Richard L. Evans on heroic lives of service and love

Elder Richard L. Evans (1906-1971) served as a Seventy from 1938-1953, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He died in 1971 at age 65.  He was known as "the voice of the Tabernacle Choir" from the beginning of its broadcasts in 1929 until his passing.

"There are many in this world who live heroically in simple, daily, faithful service—people often unknown; often unnoticed; often discouraged; sometimes tried and tempted; sometimes feeling they must give up, that they can't go on—and yet they do go on, and, against discouragement, do their duty, daily: mothers abandoned, widowed, left with children; fathers left alone—grandmothers—children who care for each other. There are those who have little to live on, little relatively to brighten their lives, and yet do what they can with a loyal sense of duty. There are those who love and cherish and care for impaired children; those who faithfully care for dependent parents; those who care for loved ones who are long ill and dependent upon them; those who provide tender care, who perform essential tasks, with problems and disappointments, under difficult and discouraging conditions—weary hours, inconvenience, extra effort, going without, enduring difficulties.

"And life goes on as well as it does because there are those who do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, often against difficulty and discouragement. Oh, you who have illness; people dependent upon you—you who stay with loved ones in loyalty—you who are discouraged in your work—you who are disappointed in others, in yourselves, in circumstances—you who feel you have little of the brightness of life—trust; have faith; do the best you can. Don't give up. Don't walk out on life. Don't leave loved ones. There may be a feeling of frustration in doing what you are doing, but there can be a greater frustration in not doing what is yours to do.

"To you who give humble daily, faithful service—often unnoticed, often discouraged, sometimes feeling you can't go on: You can. Others have—and do. Meet the events of each day, and satisfactions will come in ways you do not know. God bless you—and thanks to all of you who give such service."

- Richard L. Evans, "The Spoken Word," October 25, 1970; see Ensign January 1971
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I suspect that all of us know individuals "who live heroically in simple, daily, faithful service," often unappreciated, usually unrecognized, and always struggling with increased challenges of life, including "weary hours, inconvenience, extra effort, going without, enduring difficulties." I appreciated Elder Evans' tribute to them. Most mothers fall into this category, to some degree (some, including single mothers or those who care for disabled children, far more than others).

While paying tribute to these faithful servants and care-givers, Elder Evans encourages patient and faithful endurance. And he promises blessings of satisfactions that will come in unexpected ways:

I am grateful for those who have shown this kind of Christlike love to me, and have shown the example of serving others as I've watched.

Ezra Taft Benson on finding happiness in the Savior

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.

"The Lord wants us to be happy. He will do His part if we will do our part. The Christlike life is the life that brings true happiness. There is no true happiness without God. Sin brings sorrow, disappointment, and heartaches. Only the good life brings a happy new year. It pays to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It pays to accept the teachings of the Master, to apply them in our lives, to be true to the standards of the Church, to be true to our covenants—to live the gospel. And if we do this we will be bigger and can be bigger than anything that can possibly happen to us. I am sure that is the desire of all of us because those who have this faith, and have a testimony of the divinity of this work, can endure anything and keep their spirits sweet."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "New Year 1961," Washington D.C. Ward, 31 December 1960; see Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 339

That eternal "search for happiness"! President Benson's testimony is simple: Happiness comes from righteousness. It comes from "the Christlike life." It follows obedience and striving to live Gospel principles. It will be the result of keeping covenants.

The person who is truly striving to live that kind of Christlike life "can endure anything and keep their spirits sweet"—what a beautiful phrase! It's not just a positive outward attitude; it's an inner conviction to the goodness and knowledge that "all is well" and God is in charge. While some allow their spirits to turn bitter, angry, or resentful in the midst of the challenges of life, the true disciple's spirit stays sweet.

Harold B. Lee on a symphony of reverence

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.

"Reverence is profound respect, mingled with love and awe, as for a holy being, or place, or an exalted thing...

"A symphony is a harmony of sounds. Before there can be a completeness of the realization of the objective of reverence, there has to be a weaving together. It has to be found in the individual, in the home, in the Church, and toward the priesthood and God. Then, as I thought of that, I thought of that old Chinese proverb, 'If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.'"

- Harold B. Lee, "Symphony of Reverence," 50th Annual Primary Conference, 5 April 1956; see THBL p. 201

The concept of "reverence" in the Gospel sense is such a beautiful one—so much deeper and more profound than we often consider it. As the children's song teaches, "Reverence is more than just quietly sitting...."  I love President Lee's description of "profound respect" combined with deep "love and awe" for something that is holy or sacred.

But especially interesting in this excerpt is the "weaving together" of the different aspects of reverence, helping us see how they are inter-related and can lead from one to the other.

Gordon B. Hinckley on developing living, vital faith in Christ

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961, served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008 at age 97.

"When I discuss faith, I do not mean it in an abstract sense. I mean it as a living, vital force with recognition of God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we accept this basic premise, there will come an acceptance of their teachings and an obedience which will bring peace and joy in this life and exaltation in the life to come.

"Faith is not a theological platitude. It is a fact of life. Faith can become the very wellspring of purposeful living. There is no more compelling motivation to worthwhile endeavor than the knowledge that we are children of God, the Creator of the universe, our all-wise Heavenly Father! God expects us to do something with our lives, and he will give us help when help is sought....

"We were aboard a plane some years ago flying between Honolulu and Los Angeles. It was in the days when only propeller-driven aircraft were available. About midway in the journey one of the motors stopped. There was a decrease in speed, a lowering in altitude, and a certain amount of nervousness among those aboard. The fact of the matter was that much of the power was missing, and the hazards were increased accordingly. Without that power, we could not fly high, fast, and safely.

"It is so with our lives when we discount the need for faith and disregard knowledge of the Lord.

"Passive acceptance of the Lord is not enough. Vibrant testimony comes of anxious seeking. Strength comes of active service in the Master's cause."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "With All Thy Getting Get Understanding," Ensign, Aug. 1988, pp. 2-5
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President Hinckley was the epitome of a faithful man. His faith was certainly a "living, vital force" in his life, and he speaks from the heart about the "compelling motivation" that true faith provides in life.

President Hinckley uses the analogy of a failed airplane engine to underscore his message. The point is that when the power that moves us forward is lacking, speed is decreased and hazards increase accordingly. That power comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. And the challenges of today's world require all the power we can get. We need more "anxious seeking" and "active service" to develop "vibrant testimony" and strength of faith that will carry us safely home.

James E. Faust on sustaining faith in today's challenging world

President James E. Faust (1920 - 2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"Never before in the history of the world has the need for faith in God been greater. Although science and technology open up boundless opportunities, they also present great perils because Satan employs these marvelous discoveries to his great advantage. The communication highway that spans the globe is overloaded with information for which no one bears responsibility for its truth or its source. Crime has become much more sophisticated and life more perilous. In war, killing has become far more efficient. Great challenges lie ahead unless the power of faith, judgment, honesty, decency, self-control, and character increases proportionately to compensate for this expansion of secular knowledge. Without moral progress, stimulated by faith in God, immorality in all its forms will proliferate and strangle goodness and human decency. Mankind will not be able to fully express the potential nobility of the human soul unless faith in God is strengthened....

"To sustain faith, each of us must be humble and compassionate, kind and generous to the poor and the needy. Faith is further sustained by daily doses of spirituality that come to us as we kneel in prayer. It begins with us as individuals and extends to our families, who need to be solidified in righteousness. Honesty, decency, integrity, and morality are all necessary ingredients of our faith and will provide sanctuary for our souls."

- James E. Faust, "The Shield of Faith," Ensign, May 2000, pp. 17-19
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The need for "faith in God" continues to grow in our world. President Faust said it was one of the great needs of the world, and now 16 more years have passed. We are challenged by our technology and the modern developments that bring new challenges and decisions to our lives. President Faust pleads for "the power of faith, judgment, honesty, decency, self-control, and character" to grow in proportion to the immorality and wickedness around us.

That has to begin as an individual effort.  Each one of us fights that battle alone, in our personal life and in our home, family, and environment. We find strength in good brothers and sisters who fight alongside us. And we find strength in God who desires for us to win each battle and come out triumphant.

President Faust described some of the steps we should be taking to strengthen our faith and be better equipped to deal with our challenges:

That's a good summary for a personal evaluation. Am I doing all I can to sustain and enhance my personal faith and strength?

Richard G. Scott on righteous character and righteous actions

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

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be evaluated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality.

"Neither Satan nor any other power can destroy or undermine your growing character. Only you could do that through disobedience. A sterling character is converted into worthless ashes when eroded by deceit or transgression.

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and when acted upon are confirmed."

- Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character," Ensign November 2010, pp. 43-46
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This is another good investigation of the relationship of what we are and what we do. What really matters is our "righteous character"—the essence of what we are deep inside. The outward actions are a manifestation of the inner change. But they also lead to that change; doing the right things helps to develop the purity of character as we experience both the fruits of our actions and the purification that comes from obedience.

Elder Scott points out that no one, not even Satan, can destroy or undermine our character. We do that ourselves as we fail to be obedient to the higher law that would lead us to Christ. Hence the critical need to "trust in things that are believed" as we move forward actively in pursuing the path of discipleship.

David O. McKay on following correct spiritual priorities

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"On one occasion the Savior said: 'For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?' (Matt. 16:26.) In this text, Jesus refers to the dominant incentives prompting man's actions in daily life. If a man seek wealth, fame, pleasures, physical indulgences, and other things which riches and worldly honors can bestow, but neglects and leaves undeveloped the eternal riches of the soul, what is he profited? ....

"In those words the Lord emphasizes in a simple though majestic comparison the relative value of material things and spiritual possessions. It is gratifying to note how leading thinkers today, sincere philosophers and scientists are pleading for more spirituality. They may reason differently from us about the origin of man, but they all agree that now is the time that the spiritual part of man must be developed. Seeking to establish the kingdom of God and his righteousness is designated the paramount purpose of life."

- David O. McKay, Treasures of Life, p. 129-130

What are the "dominant incentives" or primary motivators that drive our actions? President McKay reiterates the Savior's warning about being motivated by "wealth, fame, pleasures, physical indulgences." This is a foundational principle of the Gospel. It is the motivation of the heart that truly matters, more than the outward actions we perform. But when our heart is in the right place, we are motivated to the proper kinds of Christlike actions.

We must always be cautions and remember "the relative value of material things and spiritual possessions."