President M. Russell Ballard on a call to faithful prayer

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.

"I think often of those of you who are suffering, worried, afraid, or feeling alone. I assure each one of you that the Lord knows you, that He is aware of your concern and anguish, and that He loves you—intimately, personally, deeply, and forever....

"Today I expand my call for prayer to all people from every country around the world. No matter how you pray or to whom you pray, please exercise your faith—whatever your faith may be—and pray for your country and for your national leaders. As I said last October in Massachusetts, we stand today at a major crossroads in history, and the nations of the earth are in desperate need of divine inspiration and guidance. This is not about politics or policy. This is about peace and the healing that can come to individual souls as well as to the soul of countries—their cities, towns, and villages—through the Prince of Peace and the source of all healing, the Lord Jesus Christ.

"During the past few months I have had the impression come to me that the best way to help the current world situation is for all people to rely more fully upon God and to turn their hearts to Him through sincere prayer. Humbling ourselves and seeking heaven's inspiration to endure or conquer what is before us will be our safest and surest way to move confidently forward through these troubling times."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always," General Conference October 2020, Sunday morning

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Like many of the speakers in this general conference, President Ballard acknowledged the very challenging circumstances of our modern times. He recalled a prompting he had last year, well before the COVID-19 pandemic and other problems of 2020, to encourage the Saints to "pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people, and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God." He felt profoundly the great need we all have for faithful prayer on behalf of our leaders and our neighbors. Now, a year after that prompting, he shared the impression with members and friends of the Church in all the world in an expanded call:

As we turn our hearts to God and humbly ask for His help, for His "inspiration to endure or conquer" the challenges we face, we will find greater peace in the times of trouble we are facing. Particularly when we are "suffering, worried, afraid, or feeling alone" we can feel the reassurance that "the Lord knows you, that He is aware of your concern and anguish, and that He loves you—intimately, personally, deeply, and forever." It's a beautiful promise.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

President Henry B. Eyring on the blessing of a change in nature

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.

"The way to come unto Him is to feast upon His words, to exercise faith unto repentance, to choose to be baptized and confirmed by His authorized servant, and then to keep your covenants with God. He sends the Holy Ghost to be your companion, comforter, and guide.

"As you live worthy of the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Lord can direct you to safety even when you cannot see the way. For me, He has most often shown the next step or two to take. Rarely has He given me a glimpse of the distant future, but even those infrequent glimpses guide what I choose to do in daily life.

"The Lord explained:

'Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow … much tribulation.

'For after much tribulation come the blessings.' (D&C 58:3–4)

"The greatest blessing that will come when we prove ourselves faithful to our covenants during our trials will be a change in our natures. By our choosing to keep our covenants, the power of Jesus Christ and the blessings of His Atonement can work in us. Our hearts can be softened to love, to forgive, and to invite others to come unto the Savior. Our confidence in the Lord increases. Our fears decrease."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Tested, Proved, and Polished," General Conference October 2020, Sunday afternoon

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This life is replete with challenges. President Eyring's saintly mother taught him from his youth that life is supposed to be hard, in order to provide the opportunities for growth and learning that we all need. But God has promised help as we turn to Him. President Eyring's inspiring words give hope and encouragement to all of us as we face the difficulties of our lives.

This insight was especially meaningful to me. Blessings will come through our faithful obedience, and  the most important of those will be the change in our nature. Our faith allows the power of the Lord's Atonement to work in our lives, bringing about that change. It is by and through Him that our hearts are softened, and that we have power to forgive those who hurt us. Fears disappear through faith and healing. What a precious give.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

President Dallin H. Oaks on appropriate behavior in disagreements

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.

"We live in a time of anger and hatred in political relationships and policies. We felt it this summer when some went beyond peaceful protests and engaged in destructive behavior. We feel it in some current campaigns for public offices. Unfortunately, some of this has even spilled over into political statements and unkind references in our Church meetings.

"In a democratic government we will always have differences over proposed candidates and policies. However, as followers of Christ we must forgo the anger and hatred with which political choices are debated or denounced in many settings....

"Loving our enemies and our adversaries is not easy.... But it must be essential, for it is part of the Savior’s two great commandments to 'love the Lord thy God' and to 'love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew 22:37, 39)....

"The Savior’s teaching not to 'contend with anger' is a good first step. The devil is the father of contention, and it is he who tempts men to contend with anger. He promotes enmity and hateful relationships among individuals and within groups. President Thomas S. Monson taught that anger is 'Satan’s tool,' for 'to be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice.' (Ensign Nov 2009, 68.) Anger is the way to division and enmity. We move toward loving our adversaries when we avoid anger and hostility toward those with whom we disagree. It also helps if we are even willing to learn from them."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Love Your Enemies," General Conference October 2020, Saturday afternoon session
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In this message, President Oaks addressed one of the very troubling issues of our time. Over many years, I've watched these expressions of angry confrontation and personal disagreement, but never worse than the current year. The complexities of the COVID pandemic and the conflicts resulting from racial tensions have combined with a contentious political situation to perhaps "bring out the worst" in people. On each of these three situations, I have seen such angry attacks by people who ought to know better. I have read and heard things from people on each side of each of these issues questioning the intelligence of their "opponents" and accusing them of lack of basic moral sense, or worse questioning motives and accusing of evil intentions. It's amazing to me how "bi-directional" these accusations are!

President Oaks acknowledged the challenge as well, but reminded us that there is a better way.

We must learn to accept that differing opinions can exist. Instead of attacking in anger, we must learn to listen and try to understand. Never is the Golden Rule more important, and the challenge to love our enemies more directly applicable.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

President Russell M. Nelson on continuing to grow in spite of challenges around us

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.

"I pray that we as a people are using this unique time to grow spiritually. We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress. Our spirits long to progress. And we do that best by staying firmly on the covenant path.

"Through it all, our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us! They care for us! They and Their holy angels are watching over us. I know that is true."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Moving Forward," General Conference October 2020, Saturday morning
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General Conference in October 2020 was much anticipated, as members of the Church worldwide had dealt with the most unusual challenges of this year. There was an anticipation of refreshing and strengthening to come from the inspired words of leaders.

As he opened the conference, President Nelson reviewed some of the challenges of the year, as well as some of the unique blessings and opportunities it afforded. "Unusual times can bring unusual rewards," he observed, and that certainly has been true. 

Even though the circumstances of our time are unusual, the most important choices are unchanged. We must still choose to follow Jesus Christ in our lives. We must continue repent and try harder. We must be actively learning and progressing in our personal spirituality—"staying firmly on the covenant path." That is the source of peace and joy in live.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

President Gordon B. Hinckley on a faithful father in a heavenly home

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"As a husband, he would live with respect for his wife, standing side by side with her, never belittling her nor demeaning her, but rather encouraging her in the continued development of her talents and in the church activities which are available to her. He would regard her as the greatest treasure of his life, one with whom he can share his concerns, his innermost thoughts, his ambitions and hopes. There would never be in that home any 'unrighteous dominion' of husband over wife (see D&C 121:37, 39), no assertion of superiority, no assertion of authority, but rather an expression in living which says that these two are equally yoked....

"How beautiful is that home where lives a man of godly manner, who loves those for whose nurture he is responsible, who stands before them as an example of integrity and goodness, who teaches industry and loyalty, not spoiling his children by indulging their every wish, but rather setting before them a pattern of work and service which will underpin their lives forever. How fortunate is the man whose wife radiates a spirit of love, of compassion, of order, of quiet beneficence, whose children show appreciation one for another, who honor and respect their parents, who counsel with them and take counsel from them. Such home life is within the reach of all who have cultivated in their hearts a resolution to do that which will please their Father in Heaven."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "To Please Our Heavenly Father," General Conference April 1985
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President Hinckley was serving as a counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball when this talk was given. He used as his theme a statement from President Kimball, who had said that in his early youth he "made up his mind that he wanted to please his Heavenly Father." President Hinckley suggested that would be a good measure for all the activities of our lives, and then described a number of scenarios in which we could reflect that spirit.

How pleased our Heavenly Father would be if every home reflected the leadership and strength of a father who is committed to the gospel, devoted to his beloved wife, and deeply involved in teaching and nurturing his children:

The goal of every husband and father should be to live in a "godly manner" filled with love and care for those in his stewardship. It's interesting that President Hinckley focuses on the teaching of hard work and service as primary responsibilities of a father. When children learn these habits, they "will underpin their lives forever."

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

Elder David A. Bednar on the enabling power of grace

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.

"I have pondered the instruction of Jacob as contained in the Book of Mormon:

"'Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

"'Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things' (Jacob 4:6–7).

"Brothers and sisters, please pay particular attention to the word grace as it is used in the verse I just read. In the Bible Dictionary we learn that the word grace frequently is used in the scriptures to connote a strengthening or enabling power:

"'The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.

"'… It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts' (p. 697).

"Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real."

- David A. Bednar, "In the Strength of the Lord," General Conference October 2004
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The concept of grace is one of the most important and fascinating gospel themes to ponder and study. I have long been fascinated by the Bible Dictionary's powerful phrase "enabling power." Jacob's insightful description of how the Savior's grace gives us "power to do these things" is foundational to this concept.

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the grace it offers us, we have the ability "to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish" on our own. How important it is for us to come to understand this wonderful power and learn to claim its benefits in our lives!

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

President Heber C. Kimball on prayers and works

President Heber C. Kimball (June 14, 1801-1868) was a member of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles ordained in this dispensation in 1835. He served as first counselor to Brigham Young from 1847 until his death in 1868 at age 67. He was the grandfather of Spencer W. Kimball, who became an apostle in 1943 and served as president of the Church from 1973-1985. His great-great-grandson, Quentin L. Cook, currently serves as an apostle.

"What good do your prayers do, when your works do not correspond? Men may talk about praying, and exhort the people to pray; and if you do not live in a manner to fulfill your prayers, what do they avail you? Faith is dead without works, just as much as my body is dead without my spirit. When my spirit leaves my body, my body is dead; but put them together, and they make a soul—a spirit in a tabernacle. What is the use of our professing to be Saints, unless we live our religion? By our faithfulness and by our good works we shall obtain knowledge."

- Heber C. Kimball, remarks delivered at the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, July 12, 1857; see Journal of Discourses 5:28
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Thought-provoking question: "What good do your prayers do, when your works do not correspond?" One purpose of prayer is to change our hearts, which will result in changed actions and behavior. If that does not happen, the prayers are as empty words.

We must not only pray, but "live in a manner to fulfill [our] prayers." Our actions are critical along with our feelings and sentiments. Our lives must reflect our spiritual commitments and longings!

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