Elder D. Todd Christofferson on our gifts to the Savior

Elder Christofferson was born 70 years ago today (January 24, 1945). He was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"In ancient times when people wanted to worship the Lord and seek His blessings, they often brought a gift. For example, when they went to the temple, they brought a sacrifice to place on the altar. After His Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is 'a broken heart and a contrite spirit' (3 Ne. 9:20). As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming. 

"Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord. Sometimes this is hard to do, but would your gifts of repentance and obedience be worthy gifts if they cost you nothing? Don't be afraid of the effort required. And remember, you don't have to do it alone. Jesus Christ will help you make of yourself a worthy gift. His grace will make you clean, even holy. Eventually, you will become like Him, 'perfect in Christ' (see Moro. 10:32-33)." 

- D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted," General Conference April 2004
Click here to read the full talk

I've always loved the concept of replacing animal sacrifice with the personal offering of "a broken heart and a contrite spirit." It seems like such a beautiful expression of moving to a higher law. Elder Christofferson's interpretation is simple and clear:

broken = repentant

contrite = obedient

We repent in order to "get right" with the Lord; we obey in order to "stay right." That's what he asks us to symbolically lay upon the altar. We sacrifice our sins and our unworthy desires, replacing them with discipleship and faithfulness.

The important thing is to truly make the offering—not just once, but continually.

Elder Christofferson urges us to find the unworthy thing that should be eliminated, or the worthy thing that is lacking. Each of us must find, with His help, the personal gift to offer, and then make the change in our life that will constitute the offering our our gift to Him!

 

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 24, 2015

President David O. McKay on the blessings of the sacrament

President 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.

"I believe in meetings. I desire to say this morning that I feel impressed to emphasize what the Lord has designated as the most important meeting in the Church, and that is the sacrament meeting.... 

"We meet in the brotherhood of Christ, all on the same level, each expressing confidence in the other and all in one another. Oh, the strength of brotherhood! Sin divides us. Righteousness unites. 

"The partaking of the sacrament indicates also how communion with Christ may be secured. It cannot be obtained by Sunday righteousness and weekday indulgence. It implies that we will remember Christ always. 'If we show the Lord's death at communion we must show the Lord's life in the world.' 

"And [a final] great significance is the promise that it is a means of receiving divine guidance. If a friend is one who summons us to our best, then is not Jesus Christ our best friend and should we not think of the communion as one of the chief appeals to us to be our best? The Lord's Supper looks not back to our past with a critical eye, but to our future with a helpful one." 

- David O. McKay, Conference Report, October 1929, pp. 11-13; see TDOM p. 262

President McKay, who was such a gentle, wise man, shares a wonderful vision of the importance of Sabbath-day meetings, and in particular of the sacred sacrament.

There is indeed a great power in feeling the "unity of the Saints" as we assemble with our brothers and sisters. What a blessing even that simple act of coming together can be, when viewed in the proper spirit, and when supported and reinforced during the week by lives of Christian service and unity.

But that's just the beginning.  The real power in the meeting is in the partaking of the sacrament, teaching us "how communion with Christ may be secured" by remembering Him and following His teachings throughout the week. I love the unattributed quotation President McKay uses: 'If we show the Lord's death at communion we must show the Lord's life in the world.'

And so we don't just review our past; we look ahead to the invitation of a blessed future with Divine assistance. What a wonderful vision for true Sabbath worship!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 25, 2015

President Gordon B. Hinckley on the blessings of temple worship

President Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"I would hope that we might go to the house of the Lord a little more frequently.... 

"Most of our temples could be much busier than they are. In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord. The element of selfishness crowds in upon us constantly. We need to overcome it, and there is no better way than to go to the house of the Lord and there serve in a vicarious relationship in behalf of those who are beyond the veil of death. What a remarkable thing this is. In most cases, we do not know those for whom we work. We expect no thanks. We have no assurance that they will accept that which we offer. But we go, and in that process we attain to a state that comes of no other effort. We literally become saviors on Mount Zion. What does this mean? Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth. 

"And so, my brothers and sisters, I encourage you to take greater advantage of this blessed privilege. It will refine your natures. It will peel off the selfish shell in which most of us live. It will literally bring a sanctifying element into our lives and make us better men and better women." 

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Closing Remarks," General Conference October 2004
Click here to read the full talk

President Hinckley provides two insights into the temple attendance.  First, we go because we are providing a gift of unmatched service, becoming "saviors on Mount Zion" as we assist in the salvation of those for whom we do ordinances. We serve unselfishly, receiving no expression of appreciation, not even knowing if our gift is received. It's a great model for the best kind of pure-hearted service.

But yet, the promised blessings of temple service are a great treasure to us. President Hinckley also encourages us to attend for our own benefit.

What a beautiful thought: "peeling off" the shell of selfishness that so often encompasses us. Promises like these, if we take them seriously, should make it easier for us to respond to Pres. Hinckley's invitation to "go to the house of the Lord a little more frequently."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 7, 2015

Elder Neil L. Andersen on the Savior's invitation to come and follow

Elder Andersen (1951- ) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009 (the most recent member called).

"Jesus's call 'Come, follow me' (Luke 18:22) is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics. In fact, discipleship is not a competition at all but an invitation to all. Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon. In truth, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world. 

"His invitation is a call to daily duty. Jesus said: 'If ye love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15). 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me' (Luke 9:23). We may not be at our very best every day, but if we are trying, Jesus's bidding is full of encouragement and hope: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). 

"Wherever you now find yourself on the road of discipleship, you are on the right road, the road toward eternal life. Together we can lift and strengthen one another in the great and important days ahead. Whatever the difficulties confronting us, the weaknesses confining us, or the impossibilities surrounding us, let us have faith in the Son of God, who declared, 'All things are possible to him that believeth' (Mark 9:23)." 

- Neil L. Andersen, "What Thinks Christ of Me?", General Conference April 2012
Click here to read the full talk

The call to discipleship is a call to transformation—a gradual and steady transformation that makes us become more and more like Him. I liked the thought that it's neither a sprint nor a marathon; it's not about finishing as quick as possible and being done. Instead, we should consider our life "a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world."

As long as we are on that road and sincerely attempting to move forward, we will have His approval, and even more, His support and assistance in the process. "We may not be at our very best every day, but if we are trying, Jesus's bidding is full of encouragement and hope."

We support one another in the journey, and God supports us all!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
January 30, 2015

Elder Quentin L. Cook on facing the challenges of life

Elder Cook (1940- ) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"Among the most frequently asked questions of Church leaders are, Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies? 

"While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence that there is a bright future planned for each of us. Some of the most important principles are: 

"First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly. 

"Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life. 

"Third, the Father's plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding."

- Quentin L. Cook, "The Songs They Could Not Sing," General Conference October 2011
Click here to read the full talk

There are many unpleasant things that happen in the world. There are unpleasant things that happen in our individual lives from time to time. And some of them just seem unfair, unjust, undeserved. As Elder Cook implies, there is often no explanation to justify these events; but an understanding of doctrines and principles helps us cope. With that understanding, the hope of eternity glows brightly in the hearts of true disciples.

How blessed we are to know:

• Our Father in Heaven knows us personally and loves us profoundly
• Jesus is our Redeemer and his Atonement compensates for all wrongs
• There is an eternal plan of happiness and eventually we will understand the meaning behind all challenges of our life.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 29, 2015

Elder Richard L. Evans on wise choices in work and leisure

Elder Evans (1906-1971) served as a Seventy from 1938-1953, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He died in 1971 at age 65.  He was known as "the voice of the Tabernacle Choir" from the beginning of its broadcasts in 1929 until his passing.

"There is both underdoing and overdoing in work.  Working too hard at work and working too hard at leisure, at playing—both could well become excessive.  There is also excessive haste, working swiftly and shoddily to get the work finished, regardless of quality, regardless of how well or how poorly....  Too much impatience in getting things done, and not enough enjoyment in doing may also be lack of moderation. 

"Another extreme is that men sometimes become too specialized, too narrow, too busy for a balanced life; too busy to spend time with family and friends, with well-rounded sides of life.  Any person who becomes too busy to spend time with family, with home, with things of beauty, with things of the Spirit, with service beyond himself—too busy for time with his son, his daughter, too busy to keep close acquaintances with his loved ones, has pursued whatever he pursues to excess. 

"'Honorable industry,' said Samuel Smiles, 'always travels the same road with enjoyment and duty.' 

"'Enjoyment and duty' are indispensable elements in the balanced living of life—the enjoyment of work, the enjoyment of home and loved ones, and duty to both, are part of the balance of life and of labor.  Said Dean Charles R. Brown: 'We have too many people who live without working, and we have altogether too many who work without living.'" 

- Richard L. Evans, "Music and the Spoken Word," April 28, 1963

Elder Evans points out the importance of balance in our decisions on how we allocate our time. It's so easy to be lured into excessive commitment—to work, to leisure, to recreation.

I love the reminder of some of the things that ought to have their appropriate place in our time, first family and friends, but also "things of beauty," "things of the Spirit," and "service beyond himself." But nothing must come between us and the "close acquaintances and loved ones." It's a great reminder; we should regularly evaluate our busy lives to make sure the priorities are correct, and the balance is appropriate.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 25, 2015

President Brigham Young on finding true happiness

Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"How vain it is in man to allow himself to think that he can make himself happy with the pleasures of this world. There is no lasting pleasure here, unless it is in God. When men leave the kingdom of God, their lives are filled with bitterness, their thoughts are full of fearfulness, and they are sorrowful, day by day. They may tell you they are happy. But when you probe them, and find out the inmost recesses of the heart, it is a cup of gall; they are not happy. They may seek, to the uttermost parts of the earth, for happiness, but they find it not.

"Where is happiness, real happiness? Nowhere but in God. By possessing the spirit of our holy religion, we are happy in the morning, we are happy at noon, we are happy in the evening; for the spirit of love and Zion is with us, and we rejoice in the spirit because, it is of God, and we rejoice in God, for he is the giver of every good thing.  Every Latter-day Saint, who has experienced the love of God in his heart, after having received the remission of his sins, through baptism, and the laying on of hands, realizes that he is filled with joy, and happiness, and consolation. He may be in pain, in error, in poverty, or in prison, if necessity demands, still, he is joyful. This is our experience, and each and every Latter-day Saint can bear witness to it."

- Brigham Young, discourse at Logan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 1876, JD 18:213-214
Click here to read the full talk

Even in the "pioneer days" of Brigham Young, there was quite a dichotomy between the "pleasures of this world" and the "lasting pleasure" that comes form the Gospel plan. President Young was convinced there was only superficial or pretended happiness in the world's approach. This summary of the source of happiness is concise and inspiring:

This brings to mind one of my favorite statements from LDS scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley:

"We are commanded to be joyful because he has borne our sorrows.  He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief so that we need not be.  Our own sins and limitations are the things that make us sad.  He had no sins and limitations; he was not sad for his sake, but wholly for ours.  Only one could suffer for others who did not deserve to suffer for himself.
"If we remain gloomy after what he did for us, it is because we do not accept what he did for us.  If we suffer, we deserve to suffer because there is no need for it if we only believe in him."
- Hugh Nibley, “Prophets and Glad Tidings”, The Prophetic Book of Mormon, CWHN 8:259

What a marvelous perspective. Truly, there is great joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

June 1, 2015