Spencer W. Kimball on the blessing of reading good books

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

"Numerous leisure hours have been made available to men. It is noticeable that many use these extra hours for fun and pleasure. Certainly an increased part of it could profitably be used for gaining knowledge and culture through the reading of good books.

"Numerous people fail to take advantage of these opportunities. Many people spend hours in planes with only cursory glancing at magazines, and in the train or bus, time is spent 'sitting and thinking,' and in many cases, 'just sitting,' when there could be such a constructive program of reading. People in beauty parlors, professional offices, waiting rooms, and elsewhere waste precious hours thumbing through outdated magazines when much valuable reading could be done in these islands of time.... Even in the beginning there was the written word, for Adam and Eve were conscious of the need for the development of the mind, 'And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled.' (Moses 6:6.)"

- Spencer W. Kimball, "The Power of Books", R.S. Magazine October 1963, p. 724; see TSWK p. 383

I always loved President Kimball's straight-forward approach to offering counsel on practical matters. In this example, he notes the blessing we enjoy in our modern society of "numerous leisure hours" compared to the lifestyle of times past. But the worry about using that time appropriately is a real one, and President Kimball encourages more active reading as one of the best uses in lieu of too much "fun and pleasure."

President Kimball and his wife Camilla were both wonderful examples of this principle. They both were well-read and clearly knew how to take advantage of their leisure time in productive ways. What a great example of life-long learning!

Joseph B. Wirthlin on the blessings of temple service

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.  This excerpt is from one of his most memorable talks.

"We can seek to enter holy temples frequently to perform essential ordinances regularly for others who have preceded us. Temple work enables us to do for others what they cannot do for themselves. It is a labor of love that permits our forefathers to continue their progress toward eternal life. As valuable and beneficial as temple work is to them, it is equally valuable to us. The House of the Lord is a place where we can escape from the mundane and see our lives in an eternal perspective. We can ponder instructions and covenants that help us understand more clearly the plan of salvation and the infinite love of our Heavenly Father for his children. We can ponder our relationship to God, the Eternal Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ. We learn from the Doctrine and Covenants that a temple is a place of thanksgiving, 'a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;

"'That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth.' (D&C 97:13-14.)

"Regular temple work can provide spiritual strength. It can be an anchor in daily life, a source of guidance, protection, security, peace, and revelation."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Seeking the Good," Ensign, May 1992, pp. 86-88
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Wirthlin describes the dual blessing of temple service:

• The "labor of love" wherein we provide essential ordinances to allow those who have gone before to "continue their progress toward eternal life"
• The blessings that come to us as we serve, including an eternal perspective of our lives and a better understanding of God's plan for us

The chance to ponder as we "escape from the mundane and see our lives in an eternal perspective" is more valuable than we often realize; the promised blessings are many.

James E. Faust on Sabbath Day observance

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 from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"The Mosaic injunctions of Sabbath day observance contained many detailed do's and don'ts. This may have been necessary to teach obedience to those who had been in captivity and had long been denied individual freedom of choice....

"In our time God has recognized our intelligence by not requiring endless restrictions. Perhaps this was done with a hope that we would catch more of the spirit of Sabbath worship rather than the letter thereof. In our day, however, this pendulum of Sabbath day desecration has swung very far indeed. We stand in jeopardy of losing great blessings promised. After all, it is a test by which the Lord seeks to 'prove you in all things' (D&C 98:14) to see if your devotion is complete.

"Where is the line as to what is acceptable and unacceptable on the Sabbath? Within the guidelines, each of us must answer this question for ourselves. While these guidelines are contained in the scriptures and in the words of the modern prophets, they must also be written in our hearts and governed by our conscience. Brigham Young said of the faithful, 'The spirit of their religion leaks out of their hearts.' (Journal of Discourses, 15:83.) It is quite unlikely that there will be any serious violation of Sabbath worship if we come humbly before the Lord and offer him all our heart, our soul, and our mind. (See Matt. 22:37.)

"What is worthy or unworthy on the Sabbath day will have to be judged by each of us by trying to be honest with the Lord. On the Sabbath day we should do what we have to do and what we ought to do in an attitude of worshipfulness and then limit our other activities. I wish to testify unequivocally concerning the blessings of Sabbath day worship."

- James E. Faust, "The Lord's Day," Ensign, November 1991, pp. 33-35
Click here to read the full talk

President Faust is correct in noting that the scriptures don't contain "many detailed do's and don'ts" related to Sabbath observance. Such lists have come from many, including Church leaders, who are commenting on the scriptural injunction to keep the Sabbath day holy.

President Faust warns that in our day, the "pendulum of Sabbath day desecration has swung very far indeed." I read a brief non-religious analysis recently of which of the 10 Commandments was the hardest to keep today, and this one led the list, just above taking the name of the Lord in vain. But President Faust views this as a critical test that shows our real devotion to the Lord.

And the key is to have guidelines "written in our hearts" so that we can be "governed by our conscience." President Faust's summary of the guideline is this:

Wise counsel. It's all about the attitude of the heart; when that is right, appropriate actions will follow.

The short passage President Faust quotes from Brigham Young is an interesting one. The context was actually a talk about Sabbath Day observance given in 1872. Here is a little more of the section:

"Now, remember, my brethren, those who go skating, buggy riding or on excursions on the Sabbath day—and there is a great deal of this practiced—are weak in the faith. Gradually, little by little, little by little, the spirit of their religion leaks out of their hearts and their affections, and by and by they begin to see faults in their brethren, faults in the doctrines of the Church, faults in the organization, and at last they leave the kingdom of God and go to destruction."

- Brigham Young, "Observe the Sabbath Day," Salt Lake Tabernacle, June 2, 1872; see JD 15:83

The distractions of 143 years ago—skating, buggy-riding. excursions—seem quite trivial by our standards today. But the application is the same. Failing to observe the Sabbath in an attitude of worshipfulness leads to the spirit of our religion leaking out of our hearts.

Harold B. Lee on "human horticulture" - the trials of life

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"Listen to the Master's lesson in human horticulture— 'Every branch that beareth fruit must be purged [or pruned] that it might bring forth more fruit' (see John 15:2)....

"Rarely, if ever, is there a truly great soul except he has been tried and tested through tears, and adversity—seemingly pruned by the hand of a master gardener. By applying the knife and the pruning hook the branch is shaped and fashioned to God's omnipotent design, in order that its full fruitage may be realized.

"Every one of you must endure trials, and hardships, heartaches and discouragements. When in sorrow and in despair if you will remember, you will be comforted if you learn this lesson: 'For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth' (Hebrews 12:6)—and again: 'My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth' (Proverbs 3:11-12)."

- Harold B. Lee, "Life Under Control," BYU Commencement Address, 4 June 1951; Church News 6 June 1951
Click here to listen to an audio recording of the full talk

President Lee helps us understand "human horticulture" as he interprets the Savior's parable about pruning, applying it to our lives:

President Lee points out the reality that our lives will almost certainly include "trials, and hardships, heartaches and discouragements."  But through understanding of the purpose of mortality, we can keep the perspective that allows us to grow and progress through those challenges of life, knowing that such things are a sign of God's love for us, and of His understanding of both our needs and capabilities.

In 1968, Elder Hugh B. Brown gave another memorable address at BYU with a very similar theme, titled "God is the Gardener," including the "Parable of the Currant Bush."

Neil L. Andersen on choosing our course in life

Elder Neil L. Andersen (1951- ) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009 (the most recent member called).

"How do we find our way through the many things that matter? We simplify and purify our perspective. Some things are evil and must be avoided; some things are nice; some things are important; and some things are absolutely essential....

"Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision. With prayer, study, obedience, and covenants, we build and fortify our faith. Our conviction of the Savior and His latter-day work becomes the powerful lens through which we judge all else. Then, as we find ourselves in the crucible of life... we have the strength to take the right course.

"President Hinckley said it this way: 'When [an individual] is motivated by great and powerful convictions of truth, then he disciplines himself, not because of demands made by the Church but because of the knowledge within his heart.' (Ensign, July 1973, 49)

"Are we sufficiently motivated by 'great and powerful convictions of truth'? Do our choices reflect this motivation? Are we becoming who we want to become? It's true, isn't it? Then what else matters?"

- Neil L. Andersen, "It's True, Isn't It? Then What Else Matters?", Ensign, May 2007, pp. 74-75
Click here to read the full talk

The goal to "simplify and purify our perspective" in order to be more successful in life's challenges is an interesting one. Elder Andersen explains the critical options we face, as we evaluate things that are:

• evil and must be avoided
• nice
• important
• absolutely essential

The latter three provide an interesting comparison to the "good, better, best" that Elder Oaks once described (see "Good, Better, Best," Ensign, Nov 2007, pp. 104-8). As we choose and act upon the things that are essential and important, faith is strengthened and we are blessed with a gospel perspective:

D. Todd Christofferson on having the gospel written in our hearts

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (1945- ) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"How can you become converted? How can you make the gospel of Jesus Christ not just an influence in your life but the controlling influence and, indeed, the very core of what you are? The ancient prophet Jeremiah spoke of the law of God, the gospel, being written in our hearts. He quotes the Lord speaking about us, His people in the latter days: 'I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.' (See Jer. 31:33) ...

"For the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully. That means you will study it. When I say 'study,' I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. Remember Alma's description of what it feels like: 'It beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me' (Alma 32:28). You will know that the gospel is being written in your heart, that your conversion is happening, as the word of the Lord from His prophets, past and present, feels more and more delicious to your soul."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted," Ensign, May 2004, pp. 11-13
Click here to read the full talk

Jeremiah's description of having the law of the Lord written in our hearts is a vivid and useful one. It defines the difference between superficial conformance, and true conversion. Elder Christofferson uses that symbolism to encourage us to draw nearer to God by better understanding His message.

The main point of this excerpt is that most of the time, we need to stop worrying about how many pages or chapters of scripture we read, and just make sure we are devoting appropriate time to reading. The best reading isn't covering many pages; it's probing for meaning and understanding of a small segment. His encouragement is:

• Read a few verses
• Stop to ponder them
• Carefully read the verses again
• Think about what they mean
• Pray for understanding
• Ask questions in your mind
• Waiting for spiritual impressions
• Write down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more.

That's quite a different process than we sometimes use in our personal study! And the promised results of that kind of effort are what Jeremiah described in the original reference, referring to the change of heart:

Quentin L. Cook on replacing darkness with light

Elder Quentin L. Cook (1940- ) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"Freedom and light have never been easy to attain or maintain. Since the War in Heaven, the forces of evil have used every means possible to destroy agency and extinguish light. The assault on moral principles and religious freedom has never been stronger.

"As Latter-day Saints, we need to do our best to preserve light and protect our families and communities from this assault on morality and religious freedom.

"An ever-present danger to the family is the onslaught of evil forces that seem to come from every direction. While our primary effort must be to seek light and truth, we would be wise to black out from our homes the lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth.... These evil forces remove light and hope from the world. The level of decadence is accelerating. If we do not black out evil from our homes and lives, do not be surprised if devastating moral explosions shatter the peace which is the reward for righteous living. Our responsibility is to be in the world but not of the world.

"In addition, we need to greatly increase religious observance in the home. Weekly family home evening and daily family prayer and scripture study are essential. We need to introduce into our homes content that is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy' (Articles of Faith 13). If we make of our homes holy places that shelter us from evil, we will be protected from the adverse consequences that the scriptures have foretold."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Let There Be Light!", Ensign, Nov. 2010, pp. 27-30
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Cook speaks of the great conflict that has been going on "since the War in Heaven," a struggle of "light and truth" against those that would "destroy agency and extinguish light." He gives two items of counsel:

• Do all we can to "black out evil from our homes and lives" — provide appropriate defenses against the "lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth"
• Enhance the positive presence of light as we "greatly increase religious observance in the home."

The invitation of this discourse, "Let there be light!", is a wonderful reminder of the critical importance we have to "make of our homes holy places that shelter us from evil."