President Harold B. Lee on the blessings of the temple

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.

"When you enter a holy temple, you are by that course gaining fellowship with the Saints in God's eternal kingdom, where time is no more. In the temples of your God you are endowed not with a rich legacy of worldly treasure, but with a wealth of eternal riches that are above price.

"The temple ceremonies are designed by a wise Heavenly Father who has revealed them to us in these last days as a guide and a protection throughout our lives, that you and I might not fail to merit exaltation in the celestial kingdom, where God and Christ dwell.

"May you strive diligently and be guided to prepare yourselves to gain these priceless riches in the House of the Lord."

- Harold B. Lee, "Enter a Holy Temple," Improvement Era, June 1967, 144; see THBL 582
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I had to ponder what President Lee meant in his first statement. Participation in ordinances in the temples provides "fellowship with the Saints in God's eternal kingdom." We have fellowship with each other in a variety of settings, but not in the same way as when we enter the temple. In setting aside the things of the world and focusing on ordinances and instruction related to settings "where time is no more" we are blessed in different and unique ways. The blessings that come are not of this world, but are "eternal riches that are above price."

I'm also grateful for the simple thought that the temple ceremonies provide "a guide and a protection" in our lives that will keep us safely on the path to obtain the joy and peace of eternity:

If we truly understood the power and blessings available to us, we would, as President Lee concludes, "strive diligently" to be always worthy and ready to gain the riches offered in the House of the Lord.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband on challenges with family members and loved ones

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (b. February 6, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 2000.  He was the senior president of the Seventy when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"To all of you who have challenges, concerns, disappointments, or heartaches with a dear one, know this: with infinite love and everlasting compassion, God our Heavenly Father loves your afflicted one, and He loves you!

"Some might ask when faced with such suffering, how could Almighty God let this happen? And then that seemingly inevitable question, why did this happen to me? Why must we experience disease and events that disable or call precious family members home early or extend their years in pain? Why the heartaches?

"At these moments we can turn to the great plan of happiness authored by our Heavenly Father. That plan, when presented in the pre-earth life, prompted us all to shout for joy (see Job 38:7). Put simply, this life is training for eternal exaltation, and that process means tests and trials. It has always been so, and no one is spared.

"Trusting in God’s will is central to our mortality. With faith in Him, we draw upon the power of Christ’s Atonement at those times when questions abound and answers are few."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "Special Lessons," Ensign, May 2012, pp. 80-82
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In this tender address, Elder Rasband tells of his family's emotions and concerns as they dealt with the birth of a grandson who was significantly handicapped. He quoted Elder Russell M. Nelson, who taught, "A perfect body is not required to achieve a divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail frames" (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 85). In discussing the challenges of dealing with physical handicaps, Elder Rasband offers suggestions that can apply to many of the aspects of our relationships with family and friends in general:

It is sometimes difficult to "trust in God's will" when we are faced with disappointments, challenges, burdens that seem unfair, or individuals who have let us down. But the reassurance is that God knows all the details and all the reasons in these situations. He will not only sustain us through them, but will eventually help us to understand fully the "great plan of happiness" that is behind all of these challenges. We must strive always to grow in faith in order to "draw upon the power of Christ's Atonement" to carry us through.

President Ezra Taft Benson on following the example of 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.

"Christ asked the question as to what manner of men ought we to be. He answered by saying we ought to be even as he is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely fits the pattern of the Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life.

"The constant and most recurring question in our minds, touching every thought and deed of our lives, should be 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' (Acts 9:6). The answer to that question can come through the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost. Fortunate are those who so live that their beings are filled with both of them."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations," BYU devotional Dec 10, 1974; see also Ensign Dec. 1988 p. 2
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President Benson spoke on several occasions of the desire to closely follow the Savior, to walk in His steps and live as He lived. This was a landmark address at a BYU devotional about the topic. He reminds us that true joy and peace in life come when we strive most sincerely to follow the example of the Master.

President Benson mentions the experience Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, when his evil and destructive path was abruptly changed by the Lord. A humbled Paul, "trembling and astonished," now asked that powerful question: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" President Benson suggests that we should all be asking that question in our lives, in every aspect, every thought, every day. If we truly strive to do only what the Lord would have us do, we will be His disciples indeed, and will be firmly on the path to peace and joy.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on the Savior's support in the storms of life

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.

"When you feel tossed by the storms of life and when the waves rise and the winds howl, on those occasions it would be natural for you to cry in your heart, 'Master, carest thou not that I perish?' When these times come, think back upon that day when the Savior awakened in the stern of the ship, rose up and rebuked the storm. 'Peace, be still,' He said. (Mark 4:39.)

"At times we may be tempted to think the Savior is oblivious to our trials. In fact, the reverse is true; it is we who need to be awakened in our hearts to His teachings.

"Use your ingenuity, your strength, your might to resolve your challenges. Do all you can do and then leave the rest to the Lord. President Howard W. Hunter said: 'If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.' (THWH 40)

"Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the Lord admonished, 'and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.' (D&C 90:24.)

"Draw close to the Lord Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer. Keep the faith. Doubt not. The storms will one day be stilled....

"The gospel gives us that harbor of enduring safety and security. The living prophet and the apostles today are as lighthouses in the storm. Steer towards the light of the restored gospel and the inspired teachings of those who represent the Lord on earth."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding a Safe Harbor," Ensign, May 2000, pp. 59-61
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The Master is always aware of the storms we occasionally pass through in life. He knows how they impact us; He knows how we struggle under the beating rains and howling winds. And He is prepared to not only calm the storm, but support us through the storm while we learn from the experience. He is never "oblivious to our trials." But we may be oblivious to His love and care that are constantly expressed.

Elder Wirthlin's reminder is to focus on the Savior's teachings when the storms come. We must use all our resources to control and survive the storm; but then, as we turn to Him in faith, obedience, and trust, "the storms will one day be stilled."

The Savior's eternal reassurance is, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18.) As we focus on the lighthouses He has provided for us, we will find the safe and peaceful harbor.

President Henry B. Eyring on God's love and our agency

President Henry B. Eyring (born May 31, 1933) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"We can depend on that unfailing desire of the Savior to bring all of Heavenly Father's spirit children back to their home with Him. Every faithful parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent shares in that desire. Heavenly Father and the Savior are our perfect examples of what we can and must do. They never force righteousness because righteousness must be chosen. They make righteousness discernible to us, and They let us see that its fruits are delicious.

"Every person born into the world receives the Light of Christ, which helps us see and feel what is right and what is wrong. God has sent mortal servants who can, by the Holy Ghost, help us recognize what He would have us do and what He forbids. God makes it attractive to choose the right by letting us feel the effects of our choices. If we choose the right, we will find happiness—in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret—in time. Those effects are sure. Yet they are often delayed for a purpose. If the blessings were immediate, choosing the right would not build faith. And since sorrow is also sometimes greatly delayed, it takes faith to feel the need to seek forgiveness for sin early rather than after we feel its sorrowful and painful effects....

"I suggest that you take both the short and the long view as you try to give the inheritance of hope to your family. In the short run, there will be troubles and Satan will roar. And there are things to wait for patiently, in faith, knowing that the Lord acts in His own time and in His own way."

- Henry B. Eyring, "A Priceless Heritage of Hope," Ensign, May 2014, pp. 22-25
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This is an important premise: the Savior has a great desire to "bring all of Heavenly Father's spirit children back to their home with Him." Just like any parent or grandparent, He wants to help us find the greatest peace, happiness, and success. But that can't be accomplished by force or coercion; only by showing us the joy that's available through righteousness, and allowing us to then choose to follow that path.

I love this thought. God helps us want to choose the right by allowing us to feel consequences of our choices. Good choices eventually bring joy; bad choices eventually bring regret. The consequences are not always immediate, so that we can learn to develop faith; but they are clear and sure to those who are alert and aware.

Awareness of both short-term and long-term situations becomes crucial. Sometimes in the midst of our immediate struggles and challenges, we forget the eventual triumph of good and resolution of conflict and sorrow. "Satan will roar" in the short-term; but the Lord will triumph eventually. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalms 30:5)

Elder David A. Bednar on covenants and the Lord's help

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"Consider the Lord's uniquely individual invitation to 'take my yoke upon you.' Making and keeping sacred covenants yokes us to and with the Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, the Savior is beckoning us to rely upon and pull together with Him, even though our best efforts are not equal to and cannot be compared with His. As we trust in and pull our load with Him during the journey of mortality, truly His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

"We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help. Through the Savior's Atonement we can receive capacity and 'strength beyond [our] own' ('Lord, I Would Follow Thee,' Hymns, no. 220). As the Lord declared, 'Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end' (D&C 100:12)....

"Note the centrality of covenants to the promise of deliverance. Covenants received and honored with integrity and ordinances performed by proper priesthood authority are necessary to receive all of the blessings made available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. For in the ordinances of the priesthood, the power of godliness is manifest unto men and women in the flesh, including the blessings of the Atonement (see D&C 84:20-21)."

- David A. Bednar, "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease," Ensign, May 2014, pp. 87-90
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We yoke ourselves to the Savior through making sacred covenants—and through keeping them. That is a key concept for discipleship. He will pull with us, pull for us, as long as we join ourselves to Him by our commitments, our covenants, and our behavior. Then, we need never be alone through any of life's challenges; "heavenly help" is with us, and we may rejoice in the assurance.

It truly does not matter how heavy our burdens may appear to us, because His "yoke is easy" and His "burden is light." Though our best efforts will never match his, the act of being yoked means our burden too becomes light. What a profound and sacred blessing!

Elder Robert D. Hales on the sure foundation of the Savior

Elder Robert D. Hales (b. August 24, 1932) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1985, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"The words of the prophet Helaman cry from the dust: 'Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation..., a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall' (Helaman 5:12). Indeed, we will not fail.

"That sure foundation is Jesus Christ. He is 'the Rock of Heaven' (Moses 7:53). When we build our house upon Him, the rains of the latter days may descend, the floods may come, and the winds may blow, but we will not fall. We will not fail, for our home and our family will be founded upon Christ. (See 3 Nephi 14:24-25.)

"I testify that such a home is 'a house of glory' (D&C 88:119; 109:8, 16). There we gather together to pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, His Beloved Son. There we glorify and give gratitude to Them. There we receive the Holy Ghost and 'the promise which [He gives] unto [us] of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom' (D&C 88:4)."

- Robert D. Hales, "Eternal Life—to Know Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ," Ensign, November 2014, pp. 80-82
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The prophet Helaman delivered a stirring reminder to his sons that has become an important and frequently-quoted message to our day as well. He begins with "Remember, remember..."—a reinforced plea that they hold to this counsel. Helaman senses this is something we have a tendency to neglect, but that he knew was critically important to retain active in our thoughts. Failure in life follows from building on a foundation that is not solid; but it also comes when we forget the counsel to base our life and decisions on the rock of the Redeemer.

What does it mean to build upon the foundation of the Rock of Heaven, the Redeemer of man? It means that everything we do is based on His role and influence. It means that our decisions are made in the light of of His teachings and commandments. It means that our actions strive to follow His example. It means that every word and deed is motivated by recognition of, and gratitude for, His love and atoning gift to us.

And a home and family built upon this Rock truly becomes a divine institution, a foretaste of heavenly potential, a "house of glory." What a marvelous ideal to strive for!