President M. Russell Ballard on promises of help from the Savior

President M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985. He became acting president of the Twelve in January 2018.

"We are the inheritors of a tremendous heritage. Now it is our privilege and responsibility to be part of the Restoration’s continuing drama, and there are great and heroic stories of faith to be written in our day. It will require every bit of our strength, wisdom, and energy to overcome the obstacles that will confront us. But even that will not be enough. We will learn, as did our pioneer ancestors, that it is only in faith—real faith, whole-souled, tested and tried—that we will find safety and confidence as we walk our own perilous pathways through life....

"Let us remember that the Savior is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and there can be no greater promise than to know that if we are faithful and true, we will one day be safely encircled in the arms of His love (see D&C 6:20). He is always there to give encouragement, to forgive, and to rescue. Therefore, as we exercise faith and are diligent in keeping the commandments, we have nothing to fear from the journey."

- M. Russell Ballard, "You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey," General Conference April 1997
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This was one of Elder Ballard's addresses during the 1997 sesquicentennial commemoration (150 years) of the pioneer legacy. He discussed our modern challenges in light of those of earlier times, and offered suggestions and encouragement in our current journey. Sometimes our journey seems frightening and overwhelming; but with His promised help, we need not fear:

The critical thing for us to learn is that "it is only in faith—real faith, whole-souled, tested and tried—that we will find safety and confidence as we walk our own perilous pathways through life." We must develop that kind of faith through obedience and faithfulness.

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

Elder Gary E. Stevenson on keeping the gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (b. August 5, 1955) was called as a Seventy in 2008, then as Presiding Bishop in 2012. He was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"It is vital to our physical and spiritual safety that we keep the gift of the Holy Ghost. We begin to do so by striving to keep the commandments, having individual and family prayer, reading the scriptures, and seeking loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones. We should keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous. We should worship our Heavenly Father in our homes, at church, and, whenever possible, in the holy temple. Stay close to the Spirit, and the Spirit will stay close to you."

- Gary E. Stevenson, "How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?", General Conference April 2017
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The Holy Ghost is a unique gift in our lives. We can choose to keep the gift and profit from it, or we can choose to give the gift up and not receive the benefits it offers to us. Elder Stevenson strongly encourages us to keep this gift as something "vital to our physical and spiritual safety" in the world.

To retain the girt of the Holy Ghost is to have that Spirit close to us. As we do the things Elder Stevenson described, we stay close to the Spirit and will receive great help and blessings. Such simple requirements, really:

• strive to keep the commandments
• have individual and family prayer
• read the scriptures
• seek loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones
• keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous
• worship our Heavenly Father in our homes, at church, and, whenever possible, in the holy temple

A good list to review—where can I personally try harder or be more careful?

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

Elder L. Tom Perry on keeping promises to the Lord

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.

"My business career was as a retail executive. As such, I was required to attend trade association meetings, business clubs, chamber of commerce meetings, etc. They always started with a cocktail hour. I was always uncomfortable in the setting. Nearly everyone would be holding an alcoholic beverage in their hands as they mingled together. I asked myself, 'What could I hold in my hand to represent my standards and the standards of the Church?' I realized that if I didn’t hold a glass in my hand someone would always be wanting to buy me a drink.

"At first I tried holding 7-Up, but it looked the same as other bubbly, alcoholic drinks. Finally, I decided to walk over to the bartender and request a glass of milk. I thought he might be hard of hearing because he made me repeat my order three times.  The final time was loud enough that everyone in the room could hear.

"After fumbling around for a few minutes the bartender finally handed me a glass of milk. You can imagine the ribbing I received as I mingled the rest of that evening, but I knew my standards, and I was undeterred. The next month, at the same meeting, I ordered my milk. From then on, the bartender always had a glass of milk for me.

"Then a funny thing started to happen. At future meetings more people started ordering milk and drinking it with me. They confided in me that their wives did not like them drinking because it might impair them as they drove home. Instead of feeling awkward during cocktail hour, I soon became the center of conversation. It helped me meet more people and fulfill the purposes for which I attended those gatherings.

"I learned an important lesson from this experience. If I kept my promises to the Lord, He would always keep His promises to me. He would always fulfill his end of the bargain—and much, much more—if I fulfilled mine."

- L. Tom Perry, "The Church: Scaffolding for Our Lives," BYU-Idaho devotional, January 24, 2012
Click here to read the full talk

Personal anecdotes are often so instructive, as in this case from Elder Perry. It's interesting to think what each of us may have done in the situation he describes. The choice he made not only followed his standards and covenants, but was perhaps the most obvious in proclaiming them to other people. No one could mistake the fact that he was drinking a glass of milk among the rest of the alcoholic drinkers! And it's interesting to note that over time, others joined in his example.

When we make covenants with God, He promises to bless us. Elder Perry witnessed the blessings that come from covenant-keeping. It would be well for each of us to consider areas in which we might be more diligent, as well as opportunities to proclaim our standards boldly to those around us.

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

President Ezra Taft Benson on the importance of controlling thoughts

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"Thoughts lead to acts, acts lead to habits, habits lead to character—and our character will determine our eternal destiny.

"King Benjamin understood this. In the next to last verse of his great discourse recorded in the Book of Mormon, he states: 'And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.' (Mosiah 4:29.)

"Then in the last verse he counsels that we must watch ourselves and our thoughts. (See Mosiah 4:30.)"

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Think on Christ," General Conference April 1984
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Benson described a simple but logical progression in our lives:
   thoughts —> acts —> habits —> character —> destiny
With this sequence in mind, it becomes clear how critical it is for us to learn to control our thoughts and thus be able to shape our destiny.

I've always been impressed by those final "words of warning" given by King Benjamin, thousands of years ago—but certainly still to applicable to us today:

But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. (Mosiah 4:30.)

Profound advice! Watch yourself, and your thoughts, words, and deeds, in order to find peace and happiness.

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

President Henry B. Eyring on faith and God and confidence in yourself

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.

"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased that you are a [child] of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you now are in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. They know all of the forces and individuals around you. They know what is ahead of you. And so They know which of the choices you make, which of the desires you decide to satisfy, and which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light.

"I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.

"You must have faith to pray. You must have faith to ponder the word of God. You must have faith to do those things and go to those places which invite the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Walk in the Light," General Conference April 2008
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

These remarks were shared by President Eyring at a General Young Women Meeting, but they surely apply to all members of the Church, and to all children of God. It's so valuable to have the knowledge that we are children of a loving God, who is aware of us and watching over us. He desires to help and guide us as we deal with the challenges of life; we need to learn to trust and accept His will.

One of the greatest keys to happiness and peace in life is certainly that faith in God brings help, and it brings hope. As we have faith in Him, we will be willing and eager to pray, to ponder His words, to "do those things and go to those places which invite the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost." Our faith will lead to the greatest help and to real blessings.

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

President Dallin H. Oaks on choices of good, better, and best in life

President Dallin H. Oaks (born 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. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face many choices on what we will do with our time and other resources.

"We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives....

"As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.

"Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best....

"Some uses of individual and family time are better, and others are best. We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Good, Better, Best," General Conference, October 2007
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This was an important and memorable talk by Elder Oaks, who explained the importance of considering our choices and priorities in life. In order to achieve the most important things and be able to make the greatest progress, we must constantly be evaluating our activities, focuses, reading materials, entertainment, and so on. We often do that without consciously focusing on it; but the choices are made regardless, and it's wise to step back now and then and make sure we are choosing wisely.

This statement summarizes the situation very well: "We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families." It's so true—we must never let "the things that matter most" be overcome by lesser things!

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

President Russell M. Nelson on being grateful to God for blessings

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.

"Recently, Sister Nelson and I enjoyed the beauty of tropical fish in a small private aquarium. Fish with vivid colors and of a variety of shapes and sizes darted back and forth. I asked the attendant nearby, 'Who provides food for these beautiful fish?'

"She responded, 'I do.'

"Then I asked, 'Have they ever thanked you?'

"She replied, 'Not yet!'

"I thought of some people I know who are just as oblivious to their Creator and their true 'bread of life' (John 6:35, 48; see also verse 51). They live from day to day without an awareness of God and His goodness unto them.

"How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to Him. Ammon taught, 'Let us give thanks to [God], for he doth work righteousness forever' (Alma 26:8; see also Alma 7:23). Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for Him."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Thanks Be to God," General Conference, April 2012
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Nelson's story is more humorous than instructive; clearly we all realize that fish are unable to express gratitude, even if they were aware of such an emotion. But the lesson is still there for us. How many blessings come to us, bestowed by some greater being than ourselves, that we take for granted and fail to acknowledge? President Nelson points out that we are often "oblivious" to our Creator and all He gives to us.

This is a beautiful reminder; we should be much more willing to offer gratitude to God for our blessings. The final statement is profound; as we grow love for our Father in Heaven, we will be more aware of our blessings and more eager to express our gratitude to Him.

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