Elder Joseph F. Merrill on the blessings of following the Presidency of the Church

Elder Joseph F. Merrill (1968-1952) served as the Commissioner of Church Education from 1928 to 1933, during which time he pioneered the creation of the Seminary and Institute programs. He was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1931 and served until his death in 1952.

"Do the people of the Church want a safe guide to what is well for them to do? It is this: Keep in harmony with the Presidency of this Church. Accept and follow the teachings and advice of the President. At every Conference we raise our hands to sustain the President as prophet, seer and revelator. Is it consistent to do this and then go contrary to his advice? Is anyone so simple as to believe he is serving the Lord when he opposes the President? Of course, the President is not infallible. He makes no claims to infallibility. But when in his official capacity he teaches and advises the members of the Church relative to their duties, let no man who wants to please the Lord say aught against the counsels of the President.

"In the spirit of helpfulness let me give you a key. When in doubt go on your knees in humility with an open mind and a pure heart with a real desire to do the Lord's will, and pray earnestly and sincerely for divine guidance. Persist in praying in this way until you get an answer that fills your bosom with joy and satisfaction. It will be God's answer. If obedient to this answer you will always act as the President indicates. You will then be safe."

- Joseph F. Merrill, Conference Report, April 1941, p. 51
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The Book of Mormon identifies several groups as being "humble followers of Christ" (2 Nephi 28:14) or "humble followers of God" (Alma 4:15, Helaman 6:5,39). When we accept and acknowledge a prophet as God's agent on earth, it's a small step to desire to be "humble followers of the prophet." Elder Merrill encourages us to stay in harmony with the counsel and teachings of the Church Presidency and in particular to sustain and follow the President of the Church:

He then offers what he calls a "key" to this effort. If we ever have any doubt about following the counsel of a leader, we should turn to humble prayer, "with an open mind and a pure heart with a real desire to do the Lord's will." That kind of petition will result in "an answer that fills your bosom with joy and satisfaction" and result in a greater desire to follow counsel.

I don't think it's necessary to wait for times of doubt. Praying in humble sincerity for a greater ability to listen, understand, and follow will result in the Lord's blessings every time—it's wonderful to be filled with "joy and satisfaction." And as Elder Merrill promises, "You will then be safe."

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

Elder Dallin H. Oaks on having simple joy in life

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.

"When I think of happiness or joy in this life, I begin with some experiences that are simple and basic. I see the expression on the face of a one-year-old taking those first steps. I remember a two-year-old immersed in a soft ice cream cone. I think of a child loving a puppy or a kitten.

"If the more mature have not dulled their physical or spiritual sensitivities by excess or disuse, they can also experience joy in what is simple and basic—in flowers and other growing things, in a sunrise or sunset or other beauties of nature, in wholesome companionship.

"Another source of happiness and mortal joy is the accomplishment of worthy goals, simple things like physical exercise or more complex goals like the completion of an arduous task.

"Other goals have eternal significance. Their completion produces joy in this life and the promise of eternal joy in the world to come....

"But despite all we can do, we cannot have a fulness of joy in this world or through our own efforts. (See D&C 101:36.) Only in Christ can our joy be full."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Joy and Mercy," General Conference, October 1991
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Simple joy! What a beautiful concept. We see it in the faces of children. But sometimes the "more mature" have "dulled their physical or spiritual sensitivities by excess or disuse" to the point that they no longer experience those kinds of simple joy.

So how do we retain, or regain, the joy of simple things? Both physical and spiritual sensitivity can be recovered as it is cared for, as we focus on understanding the miracles that lie behind things that may appear to be simple on the surface, including nature and other aspects of God's creation.

Elder Oaks also teaches that we can find joy in more abstract concepts and situations including wholesome companionship, achieving goals, physical exercise, or completion of difficult tasks. But the true key lies in his final statement: fulness of joy comes only in and through the Savior Jesus Christ. As we learn of Him and accept the blessings He promises us, we will begin to taste that joy in this life, and have promises of its fulness in eternity.

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

President Russell M. Nelson on seeking personal revelation

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.

"Revelation need not all come at once. It may be incremental. 'Saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more' (2 Ne 28:30). Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression....

"Every Latter-day Saint may merit personal revelation. The invitation to ask, seek, and knock for divine direction exists because God lives and Jesus is the living Christ. It exists because this is His living Church. (See D&C 1:30.)"

- Russell M. Nelson, "Ask, Seek, Knock," General Conference October 2009
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The concept of "line upon line" is an important one. Sometimes, when we are seeking inspiration or spiritual insight, we are impatient to see the full picture or understand all the details of an issue. But instead we have to be patient as our knowledge grows through "incremental" revelation.

The key is that we must continue to seek and ask, to knock on the door of heaven while we await the divine direction. There are lessons learned in the process of asking that may be as important as the answer that comes!

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

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on finding joy in the journey of life

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.

"Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey. I don’t go cycling with my wife because I’m excited about finishing. I go because the experience of being with her is sweet and enjoyable.

"Doesn’t it seem foolish to spoil sweet and joyful experiences because we are constantly anticipating the moment when they will end?

"Do we listen to beautiful music waiting for the final note to fade before we allow ourselves to truly enjoy it? No. We listen and connect to the variations of melody, rhythm, and harmony throughout the composition.

"Do we say our prayers with only the 'amen' or the end in mind? Of course not. We pray to be close to our Heavenly Father, to receive His Spirit and feel His love.

"We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. 'This is the day which the Lord hath made...,' the Psalmist wrote. 'Rejoice and be glad in it.' (Psalm 118:24.)

"Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions," General Conference October 2012
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Finding "joy in the journey" seems to be one of the great struggles so many face. President Uchtdorf implies that the challenge doesn't just apply to the times of challenge and difficulty, but also to the more positive times. If we are so focused on obtaining goals or reaching milestones that we forget about the joy of now, we're missing the point!

So the answer is finding "something in each day to embrace and cherish." One of the keys is gratitude for blessings given. As we focus on the good and positive, the learning and growth, the blessings—we will find there is, indeed, much joy in the journey.

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

President Henry B. Eyring on understanding the true test of life

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.

"The restored gospel not only teaches us why we must be tested, but it makes clear to us what the test is. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us an explanation. By revelation, he was able to record words spoken at the Creation of the world. They are about us, those of the spirit children of our Heavenly Father who would come into mortality. Here are the words:

"'And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (Abr. 3:25).

"That explanation helps us understand why we face trials in life. They give us the opportunity to prove ourselves faithful to God. So many things beat upon us in a lifetime that simply enduring may seem almost beyond us. That’s what the words in the scripture 'Ye must... endure to the end' (2 Ne. 31:20) seemed to mean to me when I first read them. It sounded grim, like sitting still and holding on to the arms of the chair while someone pulled out my tooth.

"It can surely seem that way to a family depending on crops when there is no rain. They may wonder, 'How long can we hold on?' It can seem that way to a youth faced with resisting the rising flood of filth and temptation. It can seem that way to a young man struggling to get the training he needs for a job to support a wife and family. It can seem that way to a person who can’t find a job or who has lost job after job as businesses close their doors. It can seem that way to a person faced with the erosion of health and physical strength which may come early or late in life for them or for those they love.

"But the test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and whatever the tumult around us. We have that clear understanding because the restored gospel makes the plan of happiness so plain."

- Henry B. Eyring, "In the Strength of the Lord," General Conference, April 2004
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

We must be tested in life. That, according to President Eyring, is a fundamental premise of the gospel. But we sometimes forget what the test comprises; it was laid out by our Heavenly Father at the very creation of the world. We must be "proved" by the conditions and experiences of mortality, to verify whether we are willing to do whatever God tells us to do. That is the whole test—our willingness to obey. The hardships or challenges we suffer only modify the conditions of the test, not its purpose.

If everything in our mortal experience were straightforward and peaceful, with no difficulties or problems, it would perhaps be easier to show obedience. It seems harder to demonstrate our true commitment when we are deep in the midst of "enduring." But through our varied challenges, which seem perhaps customized according to what we individually need, we have the opportunity to pass the ultimate test again and again: will I obey in faith, regardless of circumstances or challenges?

The phrase "endure it well" was notably spoken to Joseph Smith (D&C 121:8) who was struggling through his own set of challenges; he was invited by God to continue faithful in the midst of the test. We are each asked to do the same in our personal difficulties.

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

President Thomas S. Monson on showing our love for God and Jesus

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 before becoming Church president in 2008.

"Today, the challenge which we face and must meet is not that we should go forth on the battlefield of war and lay down our lives. Rather, it is that we, on the battlefield of life, so live and serve that our lives and actions reflect a true love of God, of His Son, Jesus Christ, and of our fellowmen....

"Jesus teaches us: 'If ye love me, keep my commandments. …
"'He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.' (John 14:15, 21.)

"Years ago we danced to a popular song, the words of which were, 'It’s easy to say I love you, easy to say I’ll be true, easy to say these simple things, but prove it by the things you do.' ...

"The Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians, 'If any man love God, the same is known of him.' (1 Cor. 8:3.) The love which these faithful members have for God, for His Son, Jesus Christ, and for His everlasting gospel is confirmed by their very lives. It is reminiscent of the love demonstrated by the brother of Jared as described in the Book of Mormon. The blessings of a loving, caring, and just Heavenly Father simply could not be withheld. Faith preceded the miracle."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Those Who Love Jesus," General Conference, October 1985
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

In our modern era of conflict, uncertainty, and turmoil, we might ask what our great challenges are. President Monson suggests that the external, societal challenges are not as significant to us as the choice to follow Jesus Christ in our lives and actions, expressing a true love for God and the Savior:

Truly showing that love, and not just professing it, becomes the great challenge for our lives. Do our actions demonstrate our love? Once they do, we will truly feel His love and blessings in return.

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

President David O. McKay on the glorious blessing of a clear conscience

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.

"It is glorious when you can lie down at night with a clear conscience that you have done your best not to offend anyone and have injured no one. You have tried to cleanse your heart of all unrighteousness, and if you put forth precious effort you can sense as you pray to God to keep you that night that He accepts your effort. You have a sense that you are God's child, a person whose soul God wants to save. You have the strength to resist evil. You also have the realization that you have made the world better for having been in it. These and countless other virtues and conditions are all wrapped up in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

- David O. McKay, Man May Know for Himself, p. 458

What a blessing a truly clear conscience is! President McKay calls it "glorious" to get to the end of a day and know that you have done your best in every way, and to have the sense that God accepts the effort of that day:

Joseph Smith once described three things we must have in order to properly exercise faith in God. First, we must start with the belief in His existence. Then we must correctly understand His "character, perfections, and attributes." Finally, we can have faith only when we possess "an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to His will." (Lectures on Faith 3:2-5). That confidence that we are doing what is right, that we are striving to do the very best we can given our current understanding—what a precious gift it is!

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