President Dallin H. Oaks on diversity and tolerance

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.

"Anyone who preaches unity risks misunderstanding. The same is true of anyone who questions the goal of diversity. Such a one risks being thought intolerant. But tolerance is not jeopardized by promoting unity or by challenging diversity....

"In short, we preach unity among the community of Saints and tolerance toward the personal differences that are inevitable in the beliefs and conduct of a diverse population. Tolerance obviously requires a noncontentious manner of relating toward one another’s differences. But tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination....

"In conclusion, diversity and choice are not the weightier matters of the law. The weightier matters that move us toward our goal of eternal life are love of God, obedience to His commandments, and unity in accomplishing the work of His Church. In this belief and practice we move against the powerful modern tides running toward individualism and tolerance rather than toward obedience and cooperative action. Though our belief and practice is unpopular, it is right, and it does not require the blind obedience or the stifling uniformity its critics charge. If we are united on our eternal goal and united on the inspired principles that will get us there, we can be diverse on individual efforts in support of our goals and consistent with those principles."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Weightier Matters," devotional address at BYU on 9 February 1999, reprinted in Ensign January 2001, p. 13
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What is the interplay between unity and diversity? Can a group or community be one, be united, but yet have differences in belief or approach? President Oaks advocates both "unity among the community of Saints and tolerance toward the personal differences" that exist within the population. We must learn to relate to differences in a way that avoids contention, while still holding on to our own beliefs and opinions.

Importantly, President Oaks points out that there are higher principles than choice, individualism, and tolerance. Our society wants to focus on those issues to the exclusion of more important ones, including "love of God, obedience to His commandments, and unity in accomplishing the work of His Church."

In seeking to support good and true principles including tolerance, it's important that we not neglect the "weightier matters" of eternal truth that will lead us back to our Father in Heaven, while still allowing for diversity and acceptance of differences.

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

President Russell M. Nelson on the value of spiritual exercise

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.

"Muscles become larger and more capable from exercise, whereas those parts that are not physically exercised undergo atrophy. Similarly, spiritual strengths become increased through use, while those hidden may dwindle. If you recall the parable of the talents, he who had received one talent and didn't use it had it taken from him and given to another who had ten talents (see Matthew 25:24, 28)....

"Spiritual parallels exist for the fact that hard work or 'pumping iron' increases one's capacity to do physical labor:

"'Intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom, truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue, light cleaveth unto light' (D&C 88:40).

"'That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day' (D&C 50:24).

"Spiritual exercise increases spiritual capacity."

- Russell M. Nelson, "Twenty Questions," address to CES Religious Educators, 13 September 1985; see  Teachings of Russell M. Nelson [Deseret 2018] pp. 303-304
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These remarks were shared 33 years ago when Elder Russell M. Nelson was, along with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, the most recently called of the apostles. As a way of introducing himself, he shared "20 questions" that he had been frequently asked and provided answers. Many of the questions reflect interest about his medical background and how that might relate to his service in the Church.

He compared physical and spiritual exercise in this section; muscles can become strong through regular exercise, or they can atrophy through neglect:

The spiritual equivalent of "pumping iron" is what is critical for us. In involves fundamental habits such as prayer, study, pondering, obedience, and growing in faith in God. But it requires regular and consistent efforts in order to see our strength be maintained and grow; inconsistency or lack of effort will result in spiritual atrophy.

(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
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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)

President Harold B. Lee on acting on the inspiration we receive

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.

"President [David O.] McKay taught us this in the temple one day.... 'I want to tell you one thing: When the Lord tells you what to do, you've got to have the courage to do it or you had better not ask him again.'

"I've learned that lesson, too. Sometimes in the middle of the night I've been awakened and am unable to sleep until I've gotten out of bed and put down on paper the thing that I have been wrestling with. But it takes a lot of courage to act when directed as an answer to prayers."

- Harold B. Lee, "Qualities of Leadership," address to the Latter-day Saint Student Association convention, Aug. 1970, 5; see also Teachings: Harold B. Lee, 54.

This is a great message from two prophets. First, quoting President McKay, the challenge that we must act on inspiration when we receive it, if we want to continue to receive it:

President Lee expanded on the thought of his mentor by sharing his own personal confirmation of the principle. Sometimes the answers to our questions come at inconvenient times; and during the night is a time when often the mind is freed from other cares and can be more open to receiving inspiration. President Lee's message is to always take time to record impressions, so that they will not be lost and can then be acted on fully as soon as possible.

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

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on keeping perspective through life's struggles

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.

"Also let us remember that through any illness or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions! ...

"Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters—mental or emotional or physical or otherwise—do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are 'like a broken vessel,' as the Psalmist says (Psalm 31:12), we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Like a Broken Vessel," General Conference October 2013
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There are many ways that we sometimes feel "broken" in life, as Elder Holland notes—emotionally, physically, mentally. But no matter the cause or the source, he reminds us there is yet much to be hopeful about in our lives, and much for which we should be grateful. If we allow our eternal perspective to take priority, we'll realize that "our limitations or our afflictions" are such a small part of the eternal picture. And so the key is to trust in God:

Elder Holland warns us that sometimes repairs take a little time. We need to be patient and trusting. And we also need to be "merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind" while we watch repairs take place in the lives of others. We only add to the pain of the damage when we are critical or insensitive to those in recovery. It's a great part of our ministry to support one another in all things, at all times and situations while God works his restoration miracles.

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

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on opening the spiritual windows of revelation

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"If we configure our hearts and minds properly with faith, disciplined obedience, prayer, and scripture study, we can access the network of divine and eternal truths. We can receive the teachings and counsel of God’s prophet, opening to us knowledge and revelation from our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

"The Lord counsels us to become skilled in using these spiritual windows so we can seek and receive personal revelation for ourselves and our families. When the storms of life leave us confused, the windows of revelation can guide us safely home to our Heavenly Father....

"To open the windows of heaven, we must conform our will to God’s will. Diligent, enduring obedience to God’s laws is the key that opens the windows of heaven. Obedience enables us to be receptive to the mind and will of the Lord. 'The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient' (D&C 64:34) are those who receive the blessings of revelation through the open windows of heaven."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Windows of Light and Truth," General Conference October 1995
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We are blessed in our time to have living prophets and seers who can help reveal God's will to us, based on the current needs and challenges of the world we live in. But Elder Wirthlin reminds us that each of us can personally "open the windows of heaven" in our life, enabling spiritual counsel to also flow directly to us. The process begins as we "configure our hearts and minds properly with faith, disciplined obedience, prayer, and scripture study," and heed the counsel that comes through the living prophets, to set the foundation. That word "configure" is especially interesting; through the actions of our habits and choices, we are in a very real way preparing our hearts and minds for the things that will follow.

Once the foundation is established and configured, we can build on it personally:

It's comforting to know we have help in navigating "the storms of life" that will come to each of us. The great key comes in humble, whole-hearted obedience that "enables us to be receptive to the mind and will of the Lord."

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

President Ezra Taft Benson on gratitude for our blessings

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"The Prophet Joseph is reported to have said at one time that one of the greatest sins for which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty would be the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a serious sin. There’s a great tendency for us in our prayers—in our pleadings with the Lord—to ask for additional blessings. Sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. Of course we need the daily blessings of the Lord. But if we sin in the matter of prayer, I think it is in our lack of the expressions of thanksgiving for daily blessings.

"President Brigham Young uttered very much the same warning as the Prophet Joseph—that this would be one of our great sins as Latter-day Saints. I do not think this is because we’re less grateful than other people—but we have so much more to be grateful for. I remember this was driven home to me as a young man when I heard of a visit made to the home of my grandfather, who was then bishop of a little country ward at Whitney, Idaho. In those days it was not uncommon to have stake conferences run for three days. And it was not uncommon for the visiting authority to take advantage of the opportunities to visit in the homes, not only of the stake presidency, but of some of the bishops. The story is told that Elder Joseph F. Smith—I think he was not then president (he may have been a member of the Twelve)—was visiting the old Oneida Stake of Zion, and true to custom, he had arranged to honor my grandfather and to take a meal at his home. In telling the story, Grandfather said that they were seated in the living room/dining room combination of the farm home. The table was laden with good things to eat. The family was gathered around—I don’t know how many (there were 13 children in that wonderful family and I presume some of them were away on missions as they usually were).

"Just before they were ready to start the meal, President Smith stretched his long arms over the table and turned to my grandfather and said, 'Brother Benson, all this and the gospel too?' What did President Smith mean? All this and the gospel too? The food represented the good things of life—food, clothing, and all the rest—the material blessings of life. This family of children—home, family, loved ones—all that the world has and the gospel too. I think that’s what the Prophet Joseph had in mind."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Receive All Things with Thankfulness," New Era, Nov. 1976, p. 4
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Are we truly aware of our blessings—of how much we receive from the Lord each day? Do we take much for granted, forgetting the source of the joy and richness in our life? It's so easy to get caught up in the busy nature of life and forget to express thanks to God for all we have:

I love the simple message of the story President Benson shared from his grandfather. "All this and the gospel too"—how frequently we should recognize both our temporal and spiritual blessings, and be led to thank God for them!

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