Ezra Taft Benson on joy through service and sacrifice

President Ezra Taft Benson (born August 4, 1899 - 117 years ago today; died 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.

"Opportunities to lose oneself for the good of others present themselves daily: the mother who serves her children's needs; the father who gives his time for their instruction; parents who give up worldly pleasure for quality home life; children who care for their aged parents; home teaching service; visiting teaching; time for compassionate service; giving comfort to those who need strength; serving with diligence in Church callings; community and public service in the interest of preserving our freedoms; financial donations for tithes, fast offerings, support of missionaries, welfare, building and temple projects. Truly, the day of sacrifice is not past.

"One of Satan's greatest tools is pride: to cause a man or a woman to center so much attention on self that he or she becomes insensitive to their Creator or fellow beings. It's a cause for discontent, divorce, teenage rebellion, family indebtedness, and most other problems we face.

"If you would find yourself, learn to deny yourself for the blessing of others. Forget yourself and find someone who needs your service, and you will discover the secret to the happy, fulfilled life."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "This is a Day of Sacrifice," Ensign, May 1979, pp. 32-34
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President Benson's reminder of the many ways we can serve and sacrifice in our basic, daily roles is good to ponder. We are all blessed as we serve, and blessed more as we sacrifice to serve. But Satan would teach us to focus more on our own selves, becoming insensitive to those around us. President Benson points out that many of our modern challenges are the result of that pride and selfishness.

So the key to "finding yourself" and to a truly happy life lies in learning to deny self in order to bless others.

Spencer W. Kimball on the blessing of ongoing revelation

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

"In our day, as in times past, many people expect that if there be revelation it will come with awe-inspiring, earth-shaking display. For many it is hard to accept as revelation those numerous ones in Moses' time, in Joseph's time, and in our own year—those revelations which come to prophets as deep, unassailable impressions settling down on the prophet's mind and heart as dew from heaven or as the dawn dissipates the darkness of night.

"Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication. I say, in the deepest of humility, but also by the power and force of a burning testimony in my soul, that from the prophet of the Restoration to the prophet of our own year, the communication line is unbroken, the authority is continuous, and light, brilliant and penetrating, continues to shine. The sound of the voice of the Lord is a continuous melody and a thunderous appeal. For nearly a century and a half there has been no interruption."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Revelation: The Word of the Lord to His Prophets," Ensign, May 1977, p. 78
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I love President Kimball's expressive use of language almost as much as I love his deep and reassuring testimony! Revelation comes as "deep, unassailable impressions settling down on the prophet's mind and heart as dew from heaven or as the dawn dissipates the darkness of night." His voice is clearly the voice of experience in this area; and he is teaching us about a process that we can all follow as well.

President Kimball bears a powerful witness of his own experience in Church leadership, and the divine involvement in its ongoing administration and direction:

We sometimes find ourselves "expecting the spectacular" as well in our personal searching, and forget that there is a "constant flow of revealed communication" in our own lives as we learn to listen and heed.

Howard W. Hunter on refinement through the trials of life

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President for only nine months, from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"Today other biographies of faith are being written—Saints who, like Job, suffer physical pain, emotional sorrow, and even disloyalty from friends—yet remain faithful; Saints who, like Jacob, see sons and daughters not so valiant as they should be, but who bless them for their potential; Saints who, like Paul, endure great ridicule and endure to the end; Saints who, like Nephi, must separate themselves from family because of their commitment to the gospel. There are those who know pain and sorrow because of loss of loved ones; who know spiritual sorrow because children go astray; who experience loss of health, financial reverses, and emotional distress, and yet, like Job, resolve, 'When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold' (Job 23:10)....

"We stand on the summit of 150 years of Church history; yet there are other summits to climb before the work of God is crowned with victory. There will be tribulations collectively and hardships personally—that resistance so essential to the eternal plan.

"What makes us imagine that we may be immune from the same experiences that refined the lives of former-day Saints? We must remember that the same forces of resistance which prevent our progress afford us also opportunities to overcome. God will have a tried people!

"I witness today this truth from a verse of one of our favorite hymns:

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
(Hymns, no. 66)."

- Howard W. Hunter, "God Will Have a Tried People," Ensign, May 1980, pp. 24-26
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We sometimes reflect with awe on the lives and examples of those in the past. President Hunter suggests that many new "biographies of faith" are being written by those today who are struggling with great challenges in their own way. Those challenges include physical pain, emotional sorrow, disloyal friends, wandering children, loss of family support, loss of health, financial problems, and so on—the list is long.

So many of life's challenges are part of the "refining" process that brings us true progress! That's where our faith enables us to not only survive the challenges, but to remember the Lord's truly remarkable promise that "all things shall work together for [our] good" (D&C 90:24) when our hearts are filled with love for God and trust in his eternal plan, and our lives demonstrate that faith in our deeds.

Neal A. Maxwell on learning to trust God's timetable

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (born July 6, 1926, died July 21, 2004 at age 78) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

This excerpt is from an article that was being prepared for publication when Elder Maxwell passed away.

"God has a timetable for this planet and for each person: 'But all things must come to pass in their time' (D&C 64:32).

"Within all of the drama cited are many individual dramas, making it imperative for you to allow the Lord to tutor you amid your discipleship.

"Enoch rejoiced, and so can you over the grand, consoling reality regarding God: 'And yet thou art there' (Moses 7:30). Privileged Enoch even saw the God of heaven weep! (see Moses 7:29). Yet Enoch was very discouraged by the gross wickedness anciently. He said he would 'refuse to be comforted' (Moses 7:44). The mentoring Lord, however, told Enoch to 'lift up your heart, and be glad; and look' (Moses 7:44). Then revealed to Enoch was Jesus' Atonement in the meridian of time and also the latter-day Restoration. Enoch, who had been so distraught, now rejoiced!

"Do not 'refuse to be comforted.' Let the revelations comfort you. Let the scriptures refresh you!"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "These Are Your Days," Ensign, Oct 2004, pp. 26-31
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"God has a timetable"—those words reflect and understanding of eternal purpose and divine control. If we truly believe that, then it truly does become critical to "allow the Lord to tutor you amid your discipleship." With that faith and hope, we can, like Enoch, learn to lift our hearts in gladness in spite of wickedness around us, or personal trials and challenges.

And a great key to finding comfort amidst those challenges of mortality, according to Elder Maxwell, is to turn to the revelations and the scriptures. That will enable God to speak to us, as He did to Enoch; the reassurance will come.

James E. Faust on the precious lifeline of prayer

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.

"Access to our Creator through our Savior is surely one of the great privileges and blessings of our lives. I have learned from countless personal experiences that great is the power of prayer. No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place.

"When God placed man on the earth, prayer became the lifeline between mankind and God. Thus, in Adam’s generation, men began 'to call upon the name of the Lord' (Gen. 4:26). Through all generations since that time, prayer has filled a very important human need. Each of us has problems that we cannot solve and weaknesses that we cannot conquer without reaching out through prayer to a higher source of strength. That source is the God of heaven to whom we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. (See 2 Ne. 32:9; 3 Ne. 20:31.)"

- James E. Faust, "The Lifeline of Prayer," Ensign, May 2002, pp. 59-62
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We each have the privilege of learning through our personal experiences, as did President Faust, that "great is the power of prayer." This witness of that blessing should help inspire us to seek greater understanding and appreciation. President Faust contrasts prayer with some of the means of earthly communication that are sometimes difficult or interrupted; with prayer, we can be assured that God is listening and available at any time!

One of the key points President Faust makes is the essential nature of prayer to our success in life. "Each of us has problems that we cannot solve and weaknesses that we cannot conquer without reaching out through prayer to a higher source of strength." There really is no other way to succeed without taking full advantage of this marvelous gift!

Joseph B. Wirthlin on enduring life's challenges in faith

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) 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.

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

"Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.

"Remember the sublime words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail:

"'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

"'And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.' (D&C 121:7-8)

"With that eternal perspective, Joseph took comfort from these words, and so can we. Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It," Ensign, Nov. 2008, pp. 26-28
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Elder Wirthlin's insights on this topic are part of one of the most beloved of the talks he shared with Church members, as the last conference talk he gave less than two months before his passing. Having done some suffering and enduring of his own, he was very qualified to share these insights. He knew that going through the "disappointment, suffering, and sorrow" that life has to offer can help to:

• stretch our understanding
• build our character
• increase our compassion for others

He also knew that because of the love of the Savior, we never have to endure alone; we can always know that He understands the suffering and grief of our challenges.

Bruce R. McConkie on the blessing of studying the scriptures

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (July 29, 1915 - April 19, 1985) served as a Seventy from 1946-1972 when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve.  He served in that assignment until his death from cancer at age 69.

"It is far better for us to gain our answers from the scriptures than from something someone else says about them. It is true that we oftentimes need an inspired interpreter to help us understand what apostles and prophets have written for us in the Standard Works. But it is also true that many explanations given by many people as to the meaning of scriptural passages are somewhat less than true and edifying.

"We are in a far better position if we are able to drink directly from the scriptural fountain without having the water muddied by others whose insights are not as great as were those of the prophetic writers who first penned the passages found in the accepted canon of holy writ. I am not rejecting proper scriptural commentaries; I know and appreciate their value and have written volumes of them myself; I am simply saying that people with the ability to do it would be far better off to create their own commentaries. There is something sacred and solemn and saving about studying the scriptures themselves. We should train ourselves in this direction."

- Bruce R. McConkie, "Letter to Honest Truth Seekers," 1 July 1980; see Horne, Bruce R. McConkie, pp. 143-4
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This is interesting counsel from one who was considered one of the great scriptorians of our dispensation, and one who produced as much scriptural commentary as any other Church leader in recent years. While an "inspired interpreter" has a place now and then, the challenge is knowing that the interpreter is reliable, since many are "less than true and edifying."

So then Elder McConkie offers the challenge: we should each write our own scriptural commentary! Our study of the scriptures should lead to insights and applications that we can document to our benefit, helping increase our knowledge and retain insights. A "scripture study journal" can become such a personal commentary. It's a challenge worthy of consideration.