David O. McKay on the power and blessing of meditation

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.

"I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspection is the meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as 'a form of private devotion or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.' Meditation is a form of prayer....

"Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord....

"You will find that when these most inspirational moments come to you, you are alone with yourself and your God. They come to you probably when you are facing a great trial, when a wall is across your pathway and it seems that you are facing an insurmountable obstacle, or when your heart is heavy because of some tragedy in your life. I repeat, the greatest comfort that can come to us in this life is to sense the realization of communion with God. Great testimonies have come in those moments."

- David O. McKay, Conference Report, April 1967, p. 86; see TDOM pp. 253-4

The "art of meditation" may be disappearing from our modern culture in the midst of our busy, complicated, noisy lives. President McKay felt its importance in his life, and spoke of it on many occasions, encouraging Church members to find quiet time alone with themselves and with God. He knew from personal experience how crucial this action is to developing spirituality:

This beautiful explanation gives us into what meditation is, and how we can approach it:

The key, according to President McKay, is to find time to be "alone with yourself and your God." This is particularly crucial in times of challenge and difficulty. I love this testimony:  "The greatest comfort that can come to us in this life is to sense the realization of communion with God. Great testimonies have come in those moments."

Neal A. Maxwell on patient 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.

"Patient endurance is to be distinguished from merely being 'acted upon.' Endurance is more than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance; it is not only acceptance of the things allotted to us, it is to 'act for ourselves' by magnifying what is allotted to us. (See Alma 29:3, 6.)

"If, for instance, we are always taking our temperature to see if we are happy, we will not be. If we are constantly comparing to see if things are fair, we are not only being unrealistic, we are being unfair to ourselves.

"Therefore, true enduring represents not merely the passage of time, but the passage of the soul—and not merely from A to B, but sometimes all the way from A to Z. To endure in faith and doeth God's will. (See D&C 63:20; D&C 101:35) therefore involves much more than putting up with a circumstance.

"Rather than shoulder-shrugging, true enduring is soul-trembling. Jesus bled not at a few, but 'at every pore.' (D&C 19:18.)"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Endure it Well," Ensign, May 1990, pp. 33-35
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Faithful and patient endurance was one of dear Elder Maxwell's favorite topics. He endured plenty in his own life, so this shouldn't be surprising. He was a great living example of the things he taught. I love his insights about "patient endurance" being more than restlessly "pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance," but acting actively to magnify what has been allotted to us. The attitude with which we approach our trials makes all the difference:

Howard W. Hunter on preserving the greatness of America

President Howard W. 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.

"Now is the time for America to decree that no longer shall this terrible waste of our inner strength be allowed to blight our greatness as a nation. We should silently, powerfully, and purposefully determine that no silent hammers of decay shall beat our civilization into dust.  We should, with promptness and firmness, decide that the termites of juvenile delinquency and crime shall not eat into the material and spiritual foundations of our country. To continue to permit forces of disintegration to sap our material and spiritual culture of its strength is to stand idly by and watch our civilization become one with Nineveh and Tyre.

"To save even our material prosperity, we must show more interest in moral and spiritual values. When civilizations have a decline in moral and spiritual values, material greatness begins to disintegrate.

"If we want to conserve our economic security, we must focus an increased amount of time and interest on strengthening our human values. A nation is not made great by its fruitful acres, its great forests, and its rich mineral deposits, but by the men who cultivate the farms, fell the trees, and operate the mines. That nation is greatest which produces the largest number of men dedicated to the loftiest ideals of the human race."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Education With Spirituality," BYU-Hawaii Graduation Exercises, Laie, Hawaii, 22 June 1985; see THWH p. 168

It's always interesting to read the warning and counsel offered by leaders in the past and compare to current conditions and challenges. President Hunter worried 30 years ago about the decline in moral and spiritual values of our country. Since then, in many ways, things are continuing to worsen. This inspired caution is more needed than ever.

The suggested solution to maintaining stability and economic security is not in national policy, political maneuvering, or exploitation of resources. Rather, it's in "strengthening our human values." This brings to mind the observation of Alexis de Tocqueville, the 19th-century French politician and historian, who said, "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

What does this mean to me, as an individual? How can I influence and help my country? Only by influencing and helping myself and those close to me. If each individual in every family would strive to strengthen his own values and commitment, his work ethic, his dedication "to the loftiest ideals of the human race" — then goodness would spread and counteract the forces of decay and destruction. We must not give up!

Boyd K. Packer on desires for righteousness

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) 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 served as president of that Quorum from 1994 until his death on July 3, 2015 at age 90.

"I will not consent to any influence from the adversary. I have come to know what power he has. I know all about that. But I also have come to know the power of truth and of righteousness and of good, and I want to be good. I'm not ashamed to say that—I want to be good. And I've found in my life that it has been critically important that this was established between me and the Lord so that I knew that He knew which way I committed my agency. I went before Him and in essence said, 'I'm not neutral, and You can do with me what You want. If You need my vote, it's there. I don't care what You do with me, and You don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you—everything, all I own, all I am.' And that makes the difference."

- Boyd K. Packer, "To Those Who Teach in Troubled Times", seminary and institute conference, Summer 1970; see 'That All May Be Edified' p. 272

I was barely a teenager when Elder Packer was called as an apostle in 1970; he spent decades of his life devoted to the service of the Lord. This address was given shortly after that call came, and helps to explain that lifetime of service. President Packer had already given his life to God's service. What a powerful lesson these words are, that the life that demonstrated their truthfulness.

Ezra Taft Benson on the responsibility to preserve America

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care, when the spiritual forces that make us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men, when we disregard the importance of law and order.

"If American freedom is lost, if America is destroyed, if our blood-bought freedom is surrendered, it will be because of Americans. What's more, it will probably not be only the work of subversive and criminal Americans. The Benedict Arnolds will not be the only ones to forfeit our freedom....

"If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers—normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free—Americans who have been lulled away into a false security.

"Great nations are never conquered from outside unless they are rotten inside. Our greatest national problem today is erosion, not the erosion of the soil, but erosion of the national morality—erosion of traditional enforcement of law and order....

"If America is to withstand these influences and trends, there must be a renewal of the spirit of our forefathers, an appreciation of the American way of life, a strengthening of muscle and sinew and the character of the nation. America needs guts as well as guns. National character is the core of national defense."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Americans are Destroying America," Conference Report, April 1968, pp. 49-54
Click here to read the full talk

Having had significant exposure to politics and government (including service as the US Secretary of Agriculture for 8 years under President Dwight D. Eisenhower), President Benson had a special concern and sensitivity to America's strengths and challenges. He often spoke about freedom, liberty, government, and the responsibility of citizens.

In this excerpt from a talk given almost 50 years ago, President Benson talks perceptively on forces that threaten the country today, particularly the erosion of spiritual values and respect for law; and offers the critical challenge that America needs "a renewal of the spirit of our forefathers" and increasing "national character."

Robert D. Hales on finding answers to questions

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932- ) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1985, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"How can I question without losing the Spirit? ... All of us have questions at times in our lives on policies, procedures, or even principles. The best way to find the answers we seek is to search out the solution for ourselves.

"How do we go about it?

"First and foremost, it is our attitude, or how we ask the question, that is very, very important. If it is a demand, one loses the opportunity for an answer.

"Second, if we have strong feelings about the way something should be and are unwilling to listen, we may lose the opportunity to get an answer.

"One only has to remember when Martin Harris wanted to take home pages of the Book of Mormon translation to show to others. Joseph Smith prayed to the Lord a number of times to finally be allowed to let the man do it. The Lord knew that the pages would be lost. But sometimes we want something so much and keep praying about it that the Lord lets us do it for our learning experience.

"Sometimes we are drawn into seeking and giving answers that bring recognition or notoriety to 'our' thinking and to 'our' opinion. Don't look for signs or answers that build you up. Humility and submissiveness to God will always be fundamental in receiving direction from Him."

- Robert D. Hales, "Gifts of the Spirit," Ensign, Feb. 2002, pp. 17-18
Click here to read the full talk

There are occasionally issues and situations in the Church that can cause us to ponder and question. That is certainly the case with policies and procedures, that are usually man-made (though also usually inspired!). Principles, or underlying doctrines, are a different situation; we believe them to be divine and eternal.  But sometimes we even have occasion to wonder about the principles.

Elder Hales recognizes the validity of questioning, but encourages us to go about it in a productive and positive way. He warns us of the dangers of having a demanding, manipulative attitude or a pre-determined answer to our questions. Those are valid concerns.

A third challenge and caution relates to the motivation of questioning in a mode of self-confirmation or even self-aggrandizement.

The real key to receiving direction is "humility and submissiveness to God." This entire article has wonderful suggestions to help us become more receptive to spiritual gifts and impressions.

Orson F. Whitney on the blessings of enduring trials

Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931), a journalist, teacher, poet, and historian, was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1906 and served until his death in 1931 at age 75.

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."

- Orson F. Whitney, Conference Report April 1929, p. 110; quoted in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), p. 98

Each life has its share of pain, trials, and suffering. Sometimes some of us feel we are getting more than our share. According to Elder Whitney, if we learn to "endure... patiently" the things that come, we experience growth in character and expansion of soul, and become "more worthy to be called the children of God." Perhaps we will understand some day what a blessing our trials and suffering are!

What a beautiful and tender testimony from a faithful servant of the Lord.