President Boyd K. Packer on the blessing of the Atonement of Christ

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve (a position that no longer exists) from 1961 to 1970, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He served as president of that Quorum from 1994 until his death on July 3, 2015 at age 90.

"The third article of faith teaches, 'We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.' The Atonement offers redemption from spiritual death and from suffering caused by sin.

"For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding' (Philip. 4:7)."

- Boyd K. Packer, 'The Touch of the Master's Hand," Ensign, May 2001, p. 22
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It''s a pretty shallow and narrow understanding of the Atonement of Christ that interprets it as applying only to our "redemption from the Fall" at the end of mortality. President Packer reminds us that it can be, should be, "an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life." It can provide strength, relief, hope, courage, vision, and courage to us—as we allow it to.

There is much we all still have to learn about the Atonement of Christ—how it was made, why, and especially, how to fully benefit from its power and blessings. Each of us should know above all else that it can indeed bring peace to our lives, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding."

Elder Marvin J. Ashton on moving forward in hope

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915-1994) served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1971 until his death in 1994 at age 78.

"Another important ingredient of proper attitude is resilience, the ability to cope with change. Adaptability cushions the impact of change or disappointment. Love can be a great shock absorber as we adjust in trials and tragedy.

"We constantly need to build hope in ourselves and those about us. We need to personally make dark days bright ones. Isn't it a joy, a lift, a light to see someone with heavy challenges and burdens moving forward to victory in the only contest that really matters. Hope makes it possible for us to know that even in temporary failure or setback there is always a next time, even a tomorrow."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "Who's Losing?", Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 41
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"Resilience" is an impressive but challenging quality. There will be frustrations 0and difficulties in life, but the capacity to recover quickly from them or to "cope with change" is a key to success and happiness. Learning to adapt when things don't go as expected will make all the difference. And having the proper support helps—I love this line: "Love can be a great shock absorber as we adjust in trials and tragedy."

And so Elder Ashton invites us to "personally make dark days bright ones":

Elder Ashton refers to the beautiful doctrine of hope, enabling us to overcome failures knowing that they are temporary, since that "perfect brightness of hope" (2 Ne 31:20) urges us to keep our focus on the eventual state of peace and blessing instead of the temporary obstacle.

President Harold B. Lee on seeking the gift of prophecy

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.

"In a sense, the word prophet might apply to all faithful Church members. I do not mean that we have the right to receive revelations as to how this church might be run, or that members may have revelations as to how or who should be named in a stake or ward organization. But I do say that the bishop in his place, the mission president in his place, the stake president in his place, the quorum president, the auxiliary leader, the seminary teacher, the institute teacher, a father and mother in the home, a young person in his or her quest for a proper companion in marriage—each of us has the right to revelation.

"No group of people have a gift so widely diffused as the gift of prophecy. You recall the definition as contained in the Book of Revelation. John quoted the angelic messenger who came to him as saying, '...I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: ... for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' (Revelation 19:10.)

"Paul wrote to the Corinthians, 'Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say [and the Prophet Joseph Smith said that should have been translated "no man can know"] that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.' (1 Corinthians 12:3.)

"In other words, anyone who enjoys the gift by which he may have God revealed has the spirit of prophecy, the power of revelation, and in a sense, is a prophet within the sphere of responsibility and authority given to him."

- Harold B. Lee, "The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," address to seminary and institute faculty at BYU, 8 July 1964; see Stand Ye in Holy Places 154-55

What is a prophet?  What is the gift of prophecy?  President Lee shares insights on these questions, pointing out the teachings from the New Testament that indicate all have the right to the gift as they seek and obtain a testimony of Jesus. And we all have the right to receive personal revelation for our personal stewardship.

The key to this insight is the opportunity and responsibility for each man and woman to seek to be "a prophet within the sphere of responsibility and authority given to him." We should do all we can to be worthy of the inspiration and revelation that will come as we are worthy, and as we are seeking.

Elder L. Tom Perry on living in the light and joy of the gospel

Elder L. Tom Perry (1922-2015) was called as an Assistant to the Twelve in 1972, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1974. At the time of his passing at age 92, he was the oldest living general authority and the third in seniority among the leading quorum.

"The scriptures have always seemed to equate righteous living with a special light, spirit, joy, and happiness in the lives of those who so live....

"When one follows the course marked by the road signs of the gospel of Jesus Christ and places his trust in the Lord, its influence is such that it is manifest not only in action and deed but by a marked and visible change in his very being. There is a special light and a spirit which radiates from his eternal soul. It can be described in words like brightness, light, joy, happiness, peace, purity, contentment, spirit, enthusiasm, etc....

"How the world needs the example of those who will let the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ radiate from their eternal souls! How we need to show that righteous living yields an eternal joy!

"To you who have embraced the gospel of our Lord and Savior, stand as a beacon upon a hill to light the way for those who seek a happier, more fulfilling life. To you who have not discovered this greatest of all gifts, come join with us and let us assist you in building a better life. By conforming our lives to the teachings of our Savior, we can bring greater joy to a troubled world."

- L. Tom Perry, "Trust in the Lord," Ensign, May 1978, pp. 51-52
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There is a light that comes with righteous living. It brings happiness and peace; those things show in the countenance of one who possesses them. For one so endowed, there "a marked and visible change in his very being." Elder Perry teaches about the benefit to the world of this light:

The Savior instructed his followers to "Let your light so shine" and to "stand as a beacon upon a hill" to help light the way for others. As Elder Holland counseled, we should "Live the gospel as conspicuously as you can" ("A Prayer for the Children," General Conference, April 2003),

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on planting seeds of strength and 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.

"Our challenges today are different from those of our ancestors. Many of them lived lives of poverty and hardship; some among us, however, are affluent and complacent. Wealth, abundance, and easy living do not help us develop the ability to flourish when faced with the rigors and reversals of life. Rather than seeking ease, we must plant, cultivate, and nourish within ourselves the seeds that will enable us to withstand the winds and heat of temptation, sin, and evil and that will help us live successful, happy, and pure lives. Let us consider a few such seeds.

"First, we should plant and nurture the seed of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer....

"Next, let us nurture the seed of faith which gives us the courage to follow the prophets....

"Next, we should sow within our hearts the seed of charity, the pure love of Christ....

"Next, I believe we must constantly nourish the seeds of love, harmony, and unity in our homes and families....

"Parents should plant deeply the seed of the work ethic into the hearts and habits of their children....

"I bear my testimony that we can plant in our hearts and minds the seeds I have mentioned, and others. If we will plant them and nurture them, we can be true, faithful, and happy regardless of adversity and the buffetings of Satan."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Seeds of Renewal," Ensign, May 1989, pp. 7-10
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So many of us live in conditions of relative affluence; many don't even realize how much higher their standard of living is than the vast majority of the world. While providing many blessings and opportunities, that prosperity also brings a set of challenges that are also sometimes not recognized, including not learning skills and abilities that help us confront more difficult times:

Elder Wirthlin's main message was to "plant seeds of faith" in our lives through our actions and decisions that will enable our faith to grow strong as it is nurtured and watched over. Some of those items, explained in further detail in the full talk, are:

• Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
• Courage to follow the prophets
• Charity
• Love and harmony in the home and family
• Work ethic

When these seeds are planted and nourished into a vibrant, living faith, Elder Wirthlin promises "we can be true, faithful, and happy regardless of adversity and the buffetings of Satan."

President Howard W. Hunter on developing spirituality

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.

"Developing spirituality and attuning ourselves to the highest influences of godliness is not an easy matter. It takes time and frequently involves a struggle. It will not happen by chance, but is accomplished only through deliberate effort and by calling upon God and keeping his commandments....

"None of us has attained perfection or the zenith of spiritual growth that is possible in mortality. Every person can and must make spiritual progress. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine plan for that spiritual growth eternally. It is more than a code of ethics. It is more than an ideal social order. It is more than positive thinking about self-improvement and determination. The gospel is the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ with his priesthood and sustenance and with the Holy Spirit. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to his gospel, a step at a time improving as we go, pleading for strength, improving our attitudes and our ambitions, we will find ourselves successfully in the fold of the Good Shepherd. That will require discipline and training and exertion and strength. But as the Apostle Paul said, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' (Philip. 4:13)."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Developing Spirituality," Ensign, May 1979, p. 24-26
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According to President Hunter, "developing spirituality" is not an easy or effortless undertaking. It requires time, and it requires struggle. It comes only with "deliberate effort and by calling upon God and keeping his commandments." However, anyone who is willing to pay that price will see the results!

He then points out that all of us have fallen short of our potential in this area; there is more that could be done:

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a nice moral philosophy; it is a powerful agent of change. Once we grasp that face, and fully immerse ourselves in its precepts and practices, we will see the dramatic results more fully. And though the journey is hard at times, Paul's promise has always inspired me:  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philip. 4:13).

President David O. McKay on the development of Christ-like character

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"What is the crowning glory of man in this earth so far as his individual achievement is concerned? It is character—character developed through obedience to the laws of life as revealed through the gospel of Jesus Christ, who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Man's chief concern in life should not be the acquiring of gold, or of fame, or of material possessions. It should not be the development of physical prowess, not of intellectual strength, but his aim, the highest in life, should be the development of a Christ-like character."

- David O. McKay, Conference Report, October 1926, p. 111

President McKay talked on many occasions about the importance of character in our personal lives. The true, deep, inner nature of a person helps to determine his outer behavior, and so President McKay taught that if character were developing as it should, the rest would follow. Character, according to him, comes from obedience; the two are intimately linked. Appropriate actions bring development of character, and a strong character makes the actions easier.

This is a great summary of priorities: not the temporal, physical things, but the "development of Christ-like character." We should all strive actively to develop those traits in ourselves.