President Dallin H. Oaks on God's love as motivation for the Church's actions

President Dallin H. Oaks (born August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"The teachings and policies of the Lord’s restored Church apply these eternal truths in a way that can be fully understood only in the context of our Heavenly Father’s loving plan for all of His children.

"Thus, we honor individual agency. Most are aware of this Church’s great efforts to promote religious freedom. These efforts are in furtherance of our Heavenly Father’s plan. We seek to help all of His children—not just our own members—enjoy the precious freedom to choose.

"Similarly, we are sometimes asked why we send missionaries to so many nations, even among Christian populations. We are also asked why we give enormous humanitarian aid to persons who are not members of our Church without linking this to our missionary efforts. We do this because the Lord has taught us to esteem all of His children as our brothers and sisters, and we want to share our spiritual and temporal abundance with everyone."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Divine Love in the Father's Plan," General Conference April 2022, Sunday afternoon

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President Oaks spoke in his conference address about the eternal love of God that is behind the doctrine and policies of the Church. Our lack of understanding of that love often causes us to misunderstand or question the doctrines and policies. When we ever feel confusion or uncertainty, we should remember that our view is likely incomplete; faith can fill in the missing parts temporarily until understanding comes.

The actions and decisions of the Church are based on God's love for all of His children. We need never doubt or question that. President Oaks points out specific examples of some policies that illustrate the point, including missionary effort and humanitarian contributions:

 My experience as a full-time missionary in the humanitarian services program program confirmed that principle. We were carefully instructed and trained that we were NOT proselytizing in our efforts; we were representatives of the Church, sharing humanitarian donations without restriction or expectation. It was a beautiful experience!

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

President Henry B. Eyring on faith, revelation, and the doctrine of Christ

President Henry B. Eyring (1933- ) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"I know from experience that answers will come to fit your needs and your spiritual preparation. If you need an answer that is important to your eternal welfare or that of others, the answer is more likely to come. Yet even then, you may receive—as did Joseph Smith—the answer to be patient. (See JS-H 1:53.)

"If your faith in Jesus Christ has led to a heart softened through the effects of His Atonement, you will be more able to feel the whisperings of the Spirit in answer to your prayers. My personal experience is that the still, small voice—which is real—is clear and discernible in my mind when I feel an internal quiet and submission to the Lord’s will. That feeling of humility can be best described as 'Not my will, but thine, be done.' (Luke 22:42.)

"This process of revelation is why you will hear speakers teach in this conference what is called the doctrine of Christ. (See 2 Nephi 31; 3 Nephi 11:31–39.) Revelation comes to us in proportion to the degree to which we have sought to take the doctrine of Christ into our hearts and implement it in our lives.

"You remember from the Book of Mormon that Nephi taught us that faith in Jesus Christ is the key to receiving revelations of truth and the key to having the confidence that we are following the Savior’s direction."

- Henry B. Eyring, "The Faith to Ask and Then to Act," General Conference October 2021, Saturday evening

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One of the key invitations of this general conference, starting with President Nelson's opening remarks, was for each listener to seek personal revelation through the messages that would be shared. President Eyring expanded on that invitation with a message about faith in Christ and hearing the voice of God.

An important first step is to have our hearts softened through the influence of the Lord's Atonement. That enables us to feel inspiration more keenly.

This was a key insight for me:

As we come to understand and implement "the doctrine of Christ" in our lives, we will be much more receptive to revelation from heaven. Learning and applying that doctrine is one of the most important things we can individually do!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

Elder David A. Bednar on doctrines and principles

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"Stated succinctly, a gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline for the righteous exercise of moral agency. Principles derive from broader gospel truths and provide direction and standards as we press forward on the covenant path....

"Learning, understanding, and living gospel principles strengthen our faith in the Savior, deepen our devotion to Him, and invite a multitude of blessings and spiritual gifts into our lives. Principles of righteousness also help us to look beyond our personal preferences and self-centered desires by providing the precious perspective of eternal truth as we navigate the different circumstances, challenges, decisions, and experiences of mortality....

"Gospel principles are for me and you what a helm is to a ship. Correct principles enable us to find our way and to stand firm, steadfast, and immovable so we do not lose our balance and fall in the raging latter-day storms of darkness and confusion."

- David A. Bednar, "The Principles of My Gospel," General Conference April 2021, Sunday afternoon

In this talk during the April 2021 General Conference, Elder Bednar reviewed one of the crucial aspects of the Gospel: the distinction between doctrines, principles, and guidelines. He described the critical importance of learning, understanding, and living the principles, and benefits that come from doing so:

Using examples from previous leaders, he illustrated his message:

• Joseph Smith, the fundamental message about how he would "teach... correct principles and let [the church members] govern themselves."
• Dallin H. Oaks and his illustrative messages about how principles apply to Aaronic Priesthood duties.
• Russell M. Nelson's recent insights about both the "sign" we give to God as we respect the Sabbath, and the concept from the last conference of letting God prevail in our lives.

It's always very worthwhile to ponder what the guiding principles are in our lives, especially the doctrinally-based ones. The more we understand about the principle itself and the doctrine underlying it, the more power we will find in obeying and following.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)

President Henry B. Eyring on teaching doctrine in our families

President Henry B. Eyring (born May 31, 1933) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages, and the casualties seem to be increasing. All of us have family members we love who are being buffeted by the forces of the destroyer, who would make all God’s children miserable. For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to add every force for good we can to the powers swirling around the people who are at risk. We have loved them. We have set the best example we could. We have pled in prayer for them. A wise prophet long ago gave us counsel about another force which we may at times underestimate and thus use too little...

"'Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God' (Alma 31:5).

"The word of God is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ and by His prophets. Alma knew that words of doctrine had great power. They can open the minds of people to see spiritual things not visible to the natural eye. And they can open the heart to feelings of the love of God and a love for truth....

"The need to open eyes and hearts tells us how we must teach doctrine. Doctrine gains its power as the Holy Ghost confirms that it is true. We prepare those we teach, as best we can, to receive the quiet promptings of the still, small voice. That takes at least some faith in Jesus Christ. It takes at least some humility, some willingness to surrender to the Savior’s will for us. The person you would help may have little of either, but you can urge that they desire to believe. More than that, you can take confidence from another of the powers of doctrine. Truth can prepare its own way. Simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart. And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit."

- Henry B. Eyring, "The Power of Teaching Doctrine," General Conference April 1999
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How do we best prepare ourselves, our family members, our youth and ward members to deal with the "war between light and darkness" in which casualties are continuing to increase? President Eyring suggests the answer is to focus on teaching doctrine, establishing a firm foundation and bringing strength and power:

It's powerful to remember the importance of teaching and testifying; as we do so, those who hear us are given the chance to plant seeds of faith in their hearts. "And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit." What a beautiful, hopeful message!

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

President Boyd K. Packer on the proper source of revelation

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.

"The point I make is that this phrase from Timothy strikes me as being monumentally important. 'But continue thou in the things which thou has learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them.' (See 2 Timothy 3:13–17) In the pattern of constituted authority in the Church we always know where revelation comes from. Revelation is always vertical. There is no horizontal revelation in the Church. It is all vertical. A bishop will get no revelation from a fellow bishop, or a stake president from a fellow stake president; but a bishop will receive it from the stake president, and his stake president from the general officers of the Church.

"In your youth you can learn that the scriptures are powerful, that they’re righteous; that in this Church we learn the scriptures, that we accept them, that we determine to live by them. Learn that there is a constituted authority—that our leaders are ordained by those who are in authority, and it is known throughout the Church. Nothing is done in the corner where there might be room for doubt or confusion or misunderstanding. We all have the right to go before the Lord to appeal in prayer and to receive inspiration and revelation for ourselves, so that each of us will know.

"One of the things the scriptures do is to make it very clear that we’re to follow the prophets. In the Doctrine and Covenants section after section states, 'I the Lord am speaking,' or 'It is I, God, who speaks,' and so on. Those declarations show that there is no doubt who is speaking."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Follow the Rule," BYU Devotional, Jaunary 14, 1977
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This was a fascinating address by President Packer, filled with personal insights and anecdotes. Read the whole talk!

In this excerpt, he focuses on the importance of knowing whom we are listening to for critical instruction. There is a "pattern of constituted authority" established by the Lord for doctrine and principle that will bless us if we heed it:

We find that "doubt or confusion or misunderstanding" often result from forgetting this principle. We can learn from each other in wonderful ways, and be inspired by the examples and teachings of others. But it should always be in the context of the doctrinal foundation that comes from the Lord through His designated channels.

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

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on overcoming doubts with faith

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (1940- ) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"It's natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ....

"If you expect to find perfect people here, you will be disappointed. But if you seek the pure doctrine of Christ, the word of God 'which healeth the wounded soul' (Jacob 2:8), and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, then here you will find them. In this age of waning faith—in this age when so many feel distanced from heaven's embrace—here you will find a people who yearn to know and draw closer to their Savior by serving God and fellowmen, just like you. Come, join with us!"

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Come, Join with Us," Ensign, Nov 2013, pp. 21-24
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I really loved this whole talk by President Uchtdorf. How true it is that "acorn[s] of honest inquiry" truly can sprout into "great oak[s] of understanding"—but if the inquiry is not honest, a very different result can occur. So much depends on our attitude and approach. If we are trying to plant "in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty" we face the risk of faith shriveling and dying.

And this led President Uchtdorf to share the classic couplet: "First doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." When we begin with a foundation of faith and hope, we must be very careful to not let doubt undermine what we know is true and right.

In the Church, we find perfect and pure doctrine; but we don't find perfect people. Sometimes we have to focus on the doctrine in order to cope with the people! It's sadly true that we sometimes need "the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost" to help us cling to faith in the midst of doubt. But it's worth it!

Joseph F. Smith on the dangers of ignorance and of pride

President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) was the son of Joseph's brother Hyrum. He was ordained an apostle in 1866 at age 28, and served as a counselor to Brigham Young and the three presidents who followed.  He became the 6th president of the Church in 1901, and served until his death in 1918 at age 80.

"Among the Latter-day Saints, the preaching of false doctrines disguised as truths of the gospel, may be expected from people of two classes, and practically from these only; they are:

"First—The hopelessly ignorant, whose lack of intelligence is due to their indolence and sloth, who make but feeble effort, if indeed any at all, to better themselves by reading and study; those who are afflicted with a dread disease that may develop into an incurable malady—laziness.

"Second—The proud and self-vaunting ones, who read by the lamp of their own conceit; who interpret by rules of their own contriving; who have become a law unto themselves, and so pose as the sole judges of their own doings. More dangerously ignorant than the first.

"Beware of the lazy and the proud; their infection in each case is contagious; better for them and for all when they are compelled to display the yellow flag of warning, that the clean and uninfected may be protected."

- Joseph F. Smith, Juvenile Instructor vol. 41 (Mar. 1906), p. 178; see also Gospel Doctrine p. 373

This is a classic warning from President Smith, now well over a century past. We sometimes view our own time as so much more sophisticated, and don't realize how similar the problems of the past were to what we experience today. But this caution seems so very applicable to our own modern-day challenges.

A good "personal evaluation" in this situation would be:

1. What am I doing to make sure I'm not "hopelessly ignorant"? If I am one of those who "make but feeble effort, if indeed any at all, to better themselves by reading and study"—then I am afflicted by the dread disease of laziness. I should be working to improve my understanding and knowledge!
   
2. What am I doing to make sure I'm not "proud and self-vaunting"? Do I resist counsel and advice, preferring "the lamp of [my] own conceit" to give me understanding and direction? If so, I've fallen into the trap "more dangerous" than the one of ignorance.

I am forever grateful for reminders from inspired leaders that help me in the quest for discipleship.

Boyd K. Packer on changing behavior through doctrine

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.

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.

"The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel....

"Secular doctrines have the advantage of convincing, tangible evidence. We seem to do better in gathering data on things that can be counted and measured.

"Doctrines which originate in the light, on the other hand, are more often supported by intangible impressions upon the spirit. We are left for the most part to rely on faith.

"But, in time, the consequences of following either will become visible enough."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Little Children," Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 16-18
Click here to read the full talk

This is one of President Packer's most interesting declarations to me — the concept that the best way to change behavior is to teach or learn proper doctrine:

This really rings true.  Notice the qualifiers:  "true doctrine, understood" — it must be solid and valid doctrine to make a difference, and it must be comprehended correctly by the learner. President Packer distinguishes between secular and spiritual doctrines, and the ways we identify them and learn to trust them. But the principle is very important; we should always seek for the underlying doctrine on which our programs or activities or based, make sure we understand them, and base our decisions and actions on them!