Elder Marvin J. Ashton on charity

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.

"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

"Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

- Marvin J Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword," General Conference April 1992, pp. 18-19
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Elder Ashton was a kind and sensitive man in many ways. This advice, about how we treat one another, is a great example. I appreciated the introduction about what "real charity" is; not just the acts of public service, but the virtue that gets planted deep in our hearts and helps us understand our relationships to each other.

Even when we are wronged, charity helps us treat another person with love and forgiveness. What a wonderful gift! Since charity is the "pure love of Christ," we are blessed to see how He exemplified this quality in His life. Part of this is seeing differences but accepting and respecting them; recognizing weakness but working to help others; and truly expressing love to all around us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
February 16, 2016

Elder Gerrit W. Gong on forgiveness and the Holy Ghost

Elder Gerrit W. Gong (born December 23, 1953) was called as a Seventy in April 2010, then to the Presidency of the Seventy in October 2015. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in April 2018.

"Trust God and His miracles. We and our relationships can change. Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord, we can put off our selfish natural self and become a child of God, meek, humble, full of faith and appropriate trust. When we repent, when we confess and forsake our sins, the Lord says He remembers them no more. (See D&C 58:42-43.) It is not that He forgets; rather, in a remarkable way, it seems He chooses not to remember them, nor need we.

"Trust God’s inspiration to discern wisely. We can forgive others in the right time and way, as the Lord says we must, while being 'wise as serpents, and harmless as doves' (Matt 10:16).

"Sometimes when our hearts are most broken and contrite, we are most open to the comfort and guidance of the Holy Ghost. Condemnation and forgiveness both begin by recognizing a wrong. Often condemnation focuses on the past. Forgiveness looks liberatingly to the future. 'For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved' (John 3:17).

"The Apostle Paul asks, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?' He answers, 'Neither death, nor life, … nor height, nor depth … shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Rom 8:35, 38-39.) Yet, there is someone who can separate us from God and Jesus Christ—and that someone is us, ourselves. As Isaiah says, 'Your sins have hid his face from you' (Isa 59:2)."

- Gerrit W. Gong, "Trust Again," General Conference October 2021, Sunday afternoon

Click here to read or watch the full talk

Knowing when and how to forgive is not always easy. Elder Gong encouraged us to open our hearts and mind to the Spirit; the Holy Ghost can often speak to us and touch us more powerfully when we are in the greatest need. But we must remember the blessing that forgiveness can bring:

We only hold on to the past when we are caught in condemnation of another. Power comes as we look to the future with forgiveness. I've seen people struggle under the burden of inability to forgive; it can be soul-destroying. Liberation comes as we trust in God to be the ultimate judge.

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

President Boyd K. Packer on repentance, forgiveness, and Atonement

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 in 2015 at age 90.

"Our physical bodies, when harmed, are able to repair themselves, sometimes with the help of a physician. If the damage is extensive, however, often a scar will remain as a reminder of the injury.

"With our spiritual bodies it is another matter. Our spirits are damaged when we make mistakes and commit sins. But unlike the case of our mortal bodies, when the repentance process is complete, no scars remain because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The promise is: 'Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more' (D&C 58:42)....

"The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that. There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity."

- Boyd K. Packer, "The Plan of Happiness," General Conference, April 2015, Saturday morning session
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President Packer was in failing health as he approached the end of his mortal experience. This turned out to the the last general conference address he shared.

He spoke of a theme that has been very important to him: the happiness that comes in following God's plan for marriage and families.  He mentioned his love and appreciation for his companion of nearly 70 years, Donna Smith Packer, now that they were "toward the end of our mortal days together"—closer than he knew.

But he also talked about a secondary theme that has been vital through his ministry: the power of the Lord to forgive through the glorious Atonement, which has the power to heal the wounds and scars of mortality. This description is vivid and accurate:

Not even a scar needs to remain! And this glorious promise follows:

Many, maybe most, of us know what it is to feel those burdens at one time or another in our life. What a precious blessing to know that we can "escape" through the glorious Atonement of Jesus Christ!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 20, 2015

Elder Robert D. Hales on caring for one another

Elder Robert D. Hales (August 24, 1932-October 1, 2017) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1985, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"Our responsibilities are clear; we are to: 

"Reach out in love and be anxious to forgive those who have wronged us. 

"Help by fellowshipping and caring for those who want to come back, receiving them with open arms and willing hands. 

"We must do as Jude, the brother of James, admonished: 

"'Have compassion, making a difference' (Jude 1:22). 

"There are principles that will help us to 'have compassion, making a difference.' These principles are encompassed in Luke, chapter 15, where Jesus used three parables to give us examples of the importance He placed on finding those who are lost and rendering 'compassion, making a difference.'" 

- Robert D. Hales, "Some Have Compassion, Making a Difference," General Conference April 1987
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This is wise counsel from Elder Hales, about some of the ways we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

There are so many ways we can help, depending on the needs of those we are trying to help! Inspiration will help lead us in the right direction. But I'm expecially intrigued by the simple phrase that Elder Hales quotes from the book of Jude:

Having compassion is the first step—being sensitive and caring, "feeling with" those around us as we strive to understand their challenges or burdens.

And then making a difference. That's a simple statement. We don't have to change the world, make everything all better, fix all the problems. We just need to make a difference. That is often the thing that enables the Savior to then step in and continue the process with more complete healing or re-directing.

And so our call is to "reach out in love and be anxious to forgive." What a great quest. Where would the Lord have me make a difference today?

 

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
March 16, 2015

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the joy of forgiveness

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"Each of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon and mercy and to forgive one another. There is a great need for this Christlike attribute in our families, in our marriages, in our wards and stakes, in our communities, and in our nations.

"We will receive the joy of forgiveness in our own lives when we are willing to extend that joy freely to others. Lip service is not enough. We need to purge our hearts and minds of feelings and thoughts of bitterness and let the light and the love of Christ enter in. As a result, the Spirit of the Lord will fill our souls with the joy accompanying divine peace of conscience (see Mosiah 4:2–3)."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Point of Safe Return," General Conference April 2007
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Willingness to forgive others is crucial to our own spiritual progress. Elder Uchtdorf observes that we have much need for "this Christlike attribute" in all our personal and public interactions:

It is only as we truly, honestly, and completely forgive others, overcoming all "thoughts of bitterness," that we will fully feel "the light and the love of Christ" in our lives.

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

President Russell M. Nelson on the blessing of continuing repentance

President Russell M. Nelson (born Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became president of that quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of President Monson, he was set apart as president of the Church on January 14, 2018.

"Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

"Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path, or can’t even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day.

"When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!"

- Russell M. Nelson, "We Can Do Better and Be Better," General Conference April 2019
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

In his address to the Priesthood session of general conference, President Nelson spoke about the doctrine of repentance and encouraged all members to embrace the concepts. Instead of the perception of repentance as a burdensome, onerous, challenging event following our misdeeds, President Nelson taught that we should be seeking to establish a "regular, daily focus on repentance." The process of repentance then becomes "key to happiness and peace of mind" as we begin to have "access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

One who has the attitude of daily repentance is continually trying to grow and improve—a little better and a little more Christlike each day. That is the ultimate source of joy in this life!

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

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on treating others with love and forgiveness

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

"Stop it!

"It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, 'Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.'

"We must recognize that we are all imperfect—that we are beggars before God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed?

"Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves? My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?"

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy," General Conference April 2012
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

While serving as a member of the First Presidency, President Uchtdorf shared many powerful messages, and this is a very memorable one. He encouraged us to consider our relationships with one another and to think about the need for love and forgiveness in those interactions. Too often we hold on to grudges and disagreements, as well as treating others with less respect than they deserve; and his advice was very simple: "Stop it!"

When we truly have "a heart full of love for God and His children" it will change our interactions with each other, and we will be more accepting, loving, and forgiving. We depend on mercy from God; we must offer it freely to one another.

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

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on forgiveness of others and of ourselves

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"Our Savior has spoken so clearly on this subject [forgiveness] that there is little room for private interpretation. 'I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive,' but then He said, '...of you it is required to forgive all men' (D&C 64:10 emphasis added).

"May I add a footnote here? When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive—as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness—is the person looking back at us in the mirror."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy," General Conference April 2012
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Sometimes it's easy to forgive others; sometimes it is more difficult. The depth of the injury inflicted against us might be part of the difference; or the perceived attitude of the person who gave the offense. But I think it's also clear that we get better at forgiving others as we make more efforts to do so. It's a skill, a talent, maybe even a spiritual gift that can be developed. In any case, there is no question that forgiving others is the right thing to do, in the Gospel plan of love and unity.

President Uchtdorf gave an additional insight when he suggested that sometimes our greater challenge is to forgive ourselves:

In other words, we tend to hold on to our mistakes and our occasions of stumbling. We remind ourselves for too long that we've fallen short, we're inadequate, we're unworthy, we're not as good as someone else, or we've failed at some task or goal. President Uchtdorf's suggestion is that when the Lord forgives us, we need to forgive ourselves and move on from the problem.

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

Elder Richard G. Scott on challenges, faith, and growth

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928-2015) served as a Seventy from 1977-1988, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He passed away in September 2015 at the age of 86.

"Challenge comes as testing from a wise, knowing Father to give experience, that we may be seasoned, mature, and grow in understanding and application of His truths. When you are worthy, a challenge becomes a contribution to growth, not a barrier to it. Yet no matter what the source of difficulty and no matter how you begin to obtain relief—through a qualified professional therapist, doctor, priesthood leader, friend, concerned parent, or loved one—no matter how you begin, those solutions will never provide a complete answer. The final healing comes through faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and obedience to His commandments. That is why human reaction to challenge in life that engenders hatred, despondency, distrust, anger, or revenge must be supplanted by the tender mercies of a loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son.

"When anguish comes from evil acts of others, there should be punishment and corrective action taken, but the offended is not the one to initiate that action. Leave it to others who have that responsibility. Learn to forgive; though terribly hard, it will release you and open the way to a newness of life. Time devoted by one injured to ensure the offender is punished is time wasted in the healing process.

"In summary, do what you can do a step at a time. Seek to understand the principles of healing from the scriptures and through prayer. Help others. Forgive. 'Submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord' (Mosiah 24:15). Above all, exercise faith in Jesus Christ."

- Richard G. Scott, "To Be Healed," General Conference April 1994
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Challenges in life often come to us as tests, "that we may be seasoned, mature, and grow in understanding and application of His truths." This is a critical belief; if we truly hold to it and strive to be worthy, we will have perspective to pass through any challenge with faith in Jesus Christ and confidence in the results.

That does not mean challenges become easy. We still need to seek relief, as Elder Scott notes, through a variety of sources, professional and ecclesiastical. Or sometimes the support of a family member or friend. If, instead of seeking healing, we allow ourselves to become embittered or depressed, angry or seeking revenge, we will miss the healing power of the Savior's atonement.

And sometimes we are hurt by the wrongful, evil actions of others. Those are the times when we have to have even greater faith as we forgive and trust in the proper process to impose corrective action.

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

President James E. Faust on drawing power and peace from the Atonement of Christ

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.

"May I suggest that you take your challenges one day at a time. Do the best you can. Look at everything through the lens of eternity. If you will do this, life will take on a different perspective.

"I believe that all of you ... want to be happy and find the peace that the Savior promised. I think many of you try very hard to keep up with all of your responsibilities. I do not wish to offend anyone. I am reluctant to mention a matter but feel it should be said. Sometimes we carry unhappy feelings about past hurts too long. We spend too much energy dwelling on things that have passed and cannot be changed. We struggle to close the door and let go of the hurt. If, after time, we can forgive whatever may have caused the hurt, we will tap 'into a life-giving source of comfort' through the Atonement, and the 'sweet peace' of forgiveness will be ours. (See “My Journey to Forgiving,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 43.) Some injuries are so hurtful and deep that healing comes only with help from a higher power and hope for perfect justice and restitution in the next life. You can tap into that higher power and receive precious comfort and sweet peace."

- James E. Faust, "Instruments in the Hands of God," General Conference October 2005
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This address by President Faust was shared with the sisters during a General Relief Society Meeting as a part of the October 2005 conference. He shared praise and encouragement for the many contributions and sacrifices being made by the sisters, and also offered warnings and counsel to help them in coping with the challenges of their lives. In this segment, he warned about becoming overwhelmed and about holding on to the hurts of the past:

Hope and peace come through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and as we learn to "tap into that higher power" we truly can find guidance, peace, and comfort to direct us in our daily challenges. Learning to "forgive and forget" is an important part of drawing on that divine power.

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

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on accepting human frailty

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

"So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fulness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. (Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, 2:108.) Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lord, I Believe," General Conference April 2013
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

It's sometimes easy to criticize others who are in positions of leadership or responsibility. They may have different styles or approaches than we do, and may look at needs, challenges, or solutions in ways we don't agree with. Of course it's natural for each of us to consider that our approach must be the best one, and to be frustrated when others don't share our insights.

Elder Holland reminds us that we are all imperfect in this mortal experience. Mistakes are occasionally made; changes are often necessary. But when the issues arise, we need not be shaken in faith; if anything, we can feel confirmation of faith as we see inspired corrections and adjustments.

We are all "volunteers" in Church service, and we should be forgiving and sustaining as we learn and grow together. Our imperfection is under the direction of God's perfection, and the work will move forward based on the best efforts we all contribute.

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

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on overcoming pains and hurts in life

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"I testify that forgiving and forsaking offenses, old or new, is central to the grandeur of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I testify that ultimately such spiritual repair can come only from our divine Redeemer, He who rushes to our aid 'with healing in his wings' (Malachi 4:2; see also 2 Nephi 25:13; 3 Nephi 25:2). We thank Him, and our Heavenly Father who sent Him, that renewal and rebirth, a future free from old sorrows and past mistakes, are not only possible, but they have already been purchased, paid for, at an excruciating cost symbolized by the blood of the Lamb who shed it.

"With the apostolic authority granted me by the Savior of the world, I testify of the tranquility to the soul that reconciliation with God and each other will bring if we are meek and courageous enough to pursue it. 'Cease to contend one with another,' the Savior pled. (D&C 136:23.) If you know of an old injury, repair it. Care for one another in love.

"My beloved friends, in our shared ministry of reconciliation, I ask us to be peacemakers—to love peace, to seek peace, to create peace, to cherish peace. I make that appeal in the name of the Prince of Peace, who knows everything about being 'wounded in the house of [His] friends' (Zechariah 13:6; see also D&C 45:52.) but who still found the strength to forgive and forget—and to heal—and be happy."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Reconciliation," General Conference October 2018
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This was a beautiful and tender message from Elder Holland, a call to greater love and peace among ourselves as we learn to "forgive and forget" the occasional challenges in our interactions with others. With personal examples and inspired teachings, he invited us all to heed the example and call of the Savior as we learn to overcome grievances and disagreements. We can thereby participate in "the grandeur of the Atonement of Jesus Christ":

Elder Holland's testimony of the tranquility (what a beautiful word!) that comes to the soul in the midst of "reconciliation with God and each other" should urge us all to pursue this path in every way possible. But it requires that we be "meek and courageous enough to pursue it." It is often not an easy thing to overcome our pride as we repair the wounds of the past. But in learning to be true peacemakers, we truly can find the happiness promised by the Savior.

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

Elder David A. Bednar on choosing how we respond to challenging situations

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.

"During a perilous period of war, an exchange of letters occurred between Moroni, the captain of the Nephite armies, and Pahoran, the chief judge and governor of the land. Moroni, whose army was suffering because of inadequate support from the government, wrote to Pahoran 'by the way of condemnation' (Alma 60:2) and harshly accused him of thoughtlessness, slothfulness, and neglect. Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and his message, but he chose not to take offense. Pahoran responded compassionately and described a rebellion against the government about which Moroni was not aware. And then he responded, 'Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. … And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart' (Alma 61:2, 9).

"One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, 'it mattereth not.'"

- David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," General Conference October 2006
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The story of the interchange between Captain Moroni and Pahoran from Alma 60 and 61 is one of the remarkable gifts of the Book of Mormon. It is honest and sincere, not trying to minimize or cover up the mistake in judgement made by an otherwise great leader. Moroni is touted as one of the most powerful and inspired leaders:

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. (Alma 48:17)

But in this case, Moroni made a simple but potentially very hurtful mistake as he misjudged the motivations of a co-worker and accused him falsely. The great soul shows up instead in Pahoran; he could have been offended and hurt by the improper criticism, in a time of great need; but instead, he chose to be loving and forgiving:

Pahoran teaches us to love, to forgive, to accept that others also may be dealing with burdens and challenges that lead them to act in ways they normally might not. In this case in particular, Pahoran is apparently quite familiar with Moroni's pattern of faithful and diligent service to the Lord's cause, which likely made it easier for him to accept that there must be a temporary misunderstanding causing the criticism. But perhaps the greatest key lies in Pahoran's own confidence that he is doing what he should, with God's approval and according to his own covenants. That is true "spiritual maturity." If any man criticizes you when God has given approval, truly "it mattereth not."

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

Elder Gerrit W. Gong on worthiness and peace through Christ

Elder Gerrit W. Gong (born December 23, 1953) was called as a Seventy in April 2010, then to the Presidency of the Seventy in October 2015. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in April 2018.

"To be worthy does not mean to be perfect. Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness invites us to be humbly at peace on our life’s journey to someday become perfected in Christ (see Moroni 10:32), not constantly worried, frustrated, or unhappy in our imperfections today. Remember, He knows all the things we don’t want anyone else to know about us—and loves us still.

"Sometimes life tests our trust in Christ’s mercy, justice, and judgment and in His liberating invitation to allow His Atonement to heal us as we forgive others and ourselves....

"When trust is betrayed, dreams shattered, hearts broken and broken again, when we want justice and need mercy, when our fists clench and our tears flow, when we need to know what to hold onto and what to let go of, we can always remember Him. Life is not as cruel as it can sometimes seem. His infinite compassion can help us find our way, truth, and life (see John 14:6)."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong, "Always Remember Him," General Conference April 2016
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

So much is conveyed in that first simple line: "To be worthy does not mean to be perfect." Sometimes we confuse the two qualities. To be worthy means we are striving for perfection, and we can be "humbly at peace" with that knowledge:

We must be careful to remember that the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides for us the power to "heal us as we forgive others and ourselves." If we truly believe Him and trust in Him, then we should be filled with the hope and understanding of that healing and know that our worthiness in His eyes means we are accepting his offering on our behalf.

In addition, we must remember that life will have challenges that attempt to drag us down to despair. Elder Gong notes that we must occasionally deal with those times "when trust is betrayed, dreams shattered, hearts broken and broken again, when we want justice and need mercy, when our fists clench and our tears flow" and we fact the various disappointments and frustrations of life. Those are the critical times for us to "always remember Him" in order to bring back hope and faith.

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

President Dallin H. Oaks on the miracle of the atonement of Jesus Christ

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.

"Man unquestionably has impressive powers and can bring to pass great things by tireless efforts and indomitable will. But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effect of our sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ....

"Why is Christ the only way? How was it possible for him to take upon himself the sins of all mankind? Why was it necessary for his blood to be shed? And how can our soiled and sinful selves be cleansed by his blood?

"These are mysteries I do not understand. To me, as to President John Taylor, the miracle of the atonement of Jesus Christ is 'incomprehensible and inexplicable.' (See The Mediation and Atonement of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, pp. 148–49.) But the Holy Ghost has given me a witness of its truthfulness, and I rejoice that I can spend my life in proclaiming it.

"I testify with the ancient and modern prophets that there is no other name and no other way under heaven by which man can be saved except by Jesus Christ. (See Acts 4:10, 12; 2 Ne. 25:20; Alma 38:9; D&C 18:23.)"

- Dallin H. Oaks, "What Think Ye of Christ?", General Conference October 1988
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

This was a beautiful talk by then Elder Oaks, in which he outlined the doctrine of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the way to salvation. In this excerpt, he addresses aspects of the "faith vs. works" debate as he explains how impossible it is for us to "earn" our own salvation. That result comes only through accepting the grace of the Savior:

I love the frank honesty of this admission: even an apostle, a highly educated man who has spent his life studying, doesn't fully understand the mysteries of how this grand miracle is accomplished; at its essence, the atonement of Jesus Christ truly is "incomprehensible and inexplicable." But that doesn't detract from his testimony of the truthfulness of the concept. A testimony does not require full understanding; it requires recognition of the witness of the Holy Ghost. And President Oaks has that sure witness, which he continues to share through his ministry with all who are willing to listen.

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

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on the powerful blessings of genuine hope

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.

"Genuine hope is urgently needed in order to be more loving even as the love of many waxes cold; more merciful, even when misunderstood or misrepresented; more holy, even as the world ripens in iniquity; more courteous and patient in a coarsening and curt world; and more full of heartfelt hope, even when other men's hearts fail them. Whatever our particular furrow, we are to 'plow in hope,' without looking back or letting yesterday hold tomorrow hostage (1 Cor. 9:10)....

"Genuine hope gives spiritual spunk, including to deserving parents drenched in honest sweat from being 'anxiously engaged.' Just as the leaning Tower of Pisa is a persistent rebuke to architectural pessimism, so parental hope—by refusing to topple merely because of the gravity of the current family situation—is a repudiation of despair. Giving parents never give up hope! ...

"Hope beckons all of us to come home where a glow reflects the Light of the World, whose 'brightness and glory defy all description' (JS-H 1:17). Jesus waits 'with open arms to receive' those who finally overcome by faith and hope (Morm. 6:17). His welcome will consist not of a brief, loving pat but, instead, of being 'clasped in the arms of Jesus'! (Morm. 5:11)."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Brightness of Hope," General Conference October 1994
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

As usual, Elder Maxwell packs so much insight into his discourse! I love the concept of genuine hope, and the powerful impact it can have in our lives as it counteracts the despair the confusion of the world around us. It can make us more loving, more merciful, more holy, more courteous and patient. It gives "spiritual spunk" to parents who need the strength and courage to lovingly persist in spite of the pressures they face. And it offers these glorious promises:

The hope entailed in that glorious promise of a loving embrace is powerful and motivating. Knowing that we can be "clasped in the arms of Jesus" (Mormon 5:11) if we will only repent and turn to Him is the beckoning hope that Elder Maxwell invites us to embrace.

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