President Gordon B. Hinckley on contributing good to the world

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.

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others.

"I do not suppose that any of us here this day will be remembered a thousand years from now. I do not suppose that we will be remembered a century from now.

"But in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stand Up for Truth," BYU devotional, Sep. 17, 1996
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President Hinckley challenges us to ponder the difference between being good and being good for something. The reason, the motivation, the purpose and results of our goodness are the key. Are we good "in isolation" or are we attempting to have our goodness make a difference in the world? Are we reaching out to bless others?

In a world "so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges" what difference do I make? What difference do you make? President Hinckley encourages us to "become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right." One of the most important differences we can make in the world, then, is to stand up for true principles and defend what we know to be truth. In that way, we truly can establish a legacy that will outlive us, even long after our names are forgotten in the march of time.

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

President Ezra Taft Benson on growth through cleansing the inner vessel

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.

"All is not well in Zion. As Moroni counseled, we must cleanse the inner vessel (see Alma 60:23), beginning first with ourselves, then with our families, and finally with the Church....

"My beloved brethren and sisters, as we cleanse the inner vessel, there will have to be changes made in our own personal lives, in our families, and in the Church. The proud do not change to improve, but defend their position by rationalizing. Repentance means change, and it takes a humble person to change. But we can do it.

"We have made some wonderful strides in the past. We will be lengthening our stride in the future. To do so, we must first cleanse the inner vessel by awaking and arising, being morally clean, using the Book of Mormon in a manner so that God will lift the condemnation, and finally conquering pride by humbling ourselves.

"We can do it. I know we can. That we will do so is my prayer for all of us. God bless you for all the good you have done and will be doing."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel," General Conference, April 1986
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The concept of "cleansing the inner vessel" implies that changes have to start from the inside and not the outside. It's not just a matter of changing behavior; it's perhaps more important to change the thoughts and ideas that result in the behavior.

President Benson teaches that any worthwhile change requires humility and repentance. Change is often difficult; it's made more difficult by our pride and stubbornness. As we do the things that show obedience and humility, blessings will come:

Those are good suggestions to consider. Am I doing the things that will help maintain cleanliness and purity in my own personal "inner vessel"?

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

Elder Richard G. Scott on help in the challenges of life

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.

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.

"When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?

"Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet, when you pray with real conviction, 'Please let me know Thy will' and 'May Thy will be done,' you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father."

- Ruchard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord," General Conference, October 1995
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Elder Scott spoke on a number of occasions about the trials and challenges that confront us in life. Sometimes those difficulties come as a result of our own bad choices and disobedience; but in this excerpt he discusses another reason: a loving Father may be recognizing a need for us to grow and change, and providing a process to do that:

It's interesting to note that the kind of change that will "stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion" and bring about real change in our character and in our life often "requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." Some growth comes slowly, gradually, almost imperceptibly; but the kind of progress Elder Scott is discussing requires more dramatic and painful transition to achieve.

So how do we respond when the "challenges... come in multiple doses applied simultaneously"? I loved the two alternative approaches Elder Scott identifies, based on the kinds of questions we ask about our experiences. Are we questioning and doubting, or are we trusting with faith that God is in charge? Learning to truly trust Him in every way, at all times, is a key to peace and confidence even in the midst of challenges. We must learn to offer "willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God," knowing that He is aware of us and leading us to a better position.

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

Elder L. Tom Perry on overcoming the tares in our wheat

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.

"That old enemy of all mankind has found as many devices as he can think of to scatter tares far and wide. He has found ways to have them penetrate even the sanctity of our own homes. The wicked and worldly ways have become so widespread there seems to be no real way of weeding them out. They come by wire and through the air into the very devices we have developed to educate and entertain us. The wheat and the tares have grown close together. A steward managing the field must, with all his or her power, nourish that which is good and make it so strong and beautiful the tares will have no appeal either to the eye or the ear. How blessed are we as members of the Lord’s Church to have the precious gospel of our Lord and Savior as a foundation on which we can build our lives.

"From the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi we read: 'For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do' (2 Nephi 32:5).

"We must never let the noise of the world overpower and overwhelm that still, small voice."

- L. Tom Perry, "Finding Lasting Peace and Building Eternal Families," General Conference, October 2014; see also Ensign, November 2014, pp. 43-45
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Elder Perry applied the parable of wheat and tares to the challenges we face today. In his application, the tares are Satan's counterfeits and misuses of technology and other good things that exist in our time. I appreciate how he describes the proliferation of tares: "The wheat and the tares have grown close together" and it becomes difficult to weed out the tares.

It's an important principle, however, to recognize that one of the best ways to "weed out" the tares is to overwhelm them with good wheat. As we "nourish that which is good and make it so strong and beautiful" then whatever tares appear "will have no appeal either to the eye or the ear." So the truly positive thing we can do is to build up the very best in our lives.

The Holy Ghost will provide us guidance and counsel, comfort and peace—as long as we allow it to. Elder Perry's reminder of preserving that part of the wheat field above all else is a very timely one!

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

President Boyd K. Packer on having confidence and comfort in the future

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.

"We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do.

"Christ promised that 'the Father, [would send] another Comforter, …

"'Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you' (John 14:16–17)."

- Boyd K. Packer, "The Cloven Tongues of Fire," General Conference, April 2000; see Ensign, May 2000, pp. 7-9
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

There are, on the surface, many reasons to be fearful for the future in today's world. Some of those reasons might include declining moral standards, increasing wickedness and crime, political unrest, international tensions, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and temptations of many kinds.

But President Packer reassures us that with the perspective and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we do not need to fear. There is a source of direction and wisdom in the midst of the uncertainty:

One of the beautiful names given to the Holy Ghost is that of Comforter. When we are worried or struggling in any way, there is a source of peace and guidance available to us if we are willing to turn to it. How grateful we should be for that divine gift!

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

President Russell M. Nelson on our covenants with God

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.

"We need to remember that a covenant is a promise. A covenant made with God should be regarded not as restrictive but as protective. Covenants with Him protect us from danger.

"This concept is not new. If our water supply is of questionable quality, for example, we filter the water. Similarly, divine covenants shield us from harm. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness (see Moro. 10:32; JST, Matt. 16:26, in Matt. 16:24, footnote a), we lose nothing of value and gain glory known only to those who obtain eternal life. Keeping a temple covenant is not constraining but enabling. It elevates us beyond limits of our own perspective and power. It is like the difference between plodding through a muddy field and soaring through the skies in a supersonic jet. Keeping a covenant with God is both protective and enabling."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Prepare for Blessings of the Temple," Ensign March 2002, p. 21
Click here to read the complete article

This is a wonderful concept: covenants are not restrictive, they are protective! They can "shield us from harm" as they help us avoid the ungodliness in our world. If we can remember and ponder that concept, our covenants will be even more precious to us.

The focus of our most significant covenants is the temple:

The combination covenants provide of being both protective and enabling is truly a divine and sacred gift.z

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

Elder Quentin L. Cook on spiritual nourishment and commitment

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"Many who are in a spiritual drought and lack commitment have not necessarily been involved in major sins or transgressions, but they have made unwise choices. Some are casual in their observance of sacred covenants. Others spend most of their time giving first-class devotion to lesser causes. Some allow intense cultural or political views to weaken their allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony. Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed.

"Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment (see John 5:39; Amos 8:11). The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment (see Alma 31:5). When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance (see Alma 36:23–26). Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Can Ye Feel So Now?," General Conference, October 2012; see Ensign, November 2012, pp. 6-9
Click here to read or listen to the full article

The concept of "spiritual drought" is an interesting one. In the physical sense, drought is a period of water shortage due to lessened rainfall; spiritually, if we have a lack of inspiration and presence of the spirit, the condition of stunted growth and related challenges is a good analogy. Elder Cook suggests that we can those spiritual droughts on ourselves through sin or unwise choices, but also through "casual observance of sacred covenants" or mis-focused priorities. We can be distracted by material or philosophy that impairs our receptivity to spiritual influence.

The key to overcoming spiritual drought is usually to "repent and be spiritually renewed." Elder Cook suggests another important ingredient:

Particularly in times of "spiritual drought" we should seek renewal from the fount of "living water" (John 4:10). That will aid us in our efforts to strengthen our commitment and draw nearer to the source of strength and forgiveness.

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