President Russell M. Nelson on hope in our challenges

Elder Russell M. Nelson (1924- ) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984.

"Happiness comes when scriptures are used in shaping our lives. They speak of the 'brightness of hope' (2 Ne. 31:20) for which we yearn. But if our hopes were narrowly confined only to moments in mortality, we should surely be disappointed. Our ultimate hope must be anchored to the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, 'If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God' (D&C 14:7).

"An understanding of that objective should help us approach the future with faith instead of fear, (see D&C 6:36) with a more excellent hope in place of despair. God sent each of us here to be happy and successful (see 2 Ne. 2:25; Jacob 2:18-19). Meanwhile, he also needs us. We are to 'seek not the things of this world but seek... first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness' (JST, Matt. 6:38). He decreed that 'no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things' (D&C 12:8)....

"Our hope is in our 'Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel—the God of the whole earth' (3 Ne. 22:5). His hope is in us. We are literally the 'Hope of Israel, Zion's army, Children of the promised day' (Hymns, no. 259).

"May the 'God of hope,' in the words of the Apostle Paul, 'fill [us] with all joy and peace in believing, that [we] may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost' (Rom. 15:13)."

- Russell M. Nelson, "A More Excellent Hope," BYU devotional, 8 January 1995; see Ensign February 1997, pp. 60-64
Click here to read the full talk

I find hope to be one of the most fascinating and fruitful topics to study and ponder. It means so much more in the gospel context than in our colloquial use. Elder Nelson suggests the critical and distinguishing focus - a hope anchored to the Atonement of the Savior:

Elder Nelson then provides a scriptural summary of the blessings that come from a righteous and inspired hope, one that enables us to:

• approach the future with faith instead of fear
• find hope in place of despair
• be happy and successful in mortality
• assist in building the kingdom of God on earth

And ultimately, in the words of Paul, it is "through the power of the Holy Ghost" that we can be filled "with all joy and peace" as we begin to "abound in hope." What a beautiful and desirable promise!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 27, 2015

Elder Quentin L. Cook on the world's way and the Savior's way

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

"We live in a world where the latest story, the buzz, the hype, the 'new thing' is much sought after and then publicized throughout the world. Movies, television, and other media often celebrate heroic gestures, dysfunctionality, conflict, and sexuality rather than the quiet, everyday acts of sacrifice, service, and love that are so much a part of the Savior's message and example. The wild rush to find the new often tramples on what is true....

"Today there is a tendency among some of us to 'look beyond the mark' rather than to maintain a testimony of gospel basics. We do this when we substitute the philosophies of men for gospel truths, engage in gospel extremism, seek heroic gestures at the expense of daily consecration, or elevate rules over doctrine. Avoiding these behaviors will help us avoid the theological blindness and stumbling that Jacob described (Jac 4:14)....

"One of the great challenges of this life is to accept Christ for who He is: the resurrected Savior of the world, our Redeemer, our Lord and Master, our Advocate with the Father. When He is the foundation for all that we do and are, we avoid the theological blindness that results from looking beyond the mark, and we reap the glorious blessings He has promised us. 'Come unto me, ye blessed,' He tells those who follow Him; 'there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father' (Enos 1:27)."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Looking Beyond the Mark," Ensign, March 2003, pp. 40-44
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Cook warns us about paying too much attention to the world's "fads and distractions" in ways that make us lose sight of the things that should matter most. It's easy to forget the quiet life of discipleship, the "everyday acts of sacrifice, service, and love" that lie at the core of the Gospel message.

The last phrase of that excerpt was an interesting statement, summarizing the danger of getting trapped by the world's allures: "The wild rush to find the new often tramples on what is true."

The second warning is to not get caught up in "gospel extremism" or other misguided efforts, but to continue to focus on "maintain[ing] a testimony of gospel basics" and to remember "daily consecration."

This was a good summary of the challenge, and the "cure" of knowing where our focus belongs:

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
June 5, 2015

President James E. Faust on personal revelation and discernment

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"Satan has had great success with this gullible generation. As a consequence, he and his angels have victimized literally hosts of people. There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow the counsel of the living prophets.

"This personal revelation will surely come to all whose eyes are single to the glory of God, for it is promised that their bodies will be 'filled with light, and there shall be no darkness' in them (D&C 88:67). All who come unto Christ by obedience to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel can thwart Satan's efforts. The humble followers of the divine Master need not be deceived by the devil if they will be honest and true to their fellow men and women, go to the house of the Lord, receive the sacrament worthily, observe the Sabbath day, pay their tithes and offerings, offer contrite prayers, engage in the Lord's work, and follow those who preside over them."

- James E. Faust, "The Forces That Will Save Us," Ensign, Jan 2007, pp. 4-9
Click here to read the full talk

What an interesting label: "this gullible generation." Satan readily takes advantage of those who are easily distracted, easily persuaded to follow his deceptions. Safety and protection are found "in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost." The key is to become "humble followers of the diving Master," and President Faust gives encouragement on how to do that better; this is a fine list for personal evaluation:

More recently, in a talk given to the stakes in my area, Elder M. Russell Ballard provided a very similar list of "essential habits of conversion" that has been an emphasis for us:

• daily prayer
• fasting
• studying the scriptures and the words of the living prophets
• keeping the Sabbath day holy
• partaking of the sacrament
• worshipping in the temple often
• reaching out to the needy, poor, and lonely

("To the Saints in the Utah South Area," September 13, 2015; see report here)

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 5, 2015

President David O. McKay on finding peace through Christ

President David O. 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.

"The rising sun can dispel the darkness of night, but it cannot banish the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry, and selfishness from the hearts of humanity. Happiness and peace will come to earth only as the light of love and human compassion enter the souls of men.

"It was for this purpose that Christ, the Son of righteousness, 'with healing in his wings' (Mal. 4:2), came in the Meridian of Time. Through him wickedness shall be overcome, hatred, enmity, strife, poverty, and war abolished. This will be accomplished only by a slow but never-failing process of changing men's mental and spiritual attitude. The ways and habits of the world depend upon the thoughts and soul-convictions of men and women. If, therefore, we would change the world, we must first change people's thoughts. Only to the extent that men desire peace and brotherhood can the world be made better. No peace, even though temporarily obtained, will be permanent, whether to individuals or nations, unless it is built upon the solid foundation of eternal principles.

"Men may yearn for peace, cry for peace, and work for peace, but there will be no peace until they follow the path pointed out by the Living Christ. He is the true light of men's lives."

- David O. McKay, General Conference October 1964; Improvement Era 67:1041-42
Click here to read the full talk

It's been almost 60 years since President McKay warned about "the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry, and selfishness" that plague our society. Those times seem so simple in comparison to today's world—how much more do we see those plagues in our time! But the remedy hasn't changed, and never will.

The quest for peace, in society and in individual lives, is as old as history. President McKay is clear to point out that there is only one source of true peace. It starts as we individually yearn, cry, and work towards the goal  by diligently following the path shown to us by the Savior.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 4, 2015

President George Q. Cannon on having a living testimony of the truth

President George Q. Cannon (1827-1901) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1860. He served as counselor in the First Presidency to Brigham Young beginning in 1873, and then to the next three presidents, until his death in 1901.

"The only way to maintain our position in the Kingdom of God is to so conduct ourselves that we may have a living testimony of the truth continually dwelling in our bosoms, to live so that the Spirit of the Lord may be a constant and abiding guest with us, whether in the privacy of our chamber, in the domestic circle or in the midst of the crowded thoroughfares, the busy scenes and anxious cares of life. He who will pursue this course will never lack for knowledge; he will never be in doubt or in darkness, nor will his mind ever be clouded by the gloomy pall of unbelief; on the contrary his hopes will be bright; his faith will be strong; his joy will be full; he will be able each succeeding day to comprehend the unfolding purposes of Jehovah and to rejoice in the glorious liberty and happiness which all the faithful children of God enjoy.

"It is not enough that we knew the truth of this work yesterday or the day before or a week or a month or a year ago; we ought to and must, in order to be happy, know it to be true today.... We can only retain the testimony of the truth in our heart by living near unto God. If we call upon Him in faith to bless us and seek to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Spirit, so ordering our lives that God can, consistently, bless us and the Spirit of the Lord can abide with us, we receive strength to overcome every evil and our minds instinctively recoil from the commission of any act which might grieve that Spirit or bring a stain upon our own character or upon the divine cause in which we are engaged."

- George Q. Cannon, April 5, 1863; MS 25:275-6; see Gospel Truth, 1:343-44

There's something critical about a "living testimony"—one that is being replenished and strengthened constantly, that is growing and alive, and now just a "snapshot" of some past experiences or period of life:

The way to accomplish this is to "live so that the Spirit of the Lord may be a constant and abiding guest with us." We must live "near to God" and pray in faith regularly, as well as order our lives in order to be worthy of His greatest blessings. The promises of what results when we do this are beautiful and reassuring:

The final promise in this excerpt is also a glorious one—that we receive "strength to overcome every evil" because "our minds instinctively recoil from the commission of any act which might grieve that Spirit." I love that promise; what a wonderful, rich, fulfilling, joyful way to live!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 3, 2015

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on graceful endurance

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.

"Real faith in God therefore includes not only faith in him, but in his timing, one of the things that it is most difficult for us to have faith in....

"We're not simply to exist to the end, rather we're to persist in following the example of the son of the living God. Quite a different emphasis than we sometimes think of in connection with enduring....

"This quality about which we're speaking therefore is graceful endurance and it includes becoming and growing. It includes, but is not limited to, hanging on for one moment more. It is as has been observed,a circumstance in which 'all virtues at the testing point take the form of courage' (C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters). And then after you and I have passed breaking points without breaking our virtues take the form of endurance...."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "If Thou Endure It Well," BYU Devotional, 2 December 1984
Click here to read the full talk

Concepts of faith, patience, hope, and endurance are closely interrelated, and are among the important things we learn in our mortal experience. We must hold to our faith in God, knowing that He is in charge; and even when we don't understand, especially when we don't understand, trusting that His timing will lead us to growth and blessings.

This is an important insight about the nature of endurance—what Elder Maxwell calls "graceful endurance"; and anyone who has struggled through times of difficulty has learned what it means to trust in God's timing. It is often not an easy thing to do! But it can result in powerful spiritual growth.

And that is the secret of progress and joy in this life.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 2, 2015

President Spencer W. Kimball on learning the language of prayer

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"Learning the language of prayer is a joyous, lifetime experience. Sometimes ideas flood our mind as we listen after our prayers. Sometimes feelings press upon us. A spirit of calmness assures us that all will be well. But always, if we have been honest and earnest, we will experience a good feeling—a feeling of warmth for our Father in Heaven and a sense of his love for us. It has sorrowed me that some of us have not learned the meaning of that calm, spiritual warmth, for it is a witness to us that our prayers have been heard. And since our Father in Heaven loves us with more love than we have even for ourselves, it means that we can trust in his goodness, we can trust in him; it means that if we continue praying and living as we should, our Father's hand will guide and bless us.... 

"After a lifetime of prayers, I know of the love and power and strength that comes from honest and heartfelt prayer. I know of the readiness of our Father to assist us in our mortal experience, to teach us, to lead us, to guide us. Thus, with great love, our Savior has said, 'What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always.' (D&C 93:49.) 

"If we will do so, we shall gain for ourselves personal knowledge that our Father in Heaven truly hears and answers prayers. This knowledge he wants each of us to have. Seek it, my beloved brothers and sisters! Seek it!" 

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Pray Always," Ensign, Oct. 1981, p. 3
Click here to read the full talk 

"The language of prayer" President Kimball invites us to learn doesn't refer to the form of speaking or address we use when we speak the prayer.  It refers to the way we feel divine communication in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

I love the sweetness of the testimony that comes "after a lifetime of prayers" for President Kimball.  There is a power in saying "I know..." when there is such deep and prolonged personal experience.  The concluding promise is sincere and sure; the invitation for us to seek the gift is heart-felt.  This is a man who has precious knowledge and wants others to feel the blessing too.

We each have our own lifetime of prayers up to our current day; and perhaps we need to resolve to increase our commitment to this principle so that we can bear a testimony like that of President Kimball.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
May 1, 2015