Ronald A. Rasband on the Lord's love for us

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (b. 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 2000.  He was the senior president of the Seventy when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"The Lord has said, 'Love one another; as I have loved you' (John 13:34). I'm confident that there is no choice, sin, or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change His love for you or for them. That does not mean He excuses or condones sinful conduct—I'm sure He does not—but it does mean we are to reach out to our fellowman in love to invite, persuade, serve, and rescue. Jesus Christ looked past people's ethnicity, rank, and circumstances in order to teach them this profound truth.

"I have been asked many times when I received my testimony.

"I can't remember not believing in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have loved Them since I learned of Them at the knees of my angel mother, reading scripture and gospel stories. That early belief has now grown into a knowledge and a witness of a loving Heavenly Father, who hears and answers our prayers. My testimony of Jesus Christ has been built from many special experiences in which I have come to know His great love for each one of us."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "I Stand All Amazed," General Conference, October 2015, Sunday morning session
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In his first general conference address after being sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve, Elder Rasband spoke of his feelings about this sacred calling, and then shared this personal and pointed testimony of the Savior whom he now represents in a special way:

We are blessed by having leaders whose faith and testimony are firm and solidly-grounded. Ours will grow to the same standard if we follow their counsel.

Neil L. Andersen on choosing to nurture and grow in faith

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

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, 'substance..., the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1). Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible (see Alma 32:35). Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil (LoF 3). By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name (Ephesians 2:8). The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice....

"How we live our lives increases or diminishes our faith. Prayer, obedience, honesty, purity of thought and deed, and unselfishness increase faith. Without these, faith diminishes. Why did the Savior say to Peter, 'I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not' (Luke 22:32)? Because there is an adversary who delights in destroying our faith! Be relentless in protecting your faith....

"Although your beginning fire of faith may be small, righteous choices bring greater confidence in God, and your faith grows. The difficulties of mortality blow against you, and evil forces lurk in the darkness, hoping to extinguish your faith. But as you continue to make good choices, trust in God, and follow His Son, the Lord sends increased light and knowledge, and your faith becomes settled and unwavering."

- Neil L. Andersen, "Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice," General Conference, October 2015, Priesthood session
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Elder Andersen's instructions on what faith is, and how to nurture and grow in faith, gave good reminders of this all-encompassing principle. He reminds us that "faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright" — each of us must choose to do the things that bring faith into our lives and then the things that help us retain it.

Obtaining and retaining the gift of faith depends on eternal principles: "Prayer, obedience, honesty, purity of thought and deed, and unselfishness increase faith." But we have to be on guard from an adversary who "delights in destroying our faith"; we must "be relentless in protecting [our] faith." The goal is to have faith that is "settled and unwavering."

D. Todd Christofferson on the blessings of the Lord's Church

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 does His Church accomplish the Lord's purposes? It is important to recognize that God's ultimate purpose is our progress. His desire is that we continue 'from grace to grace, until [we receive] a fulness' (D&C 93:13) of all He can give. That requires more than simply being nice or feeling spiritual. It requires faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism of water and of the Spirit, and enduring in faith to the end (see 2 Nephi 31:17–20). One cannot fully achieve this in isolation, so a major reason the Lord has a church is to create a community of Saints that will sustain one another in the 'strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life' (2 Nephi 31:18) ....

"In the Church we not only learn divine doctrine; we also experience its application. As the body of Christ, the members of the Church minister to one another in the reality of day-to-day life. All of us are imperfect; we may offend and be offended. We often test one another with our personal idiosyncrasies. In the body of Christ, we have to go beyond concepts and exalted words and have a real 'hands-on' experience as we learn to 'live together in love' (D&C 42:45).

"This religion is not concerned only with self; rather, we are all called to serve. We are the eyes, hands, head, feet, and other members of the body of Christ, and even 'those members... which seem to be more feeble, are necessary' (1 Corinthians 12:22). We need these callings, and we need to serve."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "Why the Church," General Conference, October 2015, Sunday afternoon session
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Elder Christofferson's message responds to many in our time who question the necessity of a formal, organized church. They claim they can follow Christ's teachings (or other moral or ethical values) and live good and worthwhile lives without the structure of a formal organization. While that is true to some extent, it neglects an important aspect of religion: the application of the teachings, some of which are facilitated and enabled in the formalized setting of the church organization.

It's not just about "self" — it's about "serve." And that kind of service, Elder Christofferson teaches, is facilitated by the Church in ways that don't exist outside of it. What a blessing to be able to take advantage of that privilege!

Quentin L. Cook on happiness now and eternally

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"The adversary has been successful in planting a great myth in the minds of many people. He and his emissaries declare that the real choice we have is between happiness and pleasure now in this life and happiness in a life to come (which the adversary asserts may not exist). This myth is a false choice, but it is very seductive. (See 2 Nephi 28.)

"The ultimate noble purpose of God's plan of happiness is for righteous disciples and covenant families to be united in love, harmony, and peace in this life (see 4 Nephi 1:15–17) and attain celestial glory in the eternities with God the Father, our Creator; and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. (See D&C 59:23.)...

"At the commencement of the Savior’s earthly ministry in Israel and later among the Nephites, the Savior addressed the issue of happiness both in this life and in eternity. He stressed ordinances, but He also placed great emphasis on moral behavior. For example, disciples would be blessed if they would hunger and thirst after righteousness, be merciful, be pure in heart, be peacemakers, and follow other basic moral principles. Clearly, our Lord Jesus Christ emphasized, as a foundational doctrinal message, both righteous attitudes and conduct in day-to-day living....

"I recognize that, despite the overwhelming happiness embodied in God’s divine plan, sometimes it can feel far away and disconnected from our current circumstances. It may feel beyond our reach as struggling disciples. From our limited perspective, current temptations and distractions can seem attractive. The rewards for resisting those temptations, on the other hand, can feel distant and unattainable. But a true understanding of the Father’s plan reveals that the rewards of righteousness are available right now. Wickedness, such as immoral conduct, is never part of the answer."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy--in Good Times and Bad Times," General Conference, October 2015, Saturday morning session
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I've often heard the complaint described in the first paragraph of this excerpt. Religion may promise a great reward, but it takes away all the happiness of life now. Elder Cook's message argues against this idea, proposing that true religion is the only source of true happiness in this life as well as the worlds to come. It truly is a "plan of happiness."

When the struggles of mortality make that happiness seem "far away and disconnected from our current circumstances," we need to re-focus our sights on the immediate blessings the Gospel plan offers and make sure we are doing all we can to claim their promises in our current lives.  Elder Cook goes on to focus on some ways we can do that:

1. Righteous self-control and conduct
2. Honoring the Sabbath
3. Remembering that divine protection follows righteousness

There truly is happiness available, now and eternally, for those who are willing to follow the Savior's plan!

David A. Bednar on the blessing of seasoned leadership

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

"My purpose is to explain why indeed it is wonderful to have older men of great spiritual maturity and judgment serving in the senior leadership positions of the restored Church of Jesus Christ—and why we should 'hear' and 'hearken' (Mosiah 2:9) to the teachings of these men whom the Lord has 'chosen to bear testimony of [His] name... among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people' (D&C 112:1)....

"The limitations that are the natural consequence of advancing age can in fact become remarkable sources of spiritual learning and insight. The very factors many may believe limit the effectiveness of these servants can become some of their greatest strengths. Physical restrictions can expand vision. Limited stamina can clarify priorities. Inability to do many things can direct focus to a few things of greatest importance.

"Some people have suggested younger, more vigorous leaders are needed in the Church to address effectively the serious challenges of our modern world. But the Lord does not use contemporary philosophies and practices of leadership to accomplish His purposes (see Isaiah 55:8–9). We can expect the President and other senior leaders of the Church will be older and spiritually seasoned men....

"These men have had a sustained season of tutoring by the Lord, whom they represent, serve, and love. They have learned to understand the divine language of the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s patterns for receiving revelation. These ordinary men have undergone a most extraordinary developmental process that has sharpened their vision, informed their insight, engendered love for people from all nations and circumstances, and affirmed the reality of the Restoration."

- David A. Bednar, "Chosen to Bear Testimony of My Name," General Conference, October 2015, Sunday afternoon session
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Elder Bednar paid tribute to the "senior leaders" of the Church in his message during the recent conference, which turned out to the the concluding talk of the whole weekend. He mentioned particular examples from the six leaders who have passed away since he was called as an apostle — President Faust, President Hinckley, Elder Wirthlin, Elder Perry, President Packer, and Elder Scott.

The concept of "a sustained season of tutoring by the Lord" is an interesting one.  By the time these men have given a few decades of their lives in full-time leadership, they have seen and heard, and experienced, so many things that enable them to serve in a way that is insightful and powerful. We should be grateful for the wisdom that comes with advancing years!

Elder Bednar concluded with his personal witness, one that I share:

"With all the energy of my soul, I witness the resurrected and living Christ directs the affairs of His restored and living Church through His servants who have been chosen to bear testimony of His name."

Jeffrey R. Holland offers a tribute to mothers

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (b. 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child....

"You see, it is not only that they bear us, but they continue bearing with us. It is not only the prenatal carrying but the lifelong carrying that makes mothering such a staggering feat. Of course, there are heartbreaking exceptions, but most mothers know intuitively, instinctively that this is a sacred trust of the highest order....

"A wonderful young mother recently wrote to me: '...Maternal love has to be divine. There is no other explanation for it. What mothers do is an essential element of Christ’s work. Knowing that should be enough to tell us the impact of such love will range between unbearable and transcendent, over and over again, until with the safety and salvation of the very last child on earth, we can [then] say with Jesus, "[Father!] I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17:4)' ...

"To all of our mothers everywhere, past, present, or future, I say, 'Thank you. Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.' ... To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, 'Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion (see Obadiah 1:21), and like the Master you follow, your love "never faileth" (Moroni 7:46; see also 1 Corinthians 13:8).' I can pay no higher tribute to anyone."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Behold Thy Mother," General Conference, October 2015, Saturday afternoon session
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Elder Holland shared a tender tribute to mothers in his October 2015 conference talk. This is not the first time he's addressed this topic, one that is dear to his heart. He gave some poignant examples of the depth of love and devotion usually expressed in this responsibility. This thought rings true to me—it is not just the bearing of children in which a mother shows her devotion that is pure and lasting:

In acknowledging that motherhood is often very challenging and difficult, Elder Holland reassured those who might be struggling through some aspect of their lives to have peace and patience.  "You are doing better than you think you are."

Robert D. Hales on personal growth through inspired progress

Elder Robert D. Hales (b. August 24, 1932) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1985, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"Remember, no one can reach upward on your behalf. Only your faith and prayers will cause you to lift yourself and have the mighty change of heart. Only your resolve to be obedient can change your life. Because of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice for you, the power is in you. (See D&C 58:28.) You have your agency, you have strong testimonies if you are obedient, and you can follow the Spirit that guides you....

"In the Church, when important decisions must be made, we often hold council meetings. Family councils serve a similar purpose. You may want to conduct what I’ll call a 'personal council.' After praying, spend some time alone. Think about what is ahead. Ask yourself: 'What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others? Where do I want to be a year from now? two years from now? What choices do I need to make to get there?' Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along."

- Robert D. Hales, "Meeting the Challenges of Today’s World," General Conference, October 2015, Saturday afternoon session
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Elder Hales reminds us of the individual, personal responsibility to act on our own behalf in our commitment to obedience, our efforts to purify our hearts, our use of agency as we follow the Spirit in efforts that can lead to true change and growth.

His suggestion on how to make more progress in those efforts is to employ a "personal council" — a self-evaluation during which we carefully consider where we stand and where we want to be in the future. With inspiration from above, such introspection can lead to promptings and resolution to progress in wonderful ways!