Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the start of a new year

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.

"The start of a new year is the traditional time to take stock of our lives and see where we are going, measured against the backdrop of where we have been. I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions, but I do want to talk about the past and the future, with an eye toward any time of transition and change in our lives—and those moments come virtually every day....

"You can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but then put the rest of it all on the dung heap Paul spoke of to the Philippians (3:7-12). Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family, your friends, and your neighbors. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go....

"This is an important matter to consider at the start of a new year—and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ....

"Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come' (Hebrews 9:11).

"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year's resolution I ask you to keep."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Best is Yet to Be," BYU devotional given January 13, 2009; see Ensign, January 2010, pp. 22-27
Click here to read the full talk

Today is January 1, and a new year begins. Elder Holland notes that "every day ought to be the start of a new year," but we tend to emphasize the accustomed calendar boundaries. As I "take stock" of my life this morning, I appreciate Elder Holland's encouragement to learn from the past but not dwell on it, allowing the "beauty of the Atonement of Christ" to guide me to the future.

This profound excerpt ought to be engraven on every heart: "God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go." We can easily dwell too much on where we have been, the mistakes, the shortcomings, the challenges and frustrations. 

That's the New Year's resolution to focus on, keeping our eyes on our dreams and ensuring we are claiming "His help" as offered for every step.  And then, as promised, we will each witness "the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
January 1, 2015

George Q. Cannon on New Year Resolutions

President George Q. Cannon (1827-1901) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1860. He served as counselor in the First Presidency to Brigham Young beginning in 1873, and then to the next three presidents, until his death in 1901.

"Among Latter-day Saints there ought to be no occasion for what is called 'swearing-off' or for the general making of resolutions of improvement on New Year's day. Every day should witness with them a determination to lay aside weaknesses and take on more of the graces of godliness. Each day furnishes opportunity to look closely into one's habits, to examine and discard the worthless and cleave unto that which is elevating and holy.

"The partaking of the Sacrament in the Sunday Schools and Ward meetings, when done worthily, of itself implies an earnest endeavor towards improvement. Every time a true Saint, whether old or young, kneels in prayer, he or she should consider anew the duty of leading a better life, one more in conformity with the precepts and example of our Great Master. Not alone on New Year's, therefore, but on every day, should people seek to effect an improvement in their habits of life."

- George Q. Cannon, Jan. 1, 1897, JI 32:23; Gospel Truth, 1:164-165

As many consider our "New Year's Resolutions" at the beginning of 2015, this reminder from years ago is still very applicable.  It's interesting that the custom of resolutions appears to have been common well over a century ago.  But President Cannon's reminders should give us cause to ponder.

We have a number of opportunities each week, each day when we should be considering our progress and improvements.  The partaking of the Sacrament is such a time, a critical opportunity to review and recommit.  So is each time we pause to pray!

So while we might appreciate the "milestone" opportunity a new year presents for establishing some new goals, we should not neglect the power that comes in frequently reminding ourselves of our desire to grow and improve, in deepening our resolve with personal covenants, and in inviting Divine assistance in that process.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on resolving to avoid regret

President 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.

"One day we will take that unavoidable step and cross from this mortal sphere into the next estate. One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely.
"To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:
"- Resolve to spend more time with those we love.
"- Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
"- Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.
"It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today....
"The path toward fulfilling our divine destiny as sons and daughters of God is an eternal one. My dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, we must begin to walk that eternal path today; we cannot take for granted one single day. I pray that we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live."
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions," Ensign, November 2012, pp. 21-24
Click here to read the full article.

What marvelous counsel!  Of course, any day is a good day to resolve to spend time with those we love, to follow God, and to be happy.  But there's a sense of urgency in not postponing those decisions.

Why not start today, to both resolve and do—to make real, specific effort to improve!

Jeffrey R. Holland on the start of a new year

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (1940- ) has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve since 1994.

"The start of a new year is the traditional time to take stock of our lives and see where we are going, measured against the backdrop of where we have been. I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions, but I do want to talk about the past and the future, with an eye toward any time of transition and change in our lives--and those moments come virtually every day....
"You can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but then put the rest of it all on the dung heap Paul spoke of to the Philippians (3:7-12). Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family, your friends, and your neighbors. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go....
"This is an important matter to consider at the start of a new year--and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ....
"Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come' (Hebrews 9:11).
"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year's resolution I ask you to keep."
- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Best is Yet to Be," BYU devotional given January 13, 2009; see Ensign, January 2010, pp. 22-27
Read the full talk here.

Today is January 1, 2015.  Elder Holland notes that "every day ought to be the start of a new year," but we tend to emphasize the accustomed calendar boundaries.  As I "take stock" of my life this morning, I appreciate Elder Holland's encouragement to learn from the past but not dwell on it, allowing the "beauty of the Atonement of Christ" to guide me to the future.

This profound excerpt ought to be engraven on every heart:

That's the New Year's resolution to focus on, keeping our eyes on our dreams and ensuring we are claiming "His help" as offered for every step.  And then, as promised, we will each witness "the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life."