Elder LeGrand Richards on laying a solid foundation

Elder LeGrand Richards (1886-1983) served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church from 1938-1952, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He died in 1983 at age 96.

"Today I thought I would like to say a few words about the kind of a foundation we have for our faith, and what we live for, and what our aims and our ambitions really are. I think of the time the beautiful temple here on this block was erected, over a hundred years ago. When the foundation was being laid, we are told that it was sixteen feet wide, and at one time President Brigham Young came and saw the workmen throwing in chipped granite. He made them take it out and put in those great granite blocks with this explanation: 'We are building this temple to stand through the millennium.' Isn’t that a good thought? Each one of us ought to want to build our lives and help our families to build their lives so that we can stand through the millennium....

"The kind of foundation upon which we build our lives is just as important for our eternal happiness as is the kind of a foundation upon which they built that holy temple that it might stand through the millennium."

- LeGrand Richards, "Laying a Foundation for the Millennium," General Conference October 1971
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Elder Richards loved to teach from the scriptures, and loved stories and analogies—often from his own missionary experiences. He was one of the leaders who spanned the early part of the dispensation; when he was born, the Salt Lake temple had not yet been dedicated, and so in a way he had a personal connection to that building and to this story of its construction:

So the importance of a firm and solid foundation can't be understated, when you are planning on building a long-lasting structure. That was critical for the temple; it is even more critical for our lives and our futures, and for our families. We should think carefully about what kinds of foundational principles are in place that we depend on in our lives. Those underlying beliefs and practices become more and more critical as the years go by.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

Elder Ronald A. Rasband on reaching out to others in love

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (b. 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. This talk was given when he served in the presidency of the Seventy.

"To sustain our leaders is a privilege; it comes coupled with a personal responsibility to share their burden and to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"President Monson has said:

"'We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us....

"'"...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these..., ye have done it unto me" [Matthew 25:40].' (Thomas S. Monson, 'What Have I Done for Someone Today?' Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86, 87.)

"Will we respond with love when an opportunity is before us to make a visit or a phone call, write a note, or spend a day meeting the needs of someone else? Or will we be like the young man who attested to following all of God’s commandments:

"'All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

"'Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.' (Matthew 19:20–21.)

"The young man was being called to a greater service at the side of the Lord to do the work of the kingdom of God on earth, yet he turned away, 'for he had great possessions.' (Matthew 19:22.)

"What of our earthly possessions? We can see what a tornado can do with them in just minutes. It is so important for each of us to strive to lay up our spiritual treasures in heaven—using our time, talents, and agency in service to God."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "The Joyful Burden of Discipleship," General Conference April 2014
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Elder Rasband reminds us of our commitment to sustain our leaders and follow their counsel and example, and then quotes President Monson's instructions about serving and blessing others.  There are so many ways to serve: "We are surrounded by those in need of our attention"! How eager we should be to reach out to them with help and encouragement. But too often we cling to possessions we might be able to share, and our time and energy in giving to others:

We should remember our commitments and covenants to bear one another's burdens and to love our neighbors. It would be well for us all to evaluate our personal lives in this regard!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on having faith and hope in times of trial

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"I testify that the Father and the Son do live. And I testify that They are close, perhaps even closest via the Holy Spirit, when we are experiencing difficult times. I testify (and as our closing musical number, 'My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee,' will testify, quoting the prophet Isaiah) that heaven’s kindness will never depart from you, regardless of what happens (see Isaiah 54:7–10; see also 3 Nephi 22:7–10). I testify that bad days come to an end, that faith always triumphs, and that heavenly promises are always kept. I testify that God is our Father, that Jesus is the Christ, that this is the true and living gospel—found in this, the true and living Church. I testify that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, our prophet for this hour and this day. I love him and sustain him as I know you do. In the words of the Liberty Jail prison-temple experience, my young friends, 'Hold on thy way.... Fear not..., for God shall be with you forever and ever' (D&C 122:9)."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lessons from Liberty Jail," BYU devotional, Sept. 7, 2008
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Elder Holland~s address to BYU students in 2008 was filled with encouragement and insight. He reviewed Joseph Smith's experience in Liberty Jail, and identified a number of lessons that apply to us today, including discussions of why we sometimes suffer in this life and how we can better cope with them. But a critical part of understanding any trial is the realization that it is temporary:

Through our trials, we can have those truths confirmed: God and righteousness will triumph in the end, and we can learn to "hold on" in His way and trust in his ongoing sustaining presence.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President M. Russell Ballard on small acts of Christlike love

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 read of the service Church members provide around the world and especially the humanitarian service given in times of crisis—fires and floods and hurricanes and tornadoes. These much-needed and much-appreciated emergency responses should certainly continue as a way of bearing one another’s burdens. But what about our everyday lives? What would be the cumulative effect of millions of small, compassionate acts performed daily by us because of our heartfelt Christian love for others? Over time this would have a transformative effect upon all of our Heavenly Father’s children through the extension of His love to them through us. Our troubled world needs this love of Christ today more than ever, and it will need it even more in the years ahead."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Be Anxiously Engaged," General Conference October 2012
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It's always gratifying to read of dramatic efforts of humanitarian service performed on behalf of the Church in instances of natural disaster or human tragedy. We are all grateful that our offerings and contributions can be used in such ways to relieve suffering and bless lives.

But Elder Ballard suggested that the compounded impact of our personal, individual efforts can have an even more profound impact:

In our "everyday lives" we each have the opportunity every day to share "small, compassionate acts" with those around us. If we truly feel Christian love for those around us, we will be eager to serve as He did—unselfishly, sincerely, with the desire to uplift and bless. We will be eager to comfort, to bear burdens, and to bring others unto the Savior.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Henry B. Eyring on waiting on the Lord when tests come

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.

"The good works that really matter require the help of heaven. And the help of heaven requires working past the point of fatigue so far that only the meek and lowly will keep going long enough.

"The Lord doesn’t put us through this test just to give us a grade; he does it because the process will change us....

"If we are going to do our duty, we are going to need the powers of heaven. And if we are going to be given access to the powers of heaven, we are going to have to learn to wait upon the Lord.

"The word wait in scripture language means to hope for or anticipate. Surely the great prophet Isaiah meant that, and I think he meant more, when he made us a glorious promise....

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)"

- Henry B. Eyring, "Waiting Upon the Lord," BYU Devotional, Sept 30, 1990
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This was a fascinating excerpt from President Eyring. There are tests and challenges in life, and we are asked to continue faithful in good works, come what may. But there are times for all of us when enduring in that faithfulness is challenging; sometimes we truly are asked to work "past the point of fatigue." President Eyring suggests that we are not able to do that alone; it requires us to be "meek and lowly" enough to seek the help of heaven:

And it's important to realize why the tests in life, of whatever kind, come to us. They are not tests in the sense we might consider in an educational setting, evaluating our status or progress in order to grade our position. Rather, they are part of the process of changing and educating us in our journey.

And so we learn to "wait upon the Lord." As President Eyring suggests, this involves hoping or anticipating, knowing that His help comes, that His wisdom is expressed in any trial or difficulty and that "all things shall work together for your good" (D&C 90:24) in His care.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Dallin H. Oaks on the greatest miracle

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.

"I have spoken about miracles. I have given illustrations of miracles in the Church as a whole and in many different circumstances involving a few individuals or a crisis of weather or war. But the greatest miracle is not in such things as restoring sight to the blind, healing an illness, or even raising the dead, since all of these restorations will happen, in any event, in the Resurrection.

"Changing bodies or protecting temples are miracles, but an even greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God (see Mosiah 5:2). A change of heart, including new attitudes, priorities, and desires, is greater and more important than any miracle involving the body. I repeat, the body will be resurrected in any event, but a change affecting what the scripture calls the 'heart' of a spirit son or daughter of God is a change whose effect is eternal. If of the right kind, this change opens the door to the process of repentance that cleanses us to dwell in the presence of God. It introduces the perspective and priorities that lead us to make the choices that qualify us for eternal life, 'the greatest of all the gifts of God' (D&C 14:7).

"My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that each one of us may experience and persist in that miracle of the mighty change of heart, that we may realize the destiny God has prescribed for all of His children and the purpose of this Church to bring to pass the eternal lives of men and women."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Miracles," CES fireside in Calgary, Canada, May 7, 2000; printed in Ensign, June 2001, pp. 6-17
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We often view "physical" miracles as most dramatic and impressive. Healing of a sick person, raising the dead, profound inspiration or discernment—these present such dramatic and obvious expressions of God's power. But President Oaks points out that there is something far more impressive and powerful: the "mighty change of heart" that takes place in the life of a true disciple.

A changed heart is so significant because that event or process "opens the door to the process of repentance that cleanses us to dwell in the presence of God." The change is just the beginning; the process that follows is what truly matters, because we can grow and evolve in the way that will open the door of eternal life.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Russell M. Nelson on ordinances and covenants

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.

"With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness (2 Ne. 9:48), we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings," General Conference April 2001
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Ordinances and covenants are closely linked. In describing the work and power of the priesthood, the Lord taught Joseph Smith that the "power of godliness" is manifest through ordinances (see D&C 84:19-21). Covenants help us to reach and draw upon that divine power.

One who misunderstands the role of covenants could view them as restrictive and limiting; President Nelson teaches instead that they can be protective and elevating:

I like the idea of covenants functioning as a filter to screen out impurities from our minds and lives. They help provide the pure environment where spirituality and pure intelligence can grow. It becomes a conscious choice to "deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness" (Moroni 10:32) so that we can become like him. We are greatly blessed as we ponder and renew those covenants, particularly in the weekly ordinance of the sacrament and in the setting of the holy temples.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)