David A. Bednar on inviting the Holy Ghost into our lives

Elder David A. Bednar (1952- ) was sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2004.

"We more readily receive and recognize the Spirit of the Lord as we appropriately invite Him into our lives. We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).

"Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur in many ways: through the making and keeping of covenants; by praying sincerely as individuals and families; by searching the scriptures diligently; through strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; by seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and by worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church. Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether."

- David A. Bednar, "Receive the Holy Ghost", Ensign, November 2010, pp. 94-97
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The words "Receive the Holy Ghost" are spoken to each newly-baptized member of the Church in the ordinance on confirmation, of conferring the Holy Ghost. But we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost at that time; actually receiving the Holy Ghost is a life-long process, as Elder Bednar points out. We need to receive Him daily, continually. And we do that by inviting Him into our lives.

Not only must we invite by the appropriate actions and activities, but we must also avoid the things that might prevent companionship: "casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language." This is a wise message to invite introspection in each of us.

Thomas S. Monson on the race of life

President Thomas S. Monson (b. August 21, 1927 - 88 years old today!) 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.

"Each of us is a runner in the race of life. Comforting is the fact that there are many runners. Reassuring is the knowledge that our eternal Scorekeeper is understanding. Challenging is the truth that each must run. But you and I do not run alone. That vast audience of family, friends, and leaders will cheer our courage, will applaud our determination as we rise from our stumblings and pursue our goal. The race of life is not for sprinters running on a level track. The course is marked by pitfalls and checkered with obstacles. We take confidence from the hymn:

"'Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
 'For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
 'I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
 'Upheld by my righteous, ... omnipotent hand. ...

"'The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
 'I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
 'That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
 'I'll never, no never, ... no never forsake!'
(Hymns, 1985, no. 85).

"Let us shed any thought of failure. Let us discard any habit that may hinder. Let us seek; let us obtain the prize prepared for all, even exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God."

- Thomas S. Monson, "The Will Within," Ensign, May 1987, p. 67
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President Monson is the consummate cheerleader. He is always encouraging, always offering vision and aid in his messages. This is a great example. He reminds us that while we all have to run the race of life, we don't have to run alone. We have friends, family, leaders, and the Savior to aid and sustain us in the journey.

The final statement is a prime example of President Monson's personal enthusiasm for life:

"Let us shed any thought of failure. Let us discard any habit that may hinder. Let us seek; let us obtain the prize prepared for all, even exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God."

Robert D. Hales on developing the gift of agency

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.

"May I suggest a few basic choices that you can begin to make now—this very day.

"Choose to accept—truly accept—that you are a child of God, that He loves you, and that He has the power to help you.

"Choose to put everything—literally everything—on the altar before Him. Believing that you are His child, decide that your life belongs to Him and that you will use your agency to do His will. You may do this multiple times in your life, but never, never give up.

"Choose to put yourself in a position to have experiences with the Spirit of God through prayer, in scripture study, at Church meetings, in your home, and through wholesome interactions with others. When you feel the influence of the Spirit, you are beginning to be cleansed and strengthened. The light is being turned on, and where that light shines, the darkness of evil cannot remain.

"Choose to obey and keep your covenants, beginning with your baptismal covenant. Renew these covenants weekly by worthily partaking of the sacrament.

"Choose to prepare to worthily attend the temple, make and renew sacred covenants, and receive all of the saving ordinances and blessings of the gospel.

"Finally, and most importantly, choose to believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Accept the Savior's forgiveness, and then forgive yourself. Because of His sacrifice for you, He has the power to 'remember [your sins] no more' (D&C 58:42). You must do likewise."

- Robert D. Hales, "To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency," Ensign, May 2006, pp. 4-8
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This is a thought-provoking talk from Elder Hales, investigating not only what agency is, but also how we can develop the gift and make better use of it.

The second point is especially interesting to me — the thought that we have to put everything on God's altar.  Each person must "decide that your life belongs to Him and that you will use your agency to do His will. You may do this multiple times in your life, but never, never give up." It is not giving up agency to decide that you will always choose to use it in a certain way. It is glorifying agency to do this.

And then this insight on HOW to increase spirituality and expand agency:

Wise choices in our behavior and lifestyle lead to an expanded ability to choose what is sacred and holy. That's a beautiful concept.

Richard G. Scott on God's timetable for us

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

"God knows what is best for us. Although we may not understand why we experience some things now, in His timetable we will know and be grateful.

"He has promised to help us with our burdens: 'I will... ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, ... that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions' (Mosiah 24:14).

"We are counseled, 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee' (Ps. 55:22). I have been greatly helped by laying a vexing matter at His feet for a while. When I picked it up again, it was lighter and more manageable....

"I testify that within your own personal sphere of activity and framework of responsibilities, the Lord will provide that same help. When needed and earned, you can enjoy divine inspiration to know what to do and, when necessary, power or capacity to accomplish it."

- Richard G. Scott, "He Lives," Ensign, Nov. 1999, pp. 87-89
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Learning to trust that "God knows what is best for us" regardless of perceived delays is one of the great lessons of life.

But He not only knows best; He also promises help.  Elder Scott gives his personal witness of how that can come, having cast one of his own burdens at the Lord's feet and found relief. And this witness and promise is a great one: "When needed and earned, you can enjoy divine inspiration to know what to do and, when necessary, power or capacity to accomplish it." I, too, have been blessed to feel that help and relief, and know of its reality!

M. Russell Ballard on spiritual nourishment

Elder M. Russell Ballard (1928- ) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985.

"Far too many people in the world are starving spiritually. Sadly, most of them have no idea where to find real spiritual nourishment. They wander to and fro—another form of pathetic refugees. Those who yearn for true spiritual light and knowledge can only find it through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit enlightens and gives understanding of the eternal purposes of life. By the Spirit, Church members know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true. We should, therefore, feel compelled to share our spiritual knowledge with all of our Father's children by inviting them to pull a chair up to the Lord's table and feast on the words of Christ.

"'Come unto the Holy One of Israel,' wrote the great Book of Mormon prophet Jacob, 'and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness' (2 Ne. 9:51). Later Nephi urged his followers to 'feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do' (2 Ne. 32:3)."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Feasting at the Lord's Table," Ensign, May 1996, p. 80
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People in our world are "starving spiritually" because "most of them have no idea where to find real spiritual nourishment." When we think what it really means to starve, in the physical sense — the literal suffering and misery that comes from a lack of nourishment — it's a pretty graphic image of what a spiritual counterpart might represent. But those suffering from the spiritual version are often blissfully unaware of their plight.

Elder Ballard encourages us to be sensitive to those around us, "inviting them to pull a chair up to the Lord's table and feast on the words of Christ." We should do all in our power to help those around us who are spiritually starving. And of course, we must make sure we're well-nourished in order to be strong to help others!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on Satan's discouragements

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (1940- ) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"The Lord said to Abraham, 'My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee' (Abr. 2:8). My young friends, today I say to you that if you trust the Lord and obey Him, His hand shall be over you, He will help you achieve the great potential He sees in you, and He will help you to see the end from the beginning....

"We don't always know the details of our future. We do not know what lies ahead. We live in a time of uncertainty. We are surrounded by challenges on all sides. Occasionally discouragement may sneak into our day; frustration may invite itself into our thinking; doubt might enter about the value of our work. In these dark moments Satan whispers in our ears that we will never be able to succeed, that the price isn't worth the effort, and that our small part will never make a difference. He, the father of all lies, will try to prevent us from seeing the end from the beginning....

"We know that God keeps His promises. We need to fulfill our part to receive His blessings."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "See the End from the Beginning," Ensign, May 2006, pp. 42-45
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President Uchtdorf seems always to have encouragement and hope to offer in his messages! The passage quoted from Abraham is intriguing; there are two very interesting phrases in it. I used to think "knowing the end from the beginning" referred to the ability to distinguish between the two; sometimes our concern over the beginning, or the current troubles, makes us forget there is a promised result down the road that might be obscured.

But I think it's maybe even simpler. The ability to see the end from the beginning could mean the capability to perceive where a path will lead when you embark on it. You are standing at the beginning, and with God's promised help, can perceive and comprehend the destination. That seems like a powerful gift; it would make the journey so much easier, when the vision of the end is clear and vivid! President Uchtdorf promises that God will help us to have that ability.

And in addition, the divine promise is "my hand shall be over thee." That implies protection, shelter, blessing, guidance — many positive and comforting images.

President Uchtdorf points out how difficult it often is for us to see the end, in the midst of the uncertainty of our daily challenges or of Satan's discouragements and distractions. But we know God will see it always; we need to trust His promises, and do all we can to be worthy of them.  "We need to fulfill our part to receive His blessings."

Henry B. Eyring on finding hope through the atonement

President Henry B. Eyring (1933- ) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"Both Mormon and Moroni were facing days of difficulty that make my challenges pale. Mormon knew his son might be overcome with gloom and foreboding, so he told him the perfect antidote. He told him that he could choose, by what he put in his mind, to become an example of hope. Here is what he wrote:

"'My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever' (Moro. 9:25).

"What we can do to help—teaching, and doing it with the spirit of righteousness, with love, with tenderness, with example—centers on the Savior and his atonement. That is what we would teach. The Atonement working in our lives will produce in us the love and tenderness we need. And by remembering Him and His gift, which we promise to do as we take the sacrament each week, we can put a light of hope in our faces which those we love need so much to see."

- Henry B. Eyring, "The Spark of Faith," Ensign, November 1986, p. 74
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In times of "gloom and foreboding," which seem to afflict every age and people, there is a "perfect antidote," according to President Eyring, in the message of Mormon to his son Moroni: "He told him that he could choose, by what he put in his mind, to become an example of hope." So not just coping with our struggles and challenges, not just controlling feelings of gloom; but exemplifying the faith and confidence that are hallmarks of one filled with hope—"the hope of his glory and of eternal life."

The crucial key is for each of us to come to feel the power and blessing of the Atonement, very personally and individually, "working in our lives." Then not only do we have peace and confidence in our own challenges, but we can become the light of hope for others.