President George Q. Cannon on preparation for conference meetings

President George Q. Cannon (1827-1901) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1860. He served as counselor in the First Presidency to Brigham Young beginning in 1873, and then to the next three presidents, until his death in 1901.

"I should enter that assembly with my mind entirely free from all influence that would prevent the operation of the Spirit of God upon me. I should go in a prayerful spirit, asking God to write upon my heart His will; not with my own will already prepared, and determined to carry out my will... regardless of everyone else's views.

"If I were to go, and all the rest were to go, with this spirit, then the Spirit of God would be felt in our midst, and that which we would decide upon would be the mind and will of God, because God would reveal it to us. We would see light in the direction where we should go, and we would behold darkness in the direction we should not go."

- George Q. Cannon, "Seeking the Pure Love of Christ," Deseret Semi-Weekly News, 30 Sept. 1890, p. 2; see Stuy, Collected Discourses, 2:90-91

President Cannon reminds us of the difference that can occur when we come to meetings with the right mental and spiritual preparation. One of the great challenges is to have our "mind entirely free" from the external and distracting influences. The second reminder is to come with a humble and prayerful spirit, demonstrating an eagerness to learn.

One of the interesting insights of the quote is President Cannon's belief about the blessings that could come to us, individually and collectively, as we approach out meetings in this spirit—feeling greater influence of the Lord's spirit and receiving the guidance and inspiration that would bless our lives.

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

Elder Gerrit W. Gong on the temple's vision of eternity

Elder Gerrit W. Gong (born December 23, 1953) was called as a Seventy in April 2010, then to the Presidency of the Seventy in October 2015. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in April 2018.

"I recently stood in a house of the Lord with a worthy couple there to receive blessings by covenant. I invited them to make their first honeymoon last 50 years, then after 50 years to begin their second honeymoon.

"I found myself looking with this beautiful couple into the temple mirrors—one mirror on this side, one mirror on that side. Together the temple mirrors reflect back and forth images that stretch seemingly into eternity.

"Temple mirrors of eternity remind us that each human being has 'divine nature and destiny”; that “sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally' (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102); and that, growing together in love and faithfulness, we can give children roots and wings."

- Gerrit W. Gong, "Temple Mirrors of Eternity: A Testimony of Family," General Conference, October 2010
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The example of reflective facing mirrors is a classic one, giving a visual perspective of something that can be perceived as stretching into the infinite future and the infinite past. Elder Gong uses this example to remind us of the sacred, eternal nature of families::

The perspective of "roots and wings" is another useful image, indicating that we have a heritage from the past that keeps us well-grounded in the things that will give us strength and consistency; but also that we have the ability to move freely into a future where we can choose and define our course.

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

Elder Ulisses Soares on realizing our divine potential

Elder Ulisses Soares (born October 2, 1958 in Brazil) has served as a Seventy since April 2005, and as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since January 2013. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles on April 1, 2018.

"Each of us was born with the potential to become like our Heavenly Father. Through our experiences and by properly using our agency, we can turn our lives in the direction of God and become like Him. Or we can be distracted by the world and fail to achieve our potential as it was promised to us. Figuratively, we all have the potential to become beautiful works of art in the Lord’s hands. In this sense, He is the sculptor and He uses a hammer and chisel to mold us through our experiences day by day. If we allow the Lord to shape us, the result will be wonderful.

"But without question, this world offers many distractions that can pull our focus away from the primary reason we are living here on this earth. These distractions can turn into detours in our lives that prevent us from being transformed into works of art."

- Ulisses Soares, "Becoming a Work of Art," BYU devotional, Nov. 5, 2013
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

We believe in a Father in Heaven who is literally our Father; we believe He knows us, loves us, and wants to help us in this life. Elder Soares, in this message given while he was serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, reminds us that we need to remember Him and "turn our lives in [His] direction" in order to avoid being distracted by the world.

The image of a sculptor working a block of marble is so appropriate. God will "mold us through our experiences day by day" as we allow Him to shape us, trusting in His wisdom even when we don't fully understand the process. The key, Elder Soares warns us, is not to allow ourselves to become distracted from our focus on God.

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

President David O. McKay on the sermons we preach by actions

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"Remember, fellow parents, that children are quick to detect insincerity, and they resent in their feelings false pretension. Parents, of all people on earth, should be honest with their children. Keep your promises to them and speak the truth always. Children are more influenced by sermons you act than by sermons you preach. It is the consistent parent who gains the trust of his child. When children feel that you reciprocate their trust, they will not violate your confidence nor bring dishonor to your name."

- David O. McKay, "Righteousness Key to World Peace," Conference Report, Apr. 1955, 26

I loved President McKay's approach to teaching and his focus on strengthening family relationships. In this excerpt, he counsels parents to live sincere and authentic lives; it's not possible to effectively teach principles to children unless our lives reflect those principles. I think the same concept applies to any interaction with others; it's impossible to understate how important "the sermons [we] act" are.

Consistency in our lives is the key President McKay emphasizes. I suppose that is part of the concept we call enduring to the end; it means that we are faithful and obedient, filled with honor and integrity, under any conditions.

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

President Howard W. Hunter on deciding today to serve the Lord

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.

"There is good reason to make our decision now to serve the Lord. On this Sunday morning, when the complications and temptations of life are somewhat removed, and when we have the time and more of an inclination to take an eternal perspective, we can more clearly evaluate what will bring us the greatest happiness in life. We should decide now, in the light of the morning, how we will act when the darkness of night and when the storms of temptation arrive.

"I pray that we will have the strength to decide now to do what we ought to do. I pray that we will decide now to serve the Lord."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Commitment to God," General Conference October 1982
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

There's an important concept that will bless us once we discover it: some critical decisions can be resolved in advance in our lives. I remember from my youth hearing President Kimball teach this principle:

"We can push some things away from us once and have done with them! We can make a single decision about certain things that we will incorporate in our lives and then make them ours—without having to brood and redecide a hundred times what it is we will do and what we will not do.
"Indecision and discouragement are climates in which the Adversary lives to function, for he can inflict so many casualties among mankind in those settings. … If you have not done so yet, decide to decide!"
(Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 70)

It's a timeless principle. President Hunter gives additional specific suggestions on how to implement it:

I love President Hunter's suggestion to take advantage of a quiet Sunday morning (the time when he was offering this conference talk) to make that kind of commitment. In the peacefulness of our own pondering, with as much of "the complications and temptations of life" pushed away, we can commit to do the things that will "bring us the greatest happiness in life."

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

Elder Ronald A. Rasband on remembering God's love for each of us

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (b. February 6, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 2000.  He was the senior president of the Seventy when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"I begin by reminding you that you are a son or daughter of a loving Father in Heaven and that His love remains constant. I know that such reassuring feelings of love are difficult to recall when you are in the midst of personal struggles or trials, disappointments, or broken dreams.

"Jesus Christ knows about fierce struggles and trials. He gave His life for us. His final hours were brutal, beyond anything we can even comprehend, but His sacrifice for each one of us was the ultimate expression of His pure love.

"No mistake, sin, or choice will change God’s love for us. That does not mean sinful conduct is condoned, nor does it remove our obligation to repent when sins are committed. But do not forget, Heavenly Father knows and loves each of you, and He is always ready to help."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "Lest Thou Forget," General Conference October 2016
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

It's a wonderful thing in this life to occasionally have a powerful experience in which we feel God's love for us, personally and directly. Elder Rasband reminds us that His love is constant and consistent, but acknowledges how difficult it may be to feel that love when one is "in the midst of personal struggles or trials, disappointments, or broken dreams." Learning to draw upon stored memories and resources of light and love is a critical skill to develop during our mortal journey.

This is a powerful testimony of hope and encouragement. As we remember this counsel and draw upon the unending love of God for each of us, personally, we will be blessed in all times of our lives, but particularly in those more difficult ones.

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

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on choosing now to follow God

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.

"Joshua didn’t say choose you next year whom you will serve; he spoke of 'this day,' while there is still daylight and before the darkness becomes more and more normal. (See Josh. 24:15.)

"When Jesus called his first disciples, the scriptures record that they left their ships and nets 'straightway.' They didn’t ask to join Jesus after the fishing season; they didn’t even delay their response in order to make just one more catch. They left 'straightway'! (See Matt. 4:20.)

"Act, my brothers and sisters, for once the soul is tilted toward belief, and once there is even a desire to believe, then marvelous things begin to happen! Once one leaves the porch and comes inside the Church, then one not only hears the music more clearly—he becomes a part of it.

"Act now, so that a thousand years from now, when you look back at this moment, you can say this was a moment that mattered—this was a day of determination."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Why Not Now?", General Conference October 1974
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

We are constantly making choices and setting priorities in our lives. Many of those choices are built on a foundation of the one choice that matters most: whom will we follow? Elder Maxwell encourages us to choose promptly and wisely, like Joshua of old, to "choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Delaying that crucial commitment in any way slows our progress and limits our potential.

It's those "marvelous things" that happen when our soul is committed to God that we should cherish and look forward to! How eager we should be to "straightway" follow Him.

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