Spencer W. Kimball on decisions and commitments

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

"Now may I make a recommendation? Develop discipline of self so that, more and more, you do not have to decide and redecide what you will do when you are confronted with the same temptation time and time again. You only need to decide some things once!

"How great a blessing it is to be free of agonizing over and over again regarding a temptation. To do such is time-consuming and very risky.

"Likewise, my dear young friends, the positive things you will want to accomplish need only be decided upon once—like going on a mission and living worthily in order to get married in the temple—and then all other decisions related to these goals can fall into line. Otherwise, each consideration is risky, and each equivocation may result in error. There are some things Latter-day Saints do, and other things we just don't do. The sooner you take stands, the taller you will be!"

- Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball Speaks Out on Planning Your Life," New Era, Sept. 1981, p. 50
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This is such wonderful counsel for youth, and the principle applies to those of us who are not-so-young as well. Key principles in our lives, relating both to things we should avoid and things we should seek, are best decided once and then committed to deeply.

The decision to avoid certain actions or behaviors as an act of obedience is a powerful one. It's the positive aspect of this that I find even more compelling, as we decide and commit to the kinds of things we will do regardless of circumstances that might persuade us otherwise.

But the key to both of those approaches is the depth of our personal integrity to our own commitment. How well do we remember those earlier decisions when confronted with a temptation or with an occasion to skip a positive behavior? It's easy to see why the frequent refrain of prophetic and scriptural counsel is that we "remember," including Alma's memorable words about "enlarging" our memories through scriptures (see Alma 37:8).

The final line of this excerpt is significant: "The sooner you take stands, the taller you will be!" I love that. President Kimball, though small in stature, was known as a giant of a man because of the depth of his faith and insight. I think he took his stands very early and never wavered.

Neal A. Maxwell on the sacrifices we offer on God's altar

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.

"Jesus' perfect character is thus not only holy, but wholly complete and finished. Without Jesus' supernal character, He could not have accomplished the astonishing atonement! And He has asked us to become much more like Him (see Matt. 5:48; 3 Ne. 12:48; 3 Ne. 27:27). Though heavy, discipleship's burden can be made light (see Matt. 11:30). The Lord can 'ease the burdens,' and/or our shoulders can be made strong enough that we 'may be able to bear it' (Mosiah 24:14; 1 Cor. 10:13).

"So it is that real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed! Such is the 'sacrifice unto the Lord … of a broken heart and a contrite spirit,' (D&C 59:8), a prerequisite to taking up the cross, while giving 'away all [our] sins' in order to 'know God' (Alma 22:18) for the denial of self precedes the full acceptance of Him."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness," Ensign, May 1995, pp. 66-68
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Elder Maxwell's unique writing and speaking style was so inspiring to me. His use of language not only conveyed wonderful doctrine, but always did it in a way that invited more pondering. His use of the homonyms "holy" and "wholly" in the opening sentence is a good example.

The main point of this excerpt is the blessings that come as we accept the gift of the Atonement and strive, as disciples, to truly follow the Lord. This summary is classic Elder Maxwell:

And the final statement is the challenge to each of us: we can't fully accept Him until we deny our selfish desires and personal weaknesses. What an invitation for deep introspection and greater resolve!

Joseph B. Wirthlin on dealing with adversity

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.  This excerpt is from one of his most memorable talks.

"Every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don't sing and bells don't ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result.

"There may be some who think that General Authorities rarely experience pain, suffering, or distress. If only that were true. While every man and woman on this stand today has experienced an abundant measure of joy, each also has drunk deeply from the cup of disappointment, sorrow, and loss. The Lord in His wisdom does not shield anyone from grief or sadness.

"For me, the Lord has opened the windows of heaven and showered blessings upon my family beyond my ability to express. Yet like everyone else, I have had times in my life when it seemed that the heaviness of my heart might be greater than I could bear. During those times I think back to those tender days of my youth when great sorrows came at the losing end of a football game.

"How little I knew then of what awaited me in later years. But whenever my steps led through seasons of sadness and sorrow, my mother's words often came back to me: 'Come what may, and love it.'

"How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can't—at least not in the moment. I don't think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don't think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

"If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It," Ensign, Nov. 2008, pp. 26-28
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I always appreciate wise, personal counsel more than abstract encouragement. Elder Wirthlin speaks from the heart of his own times when "the heaviness of my heart might be greater than I could bear." And then he addresses how we confront those "shadows" amid the journeys of our lives, the times when "the birds don't sing and bells don't ring." Having had my share of those as well, I'm grateful for this reminder about approaching adversity wisely, and "learning from difficult times" in order to become "stronger, wiser, and happier."

Harold B. Lee on the most important commandment

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"Now, if you have made mistakes, make today the beginning of a change of your lives. Turn from the thing that you have been doing that is wrong. The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today. If it is one of dishonesty, if it is one of unchastity, if it is one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you have been able to conquer that weakness. Put that aright and then you start on the next one that is most difficult for you to keep. That's the way to sanctify yourself by keeping the commandments of God."

- Harold B. Lee, Devotional, Long Beach California, 4/29/73; see The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, p. 82

I love the New Testament story of the lawyer who asks the Savior about the greatest of the commandments. He hoped to trap the Savior into an answer that could be criticized; but the response was incapable of dispute: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (see Matthew 22:34-40). That guideline would encompass all others; we show our love for Him by allowing His teachings and commandments to direct our lives.

President Lee may not have been asked the question directly, but his response provides a simple and clear way to focus on our personal progress. All we need to do is "conquer that weakness"—the one troubling us currently—one by one, and eventually we'll achieve the complete devotion God asks of us.

Ezra Taft Benson on our relationship with the Lord

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"Why don't we go all the way with the Lord—not part way? Why don't we sacrifice all of our sins—not some of them? ...

"Some day we may see that pair of hands that sacrificed so much for us. Are our hands clean, and do they show the signs of being in His service? Are our hearts pure and filled with His thoughts?

"Each week we make a solemn covenant to be like Him, to always remember Him in everything, and to keep all of His commandments. In return, He promises to give us His spirit.

"We once knew well our Elder Brother and His and our Father in Heaven. We rejoiced at the prospects of earth life that could make it possible for us to have a fulness of joy. We could hardly wait to demonstrate to our Father and our Brother, the Lord, how much we loved them and how we would be obedient to them in spite of the earthly opposition of the evil one.

"Now we are here. Our memories are veiled. We are showing God and ourselves what we can do. Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us.

"God loves us. He is watching us. He wants us to succeed. We will know some day that He has not left one thing undone for the eternal welfare of each of us. If we only knew it, heavenly hosts are pulling for us—friends in heaven that we cannot now remember who yearn for our victory. This is our day to show what we can do—what life and sacrifice we can daily, hourly, instantly make for God. If we give our all, we will get His all from the greatest of all."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations," BYU devotional address 10 December 1974; see also Ensign, December 1988, pp. 2-6
Click here to read the full talk at the BYU site
Click here to read the full talk from the Ensign

This talk from President Benson has wonderful thoughts, invitations, and testimonies. I love the opening line from the excerpt: "Why don't we go all the way with the Lord—not part way? Why don't we sacrifice all of our sins—not some of them?" President Benson invites us to be fully converted, to give our full hearts to God; to serve with devotion, to be faithful in covenants. He knows that is the only way to claim the fulness of blessings.

I think this is an interesting testimony:

President Benson's witness of God's love for His children, and His desire to help them succeed, is especially powerful:

Neil L. Andersen on spiritual home storage

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).

"While there are many experiences like the one we are having today, full of spiritual power and confirmation, there are also days when we feel inadequate and unprepared, when doubt and confusion enter our spirits, when we have difficulty finding our spiritual footing. Part of our victory as disciples of Christ is what we do when these feelings come....

"Brothers and sisters, we each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty. Jesus said, 'Settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you' (Luke 14:28, JST)....

"Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts—these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, 'Be not afraid, only believe' (Mark 5:36).

"Through the years we take these important spiritual steps over and over again. We begin to see that 'he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day' (D&C 50:24). Our questions and doubts are resolved or become less concerning to us. Our faith becomes simple and pure. We come to know what we already knew."

- Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough," Ensign, Nov. 2008, pp. 13-14
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Elder Andersen introduces a useful analogy: the idea of "spiritual home storage" when we attempt to "stockpile" the strength that comes from our personal moments of inspiration.

Elder Andersen's witness is that "As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us." The lesson is to draw from those reservoirs in order to create our own "stores" from which to draw in times of need when we encounter "challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts." Wise advice.

Howard W. Hunter on sincere gratitude

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

"One of the most esteemed spiritual attributes we can acquire in life is sincere gratitude. It enriches our lives as we, through this attribute, enrich the lives of others. If we have a thankful heart we will have the blessings that come from constant appreciation for the things done for us and the Lord's goodness. How can we really pay the debt of gratitude we owe to our parents, brothers and sisters, teachers, and those who have served us in so many ways? How can we show appreciation for good homes, husbands and wives who are true and faithful, and children who have the desire to live righteously and serve the Lord? How do we express thankfulness for our baptisms, for the privilege of partaking of the sacrament and renewing our covenants, for the priesthood we bear, for the light of the restored gospel, and for the program of the Church devised to help us make progress toward exaltation and eternal life?

"We pay our debt of gratitude by living in such a way as to bring credit to our parents and the name we bear, by doing good to others, by being of service, by being willing to share the light and knowledge we have received so that others will also have joy and happiness, and by living the principles of the gospel in their fulness."

- Howard W. Hunter, Area General Conference, Stockholm Sweden, August 1974; see Ensign, Oct. 1974, p. 87
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Gratitude is certainly "one of the most esteemed spiritual attributes we can acquire in life" — I wonder how often we view it as such? How much effort do we expend to seek it?

This statement made me ponder:

This seems a little contrary to the normal interpretation. We might say that having a grateful heart helps us acknowledge the blessings already received; but President Hunter is saying that blessings come from recognizing previous goodness in our lives.

After recognizing a few of the many, many blessings that come to us, President Hunter then adds this wonderful summary of how we truly express gratitude: