Joseph B. Wirthlin on Heavenly Father's love for us

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.

"We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming.

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities.

"The means of this refinement is our Christlike love. There is no pain it cannot soften, no bitterness it cannot remove, no hatred it cannot alter."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007, pp. 28-31
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This talk by Elder Wirthlin is full of "gems" of insight. He begins by reassuring us of God's love and confidence in each of us, even with our flaws, and even with our self-doubt:

But not only that; God's opinion of us sees beyond the short-term view of the present, into the eternity of our potential. While we focus on what we are, He knows what we can become:

And finally this witness of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to transform us from earthly beings into eternal beings:

Marvin J. Ashton on acting "straightway" to bless others

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (May 6, 1915—Feb 25, 1994) served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1971 until his death in 1994 at age 78.

"Wishing things were different in our lives, or waiting for a roadblock to be removed or an attitude altered, can cause us to mark time rather than to move forward straightway. William Shakespeare wrote, 'Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt.' (Measure for Measure, act 1, sc. 4, lines 77-79.)

"Use your specific talents. Don't procrastinate action while wishing for missing abilities. To those who are inclined to respond with 'Not now' or 'Not yet' to the invitation to 'come, follow me,' may we suggest, with all the love and sincerity we possess, He wants you. He will welcome you straightway regardless of where you have been, where you are now, who you are, or what talents you possess or lack....

"Those whose goal it is to follow the Savior straightway not only look for answers to their own problems, but also help others find solutions to life's difficulties. They open their hearts and minds to those who are troubled, ignored, or weary."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "Straightway," Ensign, May 1983, pp. 30-32
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In this memorable talk, Elder Ashton referred to the New Testament description of Jesus calling Simon Peter and Andrew to service, and how they "straightway" left their fishing nets to follow (see Matt. 4:18–22). He encourages us to not delay in our choices and righteous works. In this excerpt, he warns of one of the things that can bring hesitancy—our self-doubt and lack of confidence as we worry about missing qualifications or abilities.

Elder Ashton's reminder is that as we do the best we can with what we have, "help[ing] others find solutions to life's difficulties," we will do much good and bless others as well as ourselves.

James E. Faust on personal revelation and discernment

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"Satan has had great success with this gullible generation. As a consequence, he and his angels have victimized literally hosts of people. There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow the counsel of the living prophets.

"This personal revelation will surely come to all whose eyes are single to the glory of God, for it is promised that their bodies will be 'filled with light, and there shall be no darkness' in them (D&C 88:67). All who come unto Christ by obedience to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel can thwart Satan's efforts. The humble followers of the divine Master need not be deceived by the devil if they will be honest and true to their fellow men and women, go to the house of the Lord, receive the sacrament worthily, observe the Sabbath day, pay their tithes and offerings, offer contrite prayers, engage in the Lord's work, and follow those who preside over them."

- James E. Faust, "The Forces That Will Save Us," Ensign, Jan 2007, pp. 4-9
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What an interesting label: "this gullible generation." Satan readily takes advantage of those who are easily distracted, easily persuaded to follow his deceptions. Safety and protection are found "in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost." The key is to become "humble followers of the diving Master," and President Faust gives encouragement on how to do that better; this is a fine list for personal evaluation:

David O. McKay on finding peace through Christ

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"The rising sun can dispel the darkness of night, but it cannot banish the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry, and selfishness from the hearts of humanity. Happiness and peace will come to earth only as the light of love and human compassion enter the souls of men.

"It was for this purpose that Christ, the Son of righteousness, 'with healing in his wings' (Mal. 4:2), came in the Meridian of Time. Through him wickedness shall be overcome, hatred, enmity, strife, poverty, and war abolished. This will be accomplished only by a slow but never-failing process of changing men's mental and spiritual attitude. The ways and habits of the world depend upon the thoughts and soul-convictions of men and women. If, therefore, we would change the world, we must first change people's thoughts. Only to the extent that men desire peace and brotherhood can the world be made better. No peace, even though temporarily obtained, will be permanent, whether to individuals or nations, unless it is built upon the solid foundation of eternal principles.

"Men may yearn for peace, cry for peace, and work for peace, but there will be no peace until they follow the path pointed out by the Living Christ. He is the true light of men's lives."

- David O. McKay, General Conference October 1964; Improvement Era 67:1041-42
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It's been over 50 years since President McKay warned about "the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry, and selfishness" that plague our society. Those times seem so simple in comparison to today's world! But the remedy hasn't changed, and never will.

The quest for peace, in society and in individual lives, is as old as history. President McKay is clear to point out that there is only one source of true peace.

George Q. Cannon on having a living testimony of the truth

President George Q. Cannon (1827-1901) 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.

"The only way to maintain our position in the Kingdom of God is to so conduct ourselves that we may have a living testimony of the truth continually dwelling in our bosoms, to live so that the Spirit of the Lord may be a constant and abiding guest with us, whether in the privacy of our chamber, in the domestic circle or in the midst of the crowded thoroughfares, the busy scenes and anxious cares of life. He who will pursue this course will never lack for knowledge; he will never be in doubt or in darkness, nor will his mind ever be clouded by the gloomy pall of unbelief; on the contrary his hopes will be bright; his faith will be strong; his joy will be full; he will be able each succeeding day to comprehend the unfolding purposes of Jehovah and to rejoice in the glorious liberty and happiness which all the faithful children of God enjoy.

"It is not enough that we knew the truth of this work yesterday or the day before or a week or a month or a year ago; we ought to and must, in order to be happy, know it to be true today.... We can only retain the testimony of the truth in our heart by living near unto God. If we call upon Him in faith to bless us and seek to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Spirit, so ordering our lives that God can, consistently, bless us and the Spirit of the Lord can abide with us, we receive strength to overcome every evil and our minds instinctively recoil from the commission of any act which might grieve that Spirit or bring a stain upon our own character or upon the divine cause in which we are engaged."

- George Q. Cannon, April 5, 1863; MS 25:275-6; see Gospel Truth, 1:343-44

There's something critical about a "living testimony"—one that is being replenished and strengthened constantly, that is growing and alive, and now just a "snapshot" of some past experiences or period of life:

The way to accomplish this is to "live so that the Spirit of the Lord may be a constant and abiding guest with us." We must live "near to God" and pray in Faith regularly, as well as order our lives in order to be worthy of His greatest blessings. The promises of what results when we do this are beautiful and reassuring:

The final promise in this excerpt is also a glorious one—that we receive "strength to overcome every evil" because "our minds instinctively recoil from the commission of any act which might grieve that Spirit." I love that promise; what a wonderful, rich, fulfilling, joyful way to live!

Neal A. Maxwell on graceful endurance

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.

"Real faith in God therefore includes not only faith in him, but in his timing, one of the things that it is most difficult for us to have faith in....

"We're not simply to exist to the end, rather we're to persist in following the example of the son of the living God. Quite a different emphasis than we sometimes think of in connection with enduring....

"This quality about which we're speaking therefore is graceful endurance and it includes becoming and growing. It includes, but is not limited to, hanging on for one moment more. It is as has been observed,a circumstance in which 'all virtues at the testing point take the form of courage' (C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters). And then after you and I have passed breaking points without breaking our virtues take the form of endurance...."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "If Thou Endure It Well", BYU Devotional, 2 December 1984
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Concepts of faith, patience, hope, and endurance are closely interrelated, and are among the important things we learn in our mortal experience. We must hold to our faith in God, knowing that He is in charge; and even when we don't understand, especially when we don't understand, trusting that His timing will lead us to growth and blessings.

This is an important insight about the nature of endurance—what Elder Maxwell calls "graceful endurance":

Spencer W. Kimball on learning the language of prayer

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

"Learning the language of prayer is a joyous, lifetime experience. Sometimes ideas flood our mind as we listen after our prayers. Sometimes feelings press upon us. A spirit of calmness assures us that all will be well. But always, if we have been honest and earnest, we will experience a good feeling—a feeling of warmth for our Father in Heaven and a sense of his love for us. It has sorrowed me that some of us have not learned the meaning of that calm, spiritual warmth, for it is a witness to us that our prayers have been heard. And since our Father in Heaven loves us with more love than we have even for ourselves, it means that we can trust in his goodness, we can trust in him; it means that if we continue praying and living as we should, our Father's hand will guide and bless us.... 

"After a lifetime of prayers, I know of the love and power and strength that comes from honest and heartfelt prayer. I know of the readiness of our Father to assist us in our mortal experience, to teach us, to lead us, to guide us. Thus, with great love, our Savior has said, 'What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always.' (D&C 93:49.) 

"If we will do so, we shall gain for ourselves personal knowledge that our Father in Heaven truly hears and answers prayers. This knowledge he wants each of us to have. Seek it, my beloved brothers and sisters! Seek it!" 

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Pray Always," Ensign, Oct. 1981, p. 3
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"The language of prayer" President Kimball invites us to learn doesn't refer to the form of speaking or address we use when we speak the prayer.  It refers to the way we feel divine communication in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

I love the sweetness of the testimony that comes "after a lifetime of prayers" for President Kimball.  There is a power in saying "I know..." when there is such deep and prolonged personal experience.  The concluding promise is sincere and sure; the invitation for us to seek the gift is heart-felt.  This is a man who has precious knowledge and wants others to feel the blessing too.