M. Russell Ballard on the blessings of the Old Ship Zion

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.

"Now, as we ponder just these few truths that exist within the Old Ship Zion, let us stay on board and remember that, by definition, a ship is a vehicle, and the purpose of a vehicle is to take us to a destination.

"Our ship's destination is the full blessings of the gospel, the kingdom of heaven, the celestial glory, and the presence of God!

"God's plan is in place. He is at the helm, and His great and powerful ship flows toward salvation and exaltation. Remember that we cannot get there by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim there by ourselves.

"Exaltation is the goal of this mortal journey, and no one gets there without the means of the gospel of Jesus Christ: His Atonement, the ordinances, and the guiding doctrine and principles that are found in the Church.

"It is the Church wherein we learn the works of God and accept the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that saves us. It is within the Church that we form the commitments and covenants of eternal families that become our passport to exaltation. It is the Church that is powered by the priesthood to propel us through the unpredictable waters of mortality.

"Let us be grateful for the beautiful Old Ship Zion, for without it we are cast adrift, alone and powerless, swept along without rudder or oar, swirling with the strong currents of the adversary's wind and waves.

"Hold tight, brothers and sisters, and sail on within the glorious ship, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we will reach our eternal destination."

- M. Russell Ballard, "God Is at the Helm," General Conference, October 2015, Saturday morning session
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Elder Ballard appreciates this analogy from Brigham Young, identifying the Church as "the old ship Zion":

The key message is to "stay on" the ship in order to successfully complete the journey of life. God's plan requires us to travel to the destination as He described; "we cannot get there by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim there by ourselves." The answer lies in "the gospel of Jesus Christ: His Atonement, the ordinances, and the guiding doctrine and principles that are found in the Church."

Dallin H. Oaks on the personal strength of the Savior's Atonement

Elder Dallin H. Oaks (b. August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984.

"Who can be succored and strengthened through the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Alma taught that the Savior would 'take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people' and 'succor his people' (Alma 7:11, 12; emphasis added). Who are 'his people' in this promise? Is it all mortals—all who enjoy the reality of resurrection through the Atonement? Or is it only those select servants qualified through ordinances and covenants? ...

"Because of His atoning experience in mortality, our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help. The Apostle James taught, 'Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up' (James 4:10). We qualify for that blessing when we believe in Him and pray for His help....

"I know these things to be true. Our Savior’s Atonement does more than assure us of immortality by a universal resurrection and give us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. His Atonement also provides the opportunity to call upon Him who has experienced all of our mortal infirmities to give us the strength to bear the burdens of mortality. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. Like the good Samaritan, when He finds us wounded at the wayside, He will bind up our wounds and care for us (see Luke 10:34). The healing and strengthening power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is for all of us who will ask. I testify of that as I also testify of our Savior, who makes it all possible."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ," General Conference, October 2015, Saturday afternoon session
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The powerful and clear teachings about the Savior's Atonement in the Book of Mormon have been such a blessing to many as we learn just how to be lifted and blessed by it, not just in the forgiveness of sin and in the resurrection to come, but in the daily struggles of this life. Alma's teachings are among the most precious, and Elder Oaks uses and interprets them to help us understand those promised blessings.

The key insight he provides in this passage is that we bear responsibility in invoking or claiming the promised blessings; we become his people as we believe in Him, turn to Him, and ask for His help.

Russell M. Nelson on the crucial role of women in today's Church

President Russell M. Nelson (b. Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He was set apart as president of the Quorum of Twelve on July 15, 2015.

"Thirty-six years ago, in 1979, President Spencer W. Kimball made a profound prophecy about the impact that covenant-keeping women would have on the future of the Lord's Church. He prophesied: 'Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world... will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world.' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 222–23.)

"My dear sisters, you who are our vital associates during this winding-up scene, the day that President Kimball foresaw is today. You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers!

"We, your brethren, need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices. The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!...

"Today, let me add that we need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world. We need women who are devoted to shepherding God's children along the covenant path toward exaltation; women who know how to receive personal revelation, who understand the power and peace of the temple endowment; women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly."

- Russell M. Nelson, "A Plea to My Sisters," General Conference, October 2015, Sunday morning session
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President Nelson's talk in the October 2015 conference was a beautiful and inspiring tribute to the women of the Church, and a challenge for them to rise to their potential. This classic "profound prophecy" from President Kimball sets a good context:

President Nelson testifies that the day President Kimball foresaw has arrived, and encouraged today's women to see it realized, while he encouraged the men in the Church to acknowledge and draw from the blessing of counsel and insight that comes from the sisters in the kingdom.  What a beautiful reminder to us all!

President Nelson includes his own gentle call to action, encouraging modern-day women to rise up to this call from the Lord:

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the simplicity of the Gospel

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.

"Are we making our discipleship too complicated?

"This beautiful gospel is so simple a child can grasp it, yet so profound and complex that it will take a lifetime—even an eternity—of study and discovery to fully understand it.

"But sometimes we take the beautiful lily of God’s truth and gild it with layer upon layer of man-made good ideas, programs, and expectations. Each one, by itself, might be helpful and appropriate for a certain time and circumstance, but when they are laid on top of each other, they can create a mountain of sediment that becomes so thick and heavy that we risk losing sight of that precious flower we once loved so dearly.

"Therefore, as leaders we must strictly protect the Church and the gospel in its purity and plainness and avoid putting unnecessary burdens on our members.

"And all of us, as members of the Church, we need to make a conscientious effort to devote our energy and time to the things that truly matter, while uplifting our fellowmen and building the kingdom of God."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "It Works Wonderfully!", General Conference, October 2015, Saturday morning session
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This is a message that we need to hear over and over. The gospel is beautiful and simple. When life gets frustrating or overwhelming, it's always valuable to go "back to the basics" and remember what the things are that really matter.

While programs and activities can be helpful, they must not distract us from the purity and simplicity of the true Gospel message: "uplifting our fellowmen and building the kingdom of God."

Henry B. Eyring on seeking the companionship of the Holy Ghost

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.

"So, for many reasons, we need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We desire it, yet we know from experience that it is not easy to maintain. We each think, say, and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit. The Lord taught us that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when our hearts are full of charity and when virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly (see D&C 121:45).

"For those who are struggling with the high standard needed to qualify for the gift of the Spirit's companionship, I offer this encouragement. You have had times when you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost. It may have happened for you today.

"You can treat those moments of inspiration like the seed of faith that Alma described (see Alma 32:28). Plant each one. You can do that by acting on the prompting you felt. The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend, you should do it. Whatever it is, do it. When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him.

"As you obey, the impressions from the Spirit will come more frequently, becoming closer and closer to constant companionship. Your power to choose the right will increase."

- Henry B. Eyring, "The Holy Ghost as Your Companion," General Conference, October 2015, Sunday morning session
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President Eyring's talk on the companionship of the Holy Ghost was tender and personal, as well as instructive and inviting. After listing blessings of always having the Holy Ghost with us, he shared these feelings about the challenge that presents for us all to achieve. "We each think, say, and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit." While the task seems so difficult, President Eyring gives this simple and sincere encouragement in how to achieve it.

Thomas S. Monson on being an example of faith

President Thomas S. Monson (b. August 21, 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.

"To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.

"I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good' (D&C 90:24).

- Thomas S. Monson, "Be an Example and a Light," General Conference, October 2015, Sunday morning session
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President Monson based his talk on the passage from Paul's letter to Timothy: "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim 4:12), commenting on the different ways our examples can make a difference in doing good and blessing others. These were his thoughts about "faith."  I appreciated his perception on how this quality can bless our lives as well as provide the example to those around us.

And he reminds us the things that will make a difference as we strive to gain and retain the gift of faith: read and ponder the scriptures, communicate with God in prayer.

M. Russell Ballard on the blessing of prophetic teachings

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.

"These are difficult times, and the world's cultural and sociological landmarks of propriety, honesty, integrity, and political correctness are constantly shifting. Just when we think we know the way to happiness and peace, some new ideology comes along which can lead us down a path that will only heighten our confusion and intensify our despair. At such times, we might well ask, 'Is there one clear, unpolluted, unbiased voice that we can always count on? Is there a voice that will always give us clear directions to find our way in today's troubled world?' The answer is yes. That voice is the voice of the living prophet and apostles....

"It is no small thing, my brothers and sisters, to have a prophet of God in our midst. Great and wonderful are the blessings that come into our lives as we listen to the word of the Lord given to us through him. At the same time, knowing that President Gordon B. Hinckley is God's prophet also endows us with responsibility. When we hear the counsel of the Lord expressed through the words of the President of the Church, our response should be positive and prompt. History has shown that there is safety, peace, prosperity, and happiness in responding to prophetic counsel as did Nephi of old: 'I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded' (1 Ne. 3:7)....

"My dear brothers and sisters, please pay attention to those things that the leaders of the Church have taught during this general conference. Apply the teachings that will help you and your family. Let all of us, regardless of our family circumstances, bring into our homes the teachings of the prophets and the apostles to strengthen our relationships with each other and with our Father in Heaven and with the Lord Jesus Christ. I promise you in the name of the Lord that if you will listen not just with your ears but also with your heart, the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth unto you of the messages delivered by President Hinckley, his counselors, the Apostles, and other leaders of the Church. The Spirit will prompt you to know what you should do as individuals and as families in order to follow our counsel, that your testimonies might be strengthened and that you might have peace and joy."

- M. Russell Ballard, "His Word Ye Shall Receive," Ensign, May 2001, pp. 65-67
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One of the roles of prophetic teaching is to warn and guide.  Elder Ballard warns us tendency in the world that "cultural and sociological landmarks of propriety, honesty, integrity, and political correctness are constantly shifting." There is no sure way to happiness and fulfillment in trying to follow a philosophy or guideline that is unreliable in that way. Instead, the safe guidance Elder Ballard provides is that we look to the only reliable source, the "clear, unpolluted, unbiased voice" of a living prophet and apostles.

Knowing that we are led by a prophet is only the first step; more is required. Elder Ballard warns that our response to his counsel should be "positive and prompt." We must listen, and then we must apply the teachings. If we do, we have this promise of guidance and peace: