President Spencer W. Kimball on women becoming "sister scriptorians"

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985. The following excerpt is from a marvelous address given to a women's fireside held September 15, 1979—a precursor to the General Women's Meeting held today.

"I stress again the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures. We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians—whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family.

"Regardless of your particular circumstances, as you become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures, you will be more and more effective in keeping the second great commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself. Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up! After all, who has any greater need to 'treasure up' the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching?

"Seek excellence in all your righteous endeavors, and in all aspects of your lives.

"Bear in mind, dear sisters, that the eternal blessings which are yours through membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are far, far greater than any other blessings you could possibly receive. No greater recognition can come to you in this world than to be known as a woman of God. No greater status can be conferred upon you than being a daughter of God who experiences true sisterhood, wifehood, and motherhood, or other tasks which influence lives for good."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "The Role of Righteous Women," Ensign, Nov 1979, 102
Click here to read the rest of the address

This classic address by President Kimball teaches much about the Gospel's view of the potential of women in the Lord's kingdom. His challenge about "sister scriptorians" has been often quoted:

It's an interesting promise to ponder, that one who is more familiar with the scriptures is better able to love her neighbor. And this reminder is a good one, to keep the motivation in the proper place:

And finally, this reminder should ring true in the hearts of the "women of God":

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

March 28, 2015

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on the daughters of Zion

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.

"The daughters of the world may grow more shrill, more hard, more selfish, and less motherly—but the faithful daughters of Zion will be ladies of light; they will be elect because they have elected to follow in the footsteps of the faithful women of God who have existed in all dispensations of time. That we know less than we would like of these marvelous women of God should fill us with anticipation for the day when there will be a fulness of their record before us, a part of all that God will yet reveal.

"Service less reported is service still. Contributions are never really measured in column inches of coverage in newspapers or even in the scriptures. Indeed, their deferred recognition only mirrors faintly the quiet queenliness of One we shall meet and greet when we leave 'this frail existence.'"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward", pp. 80-81

Elder Maxwell often contrasted the world's approach or philosophy with the Gospel version. In this case, he looks at the "daughters of the world" compared to the "daughters of Zion." The divergence he predicts (as have other Church leaders) is often apparent today. This is a wonderful vision for the faithful daughters:

Even though the contributions of the "marvelous women of God" are often less visible and less noted, they are profoundly significant in the eternal sense, where "deferred recognition" will truly make them known. This principle applies not just to women, but to all who serve quietly and faithfully in less prominent ways.

We should be grateful that the worldly records of contributions and worldly recognition for them are relatively insignificant in eternity!

 

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

March 27, 2015

Elder Richard L. Evans on the role of our loving Father

Elder Richard L. 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.

"Our Father in heaven is not an umpire who is trying to count us out. He is not a competitor who is trying to outsmart us. He is not a prosecutor who is trying to convict us. He is a Loving Father who wants our happiness and eternal progress and everlasting opportunity and glorious accomplishment, and who will help us all he can if we will but give him, in our lives, the opportunity to do so with obedience and humility and faith and patience.

"God help us to live to have his help, that these things which he has in store for his children, all of whom we are, may be ours."

- Richard L. Evans, General Conference, October 1956; CR pp. 99-101

This is a classic testimony from Elder Evans, given near the conclusion of one of his talks. I love the analogies he provides, first about what Heavenly Father is NOT — a judge, adversary, competitor. We might sometimes view him in that kind of role. But the real power of the quote comes in the description of what our Father truly IS — "He is a Loving Father who wants our happiness and eternal progress and everlasting opportunity and glorious accomplishment." What a beautiful contrast to the worldly view of God!

And then the sweet conditional: God "will help us all he can if we will but give him, in our lives, the opportunity to do so with obedience and humility and faith and patience." In other words, WE have to set the stage through our actions and attitudes; then God, as an eternal, perfectly-loving Father, will step in to bless, sustain, and protect.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
March 23, 2015

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on covenants and Christians

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

"We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism. 

"What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God (see Bible Dictionary, 'Covenant,' 651). In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments.... 

"Divine covenants make strong Christians. I urge each one to qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, 'Here am I.'" 

- D. Todd Christofferson, "The Power of Covenants," General Conference April 2009
Click here to read the full talk

It's one thing to be a Christian, and another to be a "strong Christian." According to Elder Christofferson, characteristics of the latter include:

• Persevere against hardship
• Sustain hope through tragedy
• Lift others by their example and their compassion
• Consistently overcome temptation
• Make important things happen by their faith
• Defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism

That's a great list to ponder in self-introspection. How am I doing? What areas should I work on strengthening?

But the real power in growth comes through making and keeping sacred covenants. "Divine covenants make strong Christians" as God "binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments." And as always, the promises are sure:

That awareness of God's presence, of His willingness to help and His current involvement in one's life, is truly a treasure to seek and retain.

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

March 21, 2015

Elder Neil L. Andersen on the encircling arms of the Lord

Elder Neil L. 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).

"I have thought of the Lord's invitation to come unto Him and to spiritually be wrapped in His arms. He said, 'Behold, [my arms] of mercy [are] extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me' (3 Nephi 9:14).

"The scriptures speak of His arms being open (Mormon 6:17), extended (Alma 19:36), stretched out (2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 136:12), and encircling (2 Nephi 1:15). They are described as mighty (D&C 123:6) and holy (3 Nephi 20:35), arms of mercy (Alma 5:33), arms of safety (Alma 34:16), arms of love (D&C 6:20), 'lengthened out all the day long' (2 Nephi 28:32).

"We have each felt to some extent these spiritual arms around us. We have felt His forgiveness, His love and comfort. The Lord has said, 'I am he [who] comforteth you' (2 Nephi 8:12).

"The Lord's desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in His arms is often an invitation to repent. 'Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you' (Alma 5:33)."

- Neil L. Andersen, "Repent... That I May Heal You," General Conference October 2009
Click here to read the full talk

"Arms" are often used in scriptural imagery, frequently to denote power or strength, such as making the arm bare in order to fight or defend (see for example Isaiah 52:10). Another important aspect is the warning not to trust in our own abilities, in the arm of flesh (2 Ne 4:34) — instead, learning to trust in God to defend us.

Elder Andersen provides a wonderful summary of the scriptural descriptions of God's love for His children, as manifest in the examples of how His arms express the more tender emotions. How beautiful is the imagery of open, inviting arms, waiting to envelope in a protective embrace!

Elder Andersen believes that each of us has felt aspects of that divine spiritual love and comfort. It's good to remember those feelings! And to seek to experience them more constantly in our lives, through repentance, obedience, and faithfulness.

  

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

March 22, 2015

Elder Quentin L. Cook on overcoming the challenges of life

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

"Just as the Savior's death brought sorrow, the vicissitudes of life, like death, disease, poverty, and injury, can and often will bring unhappiness. Separation from those we love invariably brings sorrow and mourning. Life is not easy, and it would be improper to diminish in any way the trials and tribulations that most experience.

"That having been said, the Resurrection and Atonement wrought by the Savior and the promise of eternal life with our loved ones are of such overwhelming significance that to not rejoice would demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Savior's gift.

"Joy comes when we have the Spirit in our lives (see Alma 22:15). When we have the Spirit, we rejoice in what the Savior has done for us.

"What do we need to do to have this kind of joy? In addition to attaining saving ordinances and following the living prophet, we need to live in accordance with certain fundamental spiritual principles, such as prayer, scripture study, righteous living, and service to others."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Rejoice!", General Conference October 1996
Click here to read the full talk

"Life is not easy" — most of us can bear testimony to that principle! The word "vicissitudes" isn't used much these days; the dictionary defines it as "a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant." I wonder what a corresponding world would be that refers to changes that are welcome and pleasant— something like the "good fortunes" of life? We often feel more negative impact from the downturns than we feel positive benefit from the upturns. But regardless, we konw we will have "trials and tribulations" in this existence.

Elder Cook points out that in eternal perspective, there are things that are "of such overwhelming significance" that, if properly understood, will inevitably help rejoicing to replace any mourning or struggling with life's challenges.

In the simplest terms, "Joy comes when we have the Spirit in our lives" because it helps us understand "what the Savior has done for us." We should diligently seek that gift, and do all we can to obtain and retain it!

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

March 20, 2015

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on God's help in the challenges of life

President Uchtdorf (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 until 2018.

"We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow.

"I am not suggesting that we can simply flip a switch and stop the negative feelings that distress us. This isn't a pep talk or an attempt to encourage those sinking in quicksand to imagine instead they are relaxing on a beach. I recognize that in all of our lives there are real concerns. I know there are hearts here today that harbor deep sorrows. Others wrestle with fears that trouble the soul. For some, loneliness is their secret trial.

"These things are not insignificant....

"I have a simple faith. I believe that as you are faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, as you draw closer to Him in faith, hope, and charity, things will work together for your good (see D&C 90:24). I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father—as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love (see D&C 6:20). Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," General Conference October 2008
Click here to read the full talk

Almost all of us feel overwhelmed from time to time, by the demands of our lives or the busy-ness of our activities, if not by "emotions of suffering and sorrow." But Pres. Uchtdorf acknowledges that in the more challenging times of discouragement, it's not trivial to turn the mood around. We may deal with trials of sorrow, fear, or loneliness, and "these things are not insignificant." You can't just "flip a switch" and make it all better. But you can follow the Lord's counsel:

So Pres. Uchtdorf's formula includes 1) diligent obedience to the commandments, 2) drawing closer to the Lord through faith, hope, and charity, 3) to "immerse yourselves" in God's work, which includes creating beauty and sharing true compassion — THEN we will feel the deep protection of His love and care, and ultimately the relief from suffering and concerns.

What a sweet promise!  I testify that it is true and real.

 

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

March 18, 2015