Elder Marvin J. Ashton on expressing appreciation

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.

"Appreciation for people and events that come into our lives is most important because it is God’s way of helping us to grow. May I say to all of you ... within the sound of my voice, that the ultimate in maturity is being able to feel and express appreciation, being fully aware of value and importance, and showing gratitude for it....

"How does God feel about appreciation? From the Doctrine and Covenants I share this: 'And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments' (D&C 59:21).

"This morning, as indicated, I would like to speak to the first part of that scripture. Would you like to have God’s wrath raised against you? Would you like to have God mad at you? It can come and it will happen if we fail to show appreciation and gratitude. Why does the lack of appreciation offend God and kindle his wrath? Not because he needs to see and hear our appreciation and gratitude, but because he knows an absence of appreciation on the part of anyone causes personal stagnation. Our growth and our progress are delayed when we fail to feel and express appreciation. May we think for a few moments about occasions and situations where we actually say, 'Thank thee, God, for people and events that have come into our lives that have made it possible for us to develop and grow and mature, for all people, for all conditions, and for all circumstances when we are allowed to appreciate human beings and situations for what they can do and will mean to us.'...

"How do we show appreciation for God’s great gifts? How do we show appreciation for the gifts of parents, companions, roommates, those that we are with constantly? How do we do it? By our lives, by our works, and by our words, and through a willingness to confess his hand in this and in all other great gifts....

"May I conclude by saying, 'When thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God' (Alma 37:37). This is a choice, all-inclusive quotation from Alma."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "Appreciation—Sign of Maturity," BYU devotional, April 13, 1976
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

"Appreciation... is God’s way of helping us to grow." That's a great statement! We more commonly think that we grow through trials, or through learning, or through service. Elder Ashton claims that the truly grateful heart is one that is progressing and developing. And that "the ultimate in maturity" is the ability to "feel and express appreciation."

The Doctrine and Covenants passage that tells how ingratitude offends and angers God puzzled me for a long time. It seemed to say, as Elder Ashton suggests, that God needs our praise and recognition for His own personal reasons. But instead, I think that He knows how much we need to express those feelings for our benefit, not His. "Our growth and our progress are delayed when we fail to feel and express appreciation."

So it's the process of showing appreciation, along with expressing it, that is key. We do, indeed, want to have our hearts "full of thanks unto God" at all times; we will demonstrate that gratitude "By our lives, by our works, and by our words, and through a willingness to confess his hand in this and in all other great gifts."

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

President James E. Faust on finding hope in our mortal life

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope....

"Hope is trust in God’s promises, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future....

"Peace in this life is based upon faith and testimony. We can all find hope from our personal prayers and gain comfort from the scriptures. Priesthood blessings lift us and sustain us. Hope also comes from direct personal revelation, to which we are entitled if we are worthy. We also have the security of living in a time when a prophet who holds and exercises all of the keys of God’s kingdom is on the earth."

- James E. Faust, "Hope, an Anchor of the Soul," General Conference October 1999
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The world's definition of "hope" is generally as a vague and ungrounded emotion, a wistful desire. But the gospel's definition is based on firm understanding and well-grounded expectation for future blessings—a "trust in God's promises" and confidence that all will be well in His hands. President Faust describes the "challenges and difficulties" of our mortal life, and reassures us that through faith and hope, we can find peace even when we don't fully understand the reasons.

Finding hope in times of challenge and trial is a critical skill to develop. President Faust reminds us of some of the sources: prayer, scriptures, priesthood blessings, personal revelation, and prophetic counsel. In "times of plenty" we should be taking advantage of those sources in order to fortify our faith and hope for the times of need.

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

President Gordon B. Hinckley on avoiding the pull of 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.

"All of us live in the world. Of course we do. We cannot live a cloistered existence. But we can live in the world without partaking of the unseemly ways of the world.

"The pull gets ever stronger. The adversary is clever and subtle. He speaks in a seductive voice of fascinating and attractive things. We cannot afford to let down our guard. We cannot afford to drop the ball. We need not run the wrong way. The right way is simple. It means following the program of the Church, bringing into our lives the principles of the gospel, and never losing sight of what is expected of us as sons [and daughters] of God with a great inheritance and a marvelous and eternal potential.

"Simple and tremendously challenging are the words of the Scout Oath: 'On my honor I will do my best.' If every one of us would make that effort, the world would be much better, and we would be much happier. It is so often the very small and singularly inconsequential acts of our lives that eventually make so great a difference."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Don't Drop the Ball," General Conference October 1994
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The challenge of "living in the world" without being overwhelmed by it, and particularly by its "unseemly ways," is only getting greater. But President Hinckley finds a simple answer to the challenge: follow Church programs, allow gospel principles to influence our lives, and remember our eternal inheritance and potential:

President Hinckley finds wisdom in the simple words that begin the Scout Oath: "On my honor, I will do my best." In today's society we need more people whose honor means something, whose promises and oaths can be trusted, and who are willing to always strive to simply do their best at all times. That would truly make the world, and each of us individually, a much happier place. As President Hinckley notes, the small and seemingly "inconsequential acts" can have powerful results.

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

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on suggestions for study and learning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (b. January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"I would offer you this advice in your own study: Be patient, don’t be superficial, and don’t ignore the Spirit.

"In counseling patience, I simply mean that while some answers come quickly or with little effort, others are simply not available for the moment because information or evidence is lacking. Don’t suppose, however, that a lack of evidence about something today means that evidence doesn’t exist or that it will not be forthcoming in the future. The absence of evidence is not proof....

"When I say don’t be superficial, I mean don’t form conclusions based on unexamined assertions or incomplete research, and don’t be influenced by insincere seekers. I would offer you the advice of our Assistant Church Historian, Rick Turley, an intellectually gifted researcher and author whose recent works include the definitive history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. He says simply, 'Don’t study Church history too little.' ...

"Finally, don’t neglect the Spirit. As regards Joseph Smith, we seek learning both by study and by faith. (See D&C 88:118.) Both are fruitful paths of inquiry. A complete understanding can never be attained by scholarly research alone, especially since much of what is needed is either lost or never existed. There is no benefit in imposing artificial limits on ourselves that cut off the light of Christ and the revelations of the Holy Spirit. Remember, 'By the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things.' (Moroni 10:5.)"

- D. Todd Christofferson, "The Prophet Joseph Smith," Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional, September 24, 2013
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Christofferson offered these suggestions to students in the context of learning about Joseph Smith and aspects of Church history, where critics and opponents are eager to create doubt and dissension. But I think the principles apply to all areas of study and learning. We so easily jump to conclusions based on the first evidence or explanation we hear, and we don't always think carefully about the other possibilities that might also explain the circumstances we observe. Learning to withhold judgement in patience is an important skill:

Perhaps the most important skill is learning to be guided by the Holy Spirit as we strive to learn and understand. According to Nephi, the Holy Ghost "will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). What a precious promise!

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

Elder Quentin L. Cook on learning civility and love at home

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.

"How we treat those closest to us is of fundamental importance. Violence, abuse, lack of civility, and disrespect in the home are not acceptable—not acceptable for adults and not acceptable for the rising generation. My father was not active in the Church but was a remarkably good example, especially in his treatment of my mother. He used to say, 'God will hold men responsible for every tear they cause their wives to shed.' This same concept is emphasized in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' It reads, '[Those] who abuse spouse or offspring … will one day stand accountable before God.' Regardless of the culture in which we are raised, and whether our parents did or did not abuse us, we must not physically, emotionally, or verbally abuse anyone else.

"The need for civility in society has never been more important. The foundation of kindness and civility begins in our homes. It is not surprising that our public discourse has declined in equal measure with the breakdown of the family. The family is the foundation for love and for maintaining spirituality. The family promotes an atmosphere where religious observance can flourish. There is indeed 'beauty all around when there’s love at home' (“Love at Home,” Hymns, no. 294)."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Can Ye Feel So Now?," General Conference October 2012
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

We live in a time when basic civility in society seems to be disappearing; when the "public discourse" is greatly facilitated by technology, but is dramatically declining in decency. Elder Cook maintains that the foundation of these interactions is set in the home and family, and that we have never had a greater need to focus on strengthening that setting:

The prophetic foresight in the Family Proclamation, issued in 1995, is astonishing as we see the moral decline that has occurred since then. It is so critical for us to know those principles and cling to them!

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

Elder David A. Bednar on the continuing process of being born again

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"And after we come out of the waters of baptism, our souls need to be continuously immersed in and saturated with the truth and the light of the Savior’s gospel. Sporadic and shallow dipping in the doctrine of Christ and partial participation in His restored Church cannot produce the spiritual transformation that enables us to walk in a newness of life. Rather, fidelity to covenants, constancy of commitment, and offering our whole soul unto God are required if we are to receive the blessings of eternity.

"'I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved' (Omni 1:26).

"Total immersion in and saturation with the Savior’s gospel are essential steps in the process of being born again."

- David A. Bednar, "Ye Must Be Born Again," General Conference, April 2007
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

I love this concept of the continuous process of discipleship. Just being baptized is not nearly enough; Elder Bednar teaches that from that point on, "our souls need to be continuously immersed in and saturated with the truth and the light of the Savior’s gospel." Nephi said it this way:

"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)

So having started on the Gospel path, we then must be fully committed and fully immersed in the spiritual life that follows:

I've always appreciated Omni's description too, that we must offer our whole souls to God; a partial offering or a partial commitment just won't bring the redemption and salvation that we seek.

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

President Joseph F. Smith on shining with original light instead of borrowed light

President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) was the son of Joseph's brother Hyrum. He was ordained an apostle in 1866 at age 28, and served as a counselor to Brigham Young and the three presidents who followed.  He became the 6th president of the Church in 1901, and served until his death in 1918 at age 80.

“One fault to be avoided by the Saints, young and old, is the tendency to live on borrowed light, with their own hidden under a bushel; to permit the savor of their salt of knowledge to be lost; and the light within them to be reflected, rather than original.

"Every Saint should not only have the light within himself, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but his light should so shine that it may be clearly perceived by others.

“Men and women should become settled in the truth, and founded in the knowledge of the gospel, depending upon no person for borrowed or reflected light, but trusting only upon the Holy Spirit, who is ever the same, shining forever and testifying to the individual and the priesthood, who live in harmony with the laws of the gospel, of the glory and the will of the Father. They will then have light everlasting which cannot be obscured. By its shining in their lives, they shall cause others to glorify God; and by their well-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light."

- Joseph F. Smith, Improvement Era 8:60-62, 1904-05; see Gospel Doctrine, pp. 87–88

President Smith warns us of the tendency to "hide our light under a bushel," and then to reflect the light of others instead of having our light be original within us:

When our own light is burning clearly, it comes "through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." Having that companionship fills us with light. I'm reminded of the beautiful counsel and invitation given by the Lord through Joseph Smith:

"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." (D&C 88:67)

A body that is full of light will shine directly and powerfully, not needing to reflect the light of others. As President Smith notes, one of the great blessings of this shining light is that others will see it and glorify God. It will also help to overcome criticism and foolish ignorance, and will ultimately bring glory to God who is the source of the light.

As far as I know, the concept of "borrowed light" originated with Heber C. Kimball who spoke of it several times. Click here to read an example of his teachings, with an added insight from Robert J. Matthews about our occasional tendency to borrow from our own light.

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