Richard G. Scott on help from God in life's challenges

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.

"I know that each one of you faces overwhelming challenges. Sometimes they are so concentrated, so unrelenting, that you may feel they are beyond your capacity to control.

"Don't face the world alone. 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.' (Prov. 3:5.)

"In many ways, the world is like a jungle, with dangers that can harm or mutilate your body, enslave or destroy your mind, or decimate your morality. It was intended that life be a challenge, not so that you would fail, but that you might succeed through overcoming. You face on every hand difficult but vitally important decisions. There is an array of temptations, destructive influences, and camouflaged dangers, the like of which no previous generation has faced. I am persuaded that today no one, no matter how gifted, strong, or intelligent, will avoid serious problems without seeking the help of the Lord.

"I repeat: Don't face the world alone. Trust in the Lord."

- Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord," Ensign, May 1989, pp. 35-37
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We all face challenges in life; at times, they can be overwhelming: "so concentrated, so unrelenting, that you may feel they are beyond your capacity to control." Elder Scott's sincere message is that we are never asked to "face the world alone." Instead, we much learn to trust in God in order to "succeed through overcoming."

It's a message of hope and encouragement. There is help, if we learn to ask for it and draw upon the source of strength.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on honest self-examination

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (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.

"It was our beloved Savior's final night in mortality, the evening before He would offer Himself a ransom for all mankind. As He broke bread with His disciples, He said something that must have filled their hearts with great alarm and deep sadness. 'One of you shall betray me,' He told them.

"The disciples didn't question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, 'Is it him?'

"Instead, 'they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?' (Matthew 26:21-22, emphasis added)

"I wonder what each of us would do if we were asked that question by the Savior. Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, 'He's probably talking about Brother Johnson. I've always wondered about him,' or 'I'm glad Brother Brown is here. He really needs to hear this message'? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: 'Is it I?'

"In these simple words, 'Lord, is it I?' lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Lord, Is It I?," Ensign, November 2014, pp. 56-59
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This was an amazing message from President Uchtdorf. So often, we are quick to see shortcomings or needs in others around us, but slow to notice similar problems in ourselves. We have what Pres. Uchtdorf called "spiritual blind spots" where we just seem not to notice our own problems and issues.

Truly we need more careful and humble self-examination, aided by the Holy Spirit to shine light where we struggle with those blind spots. Pres. Uchtdorf suggests paying humble attention to the scriptures and the words of Church leaders, always being careful to ask, "Is it I?" In other words, are there areas where I have shortcomings, where I can improve or try harder, or need to repent?

James E. Faust on having faith and commitment in life's trials

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.

"So where should each of us make our stand? As we demonstrate our devotion to God by our daily acts of righteousness, He can know where we stand. For all of us this life is a time of sifting and refining. We all face trials. Individual members in the early days of the Church were tested and refined when they had to decide if they had the faith... to put their belongings in a wagon or a pioneer handcart and travel across the American plains. Some did not have the faith. Those who did traveled 'with faith in every footstep.'

"In our time we are going through an increasingly difficult time of refining and testing. The tests are more subtle because the lines between good and evil are being eroded. Very little seems to be sacred in any of our public communication. In this environment we will need to make sure where we stand all of the time in our commitment to eternal truths and covenants....

"The way to find joy in this life is to resolve... to endure all for God and His work. By so doing we will receive the infinite, priceless joy of being with our Savior in the eternities. As we sing in one of our well-known hymns:

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake! ('How Firm a Foundation,' Hymns, no. 85.)"

- James E. Faust, "Where Do I Make My Stand?", Ensign, Nov. 2004, 21
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God knows our hearts and our level of commitment; but it's in our "daily acts of righteousness" that we demonstrate those intangible feelings to Him. In the midst of the trials we all face every day in life, we must learn to travel "with faith in every footstep"—in every footstep, regardless of the circumstances. And it's perhaps getting harder to do that in our time:

Joy in life comes as we "endure all for God and His work." That's a profound promise. As we learn to "lean on Jesus" for strength and for repose, we learn that endurance is blessed and holy.

Howard W. Hunter on living lives of true greatness

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.

"Frequently it is the commonplace tasks that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness.

"It appears to me that the kind of greatness that our Father in Heaven would have us pursue is within the grasp of all who are within the gospel net. We have an unlimited number of opportunities to do the many simple and minor things that will ultimately make us great. To those who have devoted their lives to service and sacrifice for others and for the Lord, the best counsel is simply to do more of the same.

"To those who are doing the commonplace work of the world but are wondering about the value of their accomplishments; to those who are the workhorses of this Church, who are furthering the work of the Lord in so many quiet but significant ways; to those who are the salt of the earth and the strength of the world and the backbone of each nation—to you we would simply express our admiration. If you endure to the end, and if you are valiant in the testimony of Jesus, you will achieve true greatness and will live in the presence of our Father in Heaven."

- Howard W. Hunter, "True Greatness," Ensign, May 1982, pp. 19-20
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"I'm nobody special. I'm just a plain, simple, ordinary person."

While "the world" may have a definition of greatness that involves public recognition and grand visibility, that's not the Lord's way. President Hunter explains that in many cases it is the performance of "commonplace tasks" that makes a greater difference in the long run. Quiet acts of service, simple efforts to bless and lift others, consistent performance of duties—these are things that really matter to the Lord. And we each have so many opportunities to fill our lives with goodness: "We have an unlimited number of opportunities to do the many simple and minor things that will ultimately make us great."

That's a great tribute and a great challenge to faithfulness. To endure, to be valiant in the "commonplace work" we are assigned is what really matters, even when it goes largely unnoticed!

Neal A. Maxwell on being willing and submissive saints

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.

"[Consider] King Benjamin's portrait of a Saint as one being 'willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.' (Mosiah 3:19.)

"Such individuals give to us a continuing sermon in sainthood. The gospel light has 'infused such joy' into their souls, that any cloud of darkness has been dispelled. (Alma 19:6.)

"'By the patience of hope and the labor of love' these are finishing the work the Lord has given them to do. (See 'Come, Let Us Anew,' Hymns, no. 17.)

"Let the winds and the storms beat and pound upon such faithful Saints; they will overcome the world—not vice versa. Let others falter; these will not! Let others pout and doubt; these will not! Let some noisily mock the temple; these will quietly flock to the temple, to do the work of Him whose house it is!

"God bless you faithful brothers and sisters for shining 'as lights in the world' (Philip. 2:15), as beacons to dispel despair. To a world spiritually illiterate, you give great lessons in the grammar of the gospel, including this one: death is a mere comma, not an exclamation point!"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Shine as Lights in the World," Ensign, May 1983, pp. 9-11
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Our "willingness to submit" is such a great key to the state of our hearts. How deep is our faith in God? How confident are we that He will help direct the course of our lives, ensuring that those things we might perceive as challenges really are working together for our good?

I love Elder Maxwell's description of faithful Saints whose lives are a "sermon in sainthood." Their souls are filled with the joy of gospel light, eclipsing clouds of darkness.

To a world that is "spiritually illiterate" the faithful Saints "give great lessons in the grammar of the gospel." There is much we can learn from watching their examples, and then striving to go and do likewise.

John Taylor on enjoyment of God's creations

President John Taylor (1808–1887) was born in England and immigrated to Canada where he and his wife were converted after hearing Parley P. Pratt preach.  He was ordained an apostle in 1838, and became the third president of the Church in 1880, serving until his death in 1887 at age 78.

"Is there anything gloomy in the works that God has made? Turn where we will, we see harmony, loveliness, cheerfulness, and beauty.

"The blessings of providence were made for man, and his enjoyment; he is placed as head of creation. For him the earth teems with the richest profusion; the golden grain, the luscious fruit, the choicest vines; for him, the herbs, and flowers bedeck the earth, shed their odoriferous perfumes, and display their gorgeous beauty; for him, the proud horse yields his back, the cow gives her milk, and the bee its honey; for him, the sheep yields its fleece, the cotton-tree its down, and the worm its silk. For him, the shrub and vine bloom and blossom, and nature clothes herself in her richest attire; the rippling stream, the pure fountain, the crystal river flow for him, all nature spreads her richest charms, and invites him to partake of her joyousness, beauty, and innocence, and to worship her God.

"Talk about melancholy in the fear of God, and in his service! It is the corruption of the world, that has made men unhappy; and the corruption of religion that has made it gloomy: these are the miseries entailed by men, not the blessings of God. Talk about gloom! Is there gloom in the warbling of the birds, in the prancing of the horse, in the playfulness of the lamb, or kid; in the beauty of flowers, in any of Nature's gifts, or rich attire, or in God, that made them, or in his service?"

- John Taylor, The Government of God (1852), p. 30
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I love the beautiful simplicity of a song our children sing:

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav'nly Father created for me.
- "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" (Children's Songbook #228)

There is a beauty and glory in the world around us that we too often ignore as we get caught up in our problems. President Taylor encourages us to recognize that gloom and melancholy are the results of our own "corruption" and can be overcome by noticing and remembering God's gifts to us.

The Book of Mormon prophet Alma must have sensed this spirit, as he testified in his conversation with Korihor: "...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44)

Harold B. Lee on having faith in America and not pessimism

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.

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.

"This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail.

"I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.

"I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."

- Harold B. Lee, Ricks College Devotional, “Have Faith in America,” October 26, 1973; see also Ye Are the Light of the World [Deseret 1974], pp. 350-351

In recent times, there have been plenty of natural disasters in America, including hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, flooding, temperature extremes, fires, etc. And "men may fail" reflects concerns that many share in areas of crime, politics, leadership, and social issues. But President Lee declares his conviction that in spite of any of those challenges, "this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail." And so he encourages hope and optimism, to have faith in our country and its divinely-appointed role, and not to be caught up in discouragement or pessimism about the future:

It's surprising how many in our day "preach pessimism" about the country's future due to concerns over leadership, upcoming elections, and political disagreements. As President Lee teaches, we need to remember that our nation "will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."