President Joseph Smith on intellectual and spiritual growth

Joseph Smith (December 23, 1805-June 27, 1844) was given the apostolic authority when the Church of Jesus Christ was organized on April 6, 1830 and he was designated the first president of the church at age 24. He was martyred in 1844 at age 38.

"We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same."

- Joseph Smith, from "The Elders of the Church in Kirtland, to Their Brethren Abroad," Jan. 22, 1834, published in Evening and Morning Star, Feb. 1834, p. 135; see History of the Church, 2:8

It's a basic premise that all of us in this life are capable of learning and growth. But Joseph teaches of a greater capability, a spiritual capacity to grow "in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect." As we learn to heed the light from heaven, we progress in the ways that matter most. But that does not happen all at once:

In that gradual process of spiritual and intellectual growth, we find wonderful things happening along the way. The description Joseph offers of the process is inspiring. We find greater enjoyment as our thoughts and desires become purified, and we lose our desire for sin. Ultimately we will be "wrapped in the power and glory of [our] Maker."

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

President Brigham Young on the power of a simple, honest heart

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"I care but little as to the outward appearance, if I can know that there is at heart a true feeling to do the will of God—to be honest before God and with one another. And in addressing a congregation, though the speaker be unable to say more than half-a-dozen sentences, and those awkwardly constructed, if his heart is pure before God, those few broken sentences are of more value than the greatest eloquence without the Spirit of the Lord, and of more real worth in the sight of God, angels, and all good men. In praying, though a person's words be few and awkwardly expressed, if the heart is pure before God, that prayer will avail more than the eloquence of a Cicero. What does the Lord, the Father of us all, care about our mode of expression? Mankind have fallen into the deep vortex of darkness. They know not from whence they came. They have sprung from their Father, God, and Savior, and have all gone out of the way. The simple, honest heart is of more avail with the Lord than all the pomp, pride, splendor, and eloquence produced by man. When He looks upon a heart full of sincerity, integrity, and childlike simplicity, he sees a principle that will endure forever—'That is the spirit of my own kingdom—the spirit I have given to my children.'"

- Brigham Young, "Knowledge—Object of Man's Existence on the Earth," remarks at Box Elder, June 7, 1860; see JD 8:283-4
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It's so natural and easy for us to evaluate and judge others based on outward appearances, including not just things like dress and grooming but also manner of speech and apparent level of education. President Young teaches an important truth about these judgments, though, in this excerpt. When a person has a heart that is "pure before God," though he be far from eloquent and persuasive in his communication, his words have the power to convey spiritual truths that is altogether lacking in the most polished orator who speaks without the spirit. And a prayer spoken from a pure heart in true humility and sincerity has the power to reach the heavens and invoke miracles far beyond one that is superficial and uncommitted.

It is the childlike simplicity and sincerity that will both allow man to communicate with God, and to share powerfully with each other. That purity of heart should be cultivated much more earnestly than eloquence and formality of speech.

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