President Henry B. Eyring on peace through family efforts

President Henry B. Eyring (born May 31, 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.

"There is the key to leading your family to rise to that spiritual place you want for them—and for you to be there with them. As you help them grow in faith that Jesus Christ is their loving Redeemer, they will feel a desire to repent. As they do, humility will begin to replace pride. As they begin to feel what the Lord has given them, they will want to share more generously. Rivalry for prominence or recognition will diminish. Hate will be driven out by love. And finally, like it did for the people converted by King Benjamin, the desire to do good will fortify them against temptation to sin. King Benjamin’s people testified that they had 'no more disposition to do evil.' (Mosiah 5:2)

"So building faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning of reversing spiritual decline in your family and in your home. That faith is more likely to bring repentance than your preaching against each symptom of spiritual decline."

- Henry B. Eyring, "A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

In our time, in so many ways, there are challenges that confront families. President Eyring's message in the recent conference offered suggestions and encouragement to assist in confronting those demands. This except shares a key concept: parents can achieve more by nurturing faith in Jesus Christ than by preaching and reprimanding:

As we grow in faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what our age or circumstance, we are transformed. That faith leads to emulation, and to a change in heart and nature. Not only are we blessed as individuals, but all around us are blessed as well!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Dallin H. Oaks on repentance and atonement

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.

"Christ redeems, and His Atonement is real.

"The loving compassion of our Savior is expressed in the great hymn just performed by the choir.

"Come unto Jesus; He’ll ever heed you,
Though in the darkness you’ve gone astray.
His love will find you and gently lead you
From darkest night into day. ('Come unto Jesus,' Hymns, no. 117.)

"The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ opens the door for 'all men [to] repent and come unto him' (Doctrine and Covenants 18:11; see also Mark 3:28; 1 Nephi 10:18; Alma 34:8, 16). The book of Alma reports repentance and forgiveness even of those who had been a wicked and a bloodthirsty people (see Alma 25:16; 27:27, 30). My message today is one of hope for all of us, including those who have lost their membership in the Church by excommunication or name removal. We are all sinners who can be cleansed by repentance. 'To repent from sin is not easy,' Elder Russell M. Nelson taught in a prior general conference. 'But the prize is worth the price.' (Russell M. Nelson, 'Repentance and Conversion,' Ensign, May 2007, 102)"

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Cleansed by Repentance," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This message from President Oaks in the most recent conference was one of kind invitation and hope, encouraging all to take advantage of the blessings offered to us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the tender hymn that he quoted in his introduction:

As we truly and humbly "Come Unto Jesus" in our individual and personal lives, we will find peace and comfort—even though we may have "gone astray" in some areas of our life. All we need to do is accept His invitation and follow Him.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Russell M. Nelson on the importance of families

President Russell M. Nelson (born 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 became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

[Earlier in this talk, President Nelson described meeting a man who had frantically searched for his family in the aftermath of a massive fire, and the feelings of concern and desperation the man had experienced. President Nelson likened that experience to our own desires to see our families safe and saved.]

"In that coming day when you will complete your mortal probation and enter the spirit world, you will be brought face-to-face with that heart-wrenching question: 'Where is my family?'

"Jesus Christ teaches the way back to our eternal home. He understands our Heavenly Father’s plan of eternal progression better than any of us. After all, He is the keystone of it all. He is our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior.

"Ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, Jesus the Christ has offered His mighty arm to help all who choose to follow Him. Repeatedly, scriptures record that despite all kinds of sins from all kinds of people, His arms are outstretched still."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Come, Follow Me," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Any parent, or any family member for that matter, feels deep concern for the welfare of those who are closest and dearest. We want them to feel the love of the Savior and be choosing the right. President Nelson teaches that the greatest safety and refuge is in and through the Savior, Jesus Christ—"our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior."

How blessed we are to know of His unending love, symbolized by the open, outstretched arms waiting to welcome in a loving embrace!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

Elder David A. Bednar on being sensitive to the needs of others

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.

"Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward. If such a capacity is indeed the ultimate criterion of moral character, then the Savior of the world is the perfect example of such a consistent and charitable character."

- David A. Bednar, "The Character of Christ," BYU-Idaho Religion Symposium, January 25, 2003
Click here to read the full talk

There are many different definitions of "character" that might be employed. Elder Bednar's suggestion is an interesting one. How readily does a person see through his (or her) own challenges in order to recognize that others around him may be dealing with that same challenge? And then is he able to offer support and encouragement, in spite of the burden that is being borne?

As in so many other things, we are invited to follow the example of the Savior; and we will be blessed as we do.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Boyd K. Packer on finding peace and safety on Zion's Hill

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve (a position that no longer exists) from 1961 to 1970, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He served as president of that Quorum from 1994 until his death in 2015 at age 90.

"There is in the Church a central core of power deeper than programs or meetings or associations. It does not change. It cannot erode. It is constant and certain. It never recedes or fades.

"While the Church is housed in chapels, it lives in the heart and soul of every Latter-day Saint.

"Everywhere in the world, humble members draw inspiration from the scriptures to guide them through life, not fully understanding that they have found that 'pearl of great price' (Matt. 13:46) about which the Lord spoke to His disciples.

"When Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph, collected hymns for the first hymnbook, she included 'Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah,' which is, in fact, a prayer:

"When the earth begins to tremble,
Bid our fearful thoughts be still;
When thy judgments spread destruction,
Keep us safe on Zion's hill. (Hymns, no. 83.)

"Every soul who willingly affiliates with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and seeks to abide by its principles and ordinances is standing 'on Zion's hill.'

"Each can receive assurance which comes through inspiration and testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is just as He declared it to be, 'the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth' (D&C 1:30)."

- Boyd K. Packer, "On Zion's Hill," General Conference October 2005
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

I love to ponder what President Packer called a "central core of power" that is fundamental to the Church on earth. That power derives from heaven, through the Lord's prophets, His written word, and His spirit that will bless and guide us. As we discover how to draw upon that "core," we will find safety and peace:

There are times in each of our lives when we seem to feel our earth trembling, when we are almost overcome by "fearful thoughts," and when destruction seems to lie all around us. Those are the times when we can most acutely feel the precious safety of being "on Zion's hill" where we will find true protection.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the blessing of repetition

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.

"Don’t discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.

"Prophets have always taught by repetition; it is a law of learning. You will hear repetition in themes and doctrines in general conference. Let me reassure you: this is not due to a lack of creativity or imagination. We continue to hear messages on similar issues because the Lord is teaching and impressing upon our minds and hearts certain foundational principles of great eternal importance that must be understood and acted upon before we can move on to other things. A wise builder first lays the foundation before erecting the walls and the roof."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "General Conference—No Ordinary Blessing," Ensign, September 2011, p. 2
Click here to read the full article

I have personally been paying attention to general conference since my early teenage years, so that's about 50 years, twice a year. With 100 sessions of general conference, and typically about 6 talks per session, that's a LOT of talks, and a lot of chances for themes, topics, stories, scriptures, and applications to be repeated or reused! President Uchtdorf reminded us that there is nothing wrong about repetitive themes or talks; we should expect them, and recognize in them the blessing of being reminded, of having testimonies confirmed.

If we recognize repeated themes as "foundational principles of great eternal importance," we should be eager to focus on them and seek for blessings that come from pondering and applying the teachings. We will always be blessed to re-strengthen foundations as we continue to build upon them!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Russell M. Nelson on the role of the Lord's Prophet

President Russell M. Nelson (born 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 became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

"Prophets see ahead. They see the harrowing dangers the adversary has placed or will yet place in our path. Prophets also foresee the grand possibilities and privileges awaiting those who listen with the intent to obey. I know this is true! I have experienced it for myself over and over again.

"The Lord has promised us that He will never allow the prophet to lead us astray. President Harold B. Lee declared: 'You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory" (D&C 21:6).' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee (2000), 84–85.)

"You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet. But when you know a prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your own witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Becoming True Millennials," Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, January 10, 2016, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

One role of a prophet is to be a seer—a see-er, one who "sees ahead" as President Nelson indicates. They have the opportunity and responsibility to warn us of challenges and dangers, as well as opportunities and blessings.

President Nelson emphasized that we need to "listen with the intent to obey." That emphasis is critical. Our attitude of humility and eagerness to be taught and guided makes all the difference in how we receive prophetic counsel. If we are critical and skeptical, we will not receive the same insights and the same power as will a humble, teachable recipient.

The quotation from President Lee is one that I have pondered for many years, trying to remember and implement its crucial teaching:

It's easy to be critical or skeptical when a teaching contradicts our existing personal interpretation or viewpoint. This caution to trust in God's mouthpiece in those situations is so important. Of course, the ability to do that requires that we start from the position of a firm and abiding testimony of the role and calling of latter-day prophets, seers, and revelators. As President Nelson taught, "when you know a prophet is a prophet" we then can prayerfully petition God for a witness of his teachings, and we will be blessed with that confirmation.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)