Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the joy of choosing to turn to God

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.

"As in the days of Nehor and Korihor, we live in a time not long before the advent of Jesus Christ—in our case, the time of preparation for His Second Coming. And similarly, the message of repentance is often not welcomed. Some profess that if there is a God, He makes no real demands upon us (see Alma 18:5). Others maintain that a loving God forgives all sin based on simple confession, or if there actually is a punishment for sin, 'God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God' (2 Nephi 28:8). Others, with Korihor, deny the very existence of Christ and any such thing as sin. Their doctrine is that values, standards, and even truth are all relative. Thus, whatever one feels is right for him or her cannot be judged by others to be wrong or sinful.

"On the surface such philosophies seem appealing because they give us license to indulge any appetite or desire without concern for consequences. By using the teachings of Nehor and Korihor, we can rationalize and justify anything. When prophets come crying repentance, it 'throws cold water on the party.' But in reality the prophetic call should be received with joy. Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.

"Repentance exists as an option only because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is His infinite sacrifice that 'bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance' (Alma 34:15). Repentance is the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which 'mercy can satisfy the demands of justice' (Alma 34:16)."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "The Divine Gift of Repentance," General Conference October 2011
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Elder Christofferson suggests that in our world today, we are seeing an ancient pattern re-expressed: the adversary continues to attempt to confuse believers with philosophical arguments about the nature of God and of sin, getting many off-course with his deceptions. The fundamental nature of eternal principles, commandments, sin, and obedience are so critical to understand. And the interplay of repentance in that situation is perhaps the most critical of all, since that is the key that opens the door to "real progress or improvement in life":

How rarely do we think of repentance in such a positive, encouraging way! It's the source of joy and peace, and even thinking about the prospect of repenting should bring happiness to us. It truly is the reason for celebration and rejoicing in our lives! How grateful we should be, always and forever, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes it possible to us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Quentin L. Cook on persistence in family scripture study

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.

"Clearly, a dividing line between those who hear the music of faith and those who are tone-deaf or off-key is the active study of the scriptures....

"I hope we are reading the Book of Mormon with our children regularly. I have discussed this with my own children. They have shared with me two observations. First, persistence in reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key. My daughter in a lighthearted way describes their early-morning efforts with mostly teenage children to consistently read the scriptures. She and her husband wake up early in the morning and move through the blurry mist to grasp the iron railing that lines their staircase to where their family gathers to read the word of God. Persistence is the answer, and a sense of humor helps. It requires great effort from every family member every day, but it is worth the effort. Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence....

"We know that family scripture study and family home evenings are not always perfect. Regardless of the challenges you face, do not become discouraged."

- Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith," General Conference April 2012
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We often underestimate the importance of "active study of the scriptures" in our lives. Elder Cook reminds us how critical that is for us, and for parents who are teaching their children:

Most families face challenges in finding the patterns of consistent and beneficial scripture study. Elder Cook encourages patience and steadiness: "Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence." We may not think our efforts are doing much good, but we often underestimate the impact of those ongoing and consistent efforts.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder David A. Bednar on what we do and what we are

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"The thirteenth article of faith begins, 'We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men.' It is significant to me that the first trait listed in this inspired summary of basic Christian virtues is honesty. Indeed, the very fountain and foundation of our daily discipleship are integrity and honesty.

"People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach. And the Savior stands as the finest example. He said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me' (John 14:6). It is not just that the Son of God brought light into a darkened and fallen world; He is the Light (see 3 Ne. 11:11). It is not just that our Savior showed us the way; He is the Way. It is not just that Christ made the resurrection available; He is the Resurrection (see John 11:25). And it is not just that Jesus of Nazareth restored the truth and taught the truth; He is the Truth."

- David A. Bednar, "Be Honest," BYU-Idaho devotional September 10, 2002; see New Era October 2005, p. 7
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Virtues such as honesty seem so basic and fundamental to Christian discipleship. And on the surface, perhaps in our interactions with others, we seem to do a fairly good job. But Elder Bednar is talking about a more in-depth view of that virtue and its companion integrity, relating to the deeper motivations and subtleties of our behavior and actions.

So in this interpretation, integrity relates more to not just what we do, but what we are in our internal and spiritual motivations. And what we are will then define what we do.

The Savior is the premiere example; it's not just what He did, but what He is that demonstrate the power of His life and message. As our hearts and motivations become pure and clarified, we will realize how much of our discipleship depends on that same principle.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on rising up when we fall

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 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 to 2018.

"Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.

"We know this mortal life is a test. But because our Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love, He shows us where to find the answers. He has given us the map that allows us to navigate the uncertain terrain and unexpected trials that each of us encounters. The words of the prophets are part of this map.

"When we stray—when we fall or depart from the way of our Heavenly Father—the words of the prophets tell us how to rise up and get back on track.

"Of all the principles taught by prophets over the centuries, one that has been emphasized over and over again is the hopeful and heartwarming message that mankind can repent, change course, and get back on the true path of discipleship.

"That does not mean that we should be comfortable with our weaknesses, mistakes, or sins. But there is an important difference between the sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Can Do It Now!" General Conference October 2013
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I've learned from my outdoor experiences that even the strongest hikers occasionally stumble and fall! Some of us do it more frequently than others. President Uchtdorf employed that analogy in discussing our spiritual lives to remind us that it's not the fall that matters, ultimately—but how we respond to it. The most important thing is to get back up quickly, "dust ourselves off" (repent), and begin moving forward again:

One of the keys President Uchtdorf shared was that we should know and follow the words of the prophets to help us remain on the proper path in life, to avoid losing our way and getting off-course. The prophets will continue to remind, as they always have, that repentance is available and will bless our lives, regardless of where we are and what has happened in our past.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the Church as a hospital and not a monastery

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 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.

"Mercy, with its sister virtue forgiveness, is at the very heart of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the eternal plan of salvation. Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past.

"Now, if you feel too spiritually maimed to come to the feast, please realize that the Church is not a monastery for perfect people, though all of us ought to be striving on the road to godliness. No, at least one aspect of the Church is more like a hospital or an aid station, provided for those who are ill and want to get well, where one can get an infusion of spiritual nutrition and a supply of sustaining water in order to keep on climbing.

"In spite of life’s tribulations and as fearful as some of our prospects are, I testify that there is help for the journey. There is the Bread of Eternal Life and the Well of Living Water. Christ has overcome the world—our world—and His gift to us is peace now and exaltation in the world to come. (See D&C 59:23.) Our fundamental requirement is to have faith in Him and follow Him—always."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things," General Conference October 1997
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The idea of describing the Church as a place of healing, and not merely a place to display or honor the healthy and perfect, has a long history. It was employed in a 1964 article by advice columnist Abigail Van Buren ("Dear Abby"). A variation is attributed to the early Christian theologian St. Augustine. And it may even have its roots in the words of the Savior Himself: "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick..." (Mark 2:17).

However, we still seem to struggle with that idea, and hence Elder Holland's reminder. We come to Church to be "made whole" and to "get well" from whatever ailment is holding us down, holding us back.

"Spiritual nutrition" and "sustaining water" are wonderful symbolic promises. Elder Holland emphasizes in his talk the blessing of both the "Bread of Eternal Life and the Well of Living Water" that are offered to us, as we turn to God in faith.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President M. Russell Ballard on the sacred role of teachers

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.

"Surely no teachers in the Church are more important than fathers and mothers. No classroom is more important than the home. Parents have been commanded to teach their children the gospel. (See D&C 68:25.)

"My brothers and sisters, I believe that every human soul is teaching something to someone nearly every minute here in mortality. May we consider with great reverence the trust that the Lord has placed in us to 'teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.' (D&C 88:77.)

"May I urge each member of the Church, when you are serving as a teacher, to remember that every human soul is precious to our Father in Heaven, for we are all his children. God’s children are entitled to be taught the truths of the gospel in clear and understandable terms so that the Spirit can confirm the truths of the gospel to them."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Teaching—No Greater Call," General Conference April 1983
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For years, the message "Teaching—No Greater Call" has been emphasized in the Church. The role we all play as teachers is far more important than we often acknowledge. President Ballard helped to explain that emphasis in this address, as he gave perspective on how that role is a part of so much that we do, both in formal callings and in informal settings. Being a parent in the home is certainly one of the most crucial teaching settings.

This insight was interesting—we truly are teaching far more frequently, even constantly, than we realize:

So we are "teaching something to someone nearly every minute" of our lives. If not in words, it's in our attitude, our actions, our priorities. Those around us notice the message more than we know, and so it is important that we never waver from the clear and pure message of righteousness. Since we are all God's children, we all deserve to be taught through righteous examples "so that the Spirit can confirm the truths of the gospel" in each of our hearts.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Spencer W. Kimball on the need for faithful devotion in today's world

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

"It seems that at no time in world history has there been a greater need for understanding and blending the wholesome and divine teachings of the Master into our lives and into all our dealings with our fellowmen. I say to everyone within the sound of my voice, 'Do not fail the Lord.' We must accept the truth that the gospel principles are not on trial but that we are. The teachings of Jesus as revealed through the ancient and modern prophets are constant and unchanging.

"The history of man evidences that these teachings are true. The rise and fall of civilizations according to the alternating righteousness and wickedness of the peoples proclaim the need to hear and to heed the Savior’s divine messages. We must prepare ourselves, both individually and as a church, to defend the gospel truths against a world steeped in atheism and godlessness. We must oppose the so-called intellectuals who reason that they have all the answers, and we must contend mightily with those whose lust for power and worldly gain destroy their sense of right and wrong.

"As members of Christ’s true church we must stand firm today and always for human rights and the dignity of man who is the literal offspring of God in the spirit. We cannot condone a separation of our religious beliefs from our daily living. Righteousness must prevail in our lives and in our homes."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Fortify Your Homes Against Evil," General Conference April 1979
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Kimball's voice was weak, ravaged by cancer and age; but his message was always clear and strong. I particularly enjoyed this talk, as he shared with Church members a sense of his vision for their duties and opportunities in the face of a challenging world. Never has there been a greater need for living the teachings of the Master:

In this talk, President Kimball used the phrase "we must" a total of 16 times as the tried to convey the need of faithfulness and obedience to his audience. Even in this short excerpt, notice the urgency of his invitations:

• we must recognize that we are being tried on how we can live gospel truths
• we must be intellectually prepared to stand up for our beliefs
• we must be ready to contend against intellectualism
• we must oppose those who lose a moral sense in their desire for power and profit
• we must stand firm in defense of the rights and dignities of men

This message, of how much the Lord depends on us and is counting on our efforts in His work, should inspire us to greater efforts and faithfulness in the things that matter most.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)