Elder Neil L. Andersen on following prophets in 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.

"Should we really be surprised when the Lord’s prophets declare His will and, for some, questions remain? Of course, some reject the voice of the prophets immediately, but others prayerfully ponder their honest questions—questions that will be settled with patience and an eye of faith. If the proclamation had been revealed in a different century, there would still have been questions, just different questions than those of today. One purpose of prophets is to help us in resolving sincere questions.

"Prior to being the President of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson said: 'Prophets see ahead. They see the harrowing dangers the adversary has placed or will yet place in our path. Prophets also foresee the grand possibilities and privileges awaiting those who listen with the intent to obey.' (Russell M. Nelson, 'Stand as True Millennials,' Ensign, Oct. 2016, 31)

"I testify to the truth and spiritual power of the united voice of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve."

- Neil L. Andersen, "The Eye of Faith," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Andersen spoke of the challenges we face in modern times as we consider complex issues in society, as they relate to the counsel and instruction that comes from prophets. Sometimes there are questions and struggles as we interpret that counsel and strive to apply it to our situation. He reassured us that those questions are not inappropriate:

The key is always to "prayerfully ponder [our] honest questions" and know that answers and reassurance will come through "patience and an eye of faith." We must learn to trust in the Lord and His timetable. As we proceed with confidence based on what we do know, uncertainty about things we do not know will be resolved. We should "listen with the intent to obey" and we will be blessed.

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

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on preparing now for the Second Coming of the Lord

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.

"The Holy Spirit affirmed two things to me. First, the work of ministering to temporal needs is vital and must continue. The second was unexpected, yet powerful and clear. It was this: beyond selfless service, it is supremely important to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"When He comes, oppression and injustice will not only diminish; they will cease....

"So yes, let us do all we can to relieve suffering and sorrow now, and let us devote ourselves more diligently to the preparations needed for the day when pain and evil are ended altogether, when 'Christ [shall] reign personally upon the earth; and … the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory' (Articles of Faith 1:10). It will be a day of redemption and judgment."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "Preparing for the Lord’s Return," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Among most important things we do in this life is to learn to love and serve our neighbors, following the example and the instructions of the Savior. Paul put it succinctly and beautifully: "Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2.) This service is a critical part of the great call to prepare for the return of the Lord to the earth.

As we serve one another with Christlike love, we will do much to "relieve suffering and sorrow" around us. Then we can continue with the sacred preparations for the day when all pain and evil will be swept away. Each of us can contribute to that eternally-critical preparation.

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

Elder Quentin L. Cook on improving the spirit in our homes

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.

"One adjustment that will benefit almost any family is to make the internet, social media, and television a servant instead of a distraction or, even worse, a master. The war for the souls of all, but particularly children, is often in the home. As parents we need to make sure that media content is wholesome, age appropriate, and consistent with the loving atmosphere we are trying to create.

"Teaching in our homes needs to be clear and compelling but also spiritual, joyful, and full of love.

"I promise that as we focus on our love for the Savior and His Atonement, make Him the centerpiece of our efforts to gather Israel on both sides of the veil, minister to others, and individually prepare to meet God, the influence of the adversary will be diminished and the joy, delight, and peace of the gospel will magnify our homes with Christlike love."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Great Love for Our Father’s Children," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This statement, to me, is a profound and somewhat frightening one: "The war for the souls of all, but particularly children, is often in the home." The efforts of the adversary to disrupt and confuse us happen in any location, but particularly in that setting that ought to be our haven from the world.

As Elder Cook warns, it is often through media that Satan works in our day, and we need to be constantly on guard against his efforts. Parents who have the privilege of teaching children must not shirk that duty or lose opportunities to have their instruction "be clear and compelling but also spiritual, joyful, and full of love."

We should pay attention when inspired leaders promise results for our actions; this should invite and encourage us to claim the blessings. Elder Cook suggests that our part of this arrangement is to:

• focus love on the Savior and His Atonement
• have the Savior as the center of our missionary and family history efforts
• minister faithfully to our brothers and sisters
• do all we can individually to prepare to meet God

Then the promises are:

• the adversary's influence will be diminished
• our homes will be magnified with Christlike love through the gospel's power

Those are marvelous promises!

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

Elder David A. Bednar on strengthening our homes

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.

"Let me summarize a few basic implications of gospel learning becoming increasingly home centered and Church supported.

"The ultimate missionary training center is in our homes; secondary missionary training centers are located in Provo, Manila, Mexico City, and in other locations. Our most instructive Sunday School classes should be our individual and family study in our places of residence; helpful but secondary Sunday School classes are held in our meetinghouses.

"Family history centers now are in our homes. Supplemental support for our family history research work also is available in our meetinghouses.

"Vital temple preparation classes occur in our homes; important but secondary temple preparation classes also may be conducted periodically in our meetinghouses.

"Making our homes sanctuaries wherein we can 'stand in holy places' (D&C 101:22) is essential in these latter days. And as important as home-centered and Church-supported learning is for our spiritual strength and protection today, it will be even more vital in the future."

- David A. Bednar, "Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Bednar addressed ideas about gospel study and strengthening home and family. The recent emphasis from Church leaders on "home-centered, church-supported" efforts is interesting to consider in different aspects, as Elder Bednar does here. It applies not just to gospel learning, but also to family history work, preparation to serve missions and to make sacred temple covenants, and in many other areas. We must have a better focus on making our homes a sacred haven from the world, where we can learn and grow together:

We have been warned regularly that things will likely become more difficult and challenging in the future. With that in mind, it's critical that we make efforts now to establish patterns of learning and worship in our homes so that they truly can be "sanctuaries" from the world.

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

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on walking the path of discipleship

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.

"Strive to walk the path of discipleship. As your love for God and His children deepens, so does your commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

"You learn about His way by feasting upon His word and heeding and applying the teachings of modern prophets and apostles. You grow in confidence and courage to follow His way as you communicate with Heavenly Father with a teachable, humble heart.

"Walking the path of discipleship takes practice—each day, little by little, 'grace for grace' (D&C 93:12), 'line upon line' (Isaiah 28:10). Sometimes two steps forward and one step back.

"The important thing is that you don’t give up; keep trying to get it right. You will eventually become better, happier, and more authentic. Talking with others about your faith will become normal and natural. In fact, the gospel will be such an essential, precious part of your lives that it would feel unnatural not to talk about it with others. That may not happen immediately—it is a lifelong effort. But it will happen."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Uchtdorf counseled regarding ways to be effective missionaries as we strive to share the gospel with others. One of the most important things is to be faithful disciples ourselves, demonstrating in our lives the influence of the gospel plan:

The more we begin to understand God and His plan for us, the more we feel a profound sense of love for Him, and the more eager we are to follow His way. That is the essence of discipleship. Our humble communication with God will increase and we will "grow in confidence and courage" in sharing the message with others. As we persist in that path, we will eventually "become better, happier, and more authentic."

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

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on sacrifice and sacrament

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.

"In the premortal councils of heaven, God had promised Adam and Eve (and all the rest of us) that help would come from His pure, unblemished Firstborn Son, the Lamb of God 'slain from the foundation of the world' (Revelation 13:8), as the Apostle John would later describe Him. By offering their own little symbolic lambs in mortality, Adam and his posterity were expressing their understanding of and their dependence upon the atoning sacrifice of Jesus the Anointed One. (See Bible Dictionary, 'Anointed One'.) Later, the wilderness tabernacle would become the setting for this ordinance and, after that, the temple that Solomon would build.

"Unfortunately, as a symbol of genuine repentance and faithful living, this ritualistic offering of unblemished little lambs didn’t work very well, as so much of the Old Testament reveals. The moral resolve that should have accompanied those sacrifices sometimes didn’t last long enough for the blood to dry upon the stones. In any case, it didn’t last long enough to preclude fratricide, with Cain killing his brother Abel in the first generation.

"With such trials and troubles going on for centuries, no wonder the angels of heaven sang for joy when, finally, Jesus was born—the long-promised Messiah Himself. Following His brief mortal ministry, this purest of all Passover sheep prepared His disciples for His death by introducing the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, a more personal form of the ordinance that had been introduced just outside of Eden. There would still be an offering, it would still involve a sacrifice, but it would be with symbolism much deeper, much more introspective and personal than the bloodletting of a firstborn lamb."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Behold the Lamb of God," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Holland's tender talk discussed our roles as lambs in the fold of the Shepherd, and His role as the Lamb of God offered up for the sins of the world. The importance of the anticipatory ordinance of sacrifice can't be overstated, even though it was so often misunderstood by those who practiced it.

When the responsibility to offer up blood sacrifices was completed with the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, we instead were asked to adopt the sacred ordinance of the sacrament. And through it, we offer up our own hearts on the alter to God with a sacred covenant and promise to obey and follow Him. How grateful we should be for the sacred privilege of participating in that ordinance regularly!

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

President M. Russell Ballard on loving God and our neighbor

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.

"The best ways for us to see the spiritual purposes of the Church are to live the true, pure, and simple teachings of Christ and also to apply the Savior’s two great commandments: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. … Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' (D&C 59:5–6; see also Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:36–40.)

"Obedience to those two commandments provides a way to experience more peace and joy. When we love and serve the Lord and love and serve our neighbors, we will naturally feel more happiness that comes to us in no better way.

"Loving God and loving our neighbors is the doctrinal foundation of ministering; home-centered, Church-supported learning; Sabbath-day spiritual worship; and the work of salvation on both sides of the veil supported in the Relief Societies and the elders quorums. All of these things are based on the divine commandments to love God and to love our neighbors. Can there be anything more basic, more fundamental, and more simple than that?

"Living the true, pure, and simple gospel plan will allow us more time to visit the widows, widowers, orphans, lonely, sick, and poor. We will find peace, joy, and happiness in our life when serving the Lord and our neighbors."

- M. Russell Ballard, "The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Ballard reminds us that "the true, pure, and simple teachings of Christ" are embodied in the commandments to love God and love our neighbors. As we do that, we will find more peace, joy, and happiness in life.

This is an interesting thought. Love of God and neighbor is the force and motivation behind almost all of the significant programs and activities of the Church! As we come to understand and implement the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our lives will be deeply blessed and we will bless all around us.

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