President Henry B. Eyring on the power of the Comforter in our lives

President Henry B. Eyring (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.

"Many are praying to Heavenly Father for relief, for help in carrying their burdens of grief, loneliness, and fear. Heavenly Father hears those prayers and understands their needs. He and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Jesus Christ, have promised help....

"The burdens His faithful servants must carry in life are made lighter by His Atonement. The burden of sin can be taken away, but the trials of mortal life for good people can still be heavy burdens....

"We lighten the loads of others best by helping the Lord strengthen them. That is why the Lord included in our charge to comfort others the command to be His witnesses at all times and in all places....

"That is part of the great plan of happiness the Father gave us. He allowed His Son to provide, by His atoning sacrifice, the hope that comforts us no matter how hard the way home to Him may be.

"The Father and the Son send the Holy Ghost to comfort and strengthen disciples of the Master in their journey....

"I can know only partially how much He feels joy each time you, as His disciple, help Him bring a moment of peace and joy to a child of our Heavenly Father.

"I bear my witness that the Lord has asked each of us, His disciples, to help bear one another’s burdens. We have promised to do it. I bear my testimony that the Lord, through His Atonement and Resurrection, has broken the power of death. I give my witness that the living Christ sends the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, to those we are pledged to help Him comfort."

- Henry B. Eyring, "The Comforter," April 2015 General Conference, Women's Session
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One of the beautiful phrases from the instructions Alma gave to those who in his day were desirous to follow the Gospel plan was that they should "comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (see Mosiah 18:9). In this tender address given to the women of the Church during the recent General Conference, President Eyring expounds upon that charge, encouraging us all to understand and act upon the invitation.

Often the best way to provide help and comfort in a time of need is to help bring awareness or remembrance of the reality and power of the Atonement to the one who needs it, truly standing as a witness of Him.

The remarkable part of President Eyring's talk to me is the suggestion that the promise of the help of the Comforter applies not just to the one who is struggling or challenged, but also to the faithful disciple who is there to help bear the burden. As we act as His agents, divine assistance will surely be with us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 18, 2015

President Boyd K. Packer on repentance, forgiveness, and Atonement

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve (a position that no longer exists) from 1961 to 1970, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He served as president of that Quorum from 1994 until his death in 2015 at age 90.

"Our physical bodies, when harmed, are able to repair themselves, sometimes with the help of a physician. If the damage is extensive, however, often a scar will remain as a reminder of the injury.

"With our spiritual bodies it is another matter. Our spirits are damaged when we make mistakes and commit sins. But unlike the case of our mortal bodies, when the repentance process is complete, no scars remain because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The promise is: 'Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more' (D&C 58:42)....

"The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that. There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity."

- Boyd K. Packer, "The Plan of Happiness," General Conference, April 2015, Saturday morning session
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President Packer was in failing health as he approached the end of his mortal experience. This turned out to the the last general conference address he shared.

He spoke of a theme that has been very important to him: the happiness that comes in following God's plan for marriage and families.  He mentioned his love and appreciation for his companion of nearly 70 years, Donna Smith Packer, now that they were "toward the end of our mortal days together"—closer than he knew.

But he also talked about a secondary theme that has been vital through his ministry: the power of the Lord to forgive through the glorious Atonement, which has the power to heal the wounds and scars of mortality. This description is vivid and accurate:

Not even a scar needs to remain! And this glorious promise follows:

Many, maybe most, of us know what it is to feel those burdens at one time or another in our life. What a precious blessing to know that we can "escape" through the glorious Atonement of Jesus Christ!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 20, 2015

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the grace of the Savior

Elder 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.

"The Savior's Atonement cannot become commonplace in our teaching, in our conversation, or in our hearts. It is sacred and holy, for it was through this 'great and last sacrifice' that Jesus the Christ brought 'salvation to all those who shall believe on his name' (Alma 34:10, 15).

"I marvel to think that the Son of God would condescend to save us, as imperfect, impure, mistake-prone, and ungrateful as we often are. I have tried to understand the Savior's Atonement with my finite mind, and the only explanation I can come up with is this: God loves us deeply, perfectly, and everlastingly. I cannot even begin to estimate 'the breadth, and length, and depth, and height... [of] the love of Christ' (Ephesians 3:18–19).

"A powerful expression of that love is what the scriptures often call the grace of God—the divine assistance and endowment of strength by which we grow from the flawed and limited beings we are now into exalted beings of 'truth and light, until [we are] glorified in truth and [know] all things' (D&C 93:28)."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Gift of Grace," General Conference, April 2015, Sunday morning session
Click here to read the full talk

President Uchtdorf's talk on the Atonement and the Grace of the Savior in the April 2015 conference was one of his finest ever. I appreciated his analogies and the clarity of his teachings. It is one we should all review regularly, in order to ensure that the Atonement truly does not become "commonplace" or neglected in our thoughts and our lives.

When we even begin to comprehend that love, we're never the same again. His grace is the most wonderful gift of eternity, and will bless every day and every aspect of our lives as we allow it to.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 19, 2015

President Thomas S. Monson on the blessings of the temple

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley and then became Church president in 2008. He led the Church for almost a decade until his passing in January 2018.

"As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives.

"As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace which will transcend any other feeling which could come into the human heart....

"Such peace can permeate any heart—hearts that are troubled, hearts that are burdened down with grief, hearts that feel confusion, hearts that plead for help....

"In our lives we will have temptations; we will have trials and challenges. As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials. In the temple we can find peace."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Blessings of the Temple," General Conference, April 2015, Sunday morning session
Click here to read the full talk

President Monson is continuing the great work of building temples and teaching about their importance, established by his predecessor, President Gordon B. Hinckley. In the most recent general conference, he shared these beautiful thoughts as part of a talk about the blessings that come from service and worship in the temples.

Among the promised blessings of temple service and worship is the peace that comes to our hearts. President Monson described his own peace after the passing of his lifelong companion Frances. And he invites us to feel that strength and help in our own lives:

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 17, 2015

President Henry B. Eyring on coping with busy lives by putting God first

President Henry B. Eyring (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. These remarks were part of a CES fireside presented in Moscow, Idaho, on May 6, 2001:

"I realize that there are some, perhaps many, for whom my urging to capture leisure time cuts like a knife. You feel overwhelmed by the lack of time. You have left unfinished tasks in your Church calling. You've carried your scriptures all day but still have not found a moment to open them. There is someone in your family who would be blessed by your thoughtful attention, but you haven't gotten to them yet. You will go to a job tomorrow that barely pays enough to keep food on your table and pay your bills. Rather than finding ways to capture leisure time for learning, you are trying to decide what to leave undone.

"There is another way to look at your problem of crowded time. You can see it as an opportunity to test your faith. The Lord loves you and watches over you. He is all-powerful, and He promised you this: 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33).

"That is a true promise. When we put God's purposes first, He will give us miracles. If we pray to know what He would have us do next, He will multiply the effects of what we do in such a way that time seems to be expanded. He may do it in different ways for each individual, but I know from long experience that He is faithful to His word."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Education for Real Life," CES fireside in Moscow, Idaho, on 6 May 2001; see Ensign, Oct 2002, pp. 14-21
Click here to read the full talk

President Eyring had been encouraging wise use of leisure time in this talk. I love his acknowledgement that "some, perhaps many" feel so overwhelmed by life's challenges that the thought of wise use of free time is far from their minds. I've certainly felt that way, with the "To Do List" growing out of control!

It's so easy to think of those busy periods as our own shortcoming, evidence of poor planning, or even a manifestation of incompetence. Gentle President Eyring asks that we consider them as a trial of faith: will I be willing to turn to God for help? Will I claim the promises of assistance, of magnification, of deliverance?

President Eyring summarizes God's promises to us in a powerful way:

This is a hopeful promise: we truly can pray to receive help, guidance, inspiration, and even miracles in our life. I find especially fascinating the thought that "time seems to be expanded" when we see God intervene in the things we do.

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

April 14, 2015

Elder David A. Bednar on prayers of gratitude

Elder David A. Bednar (1952- ) was sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2004.

"The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any, requests. As I am blessed now to pray with apostles and prophets, I find among these modern-day leaders of the Savior's Church the same characteristic that describes Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon: these are men whose hearts swell with thanksgiving to God for the many privileges and blessings which He bestows upon His people (see Alma 48:12). Also, they do not multiply many words, for it is given unto them what they should pray, and they are filled with desire (see 3 Nephi 19:24). The prayers of prophets are childlike in their simplicity and powerful because of their sincerity.

"As we strive to make our prayers more meaningful, we should remember that 'in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments' (D&C 59:21). Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts."

- David A. Bednar, "Pray Always," General Conference October 2008
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Bednar refers to the beautiful description of Captain Moroni as "a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people" (Alma 48:12). Moroni had more than his share of difficulties and frustrations in his life; but he was humble enough and wise enough to see beyond that and acknowledge the goodness of God in all things. The expression his "heart did swell with thanksgiving" is beautiful! What a marvelous quality to emulate.

And then in describing the prayers of contemporary leaders, Elder Bednar notes that they are "childlike in their simplicity and powerful because of their sincerity." That is equally insightful.

It's a wonderful reminder that we truly do have much to be thankful for, regardless of the situation or challenges of our life.

Truly, we are blessed by having a grateful heart. As we learn to feel and express that gratitude, our whole outlook on life improves, and our relationship with Divinity grows. Elder Bednar's advice to periodically focus on giving thanks will bless our lives!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 16, 2015

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on our individual relationships with God

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (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.

"Who is it that whispers so subtly in our ear that a gift given to another somehow diminishes the blessings we have received? Who makes us feel that if God is smiling on another, then He surely must somehow be frowning on us? You and I both know who does this—it is the father of all lies (see 2 Ne. 2:18). It is Lucifer, our common enemy, whose cry down through the corridors of time is always and to everyone, 'Give me thine honor' (Moses 4:1)....

"Brothers and sisters, I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn't measure our talents or our looks; He doesn't measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other. I know that if we will be faithful, there is a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness ready and waiting for everyone, (see Isa. 61:10; 2 Ne. 4:33; 2 Ne. 9:14) 'robes... made... white in the blood of the Lamb' (Rev. 7:14). May we encourage each other in our effort to win that prize."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Other Prodigal," General Conference April 2002
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Holland's wonderfully descriptive language and presentation always speak to my heart. This insight speaks to the tendency we all have at one time or another to evaluate ourselves in comparison to others—their gifts, talents, blessings, life circumstances. It is enabling and powerful to recognize where these misguided compulsions to compare often come from:

To truly believe that God loves me, even with my "insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all"—what a gift that is! His standards, His priorities are so much different than the ones we often limit our perspectives to.

And the final insight: "May we encourage each other in our effort to win" God's ultimate approbation. The great secret isn't "winning" for myself. It's helping all those around me to succeed. In the end, that may be the only way for each of us to succeed ourselves.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 13, 2015