President Spencer W. Kimball on living the gospel in the home

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

"The mission of the Church to its members is to make available the principles, programs, and priesthood by which they can prepare themselves for exaltation. Our success, individually and as a Church, will largely be determined by how faithfully we focus on living the gospel in the home. Only as we see clearly the responsibilities of each individual and the role of families and homes can we properly understand that priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations, even wards and stakes, exist primarily to help members live the gospel in the home. Then we can understand that people are more important than programs, and that Church programs should always support and never detract from gospel-centered family activities....

"All should work together to make home a place where we love to be, a place of listening and learning, a place where each member can find mutual love, support, appreciation, and encouragement.

"I repeat that our success, individually and as a Church, will largely be determined by how faithfully we focus on living the gospel in the home."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Living the Gospel in the Home," address to the Regional Representatives Senimar, 3/31/78; see Ensign, May 1978, pp 100-101
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I think this address by President Kimball was a landmark sermon in helping clarify in the minds of many the relative roles of the Church and its organizations, compared to the home and family. At times we still struggle with that. We need to recognize that the whole purpose of the Church, all its organizations and programs, is to support and strengthen the family; they "exist primarily to help members live the gospel in the home."

The simple phrase "people are more important than programs" is a good summary. We do occasionally forget that, getting caught up in the need to over-program our lives.  "Church programs should always support and never detract from gospel-centered family activities."

In more recent years, the emphasis on "home-centered, Church-supported" Gospel learning corresponds to this establishment of priorities.  

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
August 14, 2015

President Howard W. Hunter on following Christ in simplicity

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President for only nine months, from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"In this world of confusion and rushing, temporal progress, we need to return to the simplicity of Christ. We need to love, honor, and worship him. To acquire spirituality and have its influence in our lives, we cannot become confused and misdirected by the twisted teachings of the modernist. We need to study the simple fundamentals of the truths taught by the Master and eliminate the controversial. Our faith in God needs to be real and not speculative. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ can be a dynamic, moving influence, and true acceptance gives us a meaningful, religious experience. One of the great strengths of the Mormon religion is this translation of belief into daily thinking and conduct. This replaces turmoil and confusion with peace and tranquility."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Where, Then, is Hope?", Conference Report, October 1970, pp. 129-132; see also Improvement Era Dec. 1970, p. 117
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Some of President Hunter's most moving and inspiring messages were simple reminders of the power and blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of discipleship in following Him. This is a wonderful example. While we sometimes are tempted to complicate our lives and our faith, President Hunter invites us "to return to the simplicity of Christ."

The message of the Gospel "can be a dynamic, moving influence"—can be, but only if we are committed in every way to allow it to be, as we fulfill the conditions to make it so. The great key to the process lies in the "translation of belief into daily thinking and conduct." The teachings of the Church are empty and meaningless if they do not result in changes in behavior. True disciples not only believe differently, they behave differently!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
March 6, 2016

Elder Quentin L. Cook on being a saint in a world of evil

Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"The word saint in Greek denotes 'set apart, separate, [and] holy' (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 3:1249). If we are to be Saints in our day, we need to separate ourselves from evil conduct and destructive pursuits that are prevalent in the world.

"We are bombarded with visual images of violence and immorality. Inappropriate music and pornography are increasingly tolerated. The use of drugs and alcohol is rampant. There is less emphasis on honesty and character. Individual rights are demanded, but duties, responsibilities, and obligations are neglected. There has been a coarsening of dialogue and increased exposure to that which is base and vulgar. The adversary has been relentless in his efforts to undermine the plan of happiness. If we separate ourselves from this worldly conduct, we will have the Spirit in our lives and experience the joy of being worthy Latter-day Saints.

"As Saints, we also need to avoid the worship of worldly gods. President Hinckley has expressed the desire that 'everyone might have some of the good things of life' but has cautioned, 'It is the obsession with riches that cankers and destroys' (Ensign, Mar. 1990, 4-5)....

"If we are to be worthy Saints, we should minister to others and adhere to the Savior's admonition to love God and our fellowmen.

"Separation from the evils of the world needs to be accompanied by holiness. A Saint loves the Savior and follows Him in holiness and devotion. Evidence of this kind of holiness and devotion is exemplified by consecration and sacrifice....

"Saints who respond to the Savior's message will not be led astray by distracting and destructive pursuits and will be prepared to make appropriate sacrifices."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Are You a Saint?", Ensign, Nov. 2003, pp. 95-96
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Striving to be a "saint" in a world that is full of evil is not an easy task. Elder Cook clarifies the meaning and explains the process.

He goes on to enumerate some of the challenges we face in today's world:

• Bombardment by visual images of violence and immorality
• Increasing tolerance for inappropriate music and pornography
• Rampant use of drugs and alcohol
• Declining emphasis on honesty and character
• Sense of entitlement for personal rights, without corresponding attention to responsibilities and duties
• Coarsening of dialogue, more expression of things base and vulgar

Elder Cook believes that it is only when "we separate ourselves from this worldly conduct" that "we will have the Spirit in our lives and experience the joy of being worthy Latter-day Saints."  That is quite a challenge.

Of course, there is more involved than just avoiding evil.  There are many positive things we must do to accomplish this.

• We must worship God and not worldly gods.
• We must minister and serve, showing love for God and our fellowmen.
• We must develop lives of holiness as we show our love for the Savior by our devotion to His cause.
• We must demonstrate consecration and sacrifice

Then the promise is sure: "Saints who respond to the Savior's message will not be led astray by distracting and destructive pursuits and will be prepared to make appropriate sacrifices."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
September 8, 2015

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the blessing of correction

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (b. January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"If we sincerely desire and strive to measure up to the high expectations of our Heavenly Father, He will ensure that we receive all the help we need, whether it be comforting, strengthening, or chastening. If we are open to it, needed correction will come in many forms and from many sources. It may come in the course of our prayers as God speaks to our mind and heart through the Holy Ghost (see D&C 8:2). It may come in the form of prayers that are answered no or differently than we had expected. Chastening may come as we study the scriptures and are reminded of deficiencies, disobedience, or simply matters neglected.

"Correction can come through others, especially those who are God-inspired to promote our happiness. Apostles, prophets, patriarchs, bishops, and others have been put into the Church today, just as anciently, 'for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ' (Ephesians 4:12)....

"All of us can meet God's high expectations, however great or small our capacity and talent may be. Moroni affirms, 'If ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is [God's] grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ' (Moroni 10:32). It is a diligent, devoted effort on our part that calls forth this empowering and enabling grace, an effort that certainly includes submission to God's chastening hand and sincere, unqualified repentance. Let us pray for His love-inspired correction."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten," Ensign, May 2011, pp. 97-100
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It's an unusual person in today's world who is eager for correction. But it's perhaps a real sign of spiritual maturity. We believe that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" (Heb. 12:6) since that is a step in learning, repentance, and growth. We truly should be eager for those experiences, knowing the good they can bring to us!

The truly humble and sincere disciple will be praying for "His love-inspired correction" and will respond whole-heartedly by making changes and seeking to do better. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6).

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
April 7, 2016

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the power of coming unto Christ

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (b. 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.

"Whoever we are, and whatever our problems, his response is always the same—forever. 'Come unto me' (Matt. 11:28). Come see what I do and how I spend my time. Learn of me, follow me, and in the process I will give you answers to your prayers and rest to your souls.

"I know of no other way for you to be able to carry your burdens or find what Jacob called 'that happiness which is prepared for the saints' (2 Ne. 9:43). That is why we make solemn covenants based on Christ's atoning sacrifice, why we take upon us his name.

"In as many ways as possible, both figuratively and literally, we try to take upon us his identity. We seek out his teachings and retell his miracles. We send latter-day witnesses, including prophets, apostles, and missionaries, around the world to declare his message. We call ourselves his children and we testify that he is the only source of eternal life. We plead for him to swing open the gates of heaven in our behalf, and trust everlastingly that he will, based upon our faithfulness.

"My desire for you is to have more straightforward experience with the Savior's life and teachings. Perhaps sometimes we come to Christ too obliquely, focusing on structure or methods or elements of Church administration. Those are important, but not without attention to the weightier matters of the kingdom, first and foremost of which is a personal spiritual relationship with Deity, including the Savior whose kingdom this is."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," adapted from a Church Education System fireside address delivered March 2, 1997. See New Era, Dec. 1997, pp. 4-8; Ensign, April 1998, pp. 16-23
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Elder Holland has a way of sharing thoughts and invitations that speak right to the heart. In describing the Savior's love for each of us, he does that in a powerful way in this quote. He interprets the Savior's invitation to "Come unto me" as a beckoning call to "Come see what I do and how I spend my time. Learn of me, follow me, and in the process I will give you answers to your prayers and rest to your souls." The goal is to "try to take upon us his identity" and become more and more like Him in every way. We do that through our direct, personal experiences with His life and teachings:

In the establishment of that "personal spiritual relationship with Deity," we unlock the door to His love and blessings in our lives. That is certainly worth every effort to obtain and achieve!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
June 26, 2016

Elder M. Russell Ballard on evaluating our commitment to the Savior

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.

"As I read and ponder the scriptures and carefully consider the Lord's counsel to His followers in every dispensation of time, it appears to me that the most important thing every one of us can do is to examine our own commitment and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. We must carefully guard against spiritual apathy and work to maintain the full measure of our loving loyalty to the Lord....

"Each one of us needs to follow Nephi's counsel to 'press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. [For] if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life' (2 Ne. 31:20). The power of the Holy Ghost will fill our hearts and minds as we look to the Savior for answers to the many challenges of life.

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, it is important that we each know for ourselves that Jesus is the Christ and that He has restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith the fulness of His everlasting gospel. As we press forward in His service, spiritual experiences will increase our faith, and we will find great joy. Our understanding of the essential doctrines and eternal truths that have been restored will become a firm foundation of our faith."

- M. Russell Ballard, "How Is It With Us?", Ensign, May 2000, pp. 31-33
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What is "the most important thing every one of us can do"? That question certainly could be answered a number of ways in different contexts. Elder Ballard pondered the scriptures and the Lord's counsel and concluded that the answer relates to our devotion to the Savior and His teachings, "our loving loyalty to the Lord," as described here:

Elder Ballard promises that when we face challenges in life, "as we look to the Savior for answers" then "the power of the Holy Ghost will fill our hearts and minds." That promise is very real, and that gift should be earnestly sought by all. We must seek diligently and "press forward" faithfully in spite of any difficulty or apparent obstacle. In the seeking for knowledge and understanding, we not only find "great joy" in this life, but we establish a foundation for faith on which we can build solidly.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
February 27, 2016

Elder Dallin H. Oaks on the timing of spiritual promptings

President Dallin H. Oaks (born August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"Revelations from God—the teachings and directions of the Spirit—are not constant. We believe in continuing revelation, not continuous revelation. We are often left to work out problems without the dictation or specific direction of the Spirit. That is part of the experience we must have in mortality. Fortunately, we are never out of our Savior's sight, and if our judgment leads us to actions beyond the limits of what is permissible and if we are listening to the still, small voice, the Lord will restrain us by the promptings of his Spirit....

"The Lord will speak to us in his own time and in his own way. This is usually by what the scriptures call the 'still small voice' of enlightenment. We are often obliged to act upon our best judgment, subject to the Spirit's restraining impressions if we have strayed beyond permissible limits. Revelation is a reality. It comes in the Lord's way and according to the Lord's timetable."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Teaching and Learning by the Spirit," Ensign, March 1997, p. 14
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The difference between "continuing" (or "continual") and "continuous" is a subtle but significant one. The words are often not used correctly. Something that is "continuous" does not stop and start; it is always ongoing, uninterrupted, never ceasing (the river flows continuously to the sea). But things that are "continuing" occur frequently or regularly, in an ongoing manner, but are sometimes interrupted (the continuing rainstorms in the springtime).

Elder Oaks describes revelation as being continuing, not continuous. This is an important distinction. Though direction from the Spirit and other forms of personal revelation do come at important times, we are not given constant direction on what to do. As a part of the mortal experience, the Lord often wants us to learn "to work out problems" on our own, without the "specific direction of the Spirit."

Elder Oaks also states that for a person who is prayerful and humble, even if no specific direction is given, the Spirit will warn if we are taking a wrong direction. Those "restraining impressions" are as valuable as the positive ones that give specific direction, and should never be neglected.

One of the great tasks of mortality is becoming familiar with the language of the Spirit. With humility and persistence, this becomes a joyful gift that we claim from the Lord.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
May 17, 2016