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 on July 3, 2015 at age 90.
"Things of the Spirit need not—indeed, should not—require our uninterrupted time and attention. Ordinary work-a-day things occupy most of our attention. And that is as it should be. We are mortal beings living in this physical world.
"Spiritual things are like leavening. By measure they may be very small, but by influence they affect all that we do. Continuing revelation is fundamental to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"And I assure you that revelation attends our prophet President and those ordained as Apostles, as prophets, seers, and revelators. But revelation is not limited to them. The Lord desires that 'every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world' (D&C 1:20)."
- Boyd K. Packer, "Revelation in a Changing World," General Conference October 1989
Click here to read or listen to the full talk
I appreciated this very realistic perspective from President Packer. So much of life is necessarily consumed by "ordinary work-a-day things" as we do what is needed to survive in our mortal experience. But his point is very well taken: we must have the "spiritual leaven" in its proper portion to give the fulness and richness to all the rest:
Much of that "spiritual leaven" is manifest through "continuing revelation" in our lives. As we are worthy (President Packer discusses in his message the importance of keeping our bodies and minds clean and receptive) and do the things to facilitate divine communication, it will bless all other aspects of our lives.
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)
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