Fellowship With Those Who Are Not of Our Faith

We are all familiar with the parable of the good Samaritan. As a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, he was robbed and left for dead. Seeing him, a priest crossed the road and passed on the other side, so as not to encounter the man. A Levite also passed by, offering no help. But when the Samaritan saw him, “he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Jesus then posed this question, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves?” The answer, of course, was the one who showed compassion. To which the Savior said, “Go, and do thou likewise.”1 


Of this parable, M. Russell Ballard says, “I am impressed with its power and its simplicity. But have you ever wondered why the Savior chose to make the hero of this story a Samaritan? There was considerable antipathy between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time of Christ. Under normal circumstances, these two groups avoided association with each other. It would still be a good, instructive parable if the man who fell among thieves had been rescued by a brother Jew. His deliberate use of Jews and Samaritans clearly teaches that we are all neighbors and that we should love, esteem, respect, and serve one another despite our deepest differences—including religious, political, and cultural differences.”2


What a great reminder this parable is as we study Chapter 20, Fellowship With Those Who are Not of Our Faith. In the lesson, Gordon B. Hinckley teaches, “We must never forget that we live in a world of great diversity. The people of the earth are all our Father’s children and are of many and varied religious persuasions. We must cultivate tolerance and appreciation and respect one another. …We must never adopt a holier-than-thou attitude. We must not be self-righteous. We must be magnanimous and open and friendly. We can keep our faith. We can practice our religion. We can cherish our method of worship without being offensive to others. I take this occasion to plead for a spirit of tolerance and neighborliness, of friendship and love toward those of other faiths.”


When my children were swimming competitively, I had the pleasure to become acquainted with a wonderful woman. Although our children swam for different teams, we would see each regularly. Through the years, we would often sit together and talk. We became good friends. During one of the meets, she shared with me how her son was being ridiculed and teased incessantly by the “Mormon” boys on his team. I was sad to learn that their mothers had also excluded my friend and treated her poorly. Even more unfortunate was the fact that this seemed to be a common experience for them.  I told my friend that I, too, was a Mormon. And I explained that that kind of behavior was not what our religion taught. In fact, it was completely contrary to what we believe. Although she has moved to another state, we have remained friends. I have often hoped she is having better interactions with members of the Church there than when she lived here.


Unfortunately, that was not my only experience having to explain that excluding others is not what we are taught. I have a friend whose son invited several boys from school to his birthday party. Only one came. When her son saw his best friend at school the Monday after the party, he asked him why he hadn’t come. His friend told him that his mother wouldn’t let him because he wasn’t a Mormon.  My friend’s son was devastated! My friend did not know how to explain that kind of thinking to her son. And understandably so! I told her that from the pulpit of general conference we have been taught NOT to do that and expressed my embarrassment, shame and sadness that her family had to deal with that kind of mistreatment from members of my church! Gratefully my friend has had some very positive experiences with members of the Church, particularly when she was younger and lived in another state. But that doesn’t diminish the hurt that is being caused by careless members now.


Elder Ballard specifically addressed both of these situations when he said, “Occasionally I hear of members offending those of other faiths by overlooking them and leaving them out. This can occur especially in communities where our members are the majority. I have heard about narrow-minded parents who tell children that they cannot play with a particular child in the neighborhood simply because his or her family does not belong to our Church. This kind of behavior is not in keeping with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot comprehend why any member of our Church would allow these kinds of things to happen. I have been a member of this Church my entire life. I have been a full-time missionary, twice a bishop, a mission president, a Seventy, and now an Apostle. I have never taught—nor have I ever heard taught—a doctrine of exclusion. I have never heard the members of this Church urged to be anything but loving, kind, tolerant, and benevolent to our friends and neighbors of other faiths.”2


Similar counsel has been given by many of our prophets and apostles. I list just a few.


“Too often non-Mormons here in Utah have been offended and alienated by some of our members who will not allow their children to be friends with children of other faiths.  Surely we can teach our children values and standards of behavior without having them distance themselves or show disrespect to any who are different.”  Dallin H. Oaks3  


“We must teach our children to be tolerant and friendly toward those not of our faith. … [W]e can teach our children effectively enough that we need not fear that they will lose their faith while being friendly and considerate with those who do not subscribe to the doctrine of this Church.” Gordon B. Hinckley4


“Many good and honest people of different faiths or of no faith at all are on the Lord’s side in seeking the betterment of their fellowmen and exerting a positive influence on society. … Be grateful for the good that people do everywhere, whether to serve society generally or in behalf of the Church. Always be tolerant and considerate of the views and beliefs of others, recognizing each one as a son or daughter of God.” Joseph B. Wirthlin5 


“We must guard against bigotry that raises its ugly voice toward those who hold different opinions. Bigotry manifests itself, in part, in unwillingness to grant equal freedom of expression. Everyone, including people of religion, has the right to express his or her opinions in the public square. But no one has a license to be hateful toward others as those opinions are expressed. Church history gives ample evidence of our members being treated with hatred and bigotry. How ironically sad it would be if we were to treat others as we have been treated. … Jesus Christ set the example for us to follow—to show respect to all and hatred toward none. As His disciples, let us fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless.”  Dale G. Renlund6


“Turn to the Savior to understand how to live a Christlike life while also showing fairness and love to others who do not share your beliefs. … [A]s you … reach out to others in a spirit of fairness, you will feel an increase in the Savior’s love for you and for all of Heavenly Father’s children. Your example of respect and fairness will open doors and create meaningful friendships that you will cherish throughout your life.”  Ronald A. Rasband7 


“I admonish you to be … good neighbors, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to our own. May we be tolerant of, as well as kind and loving to, those who do not share our beliefs and our standards. The Savior brought to this earth a message of love and goodwill to all men and women. May we ever follow His example.”  Thomas S. Monson8


Speaking to the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Russell M. Nelson said, “Members of our church often join with other like-minded citizens, regardless of religious persuasion, in support of worthy causes and humanitarian projects. This can be done without losing independent identity and strength. … [W]e should be models of tolerance of others whose sacred beliefs may differ from our own. We recognize that if one religion is persecuted, all are attacked.” He also shared with them a statement the First Presidency made several years earlier, “Our message is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are the sons and daughters of the same eternal Father.”9

I love that sweet reminder! We are all sons and daughters of the same eternal Father!  


We remember that the Savior taught that “by their fruits ye shall know them.”10 Some only know of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of its response when a great need arises. The Church is exceptional in tending to the needs of all of God’s children. Recently we have seen that outpouring of love and support for those who have been so severely affected by the hurricanes, other natural disasters and tragedies. Surely the Church’s humanitarian efforts are some of its most recognized “fruits.”  


What if I am the only Latter-day Saint someone knows. What do my “fruits” say about me? Are tolerance and kindness, love and acceptance some of those fruits? While it is true we cannot do anything about other people’s actions and reactions, we have complete control over our own. 


As stated in one of the Articles of Faith, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”11 President Hinckley reminded us of that when he said, “How very important that is—that while we believe in worshipping God according to our doctrine, we do not become arrogant or self-righteous or prideful but that we extend to others the privilege of worshipping according to their desires.”  


One of my favorite scriptures is, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”12 As we offer love and friendship to all, we are letting our light shine. When we are “a little more tolerant, a little more kind, a little more outreaching to lift and help and sustain those among us,” we are letting our light shine. The Savior’s command to let our light shine is not exclusive to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We would be wise to recognize the shining light of all good people.


While he was the prophet, President Hinckley was interviewed by Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes on national television. During the interview, he was asked how he viewed non-Mormons. His answer, “With love and respect. I have many non-Mormon friends. I respect them. I have the greatest of admiration for them. … To anybody who is not of this Church, I say we recognize all of the virtues and the good that you have. Bring it with you and see if we might add to it.” Can each of us say the same? I surely hope we can!  May we emulate his example to treat all with love and respect. May we heed his prophetic counsel to “be less prone to stoop to those things which clearly are unbecoming us. We are children of God and we love Him.  Act that way a little more.” Isn’t that really the message of parable of the Good Samaritan? Let us take every opportunity to “go, and do thou likewise.”

 References:

  1.  Luke 10:25-37

  2.  Doctrine of Inclusion – M. Russell Ballard

  3.  Loving Others and Living With Differences – Dallin H. Oaks

  4.  Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley – Chapter 20

  5.  The Lord’s Side – Joseph B. Wirthlin

  6.  Our Good Shepherd – Dale G. Renlund

  7.  Religious Freedom and Fairness For All – Ronald A. Rasband

  8.  Until We Meet Again – Thomas S. Monson

  9.  Combatting Spiritual Drift—Our Global Pandemic – Russell M. Nelson

10.  Matthew 7:20

11.  The Articles of Faith 1:11

12.  Matthew 5:16

The Holy Priesthood

If asked to state in one sentence or phrase the most distinguishing feature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what would be your answer?  David O. McKay posed that question at the beginning of his general conference talk 80 years ago. He then gave his answer, “Divine authority by direct revelation.”1


Gordon B. Hinckley speaks of that divine authority in Chapter 15, The Holy Priesthood. He teaches us that the priesthood is “the power of the Almighty given to man to act in His name and in His stead. It is a delegation of divine authority, different from all other powers and authorities on the face of the earth. … Without it there could be a church in name only, lacking authority to administer in the things of God. With it, nothing is impossible in carrying forward the work of the kingdom of God.  It is divine in nature. It is both temporal and eternal in its authority.  It is the only power on the earth that reaches beyond the veil of death. … How precious is the gift of God that has come to us.”


Jeffrey R. Holland similarly reminds us, “The priesthood of God, with its keys, its ordinances, its divine origin and ability to bind in heaven what is bound on earth, is as indispensable to the true Church of God as it is unique to it and that without it there would be no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”2


The priesthood is the most distinguishing feature, different from all other powers and authorities, indispensable and unique! It is, as President Hinckley teaches, “part of the plan of God our Eternal Father to bless the lives of His sons and daughters of all generations.”


That is very important to state again since it seems that some people get caught up in who holds the priesthood rather than who is blessed by the priesthood. The priesthood is given to us from a loving Heavenly Father to bless the lives of His sons and daughters. While the word priesthood is sometimes used to describe the men in the Church who hold the priesthood, Dallin H. Oaks has reiterated, “men are not ‘the priesthood.’ Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God.”3


Elder Oaks has also stated, “The blessings of the priesthood are available to women and to men on the same terms. The gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the temple are familiar illustrations of this truth.”3


M. Russell Ballard said, “While the authority of the priesthood is directed through priesthood keys, and priesthood keys are held only by worthy men, access to the power and the blessings of the priesthood is available to all of God’s children.”4  


And Sheri L. Dew, speaking directly to the women of the Church, echoes these teachings, “Sisters, some will try to persuade you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood, you have been shortchanged. They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous man and woman. We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge ‘armed’ with power. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness. Most significantly, the fulness of the priesthood contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can be received only by a man and woman together. … We as women are not diminished by priesthood power, we are magnified by it.  I know this is true, for I have experienced it again and again.”5  


The priesthood is meant to bless our lives, both here and hereafter, and to give us power to withstand the evils around us. While the lesson mentions several ways the priesthood does this, I would like to focus on three specific ways we can be continually blessed by the priesthood – the sacrament, the Holy Ghost and the temple. I am profoundly grateful for these blessings, which are part of my life because of the precious gift of the priesthood! 


The Sacrament


“The most important event in time and eternity is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He who accomplished the Atonement has given us the ordinance of the sacrament to help us not only remember but also claim the blessings of this supreme act of grace. Regular and earnest participation in this sacred ordinance helps us continue to embrace and live the doctrine of Christ after baptism and thereby pursue and complete the process of sanctification.” – James J. Hamula6 


“The sacrament and the partaking of these emblems is the very heart of our sabbath worship. It includes a renewal of covenants with God.  It carries with it a promise of His Holy Spirit to be with us.” -Gordon B. Hinckley7


“The ordinance of the sacrament is a holy and repeated invitation to repent sincerely and to be renewed spiritually. The act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, does not remit sins. But as we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.  We truly are blessed each week by the opportunity to evaluate our lives through the ordinance of the sacrament, to renew our covenants, and to receive this covenant promise.” -David A. Bednar8 


The Holy Ghost


“The Holy Ghost is real. He is the third member of the Godhead. His mission is to testify of truth and righteousness. He manifests Himself in many ways, including feelings of peace and reassurance. He can also bring comfort, guidance, and correction when needed. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is maintained throughout our lives by righteous living. The gift of the Holy Ghost is conferred through an ordinance of the gospel. One with authority lays his hands on the head of a new member of the Church and says words such as these: ‘Receive the Holy Ghost.’ This ordinance alone does not change us in a noticeable way, but if we listen and follow the promptings, we will receive the blessing of the Holy Ghost. Each son or daughter of our Heavenly Father can come to know the reality of Moroni’s promise: ‘By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.'” -Boyd K. Packer9

“The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed ‘receive the Holy Ghost’ and its attendant spiritual gifts.” -David A. Bednar10


“Stay close to the Spirit, and the Spirit will stay close to you. … One of the privileges we enjoy as Latter-day Saints living in the fulness of times is the gift of the Holy Ghost.” -Gary E. Stevenson11


Temple


“In its ultimate expression the holy priesthood carries with it the authority to seal on the earth and have that sealing effective in the heavens. It is unique and wonderful. It is the authority exercised in the temples of God. It concerns both the living and the dead. It is of the very essence of eternity.” -Gordon B. Hinckley7 


“Until you have entered the house of the Lord and have received all the blessings which await you there, you have not obtained everything the Church has to offer. The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.
“As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.”  -Thomas S. Monson12


The power that can be derived from the sacrament, the Holy Ghost and the temple is immeasurable! That power is available to every woman and man who is willing to make and keep sacred covenants and live obedient lives. D. Todd Christofferson encourages us to “qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer.”13


It is that type of obedience that President Hinckley speaks candidly about in one section of the lesson. He asks the priesthood holders to reflect on their lives to ensure that they are in line with the teachings of the gospel. He reminds them of their “solid and sacred obligation so to live as one worthy to speak and act in the name of God as his qualified representative.” He teaches, “Every worthy man, regardless of nationality, ethnic background, or any other factor, is eligible to receive the priesthood.  His obedience to the commandments of God becomes the determining factor. Its bestowal is based only on worthiness before the Lord.” Just as obedience and worthiness are the determining factors for men to be able to hold the priesthood, they are also the determining factors for us all to enjoy the blessings and power of the priesthood. We would all do well to do a little self-evaluating. For as Linda K. Burton taught, “Righteousness is the qualifier for each of us to invite priesthood power into our lives.”14


May we each accept President Hinckley’s challenge that, if followed, will enable men and woman alike to be blessed by priesthood power, “Flee the evils of the world. Be loyal to your better self. Be loyal to the best that is in you. Be faithful and true to the covenants that are associated with the priesthood of God.”

References:

  1.  David O. McKay – Conference Report 1937, page 121
  2.  Jeffrey R. Holland – Our Most Distinguishing Feature

  3.  Dallin H. Oaks – The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood

  4.  M. Russell Ballard – Let Us Think Straight

  5.  Sheri L. Dew – It is Not Good for Man or Woman to be Alone

  6.  James J. Hamula – The Sacrament and The Atonement

  7.  Gordon B. Hinckley – Priesthood Restoration

  8.  David A. Bednar – Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins

  9.  Boyd K. Packer – The Witness

10.  David A. Bednar – Receive the Holy Ghost

11.  Gary E. Stevenson – How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

12.  Thomas S. Monson – The Holy Temple – A Beacon to the World

13.  D. Todd Christofferson – The Power of Covenants

14.  Linda K. Burton – Priesthood Power – Available to All

forgets himself

Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others

The Savior’s life was filled with loving, serving and teaching. During these times, two simple words were an often-repeated request from Him, “follow Me.” But following Him is far from simple. To truly follow Him requires us to look outside of ourselves. It requires us to lose ourselves in the service of others.

Gordon B. Hinckley is an incredible example of someone who truly followed the Savior. At the beginning of Chapter 14, Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others, President Hinckley shares an experience that changed his life. As a young elder, he wrote to his father expressing his discouragement. His father’s response was, “Forget yourself and go to work.” Earlier that morning his scripture study had included the scripture found in Mark 8 which reads, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”1 He said, “Those words of the Master, followed by my father’s letter with his counsel to forget myself and go to work, went into my very being. With my father’s letter in hand, I went into our bedroom in the house at 15 Wadham Road, where we lived, and got on my knees and made a pledge with the Lord. I covenanted that I would try to forget myself and lose myself in His service. That July day in 1933 was my day of decision. A new light came into my life and a new joy into my heart.”

So what does Mark 8:35 mean to each of us personally? How can we lose our lives for the Savior’ sake and for His gospel? It is by forgetting ourselves and going to work! It is by following Him. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character.”2 May I suggest that it is through Christlike service that we demonstrate Christlike characteristics and make a place in our lives for those characteristics to take root and grow. It is only then, with a Christlike character, we are able to look outside of our own needs and serve others around us. David A. Bednar explains, “Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering. … Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward.”3 Elder Bednar shares a powerful example of someone losing herself in the service of others, reaching outward when it would have been instinctive, and very understandable, to turn inward. A faithful single mother, serving as the Relief Society president in his ward, lost her only child in a car accident. “On the day of her daughter’s funeral, this Relief Society president from my home ward received a phone call from an irritated sister in our ward. The complaining sister had a cold and did not feel well, and she basically chewed out the Relief Society president for not being thoughtful or compassionate enough to arrange for meals to be delivered to her home. Just hours before the funeral of her only child, this remarkable Relief Society president prepared and delivered a meal to the murmuring sister.”3

This woman knew the meaning of losing one’s self in the service of others! She had clearly learned the importance of turning her life over to the Savior and to His gospel. Do we understand that He can do that for us too? At the beginning of Chapter 8 in Mark, we read about Jesus twice feeding the multitudes with just a few loaves and fishes. What a great reminder that when we give our all in His service, He will add to it and make it enough! And even more!

I love this quote of President Hinckley’s, “He who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.” To me this means that when we put our own interests and worries aside and serve others as the Savior would, we change and become a different, better person. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have tremendous opportunities to serve. How seriously do we take our callings, no matter what that calling is? If we merely go through the motions, we will never grow and blossom into what our Heavenly Father wants us to become. Nor will we bless others as He wishes them to be blessed. As we render Christlike service, President Hinckley challenges us to, “Get lost in the best cause in the world—the cause of the Lord. The work of the quorums, and of the auxiliary organizations, temple work, welfare service work, missionary work. You will bless your own life as you bless the lives of others. There is no other work in all the world so fraught with happiness as is this work. That happiness is peculiar. It comes of serving others. It is real. It is unique. It is wonderful.”

And it is also miraculous. Neil L. Andersen shared an exchange he had with President Monson while they were traveling on a train in Switzerland. He said, “I asked [President Monson] about his heavy responsibilities. His response strengthened my faith. ‘In the First Presidency, we do everything we can to move this work forward. But this is the Lord’s work, and He directs it. He is at the helm. We marvel as we watch Him open doors we cannot open and perform miracles we can scarcely imagine.'” Elder Andersen then reminded us all, “Seeing and believing the Lord’s miracles in establishing His kingdom on earth can help us see and believe that the Lord’s hand is at work in our own lives as well.”4

Are those miracles reserved for the prophets and apostles? I don’t think so. I believe when we serve our Heavenly Father He will bless us, and those we serve, in miraculous ways. When I think about my own life and the different callings I have had, I can see the Lord’s hand in bringing the right people, at the right time, into my life. And miraculous things have happened! I encourage you to think about your own experiences serving in the Church. I am confident that you will see miracles in your lives as well. Why? Because Heavenly Father knows and loves us individually. He knows not only where, but when and why, we need to serve. We need to show our love to Him by trusting Him.

President Hinckley reminds us, “Serve wherever you are called to serve. Do what you are asked to do. Every position you hold will add to your capacity. This … will require your unselfish devotion, your unyielding loyalty and faith. You will serve in many capacities before your lives are complete. Some of them may seem small, but there is no small or unimportant calling in this Church. Every calling is important. Every calling is necessary to the advancement of the work. Never demean a responsibility in the Church. … The Church may call upon you to make sacrifice. It may call upon you to give of the very best that you have to offer. There will be no cost in this, because you will discover that it will become an investment that will pay you dividends for as long as you live. The Church is the great reservoir of eternal truth. Embrace it and hold fast to it.” Often great sacrifices are required as we lose ourselves in service to others and for the Savior and His gospel. However, willing sacrifices bring great blessings.

Recently Henry B. Eyring taught, “When we walk the path of priesthood service, the Savior Jesus Christ goes with us, for it is His path, His way. His light goes before us, and His angels are round about us.”5 I believe that is true for any Christlike service we render. For when we are in His service, the Savior has promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”6

President Hinckley gives us this challenge, which I pray we will take seriously, “May the real meaning of the gospel distill into our hearts that we may realize that our lives, given us by God our Father, are to be used in the service of others. If we will give such service, our days will be filled with joy and gladness. More important, they will be consecrated to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to the blessing of all whose lives we touch.”

President Hinckley consecrated his life to the Lord. He touched countless lives, both in and out of the Church. He was such a great blessing to the Church! It is impossible to know the far-reaching influence of his life! He was an apostle for almost 20 years before being called as a counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball. He subsequently served as a counselor for both President Benson and President Hunter. He became the prophet on March 12, 1995. As prophet, he issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” He announced a plan to build smaller temples and the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund. During his nearly 13 years as the prophet, he traveled over a million miles. And from June of 1983 until October of 2006, he dedicated or rededicated 92 temples.

For nearly three-quarters of a century, Gordon B. Hinckley was true to the pledge he made to the Lord on that July day in 1933 to forget himself and go to work! My hope is that we will follow his example and be found truly following the Savior.

References:

1. Mark 8:35

2. Christlike Attributes – The Wind Beneath Our Wings – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

3. The Character of Christ – David A. Bednar

4. Thy Kingdom Come – Neil L. Andersen

5. Walk With Me – Henry B. Eyring

6. Doctrine & Covenants 84:88

Home – The Basis For a Righteous Life

Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The more surely you rear your children in the ways of the gospel of Jesus Christ, with love and high expectation, the more likely that there will be peace in their lives.” Chapter 11, Home – The Basis for a Righteous Life, is a loving reminder that teaching and rearing our children in the principles of the gospel is our God-given responsibility. As I studied this lesson, the word peace caught my attention. It truly is in teaching and living the gospel of Jesus Christ that our children will have the greatest chance of finding peace and stability in an ever-changing, commotion-filled world.  Consider these things President Hinckley taught about gospel living and peace:

  • I know of no other practice that will have so salutary an effect upon your lives as will the practice of kneeling together in prayer. … Your daily conversations with him will bring peace into your hearts and a joy into your lives that can come from no other source.
  • [The Lord] expects us to have family home evening—one night a week to gather our children together and teach them the gospel. Isaiah said, “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord.” That is the commandment: “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.” And the blessing: “And great,” he said, “shall be the peace of thy children.” (Isa. 54:13)1
  • I urge our people everywhere to read the scriptures more. … May the Lord bless each of us to feast upon his holy word and to draw from it that strength, that peace, that knowledge “which passeth all understanding” (Philip. 4:7), as he has promised.2
  • So lead your sons and daughters, so guide and direct them from the time they are very small, so teach them in the ways of the Lord, that peace will be their companion throughout life.

Russell M. Nelson has said, “No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting!”3 I love the clarity he gives to us that our parenting must be intentional. It takes conscious effort! If we are not careful, other things occupy our time and energy without our even being aware. We’ve been warned often about that.


“When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with ‘good things’ so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?” Richard G. Scott4


“It is of particular importance in our day, when Satan is raging in the hearts of men in so many new and subtle ways, that our choices and decisions be made carefully, consistent with the goals and objectives by which we profess to live. We need unequivocal commitment to the commandments and strict adherence to sacred covenants. … It is heartbreaking when we profess belief in these goals yet neglect the everyday conduct required to achieve them.” Quentin L. Cook5


“Sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life. … If we fail to give our best personal self and undivided time to those who are truly important to us, one day we will regret it.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf6


“Sometimes we feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth. Brothers and sisters, we can spend a lifetime whirling about at a feverish pace, checking off list after list of things that in the end really don’t matter. That we do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls on those things of eternal significance—that is essential.” Joseph B. Wirthlin7


“If he could have his way, Satan … would have us become involved in a million and one things in this life—probably none of which are very important in the long run—to keep us from concentrating on the things that are really important, particularly the reality that we are God’s children. He would like us to forget about home and family values. He’d like to keep us so busy with comparatively insignificant things that we don’t have time to make the effort to understand where we came from, whose children we are, and how glorious our ultimate homecoming can be!” Marvin J. Ashton8


We must never forget that both we and our children are children of God! President Hinckley gives us some very wise counsel, “You need heaven’s help in raising heaven’s child—your child, who is also the child of his or her Heavenly Father.” Intentional parenting includes making our family a priority by inviting heaven’s help as we strive to live the gospel together.


Spencer W. Kimball cautioned, “When we kneel in family prayer, our children at our side on their knees are learning habits that will stay with them all through their lives. If we do not take time for prayers, what we are actually saying to our children is, ‘Well, it isn’t very important, anyway. We won’t worry about it. If we can do it conveniently, we will have our prayer, but if the school bell rings and the bus is coming and employment is calling—well, prayer isn’t very important and we will do it when it is convenient.’ Unless planned for, it never seems to be convenient. No mother would carelessly send her little children forth to school on a wintry morning without warm clothes to protect against the snow and rain and cold. But there are numerous fathers and mothers who send their children to school without the protective covering available to them through prayer—a protection against exposure to unknown hazards, evil people, and base temptations. In the past, having family prayer once a day may have been all right. But in the future it will not be enough if we are going to save our families.” (Italics added)9


James E. Faust quoted that last sentence in his general conference talk nearly thirty years ago and then added, “I wonder if having casual and infrequent family home evening will be enough in the future to fortify our children with sufficient moral strength. In the future, infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm our children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which they will live. Where in the world will the children learn chastity, integrity, honesty, and basic human decency if not at home?”10


Surely the “in the future” President Faust spoke of was today! Oh how I wish I could go back to when my children were young and do a better job! And I am sure I am not alone! In fact, I find great comfort in Russell M. Nelson’s words, “Years ago the First Presidency stressed the importance of quality family time. They wrote: ‘We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility. We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.’ When I ponder this counsel, I almost wish I were a young father once again.”3


So, we do our best and pray for heaven’s help. Still, one of the great heartaches for parents is when children, young and sometimes not so young, seem to abandon what they have been taught. President Hinckley encourages, “Once in a while, notwithstanding all the things you try to do, there is a rebellious child. But keep at it. Do not ever give up. You have never lost as long as you try. Keep at it.”


Jeffrey R. Holland, in his ever-loving, always-encouraging way, teaches, “Some children will make choices that break their parents’ hearts. Moms and dads can do everything right and yet have children who stray. Moral agency still obtains. But even in such painful hours it will be comforting for you to know that your children knew of your abiding faith in Christ, in His true Church, in the keys of the priesthood and in those who hold them. It will be comforting then for you to know that if your children choose to leave the straight and narrow way, they leave it very conscious that their parents were firmly in it. Furthermore, they will be much more likely to return to that path when they come to themselves and recall the loving example and gentle teachings you offered them there. Live the gospel as conspicuously as you can. Keep the covenants your children know you have made. Give priesthood blessings. And bear your testimony! Don’t just assume your children will somehow get the drift of your beliefs on their own. Keep loving and keep testifying. Keep praying. Those prayers will be heard and answered in the most unexpected hour. God will send aid to no one more readily than He will send it to a child—and to the parent of a child.”11


We know that Satan seeks to destroy peace—especially in the family. Prophets and apostles have warned us for many years about these attacks and how we can guard against them. In 1995, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued The Family – A Proclamation to the World. President Hinckley read that proclamation as part of his talk to the women of the Church. He said, “With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn. In furtherance of this we of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the Church and to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout its history.” He then read the family proclamation.  He continued, “We commend to all a careful, thoughtful, and prayerful reading of this proclamation. The strength of any nation is rooted within the walls of its homes. We urge our people everywhere to strengthen their families in conformity with these time-honored values.”12


May we accept President Hinckley’s challenge to prayerfully, carefully and thoughtfully read and study the family proclamation and conform our lives to the values taught in this prophetic proclamation. As we do, we will feel heaven’s help as we are doing the heavenly work of raising God’s children.

References:

  1.  Family Home Evening – Gordon B. Hinckley

  2.  Feasting Upon The Scriptures – Gordon B. Hinckley

  3.  The Sabbath is a Delight – Russell M. Nelson

  4.  First Things First – Richard G. Scott

  5.  Choose Wisely – Quentin L. Cook

  6.  Of Regrets and Resolutions – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  7.  Follow Me – Joseph B. Wirthlin

  8.  A Yearning For Home – Marvin J. Ashton

  9.  Prayer, The Passport to Spiritual Power – Spencer W. Kimball

10.  The Greatest Challenge in the World—Good Parenting – James E. Faust

11.  A Prayer for the Children – Jeffrey R. Holland

12.  Stand Strong Against the Wiles of the World – Gordon B. Hinckley

The Precious Gift of Testimony

One of the beauties of general conference is the gathering of the members of the Church from all over the world, sometimes physically and always spiritually. While there are many different languages spoken, it is a sweet reminder that the language of the gospel is the same for everyone and has great power to unite us. Chapter 9, The Precious Gift of Testimony, is a similar reminder. Gordon B. Hinckley teaches that “in the heart of each of us beats a common testimony. You and I know that God lives and is at the helm of this His holy work. We know that Jesus is our Redeemer, who stands at the head of this Church which carries His name. We know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and is a prophet who stands at the head of this the dispensation of the fulness of times. We know that the priesthood was restored upon his head and that it has come down to us in this day in an unbroken line. We know that the Book of Mormon is a true testament of the reality and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Have these profound truths changed your life?

I love the four conversion stories shared in the lesson. They are truly inspiring! They are sweet reminders of the powerful change that comes into our lives when we put our beliefs into action. Many times at a great cost! It is hard to imagine the sacrifices so many people have made and continue to make to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I never had to make those sacrifices. My ancestors did! And my life has been eternally blessed because of them! These examples show how our testimonies change not only our lives but also the lives of our families and friends. We have also been taught that our personal testimonies strengthen and bless the Church.

The following quotes help us understand some of the blessings, and responsibilities, that are ours because of our testimonies.

“A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path. As you fortify your own personal testimony, you will have power to make correct choices so that you can stand unwaveringly against the pressures of an increasingly vicious world. Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial or uncertainty.” Richard G. Scott1

“Testimony—real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost—changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make. … Never underestimate the impact your testimony can have upon the lives of others as you bear it with the power of the Spirit.” M. Russell Ballard2

“Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone’s life for eternity.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf3

“Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church. Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life. Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass. It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt. It is a burning within that tells us what is right.” Robert D. Hales4

“The strength of the Church lies in the depth and vitality of the personal testimonies of its members. Firm, secure testimonies will be the difference between faithfulness and disaffection.” Joseph B. Wirthlin5

“No matter how large the organization of the Church becomes or how many millions of members join our ranks, no matter how many continents and countries our missionaries enter or how many different languages we speak, the true success of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be measured by the spiritual strength of its individual members. We need the strength of conviction that is found in the heart of every loyal disciple of Christ.” Boyd K. Packer6

Think about some of the words used in those quotes – strength, power, change, conviction. President Hinckley reminds us, “Testimony is as real and powerful as any force on the earth.” It is no wonder then that he also reminds us, “It is the opportunity, it is the responsibility of every man and woman in this Church to obtain within himself or herself a conviction of the truth of this great latter-day work and of those who stand at its head, even the living God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

A testimony truly is a precious gift. It is so important to remember that it is what we do with our testimony that really counts. David A. Bednar taught, “Testimony is a point of departure; it is not an ultimate destination. Strong testimony is the foundation upon which conversion is established. … Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel.”7

Harold B. Lee said, “The greatest responsibility that a member of Christ’s church has ever had is to become truly converted—and it is just as important to stay converted.” He then gives a great definition of conversion! “One is converted when he sees with his eyes what he ought to see; when he hears with his ears what he ought to hear; and when he understands with his heart what he ought to understand—then he is converted. And what he ought to see, hear, and understand is truth—eternal truth—and then practice it. That is conversion.”8

May we do whatever necessary to obtain a personal conviction of the truths of the gospel and then be true to those convictions.

References:

1. The Power of a Strong Testimony – Richard G. Scott

2. Pure Testimony – M. Russell Ballard

3. Waiting on the Road to Damascus – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

4. The Importance of a Personal Testimony – Robert D. Hales

5. Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony – Joseph B. Wirthlin

6. The Reason for Our Hope – Boyd K. Packer

7. Converted Unto the Lord – David A. Bednar

8. When Your Heart Tells You Things Your Mind Does Not Know – Harold B. Lee

We Look to Christ

“Absolutely basic to our faith is our testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We believe in Christ. We teach of Christ. We look to Christ. He is our Redeemer, our Lord, and our Savior,” proclaimed Gordon B. Hinckley in Chapter 8, We Look to Christ. 1  This lesson really speaks to my heart!  I’m sure it is no coincidence that this lesson will be taught on Easter and is filled with questions that help us think about what we truly believe and what we are willing to do because of those beliefs.


Part of the lesson comes from a talk given by Gordon B. Hinckley the day before Easter in 1966 during which he asks a thought-provoking question.  He said, “Multitudes will gather on a thousand hills to welcome the dawn of the Easter day and to remind themselves of the story of Christ, whose resurrection they will commemorate.  In language both beautiful and hopeful, preachers of many faiths will recount the story of the empty tomb.  To them – and to you – I raise this question:  Do you actually believe it?”


I suppose that at one time or another each of us will be faced with that question.  For me, it was the when my daughter passed away.  I remember thinking for a split second, “Is what I have been taught all my life really true?”  As quickly as the thought came, the sweet assurance from the Holy Ghost confirmed to me that it was!  It is hard to describe the tender feelings I had on Easter two short months later.  The love and gratitude I felt for the Savior was overwhelming.  Because of Him, I would be with my daughter again!  That Easter, and every one since, has had greater meaning to me.  


Joseph B. Wirthlin taught, “The Resurrection is at the core of our beliefs as Christians. Without it, our faith is meaningless. … When the Savior rose from the tomb, He did something no one had ever done. He did something no one else could do. He broke the bonds of death, not only for Himself but for all who have ever lived. … I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. … I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest.  But the doom of that day did not endure.  The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.  I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable. We have the personal testimonies of those who saw Him. Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior. They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him. … The Resurrection transformed the lives of those who witnessed it. Should it not transform ours?”2  


For that transformation to occur, we need the Holy Ghost.   President Hinckley reminds us, “The things of God are understood by the Spirit of God.”  It is only through the Spirit that we will gain a testimony. He taught, “There is needed an understanding of his unique and incomparable position as the divine Redeemer and an enthusiasm for him and his message as the Son of God.”   That understanding will come as the Holy Ghost bears witness to us “that Jesus is in very deed the Son of God, born in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world resurrected from the grave, the Lord who shall come to reign as King of kings.  It is your opportunity so to know.  It is your obligation so to find out.”


But finding out is not the end of our spiritual journey.  In fact, it is really the just the beginning.  Gaining a testimony is not a one-time event but a life-time pursuit.  Harold B. Lee taught, “Testimony is as elusive as a moonbeam; it’s as fragile as an orchid; you have to recapture it every morning of your life. You have to hold on by study, and by faith, and by prayer. If you allow yourself to be angry, if you allow yourself to get into the wrong kind of company, you listen to the wrong kind of stories, you are studying the wrong kind of subjects, you are engaging in sinful practices, there is nothing that will be more deadening as to take away the Spirit of the Lord from you until it will be as though you had walked from a lighted room when you go out of this building, as though you had gone out into a darkness.  That which you possess today in testimony will not be yours tomorrow unless you do something about it. Your testimony is either going to increase or it is going to diminish, depending on you.”3


Does what I know change how I live?  President Hinckley asks a similar question in the lesson, “I ask anew the question offered by Pilate two thousand years ago, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?’  Indeed, we need continually to ask ourselves, What shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ?” 


What a great blessing it can be to us personally if we will reflect on the ways our lives have been blessed because we have learned from the Savior how to respond to the different situations in our lives.  With His loving example of obedience, forgiveness, and charity, we can know how our Heavenly Father wants us to live our lives.  “What shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ?  Learn of him. Search the scriptures for they are they which testify of him. Ponder the miracle of his life and mission. Try a little more diligently to follow his example and observe his teachings.”1


At the rededication of the Mesa Arizona Temple, President Hinckley was asked by a Protestant minister why, when the symbol of Christianity is a cross, there was no cross on the temple or any other of our buildings.  He told him that for us the cross was a symbol of a dying Christ and “our message is a declaration of the living Christ.” The minister then asked, “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?”  President Hinckley replied, “The lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship.”  As he shared this experience with the members of the Church in April 1975 general conference, he gave us this charge, “Our lives must become a meaningful expression, the symbol of our declaration of our testimony of the Living Christ, the Eternal Son of the Living God.  It’s that simple, my brethren and sisters, and that profound and we’d better never forget it.”


I believe that is exactly what Linda K. Burton meant as she spoke about certain women in the scriptures “who bore positive, confident, firm, assured testimonies of the Savior.” Their lives were meaningful expressions of their testimonies.  So can ours be as we follow Sister Burton’s challenge to “be found staying close to Him in prayer and scripture study. Let us draw ourselves near to Him by preparing for and partaking of the sacred emblems of His atoning sacrifice weekly during the ordinance of the sacrament and as we keep covenants by serving others in their times of need. Perhaps then we might be part of the certain women, disciples of Jesus Christ, who will celebrate His glorious return when He comes again.”4  


May we be certain in our testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ, who “is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.  In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.”1

References:

1.  Chapter 8, We Look to Christ, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley

2.  Sunday Will Come – Joseph B. Wirthlin

3.  Chapter 5, Walking in the Light of Testimony, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee

4.  Certain Women – Linda K. Burton

The Whisperings of the Spirit

In Chapter 7, The Whisperings of the Spirit, Gordon B. Hinckley teaches, “There is no greater blessing that can come into our lives than the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  While the Holy Ghost can bless and teach anyone, the gift of the Holy Ghost “can come only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost.”1  

In the lesson, President Hinckley lists some of the blessings that come from the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  He tells us that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth, guides us, protects us, blesses us, leads us in paths of righteousness and truth, buoys us up, teaches us, comforts us and sustains us. “To obtain this companionship,” he tells us, “we need to ask for it, to live for it, to be loyal to the Lord.” 

Several years ago, David A. Bednar spoke of “the importance of striving in our daily lives to actually receive the Holy Ghost.”2  As we were confirmed members of the Church, the words “Receive the Holy Ghost” were spoken.  Elder Bednar reminds us that those four words “are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction – an authoritative admonition to act. … The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken.  As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work and to so live that we indeed ‘receive the Holy Ghost’ and its attendant spiritual gifts.”2  

Henry B. Eyring taught something very similar.  He wants us to “increase [our] desire and [our] determination to claim the gift promised to each of us after we were baptized.  During our confirmation we heard these words: ‘Receive the Holy Ghost.’  From that moment our lives changed forever.  We can, if we live worth of it, have the blessings of the Spirit to be with us not only now and then, but always. … The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. … Whatever it is, do it.  … As you obey, the impressions of the Spirit will come more frequently, becoming closer and closer to constant companionship.”3

Marion G. Romney once heard President David O. McKay say, “Never fail to respond to the whisperings of the Spirit.  Live so you can receive it, and then have the courage to do as it instructs.”4  The story at the beginning of Chapter 7 is a wonderful example of the responding to the whisperings of the Spirit and shows the blessings that flow from acting on those promptings.  In July of 1992, Gordon B. Hinckley and a few other Church leaders were in Hong Kong looking for a place to build a temple.  With that decision weighing on his mind, President Hinckley went to bed.  In the middle of the night, he had a very sweet experience with the whisperings of the Spirit.  In his journal he recorded, “Something very interesting came to my mind.  I did not hear a voice with my natural ears.  But into my mind there came the voice of the Spirit.  It said, ‘Why are you worried about this?  You have a wonderful piece of property where the mission home and the small chapel stand.  They are in the very heart of Kowloon, in the location with the best transportation.  Build a building of several stories.  It can include a chapel and classrooms on the first two floors and a temple on the top two or three floors.’”  The Hong Kong China Temple was announced a few months later in October 1992 General Conference.

President Hinckley reminds us, “The things of God are understood by the Spirit of God.  That Spirit is real.  I urge each of us to continue to cultivate a heart in tune with the Spirit.  If we do so, our lives will be enriched.  We will feel a kinship with God our Eternal Father.  We will taste a sweetness of joy that can be had in no other way.”

Nearly thirty years ago, James E. Faust taught, “There is a greater need for divine oversight in our lives today than ever before.”  I think it safe to say that the need has increased even more today.  He continued, “By the power and gift of the Holy Ghost, we can know what to do and what not to do to bring happiness and peace in our lives.  …  The gift of the Holy Ghost is available as a sure guide, as the voice of conscience, and as a moral compass.  This guiding compass is personal to each of us.  It is unerring.  It is unfailing.”   He then made this profound statement, “The Holy Ghost is the greatest guarantor of inward peace in our unstable world.”5

President Hinckley said, “How great a blessing it is to have the ministering influence of a member of the Godhead.”  I hope we can each take some time to reflect upon the many blessings that have come into our lives because of the gift of the Holy Ghost.  May we strive daily, as Elder Bednar encouraged, “to actually receive the Holy Ghost.” 

References:

1.  Bible Dictionary

2.  Receive the Holy Ghost – David A. Bednar

3.  The Holy Ghost as Your Companion – Henry B. Eyring

4.  We Need Men of Courage – Marion G. Romney

5.  The Gift of the Holy Ghost – A Sure Compass – James E. Faust

How Mighty a Thing is Prayer

As I began my study of Chapter 6, How Mighty a Thing is Prayer, I remembered the quote from Donald L. Hallstrom used in the last blog, “Our most fundamental doctrine includes the knowledge that we are children of a living God.  … This doctrine is so basic, so oft stated, and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary, when in reality it is among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain.”1 Can’t the same thing be said about prayer?  It is so basic, so oft stated and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary.  However, knowing that our Father in Heaven hears and answers our prayers is really among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain.  Gordon B. Hinckley teaches, “Never forget who you are.  You are in very deed a child of God.  He is your Eternal Father.  He loves you.  You can go to Him in prayer.  He has invited you to do so.  What a wonderful thing this is.  He is the Greatest of All.  He is the Creator and Governor of the universe.  And yet He will listen to your prayer!”


While physically praying really is quite simple, the impact it can have on us spiritually is anything but!  In fact, President Hinckley uses words like wonderful, miraculous, marvelous and mighty.  He encourages us to “believe in the power and majesty of prayer.” Those words are far from simple!  So how can our prayers become powerful, wonderful, miraculous, marvelous and mighty?  I believe how we pray and how we listen for answers can have a tremendous impact.


How we pray can change prayer from ordinary to extraordinary.


“The gift of prayer,” said Bruce D. Porter, “is surely among the greatest of gifts given by our Father in Heaven to His children on earth. Prayer is the ordained means by which men and women, and even little children, come to know God. It is our channel of communication with heaven. It is a priceless privilege.  …  Yet all too easily our prayers can become repetitive and perfunctory, a mere check on a checklist of duties and tasks in a given day. … But prayer was never meant to be ordinary: it can be among the most exalted of privileges we enjoy in this mortal sphere.”2


President Hinckley warned, “The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the telephone and ordering groceries—we place our order and hang up. We need to meditate, contemplate, think of what we are praying about and for and then speak to the Lord as one man speaketh to another.”


Joseph B. Wirthlin cautioned about letting our prayers become routine or mechanical.  He taught, “Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will hardly merit much attention from our Heavenly Father.”3


When our prayers are sincere and heartfelt, they bring us into what President Hinckley calls a “partnership with God.”  Elder Porter said, “True prayer is heartfelt: the words convey our deeply felt desires and are coupled with a commitment to act on the divine guidance we receive. … Heartfelt prayer comes from the depths of the soul. … When we pray from the heart, we are seeking to draw nearer to our Father in Heaven, to commune with Him in a personal and intimate manner. … We do not simply talk at God; rather, we talk with Him. This does not imply a face-to-face conversation as Moses experienced, but it does suggest communing with God by listening to the still, small voice of the Spirit. It means allowing time both during a prayer and after a prayer to hear spiritual promptings. … Heartfelt prayer … entails coming to know God. It means seeking understanding of divine truths, seeking to better understand the purposes of one’s life and how to best please God; it means talking with the Lord about things that matter most.”2


As we come to know God, we will more easily recognize how Heavenly Father answers our prayers. Some of the most profound answers I have received to my prayers have come while I have been reading the scriptures.  Robert D. Hales teaches, “When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures. … If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures.”4


Henry B. Eyring reminds us, “We can and must go often and carefully to the word of God. If we become casual in our study of the scriptures, we will become casual in our prayers.  We may not cease to pray, but our prayers will become more repetitive, more mechanical, lacking real intent. Our hearts cannot be drawn out to a God we do not know, and the scriptures and the words of living prophets help us know Him.”5


Another way Heavenly Father answers our prayers is by speaking peace to our soul.  Ezra Taft Benson taught, “It is soul-satisfying to know that God is mindful of us and ready to respond when we place our trust in Him and do that which is right. There is no place for fear among men and women who place their trust in the Almighty, who do not hesitate to humble themselves in seeking divine guidance through prayer. Though persecutions arise, though reverses come, in prayer we can find reassurance, for God will speak peace to the soul. That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life’s greatest blessing.”6


As we come to know God, we will trust Him and trust in Him.


David O. McKay said, “I have cherished from childhood the truth that God is a personal being, and is, indeed, our Father whom we can approach in prayer and receive answers thereto. I cherish as one of the dearest experiences of life the knowledge that God hears the prayer of faith. It is true that the answers to our prayers may not always come as direct and at the time, nor in the manner, we anticipate; but they do come, and at a time and in a manner best for the interests of him who offers the supplication.”7


Virginia Pearce reiterates, “Prayer works. It does indeed call down the powers of heaven. It reconciles our will with the will of the Father. … We may not be granted that which we desire, but we end up grateful with all of our hearts for that which the Lord gives us.”8

What an incredibly valuable lesson we learn from our Savior in Gethsemane.  With the undaunting responsibility He was about to undertake, He went to His Father in prayer seeking relief. “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me.”  How profound were the words that followed, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”9  Aligning our will to the will of the Father is imperative.  Sometimes answers to our prayers are clear and unmistakable. Sometimes we may not like the answer we get. And sometimes we can feel as though they are not being answered at all.  When that happens, we have to exercise faith in Heavenly Father’s timing and know that “God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see.”10


There is power and majesty in prayer!  It can change our lives!  It is available to us not only as individuals but as families as well.  President Hinckley reminds us of the great power and miracles that can come through family prayer.  He taught, “The family is the basic unit of society. The praying family is the hope of a better society. … I submit that a return to the old pattern of prayer, family prayer in the homes of the people, is one of the basic medications that would check the dread disease that is eroding the character of our society. We could not expect a miracle in a day, but in a generation we would have a miracle. … How tragic the loss for any family that fails to take advantage of this precious and simple practice. … If you sincerely apply family prayer, you will not go away unrewarded.”


President Hinckley lived what he taught. Family prayer was a daily part of life in the Hinckley home.  And the rewards are evident in the lessons his children learned from hearing their father pray. His son Richard shared, “I can’t remember a day when we didn’t have family prayer.  When it was his turn, Dad prayed very sincerely but never with a theatrical or emotional air.  We learned much about the depth of his faith by listening to him pray.  He addressed God with great reverence, as he would perhaps a wise and revered teacher or mentor, and he referred to the Savior with deep feeling.  As a child, I knew they were real persons to him – that he loved and revered them.”  


I hope we will follow President Hinckley’s example and make prayer a priority in our lives and in our homes!  As we do, we will witness miracles and experience peace promised by a prophet of God.

References:

  1.  I Am A Child of God – Donald L. Hallstrom

  2.  Did You Think to Pray? – Bruce D. Porter

  3.  Improving Our Prayers – Joseph B. Wirthlin

  4.  Holy Scriptures: The Power of God Unto Our Salvation – Robert D. Hales

  5.  Prayer – Henry B. Eyring

  6.  Prayer – Ezra Taft Benson

  7.  The Power of Prayer – David O. McKay

  8.  Prayer:  A Small and Simple Thing – Virginia Pearce

  9.  Luke 22:42
10.  The Opening and Closing of Doors – Howard W. Hunter

Daughters of God

Donald L. Hallstrom recently taught, “Our most fundamental doctrine includes the knowledge that we are children of a living God.  … This doctrine is so basic, so oft stated, and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary, when in reality it is among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain.  …  It is essential that our preeminent identity is as a child of God.  Knowing that will allow our faith to flourish, will motivate our continual repentance, and will provide the strength to ‘be steadfast and immovable’ throughout our mortal journey.”1


Recently I had a conversation with someone about religion.  The gentleman I was talking to shared his view that, if there is a God, He is just a presence.   I took the opportunity to express my testimony that God is our Father, that He cares about us individually and that He is involved in the details of our lives. That night as I said my prayers, I was overcome with emotion as I thanked Heavenly Father for the blessing of knowing that I am His child and that He loves me.  And I prayed that the man I had spoken with earlier that day could come to know that as well.


Perhaps because of that experience, the first words in Chapter 5, Daughters of God, resonated deep in my soul.  Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Each of you is a daughter of God.  Reflect on all the wondrous meaning of that one paramount fact.”  The word reflect made a great impression on me.  Not only does it mean to realize or consider, but it also means to give back an image or to make manifest.  It is important to know that I am a child of God!  But is that knowledge reflected in the way I live?  It should be!  I like the suggestion of Rosemary M. Wixom to “take that beloved phrase ‘I am a child of God’ and add the words ‘Therefore, what?’”2

 
I am a child of God.  Therefore, I will be faithful.


In the lesson, President Hinckley urges us to be faithful “to the very best that is within us. … Be faithful to the gospel.  Be faithful to the Church.  … Be faithful to God.  … He is the one true source of your strength.”  Using the revelation given to Emma Smith as a guide for each of us, President Hinckley reminds us of some of the things our Heavenly Father expects of us.  One of those is to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.”3  Just as Emma had so many things in life to worry about and occupy her time, so do we.  But here was council to not be obsessed with those everyday things and to “get her thoughts on the higher things of life, the things of righteousness and goodness, matters of charity and love for others, the things of eternity.”  


Marvin J. Ashton said, “If he could have his way, Satan would distract us from our heritage. He would have us become involved in a million and one things in this life—probably none of which are very important in the long run—to keep us from concentrating on the things that are really important, particularly the reality that we are God’s children. He would like us to forget about home and family values. He’d like to keep us so busy with comparatively insignificant things that we don’t have time to make the effort to understand where we came from, whose children we are, and how glorious our ultimate homecoming can be!”4


Elder Hallstrom cautioned, “We live in a world that can cause us to forget who we really are.  The more distractions that surround us, the easier it is to treat casually, then ignore, and then forget our connection with God.”1 


I am a child of God.  Therefore, I will cherish motherhood.


When discussing our divine nature as women, motherhood is appropriately included.  Although it can be a tender subject when some of us are not mothers, it is our responsibility as daughters of God to cherish and value motherhood – always!  President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “The Church will always hold aloft the banner of happy family life, for we can do no other!  Family life is the best method for achieving happiness in this world, and it is a clear pattern given to us from the Lord about what is to be in the next world.  We have no choice but to continue to hold up the ideal of the Latter-day Saint family. The fact that some do not now have the privilege of living in such a family is not reason enough to stop talking about it.  We cannot set aside this standard, because so many other things depend upon it.”5


Reminding mothers of the sanctity of their calling, President Hinckley said, “No one can adequately take your place.  No responsibility is greater, no obligation more binding than that you rear in love and peace and integrity those whom you have brought into the world.  Rear your children in light and truth.  Teach them to pray.  Read to them from the scriptures.  Teach them to pay their tithes and offerings.  Teach your sons to honor womanhood.  Teach your daughters to walk in virtue.  Accept responsibility in the Church, and trust in the Lord to make you equal to any call you may receive.  Your example will set a pattern for your children.”


We have often heard the statement made by the First Presidency in 1942, “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”


I am a child of God.  Therefore, I will stand strong and immovable.


M. Russell Ballard taught, “Sisters, your sphere of influence is a unique sphere—one that cannot be duplicated by men.  No one can defend our Savior with any more persuasion or power than you, the daughters of God, can—you who have such inner strength and conviction. The power of a converted woman’s voice is immeasurable, and the Church needs your voices now more than ever.”6


President Hinckley stated, “It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. … No one can calculate the tremendous force for good that you can become. … I charge you to stand tall and be strong in defense of those great virtues. … When you are united, your power is limitless. You can accomplish anything you wish to accomplish. And oh, how very, very great is the need for you in a world of crumbling values where the adversary seems so very much to be in control. … Marvelous is the power of women of faith.”


Julie B. Beck said, “The sisterhood of Relief Society can provide a place of safety, refuge, and protection. As our times become ever more difficult, the faithful sisters of Relief Society will unite to protect the homes of Zion from the shrill voices of the world and the predatory and provocative influence of the adversary. And through Relief Society, they will be taught and strengthened and taught and strengthened more, and the influence of righteous women can bless many more of our Father’s children.”7


As daughters of God, let us accept President Hinckley’s invitation to “rise to the great potential within you.  Do what you can do in the best way you know.  If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass.”

References:

1.  I Am a Child of God – Donald L. Hallstrom

2.  Discovering the Divinity Within – Rosemary M. Wixom

3.  Doctrine & Covenants 25:10

4.  A Yearning for Home – Marvin J. Ashton

5.  Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters – Spencer W. Kimball

6.  Let Us Think Straight – M. Russell Ballard

7.  What I Hope My Granddaughters and Grandsons Will Understand About Relief Society – Julie B. Beck

Cultivate an Attitude of Happiness & a Spirit of Optimism

In Chapter 3, Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism, Gordon B. Hinckley uses two examples to emphasize the importance of learning to have a positive outlook on life.  The first one comes from the scriptures.  The year after Moses had led the children of Israel into the wilderness, he sent one representative from each of the twelve tribes to go into the land of Canaan and then report back on their living conditions.  Caleb and Joshua reported that they found the land to be fruitful, even bringing back some of “the firstripe grapes” as evidence.  The other ten, President Hinckley said, “were victims of their own doubts and fears.”  Their report was negative, acknowledging that the Canaanites were stronger than they were.  In comparing themselves, they became “victims of their own timidity.” Sadly, “the people were more willing to believe the ten doubters than to believe Caleb and Joshua.  Then it was that the Lord declared that the children of Israel should wander in the wilderness forty years until the generation of those who had walked with doubt and fear should pass away.”  The ten doubters died in the wilderness, but Caleb and Joshua were privileged to enter the promised land.

I believe the message President Hinckley wants us to get from this example is that if we are not careful we will miss out on blessings because of doubt and fear.  The Lord will always bless us when our lives are filled with faith and optimism.


The second example comes from a newspaper article which was written by Jenkins Lloyd Jones.  He wrote:

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.

“Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …


“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”

President Hinckley continued, “The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride; and really, isn’t it a wonderful ride? Enjoy it! Laugh about it! Sing about it!”

What a wonderful approach to life!  If we look for the positive, we will surely find it.  It may be a little difficult at times, but there is always something to be grateful for!  Having a grateful heart will bless not only our own life but also the lives of those around us.


President Hinckley warned, “There is a terrible ailment of pessimism in the land.  It’s almost endemic. We’re constantly fed a steady and sour diet of character assassination, faultfinding, evil speaking of one another.” Although he said that 23 years ago, it unfortunately still applies today.  He issued a plea then that we would be wise to accept now.  “I come with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.  I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive.  I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism.  Let our faith replace our fears.  Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism.  Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and for the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy.”
 

The word “cultivate” left a great impression on me.  One of the definitions of cultivate is “to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study: devote time and thought to.”  Careful attention to our attitude will help us recognize if we are getting caught in the trap of pessimism.  And consciously thinking about and being thankful for our blessings will help us be more grateful.   It will definitely take time, patience and effort to cultivate happiness and optimism, but it will be worth it! 

So how do we cultivate happiness and optimism?  While there are many ways, these three are a great place to start!


Believe in Yourself  – “There is a sad tendency among many of us to belittle ourselves.  Most of us have some feelings of inferiority.  The important thing is not to talk to yourself about it.  The important thing is to make the best of all that we have.  Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for yourself.  Don’t belittle yourself.  Never forget that you are a child of God. You have a divine birthright.  Something of the very nature of God is within you.  … There is no greater truth in all the world than that.  Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things.  Believe that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it.  Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it.  You are a child of God, of infinite capacity. Stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better.”  Gordon B. Hinckley


Testimony – “A testimony provides us with a reason for hope and gladness.  It helps us cultivate a spirit of optimism and happiness.”  Dieter F. Uchtdorf1 


“A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path.  As you fortify your own personal testimony, you will have power to make correct choices so that you can stand unwaveringly against the pressures of an increasingly vicious world. Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial or uncertainty.” Richard G. Scott2


Holy Ghost – “The Holy Ghost blesses us with optimism and wisdom at times of challenge that we simply cannot muster on our own.”  Sheri Dew3  


“The Holy Ghost loves us and wants us to be happy.  Since He knows the challenges we will face, He can guide us and teach us all things we must do to return and live with our Heavenly Father once again. During times of trouble or despair or simply when we need to know that God is near, the Holy Ghost can lift our spirits, give us hope, and teach us ‘the peaceable things of the kingdom,’  helping us feel ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.’”  Craig C. Christensen4 

Knowing I am a daughter of God, my testimony and the Holy Ghost have been sources of happiness and optimism in my life many times.  Without question, the time I felt it most was when my daughter passed away.  My testimony truly sustained me.  It provided me with hope and gladness.  I found great peace, comfort and optimism knowing that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ I will be with my daughter again.  The Holy Ghost spoke peace to my heart and blessed me with optimism and wisdom which cannot be explained.  Knowing I had a loving Heavenly Father who knew me and knew how I felt made such an incredible difference!  Of course there was grief, but there was no despair or discouragement. 


Life can often be challenging.  Sometimes it is downright difficult!  We all have trials we are expected to endure.  We shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves when we are trying to deal with them.  The problem isn’t our trials.  The problem is when we don’t try to rise above them.  It is important to remember that despair and discouragement are the opposite of hope and optimism.   Howard W. Hunter taught that “despair, doom and discouragement are not an acceptable view of life for a Latter-day Saint.  … There have always been some difficulties in mortal life and there always will be.  But knowing what we know, and living as we are supposed to live, there really is no place, no excuse, for pessimism and despair.  …  I hope you won’t believe … that things have never been worse than they are for you personally, or that they will never get better.  I reassure you that things have been worse and they will always get better. They always do – especially when we live and love the gospel of Jesus Christ and give it a chance to flourish in our lives.”5  


Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds, “The adversary uses despair to bind hearts and minds in suffocating darkness.  Despair drains from us all that is vibrant and joyful and leaves behind the empty remnants of what life was meant to be.  Despair kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart.  Despair can seem like a staircase that leads only and forever downward.  


“Hope, on the other hand, is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances.  It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn.


“Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us.  It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future.  It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered.  It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.  With hope comes joy and happiness.  With hope, we can have patience, and bear our afflictions.”6 


Life is wonderful!  We have so much to be thankful for.  The blessings of the gospel give us many reasons to be happy and optimistic.


May we accept President Hinckley’s challenge “to square your lives with the teachings of the gospel, to live as an example of what the gospel of Jesus Christ will do in bringing happiness to an individual.  Be happy!  Let that happiness shine through your faces and speak through your testimonies.  In all of living have much of fun and laughter.  Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”

References:

1.  The Power of a Personal Testimony – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

2.  The Power of a Strong Testimony – Richard G. Scott

3.  We Are Not Alone – Sheri Dew

4.  An Unspeakable Gift from God – Craig C. Christensen

5.  An Anchor to the Souls of Men – Howard W. Hunter

6.  The Infinite Power of Hope – Dieter F. Uchtdorf