Elder Neal A. Maxwell on learning to trust God's timetable

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (born July 6, 1926, died July 21, 2004 at age 78) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

This excerpt is from an article that was being prepared for publication when Elder Maxwell passed away.

"God has a timetable for this planet and for each person: 'But all things must come to pass in their time' (D&C 64:32).

"Within all of the drama cited are many individual dramas, making it imperative for you to allow the Lord to tutor you amid your discipleship.

"Enoch rejoiced, and so can you over the grand, consoling reality regarding God: 'And yet thou art there' (Moses 7:30). Privileged Enoch even saw the God of heaven weep! (see Moses 7:29). Yet Enoch was very discouraged by the gross wickedness anciently. He said he would 'refuse to be comforted' (Moses 7:44). The mentoring Lord, however, told Enoch to 'lift up your heart, and be glad; and look' (Moses 7:44). Then revealed to Enoch was Jesus' Atonement in the meridian of time and also the latter-day Restoration. Enoch, who had been so distraught, now rejoiced!

"Do not 'refuse to be comforted.' Let the revelations comfort you. Let the scriptures refresh you!"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "These Are Your Days," Ensign, Oct 2004, pp. 26-31
Click here to read the full article

"God has a timetable"—those words reflect and understanding of eternal purpose and divine control. If we truly believe that, then it truly does become critical to "allow the Lord to tutor you amid your discipleship." With that faith and hope, we can, like Enoch, like Elder Maxwell, learn to lift our hearts in gladness in spite of wickedness around us, or personal trials and challenges.

And a great key to finding comfort amidst those challenges of mortality, according to Elder Maxwell, is to turn to the revelations and the scriptures. That will enable God to speak to us, as He did to Enoch; the reassurance will come.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
August 1, 2016

President Boyd K. Packer on the joyful Christmas story

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.

"I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well-fed gentleman with the red suit and the white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home next Monday night. The tree is there, the holly wreath, the stockings hung along the fireplace mantle—it is a very long mantle. I know of few things on this earth quite so celestial as the face of a little youngster, happy, hopeful, and believing, with Christmas almost here. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good and all of them are for children—except, I suppose, the mistletoe.

"If you would understand what you get in exchange for giving up the childish illusion concerning Christmas, you could look forward to the greatest of all discoveries. If you could just know that at your age you can find and can have that 'little-kid' feeling again about Christmas. If you understand Christmas at all, you will find that in exchange for Christmas past comes the most supernal of all gifts. If you want to know a good beginning point, I suggest you start in the second chapter of Luke... (reads Luke 2:1-19).

"The Christmas story in the second chapter of Luke takes, I suppose, a minute and a half to read. It might take a minute more to ponder on it. Yet how infrequently, how remarkably infrequently does that find its way into the family festivities at Christmas time.

"The Christmas story does not end there. It is only the beginning. If we can accept as adults a new childhood status with reference to our God, then we will begin to humble ourselves and begin to believe, and so begin to see. In exchange for the fanciful poetry of The Night Before Christmas comes the miracle that grows in every season.

"The whole account—from Bethlehem to Calvary—is the Christmas story, and it takes simple, childlike, almost naive faith to know it....

"Of all times of the year, Latter-day Saints at Christmas time ought to be the most joyful, ought to have greater cause for festivity than anyone, ought to enjoy the Christmas tree and the holly wreath, and the stockings and the mistletoe, and all that goes with Christmas more than any else in the world because they KNOW what Christmas really is."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Keeping Christmas," BYU Devotional, December 19, 1962
Click here to listen to a recording of this talk

President Packer was known by some as a serious, staunch, sometimes hard-line traditionalist. Some might be surprised to read his take on Christmas traditions! This is a refreshing approach to the interplay of the modern, secular Christmas practices and the original sacred Christmas story. The so-called "childish illusion concerning Christmas" that includes Santa Claus isn't necessarily a bad thing; but it can be replaced by something far greater and more significant. President Packer suggests that the same emotions of pure joy, anticipation, and excitement felt by children, can be felt in a very different way by adults as they come to understand the divine gifts we recall at this time of year.

It's a good reminder that the Christmas story includes not just Bethlehem but also Calvary. The Savior's birth and life have meaning because of what He accomplished on our behalf. But knowing that, we truly should feel the joy of the season in a powerful way. And as we feel that joy, President Packer suggests, we can find appreciation in the beautiful symbols and traditions of the season.

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

President Boyd K. Packer on having confidence and comfort in the future

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.

"We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do.

"Christ promised that 'the Father, [would send] another Comforter, …

"'Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you' (John 14:16–17)."

- Boyd K. Packer, "The Cloven Tongues of Fire," General Conference, April 2000; see Ensign, May 2000, pp. 7-9
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

There are, on the surface, many reasons to be fearful for the future in today's world. Some of those reasons might include declining moral standards, increasing wickedness and crime, political unrest, international tensions, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and temptations of many kinds.

But President Packer reassures us that with the perspective and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we do not need to fear. There is a source of direction and wisdom in the midst of the uncertainty:

One of the beautiful names given to the Holy Ghost is that of Comforter. When we are worried or struggling in any way, there is a source of peace and guidance available to us if we are willing to turn to it. How grateful we should be for that divine gift!

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

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on living with joy in our world

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. November 6, 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 of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world.

"Certainly our world has always been, and will continue to be, imperfect. Far too many innocent people suffer because of circumstances of nature as well as from man’s inhumanity. The corruption and wickedness in our day are unique and alarming.

"But in spite of all this, I wouldn’t trade living in this time with any other time in the history of the world. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a day of unparalleled prosperity, enlightenment, and advantage. Most of all, we are blessed to have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us a unique perspective on the world’s dangers and shows us how to either avoid these dangers or deal with them.

"When I think of these blessings, I want to fall to my knees and offer praises to our Heavenly Father for His never-ending love for all of His children.

"I don’t believe God wants His children to be fearful or dwell on the evils of the world. 'For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind' (2 Timothy 1:7).

"He has given us an abundance of reasons to rejoice. We just need to find and to recognize them. The Lord often reminds us to 'be not afraid,' to 'be of good cheer,' and to 'fear not, little flock' (Luke 12:32)."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear," General Conference, April 2017
Click here to read or watch the full talk

It's interesting to consider the extremes of the position offered by Satan and by God. The first would create fear and dread, building on uncertainty and danger to cause us to struggle even more with the challenges we face. But the second offers a spirit "of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"—the knowledge that all is well in His hands, and we need only trust and follow.

With that perspective, we can be grateful, as President Uchtdorf defines, for the privilege of living in a time of "unparalleled prosperity, enlightenment, and advantage":

So our world is filled with "an abundance of reasons to rejoice"—and our task is "to find and recognize them." That's a great assignment!

President Howard W. Hunter on lives centered on Christ

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President for only nine months, from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"My message to you today is to 'fear not, little flock.' It is to encourage you to rejoice in the great blessings of life. It is to invite you to feel the great thrill of gospel living and our Father in Heaven's love. Life is wonderful, even in the hard times, and there is happiness, joy, and peace at stops all along the way, and endless portions of them at the end of the road.

"Sure, there are plenty of things to worry about—some of them very serious things—but that is why we speak in gospel terms of faith, and hope, and charity. As Latter-day Saints, ours is 'the abundant life,' and we try to emphasize our blessings and opportunities while we minimize our disappointments and worries. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the scripture says, 'and all things shall work together for your good' (D&C 90:24). I want to remind you of that promise....

"Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Fear Not, Little Flock," BYU Devotional, March 14, 1989
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

I've always loved the words President Hunter quotes, given anciently by the Savior (Luke 12:32) and then re-emphasized in modern revelation:

"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail." (D&C 6:34)

It does not matter what is happening around us, or to us. "Life is wonderful, even in the hard times." With the perspective of eternal hope and the understanding of God's love for us, there truly is "happiness, joy, and peace at stops all along the way, and endless portions of them at the end of the road."

However, the reminder from D&C 90:24 is also very important. All things will work together for our good, if we demonstrate to God our willingness to follow in faith and obey with diligence.

President Brigham Young on living close to the Lord's Spirit

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.

"If you live near to God, and every moment have your minds filled with fervent desires to keep the law of God, you will understand the Spirit that comes to you; you will know how to build up the Lord's kingdom, and increase in every good thing; and it will be one continual scene of rejoicing instead of mourning....

"The persons who enjoy that Spirit are never sorrowful nor cast down. They never endure afflictions and mourn because they suppose that they have sacrificed for the Gospel, but they are always joyful, always cheerful, with a happy smile on their faces, and, as brother Robert said, it does make the devil mad. That is true, it makes him mad that he cannot afflict this people so as to make them have a sad countenance.

"When you come across those who have a wonderful sight of trouble, trouble with their wives and with their neighbors, it is those who do not live their religion. Those who have the Spirit of their religion feel hope bound in their feelings, and have a word of comfort for themselves, their families, and their neighbors, and all is right with them. Let us make the building up of the kingdom of heaven our first and only interest, and all will be well, sure."

- Brigham Young, discourse in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, March 29, 1857; see JD 4:299
Click here to read the full talk

Those who learn to "live near to God" with "minds filled with fervent desires to keep the law of God" discover the truth of this principle, one that President Young taught regularly: there is great joy in righteous living. The Spirit that comes from God blesses and enriches, bringing strength and perspective to life.

The last statement provides an appropriate summary of the process that leads to the joyful life: "Let us make the building up of the kingdom of heaven our first and only interest, and all will be well, sure."

Neal A. Maxwell on learning to trust God's timetable

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (born July 6, 1926, died July 21, 2004 at age 78) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

This excerpt is from an article that was being prepared for publication when Elder Maxwell passed away.

"God has a timetable for this planet and for each person: 'But all things must come to pass in their time' (D&C 64:32).

"Within all of the drama cited are many individual dramas, making it imperative for you to allow the Lord to tutor you amid your discipleship.

"Enoch rejoiced, and so can you over the grand, consoling reality regarding God: 'And yet thou art there' (Moses 7:30). Privileged Enoch even saw the God of heaven weep! (see Moses 7:29). Yet Enoch was very discouraged by the gross wickedness anciently. He said he would 'refuse to be comforted' (Moses 7:44). The mentoring Lord, however, told Enoch to 'lift up your heart, and be glad; and look' (Moses 7:44). Then revealed to Enoch was Jesus' Atonement in the meridian of time and also the latter-day Restoration. Enoch, who had been so distraught, now rejoiced!

"Do not 'refuse to be comforted.' Let the revelations comfort you. Let the scriptures refresh you!"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "These Are Your Days," Ensign, Oct 2004, pp. 26-31
Click here to read the full article

"God has a timetable"—those words reflect and understanding of eternal purpose and divine control. If we truly believe that, then it truly does become critical to "allow the Lord to tutor you amid your discipleship." With that faith and hope, we can, like Enoch, learn to lift our hearts in gladness in spite of wickedness around us, or personal trials and challenges.

And a great key to finding comfort amidst those challenges of mortality, according to Elder Maxwell, is to turn to the revelations and the scriptures. That will enable God to speak to us, as He did to Enoch; the reassurance will come.

Howard W. Hunter on having hope and excitement in troubled times

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President for only nine months, from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"It is incumbent upon us to rejoice a little more and despair a little less, to give thanks for what we have and for the magnitude of God's blessings to us, and to talk a little less about what we may not have or what anxiety may accompany difficult times in this or any generation.

"For Latter-day Saints this is a time of great hope and excitement—one of the greatest eras of the Restoration and therefore one of the greatest eras in any dispensation, inasmuch as ours is the greatest of all dispensations. We need to have faith and hope, two of the greatest fundamental virtues of any discipleship of Christ. We must continue to exercise confidence in God, inasmuch as that is the first principle in our code of belief. We must believe that God has all power, that he loves us, and that his work will not be stopped or frustrated in our individual lives or in the world generally. He will bless us as a people because he always has blessed us as a people. He will bless us as individuals because he always has blessed us as individuals....

"I promise you tonight in the name of the Lord whose servant I am that God will always protect and care for his people.... With the gospel of Jesus Christ you have every hope and promise and reassurance. The Lord has power over his Saints and will always prepare places of peace, defense, and safety for his people. When we have faith in God we can hope for a better world—for us personally and for all mankind....

"Disciples of Christ in every generation are invited, indeed commanded, to be filled with a perfect brightness of hope."

- Howard W. Hunter, "An Anchor to the Souls of Men," Ensign, Oct. 1993, pp. 70-73
Click here to read the full talk

In the midst of the challenges and trials of daily life, it's very easy to fall into the trap of despair as we lost hope and perspective. These wise words from President Hunter encourage us to keep the vision of our time and our opportunities by "giv[ing] thanks for what we have and for the magnitude of God's blessings to us."

And then to remember. I love his description of the sense of our place in God's plan; we live in a precious and blessed period of history, when there is so much to be grateful for. As true disciples of Christ, we should be filled with faith in Him and His plan, and have great hope for the future based on His promises and desire to bring us happiness.

Apostolic promises, given "in the name of the Lord," should always draw our keen attention. President Hunter assures us that all will be well; God will care for his people and provide places of peace and safety, collectively and individually.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on rejoicing in a simplified life

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. 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.

"Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

"Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most," Ensign November 2010, pp. 19-22
Click here to read the full talk

President Uchtdorf addresses some of the real-life challenges we often face—confronting "life and its rushed pace and many stresses" that can make things "difficult for you to feel like rejoicing." The key is to learn to "refocus on what matters most," and our ability to rejoice will return.

The encouragement to "simplify our lives a little" is especially valuable. As we learn to limit our priority and attention to those "things that matter most" we will find that the ability to discover and maintain joy in our lives increases. Wise counsel!