In the 2015 October General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar shared a story about Gordon B. Hinckley being interviewed on a national television program where the journalist remarked, “There are those who say… ‘This is a church run by old men.’” President Hinckley responded, “Isn’t it wonderful to have a man of maturity at the head, a man of judgment who isn’t blown about by every wind of doctrine?”

President Hinckley’s response contained 3 reasons why Mormon prophets and apostles are old.

Maturity—both temporal and spiritual

Mormon prophets and apostles are not exempt from trials and suffering that tests their faith and testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their circumstances at times are not easy. Some of them struggled at some point, lived as a child refugee, suffered heartaches and disappointments among many other things that helped build the foundation of their faith and form their character. Many of the prophets and apostles who have passed on have suffered physical conditions that eventually caused them to depart from this world, and yet with these physical frailties they dedicated their time to serving the Lord and His children. They have developed a love for the Savior and for all the people that they serve. They have learned wisdom that comes from a realization of the things that matter most.

They have also learned to understand the language of the Holy Ghost and the patterns by which the Lord reveals instructions for His people through decades of spiritual communion with the Lord. Their experiences on this earth have tested their faith but have not shaken their testimony that the Lord lives and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church. These men have centuries of temporal and spiritual maturity combined.

Good judgment

These men are educated on the things that happen around the world. They meet with leaders of nations, local leaders, other faiths, communities and even in humble homes to discuss issues in society. They then report what they experienced and the issues that have been raised to them to the prophet and other apostles. They read books, research and surveys. They have a good grasp of what’s happening in the world because they have lived in many different countries and worked with various people from diverse cultural backgrounds. They are very much aware of the issues that the world is facing because they have seen it and experienced it. The policies that they decide on and their judgment on the issues that we currently face are based on information that they have collectively gathered on their travels along with the information the research department of the Church has gathered for them. Above all, they decide after much prayer and fasting. They have good judgment on moral and societal issues because they are educated and informed.

Strong gospel foundation

These men have lived through decades of doctrinal whirlwinds and opposition. They have learned through these spiritual storms to not be swayed by the philosophies of the world. Some people might say that they are older men so they cannot really satisfy the needs of the younger generation. Perhaps this would be true if they were leading the Church by themselves but they are not. The Lord is at the head of the Church and He directs these noble men. These prophets and apostles understand that the principles of the gospel cannot be altered to gratify social and political norms. They have studied the scriptures and affirmed their testimony of its truthfulness. Their faith in the Lord is anchored in eternal truths found in the gospel. The foundation of their faith is built upon the Savior Jesus Christ. They have seen and experienced the blessings of following gospel principles and the consequences of disobedience.

Suffice it to say that Mormon prophets and apostles may be old in terms of age but never too old to lead and serve the Lord and His people.

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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “If you try to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do.”

Motherhood may be the most challenging job you can offer to a person but it is the most rewarding experience I have had in this mortal existence. I am now 26 years old and have two kids. Every single day is a journey. The duties and responsibilities are sometimes overwhelming but it teaches me great lessons each time I struggle. For the two years I have been a full-time mom, I’ve learned how to look outward so much more than inward.

From the moment they wake up until the very time that they close their eyes to sleep, mothers think about their children and their family. I think that this helps me to be much more caring to others as well. My role as a mother teaches me how to be more loving, patient, forgiving, kind and understanding. It also teaches me not to judge but to serve and be grateful, to give more than I receive.

Just recently my dad and my sister-in-law got sick and there was no one to take care of my nephew. After hearing the situation I was worried about how my nephew and my nieces were doing. So I called around to find anyone that I could talk to about the situation. Finally, I got the chance to talk to my sister and found out that the kids were alright. The words automatically came out of my mouth, “Faye, I am grateful for your help and that you are there for them. I don’t know what [would have] happened without you. I know we don’t say how much we appreciate you but I want you to know that I am very grateful for your presence.” After that conversation, I realized that my experience being with my children has changed my outlook. It helps me to be much more sensitive to the feelings of others. It is indeed true that motherhood is an eternal partnership with God. Mothers will do everything within their power to take care of His children that have been entrusted to them and He promises His continual help in return.

I love what Elder Holland stated in his tribute to mothers, “Mothers, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are, better than you are, and better than you have ever been”.

I believe that being a mother is not a vocation but it is a noble calling from above. I am not even close to being perfect yet, but I’ve seen how it changes my whole life. I love being a mother and I know that I accepted this calling even before I was born. I am and will be forever grateful for the Lord’s trust in me.

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One story of Christ’s life where His use of virtue is evident is the account of the woman with an issue of blood for twelve years. Physicians could not heal her but when she touched the garment of Jesus, she was healed. Jesus said, “Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me” (Luke 8:46). This account teaches us that by the power of Christ’s virtue, the woman was healed according to her faith. Virtue comes with great power, but we must seek it.

James E. Faust, while serving as a Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, taught, “[V]irtue in its fuller sense encompasses all traits of righteousness that help us form our character” (The Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God, April 2003). Everything that is righteous is virtuous. As we seek for righteousness in our daily lives, we also cultivate the virtues that we possess.

The Lord promised a blessing to those who live virtuous lives. This is described in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C 121: 45-46). This blessing can be ours if we continue to seek for virtue not only to bless our lives but also to influence the people around us to do the same.

Virtue is regularly attacked and belittled. So, how can we maintain our virtue? The 6th chapter in the Book of Ephesians counsels us to put on the whole armor of God “having [our] loins girt about with truth; having on the breastplate of righteousness; [our] feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; taking the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Having this whole armor will keep us safe from the adversary’s grasp, help us maintain the virtues that we already possess, and strengthen us as we develop many others. As we do so, we can become instruments in the Lord’s hand to succor a sick woman like He did.

May we have the courage to be virtuous, that our lives may be in accordance with the highest standards of morality, that our happiness may be full, and that the blessings and power of heaven may be with us. To pursue virtue is to pursue eternal life and to receive the blessings of heaven along the way.

In this short clip from Mormon Channel, these young women stand for what is right and for a virtuous life:

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All of us experience trials in some degree and some of us, if not all, want to have the solutions when we want it and how we want it. Sometimes these trials become too much to handle, hurtful, inconvenient, and unpleasant that we desire that all of these trials will end. However, these trials require patience—patience to wait upon the Lord’s timing and blessings, to continue on the path of righteousness even when we are persecuted, to stand for truth even when we stand alone, and to bear all things with hope for good things to come.

It is important to note that patience requires action. Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!” Jesus Christ set the perfect example of how we can live in patience as we experience trials in mortality. It is in patience that we learn the value of hard work, time and sacrifice. It is in patience that we strengthen our faith, build our character and fortify our virtues.

As we live in patience just like the Savior did, the Holy Ghost will comfort us and help us find peace during troubles times. We will also find ourselves closer to God and the blessings of heaven.

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When Jesus was twelve years old, he went with his parents, Mary and Joseph, to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When his parents returned to Nazareth, Jesus stayed behind and his parents were worried and came looking for him. When they found him, his mother asked, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” And he answered his mother saying, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:48-49) In these scripture verses, we learn that at a very young age, he was valiantly in the Lord’s errand—teaching the words of His Father to those who would listen to him.

Each event during his mortal ministry was performed with all due diligence. He went his way preaching the gospel, praying and fasting, walking with his disciples and performing miracles such as healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding the five thousand, cleansing the temple and the leper, forgiving the sinners, and many more. His consistent and valiant effort brought about many blessings unto those who listened and believed in him. His divine mission on earth was fulfilled because He was diligent in all of his Father’s business.

With Jesus Christ as our perfect example of diligence, we too, are admonished to be diligent in our daily lives as written in the following scripture passages:

“Hearken diligently unto me.” Isa. 55:2

“Teach the word of God with all diligence.” Jacob 1:19

“Let us labor diligently.” Moroni 9:6

“Be anxiously engaged in a good cause.” D&C 58:27

“Neither be idle but labor with your might.” D&C 75:3

“Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.” D&C 84:43

“Let every man learn his duty, and to act in all diligence.” D&C 107:99

When we are diligent in these things and all things pertaining to our eternal progression in harmony with the Lord’s commandments, we are promised in Hebrew 11:6, “God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” and of them who diligently keep his commandments. Diligence is one of Jesus Christ’s attribute that contributed to the satisfaction of the very purpose of his coming upon the earth—the Atonement, which is the center of the Plan of Happiness. Our diligence in our daily toil might not result to an event as grand and divine like the Savior’s Atonement, however, it is for certain that our diligence will create tiny drops of blessings that will bring to pass eternal ripples that will reach the heavens above. And when the time comes that our God the Father will call upon the world that the purpose of mortality is finished, we will see all these eternal ripples as guiding ripples that led us back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

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When Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights in the wilderness, He was tempted by the devil three times and He rebuked the devil using the scriptures. It was Jesus Christ’s knowledge that caused the tempter’s snare to fail. We learn from this account that Satan cannot contest with what has been written in the scriptures because they are true. Therefore, knowledge of the scriptures gives us power to resist temptation.

In 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, Jesus commands us to be like Him, “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” To become like Him, we must be perfect in knowledge. One of the things that we are counseled to do is to gain knowledge that profits us both in this life and the life to come.

We need two kinds of learning in this life—spiritual and secular. We are counseled to expand our knowledge in both. However, it has been written, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). We are counseled that spiritual learning must take precedence for “the words of Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do” (2 Nephi 32:3). When we understand the words of the Lord, we will be directed to principles, books, and experiences of great importance. As we strive in finding the treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge, we will be inspired by the Spirit to search them diligently.

We are also counseled by the prophets to take advantage of the opportunity of education that we may be better able to serve others. Education helps and equips us to develop our talents and abilities, provide for our families and those who are in need, and fulfill our responsibilities anywhere we are called to serve.

We have been promised that “[w]hatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:18). Our pursuit of spiritual and secular knowledge does not only bring great rewards in this life but also blessings of immeasurable worth in the life to come.

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In the First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians in the 13th chapter, he discussed charity as an attribute that surpasses all else:

 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Apostle Paul further explained that if we have no charity, we are nothing. This selfless, eternal love can be obtained only through Christ—who is the master of charity. This can be obtained by recognizing His love in our lives, seeking to have this love to fill our hearts and sharing this divine gift by being charitable to our fellowmen. This recognizing, seeking and sharing is an eternal pursuit because charity is an act of love. It needs to be felt, sought for, exercised and shared ever with a humble and grateful heart.

In the 7^th chapter of Moroni of the Book Mormon, Prophet Mormon taught, “Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” He counseled us to “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love, which He hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son Jesus Christ; that [we] may become the sons of God; that when He shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as He is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as He is pure.” We are counseled that having this attribute will draw us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Possessing this attribute helps us live our lives according to the perfect example that Jesus Christ set when He walked upon this earth. Exercising this attribute points us towards eternal life.

As Jesus never fails so is charity. When we exercise charity in our lives, we will be kinder, more joyful, more selfless, and more forgiving. Charity encompasses all kinds of love that we can give to our fellowmen, even the love we give to our enemies and people who have wronged us. It is the ultimate kind of love that never fails to give light to our souls when our day becomes bleak and grey. It is the love that sustains us when we are faced with the various tests of mortality. It becomes a spring of hope for our righteous desire to do good to our fellowmen. It is an act of love that never failed, nor ever will.

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Jesus Christ learned obedience progressively from His personal experiences. He was not exempt from temptations and sufferings. The 4^th chapter of Matthew gives an account when Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness where He was tempted three times by Satan and yet He did not give heed to any of Satan’s temptations. His suffering in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Golgotha was His choice in obediently enduring to the very end to complete the Atonement.

In John 14:15, the Savior said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” The Lord’s commandments are his loving instructions to us and one of the many expressions of his love for us. Our willingness to obey the Lord’s commandments is an expression of our love to Him in return. He declared in John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” If we love him, we will not regard his commandments as instructions that restrict or limit our personal growth but as blessings and personal care. Some people even consider the commandments as constraints to our personal freedom but it is only through obeying His words that we are made free as it has been written in John 8:31-32, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

In the book of Matthew, Jesus spoke to the multitude saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” How then therefore, can we show our love to the Lord? Jesus answered this question in John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father.”

It is only through obedience that the blessings of heaven will flow into our lives. It has been written in Doctrine & Covenants that “there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:20-21). We are counseled to make obedience part of our daily toil and of highest regard and that in doing so, we can please the Lord and we will one day be found in His right hand while he declares, “These are my sons and daughters, in whom I am well pleased.”

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With Jesus Christ’s perfect example of humility, how then, in this confusing and noisy world, can we emulate this attribute in our lives? Jesus gave an answer in the 18th chapter of the book Matthew when his disciples came to him and asked,

1 Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

From these scripture passages, we learn that to become humble is to become as a child. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin shared in his sermon some guidance on the qualities that we must develop to become like a child. He said, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

Becoming as a child is a gradual process. It might be more proper to say that it is an eternal pursuit because it requires constant effort and diligence to be able to say to the Father, “Thy will be done.”

Promises have been given to those who are humble in the bible:

“The Lord dwells with him that is humble.” Isa. 57:15

“He that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matt. 23:12

“God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Pet. 5:5–6

May we, in all walks of life, have the desire to become like a child that one day we will be one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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