President Russell M. Nelson on how love for God enhances our love for one another

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.

"Love for family and friends, great as it may be, is much more profound when firmly anchored in the love of Jesus Christ. Parental love for children has more meaning here and hereafter because of Him. All loving relationships are elevated in Him. Love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ provides the illumination, inspiration, and motivation to love others in a loftier way."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Redemption of the Dead and the Errand of the Lord," Salt Lake Temple Devotional, October 11, 1998; see Teachings of Russell M. Nelson p. 189

This is a pretty straightforward message: love is a wonderful thing, but it is "much more profound" when it is built upon a foundation of love of Jesus Christ. Having a love for Him amplifies our ability to feel and share love in every other way:

When we truly love our Father in Heaven, we receive "the illumination, inspiration, and motivation to love others in a loftier way." The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ focuses on love. The Savior taught his disciples: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34.) When we begin to comprehend how He loves us, we are able to emulate that love in our relationships with others.

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

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on becoming submissive to God's will

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.

"As one’s will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much needed to help meet the trials of life. In the trying and very defining Isaac episode, faithful Abraham 'staggered not ... through unbelief' (Rom. 4:20). Of that episode John Taylor observed that 'nothing but the spirit of revelation could have given him this confidence, and ... sustained him under these peculiar circumstances' (in Journal of Discourses, 14:361). Will we too trust the Lord amid a perplexing trial for which we have no easy explanation? Do we understand—really comprehend—that Jesus knows and understands when we are stressed and perplexed? The complete consecration which effected the Atonement ensured Jesus’ perfect empathy; He felt our very pains and afflictions before we did and knows how to succor us (see Alma 7:11–12; 2 Ne. 9:21). Since the Most Innocent suffered the most, our own cries of 'Why?' cannot match His. But we can utter the same submissive word 'nevertheless ...' (Matt. 26:39).

"Progression toward submission confers another blessing: an enhanced capacity for joy. Counseled President Brigham Young, 'If you want to enjoy exquisitely, become a Latter-day Saint, and then live the doctrine of Jesus Christ' (in Journal of Discourses, 18:247)."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father," General Conference October 1995
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For many of us, it's not easy to submit. We are proud of our knowledge and understanding, of our personal abilities and experiences. We have to learn to submit to God, to seek His will first. Elder Maxwell testified that as we learn that lesson and become more and more submissive, we will feel a growth of "inspiration and revelation" to help us deal with the trials of life. Trials will surely come; but will we have the humble submission to trust God when we don't fully understand the reasons behind our circumstances?

When we truly trust in God and have faith in His wisdom for our path in mortality, we will not worry about asking "Why?" in the midst of our trials. Instead, we will confidently move forward with the declaration of "Nevertheless." What a beautiful spirit.

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

Elder Neil L. Andersen on finding help during trials of faith

Elder Neil L. Andersen (born August 9, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009.

"When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view.

"The Apostle Paul said, 'Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.' (Ephesians 2:19.) It is within the sanctuary of the Church that we protect our faith. Meeting together with others who believe, we pray and find answers to our prayers; we worship through music, share testimony of the Savior, serve one another, and feel the Spirit of the Lord. We partake of the sacrament, receive the blessings of the priesthood, and attend the temple. The Lord declared, 'In the ordinances..., the power of godliness is manifest.' (D&C 84:20.) When you are faced with a test of faith, stay within the safety and security of the household of God. There is always a place for you here. No trial is so large we can’t overcome it together. (See Mosiah 18:8-10)"

- Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith," General Conference, October 2012
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Too often, when we struggle with challenges or trials, and especially with a "trial of faith" that makes us question or doubt our foundational principles, our tendency is to retreat from the safety. It's not unusual to question or doubt; but how we respond to those times becomes very critical. There will always be opposition, including in the presentation of doctrine, history, interpretation, and application. But when we stop listening to one side of the debate and only focus on the side that would have us question or criticize, we will be in far greater danger.

This is critical: "It is within the sanctuary of the Church that we protect our faith." We are blessed when we stay close to home.

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

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the joy of repentance

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (born January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness....

"I gratefully acknowledge and testify that the incomprehensible suffering, death, and Resurrection of our Lord 'bringeth to pass the condition of repentance' (Helaman 14:18). The divine gift of repentance is the key to happiness here and hereafter. In the Savior’s words and in deep humility and love, I invite all to 'repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 4:17). I know that in accepting this invitation, you will find joy both now and forever."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "The Divine Gift of Repentance," General Conference October 2011
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Repentance is truly one of the greatest gifts given to us in this life. Elder Christofferson reminds us of its importance, and the blessing it can be in our lives as we choose to take advantage of the healing it offers to us. If we truly come to comprehend the magnitude of that gift, we will be willing to pay the price it requires, knowing of the supernal joy that will result in our lives:

Repentance, then, truly is "the key to happiness" both in this life and in the world to come. We should never hesitate to take advantage of all it offers to us!

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

Elder Quentin L. Cook on living in the world

Elder Quentin L. Cook (born September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"Be involved in the world in a positive way. As you embark on your various occupations, you can be a powerful force for good. A very significant challenge will be to adhere to the scriptural injunction to live in the world but not of the world. Joseph Fielding Smith taught that while we are in the world, 'We are not of the world in the sense that we are under any necessity to partake of evil customs, fashions, follies, false doctrines and theories.' (Conference Report, October, 1916.) In addition, your contribution to the place where you live in a positive sense is part of your challenge if you are to be an example, share the gospel, and live in accordance with the teachings you have received at this great university.

"To accomplish this, you graduates will want and need to be involved in the world in a very positive way. We must be tried and tested and found worthy of a greater kingdom. As President Monson has taught, 'decisions determine destiny.' ('Invitation to Exaltation,' Ensign, June, 1993)

"This is not an easy life; it was not meant to be. Nevertheless, we know that the Lord will cause our trials to bless us and be for our good. He will give us the strength to stand firm despite opposition. Righteousness is its own reward, and the scriptures promise us the reward for righteousness is peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. (See D&C 59:3.) I counsel you to be involved in the world in a positive way."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Pursue the True Path to Happiness," commencement address given at BYU-Hawaii, April 10, 2010
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Graduation speeches at universities are interesting times to give counsel, appropriate for students who have made a significant achievement and have a wide range of opportunities in the years ahead of them. Elder Cook's counsel was that they find ways to be a "powerful force for good" in the world they were entering. That would require being a part of the world around them, with all its blessings and challenges; but taking care not to partake of the negative aspects of that world:

Living the gospel in an active, positive way is a good way to avoid many of the challenges that confront us. As we are committed to positive standards, and as we endeavor to let the light of the gospel shine in our lives, we are less inclined to turn towards the darker aspects of life. It's not always an easy task; but the blessings of heaven will sustain us. I love the thought that "righteousness is its own reward"—we will find joy and peace through the Lord's path, as well as "peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come."

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

Elder David A. Bednar on flooding the earth with truth

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, what has been accomplished thus far in this dispensation communicating gospel messages through social media channels is a good beginning—but only a small trickle. I now extend to you the invitation to help transform the trickle into a flood. Beginning at this place on this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood.

"I pray we will not simply participate in a flash flood that rises swiftly and then recedes just as rapidly. I am not suggesting a one-time glitzy initiative from which we quickly move on to the next task on our lengthy list of gospel things to do. We need not become social media experts or fanatics. And we do not need to spend inordinate amounts of time creating and disseminating elaborate messages....

"According to our desires and circumstances, each of us can contribute consistently to the growing flood of truth and righteousness. We should press forward using the Lord’s pattern of 'line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little' (2 Nephi 28:30).

"Imagine the impact we can have as hundreds of thousands and millions of members of the Lord’s restored Church contribute in seemingly small ways to the rising floodwaters. May our many small, individual efforts produce a steady rainfall of righteousness and truth that gradually swells a multitude of streams and rivers—and ultimately becomes a flood that sweeps the earth. 'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great' (D&C 64:33)."

- David A. Bednar, "To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood," BYU Education Week, Aug 19, 2014
Click here to read the full talk

I worked for the IT department of the Church in the years (late 1990s) when email communication was still the primary means of outreach and webpages were just becoming a significant force. It was fascinating to get a sense of the vision of Church leaders at that time, in knowing how important these new platforms were in helping establish the public image of the Church and sharing positive and accurate information about our beliefs.

Elder Bednar carries on that legacy of vision with this invitation, for Church members everywhere to participate appropriately and positively in social media channels:

By the time Elder Bednar shared these remarks 5 years ago, the interactive platforms known collectively as "social media" had exploded and were almost ubiquitous in usage and awareness. Again the Church faced the opportunity of using these opportunities in positive ways, and Elder Bednar joined with other leaders in inviting us to find the best ways to "flood the earth" with uplifting and accurate information.

I like the imagery Elder Bednar chooses in his invitation:

• We don't want a mere "flash flood" that is just "a one-time glitzy initiative" of publicity. We need a steady, ongoing presence
• The collective small efforts of millions of members can perhaps have a more profound effect than a more organized top-down campaign
• We should each seek in our personal efforts to contribute to the "steady rainfall of righteousness and truth" that will accumulate into a profoundly positive influence for good

Sometimes, our willingness to stand for truth in public discussions is critical. But doing it in a way that is sensitive and kind is also critical to how it is received. We should never be combative or harsh; we should be examples of the Savior's gentle, loving approach. But clearly, we should all be looking for ways to contribute to this grand effort!

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

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on showing our love in our deeds

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long—we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it—but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but 'sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.' (1 Corinthians 13:1.)

"Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.' (D&C 81:5.)

"Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result.

"If we are His hands, should we not do the same?"

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “You Are My Hands," General Conference April 2010
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Perhaps the greatest message shared by Jesus of Nazareth during his mortal ministry was the importance of showing love through actions and deeds. The so-called Golden Rule states, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12.) Perhaps even more pointedly, this reminder from the Savior: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40.) Certainly we must recognize the power in demonstrating our love through our actions:

Jesus showed us perfectly how to minister to one another. President Uchtdorf spoke clearly: "He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how." We should strive continually to understand that example, and then to follow it.

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