Elder Marvin J. Ashton on serving one another

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.

"Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.... Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened.

"If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care....

"When we truly become converted to Jesus Christ, committed to Him, an interesting thing happens: our attention turns to the welfare of our fellowman, and the way we treat others becomes increasingly filled with patience, kindness, a gentle acceptance, and a desire to play a positive role in their lives. This is the beginning of true conversion.

"Let us open our arms to each other, accept each other for who we are, assume everyone is doing the best he or she can, and look for ways to help leave quiet messages of love and encouragement instead of being destructive with bashing."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword", Ensign, May 1992, p. 18-20
Click here to read the full talk

In this excerpt, Elder Ashton describes the kind of person we all wish we could be... we all should be. The image below shows an incident when Joseph Smith found two children stuck in a muddy street, and not only helped them get clear of the bog, but consoled them and wiped away tears.

I love this insight: "If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care." I have come to believe that; everyone carries burdens at times that are often hidden from others, and can influence behavior and relationships in so many ways. True disciples learn to care for one another, to "open our arms to each other" and express true love and understanding. What a wonderful goal to aspire to, as we work diligently to become more Christlike.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
August 27, 2015

Gordon B. Hinckley on facing life with confidence and faith

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.
It all works out. Don't worry.
I say that to myself every morning.
It will all work out.
Put your trust in God,
and move forward with faith
and confidence in the future.
The Lord will not forsake us.
He will not forsake us.
If we will put our trust in Him,
if we will pray to Him,
if we will live worthy of His blessings,
He will hear our prayers."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Put Your Trust in God," from the funeral program for Marjorie Pay Hinckley, April 10, 2004; see Ensign February 2006, p. 63
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This is a good summary of one of President Hinckley's most familiar and frequent messages: there is always hope, and we should always move forward in faith, with trust in God. Though he keenly felt the loss of his beloved companion of almost 67 years, he continued to serve with faithful devotion for another 4 years after her passing until he too was called home.

Ronald A. Rasband on having a positive influence on youth

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (b. 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 2000.  He was the senior president of the Seventy when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015. This talk was given in a General Priesthood session of conference when he was serving as a Seventy.

"In these perilous times, as our youth are faced with this increased adversity, we can learn from others. In the armed forces, particularly in all the navies throughout the world, every seaman understands one phrase that is a clarion call for immediate help, no matter what he is doing or where he is on the ship. The call is 'All hands on deck.' Many a battle at sea has been won or lost by the response to this call.

"We—as members of the Church, leaders of youth, anxious fathers, and concerned grandfathers—all need to respond to the call for 'all hands on deck' as it pertains to our youth and young single adults. We must all look for opportunities to bless the youth whether or not we are currently closely associated with them. We must continue to teach and fortify fathers and mothers in their divinely declared roles with their children in the home. We must ask ourselves constantly if that extra sporting event, that extra activity or errand outside of the home is more important than families being together at home.

"Now is the time, brethren [and sisters], when in every action we take, in every place we go, with every Latter-day Saint young person we meet, we need to have an increased awareness of the need for strengthening, nurturing, and being an influence for good in their lives."

- Ronald A. Rasband, "Our Rising Generation," Ensign, May 2006, pp. 46-47
Click here to read the full talk

This was an interesting "call to action" from Elder Rasband. Knowing the "perilous times" in which we live and the challenges faced by youth and young single adults, he invited his listeners in a Priesthood session of conference to focus more attention on the needs of the young people—whether or not a formal calling is involved. He invites all members (brothers and sisters alike) to seek out opportunities to bless youth in positive ways in any interaction.

It's interesting that he doesn't want to hear the excuse, "But I don't have a calling to work with youth right now." He's inviting all members to seek for ways to have a positive influence in the lives of our young people. This won't happen just by coincidence (although at times that may be one of the ways!); but we should each ponder things we might do to share testimony, encourage, teach, show good examples, or influence in any good way.

Heber J. Grant on happiness and growth through acts of kindness

President Heber J. Grant (1856-1945) was ordained an apostle in 1882 when he was 25 years old.  He served as president of the Church from 1918 until his death in 1945 at age 88.  His tenure as president lasted over 26 years; only Brigham Young had a longer term (over 29 years).

"Every kind word spoken gives you greater ability to speak another. Every act of assistance rendered by you, through the knowledge that you possess, to aid one of your fellows, gives you greater ability to aid the next one. Good acts grow upon a person.

"I have sometimes thought that many men, judging from their utter lack of kindness and of a disposition to aid others, imagined that if they were to say or do a kind thing, it would destroy their capacity to perform a kind act or say a kind word in the future. If you have a granary full of grain, and you give away a sack or two, there remain that many less in your granary, but if you perform a kind act or add words of encouragement to one in distress, who is struggling along in the battle of life, the greater is your capacity to do this in the future.

"Don't go through life with your lips sealed against words of kindness and encouragement, nor your hearts sealed against performing labors for another. Make a motto in life: always try and assist someone else to carry his burden. The true key to happiness in life is to labor for the happiness of others."

- Heber J. Grant, "Have a Purpose in Life," Improvement Era, Feb. 1902, 289–90

I love this analysis of human behavior. Surely we don't really believe that we have limited amounts of kind words and deeds to dispense, so we must guard them frugally; but President Grant said we sometimes act like it! The interesting witness he offers echoes one of the themes of his life: things we persist in doing become easier to us because our ability to do them grows. The more we speak kind words and do kind deeds, the easier those things become for us.

Dallin H. Oaks on applying the teachings of the Savior

Elder Dallin H. Oaks (b. 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.

"Brigham Young gave us some practical advice on how to do this [better apply the teachings and example of Jesus Christ in our lives]. 'The difference between God and the Devil,' he said, 'is that God creates and organizes, while the whole study of the Devil is to destroy' (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 69). In that contrast we have an important example of the reality of 'opposition in all things' (2 Ne. 2:11).

"Remember, our Savior, Jesus Christ, always builds us up and never tears us down. We should apply the power of that example in the ways we use our time, including our recreation and diversions. Consider the themes of the books, magazines, movies, television, and music we make popular by our patronage. Do the purposes and actions portrayed in our chosen entertainment build up or tear down the children of God? During my lifetime I have seen a strong trend to displace what builds up and dignifies the children of God with portrayals and performances that are depressing, demeaning, and destructive.

"The powerful idea in this example is that whatever builds people up serves the cause of the Master, and whatever tears people down serves the cause of the adversary. We support one cause or the other every day by our patronage. This should remind us of our responsibility and motivate us toward fulfilling it in a way that would be pleasing to Him whose suffering offers us hope and whose example should give us direction."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Powerful Ideas," Ensign, November 1995, pp. 25-27
Click here to read the full talk

Elder Oaks, in quoting Brigham Young, shares a fascinating summary of the difference between God and Satan: the motivation behind their actions.  God desires to create and organize; Satan tries always to pull down and destroy.

He encourages us to use this principle as we choose how to use our time, particularly our "free time" of recreation. Each activity we choose to participate in should be uplifting, should build up both ourselves and others. Elder Oaks cautions about the modern trend to things that are "depressing, demeaning, and destructive."

In looking ahead to a new year, it would be a good time to evaluate our lives and consider if our choices are in line with this wise counsel.

Marvin J. Ashton on serving one another

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.

"Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.... Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened.

"If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care....

"When we truly become converted to Jesus Christ, committed to Him, an interesting thing happens: our attention turns to the welfare of our fellowman, and the way we treat others becomes increasingly filled with patience, kindness, a gentle acceptance, and a desire to play a positive role in their lives. This is the beginning of true conversion.

"Let us open our arms to each other, accept each other for who we are, assume everyone is doing the best he or she can, and look for ways to help leave quiet messages of love and encouragement instead of being destructive with bashing."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword", Ensign, May 1992, p. 18-20
Click here to read the full talk

In this excerpt, Elder Ashton describes the kind of person we all wish we could be... we all should be.

I love this comment: "If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care." I have come to believe that; everyone carries burdens at times that are often hidden from others, and can influence behavior and relationships in so many ways. True converts learn to care for one another, to "open our arms to each other" and express true love and understanding. What a wonderful goal to aspire to, as we work diligently to become more Christlike.