L. Tom Perry on dealing with challenges in life

Elder L. Tom Perry (1922-2015) was called as an Assistant to the Twelve in 1972, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1974. At the time of his passing at age 92, he was the oldest living general authority and the third in seniority among the leading quorum.

"The Lord is very kind. Even though some experiences are hard, he floods your mind with memories and gives you other opportunities. Life doesn’t end just because you have a tragedy—there’s a new mountain to climb. Don’t spend a lot of time sulking over what you’ve lost. Get on with climbing the next mountain."

- L. Tom Perry, remarks in his online biography responding to challenges in his own life
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This is a wonderful short quote, full of faith and hope, along with the beautiful imagery of mountains (especially meaningful to me personally!).  Elder Perry shared this in the context of having his first wife pass away from cancer and losing other close family members. All of us have experiences from time to time that are hard to deal with. But if we truly trust in God, He will "flood [our] mind with memories" and bless us with new opportunities. Sometimes it's that new opportunity, following the trial, that is the greatest blessing. We just have to keep climbing the mountains that appear before us!

Parley P. Pratt on the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost

Elder Parley P. Pratt (1807-1857) was converted by the Book of Mormon and joined the Church in 1830, a few months after it was organized. He was one of first twelve men ordained apostles in 1835, and served in that assignment until his death in 1857 at age 50. He was known as a dynamic and powerful missionary, and his writings helped establish the philosophical and doctrinal foundation of Mormon doctrine.

"An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself.

"But these are possessed by man in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.

"The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being."

- Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology [Deseret 1978], p. 61

What does it mean to be a child of God, created in the image of God? Elder Pratt considers that question and shares these insights. A child of God possesses all the attributes and qualities of God "in embryo" — to be "gradually developed" until they are fully expressed. The implication is that our goal and purpose in life are to "by progress" work towards the full realization of those attributes as we become like Him.  I love this testimony of Mormon:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:48; see also 1 John 3:2)

And then, in beautiful language, Elder Pratt describes the role of the Holy Ghost in the development and enhancement of those attributes. It "adapts" to our bodies and spirits to become a catalyst of sorts, enabling and quickening the development of the attributes of God in our lives.

Heber C. Kimball on the need for personal spiritual experiences

President Heber C. Kimball (1801-1868) was a member of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles ordained in this dispensation in 1835. He served as first counselor to Brigham Young from 1847 until his death in 1868 at age 67. He was the grandfather of Spencer W. Kimball, who became an apostle in 1943 and served as president of the Church from 1973-1985. His great-great-grandson, Quentin L. Cook, currently serves as an apostle.

"Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. This Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand.

"Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand? ... You will be left to the light within yourselves.  If you don't have it you will not stand; therefore seek for the testimony of Jesus and cleave to it, that when the trying time comes you may not stumble and fall."

- Heber C. Kimball, remarks given in the Old Tabernacle in 1867; see Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 449-451

Many of his contemporaries commented on Heber C. Kimball's gift of prophecy and his understanding of the Gospel plan. Brigham Young himself said on more than one occasion, "Heber is my prophet, and I love to hear him prophesy." Heber knew about the Gospel's promises and blessings; but he also warned and cautioned on many occasions about the tests and challenges that the people would have to face in the future.

I've always been impressed by this particular insight; in order to "meet the difficulties that are coming," it becomes crucial to have a personal knowledge of the truth of God's work on earth. We can't borrow spiritual light from others; we must have our own.

The critical invitation is to strengthen our own light, to make sure it's burning bright within our hearts and minds so that we are ready for whatever challenges come.

At a regional Priesthood meeting some years ago, I learned a further insight regarding this principle from Robert J. Matthews, who taught religion for many years at BYU and then served as the president of the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Referring to President Kimball's caution about borrowing light from others, he cautioned about borrowing light from ourselves. He said when we are living in the light of previous spiritual experiences and not having ongoing, current experiences, we're effectively borrowing light from our past, and may have only the "memory of a testimony" instead of a living, dynamic one. So that's an even more urgent reminder of the need to be continually strengthening the light that burns in our hearts!

Marion G. Romney on keeping hope strong amid challenges

President Marion G. Romney (1897-1988) was born in the Mormon Colonies in Mexico. He was ordained an apostle in 1951 and served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1972 to 1985. After the death of President Spencer W. Kimball, President Romney was released and returned to serve in the Quorum of Twelve until his death in 1988.

"The theme I have chosen for these remarks I have taken from a jingle we used to sing in the army back in 1918 when things looked gloomy. It began:

"'There's a silver lining / Through the dark clouds shining.' (Lena Guilbert Ford.)

"This I have done because although there is presently a widespread foreboding of difficult times ahead, I am persuaded that there is 'a silver lining' to our predicament and that 'behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.' ('The Present Crisis,' James Russell Lowell.) ...

"As the Lord has repeatedly warned that breaking His commandments would bring on calamity, so has He promised that observance of His commandments would avert calamity and bring blessings....

"That we shall in full faith, relying upon these assurances, so keep the commandments that we shall be sustained by the knowledge that 'behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own' would be my fervent hope."

- Marion G. Romney, "A Silver Lining," Ensign, May 1977, p. 53
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Prophets tend to be optimists, and always encourage hope and confidence in their followers. In spite of "widespread foreboding of difficult times ahead" that President Romney sensed almost 40 years ago, he knew that God was in charge, and that things would work out. And while we may sense the same "foreboding" today, we can benefit from his encouragement and by remembering that obedience and faith will bring the blessings of God to our lives.

Marvin J. Ashton on charity

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915-1994) served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1971 until his death in 1994 at age 78.

"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

"Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

- Marvin J Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword," Ensign, May 1992, pp. 18-19
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Elder Ashton was a kind and sensitive man in many ways. This advice, about how we treat one another, is a great example. I appreciated the introduction about what "real charity" is; not just the acts of public service, but the virtue that gets planted deep in our hearts and helps us understand our relationships to each other.

Even when we are wronged, charity helps us treat another person with love and forgiveness. What a wonderful gift! Since charity is the "pure love of Christ," we can see how He exemplified this quality in His life.

Spencer W. Kimball on the blessings of lengthening our stride

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"So much depends upon our willingness to make up our minds, collectively and individually, that present levels of performance are not acceptable, either to ourselves or to the Lord. In saying that, I am not calling for flashy, temporary differences in our performance levels, but a quiet resolve... to do a better job, to lengthen our stride." (Regional Representative's Seminar, 3 Oct. 1974.)

"When I think of the concept of 'lengthening our stride,' I, of course, apply it to myself as well as urging it upon the Church. The 'lengthening of our stride' suggests urgency instead of hesitancy, 'now,' instead of tomorrow; it suggests not only an acceleration, but efficiency. It suggests, too, that the whole body of the Church move forward in unison with a quickened pace and pulse, doing our duty with all our heart, instead of halfheartedly. It means, therefore, mobilizing and stretching all our muscles and drawing on all our resources. It suggests also that we stride with pride and with a sense of anticipation as we meet the challenges facing the kingdom. Out of all this will come a momentum that will be sobering and exhilarating at the same time." (MIA June Conference, 29 June 1975.)

- Spencer W. Kimball, "The Words of a Prophet," Ensign, December 1985, p. 26
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President Kimball was not a physically large man. But there are few who could match his "stride" in moving forward the Lord's kingdom. He started to talk about lengthening our stride soon after he became the president of the Church in 1973. These two excerpts are a great sampling of his vision and enthusiasm.

This is a challenge that displays remarkable vision and foresight. The opening words "So much depends" convey an understanding of the implications that would have to be divinely inspired. And now that over 40 years have passed since these words were first shared, we should all be asking ourselves, "Did I improve my personal level of performance, and see the blessings that followed?" President Kimball promised "a momentum that will be sobering and exhilarating at the same time."

An even better question: Could I "lengthen my stride" now, today? Do we still sense that "quiet resolve" to be more faithful, more diligent, more obedient—"doing our duty with all our heart, instead of halfheartedly"? It's never too late to begin to do better!

Ezra Taft Benson on building a strong and happy marriage

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"Marriage itself must be regarded as a sacred covenant before God. A married couple have an obligation not only to each other, but to God. He has promised blessings to those who honor that covenant....

"Prayer in the home and prayer with each other will strengthen [a couple's] union. Gradually thoughts, aspirations, and ideas will merge into a oneness until you are seeking the same purposes and goals.

"Rely on the Lord, the teachings of the prophets, and the scriptures for guidance and help, particularly when there may be disagreements and problems.

"Spiritual growth comes by solving problems together—not by running from them. Today's inordinate emphasis on individualism brings egotism and separation. Two individuals becoming 'one flesh' is still the Lord's standard. (See Gen. 2:24.)

"The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development. Paradoxically, the more we serve one another, the greater is our spiritual and emotional growth."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships,"  Ensign, Nov. 1982, pp. 59, 60
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For those who are privileged and blessed to be linked with another in an eternal covenant of marriage, President Benson gave much wise counsel in this address on strengthening marriages and families. He taught first about the sacredness of the marriage covenant, in which two people are bound to each other and to God. Blessings follow faithfulness to that sacred covenant.

He then gives wise counsel on how to succeed in faithful observance of the covenant. I appreciated the thoughts about praying together. It's not just the act of praying that becomes significant; but the outcome, the effects of that act are that a couple grows in unity and oneness towards common goals and purposes.

And learning to work through problems, disagreements, and challenges is so key to successful relationships. Marriages grow strong as two people learn to set aside their own priorities and needs aside while they seek the best for their companion.

What a beautiful goal we truly have in this "sacred covenant" of a celestial marriage!