out that there was not anything wrong—it was just February. It is worthwhile to know that."
  - Boyd K. Packer, address at BYU, October 4, 1966; see Let Not Your Heart be Troubled, pp. 247-8

Since we're now a week into the month of February, this quote might be helpful for some of us! February, according to President Packer, is a time when it's somewhat normal to feel some discouragement and depression, as we deal with what is (normally) the "cold, dreary days of winter."

President Packer acknowledges in his article that there are serious cases of depression that require professional assistance. But his point is that all of us will deal with challenges from time to time; and with the proper perspective, with encouragement and with Divine help, we can survive the "opposition in all things" and move on with the "righteousness" and "holiness" that life has to offer.

LeGrand Richards on the blessings of the Holy Ghost

Elder LeGrand Richards (1886-1983) served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church from 1938-1952, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He died in 1983 at age 96.  Many today remember him fondly for his spirited, usually extemporaneous talks in conference about missionary work or the plan of salvation.  This excerpt is from the first talk he offered after being called as an apostle:

"I thank God for the opportunities that I have enjoyed of working among you, and in his Church, the missions that I have been able to fill, and the other sundry odd jobs, because I truly love the work more than anything else in this world, and I know it is true. I could live better without the limbs of my body than I could without the testimony of the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of the Lord....
"I tell you in all sincerity that the Holy Ghost, the Comforter that the Savior promised to send to guide us in all truth and bring things to our remembrance, is just as much a reality to me and just as necessary for our well-being as the sun that shines in the heavens is to the seed that is sown in the ground, and the plants as they germinate and come forth. I know the power of the Holy Ghost is in this Church....
"Like Nephi of old said,
"'He [the Lord] hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh' (see 2 Ne. 4:21).
"I feel sorry for Latter-day Saints if they have never felt that power, and that blessing, unto almost the consumption of their flesh."
- LeGrand Richards, General Conference, April 1952; click here to read the full talk

After 14 years of service as a Church leader, at the age of 66 when most men are retiring, Elder Richards was beginning his service as an apostle that would last for the next 31 years. This was a stirring introduction to the man that would become much-loved for his deep commitment and boundless enthusiasm. Those of us who remember him can hear his voice saying these words:

Ironically, Elder Richards did have part of his right leg amputated the year before he died due to the effects of diabetes. When he returned to his office after recovery and was asked by a secretary how he was doing, he reportedly quipped, "To be honest with you sister, I'm on my last leg."

But what a sweet testimony of the importance of the Holy Ghost's influence in our lives — as necessary as sunshine to the growth of plans. Elder Richards clearly knew that spirit, knew how it felt and how it blessed his life, and knew the power and peace it brought to his life.

Gordon B. Hinckley on temple attendance

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 hope that everyone gets to the temple on a regular basis. I hope your children over 12 years of age have the opportunity of going to the temple to be baptized for the dead. If we are a temple-going people, we will be a better people, we will be better fathers and husbands, we will be better wives and mothers. I know your lives are busy. I know that you have much to do. But I make you a promise that if you will go to the house of the Lord, you will be blessed, life will be better for you. Now, please, please, my beloved brethren and sisters, avail yourselves of the great opportunity to go to the Lord's house and thereby partake of all of the marvelous blessings that are yours to be received there."
- Gordon B. Hinckley, Lima Peru fireside, Nov. 9, 1996; see TGBH 624

President Hinckley loved the temple and had a great vision of its importance. One of the great efforts of his ministry and leadership was to build temples all around the world, bringing them close to the people. This quote reflects the parallel desire to bring the people to the temple. The service that is rendered is so eternally important; but the blessings that come are also a focus of the message, as we are promised that our abilities to function in our God-given roles will be enhanced.

I love the quiet assurance in President Hinckley's message, and have felt it confirmed in my own life:

Howard W. Hunter on choices of personal 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.

"This is the church of Jesus Christ, not the church of marrieds or singles or any other group or individual. The gospel we preach is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which encompasses all the saving ordinances and covenants necessary to save and exalt every individual who is willing to accept Christ and keep the commandments that he and our Father in Heaven have given....
"How foolish we would be to fail to enjoy the rich gifts of God to us! We could well miss opportunities for providing needed blessings to others because we felt personally deprived of some hoped-for blessing and were blinded by our own self-pity.
"Not only should we be careful not to deprive others of blessings because of our wanderings in the wastelands of self-pity or self-recrimination, but we should be careful not to deprive ourselves of other blessings that could be ours.
"While waiting for promised blessings, one should not mark time, for to fail to move forward is to some degree a retrogression. Be anxiously engaged in good causes, including your own development. The personal pursuit of hobbies or crafts, the seeking of knowledge and wisdom, particularly of the things of God, and the development and honing of skills are all things that could productively occupy one's time."
- Howard W. Hunter, "The Church is For All People," Ensign, June 1989, pp. 75-77; click here to read the full talk

Sometimes groups of people have needs and challenges that can be addressed or relieved with others in similar situations. But this is a good reminder; we should always remember that the Gospel and the Atonement have power to bless every individual life, regardless of "classifications" we impose on others or ourselves. Too much "grouping" can be disabling.

President Hunter's warning about "self-pity" and how it can lead us to deprive others and ourselves of blessings is an important message. I've felt this challenge; at times in my life when I've been disappointed at a delay or a deprivation, I have felt the temptation to "mark time" instead of moving forward and being "anxiously engaged" in helping others and stretching myself. All of us, regardless of position or circumstance, should be seeking to grow, learn, develop, and improve.

Thomas S. Monson on the blessings and challenges of technology

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.

"You have come to this earth at a glorious time. The opportunities before you are nearly limitless. Almost all of you live in comfortable homes, with loving families, adequate food, and sufficient clothing. In addition, most of you have access to amazing technological advances. You communicate through cell phones, text messaging, instant messaging, e-mailing, blogging, Facebook, and other such means. You listen to music on your iPods and MP3 players. This list, of course, represents but a few of the technologies which are available to you.
"All of this is a little daunting to someone such as I, who grew up when radios were generally large floor models and when there were no televisions to speak of, let alone computers or cell phones....
"Although this is a remarkable period when opportunities abound, you also face challenges which are unique to this time. For instance, the very technological tools I have mentioned provide opportunities for the adversary to tempt you and to ensnare you in his web of deceit, thereby hoping to take possession of your destiny.
"As I contemplate all that you face in the world today, one word comes to my mind. It describes an attribute needed by all of us but one which you--at this time of your life and in this world--will need particularly. That attribute is courage."
- Thomas S. Monson, "May You Have Courage," address to Young Women; see Ensign, May 2009, pp. 123-127; click here to read the full address

President Monson addressed these remarks to a general Young Women meeting, but the concepts apply to men and women, young and older. We live in a blessed time with almost unimaginable developments and opportunities. But the blessings bring challenges that are also unique to our time. How important for us to "press forward" with steadfastness and commitment, knowing what is right, with whole-hearted commitment to choose well! It certainly does take courage to live righteously and faithfully.

Spencer W. Kimball on meeting the challenges of life

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"Some people feel that decisions are really out of our hands, that we merely respond to circumstances without choice, like a rudderless ship that drifts at the mercy of the wind and waves. And I agree that there can come a time when we no longer have control over our destinies, but I believe that this is only after the cumulation of our own past decisions has left us helpless.
"In the beginning, each of us is a bundle of potential that can be developed and shaped by what we choose to do. In youth there is still great malleability. We can choose what we will become. As the years go by, we find our past choices have narrowed the alternatives still open to us and we have less and less control over our future.
"No one should deny the importance of circumstances, yet in the final analysis the most important thing is how we react to the circumstances. It is a tenet of my faith that every normal person has the capacity, with God's help, to meet the challenge of whatever circumstances may confront him. One of the most comforting scriptures carries the message that God will not leave us helpless--ever. (1 Cor 10:13.)"
- Spencer W. Kimball, "Decisions: Why It's Important to Make Some Now," New Era, Apr. 1971, 2; click here to read the full article

In his later years, President Kimball's voice was thin and raspy due to the ravages of throat cancer. But he spoke clear and often beautifully-written messages, speaking out strongly and definitively in support of truth. In this case, he refutes the "worldly" idea that man loses control of his own destiny (with rare exception), reminding us that we are responsible for our own fate. Circumstances beyond our control will befall us all; they did to President Kimball. But the critical thing is how we respond to those circumstances. What a great reminder that we each have the potential to choose our direction, our outcome, even our happiness in the journey.

Neal A. Maxwell on real discipleship

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

"Some give of their time yet withhold themselves, being present without giving of their presence and going through the superficial motions of membership instead of the deep emotions of consecrated discipleship.
"Some try to get by with knowing only the headlines of the gospel, not really talking much of Christ or rejoicing in Christ and esteeming lightly His books of scripture which contain and explain His covenants (see 2 Ne. 25:26).
"Some are so proud they never learn of obedience and spiritual submissiveness. They will have very arthritic knees on the day when every knee shall bend. There will be no gallery then to play to; all will be participants!
"Maintaining Church membership on our own terms, therefore, is not true discipleship.
"Real disciples absorb the fiery darts of the adversary by holding aloft the quenching shield of faith with one hand, while holding to the iron rod with the other (see Eph. 6:16; 1 Ne. 15:24; D&C 27:17). There should be no mistaking; it will take both hands!"
- Neal A. Maxwell, "Overcome... Even as I also Overcame," Ensign, May 1987, pp. 70-71
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/05/overcome-even-as-i-also-overcame?lang=eng

Elder Maxwell was beloved for his masterful expression of Gospel principles. But it wasn't just flowery talk; his perceptive messages often cut to the heart and challenged me to rise up. This is a good example. What does it mean to be a true disciple? There is a whole-heartedness involved that sometimes gets neglected. The phrase "deep emotions of consecrated discipleship" alone is profound. Too often we "go through the motions"—or even neglect the motions, as this challenging quote reminds us:

So "true discipleship" must be on the Lord's terms, and it must be whole-hearted. Elder Maxwell acknowledges that it's not easy, but gives one more great analogy to help us understand the level of commitment:

I love reading the teachings of this beloved apostle and disciple of the Savior. They always urge me onward and upward!