Elder D. Todd Christofferson on love for God as a motivation for righteousness

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (1945- ) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"There are many places in the scriptures that counsel mankind to fear God. In our day we generally interpret the word fear as 'respect' or 'reverence' or 'love'; that is, the fear of God means the love of God or respect for Him and His law. That may often be a correct reading, but I wonder if sometimes fear doesn't really mean fear, as when the prophets speak of fearing to offend God by breaking His commandments....

"I submit that fear of the Lord, or what Paul calls 'godly fear' (Hebrews 12:28), should be part of our reverence for Him. We should so love and reverence Him that we fear doing anything wrong in His sight, whatever may be the opinions of or pressure from others. Moroni urges us, 'Begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him' (Mormon 9:27).

"Because the world around us generally ignores God, it is easy for us at times to forget that our responsibility to know and do His will is constant. Most do not realize, or do not believe, that in a future day each of us must account to the Lord for his or her life: thoughts, words, and actions. Working out our own salvation with fear and trembling means striving in the decisions and activities of life day by day to prepare what will be a good accounting.

"Having been blessed to receive what we have received, we can advance spiritually as no other people, but we are also at greater risk than any others. We cannot commit the sins they do without coming under a greater condemnation, for if we sin, we sin against a greater light. We cannot trifle with the sacred things committed to our care and be considered innocent as those who know not God.

"God is feeling after us to see if we will prove faithful, and if we have the integrity and sensitivity to honor sacred things, we will receive even more. But if not, our blessings will turn to our condemnation."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "A Sense of the Sacred," CES Fireside, 7 November 2004
Click here to read the full article

Coming to understand our relationship to God is a crucial task for this life. Elder Christofferson mentions feelings we might have for Him, including respect, reverence, and love. But he also discusses the concept of fear — particularly the idea of "fearing to offend God by breaking His commandments." This kind of "godly fear" is really expanded reverence, and is very different from the concept of "fear" that is most common in the world.

All we do should truly, ultimately be motivated by love for God and love for one another. What a powerful concept!

And to those who have greater light and understanding, there is greater responsibility and accountability. Elder Christofferson reminds us that "our responsibility to know and do His will is constant." I appreciate the challenge he offers: "God is feeling after us to see if we will prove faithful, and if we have the integrity and sensitivity to honor sacred things, we will receive even more."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
December 2, 2015

Elder Boyd K. Packer on reverence and revelation

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.

"Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings. Such words as quiet, still, peaceable, Comforter abound in the scriptures...

"The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyrics blasted through amplifiers while lights flash psychedelic colors, characterizes the drug culture. Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth....

"This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.

"The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.

"Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit....

"No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal inspiration. The spirit of reverence can and should be evident in every organization in the Church and in the lives of every member....

"While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation, as surely as the Lord lives, a quiet one will take place. The spiritual power in the lives of each member and in the Church will increase. The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," General Conference October 1991
Click here to read the full talk

It's been almost 30 years since then Elder Boyd K. Packer shared this talk with the wonderful title, "Reverence Invites Revelation." He observed then, "The world grows increasingly noisy." That has certainly been confirmed in the three decades since. There are constant distractions and diversions all around us. And so to seek the inspiration that "comes more easily in peaceful settings" is increasingly difficult. In order to "survive in the world of today," we need to actively seek personal inspiration in settings of reverence. Those settings don't appear naturally; we have to seek them out and create them for ourselves.

Again, the promises are real and wonderful:

• Spiritual power will increase
• The Lord's Spirit will be poured out more abundantly
• We will be less troubled and confused
• We will find answers to personal and family problems

I always love to note apostolic witnesses and promises. It is wise to follow the conditions and claim the blessings!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 6, 2015

President Howard W. Hunter on reverence in society and in church

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

"There are wide areas of our society from which the spirit of prayer and reverence and worship has vanished. Men and women in many circles are clever, interesting, or brilliant, but they lack one crucial element in a complete life. They do not look up. They do not offer up vows in righteousness, as the requirement is stated in the Doctrine and Covenants, 'on all days and at all times.' (D&C 59:11.) Their conversation sparkles, but it is not sacred. Their talk is witty, but it is not wise. Whether it be in the office, the locker room, or the laboratory, they have come too far down the scale of dignity who display their own limited powers and then find it necessary to blaspheme those unlimited powers that come from above.

"Unfortunately we sometimes find this lack of reverence even within the Church. Occasionally we visit too loudly, enter and leave meetings too disrespectfully in what should be an hour of prayer and purifying worship. Reverence is the atmosphere of heaven. Prayer is the utterance of the soul to God the Father. We do well to become more like our Father by looking up to him, by remembering him always, and by caring greatly about his world and his work."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Hallowed Be Thy Name," General Conference October 1977
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Hunter points out some important differences between worldly attitudes, and the "humble followers of Christ" (2 Ne 28:14). Too often men and women in the world seek only to be "clever, interesting, or brilliant," coming across as witty but forgetting to be wise and humble. There is a desire to impress their peers, to stand out and be influential—but without regard for a divine power and its righteous principles. Certainly as we grow in our spirituality and understanding of the Savior's love for us and His plan for happiness, we will see how little the approbation of the world means compared to God's approval for our lives.

President Hunter warns too about the risk of forgetting sacred things, sacred times, sacred places. When we gather in our meetings, we should remember why we are there and strive to do nothing that would detract from the spirit of worshipful reverence. As we strive to "always remember Him," that will be more natural for us.

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

Elder D. Todd Christofferson on having a sense of the sacred

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (born January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"The importance of having a sense of the sacred is simply this—if one does not appreciate holy things, he will lose them. Absent a feeling of reverence, he will grow increasingly casual in attitude and lax in conduct. He will drift from the moorings that his covenants with God could provide. His feeling of accountability to God will diminish and then be forgotten. Thereafter, he will care only about his own comfort and satisfying his uncontrolled appetites. Finally, he will come to despise sacred things, even God, and then he will despise himself.

"On the other hand, with a sense of the sacred, one grows in understanding and truth. The Holy Spirit becomes his frequent and then constant companion. More and more he will stand in holy places and be entrusted with holy things. Just the opposite of cynicism and despair, his end is eternal life.

"Paradoxically, much of what I want to convey cannot really be passed from one person to another. It must grow from within. But if I can help you think about some things in a contemplative way, then the Spirit may work in you so that you will not need me or anyone else to tell you what is sacred or how to respond—you will feel it for yourself. It will be part of your nature; indeed, much of it already is."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "A Sense of the Sacred," BYU Devotional, November 7, 2004
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The address by Elder Christofferson was very thought-provoking to me. What are the "sacred things" in my life? How do I think about them, and respond to them? There can be sacred locations, sacred events, sacred actions, sacred thoughts. All of those are a part of the higher portion of living, and we must learn to draw them into our life and not neglect their role and place in our living and progress.

When we start to neglect the things that are most sacred, we start to lose them, and according to Elder Christofferson, will eventually come to despise them. That though be a frightening prospect to us. On the contrary, if we recognize and emphasize the sacred things, we grow and progress in our understanding and in our spiritual life, and are entrusted in greater measure with additional sacred things. That "more abundant life" is truly a joyful gift from God.

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

President Spencer W. Kimball on living a life of reverence

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"We are a richly blessed people. The Lord has given us everything: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the light, the priesthood, the power, the promises, the covenants, the temples, our families, the truth. We should be the happiest people on earth. We should also be the most reverent people....

"Reverence has been defined as a 'feeling or attitude of deep respect, love, and awe, as for something sacred.' To describe it as devotion to God is another way to express the meaning of reverence.

"Many of our leaders have expressed regard for reverence as one of the highest qualities of the soul, indicating it involves true faith in God and in his righteousness, high culture, and a love for the finer things in life....

"As with the other principles of the gospel, reverence leads to increased joy.

"We must remember that reverence is not a somber, temporary behavior that we adopt on Sunday. True reverence involves happiness, as well as love, respect, gratitude, and godly fear. It is a virtue that should be part of our way of life. In fact, Latter-day Saints should be the most reverent people in all the earth."

- Spencer W. Kimball, "We Should Be a Reverent People" (pamphlet, 1976), 1, 2.
Click here to read the full article

The concept of true reverence has been discussed by many Church leaders in my lifetime. This is a wonderful example from President Kimball. Reverence, or deep respect and love, comes from recognizing the blessings we receive from God and being truly grateful. It results in devotion and faithfulness, in putting things in a proper divine perspective.

Statements such as this one from Pres. Kimball probably led to the publishing of one of our most beautiful songs for children, copyrighted in 1987, a few years after President Kimball's pamphlet was published:

Rev'rence is more than just quietly sitting:
It's thinking of Father above,
A feeling I get when I think of his blessings.
I'm rev'rent, for rev'rence is love.
When I'm rev'rent, it shows in my words and my deeds.
The pathway to follow is clear.
And when I am rev'rent, I know in my heart
Heav'nly Father and Jesus are near.
- "Reverence is Love" by Maggie Olauson; Children's Songbook p. 31

Finally, there is a real connection between true reverence and true joy:

How often we should be led to acknowledge our blessings and the goodness of God in our lives! Each day should be willed with gratitude, worship, and deep reverence.

David O. McKay on reverence and spirituality

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"The greatest manifestation of spirituality is reverence; indeed, reverence is spirituality. Reverence is profound respect mingled with love. It is 'a complex emotion made up of mingled feelings of the soul.' Carlyle says it is 'the highest of human feelings.' I have said elsewhere that if reverence is the highest, then irreverence is the lowest state in which a man can live in the world....

"Parents, Reverence, as charity, begins at home. In early childhood children should be trained to be respectful, deferential--respectful to one another, to strangers and visitors--deferential to the aged and infirm--reverential to things sacred, to parents and parental love.

"Three influences in home life awaken reverence in children and contribute to its development in their souls. These are: first, firm but Gentle Guidance; second, Courtesy shown by parents to each other, and to children; and third, Prayer in which children participate. In every home in this Church parents should strive to act intelligently in impressing children with those three fundamentals."

- David O. McKay, "Spirituality, the Goal in Life," Conference Report, Oct. 1956, pp. 4-8
Click here to read the full article

I love the way President McKay links reverence and spirituality, and the beautifully simple definition he gives of what reverence truly is: profound respect mingled with love.

President McKay gives instruction to parents on how to encourage feelings of reverence in children at home. But similar principles apply to each of us as we strive to increase and retain feelings of reverence and spirituality in our lives. We need to be willing to accept firm but gentle guidance from others who can guide and teach us; we need greater courtesy to all those around us; and we must always make prayer an integral and ongoing part of our personal and family lives.

Gordon B. Hinckley on the blessing of sacrament meetings

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.

"Sacrament meeting ought to be a time of spiritual refreshment for our people, when, on Sunday, they gather to partake of the sacrament and renew their covenants with the Lord. They should rethink the contract which exists between them and the Lord, under which we take upon ourselves His name and agree to keep His commandments and He, in turn, promises that His Spirit will be with us. If we could bring about the consummation of that covenant in the lives of our people with a renewal each week, what a marvelous thing it would be.

"Let us encourage a spirit of reverence in sacrament meeting.... It should be a time when together we meet to renew our faith, our covenants, our obligations, our loyalty, our love, our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and keep His commandments."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, regional conference, 27 Apr. 1996; see Ensign, July 1997, p. 73
Click here to read the full article

This is a wonderful reminder from President Hinckley about how we ought to view our Sabbath Day experience, and the sacrament as the central focus of meetings and worship. If we would understand what we are doing and why, and take full advantage of the opportunity to renew commitment, it could help lead to "the consummation of that covenant" in our lives.

The proper spirit of reverence in our worship meetings contributes greatly to how we are blessed by those opportunities.  That's a good key to focus on as we strive to improve the weekly experience in our personal lives.

Harold B. Lee on a symphony of reverence

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"Reverence is profound respect, mingled with love and awe, as for a holy being, or place, or an exalted thing...

"A symphony is a harmony of sounds. Before there can be a completeness of the realization of the objective of reverence, there has to be a weaving together. It has to be found in the individual, in the home, in the Church, and toward the priesthood and God. Then, as I thought of that, I thought of that old Chinese proverb, 'If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.'"

- Harold B. Lee, "Symphony of Reverence," 50th Annual Primary Conference, 5 April 1956; see THBL p. 201

The concept of "reverence" in the Gospel sense is such a beautiful one—so much deeper and more profound than we often consider it. As the children's song teaches, "Reverence is more than just quietly sitting...."  I love President Lee's description of "profound respect" combined with deep "love and awe" for something that is holy or sacred.

But especially interesting in this excerpt is the "weaving together" of the different aspects of reverence, helping us see how they are inter-related and can lead from one to the other.

Boyd K. Packer on the sacredness of the holy temple

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.

"May we each dedicate ourselves anew to the service of the Lord.

"Say the word temple. Say it quietly and reverently. Say it over and over again. Temple. Temple. Temple. Add the word holy. Holy Temple. Say it as though it were capitalized, no matter where it appears in the sentence.

"Temple. One other word is equal in importance to a Latter-day Saint. Home. Put the words holy temple and home together, and you have described the house of the Lord!

"May God grant that we may be worthy to enter there and receive the fulness of the blessings of His priesthood."

- Boyd K. Packer, "The Temple, the Priesthood," Ensign, May 1993, pp. 18-21
Click here to read the full talk

President Packer shared these thoughts in a conference talk in 1993, as he commemorated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Salt Lake temple. He reviewed the general history of temples in our dispensation, and then particularly the details of the construction of the Salt Lake temple and its dedication service. It is a very interesting talk, worth a review.

Towards the end of his remarks, President Packer shared these tender words about the sacredness of the holy temple. It was a theme he felt strongly about, having taught and written extensively about temples throughout his ministry. Even the word "temple" should convey a spirit of reverence and gratitude to us, and evoke a feeling of the sacred.

On the day I share this thought (Sunday March 20, 2016) another temple dedication will occur, of the refurbished Provo Tabernacle—the 150th temple functioning today. It will be a good opportunity for members who are able to participate to follow President Packer's advice, and "dedicate ourselves anew to the service of the Lord." This brings to mind another classic comment about temple dedications:

"May I remind you that when we dedicate a house to the Lord, what we really do is dedicate ourselves to the Lord's service, with a covenant that we shall use the house in the way he intends that it shall be used."
- Joseph Fielding Smith, comments before dedicating the Ogden temple; see "Ogden Temple Dedicatory Prayer," Ensign, Mar. 1972, 6

D. Todd Christofferson on love for God as a motivation for righteousness

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (1945- ) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"There are many places in the scriptures that counsel mankind to fear God. In our day we generally interpret the word fear as 'respect' or 'reverence' or 'love'; that is, the fear of God means the love of God or respect for Him and His law. That may often be a correct reading, but I wonder if sometimes fear doesn't really mean fear, as when the prophets speak of fearing to offend God by breaking His commandments....

"I submit that fear of the Lord, or what Paul calls 'godly fear' (Hebrews 12:28), should be part of our reverence for Him. We should so love and reverence Him that we fear doing anything wrong in His sight, whatever may be the opinions of or pressure from others. Moroni urges us, 'Begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him' (Mormon 9:27).

"Because the world around us generally ignores God, it is easy for us at times to forget that our responsibility to know and do His will is constant. Most do not realize, or do not believe, that in a future day each of us must account to the Lord for his or her life: thoughts, words, and actions. Working out our own salvation with fear and trembling means striving in the decisions and activities of life day by day to prepare what will be a good accounting.

"Having been blessed to receive what we have received, we can advance spiritually as no other people, but we are also at greater risk than any others. We cannot commit the sins they do without coming under a greater condemnation, for if we sin, we sin against a greater light. We cannot trifle with the sacred things committed to our care and be considered innocent as those who know not God.

"God is feeling after us to see if we will prove faithful, and if we have the integrity and sensitivity to honor sacred things, we will receive even more. But if not, our blessings will turn to our condemnation."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "A Sense of the Sacred," CES Fireside, 7 November 2004
Click here to read the full article

Coming to understand our relationship to God is a crucial task for this life. Elder Christofferson mentions feelings we might have for Him, including respect, reverence, and love. But he also discusses the concept of fear — particularly the idea of "fearing to offend God by breaking His commandments." This kind of "godly fear" is really expanded reverence.

All we do should truly, ultimately be motivated by love for God and love for one another. What a powerful concept!

And to those who have greater light and understanding, there is greater responsibility and accountability. Elder Christofferson reminds us that "our responsibility to know and do His will is constant." I appreciate the challenge he offers: "God is feeling after us to see if we will prove faithful, and if we have the integrity and sensitivity to honor sacred things, we will receive even more."

David O. McKay on steps to effective prayer

President David O. McKay (1873-1970) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1906.  He served as a counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith beginning in 1945, then then as the president of the Church from 1951 to his death in 1970 at age 96.

"Prayer is the pulsation of a yearning, loving heart in tune with the Infinite. It is a message of the soul sent directly to a loving Father. The language is not mere words....

"The first and most fundamental virtue in effective prayer is faith. A belief in God brings peace to the soul. An assurance that God is our Father, into whose presence we can go for comfort and guidance, is a never-failing source of comfort.

"Another essential virtue is reverence. This virtue is exemplified in the model prayer given by the Savior in the words 'Hallowed be thy name.' [Matthew 6:9.] This principle should be exemplified in classrooms, and particularly in our houses of worship.

"The third essential element is sincerity. Prayer is the yearning of the spirit. Sincere praying implies that when we ask for any virtue or blessing we should work for the blessing and cultivate the virtue.

"The next essential virtue is loyalty. Why pray for the Kingdom of God to come unless you have in your heart a desire and a willingness to aid in its establishment? Praying for His will to be done and then not trying to live it, gives you a negative answer at once. You would not grant something to a child who showed that attitude towards a request he is making of you. If we pray for the success of some cause or enterprise, manifestly we are in sympathy with it. It is the height of disloyalty to pray for God's will to be done, and then fail to conform our lives to that will.

"A final essential virtue is humility.... The principle of humility and prayer leads one to feel a need of divine guidance. Self-reliance is a virtue, but with it should go a consciousness of the need of superior help—a consciousness that as you walk firmly in the pathway of duty, there is a possibility of your making a misstep; and with that consciousness is a prayer, a pleading that God will inspire you to avoid that false step."

- David O. McKay, "Pathways to Happiness" (1957), pp. 225-26

President McKay offered some insightful suggestions on "effective prayer" in this excerpt. He noted five important qualities that are fundamental in achieving the divine communication we seek:

Each of these is worth pondering. I was impressed on the statements about "loyalty" — in effect, making sure our actions correspond to our words and desires. "It is the height of disloyalty to pray for God's will to be done, and then fail to conform our lives to that will."

But it is perhaps humility that is the greatest need for so many of us. Recognizing our dependence on God is essential to effective communication. When we truly acknowledge our need and His ability to help, then we approach the consciousness President McKay refers to, "a pleading that God will inspire you to avoid that false step."

Then, perhaps, we approach what is the potential we all seek.

Boyd K. Packer on reverence and revelation

President Boyd K. Packer (1924- ) 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 currently serves as the president of that Quorum.

"Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings. Such words as quiet, still, peaceable, Comforter abound in the scriptures...

"The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyrics blasted through amplifiers while lights flash psychedelic colors, characterizes the drug culture. Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth....

"This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.

"The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.

"Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit....

"No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal inspiration. The spirit of reverence can and should be evident in every organization in the Church and in the lives of every member....

"While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation, as surely as the Lord lives, a quiet one will take place. The spiritual power in the lives of each member and in the Church will increase. The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems."

- Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," Ensign, November 1991, pp. 21-23
Click here to read the full talk

It's been over 23 years since President Packer shared this talk with the wonderful title, "Reverence Invites Revelation." He observed then, "The world grows increasingly noisy." That has certainly been confirmed in the two decades since. There are constant distractions and diversions all around us. And so to seek the inspiration that "comes more easily in peaceful settings" is increasingly difficult. In order to "survive in the world of today," we need to actively seek personal inspiration in settings of reverence. Those settings don't appear naturally; we have to seek them out and create them for ourselves.

Again, the promises are real and wonderful:

• Spiritual power will increase
• The Lord's Spirit will be poured out more abundantly
• We will be less troubled and confused
• We will find answers to personal and family problems

I always love to note apostolic witnesses and promises. It is wise to follow the conditions and claim the blessings!