Elder Neal A. Maxwell on being high-yield, low-maintenance members

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

"To understand and have faith, therefore, in the character and the purposes of God means that instead of complaining, we accept (more than we do) the menu of life and what is allotted to us. Sometimes with particular individuals that may seem to be the equivalent of 'Eat your spinach' and 'Clean your plate.'

"Part of discipleship should be to become high-yield, low-maintenance members of the Church. These members are not high profile; they won't be on the six o'clock evening news when they die. But they have done what Heavenly Father has wanted them to do meekly and humbly....

"For you and me, to be part of this work amid these kinds of people is a precious thing. Since the Holy Ghost glorifies Christ as indicated, so should we. One of the ways you and I can glorify Christ is by improving and repenting, showing that we take seriously the proffered discipleship that comes from Him. We should care enough about it that it lies at the very center of our lives."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "The Holy Ghost: Glorifying Christ", satellite broadcast address to CES educators, February 2, 2001; see Ensign, July 2002, 56-61
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Faith in God implies that we accept His plan and actions for our life—the "menu of life" that is allotted to us, even if it is challenging or unpleasant. We must strive to contribute to His work in every way possible:

Meek and humble disciples of Christ throughout the world will recognize this principle. The work of God moves ahead largely on the shoulders of the quiet, diligent, low-profile disciples who carry forward in their duties with diligence and commitment, in spite of a lack of recognition or prominence. They give so much more than they take from the process.

The essence of discipleship is to "glorify Christ" instead of oneself. Once He truly lies at the very center of our lives, our desires to serve, and to repent and progress, will be foremost in our lives.

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