Elder M. Russell Ballard on finding life's priorities through challenges

Elder 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.

"Sometimes we need a personal crisis to reinforce in our minds what we really value and cherish. The scriptures are filled with examples of people facing crises before learning how to better serve God and others. Perhaps if you, too, search your hearts and courageously assess the priorities in your life, you may discover, as I did, that you need a better balance among your priorities.

"All of us must come to an honest, open self-examination, an awareness within as to who and what we want to be.

"As most of you know, coping with the complex and diverse challenges of everyday life, which is not an easy task, can upset the balance and harmony we seek. Many good people who care a great deal are trying very hard to maintain balance, but they sometimes feel overwhelmed and defeated....

"Brothers and sisters, we all face these kinds of struggles from time to time. They are common human experiences. Many people have heavy demands upon them stemming from parental, family, employment, church, and civic responsibilities. Keeping everything in balance can be a real problem."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance," General Conference, April 1987
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The challenges that occur in our lives can have many different impacts on us. Elder Ballard suggests that one positive way to handle a "personal crisis" is to spend time evaluating our priorities in life to make sure the balance is proper and appropriate. Particularly at those times when life hangs in the balance, we naturally reconsider what matters most and how we might better prepare for future challenges.

Maintaining the proper balance in our lives is not an easy task. As Elder Ballard notes, many people struggle with the demands that come and end up feeling overwhelmed or even defeated.  In the rest of his address, he gives a series of suggestions of the things that we can do to regain and maintain the proper perspective and balance in life. Click on the link and read the full article!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)