Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the life of discipleship

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. 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.

"When we hear the transcendent truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, hope and faith begin to blossom inside of us (see Romans 10:17). The more we fill our hearts and minds with the message of the risen Christ, the greater our desire is to follow Him and live His teachings. This, in turn, causes our faith to grow and allows the light of Christ to illuminate our hearts. As it does, we recognize the imperfections in our lives, and we desire to be cleansed of the depressing burdens of sin. We yearn for freedom from guilt, and this inspires us to repent....

"To uphold us in the desire to lead a purified and holy life, we are endowed with the baptism of fire—the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a heavenly Comforter who accompanies and guides us as we walk in the path of righteousness.

"The more we are filled with the Spirit of God, the more we extend ourselves to others. We become peacemakers in our homes and families, we help our fellowmen everywhere, and we reach out in merciful acts of kindness, forgiveness, grace, and long-suffering patience.

"These are the first steps along the true way of life and fulfillment. This is the peaceable way of the follower of Jesus Christ."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Way of the Disciple," Ensign, May 2009, pp. 75-78
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Moroni described Church members in his day as "peaceable followers of Christ" (Moro 7:3). As he discusses what it means to be a disciple of Christ, President Uchtdorf borrows Moroni's phrase and describes the process of a journey on that path. It begins as the "transcendent truths" of the gospel begin to blossom within a heart, and the person allows those feelings to grow and expand:

This process leads to a "baptism of fire" as the gift of the Holy Ghost brings purification and sanctification. And it results in a changed life. Once that transformation begins, the person is filled with God's Spirit, and is filled with desire to be a peacemaker and to reach out to his fellowmen everywhere with "merciful acts of kindness, forgiveness, grace, and long-suffering patience." What a glorious blessing to anticipate, and to work towards!

Gary E. Stevenson on blessings of temples for families and individuals

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (b. 1955) was called as a Seventy in 2008, then as Presiding Bishop in 2012. He was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from getting lost in the 'mist of darkness' (1 Nephi 8:24). It is the house of the Lord. It is a place where covenants are made and eternal ordinances are performed.

"In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin directed the Saints of his time and place to gather, 'every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple' (Mosiah 2:6). As Church members, we have recently received counsel from modern-day prophets which, if followed, will turn the doors of our homes more fully towards the temple.

"The First Presidency has invited 'adult members to have a current temple recommend and visit the temple more often' where time and circumstance permit and encouraged members 'to replace some leisure activities with temple service.' They also encouraged 'newer members and youth of the Church who are 12 years of age and older to live worthy to assist in this great work by serving as proxies for baptisms and confirmations.' (First Presidency letter, Mar. 11, 2003.) Even our young children have been encouraged to visit the temple grounds and touch the temple. (See Thomas S. Monson, 'Finding Peace,' Ensign, Mar. 2004, 5–6.) President Thomas S. Monson once counseled, 'As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.'

"We are blessed to live in a temple-building dispensation in which 146 temples have been dedicated or announced. Under the definition of 'Temple' in the Bible Dictionary, we read the following: 'It is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth,' followed by this insightful statement: 'Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.' For me this suggests a sacred relationship between the temple and the home. Not only can we turn the doors of our homes to the temple, or the house of the Lord; we can make our homes a 'house of the Lord.' ...

"There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home. Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple."

- Gary E. Stevenson, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples," Ensign, May 2009, pp. 101-103
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Elder Stevenson told the story of a child who said he was not lost because he could see the temple. He applied the principle to being "lost" in symbolic or spiritual ways, teaching that the temple always helps provide the orientation to help us find our way. The key, again symbolically, is to have the doors of our tents or homes facing towards the temple. We should be thinking about the temple and looking to receive the blessings it offers to us.

Homes and temples are sacred places. I was touched by Elder Stevenson's linkage between the two. Homes are strengthened as the temple is allowed to bless them.

Ronald A. Rasband on the spiritual experiences of our lives

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. This talk was given when he served in the presidency of the Seventy.

"Our personal journey through life provides us with many special experiences that become building blocks of faith and testimony. These experiences come to us in vastly different ways and at unpredictable times. They can be powerful spiritual events or small enlightening moments. Some experiences will come as serious challenges and heavy trials that test our ability to cope with them. No matter what the experience may be, each gives us a chance for personal growth, greater wisdom, and, in many cases, service to others with more empathy and love. As the Lord stated to the Prophet Joseph Smith in a reassuring way during one of his most significant trials at Liberty Jail, 'All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good' (D&C 122:7).

"As experiences accumulate in our lives, they add strength and support to each other. Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so too do our personal life experiences become building blocks for our testimonies and add to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ....

"In these days of worldly intrusions into our lives, when trials and difficulties may seem to engulf us, let us remember our own special spiritual experiences. These building blocks of faith will bring us conviction and reassurance of a caring, loving Father in Heaven, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their restored true and living Church."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "Special Experiences," Ensign, May 2008, pp. 11-12
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Elder Rasband's message was to acknowledge the events that help us to progress in life. They can be positive "spiritual events," both powerful and dramatic as well as "small enlightening moments." Certainly we should seek more of those, and recognize their impact. But we are also blessed by "serious challenges and heavy trials" that bring growth in ways we don't expect, if we respond appropriately.

As these experiences accumulate in our lives, we establish the foundation upon which real discipleship can be built:

Elder Rasband encourages us to remember the "special spiritual experiences" when we are engulfed by the "worldly intrusions into our lives." The strength that will follow will bless us with God's help and ever-growing faith.

Neil L. Andersen on the Lord's help in life's challenges

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

"The Lord has not left us alone in our quest to return to Him. Listen to His warning words alerting us to the dangers ahead: 'Take... heed, watch and pray' (Mark 13:33). 'Beware lest ye... be deceived' (D&C 46:8). 'Be watchful and careful' (D&C 42:76). 'Beware lest ye also... fall from your own stedfastness' (2 Peter 3:17).

"No one of us is immune from the influences of the world. The Lord's counsel keeps us on guard....

"We enter the waters of baptism with joy and anticipation. The Savior beckons, 'Come unto me,' (3 Ne 9:14) and we respond, taking His name upon us. Not one of us wants this journey to be a brief flirtation with spirituality or even a notable but finite chapter. The road of discipleship is not for the spiritually faint of heart. Jesus said: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind' (Matthew 22:37). 'Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me' (Mark 8:34).

"As we follow the Savior, without question there will be challenges that confront us. Approached with faith, these refining experiences bring a deeper conversion of the Savior's reality. Approached in a worldly way, these same experiences cloud our view and weaken our resolve."

- Neil L. Andersen, "Never Leave Him", Ensign, November 2010, p. 39
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This is a profound and critical testimony as we deal with the struggles of mortality: "The Lord has not left us alone in our quest to return to Him." Elder Andersen reminds us that He invites us to be faithful disciples, following him with devotion, with "all thy soul." Our commitment must not be "a brief flirtation with spirituality."

But as we do turn our lives to Him, as we truly follow His teachings and example, the blessings are very real. Then when challenges come, and they still will, we will realize that His help is present and know that truly He "has not left us alone."

Jeffrey R. Holland on God's love for each of us

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940 - 75 years ago today!) 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.

"Jesus did not come to improve God's view of man nearly so much as He came to improve man's view of God and to plead with them to love their Heavenly Father as He has always and will always love them. The plan of God, the power of God, the holiness of God, yes, even the anger and the judgment of God they had occasion to understand. But the love of God, the profound depth of His devotion to His children, they still did not fully know—until Christ came.

"So feeding the hungry, healing the sick, rebuking hypocrisy, pleading for faith—this was Christ showing us the way of the Father, He who is 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering and full of goodness' (Lectures on Faith, 42). In His life and especially in His death, Christ was declaring, 'This is God's compassion I am showing you, as well as that of my own.' In the perfect Son's manifestation of the perfect Father's care, in Their mutual suffering and shared sorrow for the sins and heartaches of the rest of us, we see ultimate meaning in the declaration: 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved' (John 3:16-17).

"I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit. I testify that amidst the wondrously complex tasks inherent in the universe, He seeks our individual happiness and safety above all other godly concerns. We are created in His very image and likeness (see Gen. 1:26-27; Moses 2:26-27), and Jesus of Nazareth, His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, came to earth as the perfect mortal manifestation of His grandeur."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Grandeur of God," Ensign, Nov. 2003, pp. 70-73
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Elder Holland is a master of hope and encouragement. In this message, he helps us understand our relationship with God, and His enduring love for us.

The key is understanding how the Jesus' mortal experience demonstrated the "profound depth" of God's devotion to His children. Every aspect of the Savior's life showed us "the way of the Father"—"In His life and especially in His death, Christ was declaring, 'This is God's compassion I am showing you, as well as that of my own.'" What a beautiful witness.

D. Todd Christofferson on love for God as a motivation for righteousness

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

"There are many places in the scriptures that counsel mankind to fear God. In our day we generally interpret the word fear as 'respect' or 'reverence' or 'love'; that is, the fear of God means the love of God or respect for Him and His law. That may often be a correct reading, but I wonder if sometimes fear doesn't really mean fear, as when the prophets speak of fearing to offend God by breaking His commandments....

"I submit that fear of the Lord, or what Paul calls 'godly fear' (Hebrews 12:28), should be part of our reverence for Him. We should so love and reverence Him that we fear doing anything wrong in His sight, whatever may be the opinions of or pressure from others. Moroni urges us, 'Begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him' (Mormon 9:27).

"Because the world around us generally ignores God, it is easy for us at times to forget that our responsibility to know and do His will is constant. Most do not realize, or do not believe, that in a future day each of us must account to the Lord for his or her life: thoughts, words, and actions. Working out our own salvation with fear and trembling means striving in the decisions and activities of life day by day to prepare what will be a good accounting.

"Having been blessed to receive what we have received, we can advance spiritually as no other people, but we are also at greater risk than any others. We cannot commit the sins they do without coming under a greater condemnation, for if we sin, we sin against a greater light. We cannot trifle with the sacred things committed to our care and be considered innocent as those who know not God.

"God is feeling after us to see if we will prove faithful, and if we have the integrity and sensitivity to honor sacred things, we will receive even more. But if not, our blessings will turn to our condemnation."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "A Sense of the Sacred," CES Fireside, 7 November 2004
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Coming to understand our relationship to God is a crucial task for this life. Elder Christofferson mentions feelings we might have for Him, including respect, reverence, and love. But he also discusses the concept of fear — particularly the idea of "fearing to offend God by breaking His commandments." This kind of "godly fear" is really expanded reverence.

All we do should truly, ultimately be motivated by love for God and love for one another. What a powerful concept!

And to those who have greater light and understanding, there is greater responsibility and accountability. Elder Christofferson reminds us that "our responsibility to know and do His will is constant." I appreciate the challenge he offers: "God is feeling after us to see if we will prove faithful, and if we have the integrity and sensitivity to honor sacred things, we will receive even more."

David A. Bednar on the process of daily prayer

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

"There may be things in our character, in our behavior, or concerning our spiritual growth about which we need to counsel with Heavenly Father in morning prayer. After expressing appropriate thanks for blessings received, we plead for understanding, direction, and help to do the things we cannot do in our own strength alone....

"Such a prayer is a key part of the spiritual preparation for our day.

"During the course of the day, we keep a prayer in our heart for continued assistance and guidance....

"At the end of our day, we kneel again and report back to our Father. We review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help we received. We repent and, with the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, identify ways we can do and become better tomorrow. Thus our evening prayer builds upon and is a continuation of our morning prayer. And our evening prayer also is a preparation for meaningful morning prayer.

"Morning and evening prayers—and all of the prayers in between—are not unrelated, discrete events; rather, they are linked together each day and across days, weeks, months, and even years. This is in part how we fulfill the scriptural admonition to 'pray always' (Luke 21:36; 3 Nephi 18:15, 18; D&C 31:12). Such meaningful prayers are instrumental in obtaining the highest blessings God holds in store for His faithful children."

- David A. Bednar, "Pray Always", Ensign, Nov. 2008, pp. 41-44
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Elder Bednar describes a very effective process for making our relationship with Heavenly Father a more dynamic, influential part of our daily life.

1. Start the day with morning prayer during which we acknowledge blessings and then "plead for understanding, direction, and help" we will need during the coming day
2. During the day, keep a prayer in our heart for ongoing guidance and help
3. At the end of the day, "report back" to Heavenly Father, reviewing the events of the day, expressing appreciation for blessings and help, and looking for ways to improve and do better tomorrow.

This kind of process creates a repetitive, reinforcing process of growth — each prayer leading to the next, each day building on the previous and anticipating the one to come. Elder Bednar describes this process as one of the great keys that lead to "the highest blessings" promised to God's "faithful children."