“Apostles Speak to Us,” New Era, May 2016, 6–11
Apostles Speak to Us
Photographs by Church Publishing Services
The Price of Priesthood Power
“In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity.
“What is the price to develop such priesthood power? …
“… Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence. And don’t forget humility! …
“… We need to pray from our hearts. … Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? …
“Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ—to study earnestly? …
“Are you willing to worship in the temple regularly? … Imagine how pleased He would be if you asked Him to teach you about priesthood keys, authority, and power as you experience the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the holy temple. …
“Are you willing to follow President Thomas S. Monson’s example of serving others? …
“… If we will humbly present ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to teach us, He will show us how to increase our access to His power.”
President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Opposition in all Things
“Central to the gospel of Jesus Christ is the Father’s plan of salvation for the eternal progress of His children. That plan … helps us understand many things we face in mortality. …
“… We progress by making choices, by which we are tested to show that we will keep God’s commandments (see Abraham 3:25). To be tested, we must have the agency to choose between alternatives. To provide alternatives on which to exercise our agency, we must have opposition. …
“Opposition in the form of difficult circumstances we face in mortality is also part of the plan that furthers our growth in mortality. …
“All of us experience various kinds of opposition that test us. Some of these tests are temptations to sin. Some are mortal challenges apart from personal sin. Some are very great. Some are minor. Some are continuous, and some are mere episodes. None of us is exempt. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become. …
“Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will ‘consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain’ (2 Nephi 2:2). We have also been taught to understand our mortal experiences and His commandments in the context of His great plan of salvation, which tells us the purpose of life and gives us the assurance of a Savior.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Family Councils
“Family councils have always been needed. They are, in fact, eternal. We belonged to a family council … when we lived with our heavenly parents as their spirit children.
“A family council, when conducted with love and with Christlike attributes, will counter the impact of modern technology that often distracts us from spending quality time with each other and also tends to bring evil right into our homes.
“Please remember that family councils are different from family home evening held on Mondays. Home evenings focus primarily on gospel instruction and family activities. Family councils, on the other hand, can be held on any day of the week, and they are primarily a meeting at which parents listen—to each other and to their children. …
“When parents are prepared and children listen and participate in the discussion, the family council is truly working!
“No matter what our particular family situation is, it is critical that we understand the unique circumstances of each family member. Though we may share DNA, there may be situations and circumstances among us that may make us vastly different from each other and which may require the compassionate collaboration of the family council. …
“… Inviting the Lord to be part of our family council through prayer will improve our relationships.”
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The Holy Ghost
“The Holy Ghost provides personal revelation to help us make major life decisions about such things as education, missions, careers, marriage, children, … and so on. In these matters, Heavenly Father expects us to use our agency, study the situation out in our minds according to gospel principles, and bring a decision to Him in prayer. …
“… The Holy Ghost is not given to control us. Some of us unwisely seek the Holy Ghost’s direction on every minor decision in our lives. This trivializes His sacred role. The Holy Ghost honors the principle of agency. He speaks to our minds and our hearts gently about many matters of consequence. …
“The revealed truths of the restored gospel came through the pattern of seeking in prayer and then receiving and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. … I testify that today, revelation from the Lord to the First Presidency and the Twelve comes according to this same sacred pattern. …
“The Holy Ghost is a medium for God’s work in families and throughout the Church. …
“… I offer my testimony of the personal revelation and constant flow of daily guidance, caution, encouragement, strength, spiritual cleansing, comfort, and peace that have come to our family through the Holy Ghost. Through the Holy Ghost, we experience ‘the multitude of [Christ’s] tender mercies’ [1 Nephi 8:8] and miracles that do not cease.”
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You
“None of us want tomorrow, or the day after that, to destroy the wonderful feelings we have had this weekend. We want to hold fast to the spiritual impressions we have had and the inspired teachings we have heard. But it is inevitable that after heavenly moments in our lives, we, of necessity, return to earth, so to speak, where sometimes less-than-ideal circumstances again face us. …
“Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive … to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. …
“… We are going to be blessed for our desire to do good, even as we actually strive to be so. …
“… The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. … But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. …
“… So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins
“As members of the Lord’s restored Church, we are blessed both by our initial cleansing from sin associated with baptism and by the potential for an ongoing cleansing from sin made possible through the companionship and power of the Holy Ghost—even the third member of the Godhead. …
“… 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. …
“The ordinances of baptism by immersion, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the sacrament are not isolated and discrete events; rather, they are elements in an interrelated and additive pattern of redemptive progress. Each successive ordinance elevates and enlarges our spiritual purpose, desire, and performance. …
“… I promise and testify we will be blessed with increased faith in the Savior and greater spiritual assurance as we seek to always retain a remission of our sins and, ultimately, to stand spotless before the Lord at the last day.”
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
See Yourself in the Temple
“It is our great desire that members of the Church will live to be worthy of a temple recommend. Please don’t see the temple as some distant and perhaps unachievable goal. Working with their bishop, most members can achieve all righteous requirements in a relatively short period of time if they have a determination to qualify and fully repent of transgressions. This includes being willing to forgive ourselves and not focus on our imperfections or sins. …
“… Members, both adults and youth, self-certify their worthiness when they answer the temple recommend questions. The essential requirement is to increase our testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Restoration of His gospel and to experience the ministering of the Holy Ghost. …
“The primary blessings of the temple are the ordinances of exaltation. The gospel plan is about exaltation and encompasses making and keeping sacred covenants with God. Except for baptism and confirmation, these ordinances and covenants are performed and received in the temple for the living. For the dead, all the saving ordinances and covenants are received in the temple. …
“… The Lord organizes eternal families only in temples. …
“… I pray that each of us will honor the Savior and make any necessary changes to see ourselves in His sacred temples. In doing so, we can accomplish His holy purposes.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Fathers
“I speak today of fathers. Fathers are fundamental in the divine plan of happiness, and I want to raise a voice of encouragement for those who are striving to fill well that calling. To praise and encourage fatherhood and fathers is not to shame or discount anyone. I simply focus today on the good that men can do in the highest of masculine roles—husband and father. …
“As a Church, we believe in fathers. … We believe that far from being superfluous, fathers are unique and irreplaceable. …
“… Fatherhood is much more than a social construct or the product of evolution. The role of father is of divine origin, beginning with a Father in Heaven and, in this mortal sphere, with Father Adam. …
“To young men, recognizing the role you will have as provider and protector, we say, prepare now by being diligent in school and planning for postsecondary training. Education, whether in a university, technical school, apprenticeship, or similar program, is key to developing the skills and capabilities you will need. Take advantage of opportunities to associate with people of all ages, including children, and learn how to establish healthy and rewarding relationships. That typically means talking face to face with people and sometimes doing things together, not just perfecting your texting skills. Live your life so that as a man you will bring purity to your marriage and to your children.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me”
“My plea today is for the hundreds of thousands of children, youth, and young adults who do not come from these, for lack of a better term, ‘picture-perfect’ families. …
“These young Latter-day Saints enter the Church with great faith. They hope to create the family ideal in their own lives at a future day. In time, they become an important part of our missionary force, our righteous young adults, and those who kneel at an altar to begin their own families.
“We will continue to teach the Lord’s pattern for families, but now with millions of members and the diversity we have in the children of the Church, we need to be even more thoughtful and sensitive. …
“While a child’s earthly situation may not be ideal, a child’s spiritual DNA is perfect because one’s true identity is as a son or daughter of God.
“… Let’s open our arms and our hearts a little wider. These youth need our time and our testimonies. …
“… Reach out to the youth who feel alone, left behind, or outside the fence. Let us think about them, welcome them, embrace them, and do everything we can to strengthen their love for the Savior.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Standing with the Leaders of the Church
“Our youth love the Lord, sustain their leaders, and desire to have their questions answered! Questions are an indication of a further desire to learn, to add to those truths already in place in our testimonies, and to be better prepared to ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ’ [2 Nephi 31:20]. …
“We have sustained leaders today who, by divine inspiration, have been called to teach and guide us and who are calling out to us to beware of the dangers we face each day—from casual Sabbath-day observance, to threats to the family, to assaults on religious freedom, and even to disputing latter-day revelation. … Are we listening to their counsel? …
“As we press forward, choosing to follow the counsel and the warnings of our leaders, we choose to follow the Lord while the world is going in another direction. We choose to hold fast to the iron rod, to be Latter-day Saints, to be on the Lord’s errand, and to be filled ‘with exceedingly great joy’ [1 Nephi 8:12].
“The growing question of today is clear: are you standing with the leaders of the Church in a darkening world so that you might spread the Light of Christ? …
“I pray that we will reach out—reach out and take the Savior’s hand that He is extending to us, often through His divinely called leaders and our family members—and listen for His call to come.”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?
“For you young men and young women, I have considered three ways that you can ‘find the keys,’ or use priesthood keys and authority to bless your life and the lives of others.
“[1.] Prepare for Missionary Service
“… It is never too early for you to prepare for missionary service. … All of your preparation, … whether you serve as a full-time missionary or not, will accrue lifelong benefits to you as a member missionary.
“[2.] Attend the Temple
“… Ordinances performed in these temples enable individuals and families to return to the presence of our heavenly parents.
“We encourage you young men and young women to research and find the names of your ancestors and perform proxy baptisms for them in the temple. …
“[3.] Go Forward with Faith …
“Through this restoration, each of you has access to the great blessings promised to Abraham. These blessings can be yours if you remain faithful and live worthy. …
“… Priesthood authority and priesthood keys start the engine, open the gates of heaven, facilitate heavenly power, and pave the covenant pathway back to our loving Heavenly Father.”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”
“The closer we are to Jesus Christ in the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the more we appreciate His innocent suffering, the more grateful we are for grace and forgiveness, and the more we want to repent and become like Him. …
“… Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, ultimately, in the eternal scheme of things, there will be no unfairness. … Our present circumstances may not change, but through God’s compassion, kindness, and love, we will all receive more than we deserve, more than we can ever earn, and more than we can ever hope for. …
“No matter where you stand in your relationship to God, I invite you to draw nearer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the Ultimate Benefactors and Givers of all that is good. I invite you to attend sacrament meeting each week and partake of the holy emblems of the Savior’s body and blood. …
“As you do, I promise that you will feel nearer to God. Natural tendencies to childish whining, disgruntled entitlement, and derisive skepticism will dissipate. Those sentiments will be replaced by feelings of greater love and gratitude for Heavenly Father’s gift of His Son. As we draw closer to God, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will come into our lives. And … we will find that the Savior has been nearby all along.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles