Richard G. Scott on distractions and priorities

Elder Richard G. Scott (November 7, 1928 – September 22, 2015) served as a Seventy from 1977-1988, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He passed away in 2015 at the age of 86.

"Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do, or so many challenges pressing upon you, that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things are allowed to take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people, those who are committed to a worthy, righteous life, who want to do good and intend to make the most of this life. His tool is distraction. He has an extensive array of undeniably good things that are used to keep us from doing the essential ones. Have you noticed that when you begin to focus on something truly important, something of eternal significance, there often come thoughts of other good things to distract you? Satan promotes distraction. He would have good people fill life with 'good things' so there is no room for the 'essential ones.' Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?

"Remember that you are here on earth for a divine purpose. The purpose is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you."

- Richard G. Scott, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy" [Deseret Book, 2007], pp. 10-11

Elder Scott identifies clearly what seems to be to be one of the great challenges of our day: "When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things are allowed to take highest priority." How true that is! In the midst of the pressing "urgency" of so many demands for time and attention, it can be a significant challenge to sort out the things that truly matter most.

It is truly critical for us to be aware of the tendency to fall into this trap, so we can counteract the efforts being made to deceive us and listen to the correct promptings to lead us to good decisions. We must never forget the "divine purpose" of our mortality!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on choosing things that matter most

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 tendency to focus on the insignificant at the expense of the profound happens... to everyone. We are all at risk. The driver who focuses on the road has a far greater chance of arriving at his destination accident free than the driver who focuses on sending text messages on his phone.

"We know what matters most in life—the Light of Christ teaches this to everyone. We as faithful Latter-day Saints have the Holy Ghost as a 'constant companion' to teach us the things of eternal value. I imagine that any priesthood holder listening to my voice today, if asked to prepare a talk on the subject 'what matters most,' could and would do an excellent job. Our weakness is in failing to align our actions with our conscience.

"Pause for a moment and check where your own heart and thoughts are. Are you focused on the things that matter most? How you spend your quiet time may provide a valuable clue. Where do your thoughts go when the pressure of deadlines is gone? Are your thoughts and heart focused on those short-lived fleeting things that matter only in the moment or on things that matter most?"

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down," Ensign, May 2009, pp. 59-62
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"Our weakness is in failing to align our actions with our conscience." That's a powerful warning. We know so much more than we do, and even when the promptings come, we don't always heed and act.

President Uchtdorf gives a "litmus test" to help evaluate the real intent of our hearts. How do we spend our "quiet time," the moments when there is no pressure of deadlines or requirements to fulfill duties? Do we choose to focus that time on "things that matter most"?

Boyd K. Packer on the dangers of spiritual crocodiles

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.

"Those ahead of you in life have probed about the water holes a bit and raise a voice of warning about crocodiles. Not just the big, gray lizards that can bite you to pieces, but spiritual crocodiles, infinitely more dangerous, and more deceptive and less visible, even, than those well-camouflaged reptiles of Africa.

"These spiritual crocodiles can kill or mutilate your souls. They can destroy your peace of mind and the peace of mind of those who love you. Those are the ones to be warned against, and there is hardly a watering place in all of mortality now that is not infested with them.... 

"If you will listen to the counsel of your parents and your teachers and your leaders when you are young, you can learn how to follow the best guide of all—the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. That is individual revelation. There is a process through which we can be alerted to spiritual dangers. Just as surely as that guide warned me, you can receive signals alerting you to the spiritual crocodiles that lurk ahead.

"If we can train you to listen to these spiritual communications, you will be protected from these crocodiles of life. You can learn what it feels like to be guided from on high. This inspiration can come to you now, in all of your activities, in school, and dating--not just in your Church assignments."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Spiritual Crocodiles," Ensign, May 1976, pp. 30-32
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This is a classic address by President Packer, given almost 40 years ago.  I was a young man preparing to enter the MTC, and remember vividly the impression of his analogy. He spoke of how predators can disguise themselves very subtly, so that innocent victims are right upon the danger before they are aware of the risk — but then it is too late.

There is great wisdom in listening to those who have greater wisdom and experience, both about temporal dangers and about the more critical spiritual traps. Such people can warn us of the things they've already seen and felt. If we learn to listen and heed, we can save ourselves from much sorrow!

It is a worthwhile exercise to list or enumerate the kinds of spiritual warnings that have been given to us recently by inspired leaders. We should always be alert to those kinds of messages, never thinking, "Oh, that doesn't apply to me." Any one of us could wander too close to spiritual dangers if we are not aware and vigilant!

Howard W. Hunter on finding God's help in the challenges of our lives

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.

"Sometimes we may feel that our spiritual edge has grown dull. On some very trying days, we may even feel that God has forgotten us, has left us alone in our confusion and concern. But that feeling is no more justified for the older ones among us than it is for the younger and less experienced. God knows and loves us all. We are, every one of us, his daughters and his sons, and whatever life's lessons may have brought us, the promise is still true: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.' (James 1:5.) ...

"There may be so very much our Father in Heaven would like to give us—young, old, or middle-aged—if we would but seek his presence regularly through such avenues as scripture study and earnest prayer. Of course, developing spirituality and attuning ourselves to the highest influences of godliness is not an easy matter. It takes time and frequently involves a struggle....

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have help from on high. 'Be of good cheer,' the Lord says, 'for I will lead you along.' (D&C 78:18.) 'I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.' (D&C 11:13.)

"I testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ. God does live and imparts to us his Spirit. In facing life's problems and meeting life's tasks, may we all claim that gift from God, our Father, and find spiritual joy."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Blessed From on High," Ensign, November 1988, p. 59-61
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I like the description of having our "spiritual edge... grown dull" — that feeling that we're just not doing as well as we could be, and not getting the help and support that makes so much difference. The more extreme situation is when we "feel that God has forgotten us" so there is no spiritual edge at all.

President Hunter reassures us that God loves us and is eager to come to our help as we ask in faith. This is the key: when He has much to give us in blessings and support, we just need to "seek his presence regularly":

Such a sweet reassurance, that God really does live and will bless us with His influence in "facing life's problems and meeting life's tasks."  We can call claim "spiritual joy" every day if we are willing to do this.

Harold B. Lee on the need for daily spiritual nourishment

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.

"Within every one of you there dwells a spirit which is the exact counterpart of your full-grown physical body. To keep your physical body in vigor and health, food and drink must be provided at frequent intervals. Every germ cell of your bodies must have a nerve connection in order to maintain the vital life processes. Failure to maintain these nerve connections or to supply the required sustenance brings decay, stagnation, sickness, and finally death to the physical body.

"Your spiritual body needs nourishment at frequent intervals in order to assure its health and vigor. Earthly food does not satisfy this need. Food to satisfy your spiritual needs must come from spiritual sources. Principles of eternal truth, as contained in the gospel, and the proper exercise by engaging in spiritual activities are essential to the satisfying of your spiritual selves. Vital processes of the spirit are likewise maintained only by intelligent connection with spiritual fountains of truth...

"Every day of the week must give nourishment to your spiritual selves. Family and secret prayers, the reading of the scriptures, love in your homes and unselfish daily service to others are manna from heaven to feed your souls....

"And so I beg of you not to rob your spiritual bodies of that essential strength but sincerely urge you to live each day so that you might receive from the fountain of light, nourishment and strength sufficient to every day's need. Take time to be holy each day of your lives."

- Harold B. Lee, Decisions for Successful Living, p. 145-150

This is always a good analogy — we need spiritual nourishment in much the same way we need physical nourishment. For some reason, we more easily neglect the spiritual type; these reminders are valuable if we will listen and ponder.

President Lee describes the need for "intelligent connection with spiritual fountains of truth." He mentions a few ways to do that, through "family and secret prayers, the reading of the scriptures, love in your homes and unselfish daily service to others." Are there others? I think there are many: temple activity, meaningful conversations, fulfilling callings, developing spiritual gifts, quiet meditation, etc. A worthwhile exercise is to document the things we do each day to bring spiritual nourishment, much as "counting calories" for a diet or logging physical exercise.

Wilford Woodruff on loving and helping each other

Wilford Woodruff (1807-1898) was called as an apostle in 1839 by Joseph Smith, and sustained as the 4th president of the Church in 1889.  He served until his death in 1898 at age 91.

"We can best exemplify our love for our God by living our religion. It is vain to profess a love for God while speaking evil of or doing wrong to His children. The sacred covenants we have made with Him strictly impose upon us the duties we owe to one another; and the great office of religion is to teach us how to perform those duties so as to produce the greatest happiness for ourselves and for our fellow-beings. When the obligations of our religion are observed, no words are spoken or acts are committed that would injure a neighbor. If the Latter-day Saints lived as they should do, and as their religion teaches them to do, there would be no feeling in any breast but that of brotherly and sisterly affection and love. Backbiting and evil-speaking would have no existence among us; but peace and love and good will would reign in all our hearts and habitations and settlements. We would be the happiest people on the face of the earth, and the blessing and peace of heaven would rest upon us and upon all that belongs to us.

"If there be unhappiness and heartburnings and quarrelings and hatreds among us, they exist because we do not observe the religion which we profess. They are not its fruits. Where these evils exist there is a crying necessity for repentance."

- Wilford Woodruff, "An Epistle to the Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Millennial Star, November 14, 1887, 729-30

President Woodruff echoes the Savior's message, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). A true disciple should show evidence in his life of following the Savior's example, in "the duties we owe to one another" to produce the greatest happiness for all. And actions contrary to that spirit, including "speaking evil of or doing wrong to His children" are evidence of a lack of true devotion. If we truly follow God's plan in loving and caring for one another, "We would be the happiest people on the face of the earth."

John Taylor on finding peace in the world

President John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was born in England and immigrated to Canada where he and his wife were converted after hearing Parley P. Pratt preach.  He was ordained an apostle in 1838, and became the third president of the Church in 1880, serving until his death in 1887 at age 78.

"Peace is the gift of God. Do you want peace? Go to God. Do you want peace in your families? Go to God. Do you want peace to brood over your families? If you do, live your religion, and the very peace of God will dwell and abide with you, for that is where peace comes from, and it don't dwell anywhere else.... Peace is good, and I say seek for it, cherish it in your bosoms, in your neighborhoods, and wherever you go among your friends and associates, for they are good principles and dwell in the bosom of God, and if we only get that peace that dwells in the bosom of God all will be right....

"Some in speaking of war and troubles, will say are you not afraid? No, I am a servant of God, and this is enough, for Father is at the helm. It is for me to be as clay in the hands of the potter, to be pliable and walk in the light of the countenance of the Spirit of the Lord, and then no matter what comes. Let the lightnings flash and the earthquakes bellow, God is at the helm, and I feel like saying but little, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth and will continue his work until he has put all enemies under his feet, and his kingdom extends from the rivers to the ends of the earth."

- John Taylor, discourse delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, May 18, 1862; see JD 10:56-58
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President Taylor reminds us of the ultimate source of peace; it comes, ultimately, only as a gift from the peacegiver (see John 14:27). But like all divine gifts, it's up to us to claim the offering from God:

I love the perspective of calm faith and confidence.  There is no need to be afraid of the "wars and troubles" of the world, as long as we are living as servants of God, faithfully doing His work to the best of our ability.