President Howard W. Hunter on lives centered on Christ

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

"My message to you today is to 'fear not, little flock.' It is to encourage you to rejoice in the great blessings of life. It is to invite you to feel the great thrill of gospel living and our Father in Heaven's love. Life is wonderful, even in the hard times, and there is happiness, joy, and peace at stops all along the way, and endless portions of them at the end of the road.

"Sure, there are plenty of things to worry about—some of them very serious things—but that is why we speak in gospel terms of faith, and hope, and charity. As Latter-day Saints, ours is 'the abundant life,' and we try to emphasize our blessings and opportunities while we minimize our disappointments and worries. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the scripture says, 'and all things shall work together for your good' (D&C 90:24). I want to remind you of that promise....

"Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Fear Not, Little Flock," BYU Devotional, March 14, 1989
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

I've always loved the words President Hunter quotes, given anciently by the Savior (Luke 12:32) and then re-emphasized in modern revelation:

"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail." (D&C 6:34)

It does not matter what is happening around us, or to us. "Life is wonderful, even in the hard times." With the perspective of eternal hope and the understanding of God's love for us, there truly is "happiness, joy, and peace at stops all along the way, and endless portions of them at the end of the road."

However, the reminder from D&C 90:24 is also very important. All things will work together for our good, if we demonstrate to God our willingness to follow in faith and obey with diligence.