Elder L. Tom Perry on achieving our best through understanding our potential

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.

"One of the greatest weaknesses in most of us is our lack of faith in ourselves. One of our common failings is to depreciate our tremendous worth.

"A firm I was associated with sometime ago embarked on a great executive development program at considerable expense to itself. The program was open to all who expressed an interest. All they had to do was sign up. The firm paid the costs and even allowed the employees one hour off from their normal daily work for classroom time—a free opportunity for an education in the art of management. During the two years the program was offered, only 3 percent of the employees signed for the course.

"I have observed another situation where this 3 percent statistic seems to be somewhat reliable as the number of the divine children of our Father in heaven who have enough faith in themselves to make the effort to do something important with their lives. Now, we are a special group assembled here because of the light and knowledge that have been given to us about our potential. Surely, we could never be numbered among the 97 percent who are not taking advantage of opportunities....

"President Romney has said: 'We mortals are in very deed the literal off-spring of God. If man understood, believed and accepted this truth and lived by it, our sick and dying society would be reformed and redeemed and men would have peace and eternal joy.' With this divine knowledge burning within our souls, surely much will be expected of us. As a child of God, be the best of whatever you are."

- L. Tom Perry, "Be the Best of Whatever You Are," BYU Devotional, March 12, 1974
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

"Faith in ourselves"—do we understand and appreciate our true potential, and does it help drive our decisions and actions? Or do we fall into traps of self-doubt and questioning, the uncertainty that can paralyze and hold us back? Elder Perry suggests that "most of us" face this challenge and gives wise counsel:

In the passage Elder Perry quoted from President Marion G. Romney, we are again reminded of what our heritage is and how great is the potential we each possess; our "sick and dying society" would be transformed if we only came to fully accept the truth of our divine heritage! While society as a whole may never come to this realization, we can do so individually, and thus transform our personal worlds and those around us. The simple truth we teach our children to sing, "I am a child of God," is more powerful than we acknowledge.

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

President Boyd K. Packer on faith and personal revelation

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.

"The flow of revelation depends on your faith. You exercise faith by causing, or by making, your mind accept or believe as truth that which you cannot, by reason alone, prove for certainty. (See Alma 32:27–28, 38.)

"The first exercising of your faith should be your acceptance of Christ and His atonement.

"As you test gospel principles by believing without knowing, the Spirit will begin to teach you. Gradually your faith will be replaced with knowledge.

"You will be able to discern, or to see, with spiritual eyes.

"Be believing and your faith will be constantly replenished, your knowledge of the truth increased, and your testimony of the Redeemer, of the Resurrection, of the Restoration will be as 'a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.' (D&C 63:23; see also John 4:14; Jer. 2:13.) You may then receive guidance on practical decisions in everyday life."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise," General Conference, October 1994
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The concept of a "flow of revelation" is a fascinating one. Revelation can, and will, flow from God to man—when conditions permit it. And we control the conditions, based primarily on our faith, according to President Packer:

The exercise of faith begins as we consciously choose to "accept or believe as truth that which you cannot, by reason alone, prove for certainty." It requires that initial "leap" of belief and trust, focused on the atonement of Jesus Christ; we then are able to see the response to our actions and feel the Spirit confirming their truth. And in the life of the disciple, faith is then "constantly replenished" as the actions and blessings confirm each succeeding step. It's a wonderful life to live!

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

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on God's help in overcoming challenges

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"You are stronger than you think. Your Heavenly Father, the Lord and Master of the universe, is your Creator. When I think of it, it makes my heart leap for joy. Our spirits are eternal, and eternal spirits have immeasurable capacity!

"Our Father in Heaven does not wish us to cower. He does not want us to wallow in our misery. He expects us to square our shoulders, roll up our sleeves, and overcome our challenges.

"That kind of spirit—that blend of faith and hard work—is the spirit we should emulate as we seek to reach a safe harbor in our own lives."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding a Safe Harbor," General Conference April 2000
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Wirthlin's message is one of encouragement, reminding us that we have divine heritage and incredible potential—"immeasurable capacity."

Elder Wirthlin's address focused on the concept of a "safe harbor"—a place where a ship can find security and protection to weather the storms what will come and will go. We will have challenges in our lives, but he encourages us to do more than passively wait for them to pass, or worse, to "wallow in our misery." We should actively confront the challenges and work to learn from them as we overcome them!

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

President Thomas S. Monson on the blessings of inspired service

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) 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 and then became Church president in 2008. He led the Church for almost a decade until his passing in January 2018.

"Brethren, it is in doing—not just dreaming—that lives are blessed, others are guided, and souls are saved. 'Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves,' added James. (James 1:22.)

"May all of us... make a renewed effort to qualify for the Lord’s guidance in our lives. There are many out there who plead and pray for help. There are those who are discouraged, those who are beset by poor health and challenges of life which leave them in despair.

"I’ve always believed in the truth of the words, 'God’s sweetest blessings always go by hands that serve him here below.'  (Whitney Montgomery, 'Revelation,' in Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People, 283.) Let us have ready hands, clean hands, and willing hands, that we may participate in providing what our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Priesthood Power," General Conference October 1999
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Ah, the curse of good intentions! President Monson urges us to make sure they turn into good actions, that we find the best ways to serve and bless those around us. President Monson repeated the first phrase of this quotation several times as he gave counsel over the years:

One of the keys to be better in doing, better in serving, is "to qualify for the Lord’s guidance in our lives." President Monson suggests that as we learn to listen to the promptings that will come to the worthy, we'll be in better position to recognize and bless those in need. So we must have "ready hands, clean hands, and willing hands." President Monson was a grand example of this principle in his own life of dedicated personal service.

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

President James E. Faust on remembering the seeds of divinity within us

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.

"If we are constantly aware of the seeds of divinity in us, it will help us rise above earthly challenges and difficulties. Brigham Young said: 'When I look upon the faces of intelligent beings I look upon the image of the God I serve. There are none but what have a certain portion of divinity within them; and though we are clothed with bodies which are in the image of our God, yet this mortality shrinks before that portion of divinity which we inherit from our Father.' (Discourses of Brigham Young p. 168) Being aware of our divine heritage will help men [and women] young and old to grow and magnify the divinity which is within them and within all of us.

"All of us who wish to be honored by the Lord and receive of His goodness, mercy, and eternal blessings must, I repeat, be obedient to these four great principles.

"1. Have a reverence for Deity.

"2. Have respect for and honor family relationships.

"3. Have a profound reverence for and obedience to the ordinances and covenants of the holy priesthood.

"4. Have respect for yourself as a son [or daughter] of God."

- James E. Faust, "Them That Honour Me I Will Honour," General Conference, April 2001
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

These remarks by President Faust were shared with a Priesthood session of general conference, and he was especially encouraging young men to be aware of their divine potential and the goodness within them. But clearly the message applies to all. Being "constantly aware" is similar to the injunction to "always remember" the Savior and His gifts to us:

The main portion of Elder Faust's talk had been to elaborate on those four principles that will lead to divine understanding and increased influence in our lives. It was excellent counsel, worth reviewing. The title of the talk is taken from a passage in 1 Samuel 2:30,  “For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” This caution was given because Eli the priest was not being faithful in his duties. Clearly the Lord invites us all to look to Him, to remember Him, to be obedient and to serve Him. And then His honor and blessings will be returned to us.

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

President Gordon B. Hinckley on striving for excellence

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.

"There is a sign on the gate of this campus that reads: 'Enter to learn; go forth to serve.'

"I invite you, every one of you, to make that your motto. Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better. Give it your very best. You will never again have such an opportunity. Pray about it. Work at it. Make it happen. Drink in the great knowledge here to be obtained from this dedicated faculty. Qualify yourselves for the work of the world that lies ahead. It will largely compensate you in terms of what it thinks you are worth. Walk the high road of charity, respect, and love for others and particularly those who are less fortunate. Be happy. Look for the sunlight in life. Reach for the stars."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Remarks at the Inauguration of President Cecil O. Samuelson," BYU, Sep. 9, 2003
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

These remarks were addressed to a gathering of mostly students at BYU when Cecil O. Samuelson was inaugurated as the new BYU president in 2003. However, the principles apply broadly to all of us, young or old, formal student or informal learner. President Hinckley was always very optimistic, but also very inviting and challenging for all to do their very best, to try harder, to be more committed to the things they knew were true and right. He doesn't want mediocre efforts; he encouraged us to do our very best:

Success in learning, like success in most areas, doesn't come free. As President Hinckley notes, we must work hard, we must pray, and be very diligent to take advantages of the opportunities that are presented to us.

His final encouragement regarding our attitudes towards others is more general—to be kind and charitable to those around us. And then, never forget that optimistic outlook for which President Hinckley is well remembered: "Be happy. Look for the sunlight in life. Reach for the stars." Great counsel.

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

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on feasting upon the words of Christ

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.

"We need to feast upon the words of Christ in the scriptures and as these words come to us from living prophets. Just nibbling occasionally will not do. (See 2 Nephi 31:20 and 32:3.) Feasting means partaking with relish and delight and savoring—not gorging episodically in heedless hunger, but partaking gratefully, dining with delight, at a sumptuous spread carefully and lovingly prepared by prophet-chefs over the centuries. These words plus the gift of the Holy Ghost will tell us all things we should do. The scriptures, ancient and continuing, are the key of knowledge....

"Appreciation for and the acceptance of the scriptures and the words of the living prophets are much more important steps than many realize. The Lord has said, '...he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am.' (Ether 4:12.) To turn aside His teachings is to turn away from Him, and disdain for His doctrines is disdain for Him."

- Neal A. Maxwell, Wherefore Ye Must Press Forward [1977], pp. 28-29

With his remarkable gift of expression, Elder Maxwell teaches us the power of feasting on the words of Christ, as opposed to nibbling occasionally. Considering the difference in those two types of consuming physical food gives good insight into the spiritual application employed in the scriptures:

The additional insight Elder Maxwell offers is that to some extent, the attention we give to the scriptures reflects how we really feel about our Father in Heaven and our Savior. Disregard for the word of God is a sign of disregard for God Himself. We should be very careful what our behavior demonstrates! Our efforts to feast—"with relish and delight and savoring"—will be rewarded more than we anticipate.

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