Heber C. Kimball on becoming trusting and submissive to God

President Heber C. Kimball (June 14, 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.

"Comparing us to clay that is in the hands of the potter, if that clay is passive, I have power as a potter to mold it and make it into a vessel unto honor. Who is to mold these vessels? Is it God Himself in person, or is it His servants, His potters, or journeymen, in company with those He has placed to oversee the work? The great Master Potter dictates His servants, and it is for them to carry out His purposes, and make vessels according to His designs; and when they have done the work, they deliver it up to the Master for His acceptance; and if their works are not good, He does not accept them; the only works He accepts, are those that are prepared according to the design He gave. God will not be trifled with; neither will His servants; their words have got to be fulfilled, and they are the men that are to mold you, and tell you what shape to move in.

"I do not know that I can compare it better than by the potter's business. It forms a good comparison. This is the course you must pursue, and I know of no other way that God has prepared for you to become sanctified, and molded, and fashioned, until you become modeled to the likeness of the Son of God, by those who are placed to lead you. This is a lesson you have to learn as well as myself.

"When I know that I am doing just as I am told by him who is placed to lead this people, I am then a happy man, I am filled with peace, and can go about my business with joy and pleasure; I can lie down and rise again in peace, and be filled with gladness by night and by day. But when I have not done the things that are right, my conscience gnaws upon my feelings. This is the course for me to take.... to this you have got to bow, and you have got to bow down like the clay in the hands of the potter, that suffers the potter to mold it according to his own pleasure. You have all got to come to this; and if you do not come to it at this time, as sure as the sun ever rose and set, you will be cut from the wheel, and thrown back into the mill.

"You have come from the mill, and you have been there grinding. For what purpose? To bring you into a passive condition. You have been gathered from the nations of the earth, from among the kindreds, tongues, and peoples of the world, to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, to purify and sanctify yourselves, and become like the passive clay in the hands of the potter. Now suppose I subject myself enough, in the hands of the potter, to be shaped according as he was dictated by the Great Master potter, that rules over all things in heaven and on earth, he would make me into a vessel of honor.

"There are many vessels that are destroyed after they have been molded and shaped. Why? Because they are not contented with the shape the potter has given them, but straightway put themselves into a shape to please themselves; therefore they are beyond understanding what God designs, and they destroy themselves by the power of their own agency, for this is given to every man and woman, to do just as they please. That is all right, and all just. Well, then, you have to go through a great many modelings and shapes, then you have to be glazed and burned; and even in the burning, some vessels crack. What makes them crack? Because they are snappish; they would not crack, if they were not snappish and willful."

- Heber C. Kimball, "The Potter and the Clay," Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, April 2, 1854; see JD 2:150
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See also Ensign, January 2011, pp. 60-61

Heber C. Kimball was one of the spiritual giants of the early restoration; but he was a relatively simple and uneducated man, next to many of his brethren. He worked as a potter, so had person insights into the craft and art that he often referred to in his discourses.

I love this description of how we need to become humble and submissive to the direction of God and His servants—like "passive clay in the hands of the potter." If a potter is trying to mold clay that isn't cooperative, for whatever reason (wrong consistency, contains impurities, not properly prepared, etc.) he is unable to achieve the desired results and will eventually remove the clay from the wheel and subject it to further preparations.

President Kimball likens this to our situation in life. We have to learn to be subject to the molding that comes from both from the trials and tests of life, and from the counsel of the Spirit and the leaders placed to represent God. It is only in this way that we can experience the process "that God has prepared for you to become sanctified, and molded, and fashioned, until you become modeled to the likeness of the Son of God." What a beautiful analogy!

Richard L. Evans on finding ways to build and encourage one another

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 physical hurts in life—accidents, illness, financial misfortunes that men often manage to survive. But there are hurts of the heart that pull people down in deep discouragement, sometimes more damaging than physical factors—people who are misunderstood, maligned; whose motives are misjudged. There are those whose friends fail them; those whose loved ones prove faithless. There are those whose words and manner are misunderstood by those they live and work with, and there are those whose humor is misunderstood—a humor that was not meant to hurt. Sometimes we speak without thinking and find the effect to be altogether not what we would have wanted. And sometimes even with family and friends there are clashes of personality, or pride, or simply differences of approach that prevent even loved ones from understanding each other.

"Oh, how we wish sometimes we hadn't said some things, and hadn't done some things—that we hadn't given thoughtless hurt to someone, or even some slight. As Sir Walter Scott said it: 'Thoughts, from the tongue that slowly part, Glance quick as lightning through the heart.'

"So many misunderstood—so many with problems, sorrows, disappointments, frustrations, hurts of the heart! We are not, any of us, always as we ought to be, or all we could become. We often live by trial and error, and there is no perfection in any one of us. And no matter what physical comforts we have, or what success in other ways, these will not make life happy when there are hurts of the heart.

"One of the greatest accomplishments in this world would be that of lifting human hearts. Blessed are they who are kind and considerate of the feelings of other people. Blessed are they who understand and appreciate and encourage others, and help to lift their lives and to heal hurts of the heart. Surely God will reward kindness more surely than he will reward much else without it."

- Richard L. Evans, "The Spoken Word," November 29, 1970; see Ensign, February 1971, p. 22
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It's a poignant thing to be "misunderstood, maligned; [one] whose motives are misjudged." Those "hurts of the heart" are so much more painful and long-lasting than most physical injuries. Having been the victim of such an attack at one point, I know how wounds of accusation and judgement can linger.

The injuries that are inflicted knowingly might be the hardest to recover from; but those that are done unknowingly, without malicious intent, also cause deep wounds. "We are not, any of us, always as we ought to be"; and at times we stumble in our relationships. When we do, how quick we should be to apologize, to forgive, to make amends, to move on.

This is a plea for greater sensitivity; greater caution and awareness in how we interact with one another. In order to avoid causing unnecessary pain, we need more often to think how our words might be taken in ways we don't intend; and how we might be misperceiving facts or circumstances.

I love these closing words of encouragement towards greater kindness and sensitivity:

Marvin J. Ashton on carrying our own cross

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.

"My message to you this day is take up your cross. Take yourself the way you are and lift yourself in the direction of the better. Regardless of where you have been, what you have done, or what you haven't done, trust God, believe on him, relate to him, worship him as you carry your cross with dignity and determination.

"We save our lives by losing them for his sake. As you find yourself, you will find God. This is true. I declare that to you. It is his promise. Take up the real cross of Jesus Christ.

"What kind of cross do you bear? What is its shape, weight, size, or dimension? We all have them. Some are very visible, while others are not always evident.... Some crosses we bear are these (maybe you will relate to one or more): the cross of loneliness; the cross of physical limitations—the loss of a leg, an arm, hearing, seeing, mobility—obvious crosses (we see people with these crosses and admire their strength in carrying them with dignity); the cross of poor health; the cross of transgression; the cross of success; the cross of temptation; the cross of beauty, fame, or wealth; the cross of financial burdens; the cross of criticism; the cross of peer rejection....

"It is a fact of life that God can make our crosses easier to bear if we are but willing to admit we have them and then seek his help....

"There is an aid, there is a strength, there is a power when we count our blessings as we labor under crosses that sometimes seem unreasonable and unfair but that can be for our good and for our strength. I bear special witness to you that carrying our crosses and following our Lord will bring strength, peace, and purpose in our quest for the abundant life. God has made this promise. Carry your crosses with strength, with purpose, and while you do, count the blessings of God's strength."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "Carry Your Cross," BYU Fireside, May 3, 1987
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We all bear some kind of "cross" in this life—a burden placed on us, sometimes by others and sometimes by our own actions, that we must carry in life. Some are heavy and some are light; some are visible and some are unseen. I was fascinated by this sample list Elder Ashton provided:

• loneliness
• physical limitations—the loss of a leg, an arm, hearing, seeing, mobility—obvious crosses
• poor health
• transgression
• success
• temptation
• beauty, fame, or wealth
• financial burdens
• criticism
• peer rejection

It's interesting that some of those crosses are things we generally consider as positive things (success, beauty, wealth) but they too can be burdens to carry.

The powerful message Elder Ashton shares is this: "God can make our crosses easier to bear if we are but willing to admit we have them and then seek his help." We might each benefit from doing a personal inventory to identify what might be our personal crosses, so we can then invite His help in carrying them. As we move forward with the burdens we bear, we will be able to witness God's help and will be blessed with "strength, peace, and purpose in our quest for the abundant life."

Joseph B. Wirthlin on love and discipleship

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (Born June 11, 1917- 99 years ago today! Died December 1, 2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"The measure of our love is the measure of the greatness of our souls.

"The scriptures tell us that 'if any man love God, the same is known of him' (1 Corinthians 8:3). What a wonderful promise—to be known of Him. It makes the spirit soar to think that the Creator of heaven and earth could know us and love us with a pure, eternal love.

"In 1840 the Prophet Joseph sent an epistle to the Twelve wherein he taught that 'love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race' (History of the Church, 4:227).

"As we reach out in love to those around us, we fulfill the other half of the great commandment to 'love thy neighbour as thyself' (Galatians 5:14).

"Both commandments are necessary, for as we bear one another's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ (see Galatians 6:2).

"Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007, pp. 28-31
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I love Elder Wirthlin's gentle invitation to better discipleship. The first statement of this excerpt is profound: "The measure of our love is the measure of the greatness of our souls." And then he elaborates; we must first love God, deeply and completely. I love the promise from Paul's letter to the Corinthians that teaches how we are "known of God" as we come to love Him.

But the love of God is not passive; it leads us to love one another, to express our love in our interactions with those around us, as Joseph Smith taught beautifully:

Finally,  Elder Wirthlin's summary is beautifully written. This paragraph reminds us of the all-encompassing nature of love, and its power and ability to bless in profound ways.

Ezra Taft Benson on learning to follow Jesus Christ

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.

"I testify to you that there is no greater and no more thrilling challenge than to try to learn of Christ and walk in His steps. Our model, Jesus Christ, walked this earth as 'the Exemplar.' He is our Advocate with the Father. He worked out the great atoning sacrifice so we could have a fulness of joy and be exalted in accordance with His grace and our repentance and righteousness. He did all things perfectly and commands that we be perfect even as He and His Father are perfect. (See 3 Ne. 12:48.)

"'What would Jesus do?' or 'What would He have me do?' are paramount personal questions of this life. Walking in His way is the greatest achievement of life. That man or woman is most truly successful whose life most closely parallels that of the Master.

"I know the Lord lives. I know that He loves us. I know that apart from Him no one can succeed, but as a partner with Him, no one can fail.

"I know that God can make a lot more out of our lives than we can.

"That we may all have the moral courage from this moment forward to more fully strive each day to think on Christ, learn of Him, walk in His steps, and do what He would have us do is my prayer."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Think on Christ," Ensign, March 1989, p. 2
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Interesting challenge: "There is no greater and no more thrilling challenge than to try to learn of Christ and walk in His steps." It is both a great challenge, and a thrilling challenge, to learn of Him! President Benson shares some of what he has learned of Christ, His role in mortality, and the blessings He offers to all of us.

On other occasions, President Benson spoke in more detail of these preeminent questions; they will bless our lives as we learn to ask them more regularly and sincerely:

"What would Jesus do?"

"What would He have me do?"

President Benson's testimony of the benefits and blessings of these efforts is the real core of this message. I think he knew of these promises from his own experience; I am grateful to have seen many of them realized in mine.

Neal A. Maxwell on developing proper self-concept

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

"Some of us who would not chastise a neighbor for his frailties have a field day with our own. Some of us stand before no more harsh a judge than ourselves, a judge who stubbornly refuses to admit much happy evidence and who cares nothing for due process. Fortunately, the Lord loves us more than we love ourselves. A constructive critic truly cares for that which he criticizes, including himself, whereas self-pity is the most condescending form of pity; it soon cannibalizes all other concerns....

"What can we do to manage these vexing feelings of inadequacy? ... We can make quiet but more honest inventories of our strengths, since, in this connection, most of us are dishonest bookkeepers and need confirming 'outside auditors.' He who was thrust down in the first estate delights to have us put ourselves down. Self-contempt is of Satan; there is none of it in heaven. We should, of course, learn from our mistakes, but without forever studying the instant replays as if these were the game of life itself."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Notwithstanding My Weakness," Ensign, Nov. 1976, pp. 12-14
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What do we think of ourselves? Our self-concept can greatly influence our personal happiness, as well as our ability to serve and bless others. I love this gentle coaching from Elder Maxwell:

"The Lord loves us more than we love ourselves." That is certainly often true; and I suppose, really, it is always true. He knows us eternally and intimately; He knows our past and our potential. And He loves us. He yearns for our happiness, and will do all He can to facilitate it, as long as we are willing to participate in the process.

It was also good to see Elder Maxwell's counsel about how to deal with "vexing feelings of inadequacy." He encouraged us to take honest inventory of our capabilities and gifts, trusting especially in the opinions expressed by others. And be wary of Satan's attempts to encourage self-contempt. We must always learn from the past, then leave it and move on; too much dwelling on the mistakes we have made can be so destructive.

Spencer W. Kimball on becoming humble and remaining humble

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

"Humility is not pretentious, presumptuous, nor proud. It is not weak, vacillating, nor servile....

"Humble and meek properly suggest virtues, not weaknesses. They suggest a consistent mildness of temper and an absence of wrath and passion. Humility suggests no affectation, no bombastic actions. It is not turbid nor grandiloquent. It is not servile submissivesness. It is not cowed nor frightened. No shadow or the shaking of a leaf terrorizes it.

"How does one get humble? To me, one must constantly be reminded of his dependence. On whom dependent? On the Lord. How remind one's self? By real, constant, worshipful, grateful prayer.

"'How can I remain humble?' the brilliant missionary asks. By reminding one's self frequently of his own weaknesses and limitations, not to the point of depreciation, but an evaluation guided by an honest desire to give credit where credit is due.

"Humility is teachableness—an ability to realize that all virtues and abilities are not concentrated in one's self....

"Humility is gracious, quiet, serene, not pompous, spectacular, nor histrionic. It is subdued, kindly, and understanding—not crude, blatant, loud, or ugly. Humility is not just a man or a woman, but a perfect gentleman and a gentlelady. It never struts nor swaggers. Its faithful, quiet works will be the badge of its own accomplishments. It never sets itself in the center of the stage, leaving all others in supporting roles. Humility is never accusing nor contentious."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Humility," BYU Devotional, January 16, 1963
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President Kimball spoke with an eloquence that was unusual for his time. His vocabulary was rich and exceptional, and his choice of words and phrasing were often impressive. I loved to hear him speak. His soft voice sometimes disguised the power of his words; but the message was always clear and deeply insightful.

And to have him speak of humility is so fitting, since I believe he epitomized that virtue. We can learn much from his counsel about what obedience is, what it is not, and how we can obtain and retain it. Obedience and meekness are virtues to be sought, not weaknesses to be overcome. Elder Neal A. Maxwell would later echo many of these sentiments.

The key is to recognize and acknowledge our position in relationship to God. We are dependent in every way, beyond our normal acknowledgement. As we grow in understanding and gratitude of that fact, and as we express our gratitude in prayer, our humility will grow.