Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on making a masterpiece of our life

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"The third quality of those who live abundant lives is that they, with the help of their Heavenly Father, create a masterpiece of their lives.

"No matter our age, circumstances, or abilities, each one of us can create something remarkable of his life.

"David saw himself as a shepherd, but the Lord saw him as a king of Israel. Joseph of Egypt served as a slave, but the Lord saw him as a seer. Mormon wore the armor of a soldier, but the Lord saw him as a prophet.

"We are sons and daughters of an immortal, loving, and all-powerful Father in Heaven. We are created as much from the dust of eternity as we are from the dust of the earth. Every one of us has potential we can scarcely imagine.

"The Apostle Paul wrote, 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.' (1 Cor. 2:9)

"How is it possible, then, that so many see themselves merely as an old, gray horse that isn’t good for much? There is a spark of greatness within every one of us—a gift from our loving and eternal Heavenly Father. What we do with that gift is up to us.

"Love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Enlist in great and noble causes. Create of your homes sanctuaries of holiness and strength. Magnify your callings in the Church. Fill your minds with learning. Strengthen your testimonies. Reach out to others.

"Create of your life a masterpiece."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Abundant Life," General Conference, April 2006
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In speaking about "The Abundant Life," Elder Wirthlin discussed three characteristics of those who live that kind of richer life: first, "they drink deeply of living waters"; second, "they fill their hearts with love"; and then third, they "create a masterpiece of their lives." In this third section, he describes how any one of us, with God's help, can accomplish that.

There are times when one of the hardest things to remember, but one of the most important things to remember, is that as children of God, "created... from the dust of eternity... every one of us has potential we can scarcely imagine." We truly have the potential to become great. Elder Wirthlin gives a great key to helping us remember that detail: Love God, be deeply involved in His cause, make home a sanctuary, serve faithfully, learn continually, grow in testimony, serve. Great reminders; as we do those things, we will truly create a magnificent life.

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

President James E. Faust on the abundant life and continuing to learn

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"The Savior said, 'I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' (John 10:10.) How is the abundant life to be obtained? The abundant life involves an endless search for knowledge, light, and truth....

"We gain knowledge from two sources. One is the divine and the other is secular. Rex E. Lee has referred to them as the 'rational process and the extrarational process.' (BYU Speeches 1981-82, p. 131.) We are all more familiar with the rational process that we learned in school and through lifelong study. The extrarational, or divine source, is less common. This source is, however, more sure. Both sources may be available to us. Fortunately, we do not have to choose one to the exclusion of the other. Brother Lee continues, 'We should feel equally at home in the academy and in the temple. We should regard each as a center of learning.' (Speeches, p. 132.)

"We are apparently part of an expanding universe. Secular knowledge is expanding very rapidly. Our knowledge of gospel truth is also expanding. Prophets continue to speak. Increased understanding of the scriptures is also possible. And so the opportunities for the abundant life increase as we pursue the quest for truth and knowledge."

- James E. Faust, "The Abundant Life," General Conference, October 1985
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The Savior taught that through Him and His mission, we might have a more abundant life. The word "might" implies that the result is not guaranteed, but only obtained when proper conditions are met. President Faust teaches that we find that abundant life when we continue to "search for knowledge, light, and truth.." Becoming stagnant in the learning process means a loss of progress and richness.

The second great truth is that we should learn both temporally and spiritually, symbolically "in the academy and in the temple." Or, in the language of the Lord, "seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).

There is so much to learn! Temporal knowledge is expanding dramatically as our understanding of the world, the universe, science, life, etc. grows continually. And President Faust teaches that our spiritual opportunities are growing equally as there is an increase of light and understanding being offered to us through today's teachings and technologies. As we apply ourselves to take advantage of all these opportunities, we will truly discover "the abundant life"!

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

President Spencer W. Kimball on our precious mortal probation

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"Oliver Wendall Holmes said: 'Many people die with  their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.' Tagore expressed a similar thought in these words: 'I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung.'

"My plea therefore is this: Let us get our instruments tightly strung and our melodies sweetly sung. Let us not die with our music still in us. Let us rather use this precious mortal probation to move confidently and gloriously upward toward the eternal life which God our Father gives to those who keep his commandments."

- Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 16-17

President Kimball wrote his landmark book The Miracle of Forgiveness to help invite and encourage all to receive the blessings of repentance in their lives. This excerpt comes at the end of the introduction to the book, as he sets the stage for the joy and blessing that come as we accept the invitation to repent and be forgiven. It's in the spirit of Amulek's urgent plea to both his listeners and future readers to "not procrastinate the day of your repentance" (Alma 34:33).

The two quotes that introduce the thought emphasize the frustration of too many of us, failing to accomplish what we could and should in life. We let circumstances or misunderstanding, or even transgression, hold us back from truly living with joy and fullness. So President Kimball offers this sincere and heartfelt plea:

What a sweet and hopeful expression! We all have beautiful melodies inside us, that we need to allow to flow out freely and bring joy both to us and those around us. We should not let anything hold us back from living life to the fullest! We need to move "confidently and gloriously upward" with God's help; as we obey and allow His blessings into our life, we will find that wonderful opportunity to live in joy, with the sweet melodies of life flowing freely.

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

Elder Marvin J. Ashton on the blessings of asking for God's help

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915-1994) served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1971 until his death in 1994 at age 78.

"Our Heavenly Father is so concerned that we do right that he will bless each of us with a sign, if we will ask his counsel. Do we realize that the Lord has promised us a physical manifestation if we but ask him to direct us in the right? In the ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 8, we have this commitment from the Lord:

"'But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.'

"Brothers and sisters, we compromise our blessings, we rationalize ourselves out of the sure and safe way, when we do not ask our God to guide us in the decisions that are part of our daily lives.

"The Lord has promised that he will help us in our pursuit of happiness if we will trust in him and follow his path. The abundant life will be ours if we rely on his strength.... All we need to do to enjoy eternal, happy lives is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "Love of the Right," Ensign, June 1971, pp. 31-32
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Elder Ashton describes God as a loving Father who is eager to guide and assist us on our way in this mortal journey. But He expects that we will ask for help! And as soon as we do, He will confirm to us that our decisions are right and our path is proper. If we fail to ask for guidance, we put ourselves at risk and deny blessings that could otherwise be ours:

I've always loved the phrase "the abundant life," which many leaders have used to describe the path of a faithful disciple. It implies a richness and fulness not available to those not following that path. And that life, according to Elder Ashton, comes simply from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Ezra Taft Benson on following the example of Jesus Christ

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"Christ asked the question as to what manner of men ought we to be. He answered by saying we ought to be even as he is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely fits the pattern of the Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life.

"The constant and most recurring question in our minds, touching every thought and deed of our lives, should be 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' (Acts 9:6). The answer to that question can come through the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost. Fortunate are those who so live that their beings are filled with both of them."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations," BYU devotional Dec 10, 1974; see also Ensign Dec. 1988 p. 2
Click here to read or listen to the whole talk on the BYU websiteClick here to read the whole talk on the Ensign website

President Benson spoke on several occasions of the desire to closely follow the Savior, to walk in His steps and live as He lived. This was a landmark address at a BYU devotional about the topic. He reminds us that true joy and peace in life come when we strive most sincerely to follow the example of the Master.

President Benson mentions the experience Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, when his evil and destructive path was abruptly changed by the Lord. A humbled Paul, "trembling and astonished," now asked that powerful question: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" President Benson suggests that we should all be asking that question in our lives, in every aspect, every thought, every day. If we truly strive to do only what the Lord would have us do, we will be His disciples indeed, and will be firmly on the path to peace and joy.

L. Tom Perry on negative and positive memories

Elder L. Tom Perry (1922-2015) was called as an Assistant to the Twelve in 1972, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1974. At the time of his passing at age 92, he was the oldest living general authority and the third in seniority among the leading quorum.

"I come to you with a question about eternal memories you are building in your lives. Are they followed by the comment 'I wish I had,' or can you say, 'I'm glad I did'? ...

"We all make daily entries in our book of life. Occasionally we examine the entries we are making. What kind of memories will flood your mind as you examine the pages of your personal entries? How many pages will contain 'I wish I had' entries? Will there be entries of procrastination and failure to take advantage of special opportunities? Will you find entries of thoughtlessness in treatment of family, friends, or even strangers? Will there be those of remorse resulting from acts of unrighteousness and disobedience?

"Fortunately, each day brings a clean, white page on which to change entries from 'I wish I had' to 'I'm glad I did' through the process of recognition, remorse, repentance, and restitution. Feelings of depression for past acts or missed opportunities will be outshone by memory banks filled with exhilaration, enthusiasm, and the joy of living....

"My counsel to you is to fill up your memory bank and your book of life with as many 'I'm glad I did' activities as you possibly can (see Mosiah 2:41).

"Find the commitment and discipline to seek after those positive experiences that will lead to liberty and eternal life. It is my witness to you that God lives. It is by conforming our lives to His law that we will find true happiness here and eternal opportunities in the life to come."

- L. Tom Perry, "How to Fill Your Book of Life," from a CES fireside given on November 1, 1992; see New Era, Feb 2014, p. 48
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Elder Perry presents an interesting question to ponder. As we reflect on the memories of our lives and think about past events or activities, do we remember them with fondness and gratitude ("I'm glad I did"), or with regret and dissatisfaction ("I wish I had")?

Elder Perry's encouragement was to endeavor to make as many "I'm glad I did" memories as we can. That means living each day as well as we can, making the best possible choices, ensuring that priorities are clearly defined and carefully followed, and seeking always for spiritual guidance.

Hugh B. Brown on the search for happiness

Elder Hugh B. Brown (October 24, 1883–December 2, 1975) was called as an Assistant to the Twelve in 1953, then as an apostle in 1958.  He served as a counselor to President David O. McKay from 1961 until President McKay's death in 1970, then for five more years as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until he passed away at age 92.

"There are three qualities one must carry with him in his search for happiness through self-fulfillment: intellectual awareness, social sense, and cultural appetite. A hunger for truth and understanding gnaws at the mind and spirit of man. We must not let our minds be out of breath in trying to keep up with our speeding technological development.

"Great moral teachers have said that many wants will be satisfied within the person who does something to make life a bit better for others. No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of it for anyone else. To feel the warmth of man's brotherhood for man is ennobling. Cooperation in community as well as within the Church is satisfying.

"Usefulness, service, being better each day than you were the day before, adding upon what you have that is worthwhile—this is living. Have a goal and work toward it. Do not lose sight of it. However rough the seas may be, you know there is a shore toward which you are moving. Stay with the ship. Jump overboard and you are irretrievably lost."

- Hugh B. Brown, "What Do You Want out of Life?", New Era, November 1972, p. 5
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That everlasting search for happiness! Where do we find it? How is it achieved? President Brown gives an interesting insight; from his experience, the search for happiness is facilitated by:

• intellectual awareness: a mind that is alert, active, and growing
• social sense: willingness and eagerness to help and bless those around us
• cultural appetite: desire to learn and expand horizons

In other words, we have the ability to control and direct happiness. These things are attitudes within us, not circumstances imposed on us. We find out what real living is as we follow this path diligently:

Spencer W. Kimball on the path to a more abundant life

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"You will find that the more you reflect upon what must be done to have a richer and more abundant life, the more you will be led back to central considerations that are contained in the messages of the Master. If we follow in his footsteps, we can live by faith rather than by fear. If we can share his perspective about people, we can love them, serve them, and reach out to them—rather than feeling anxious and threatened by others.

"During youth and young maturity time flies with great speed. To travel listlessly is just futile. One should have a destination and a goal to reach. One should determine what he wants out of life and then bend every effort toward reaching that goal. He must realize that life is more than meat and drink and fun and fortune. However, it is often easy for young people to follow the line of least resistance and to be found to be 'even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her.' (Morm. 5:18.)"

- Spencer W. Kimball, "The Abundant Life," address given at Weber State College, Ogden, UT on Nov 4, 1977; see Ensign, July 1978 pp. 2-7
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I love President Kimball's teachings. He was the prophet of my youth, and his kind and gentle manner always spoke to my soul as much as his words. There was a sense that he truly knew about "the abundant life," a topic he addressed on several occasions. Here, he teaches that abundance comes only through following the message and example of the Savior, in learning to love, serve, and reach out to others:

What a beautiful promise! If I would have a life that is richer and more full, I must make a greater effort to love and serve my fellowman. And President Kimball suggests that we must set goals if we are to achieve progress in this, and any other, area. If we don't, we "follow the line of least resistance" to a life that is far from ideal, and is in fact directed by the adversary (see Mormon 5:17-18).

Hugh B. Brown on the value of time

Elder Hugh B. Brown (October 24, 1883–December 2, 1975) was called as an Assistant to the Twelve in 1953, then as an apostle in 1958.  He served as a counselor to President David O. McKay from 1961 until President McKay's death in 1970, then for five more years as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until he passed away.

"Learn the true value of time. Seize, snatch, and enjoy every minute of it, for it is limited unto each individual. Live today! Jesus pointed the way when he said, 'Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.' (Matt. 6:34.) We must resolve to live one day at a time, and live that one day to the full. Resolve also that we will extract from every experience of this day something that will make us wiser, happier, more efficient.

"Whatever the individual measure of goodness may be, few men or women wish to be regarded as negligible ciphers in life. What they want is not wealth or pleasure, as such, but the opportunity for rich activity. It is possible to create happiness out of today's work with all its demands, antagonisms, obstacles, disappointments. This requires a resolute heart, a fixed purpose, a mind in control of itself.

"No man wants life to be flat and tasteless. If one's life is to be abundant rather than barren, he must be eternally becoming. Life's dividends are determined by the nature of man's daily investments. A full and rich life is where there is 'a sound mind in a sound body, controlled by a God-filled soul.'"

- Hugh B. Brown, "What Do You Want out of Life?", New Era, November 1972, p. 5
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Wise counsel: "Seize, snatch, and enjoy every minute" of our limited time in life! I love this approach to energized, motivated life: "We must resolve to live one day at a time, and live that one day to the full. Resolve also that we will extract from every experience of this day something that will make us wiser, happier, more efficient."

"If one's life is to be abundant rather than barren, he must be eternally becoming."  Beautiful and profound.

Joseph B. Wirthlin on finding true happiness in life

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with many wonderful people from many walks of life. I have known rich and poor, famous and modest, wise and otherwise.

"Some were burdened with heavy sorrows; others radiated a confident inner peace. Some smoldered with unquenchable bitterness, while others glowed with irrepressible joy. Some appeared defeated, while others—in spite of adversity—overcame discouragement and despair.

"I have heard some claim, perhaps only partly in jest, that the only happy people are those who simply don't have a firm grasp of what is happening around them.

"But I believe otherwise.

"I have known many who walk in joy and radiate happiness.

"I have known many who live lives of abundance.

"And I believe I know why.

"Today, I want to list a few of the characteristics that the happiest people I know have in common. They are qualities that can transform ordinary existence into a life of excitement and abundance.

"First, they drink deeply of living waters....

"The second quality of those who live abundant lives is that they fill their hearts with love....

"The third quality of those who live abundant lives is that they, with the help of their Heavenly Father, create a masterpiece of their lives....

"The abundant life isn't something we arrive at. Rather, it is a magnificent journey that began long, long ages ago and will never, never end."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Abundant Life," Ensign, May 2006, pp. 99-102
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The Savior once taught, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Many have pondered and spoken about that "abundant life" and how we obtain it. Elder Wirthlin counsels us on discovering how to "walk in joy and radiate happiness" as hallmarks of that abundant life.

What a wonderful goal for each of us, to seek to have more abundant lives through the gifts of the Savior!