Elder M. Russell Ballard on the protection of spiritual armor

Elder M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985.

"Long before the world was formed, Satan and those who followed after him raged against the forces of good and tried to overthrow the work of God. That struggle has not ended, only shifted battlegrounds. It is ruthless, and relentless; the objective of the battle is your eternal soul and mine.

"The Apostle Paul spoke of how to arm ourselves for this conflict in these very graphic terms:

"'Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

"'Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil....' (Ephesians 6:10-13)

"How do we put on the whole armor of God so that we may, as Paul promises, 'be able to withstand in the evil day'?

"I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body, but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of dozens of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the user greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience, covering many more years than you have yet been privileged to live, that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil.

"It is a common expression to talk about the 'chinks' in a person’s armor. The definition of the word chink is 'a crack, cleft, ... a narrow opening' (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary [1996], s.v. 'chink,' 361). Should an arrow strike exactly one of the chinks in one’s armor, a fatal wound can result.

"I would like to suggest to you six ways we may protect ourselves by eliminating any chinks or gaps in our personal spiritual armor.

"1. Rely on the Protective Power of Prayer....
"2. Rely on the Protective Power of the Scriptures....
"3. Draw on the Merciful Grace of God....
"4. Watch Yourselves....
"5. Don’t Waste the Days of Your Probation....
"6. Remember That Reverence Invites Revelation."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might," BYU Fireside, March 3, 2002
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The great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil continues to rage; the battlefield is all around us. Paul's original imagery of the "armor of God" still resonates, but Elder Ballard gives a new insight by describing that armor not just as solid metal plates (our usual imagery) but as chain mail made of small, strong rings of metal tightly woven together:

We must actively weave our own mail through "numerous smaller acts" of righteousness and faithfulness. A well-woven mail will continue to provide great flexibility in life, while also providing great protection. Sadly, it doesn't take much of a "chink" in the armor to make it less than secure; and Satan is expert at exploiting chinks.

Elder Ballard gives wonderful advice in this talk about the habits and practices that will provide a secure and strong spiritual armor for us.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks on serving others unselfishly

Elder Dallin H. Oaks (b. August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984.

"Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others.

"'If any man will come after me [He said], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

"'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it' (Matthew 16:24-25; see also Matthew 10:39)....

"It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires. Many years ago a new missionary in England was frustrated and discouraged. He wrote home saying he felt he was wasting his time. His wise father replied, 'Forget yourself and go to work.' Young Elder Gordon B. Hinckley went to his knees and covenanted with the Lord that he would try to forget himself and lose himself in the Lord's service. (See Ensign, July 1987, 7.) Years later, as a mature servant of the Lord, Elder Hinckley would say, 'He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.' (TGBH p. 588.)"

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Unselfish Service," Ensign, May 2009, pp. 93-96
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Disciples of Christ strive to emulate Him in every way. Unselfish service to others was one of His greatest characteristics during His mortal life, and He encouraged His followers to do likewise. Elder Oaks observes very pointedly, "It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires" in order to focus on the needs of others. And then he shares this wonderful example from a young President Hinckley:

I liked Elder Oaks' postscript to the story of young Elder Hinckley, as he reflected many years later on the blessing that unselfish service is; anyone who who discover the secret "grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the sacred importance of forgiving one another

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. November 6, 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.

"Jesus said it is easy to love those who love us; even the wicked can do that. But Jesus Christ taught a higher law. His words echo through the centuries and are meant for us today. They are meant for all who desire to be His disciples. They are meant for you and me: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you' (Matthew 5:44).

"When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become 'kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving [each other], even as God for Christ's sake [forgave us]' (Ephesians 4:32).

"The pure love of Christ can remove the scales of resentment and wrath from our eyes, allowing us to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees us: as flawed and imperfect mortals who have potential and worth far beyond our capacity to imagine. Because God loves us so much, we too must love and forgive each other....

"Brothers and sisters, there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment.

"We are not perfect.

"The people around us are not perfect (see Romans 3:23). People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.

"Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord's way.

"Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.

"Lay your burden at the Savior's feet. Let go of judgment. Allow Christ's Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another.

"The merciful will obtain mercy."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy," Ensign, May 2012, pp. 70-77
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We are not perfect, and neither are those around us. We make mistakes; so do others. We sometimes offend and hurt one another. But "there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment." President Uchtdorf pleads for greater forgiveness and understanding, since we all need to receive it as well as give it. And no hurt is so great that we can't let it go, with the help of the Savior, once we truly allow His atonement to "change and heal" our hearts.

I love that final line: "Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive." We would each be wise to examine our hearts and our lives, and make sure we are not holding back the forgiveness that He would have us offer to one another.

Elder Dale G. Renlund on the faithful disciple's walk in life

Elder Dale G. Renlund (born November 13, 1952) served in the First Quorum of Seventy starting in 2009, until his call to the Quorum of Twelve in October 2015.

"[Former South African president Nelson] Mandela frequently deflected accolades by saying, 'I’m no saint—that is, unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.'

"This statement—'a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying'—should reassure and encourage members of the Church. Although we are referred to as 'Latter-day Saints,' we sometimes flinch at this reference. The term Saints is commonly used to designate those who have achieved an elevated state of holiness or even perfection. And we know perfectly well that we are not perfect.

"Our theology does teach us, though, that we may be perfected by repeatedly and iteratively 'relying wholly upon' the doctrine of Christ: exercising faith in Him, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails. In less formal terms, God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying."

- Dale G. Renlund, "Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying," Ensign, May 2015, pp. 57-58
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A lot hinges how we interpret the word "saint." Mandela's definition is perfect; it's just someone who keeps on trying. It's a disciple who is firmly on the path and doing his or her best to progress. That progress comes through the Master whom we follow:

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. (2 Nephi 31:19, emphasis added.)

I love the phrase "relying wholly upon" that Elder Renlund quotes. It requires a total and unrestrained commitment to Him in order to walk the path; partial or occasional reliance won't do. Elder Renlund then elaborates:

It's a powerful reminder that God is much more concerned with our present state and direction, than He is about where we came from. We should never forget that!

President Gordon B. Hinckley on Valentine's Day and true love

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

"When I was a little boy, we children traded paper hearts at school on Valentine’s Day. At night we dropped them at the doors of our friends, stamping on the porch and then running in the dark to hide.

"Almost without exception those valentines had printed on their face, 'I love you.' I have since come to know that love is more than a paper heart. Love is of the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, church, and neighbors.

"I am one who believes that love, like faith, is a gift of God....

"To all of us who would be his disciples, he has given the great commandment, 'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.' (John 13:34.)

"If the world is to be improved, the process of love must make a change in the hearts of men. It can do so when we look beyond self to give our love to God and others, and do so with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "And the Greatest of These Is Love," Ensign, March 1984, p. 3
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President Hinckley originally shared this message in a Valentine's Day devotional at BYU (February 14, 1978). The reminiscences from his youth are characteristic of his warm and personal approach. But the insights he shares of his impressions about the meaning of "love" are very thought-provoking. While the emotion is too often lessened and cheapened in colloquial use, it truly has a far-reaching and powerful meaning:

President Hinckley's conclusion speaks of the importance of love as the key to bring about change and improvement in the world. It starts with individual hearts, as each heart is changed and learns to love others as Christ loved us. Once we reflect His perfect love in our interactions with those around us, our individual world truly will be changed, and the broader world we are a part of will begin to feel the impact as well.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Russell M. Nelson on help in today's world

President Russell M. Nelson (b. Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He was set apart as president of the Quorum of Twelve on July 15, 2015.

"Problems abound in this world because it is populated by imperfect people. Their objectives and desires are heavily influenced by their faith or lack of it. Many put other priorities ahead of God. Some challenge the relevance of religion in modern life. As in every age, so today there are those who mock or decry the free exercise of religion. Some even blame religion for any number of the world's ills. Admittedly, there have been times when atrocities have been committed in the name of religion. But living the Lord's pure religion, which means striving to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, is a way of life and a daily commitment that will provide divine guidance. As you practice your religion, you are exercising your faith. You are letting your faith show....

"The scriptures provide one of the best ways to find our course and stay on it. Scriptural knowledge also provides precious protection....

"My dear brothers and sisters, what are we missing in our lives if we are 'ever learning, [but] never able to come to the knowledge of the truth' (2 Timothy 3:7)? We can gain great knowledge from the scriptures and obtain inspiration through prayers of faith.

"Doing so will help us as we make daily decisions. Especially when the laws of man are created and enforced, God's laws must ever be our standard. In dealing with controversial issues, we should first search for God's guidance."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Let Your Faith Show," Ensign, May 2014, pp. 29-32
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It seems the world in which we live is becoming more and more secularized; in too many places and too many lives, religion no longer plays a significant role. President Nelson laments the lack of faith; but among the faithful, he is convinced that by living "pure religion" and "striving to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ" we open the way to receiving guidance from above.

The concept of "practicing your religion" or "exercising your faith" implies working to develop or strengthen them, as if exercising a muscle or improving a skill. Those are things true disciples must be eager to do, and never hesitate to let faith show.

But in the struggle against secularization, President Nelson counsels that scripture study and scriptural knowledge "provides precious protection" for our lives.

Our resistance to modern secularization will be much more effective as we have a stronger foundation of scriptural understanding. This is a very timely warning for our day.

President Gordon B. Hinckley on living in gratitude to God

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

"Gratitude is of the very essence of worship—thanksgiving to the God of Heaven, who has given us all that we have that is good.

"As you know, I served as a counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson, and I was with him many times when he prayed. He did not ask for very much in his prayers. His prayers were expressions of gratitude. Be thankful. When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives. Be grateful. Be thankful to the Almighty for His wonderful blessings upon you. You have all that this great age has to offer, and beyond that the marvelous blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. How lucky can you be. Walk with appreciation and respect for the blessings of life and happiness which you enjoy."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Regional Conference, 4/28/96; see TGBH (1997), p. 250

This was a frequent theme for President Hinckley. He reminded us regularly that there are blessings that come to a grateful heart.

It's interesting to ponder what true worship is. Standing in awe and admiration of a divine Being far greater than ourselves seems only part of the action; but to express our deep and sincere appreciation to that Being, not just in words and thoughts, but in actions and emulation, seems to complete the expression.

In this excerpt, President Hinckley describes what a life of gratitude looks like—the simple humility that will accompany a person who is truly grateful to God for the blessings that have come.

To truly "walk with gratitude" is more than just occasionally remembering to feel or express it. It implies a constant, consistent, ongoing attitude that expresses itself in all we do.