President J. Reuben Clark Jr. on feeling the inspiration of instructions from leaders

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (September 1, 1871 – October 6, 1961) was a prominent attorney who served as Under Secretary of State during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, and later as the US Ambassador to Mexico. He was called as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant starting in April 1933, and was ordained an apostle a year and a half later. He went on to serve as counselor to Presidents George Albert Smith and David O. McKay before he passed away in 1961 at age 90.

"The very words of the revelation (D&C 68:2-4) recognize that the Brethren may speak when they are not 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost,' yet only when they do so speak, as so 'moved upon,' is what they say Scripture. No exceptions are given to this rule or principle. It is universal in its application.

"The question is, how shall we know when the things they have spoken were said as they were 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost'?

"I have given some thought to this question, and the answer thereto so far as I can determine, is: We can tell when the speakers are 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost' only when we, ourselves, are 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost.'

"In a way, this completely shifts the responsibility from them to us to determine when they so speak."

- J. Reuben Clark, "When Are the Writings and Sermons of Church Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Being Scripture?", address at BYU on July 7, 1954; see Church News, July 31, 1954
Click here to read the full article

The description of this event indicates that President Clark was asked to respond directly to the question about how we recognize "modern scripture" as delivered by Church leaders. His response is instructive and beneficial to us today.

One of the intriguing insights of modern scripture is the instruction given to early members of the Church through Joseph Smith, as recorded in 1831, where they were told that not only must the person delivering a message "preach it by the Spirit of truth" and by no other way, but also the one receiving must receive in the same manner, in order that the two may be "edified and rejoice together" (D&C 50:17-22). There is a power of communication that occurs when spirit speaks to spirit in this manner.

President Clark applied this same principle to the question of our interaction with Church leaders. They sometimes speak formally and authoritatively, based on inspiration from God; at other times, they may speak only personal opinion or commentary. Those who are in tune and practiced with the Spirit's role in communication will know the difference, and be edified as the Spirit teaches and confirms.

The article by President Clark goes on to consider other aspects of the question and is very worthwhile to review.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
September 29, 2017

President J. Reuben Clark on the God's love for all His children

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (September 1, 1871 – October 6, 1961) was a prominent attorney who served as Under Secretary of State during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, and later as the US Ambassador to Mexico. He was called as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant starting in April 1933, and was ordained an apostle a year and a half later. He went on to serve as counselor to Presidents George Albert Smith and David O. McKay before he passed away in 1961 at age 90.

"I am not a strict constructionalist, believing that we seal our eternal progress by what we do here. It is my belief that God will save all of His children that he can: and while, if we live unrighteously here, we shall not go to the other side in the same status, so to speak, as those who lived righteously; nevertheless, the unrighteous will have their chance, and in the eons of the eternities that are to follow, they, too, may climb to the destinies to which they who are righteous and serve God, have climbed to those eternities that are to come."

- J. Reuben Clark, Church News, 23 April 1960, p. 3

This is a fascinating excerpt. There is much we don't understand about the eternities, and sometimes what we assume is a doctrine has not been officially pronounced to be so. That is the case when our eternal options of progression are considered.

President Clark comes down strongly on the "merciful and loving God" side of the discussion:

There is certainly much to anticipate and hope for in eternity. Joseph Smith pointed that out early in our dispensation:

"When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave."
- Joseph Smith, TPJS 348

We should be very grateful for a loving God who will do all He can to assist us in "working out our salvation" as long as we are willing to continue to do our part!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President J. Reuben Clark Jr. on feeling the inspiration of instructions from leaders

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (September 1, 1871 – October 6, 1961) was a prominent attorney who served as Under Secretary of State during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, and later as the US Ambassador to Mexico. He was called as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant starting in April 1933, and was ordained an apostle a year and a half later. He went on to serve as counselor to Presidents George Albert Smith and David O. McKay before he passed away in 1961 at age 90.

"The very words of the revelation (D&C 68:2-4) recognize that the Brethren may speak when they are not 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost,' yet only when they do so speak, as so 'moved upon,' is what they say Scripture. No exceptions are given to this rule or principle. It is universal in its application.

"The question is, how shall we know when the things they have spoken were said as they were 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost'?

"I have given some thought to this question, and the answer thereto so far as I can determine, is: We can tell when the speakers are 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost' only when we, ourselves, are 'moved upon by the Holy Ghost.'

"In a way, this completely shifts the responsibility from them to us to determine when they so speak."

- J. Reuben Clark, "When Are the Writings and Sermons of Church Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Being Scripture?", address at BYU on July 7, 1954; see Church News, July 31, 1954
Click here to read the full article

The description of this event indicates that President Clark was asked to respond directly to the question about how we recognize "modern scripture" as delivered by Church leaders. His response is instructive and beneficial to us today.

One of the intriguing insights of modern scripture is the instruction given to early members of the Church through Joseph Smith, as recorded in 1831, where they were told that not only must the person delivering a message "preach it by the Spirit of truth" and by no other way, but also the one receiving must receive in the same manner, in order that the two may be "edified and rejoice together" (D&C 50:17-22). There is a power of communication that occurs when spirit speaks to spirit in this manner.

President Clark applied this same principle to the question of our interaction with Church leaders. They sometimes speak formally and authoritatively, based on inspiration from God; at other times, they may speak only personal opinion or commentary. Those who are in tune and practiced with the Spirit's role in communication will know the difference, and be edified as the Spirit teaches and confirms.

The article by President Clark goes on to consider other aspects of the question and is very worthwhile to review.

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

President J. Reuben Clark Jr. on the power of music to bring us to God

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (September 1, 1871 – October 6, 1961) was a prominent attorney who served as Under Secretary of State during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, and later as the US Ambassador to Mexico. He was called as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant starting in April 1933, and was ordained an apostle a year and a half later. He went on to serve as counselor to Presidents George Albert Smith and David O. McKay before he passed away in 1961 at age 90.

“We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.”
- J. Reuben Clark Jr., Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111

Today's quote is short and sweet, but packed with meaning and invitation. President Clark's insight about the power and influence music can have on our souls is important to ponder. And his comment and comparison are particularly appropriate, given the Lord's description: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (D&C 25:12)

In my mind, this simple statement then challenges me to ponder two questions:

• Given that Satan always counterfeits the Lord's most powerful tools, am I being careful to select the right kind of music that will truly help bring me nearer to the Lord?
• And am I actively using the power of beautiful music as a tool for good in my life as I strive to be close to Him?

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

The First Presidency on the holy calling of motherhood

During the opening session of the October 1942 general conference, a message from the First Presidency (President Heber J. Grant, 1st Counselor J. Reuben Clark Jr., and 2nd Counselor David O. McKay) was read by President Clark.

"Motherhood thus becomes a holy calling, a sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord's plans, a consecration of devotion to the uprearing and fostering, the nurturing in body, mind, and spirit, of those who kept their first estate and who come to this earth for their second estate 'to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (Abr. 3:25). To lead them to keep their second estate is the work of motherhood and 'they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever' (Abr. 3:26).

"This divine service of motherhood can be rendered only by mothers. It may not be passed to others. Nurses cannot do it; public nurseries cannot do it; hired help cannot do it—only mother, aided as much as may be by the loving hands of father, brothers, and sisters, can give the full needed measure of watchful care.

"The mother who entrusts her child to the care of others, that she may do non-motherly work, whether for gold, for fame, or for civic service, should remember that 'a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame' (Prov. 29:15). In our day the Lord has said that unless parents teach their children the doctrines of the Church 'the sin be upon the heads of the parents' (D&C 68:25).

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say God bless and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to fill to the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours. To you mothers and mothers-to-be we say: Be chaste, keep pure, live righteously, that your posterity to the last generation may call you blessed."

- Message of the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., David O. McKay), General Conference, October 1942; see Conference Report, October 1942, pp. 12-13; see Clark, Messages of the First Presidency 6:170-185
Click here to read the full talk

This remarkable statement, coming in a sad and troubled time as a World War raged on, gives us an amazing vision and understanding of the sacred role of motherhood in the Lord's plan. These phrases indicate a little of that vision, that seems hardly to be understood in the world of our day:

• holy calling
• sacred devotion
• consecration of devotion
• nurturing in body, mind, and spirit
• divine service
• watchful care
• near to divinity
• highest, holiest service

What an amazing, sacred, precious gift this is! What an eternal responsibility and duty! How fortunate we are, in contrast to the world at large, to see so many around us who grasp that concept and magnify the holy calling with faith and personal sacrifice. Surely, God will "bless and protect" those who demonstrate "the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty" of motherhood.

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

J. Reuben Clark on the unquenchable light of the gospel

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (September 1, 1871 – October 6, 1961) was a prominent attorney who served as Under Secretary of State during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, and later as the US Ambassador to Mexico. He was called as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant starting in April 1933, and was ordained an apostle a year and a half later. He went on to serve as counselor to Presidents George Albert Smith and David O. McKay before he passed away in 1961 at age 90.

"Every human being is born with the light of faith kindled in his heart as on an altar, and that light burns and the Lord sees that it burns, during the period before we are accountable. When accountability comes then each of us determines how we shall feed and care for that light. If we shall live righteously that light will glow until it diffuses the whole body, giving to it health and strength and spiritual light as well as bodily health.  If we shall live unrighteously that light will dwindle and finally almost flicker out.

"Yet it is my hope and my belief that the Lord never permits the light of faith wholly to be extinguished in any human heart, however faint the light may glow. The Lord has provided that there shall still be there a spark which, with teaching, with the spirit of righteousness, with love, with tenderness, with example, with living the Gospel, shall brighten and glow again, however darkened the mind may have been. And if we shall fail so to reach those among us of our own whose faith has dwindled low, we shall fail in one of the main things which the Lord expects at our hands."

- J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Conference Report, Oct. 1936, p. 114

President Clark presents an interesting description of the "light of faith" that is kindled in every being, and burns in our childhood. Once we are "accountable," we determine for ourselves how we "feed and care for that light." His description of what can happen when we live appropriately is inspiring:

President Clark also offers hope to those who struggle with a loss of faith, in themselves or in one they love and care about: