President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the blessing and power of serving in Church callings

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born 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.

"As Saints of the Most High God, we are to 'remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple' (D&C 52:40). Opportunities to go about doing good and to serve others are limitless. We can find them in our communities, in our wards and branches, and certainly in our homes.

"In addition, every member of the Church is given specific formal opportunities to serve. We refer to these opportunities as 'callings'—a term that should remind us of who it is that calls us to serve. If we approach our callings as opportunities to serve God and minister to others with faith and humility, every act of service will be a step on the path of discipleship. In this way, God not only builds up His Church but also builds up His servants. The Church is designed to help us become true and faithful disciples of Christ, good and noble sons and daughters of God. This happens not just when we go to meetings and listen to talks but also when we get outside ourselves and serve. This is how we become 'great' in the kingdom of God.

"We accept callings with grace, humility, and gratitude. When we are released from these callings, we accept the change with the same grace, humility, and gratitude.

"In the eyes of God, there is no calling in the kingdom that is more important than another. Our service—whether great or small—refines our spirits, opens the windows of heaven, and releases God’s blessings not only upon those we serve but upon us as well. When we reach out to others, we can know with humble confidence that God acknowledges our service with approval and approbation. He smiles upon us as we offer these heartfelt acts of compassion, especially acts that are unseen and unnoticed by others. (See Matthew 6:1-2.)

"Each time we give of ourselves to others, we take a step closer to becoming good and true disciples of the One who gave His all for us: our Savior."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Greatest among You," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

In his address to the Priesthood session of the recent general conference, President Uchtdorf gave some wonderful reminders of the importance of service to others, including Priesthood service but also more broadly, the blessings that come as we serve in a variety of ways. Noting that there are so many ways for us "to go about doing good" in our lives, he encouraged us to seek for them more actively.

This section on callings in the Church was insightful. President Eyring promises that "every act of service will be a step on the path of discipleship." As we are invited to serve in specific assignments, God not only builds up the kingdom, but also His servants, helping us each to "become true and faithful disciples of Christ, good and noble sons and daughters of God" as we follow the Savior's example of humble service to others.

The scriptural injunction to "magnify" our callings in the Priesthood (D&C 84:33) applies in all cases. To magnify is to enlarge or increase. As we are invited to participate and contribute, blessings come to others when we seek to increase the good we do at any level of service; and in the process, we become better disciples as God's favor is given to the humble servant.

President Henry B. Eyring on the sacred role of families

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.

"You see, the names 'brother' and 'sister' are not just friendly greetings or terms of endearment for us. They are an expression of an eternal truth: God is the literal Father of all mankind; we are each part of His eternal family. Because He loves us with the love of a perfect Father, He wants us to progress and advance and become like Him. He ordained a plan by which we would come to earth, in families, and have experiences that would prepare us to return to Him and live as He lives....

"Our sense of right and wrong seems especially keen when we are raising our children. Innate in almost every parent is the desire to teach his or her children moral virtues. This is part of the miracle of Heavenly Father’s plan. He wants His children to come to earth, following the eternal pattern of families that exists in heaven. Families are the basic organizational unit of the eternal realms, and so He intends for them also to be the basic unit on earth. Though earthly families are far from perfect, they give God’s children the best chance to be welcomed to the world with the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven—parental love. Families are also the best way to preserve and pass on moral virtues and true principles that are most likely to lead us back to God’s presence."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Gathering the Family of God," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

This was the opening address at the Saturday morning general session of the recent conference. President Eyring talked about the family of God, which we are all part of as brothers and sisters together. There was much encouragement to help us in family history research. But I appreciated his thoughts, shown here, about the eternal importance of our mortal families in God's plan.

The role of parents is so critical; the gifts and helps that come to them are divine and can be a real blessing. I think the enhanced "sense of right and wrong" that comes to parents as they are striving to teach children moral values is a great example of that divine endowment. God's great desire is for "His children to come to earth, following the eternal pattern of families that exists in heaven."

The love of parents for their children is "the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven." What a beautiful, inspiring thought!

President Thomas S. Monson on showing kindness in our interactions

President Thomas S. Monson (b. August 21, 1927) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley until becoming Church president in 2008.

"Brethren, we do not honor the priesthood of God if we are not kind to others....

"The scriptures teach us that the righteous exercise of the priesthood is dependent upon our living the principles of kindness, charity, and love.  In the Doctrine and Covenants we read:

"'No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, … by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

"'By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.' (D&C 121:41-42.)

"Brethren, let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the powers of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Kindness, Charity, and Love," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

President Monson spoke only two times, and very briefly, during the most recent conference. On Sunday morning he issued a testimony and a challenge to all focusing on daily reading of the Book of Mormon. In this Priesthood session address, he spoke of the importance of kindness to one another. It's interesting to ponder his choices of topics, the things that he considered the most important and valuable to share with us now. Particularly for this address, it's sobering to recognize that a lack of kindness is a serious enough problem to merit his (and our) attention.

We should each ponder President Monson's words very seriously and humbly, and consider if perhaps there are ways we could express greater kindness in our interactions with those around us.

Elder Dale G. Renlund on following the example of the Good Shepherd

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.

"We get a glimpse into our Heavenly Father’s character as we recognize the immense compassion He has for sinners and appreciate the distinction He makes between sin and those who sin. This glimpse helps us have a more 'correct [understanding of] his character, perfections, and attributes' (Lectures on Faith, 38) and is foundational to exercising faith in Him and in His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior’s compassion in the face of our imperfections draws us toward Him and motivates us in our repeated struggles to repent and emulate Him. As we become more like Him, we learn to treat others as He does, regardless of any outward characteristic or behavior....

"[T]he Savior said that He 'cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance' (D&C 1:31); so how can He look at us, imperfect as we are, without recoiling in horror and disgust?

"The answer is simple and clear. As the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11, 14), Jesus Christ views disease in His sheep as a condition that needs treatment, care, and compassion. This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing....

"We, who are sinners, must, like the Savior, reach out to others with compassion and love. Our role is also to help and bless, lift and edify, and replace fear and despair with hope and joy....

"Our Good Shepherd is unchanging and feels the same way today about sin and sinners as He did when He walked the earth. He does not recoil from us because we sin, even if He on occasion must think, 'But what a sheep!' He loves us so much that He provided the way for us to repent and become clean so we can return to Him and our Heavenly Father (see Articles of Faith 1:3). In doing so, Jesus Christ also set the example for us to follow—to show respect to all and hatred toward none.

"As His disciples, let us fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless."

- Dale G. Renlund, "Our Good Shepherd," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

I very much enjoyed Elder Renlund's considerations of the imagery of the Good Shepherd. I think he asked some interesting questions and looked at the story in unusual ways. A shepherd doesn't despise his sheep when they are ill or injured; quite the contrary, he loves and nurtures them with loving caring until they are well again. Why should we feel any lack of God's love for us when we have made mistakes in life? The "immense compassion" felt for us by both the Father and the Son should inspire us with confidence and hope as we deal with our own "disease" conditions.

In addition, they are models about how we should treat others in our sphere who are different or especially who are struggling.

Reaching out to others is not an option in Elder Renlund's view. "Our role is also to help and bless, lift and edify, and replace fear and despair with hope and joy." A true disciple will live and act like his Master as we strive to "fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless."

Elder Gary E. Stevenson on the roles and blessings of the Holy Ghost

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (b. 1955) was called as a Seventy in 2008, then as Presiding Bishop in 2012. He was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"The Holy Ghost Warns

"...the Holy Ghost can help you by warning you in advance of physical and spiritual dangers....

"As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost—impressions most often quiet and still—you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger....

"The Holy Ghost Comforts

"To continue answering the question 'How does the Holy Ghost help you?' let’s now explore His role as Comforter. Unexpected events in all our lives cause sadness, pain, and disappointment. Yet, amid these trials, the Holy Ghost serves us in one of His important roles—as Comforter, which is actually one of His names. These peaceful, reassuring words from Jesus Christ describe this sacred role: 'I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever' (John 14:16)....

"The Holy Ghost Testifies

"The Holy Ghost also testifies and bears witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. The Lord, speaking to His disciples, said, 'But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, ... he shall testify of me' (John 15:26)."

- Gary E. Stevenson, "How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

Using personal experiences and insights, Elder Stevenson taught about the roles and blessings of the Holy Ghost in our lives. He emphasized three roles: The Holy Ghost warns, comforts, and testifies. For each of these three areas, he shared personal insight and experience from his life.

In concluding his remarks, Elder Stevenson reminded all listeners, whether newly baptized or long-time experienced in the Gospel, how crucial it is to retain the gift of the Holy Ghost as an active part of our lives, to both physical and spiritual safety. Keys to doing that include:

• striving to keep the commandments
• having individual and family prayer
• reading the scriptures
• seeking loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones
• keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous
• worship our Heavenly Father in our homes, at church, and, whenever possible, in the holy temple
• stay close to the Spirit, and the Spirit will stay close to you

Elder Ronald A. Rasband on the sacred gift of the Holy Ghost

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.

"Our Father in Heaven knew that in mortality we would face challenges, tribulation, and turmoil; He knew we would wrestle with questions, disappointments, temptations, and weaknesses. To give us mortal strength and divine guidance, He provided the Holy Spirit, another name for the Holy Ghost.

"The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord. By divine assignment, He inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord. We have the sacred responsibility to learn to recognize His influence in our lives and respond.

"Remember the Lord’s promise: 'I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.' (D&C 11:13) I love that assurance. Joy that fills our souls brings with it an eternal perspective in contrast to day-to-day living. That joy comes as peace amidst hardship or heartache. It provides comfort and courage, unfolds the truths of the gospel, and expands our love for the Lord and all God’s children. Although the need for such blessings is so great, in many ways the world has forgotten and forsaken them."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

The role of Comforter as one of the assignments of the Holy Ghost is a precious one to me. As Elder Rasband explains, we are all confronted with "challenges, tribulation, and turmoil" in this life and we often fact "questions, disappointments, temptations, and weaknesses." Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are able to find "mortal strength and divine guidance" to help confront and endure.

The simple statement that the Holy Ghost "binds us to the Lord" implies so much about our covenant life and the blessings that accompany discipleship. When we consider the sacred role of the Holy Ghost, how blessed we are to have the understanding of His role!

The rest of Elder Rasband's address keys on the phrase from the sacramental prayers, that we "may always have His spirit to be with [us]." He suggests ways we can help facilitate that goal: living worthy of the Spirit, being willing to receive the Spirit when it comes to us, recognizing its promptings, and acting on the first promptings.

Elder Neil L. Andersen on the blessings of overcoming the world

Elder Neil L. Andersen (born August 9, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009.

"The blessings that the Lord has promised to those who overcome the world are breathtaking. They will be 'clothed in white... and [named in] the book of life.' The Lord 'will confess [their names] before [the] Father, and before his angels' (Revelation 3:5). Each shall have 'part in the first resurrection' (D&C 76:64), receive eternal life (see Revelation 2, chapter heading), and 'go no more out' (Revelation 3:12) from the presence of God.

"Is it possible to overcome the world and receive these blessings? Yes, it is....

"Those who overcome the world develop an all-encompassing love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ....

"Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity....

"Overcoming the world is not a global invasion but a private, personal battle, requiring hand-to-hand combat with our own internal foes....

"Overcoming the world is keeping our promises to God—our baptismal and temple covenants and our oath of faithfulness to our eternal companion....

"Overcoming the world does not mean we live a cloistered life, protected from the unfairness and difficulties of mortality. Rather, it opens the more expansive view of faith, drawing us to the Savior and His promises.

"While perfection is not complete in this life, overcoming the world keeps our hope aflame that one day we 'shall stand before [our Redeemer]; [and] see his face with pleasure' (Enos 1:27), and hear His voice: 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.' (Matthew 25:34)"

- Neil L. Andersen, "Overcoming the World," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to watch or read the full talk

Elder Andersen's message was based on a phrase from a visionary experience of President David O. McKay, describing heavenly beings as those who have "overcome the world." In analyzing that phrase, he described aspects of what it would mean for a person in this life to achieve that state. While emphasizing that it's a lifelong process, "a lifetime of moments" leading to the point where "perfection is... complete" only after this life, he also describes many of the aspects of discipleship and obedience that demonstrate progress towards the goal.

I think one of the blessings of the process is that our efforts to overcome the world help to "keep our hope aflame" that the process can eventually be completed, and the joy and blessings that accompany that eventual state will be profound.