President Henry B. Eyring on fasting and bearing testimony

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.

"In every ward and branch in the Church, once a month we hold a fast and testimony meeting. We fast for two meals. With the money saved, and adding more to it whenever we can, we pay a generous fast offering. The bishop and the branch president use those offerings, under inspiration, to care for the poor and the needy. Thus, by paying a fast offering we give comfort to those in need of comfort as we promised that we would.

"The fast also helps us to feel humble and meek so that the Holy Ghost may more easily be our companion. By our fast, we both keep our covenant to care for others and we prepare to keep our covenant to bear testimony.

"Those who have prepared carefully for the fast and testimony meeting won't need to be reminded how to bear testimony should they feel impressed to do it in the meeting. They won't give sermons or exhortations or travel reports or try to entertain as they bear witness. Because they will have already expressed appreciation to people privately, they will have less need to do it publicly. Neither will they feel a need to use eloquent language nor to go on at length.

"A testimony is a simple expression of what we feel. The member who has fasted both for the blessing of the poor and for the companionship of the Spirit will be feeling gratitude for the love of God and the certainty of eternal truth. Even a child can feel such things, which may be why sometimes the testimony of a child so moves us and why our preparation of fasting and prayer produces in us childlike feelings.

"That preparation for the fast and testimony meeting is a covenant obligation for members of the Church....

"The fruit of keeping covenants is the companionship of the Holy Ghost and an increase in the power to love. That happens because of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change our very natures."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Witnesses for God," General Conference, October 1996
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

To "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" and to "bear one another's burdens" are part of the covenants we make at baptism (see Mosiah 18:8-10). President Eyring sees our fasting and fast offerings as responding to those promises.

But even more significant, I love the thought that we are better prepared to receive the Holy Ghost as a companion when we feel the humility and meekness that come from fasting; and that leads to a greater desire to share our testimony with others.

So President Eyring suggests that proper preparation naturally leads to proper testimony, as we are inspired to share our knowledge and understanding of eternal truth. And preparing in the right way is another of our "covenant obligations" as Church members. We are blessed as we ponder our covenants and strive more fully to fulfill them; covenant keeping opens the door for "the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change our very natures" which then enables us to love more and feel more of the Holy Spirit's companionship. Those are glorious promises, and should increase our eagerness to fulfill the fundamental obligations of fasting, sharing, and testifying.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Russell M. Nelson on being yoked to Christ in challenging times

President Russell M. Nelson (born 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. With the death of President Monson, at age 93 he currently presides over the Church as senior apostle.

"Difficult days are ahead. Sin is on the increase. Paul foresaw that members of the Church would endure persecution (see 2 Timothy 3:1-13; D&C 112:24-26). Peter counseled, 'If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf' (1 Peter 4:16). As Jesus descended below all things in order to rise above all things, He expects us to follow His example. Yoked with Him, each of us can rise above all of our challenges, no matter how difficult they may be (see Matthew 11:29-30).

"Considering all that the Savior has done—and still does—for us, what can we do for Him? The greatest gift we could give to the Lord... is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, worthy to attend His holy temple. And His gift to us will be the peace of knowing that we are prepared to meet Him, whenever that time comes."

- Russell M. Nelson, "The Peace and Joy of Knowing the Savior Lives," BYU devotional, Dec 10, 2002; see Ensign, Dec. 2011, p. 17
Click here to read the full article

We've heard the message for some time: "difficult days are ahead." In fact, President Nelson indicates that the message has been prominent since New Testament times. He points out to us how we can be able to confront the challenges: be "yoked" to the Savior, who has "descended below all things;" that may be the only thing that will enable us to "rise above all our challenges."

What an important message of appreciation! If we truly comprehend what the Savior has done for us, and continues to do for us, we will feel a debt of gratitude that we will long to repay. And the best way to pay that debt, according to President Nelson, is through our actions, our choices, our faith and obedience—staying "unspotted from the world" in order to be worthy of the holy temple and the other blessings that will come. And one of the greatest blessings will be the peace of anticipation, knowing that we are worthy to be in His presence when the day comes!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Thomas S. Monson on enduring life's challenges in faith

President Thomas S. Monson (August 21, 1927–January 2, 2018) 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. He led the Church for almost a decade.

"What does it mean to endure? I love this definition: to withstand with courage. Courage may be necessary for you to believe; it will at times be necessary as you obey. It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence.

"I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, 'I have so many problems, such real concerns. I'm overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do?' I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it's a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more and then one more after that—until we've lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised, 'Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life' (3 Nephi 15:9).

"For this purpose have you come into mortality, my young friends. There is nothing more important than the goal you strive to attain—even eternal life in the kingdom of your Father."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Believe, Obey, Endure," General Conference Young Women's Meeting, April 2012
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

We all have to learn to "withstand with courage" the challenges of our life. Sometimes those challenges are against our beliefs, or our attempts to be obedient. And sometimes it's just "enduring to the end" that is our challenge.

Given our current perspective, with the passing this week of President Monson, these words take on a particular significance. It's clear to us that he exemplified the quality of enduring to the end, serving faithfully for such a long and devoted life.

But he also acknowledged in these remarks the overwhelming challenges that so many face; he knows that life is not easy. His suggestion on how to endure faithfully is to focus on immediate concerns, seeking always for divine assistance as we face our problems day by day.

Eternal life is the reward promised to those who learn to live each day with heaven's help, patiently persevering day by day and year by year as long as required.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Russell M. Nelson on sustaining modern prophets

President Russell M. Nelson (born 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. With the death of President Monson, at age 93 he currently presides over the Church as senior apostle.

"If the Restoration did anything, it shattered the age-old myth that God had stopped talking to His children. Nothing could be further from the truth. A prophet has stood at the head of God's Church in all dispensations, from Adam to the present day. Prophets testify of Jesus Christ—of His divinity and of His earthly mission and ministry. We honor the Prophet Joseph Smith as the prophet of this last dispensation. And we honor each man who has succeeded him as President of the Church....

"All leaders in the Lord’s Church are called by proper authority. No prophet or any other leader in this Church, for that matter, has ever called himself or herself. No prophet has ever been elected. The Lord made that clear when He said, 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you' (John 15:16). You and I do not 'vote' on Church leaders at any level. We do, though, have the privilege of sustaining them.

"The ways of the Lord are different from the ways of man. Man’s ways remove people from office or business when they grow old or become disabled. But man’s ways are not and never will be the Lord’s ways. Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment that we will do our utmost to uphold their prophetic priorities. Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Sustaining the Prophets," General Conference October 2014
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

It's fascinating to read President Nelson's witness of living prophets. Truly, "A prophet has stood at the head of God's Church in all dispensations, from Adam to the present day." When he spoke these words in 2014, President Monson was healthy and two additional senior apostles (Boyd K. Packer and L. Tom Perry) also were ahead of then-Elder Nelson, who was already 90 years old at the time and probably had little expectation he would ever become the senior apostle. But now he finds himself "called" by the Lord to stand in that responsibility, "chosen" by the Lord to fill the sacred role.

And what does the change mean for us as Church members? President Nelson himself offered this suggestion:

What a solemn privilege it is to sustain our divinely-appointed leaders! Among other things, it shows our willingness and commitment to "uphold their prophetic priorities" as they are shared and expressed, and to recognize the prophetic calling as "legitimate and binding upon us."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Thomas S. Monson on death and life through the Savior

President Thomas S. Monson (August 21, 1927—January 2, 2018) 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. He led the Church for almost a decade.

"Life moves on. Youth follows childhood, and maturity comes ever so imperceptibly. As we search and ponder the purpose and the problems of life, all of us sooner or later face the question of the length of life and of a personal, everlasting life. These questions most insistently assert themselves when loved ones leave us or when we face leaving those we love.

"At such times, we ponder the universal question, best phrased by Job of old, who centuries ago asked, 'If a man die, shall he live again?' (Job 14:14) ...

"My brothers and sisters, we laugh, we cry, we work, we play, we love, we live. And then we die. Death is our universal heritage. All must pass its portals. Death claims the aged, the weary and worn. It visits the youth in the bloom of hope and the glory of expectation. Nor are little children kept beyond its grasp. In the words of the Apostle Paul, 'It is appointed unto men once to die.' (Hebrews 9:27)

"And dead we would remain but for one Man and His mission, even Jesus of Nazareth....

"Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so.

"With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. 'Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!"' (Hymns, no. 136; see also Job 19:25.) May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge."

- Thomas S. Monson, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!," General Conference, April 2007
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Thomas S. Monson was one of the greatest optimists of our time—always hopeful, always smiling. It seemed the sun always shined on President Monson. But he also understood reality. He understood the sorrow and suffering that come when one we love parts from us. He expressed beautifully in this message the challenges of death, but yet the eternal hope of everlasting life:

President Monson left no doubt of his firm and sure witness of the Redeemer, the Savior, the Resurrection and the Life. We are so grateful for his many years of service, leadership, teaching, and testimony that leave a remarkable legacy to bless the Church for a long time to come.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Richard G. Scott on recovering from poor choices in 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.

"It is a fundamental truth that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed. We can become virtuous and pure. However, sometimes our poor choices leave us with long-term consequences. One of the vital steps to complete repentance is to bear the short- and long-term consequences of our past sins....

"The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment, when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy....

"Each of us has had times in our lives when we have made poor choices. We are all in desperate need of the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Each of us must repent of any rebellion. 'For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance' (D&C 1:31). He cannot because He knows what it takes to become like Him.

"Many of us have allowed weakness to develop in our character. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we... can build spiritual fortifications between ourselves and any past mistakes that Satan attempts to exploit."

- Richard G. Scott, "Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ," General Conference October 2013
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Poor choices have consequences. Elder Scott, in this message, distinguishes between the rebellion that is initially expressed in making a poor choice, and the weakness that can develop as we persist in inappropriate activity or as we suffer the consequences of our initial bad decision. Elder Scott teaches the crucial need to repent of the transgression and receive forgiveness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But it's also a great truth and blessing of eternity that we find healing for our weaknesses and for the long-term consequences of sin through that same Atonement of the Savior.

How critical that we not only resolve the transgression, but "build fortifications" to prevent the Adversary from exploiting our weaknesses. We are blessed by a true understanding of how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can bless us in those endeavors.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Thomas S. Monson on changes, goals, and success

President Thomas S. Monson (born 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.

"We live in a changing world. Technology has altered nearly every aspect of our lives. We must cope with these advances—even these cataclysmic changes—in a world of which our forebears never dreamed.

"Remember the promise of the Lord: 'If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.' (D&C 38:30.) Fear is a deadly enemy of progress.

"It is necessary to prepare and to plan so that we don't fritter away our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success. One of the best definitions of success I have ever heard goes something like this: Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Someone has said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never crossing the goal line."

- Thomas S. Monson, "In Search of Treasure," General Conference, April 2003
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Any of us who are in "middle age" or beyond have witnessed first-hand the "cataclysmic changes" in technology that President Monson refers to, altering "nearly every aspect of our lives." But President Monson reminds us that we have nothing to fear from change, or from anything else, as long as we are prepared. We may not know what we are preparing for; but the preparation involves continuing progress and growth

I like the imagery of "fritter away our lives" with its implication of a gradual wasting over time. One definition given is "To occupy oneself idly or without clear purpose, to tinker with an unimportant part of a project, to dally, sometimes as a form of procrastination." President Monson suggests that we can "fritter away our lives" by being unclear in our purpose or destination; as we engage in meaningless tasks or activities that distract from worthy goals, we are gradually missing out on the progress we might be making. In the context of the technological advances mentioned in the earlier paragraph, it's easy to see how our technology can contribute to that frittering.

On the other hand, the beautiful definition of success gives us much to ponder. "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal." Just as frittering away happens gradually and piecemeal, so does the achievement of success. As we hold our goals clearly in our mind and work progressively to attain them, the end result is assured! But we must be progressing. That's the benefit of establishing our goals in ways that are clear and well-defined. They can keep us moving forward in positive ways.

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