President Russell M. Nelson on the sacred place of home and family

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 became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

"The family is the most important unit of society and of the Church. The family is ordained of God. It is central to His plan for the eternal destiny of His children. (See 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World,' Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.) 'God has established families to bring happiness to his children, to allow them to learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare them for eternal life.' (Family Guidebook (pamphlet, 1992), iv.) ...

"The home is the great laboratory of love. There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love one for another. (See Mosiah 4:14-15; D&C 68:25-31)"

- Russell M. Nelson, "Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women," General Conference, April 1999
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This excerpt was part of an address to the Priesthood Session of conference. President Nelson gave counsel in particular to husbands on providing the proper companionship and supportive relationship with their wives—our "sacred duty to honor women." In the ideal setting of the family, where a man and a woman provide companionship and support in pursuing eternal goals, some of the most important learning opportunities exist to help us all move forward towards the goal of eternal life:

The identification of home as a "laboratory" implies that experiments will take place there; there will be mistakes and failures. But as we learn lessons from those experiences, developing skills in knowing how to replace "selfishness and greed" with "compassionate concern and love", we will find great joy and peace.

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

President Howard W. Hunter on consistent ordinary efforts

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"The Lord has said, 'Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.' (D&C 64:33; italics added.) Each of us has seen individuals become wealthy or successful almost instantaneously, almost overnight. But I believe that even though this kind of success may come to some without a prolonged struggle, there is no such thing as instant greatness. This is because the achievement of true greatness is a long-term process; it may involve occasional setbacks. The end result may not always be clearly visible, but it seems that it always requires regular, consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary and mundane steps over a long period of time."

- Howard W. Hunter, "True Greatness," General Conference April 1982
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Hunter points out that there is a difference between "overnight success" and true lasting greatness. While people occasionally stumble into success (financial, occupational, etc.) that really has very little to do with being truly great:

So according to President Hunter, true greatness comes after a prolonged process of effort that can include stumbles and failures, but always means lots of small steps in common and mundane ways. We need to learn to be content and persistent with our efforts from day to day, knowing that the cumulative effect of lots of little steps means a lot of progress over time; and that is where greatness comes from.

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

President Spencer W. Kimball on keys to finding peace

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"Peace is the fruit of righteousness. It cannot be bought with money, and cannot be traded nor bartered. It must be earned. The wealthy often spend much of their gains in a bid for peace, only to find that it is not for sale. But the poorest as well as the richest may have it in abundance if the total price is paid. Those who abide the laws and live the Christ-like life may have peace and other kindred blessings, principal among which are exaltation and eternal life. They include also blessings for this life."

- Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969], 363-64

One of our hymns asks, "Where can I turn for peace?" (Hymns #129) The hymn suggests that it can be found only in our "Savior and Friend" who brings solace and comfort to those who petition: "Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching." President Kimball's message is similar; we can find peace in obedience and in "the Christ-like life":

This is not a gift that can be purchases with money; the wealthy often find they are the furthest away from its blessing. True blessings and deep, lasting peace come through humble discipleship.

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

President Wilford Woodruff on the importance of having God's spirit

President Wilford Woodruff  (born March 1, 1807—211 years ago today; died 1898) was called as an apostle in 1839 by Joseph Smith, and sustained as the 4th president of the Church in 1889.  He served until his death in 1898 at age 91.

"Joseph Smith visited me a great deal after his death, and taught me many important principles.... Among other things, he told me to get the Spirit of God; that all of us needed it....

"Brigham Young also visited me after his death.... And he told me what Joseph Smith had taught him in Winter Quarters, to teach the people to get the Spirit of God. He said, 'I want you to teach the people to get the Spirit of God. You cannot build up the Kingdom of God without that.'

"That is what I want to say to the brethren and sisters here today. Every man and woman in this Church should labor to get that Spirit. We are surrounded by these evil spirits that are at war against God and against everything looking to the building up of the kingdom of God; and we need this Holy Spirit to enable us to overcome these influences. I have had the Holy Ghost in my travels. Every man has that has gone out into the vineyard and labored faithfully for the cause of God. I have referred to the administration of angels to myself. What did these angels do? One of them taught me some things relating to the signs that should precede the coming of the Son of Man. Others came and saved my life. What then? They turned and left me.

"But how is it with the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost does not leave me if I do my duty. It does not leave any man who does his duty. We have known this all the way through. Joseph Smith told Brother John Taylor on one occasion to labor to get the Spirit of God, and to follow its dictation, and it would become a principle of revelation within him. God has blessed me with that, and everything I have done since I have been in this Church has been done upon that principle. The Spirit of God has told me what to do, and I have had to follow that."

- Wilford Woodruff, “Discourse,” The Deseret Weekly, Nov. 7, 1896, 642–43

It's interesting to learn about the communication that existed between the early Church leaders, even from beyond the veil. They had some sensitivity and gifts that were strong and unusual. In this case, both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young offered counsel on the importance of "getting the Spirit of God" in our lives. There is a war going on between God and the "evil spirits" that abound in the world, and we need toe Holy Spirit to counteract and overcome those influences:

President Woodruff seems to use terms interchangeably, including the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Ghost. They provide the "principle of revelation" that becomes so crucial to us in our lives. President Woodruff knew this from personal experience; his life was preserved and directed in dramatic ways because of his sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit in his life. He surely heeded the counsel that he was given by his predecessors!

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

President Harold B. Lee on continuing to learn throughout life

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.

"I read recently from a column in the Washington Post, by George Moore.... In this article he said, 'I have spent the last twenty years of my life at Mount Vernon reducing my ignorance.' He claimed that a person never learns anything until he realizes how little he knows. In this article he makes this most illuminating observation about George Washington:

"'Washington never went to school. That's why he was an educated man, he never quit learning.'

"What George Moore said of himself I suppose could be said of many of you and of myself: 'I have spent more than three score years of my life reducing my ignorance.'

"Therein, it is my conviction, is the challenge to all who achieve distinction in any field. Some quit learning when they graduate from a school; some quit learning about the gospel when they have completed a mission for the Church; some quit learning when they become an executive or have a prominent position in or out of the Church.

"Remember, as George Moore said of Washington, 'We can become educated persons, regardless of our stations in life, if we never quit learning.'"

- Harold B. Lee, "The Iron Rod," General Conference, April 1971
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The warning of Nephi comes to mind: "When they are learned they think they are wise..." (2 Ne 9:28). The wise understand that as they gain learning, they have so much left to learn, and that as President Lee points out, " a person never learns anything until he realizes how little he knows."

Our goal should be to never cease learning; to continue to "reduce our ignorance." For those of us "getting on in life" it would be good to evaluate periodically how we are responding to this charge! Are we truly growing in knowledge and wisdom? Are we reading, studying, stretching, seeking new settings and opportunities? What efforts are we making to ensure that happens in our lives?

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

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on the powerful blessings of genuine hope

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

"Genuine hope is urgently needed in order to be more loving even as the love of many waxes cold; more merciful, even when misunderstood or misrepresented; more holy, even as the world ripens in iniquity; more courteous and patient in a coarsening and curt world; and more full of heartfelt hope, even when other men's hearts fail them. Whatever our particular furrow, we are to 'plow in hope,' without looking back or letting yesterday hold tomorrow hostage (1 Cor. 9:10)....

"Genuine hope gives spiritual spunk, including to deserving parents drenched in honest sweat from being 'anxiously engaged.' Just as the leaning Tower of Pisa is a persistent rebuke to architectural pessimism, so parental hope—by refusing to topple merely because of the gravity of the current family situation—is a repudiation of despair. Giving parents never give up hope! ...

"Hope beckons all of us to come home where a glow reflects the Light of the World, whose 'brightness and glory defy all description' (JS-H 1:17). Jesus waits 'with open arms to receive' those who finally overcome by faith and hope (Morm. 6:17). His welcome will consist not of a brief, loving pat but, instead, of being 'clasped in the arms of Jesus'! (Morm. 5:11)."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Brightness of Hope," General Conference October 1994
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

As usual, Elder Maxwell packs so much insight into his discourse! I love the concept of genuine hope, and the powerful impact it can have in our lives as it counteracts the despair the confusion of the world around us. It can make us more loving, more merciful, more holy, more courteous and patient. It gives "spiritual spunk" to parents who need the strength and courage to lovingly persist in spite of the pressures they face. And it offers these glorious promises:

The hope entailed in that glorious promise of a loving embrace is powerful and motivating. Knowing that we can be "clasped in the arms of Jesus" (Mormon 5:11) if we will only repent and turn to Him is the beckoning hope that Elder Maxwell invites us to embrace.

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

Elder Richard G. Scott on strength and fortification through faithful service

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.

"Father in Heaven has provided us tools that help to build the fortifications between our vulnerabilities and our faithfulness. Consider the following suggestions:

"Make covenants and receive ordinances for yourself. Then steadily and consistently work to provide ordinances in the temple for your own ancestors.

"Share the gospel with nonmember or less-active family members or friends. Sharing these truths can bring a renewed enthusiasm into your life.

"Serve faithfully in all Church callings, especially home teaching and visiting teaching assignments. Don’t be just a 15-minutes-a-month home or visiting teacher. Rather, reach out to each individual member of the family. Get to know them personally. Be a real friend. Through acts of kindness, show them how very much you care for each of them.

"Most important, serve the members of your own family. Make the spiritual development of your spouse and children a very high priority. Be attentive to the things you can do to help each one. Give freely of your time and attention.

"In each of these suggestions, there is a common theme: fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven’s children, Satan’s temptations lose power in your life.

"Because your Father in Heaven loves you profoundly, the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes that strength possible. Isn’t it wonderful? Many of you have felt the burden of poor choices, and each of you can feel the elevating power of the Lord’s forgiveness, mercy, and strength."

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

It's an interesting concept, the idea of "fortifications between our vulnerabilities and our faithfulness." In areas where we feel strong and faithful, there may still be attacks—there almost certainly will be attacks! And so we build fortifications to safeguard ourselves. Elder Scott suggests the kind of fortifications that will make a difference: covenants and ordinances, sharing the gospel, serving in callings, serving family members. As we give to ourselves and to others in these ways, we are continually strengthened.

The true fortification, the greatest strength comes as a gift from God as we continue to serve and grow. The forgiveness and power offered to us through His Atonement will be the crucial blessing needed to survive in this world, and receive the fulness of the blessings He has promised to us.

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