M. Russell Ballard on fortifying our homes against the world's influences

Elder M. Russell Ballard (1928- ) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985.

"There was a time when the walls of our homes provided all the defense we needed against outside intrusions and influences. We locked the doors, closed the windows; we shut the gates; and we felt safe, secure, and protected in our own little refuge from the outside world.

"Those days are now gone. The physical walls, doors, fences, and gates of our homes cannot prevent unseen invasion from the Internet, the Wi-Fi, the mobile phones, the networks. They can penetrate our homes with just a few clicks and keystrokes.

"Fortunately, the Lord has provided a way to counter the invasion of negative technology that can distract us from spending quality time with each other. He has done this by providing the council system to strengthen, protect, safeguard, and nurture our most precious relationships.

"Children desperately need parents willing to listen to them, and the family council can provide a time during which family members can learn to understand and love one another."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Family Councils," General Conference, April 2016, Saturday afternoon session
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Elder Ballard provides some helpful imagery to think about our homes and families. The threats we face today are so much more insidious than those of the past. Fortifications could be built against invaders in the times of old; the doors of our homes could much more easily shut out most of the world's influences.

But today, there are subtle invaders that threaten to destroy from within. The influence of "negative technology" (as opposed to the power of wonderful, productive technology) can penetrate defenses and have a terrible impact.

Elder Ballard describes the key to combating these invaders: communicating on family council settings, both formal and informal. I am grateful for the reminder that "Children desperately need parents willing to listen to them" — and for the constructive suggestions on how we can make that happen more frequently and effectively.

Dallin H. Oaks on the role of opposition in our lives

Elder Dallin H. Oaks (b. 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.

"The purpose of mortal life for the children of God is to provide the experiences needed 'to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.' ('The Family: A Proclamation to the World,' Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129.) As President Thomas S. Monson taught us so powerfully this morning, we progress by making choices, by which we are tested to show that we will keep God’s commandments (see Abraham 3:25). To be tested, we must have the agency to choose between alternatives. To provide alternatives on which to exercise our agency, we must have opposition....

"All of us experience various kinds of opposition that test us. Some of these tests are temptations to sin. Some are mortal challenges apart from personal sin. Some are very great. Some are minor. Some are continuous, and some are mere episodes. None of us is exempt. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become....

"God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others. But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them, as He did for Alma’s people in the land of Helam (see Mosiah 24:13–15). He does not prevent all disasters, but He does answer our prayers to turn them aside, as He did with the uniquely powerful cyclone that threatened to prevent the dedication of the temple in Fiji; or He does blunt their effects, as He did with the terrorist bombing that took so many lives in the Brussels airport but only injured our four missionaries.

"Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will 'consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain' (2 Nephi 2:2)."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Opposition in all Things," General Conference, April 2016, Sunday afternoon
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It's hard at times for us to remember the eternal perspective when we're faced with opposition in one of its various forms, as identified by Elder Oaks. We struggle to endure, we see others who are not faced with the same challenges, we question God's justice, we doubt our own ability or worthiness; in many ways for tend to forget that the very "purpose of mortal life" requires that God provide the kind of experience that will help us grow and progress to become more like Him and worthy of His greatest blessings.

We also forget that all of us experience these things, at different times and in different ways. It's as if our challenges in life are custom-made for each of us; but so are the promises of assistance and strength.

It's fascinating to ponder the thought Elder Oaks presents regarding our prayers for relief from opposition: "God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others." That should affect what we pray for if we understand and remember the principle. But the next principle is also a crucial one in that light: "But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them," We must learn to be grateful for opposition, and for God's willingness to help us through every challenge.

Russell M. Nelson on growing in Priesthood power

President Russell M. Nelson (b. Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He was set apart as president of the Quorum of Twelve on July 15, 2015.

These remarks were part of President Nelson's address in the Priesthood session of the most recent conference:

"I fear, brethren, that some among us may one day wake up and realize what power in the priesthood really is and face the deep regret that they spent far more time seeking power over others or power at work than learning to exercise fully the power of God (D&C 121:36)....

"How else can we increase our power in the priesthood? We need to pray from our hearts. Polite recitations of past and upcoming activities, punctuated with some requests for blessings, cannot constitute the kind of communing with God that brings enduring power. Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? The Lord will teach you.

"Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ (2 Nephi 32:3)—to study earnestly in order to have more power? If you want to see your wife’s heart melt, let her find you on the Internet studying the doctrine of Christ (2 Nephi 31:2–21) or reading your scriptures!

"Are you willing to worship in the temple regularly? The Lord loves to do His own teaching in His holy house. Imagine how pleased He would be if you asked Him to teach you about priesthood keys, authority, and power as you experience the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the holy temple. (D&C 84:19–20) Imagine the increase in priesthood power that could be yours.

"Are you willing to follow President Thomas S. Monson’s example of serving others? For decades he has taken the long way home, following promptings of the Spirit to arrive on someone’s doorstep and then hear words such as, 'How did you know it was the anniversary of our daughter’s death?' or 'How did you know it was my birthday?' And if you truly want more priesthood power, you will cherish and care for your wife, embracing both her and her counsel.

"Now, if all of this sounds excessive, please consider how different our relationships with our wife, children, and associates at work would be if we were as concerned about gaining priesthood power as we are in progressing at work or increasing the balance in our bank account. If we will humbly present ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to teach us, He will show us how to increase our access to His power."

- Russell M. Nelson, "The Price of Priesthood Power," General Conference, April 2016, Priesthood session
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President Nelson's address to the Priesthood Session of conference was a good review of "priesthood power" as opposed to "priesthood authority," and a challenge to men everywhere to work to grow in priesthood power. His message was that this growth in priesthood power doesn't happen routinely or coincidentally; it requires a conscious choice by each man who bears the priesthood.

So then real growth in priesthood power comes as we:

• Develop the Christlike virtues that enable us to serve more effectively
• Pray with diligence and sincerity
• Search the scriptures, feasting on the words of Christ
• Worship regularly in the temple
• Serve others unselfishly
• Cherish and care for our wife
• Allow God to teach and guide us

That presents a good challenge for every holder of the priesthood, and indeed for every member of the Church, to actively choose to change and grow.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the treasured blessing of obedience

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"As we increase in faith, we also must increase in faithfulness....

"You and I may speak most eloquently of spiritual things. We may impress people with our keen intellectual interpretation of religious topics. We may rhapsodize about religion and 'dream of [our] mansion above' (Hymns, no. 223). But if our faith does not change the way we live—if our beliefs do not influence our daily decisions—our religion is vain, and our faith, if not dead, is certainly not well and is in danger of eventually flatlining. (See James 2:26.)

"Obedience is the lifeblood of faith. It is by obedience that we gather light into our souls.

"But sometimes I think we misunderstand obedience. We may see obedience as an end in itself, rather than a means to an end. Or we may pound the metaphorical hammer of obedience against the iron anvil of the commandments in an effort to shape those we love, through constant heating and repeated battering, into holier, heavenly matter.

"No doubt about it, there are times when we need a stern call to repentance. Certainly, there are some who may be reached only in this manner.

"But perhaps there is a different metaphor that can explain why we obey the commandments of God. Maybe obedience is not so much the process of bending, twisting, and pounding our souls into something we are not. Instead, it is the process by which we discover what we truly are made of....

"The fundamental divinity of our nature remains. And the moment we choose to incline our hearts to our beloved Savior and set foot upon the path of discipleship, something miraculous happens. The love of God fills our hearts, the light of truth fills our minds, we start to lose the desire to sin, and we do not want to walk any longer in darkness. (See John 8:12.)

"We come to see obedience not as a punishment but as a liberating path to our divine destiny. And gradually, the corruption, dust, and limitations of this earth begin to fall away. Eventually, the priceless, eternal spirit of the heavenly being within us is revealed, and a radiance of goodness becomes our nature."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home," General Conference, April 2016, Sunday morning session
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There is a profound difference between "faith" and "faithfulness." But to me, it's hard to understand that one could truly possess faith in Jesus Christ but not have a deep commitment to faithfulness in following the principles He taught. President Uchtdorf warns about outward signs of faith, including eloquence and articulateness in religious topics, in a life that has not shown evidence in how its conducted, and in the way daily decisions are made. If faith is alive and vibrant, there will be correlation in the principle of obedience.

This is a beautiful and profound statement: "Obedience is the lifeblood of faith. It is by obedience that we gather light into our souls." So it is in obedience that faith finds its "lifeblood" or the force of existence and thriving; and it is obedience that brings greater light and power to a soul.

President Uchtdorf clarifies that how we think about obedience can make a great difference. We can't just view it as an imposed burden, as constricting burdens to oppress our journey, as a tedious process of forcing us into the proper form. Rather, it's a wonderful process of self-discovery as we learn about our true natures and uncover the blessedness of a life aligned with God.

I love the thought that "the moment we choose to incline our hearts to our beloved Savior" and choose the path of discipleship, "something miraculous happens." It doesn't require a long and arduous process to see things change; it happens in the moment that we truly commit to Him. Then we feel the change and the blessing as His love and His light come into our lives in wonderful ways. Soon "a radiance of goodness becomes our nature." What a beautiful promise!

Henry B. Eyring on lifting and serving others

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.

"I am grateful to be with you in this evening of worship, reflection, and dedication. We have prayed together. Our loving Heavenly Father has heard us. We have remembered our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, as we have been touched by hymns of praise to Him. We have been inspired to do more to help our Master in His work to lift up and to succor the children of our Heavenly Father.

"Our desire to serve others is magnified by our gratitude for what the Savior has done for us. That is why our hearts swell when we hear the words sung 'Because I have been given much, I too must give' (Hymns, no. 219). King Benjamin, in his great sermon recorded in the Book of Mormon, promised that feeling of gratitude would come (see Mosiah 2:17-19).

"When our faith in Jesus Christ leads us to qualify for the joy of His forgiveness, we feel a desire to serve others for Him....

"So, with those feelings, the first thing you must commit to do is to go and serve, knowing that you do not go alone. When you go to comfort and serve anyone for the Savior, He prepares the way before you."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good," General Conference, April 2016, General Women's Session
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I have often felt the spirit President Eyring describes as I've attended wonderful, uplifting meetings in the Church: the inspired desire "to do more to help our Master in His work to lift up and to succor the children of our Heavenly Father." But I am not sure I have always responded to those feelings in the ways I should have.

The source of these inspirations is described in these words:

Because of all the Savior has done for us, a person with a truly grateful heart will be eager to follow His example and "Do unto others." It is reassuring to know that we are never alone in those efforts to serve; God promises that He will guide and sustain us in our efforts, preparing the way before us.

So now the invitation and challenge is to respond more actively and find ways to "serve others for Him." I was grateful for the renewed emphasis on this topic in the most recent conference, and hope to see the fruits in the lives of many around me.

Thomas S. Monson on the importance of making right choices

President Thomas S. Monson (b. 1927) 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 until becoming Church president in 2008.

"May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the adversary—a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals.

"Although it is imperative that we choose wisely, there are times when we will make foolish choices. The gift of repentance, provided by our Savior, enables us to correct our course settings, that we might return to the path which will lead us to that celestial glory we seek.

"May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

"As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Choices," General Conference, April 2016, Sunday morning session
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President Monson's remarks in the most recent general conference were brief, but very meaningful. He reminded us that we have choices in life, including the critical one "to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith" that can protect and sustain us though life, and lead us onward to our best goals.

Sometimes we make wrong choices, even "foolish choices" as we are confronted by situations in our lives. President Monson reminds us that the Savior's gift of repentance through His atonement provides the means to correct the consequences of the choice and return ourselves to the correct path.

I was especially touched by these closing words:

I wonder how often it's true that right choices are harder and wrong choices are easier. I think perhaps that's true in the beginning; but as an individual continues in making good choices, I think those choices become easier and easier to the point where "we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). The choice to "come unto Christ" ultimately is the one upon which all others depend; so "if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice." How true that is.

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).