Read summaries of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's General Conferences
addresses, as collected in the archives of the Deseret News and LDS
Church News.October 2008: Curing
adversity
Best remedy is the advice:
'Come what may, and love it'
The way we react to adversity "can be a
major factor in how happy and successful we can be," Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said
during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.He recalled a time he
was disappointed that his football team lost a tough game. When he shared his
sadness with his mother she told him, "Come what may, and love it." Elder Wirthlin suggested
ways to cope with adversity.Learn to laugh
From his own family,
Elder Wirthlin shared
experiences where laughter was a blessing, including a time one of his daughters
was waiting for a blind date to pick her up. An older man showed up at the door
and his daughter, trying to be polite, introduced the man to her family, then
went with him to the car. Soon, she came back into the house."The man
that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our
daughters who had agreed to be a baby sitter for him and his wife," Elder Wirthlin said,
adding that the daughter joined the rest of the family in laughter rather than
feeling humiliated and embarrassed.Elder Wirthlin counseled, "The next time you're
tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead."Seek for the eternal
Elder Wirthlin quoted the
Lord's words to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail: "My son, peace be unto thy soul;
thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if
thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all
thy foes" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8)."With that eternal
perspective, Joseph took comfort from these words, and so can we," Elder Wirthlin
said.
Understand the principle of compensation
"The Lord
compensates the faithful for every loss," Elder Wirthlin said. "That which is taken away from
those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not
come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will
eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and
gratitude."From his own life, he spoke of his autistic grandson, Joseph.
Though that meant trials, Elder Wirthlin said, "any reservations that his
family may have had in raising Joseph, any sacrifice they have made, have been
compensated tenfold," including watching Joseph's progress and seeing his
goodness.Trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ
"The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper and advocate," Elder Wirthlin said. "He
wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will
step in."
A serious illness suffered by one of his daughters after she
gave birth afflicted her for years, Elder Wirthlin said. His advice to her was to "put
your trust in God, do your best, then leave the rest to Him." Eventually, his
daughter regained her health. He added, "Knowing this daughter, I believe that
even if she had never found relief, yet she would have trusted in her Heavenly
Father and 'left the rest to Him."'
April 2008: Members taught to 'seek out those who are lost'
A Christlike concern for the one
enables reaching out for those who are lost because they are different, or are
weary or have strayed, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve during the Saturday morning session of conference.Elder Wirthlin stated:
"We are commanded to seek out those who are lost. We are to be our brother's
keeper. We cannot neglect this commission given by our Savior. We must be
concerned for the one."
Speaking of those who are lost because they are
different, Elder
Wirthlin said,
"They may look, act, think and speak differently than those around them and that
sometimes causes them to assume they don't fit in."
It is erroneous to
believe that all Church members should look, talk and be alike, Elder Wirthlin said. "The
Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to
value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the
complex beauty of the symphony."
Elder Wirthlin recalled that when he was a young
boy, some of his friends made fun of another boy who was physically and mentally
disabled. "One day, I could bear it no longer," Elder Wirthlin said. "Although I was only 7 years
old, the Lord gave me the courage to stand up to my friends. "'Don't touch him,'
I said to them. 'Stop teasing him. Be kind. He is a child of God!"'
He
thought his action might cost him his friends. But instead, he said they became
closer and showed increased compassion for the boy.
"If only we had more
compassion for those who are different from us it would lighten many of the
problems and sorrows in the world today. It would certainly make our families
and the Church a more hallowed and heavenly place."
For those who are lost
because they are weary, Elder Wirthlin acknowledged that it's easy to feel
overwhelmed and discouraged.
"When we show concern for those who are
weary," he said, "we 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and
strengthen the feeble knees' (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5). Caring Church
leaders are mindful of individual limitations, yet eager to utilize members to
the extent of their strength and abilities."
For those who are lost
because they stray from the fold, he emphasized that the Church's purpose is to
help imperfect people become better.
"Because of our imperfections, we
need the Lord's Church," he said.
Elder Wirthlin asked those who feel they have been
offended to set hurt and anger aside, fill their hearts with love and join the
fold.
For those who have doctrinal concerns, he said, "We cannot apologize
for the truth. We cannot deny doctrine given to us by the Lord. On this
principle, we cannot compromise."
Finally, he said, "I know that each of
you bears a concern for a loved one. Give encouragement, service and support to
them. Love them. Be kind to them. In some cases, they will return. In others,
they will not. But, in all cases, let us ever be worthy of the name we take upon
ourselves, even that of Jesus Christ."
October 2007: Aspiring to
love
It is the quality that best defines members
of the Lord's Church
Asking the question, "What quality
defines us best as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin related the account of Paul's epistle
to the members in Corinth, who, although enthusiastic about the gospel, were
contentious with one another."Paul's message to this new body of saints
was simple and direct: nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not
have charity."
During the Saturday afternoon session of conference, Elder Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve spoke of the Savior's response to the Pharisees when they
asked, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?"
"He replied,
'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. And the second is
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets "' (Matthew 22: 36).
This inspired
pronouncement, Elder Wirthlin continued, has been repeated through
generations. "Now for us, the measure of our love is the measure of the
greatness of our souls.
"The scriptures tell us that: 'If any man love
God, the same is known of him.' What a wonderful promise — to be known of Him.
It makes the spirit soar, to think that the Creator of heaven and earth could
know us and love us with a pure, eternal love."
By reaching out, the
apostle explained, "we fulfill the other half of the great commandment to 'love
thy neighbor as thyself....' Love is the beginning, the middle and the end of
the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures and consoles. It leads
us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end, love
leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life."
Elder Wirthlin then
shared two accounts of this kind of love. In the first, a 14-year-old boy
arrives in Nauvoo in search of his brother. Alone and without money, he is taken
in by a kind man who shelters him from the bitter winter cold and sees that he
is safely on his way the next day. "Later, the boy learned that the man of the
house was none other than Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet."
In the second
example, a man paints the fingernails of his wife, who is going blind, because
"he liked to see her happy."
"That is an example of the pure love of
Christ.... Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of
kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life."
Elder Wirthlin also
asked, "Do you love the Lord? Spend time with Him. Meditate on His words. Take
His yoke upon you. Seek to understand and obey because, 'This is the love of
God, that we keep his commandments.' When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to
be a burden. Obedience becomes a delight."
Returning to the question of
what quality best defines members, Elder Wirthlin said: "We are a people who love the
Lord with all our hearts, souls and minds, and we love our neighbors as
ourselves.
"That is our signature as a people. It is like a beacon to the
world signaling whose disciples we are."
April 2007: Remain focused on
'things that really matter'
Create
noble, righteous goals; keep your eye on them
Elder Joseph B.
Wirthlin spoke
in his priesthood session address Saturday night of some of the "life-changing"
experiences he had as a young man.
Playing in the wingback position, he found that the man he was supposed to
block on the opposing team was a "giant." Though he managed for the most part to
avoid this intimidating player, on one play he reached for and missed a catch.
"After that, I'm not exactly sure what happened, because the giant hit me so
hard I wasn't sure what planet I was on," he said.
Later, during his
half-time speech, Joseph's coach reminded the team about the pass he had
dropped. "Then he pointed right at me and said, 'How could you do
that?"'
He responded that he took his eye off the ball. "That's right, you
took your eye off the ball," the coach said. "Don't ever do that again. That
kind of mistake loses ball games."
Making up his mind to do as the coach
said, he caught a pass near the end of the game that the "giant" attempted to
intercept. That play won the close game for his team.
"I've tried to
remember the lesson I learned from Coach Oswald and prioritize values that are
important to me so that I can keep my eye focused on things that really matter,"
Elder Wirthlin mused. "I urge you to examine your
life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person
you want to be. Create inspiring, noble and righteous goals that fire your
imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them.
Work consistently toward achieving them."
October 2006: Softening sorrow that gnaws at the soul
After dark Friday, Sunday will come, in this life or next
Sharing a "few personal memories," Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke
Saturday afternoon of some of his loved ones who have departed this
life.
He remembered his father, Joseph L. Wirthlin, from whom he learned the "values of
hard work and compassion" and who served for 23 years in the Church's Presiding
Bishopric, nine of them as the Presiding Bishop. He spoke of his mother,
Madeline Bitner Wirthlin, who "had great expectations for her
children and expected the best from them." He remembered his sister, Judith, an
author, composer and educator.
And Elder Wirthlin remembered his wife, Elisa Young
Rogers Wirthlin,
who died Aug. 16. "She was my strength and my joy," he said. "Because of her, I
am a better man, husband, and father. We married, had eight children and walked
together through 65 years of life."
The apostle related that during the
funeral, President Gordon B. Hinckley said that it is "a devastating, consuming
thing to lose someone you love. It gnaws at your soul." Elder Wirthlin said, "He
was right.
"As Elisa was my greatest joy, now her passing is my greatest
sorrow."
Speaking of the many sermons he has heard on the resurrection, Elder Wirthlin said: "We
know what the resurrection is — the reuniting of the spirit and body in its
perfect form.... Can you imagine that? Life at our prime? Never sick, never in
pain, never burdened by the ills that so often beset us in
mortality?"
Continuing, Elder Wirthlin explained: "When Christ rose from the
grave, becoming the first fruits of the resurrection, He made that gift
available to all. And with that sublime act, He softened the devastating,
consuming sorrow that gnaws at the souls of those who have lost their precious
loved ones.
"I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up
on the cross. On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful
storms lashed at the earth.... It was a Friday filled with devastating,
consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son
of God."
But the doom and despair did not linger, Elder Wirthlin said.
"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.
"And, in an instant, the eyes that had been filled with
ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and
grief now filled the air with wondrous praise. For Jesus the Christ, the Son of
the Living God, stood before them as the first fruits of the resurrection, the
proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous
existence."
Each will have Fridays, Elder Wirthlin said. However, "in the darkness of
our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation. No matter our grief.
Sunday will come. In this life or the next. Sunday will come."
April 2006: Lives
of abundance
Heavenly Father can create
a masterpiece of your life
In the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve related
the account of a gray gelding purchased for $80 in 1956 by Harry de Leyer.
Snowman, as Harry's children named the horse, bore scars that were evidence of
the hard life he had led.
Eventually, Harry sold Snowman to a neighbor,
but when the horse kept jumping a fence to return to Harry's family, Harry
bought back the horse and decided to see how well it jumped. Snowman ended up a
champion, was named "Horse of the Year" in 1958 and 1959, and was inducted into
the show jumping hall of fame. A buyer offered $100,000 for Snowman, which Harry
refused.
"For many, Snowman was much more than a horse. He became an
example of the hidden, untapped potential that lies within each of us," Elder Wirthlin
said.
Then, referring to the "many wonderful people" he has known
throughout his life, Elder Wirthlin spoke of the "many who live lives of
abundance. . . . Today, I want to list a few of the characteristics the happiest
people I know have in common. They are qualities that can transform ordinary
existence into a life of excitement and abundance:
"First, they drink deeply of living waters." Referring to John 4:13-14
in which the Savior speaks of "water springing up into everlasting life," Elder Wirthlin said: "Too
many sit at the banquet table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at
the feast placed before them. They go through the motions — attending their
meetings, glancing at scriptures, repeating familiar prayers — but their hearts
are far away. . . .
"Do you wish to partake of this living water and
experience that divine well springing up within you to everlasting life? Then be
not afraid. Believe with all your hearts. Develop an unshakable faith in the Son
of God and let your hearts reach out in earnest prayer. Fill your minds with
knowledge of Him. Forsake your weaknesses. Walk in holiness and harmony with the
commandments. . . .
"The second quality of those who live abundant lives is that they fill their
hearts with love. Love is the essence of the gospel and the greatest of all
the commandments. The Savior taught that every other commandment and prophetic
teaching hang upon it. . . .
"The third quality of those who live abundant lives is that with the help of
our Heavenly Father they create a masterpiece of their lives. No matter our
age, circumstances, or abilities, each one of us can create something remarkable
of his life.
"David saw himself as a shepherd, but the Lord saw
him as a king of Israel. Joseph of Egypt served as a slave, but the Lord saw him
as a seer. Mormon wore the armor of a soldier, but the Lord saw him as a
prophet."
Elder Wirthlin admonished: "Love the Lord with all
your heart, might, mind and strength. Enlist in a noble cause. Create of your
homes sanctuaries of holiness and strength. Magnify your callings in the Church.
Fill your minds with learning. Strengthen your testimonies. Reach out to
others."
The abundant life, Elder Wirthlin added, "does not come to us packaged
and ready-made. . . . It comes through faith, hope and charity.
October 2005: Depart from iniquity,
travel to higher ground
Throughout time, Lord's
prophets have delivered never-changing warning
Since the days of Adam, the Lord's
prophets have delivered a consistent, never-changing warning: depart from
iniquity and journey to higher ground, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve in his
Saturday morning conference address.
Elder Wirthlin spoke of last year's deadly tsunami
off the Indonesian coast that claimed more than 200,000 lives. Amazingly, not
one member of the Moken people — a society of fishermen living on the coast of
Thailand and Burma — was injured although their village was destroyed. By
observing the shifting sea, the Moken elders recognized the signs of an approaching
tsunami and warned everyone to run to higher ground.
"The Moken people
were fortunate in that they had someone with conviction who warned them of what
would follow," Elder Wirthlin said. "The villagers were fortunate
because they listened. Had they not, they may have perished."
The Lord's
prophets also warn people to find higher, holy ground for safety, he
added.
"As people heed the words of the prophets, the Lord blesses them.
When they disregard His word, however, distress and suffering often
follow."
Elder Wirthlin said the Book of Mormon repeatedly
teaches the lesson of listening to the Lord and His prophets. Often, prosperous
groups from the Book of Mormon are met with tragedy and loss after forgetting
the words of the Lord.
"This sorrow would not have afflicted them had it
not been for their wickedness," Elder Wirthlin said. "If only they had heeded the
words of the prophets of their day and journeyed to higher ground, their lives
would have been dramatically different."
The natural consequence that
comes to those who depart from the way of the Lord is that they are left to
their own strength, he added. "While in the heat of our success we might assume
that our own strength is sufficient, those who rely upon the arm of the flesh
soon discover how weak and unreliable it truly is."
Elder Wirthlin shared the
biblical accounts of Solomon and Jeroboam, two powerful leaders who abandoned
the Lord's word and suffered greatly.
"Solomon and Jeroboam are examples
of a great tragic cycle so often illustrated in the Book of Mormon," Elder Wirthlin said.
"When the people are righteous, the Lord prospers them. Prosperity often leads
to pride which leads to sin. Sin leads to wickedness and to hearts that become
hardened to the things of the Spirit. Eventually, the end of this road leads to
heartbreak and sorrow."
This cycle is repeated by communities of cities,
nations and even the world. Still, many fine and good people are affected by
calamities of man and nature, Elder Wirthlin said. "The early Saints of this
dispensation were persecuted and driven from their homes. Some lost their lives.
But, perhaps because they endured so much, they developed an inner strength that
was a necessary preparation for the work they were yet to do."
The
scriptures show the consequences of disobedience — and also what can happen when
people listen to the Lord. Following the Savior's visit to the Americas, the
faithful people there lived righteously and enjoyed peace, prosperity and
happiness.
"In our day we face a similar choice," Elder Wirthlin said. "We
can foolishly ignore the prophets of God, depend on our own strength and,
ultimately, reap the consequences. Or, we can wisely draw near to the Lord and
partake of His blessings."
How can Church members know if they are
following the correct path? Elder Wirthlin asked.
"Those who journey to
higher ground love the Lord with all their heart. We see in their lives
manifestations of that love. They seek their God in prayer and plead for His
Holy Spirit. They humble themselves and open their hearts to the teachings of
the prophets. They magnify their callings and seek to serve rather than be
served."
They also care for others and give freely of their substance, Elder Wirthlin said.
April 2005: 'Epitome of
kindness'
Jesus Christ showed
example of how to treat family, others
While serving as a bishop many years
ago, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, now of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles, accompanied his counselors in visiting those who were less active in
the ward. One man, in his 50s, had stopped going to Church as a child when a
teacher, angry that he was being noisy, pulled him from class and told him not
to return.
He never did, Elder Wirthlin related Saturday afternoon.
"It
was remarkable to me that an unkind word spoken more than four decades earlier
could have had such a profound effect. But it had. And, as a consequence this
man had never returned to Church. Neither had his wife or children.
The
man, welcomed back to the Church, became an effective home teacher "because he
understood how something as small as an unkind word could have consequences that
extend throughout a lifetime and perhaps beyond."
"Kindness is the essence
of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I
have known," Elder Wirthlin said. "Kindness is a passport that
opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that
can last lifetimes. . . . Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness
is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our
words and actions at work, at Church and especially in our homes.
"Jesus,
our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion," the apostle continued.
"He healed the sick. He spent much of His life ministering to the one or many. .
. . Yet His greatest act of kindness was found in His atoning sacrifice, thus
freeing all from the effects of death, and all from the effects of sin, on
conditions of repentance."
Speaking of kindness in the home, Elder Wirthlin said he
learned this lesson from his father. "He always listened to my mother's advice.
As a result, he was a better, wiser and kinder man. I have tried to follow my
father's example and listen to my wife's point of view. . . . In truth, my wife
is a model of kindness, gentleness and compassion. And her insight, counsel and
support have been invaluable to me. Because of her I, too, am a wiser and kinder
person.
"The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of
your words, these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see
and learn from us both the kind, as well as the unkind, things we say or do.
Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the
home."
Continuing, Elder Wirthlin observed: "The Church is not a place
where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts and
have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to
provide encouragement, support and service to each other as we press on in our
journey to return to our Heavenly Father.
"Each one of us will travel a
different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate.
Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths
that you possess may seem impossible to another."
One way to measure value
in the kingdom of God, Elder Wirthlin said, is to ask: "How well am I doing
in helping others to reach their potential? Do I support others in the Church,
or do I criticize them?"
He added: "If you are criticizing other members
of the Church, you are weakening the Church. If you are building others, you are
building the kingdom of God. As Heavenly Father is kind, we also should be kind
to others."
October 2004: Endure, press on with faith amid trials, sorrowsEnduring to the end is one of the
"bedrock doctrines" of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said
during the Sunday afternoon session of conference."Enduring to the end,"
he said, "is the doctrine of continuing on the path leading to eternal life
after one has entered onto that path through faith, repentance, baptism and
receiving the Holy Ghost. Enduring to the end requires our whole heart, or as
the Book of Mormon prophet Amaleki teaches, we must 'come unto him, and offer
(our) whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying,
and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth (we) will be saved.' "
Those
who face the challenges of life often ask the question, "Why me?" he said,
noting that the better question would be, "What could I learn from this
experience?"
Then he said, "Though our trials are diverse, there is one
thing the Lord expects of us no matter our difficulties and sorrows; He expects
us to press on."
Speaking of enduring to the end, Elder Wirthlin said it
"means that we have planted our lives firmly on gospel soil, staying in the
mainstream of the Church, humbly serving our fellowmen, living Christlike lives,
and keeping our covenants. Those who endure are balanced, consistent, humble,
constantly improving and without guile. Their testimony is not based on worldly
reasons — it is based on truth, knowledge, experience and the
Spirit."After repeating the Savior's Parable of the Sower, Elder Wirthlin said it
identifies three obstacles to endurance.
"The first obstacle of endurance,
'the cares of the world,' is essentially pride," he said. "Pride rears its ugly
head in so many ways that are destructive. . . .
"The second obstacle to
endurance is 'the deceitfulness of riches.' We should end our fixation on
wealth. It is only a means to an end, which end should ultimately be the
building up of the kingdom of God. . . . .
"The third obstacle to
endurance mentioned by the Savior is 'the lusts of other evils.' The plague of
pornography is swirling about us as never before. . . . Pornography will sap
spiritual strength to endure. Pornography is much like quicksand. You can become
so easily trapped and overcome as soon as you step into it that you do not
realize the severe danger. Most likely you will need assistance to get out of
the quicksand of pornography. But how much better it is never to step into
it."
Enduring to the end is a principle for everyone, Elder Wirthlin said,
adding that there is help in doing it.
"I know there are many who suffer
heartbreak, loneliness, pain and setback," he said. "These experiences are a
necessary part of the human experience. However, please do not lose hope in the
Savior and His love for you. It is constant and He promised that He would not
leave us comfortless."
There are three keys to endurance in our day, Elder Wirthlin
said.
"First, testimony. Testimony gives us the eternal perspective
necessary to see past the trials or challenges we will inevitably face. . .
.
"Second, humility. Humility is the recognition and attitude that one
must rely on the Lord's assistance to make it through this life. We cannot
endure to the end on our own strength. Without Him, we are
nothing.
"Third, repentance. The glorious gift of repentance allows us to
return to the path with a new heart, giving us the strength to endure on the
path leading to eternal life. The sacrament thus becomes a key component of our
endurance in this life. The sacrament provides a precious weekly opportunity to
renew our baptismal covenants and repent and evaluate our progress toward
exaltation."
Elder Wirthlin concluded, "I testify that in the
eternities, as we look back upon our little span of existence here on this
earth, we will lift our voices and rejoice that, in spite of the difficulties we
encountered, we had the wisdom, the faith, and the courage to endure and press
on."
April 2004: Debt is bondage; Many
fall victim
Covetousness creates
greed, resentment, and often leads to crushing, grinding debt
In spite of Church teachings, many
members are falling victim to unwise financial practices and finding themselves
in rising debt, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve.
"Remember this: debt is a form of bondage," he said
on Saturday afternoon. "It is a financial termite. When we make purchases on
credit, they give us only an illusion of prosperity. We think we own things, but
the reality is our things own us."
He repeated Christ's biblical warning
of covetousness.
"(Covetousness) is one of the great afflictions of these
latter days," Elder Wirthlin said. "It creates greed and
resentment. Often, it leads to bondage, heartbreak and crushing, grinding
debt."
Stress prompted by money worries has shattered many marriages and
caused sickness, depression and even premature death, Elder Wirthlin said. Some
debts — such as for a modest home, education and perhaps a first car — may be
necessary. But he counseled members to never enter into financial bondage
through consumer debt without carefully weighing the costs.
Many
latter-day prophets have counseled Church members to avoid debt and make wise
financial decisions, Elder Wirthlin said.
"Many have heeded this
prophetic counsel. They live within their means, they honor the debts they have
incurred, and they strive to reduce the burden they owe to others," he said. "We
congratulate those who are doing so."
Elder Wirthlin offered five steps to financial
- freedom.Pay tithing. "Obedience to God's commandments is the
foundation for a happy life. Surely we will be blessed by the gifts of heaven
for our obedience. Failure to pay tithing by those who know the principle can
lead to heartache in this life and sorrow, perhaps, in the next."Spend less than you earn. "All too often, a family's spending is governed
more by their yearning than by their earning." Elder Wirthlin added that
members who unwisely use credit cards would be wise to eliminate
them.Learn to save. "Remember the lesson of Joseph of Egypt.
During times of prosperity, save up for a day of want."Honor your
financial obligations. "If you bring children into the world, it is your
solemn obligation to do all within your power to provide for them." Elder Wirthlin also
emphasized the importance of honoring debts and being honest in financial
dealings.Teach your children to follow your example. "Teach
(children) that they cannot have something merely because they want it. Teach
them the principles of work, frugality and saving."
Heavenly debts are not
so easy to repay, Elder Wirthlin said. "In fact, we will never be able
to repay some of them." Such heavenly debts include the love and sacrifices of
parents and ancestors. Another debt is owed to the Lord for restoring His gospel
through Joseph Smith.
"(Christ) paid a debt He did not owe to free us from
a debt we can never pay," Elder Wirthlin said. "Because of Him, we will live
forever. Because of His infinite atonement, our sins can be swept away."
October 2003: Self-improvement via gospel living
Don't delay the repentance
process; choose priorities
Repent, prioritize and choose the
right, counseled Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Sunday
morning.
That formula "is the way to remove emptiness from our lives and
to fill our souls with joy beyond description," said Elder Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve.
He noted that he has recently noticed the large
number of self-improvement programs available.
"There must be a tremendous
demand for those products because one can scarcely turn on the television or
radio without seeing or hearing promotions for products that promise everything
from losing weight to growing a lush crop of thick hair. At times I wonder if
the people who make these products know me personally."
Then to the
worldwide congregation, Elder Wirthlin offered his own self-improvement
program. "It consists of three steps that have been useful to me and, I am
confident, they will be helpful to you as well."
The best way to teach
these principles, he said, is "by way of parable."
Elder Wirthlin recounted
the story of a young man named John, who although relatively young had
experienced much suffering and sorrow. He was homeless, addicted to alcohol and
drugs and terribly sick and weary of life. "Perhaps because he had attended
Primary a few times when he was a boy, John ended up at a nearby meetinghouse
where he asked to see the bishop."
As the bishop listened to John's story,
he could tell that the man truly wanted to change his life. But, said Elder Wirthlin, he could
also sense that John had little confidence that he could change.
The
bishop told John: "The first thing you should understand is that you can't go
back and begin where you once were. But all is not lost. You can begin where you
are. Choose to begin your repentance now."
Elder Wirthlin said that, to some degree, everyone
is like John. "We have made mistakes. But no matter how badly we want to go back
and begin again, we can't. We can, however, repent and begin where we are
today."
Members can repent, he said, by "acknowledging our errors and
deciding to repent. By committing today — this very day — to do better; to live
noble and compassionate lives, to strive each day to be more like the
Savior."
"Our destiny and ultimate fate depend upon our daily
decisions."
Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for
the right time to change are like "the man who stands at the bank of a river
waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land," said Elder Wirthlin.
After repentance, he added,
one must learn to "focus on first things first."
"John began to understand
that he couldn't change everything that was wrong with his life in an instant,
but he could choose his priorities. He could focus on the things that mattered
most and, with time, his life would begin to improve."
Finally, Elder Wirthlin said,
members need to do the right things — "the things our Heavenly Father wants us
to do."
The commandments, he said, are a handbook to happiness. "Every
aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ — the principles, the doctrines, and the
commandments — is a part of our Heavenly Father's plan to help us obtain peace
and happiness."
As John began to embrace and cherish the words of the
Lord, "the emptiness in his soul began to shrink and, in its place, he gradually
discovered joy and peace that surpassed his understanding."
Concluding, Elder Wirthlin summarized
the three choices:
"First, choose to begin the process of repentance now,"
he said. "Do not delay. Attend your meetings and serve cheerfully in the Church.
Learn and live by gospel principles. Begin now to turn your steps toward the
temple.
"Second, choose your priorities," he said. "Let your family come
first. Hold worthwhile family home evenings. Let the time that you spend with
your families be consistent with how important they are. Cherish and nurture
family members and never allow busy schedules and frustrations to drive a wedge
between you and your loved ones. Strive each day to be more obedient to the
Lord's commandments.
"Third, choose the right. Study the scriptures and
the words of our prophets today, even President Gordon B. Hinckley. Apply those
sacred teachings in your lives. Reach out to those in distress — the lonely, the
sick, and the needy. Do what you can to relieve suffering and help others become
self-reliant. As you do so, the Lord will be well-pleased with
you."
"Never allow busy schedules and frustrations to drive a wedge
between you and your loved ones."
April 2003: 'Source of testimony' fills our souls with joy
Lower noise level in homes so worldly noise
will not overpower still, small voice
The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit
and is a distinct member of the Godhead, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said
Saturday afternoon. "He is a witness or testator of the power of God, the
divinity of Christ, and the truth of the restored gospel."
The gift of the
Holy Ghost, which is the right to receive the constant companionship of the Holy
Ghost, "is obtained only upon condition of faith in Christ, repentance, baptism
by immersion, and the laying on of hands by authorized servants endowed with the
Melchizedek Priesthood. It is a most precious gift available only to worthy
members of the Lord's Church."
Elder Wirthlin explained that the gift of the Holy
Ghost is "the source of testimony and spiritual gifts. It enlightens minds,
fills our souls with joy, teaches us all things, and brings forgotten knowledge
to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost also 'will show unto [us] all things what
[we] should do.'
This gift, however, is not given unconditionally, he
said. "Scriptures warn us that the Spirit of the Lord 'will not always strive
with man.' When we are confirmed, we are given the right to the
companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is a right that we must continue to earn
through obedience and worthiness. We cannot take this gift for
granted."
Elder Wirthlin continued: "I fear that some members
of the Lord's Church live far beneath our privileges with regard to the gift of
the Holy Ghost. Some are distracted by things of the world that block out the
influence of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual
promptings. . . . Some are spiritually deadened and past feeling because of
their choices to commit sin. Others simply hover in spiritual complacency with
no desire to rise above themselves and commune with the Infinite.
"If they
would open their hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of
the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light. Their
eyes would gaze upon a vista scarcely imaginable."
Elder Wirthlin invited
individuals to ponder in a humble and prayerful manner as to whether they are
happy and have the Spirit in their lives. He challenged them to ask themselves,
"Am I doing anything in my life that is offensive to the Spirit and preventing
the Holy Ghost from being my constant companion?" He urged them to have the
courage to repent, if necessary, to gain the companionship of the Holy
Ghost.
"Our homes need to be more Christ-centered. We should spend more
time at the temple and less time in the pursuit of pleasure. We should lower the
noise level in our homes so that the noise of the world will not overpower the
still, small voice of the Holy Ghost. One of our greatest goals as parents
should be to enjoy the power and influence of the Holy Ghost in our
homes."
In his closing remarks, Elder Wirthlin invited those who are not members of
the Church to "not resist the truth any longer. Give place in your hearts to
this heavenly light. Have faith, repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of your sins and you, too, shall receive this
unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost."
October 2002: Shall faith be found on the earth?
"Today I ask a question the Savior
asked nearly 2,000 years ago," said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve. "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the
earth?" (Luke 18:8.)
Speaking Sunday afternoon, Elder Wirthlin recounted
the faith of the widow who had enough food for one last meal. "It was then that
a stranger approached and asked the unthinkable," he said in relating the
account of Elijah's request for a morsel of bread.
"What this prophet told
her next may seem surprising to those today who do not understand the eternal
principle of faith. " 'Fear not,' he said to her. "But make me thereof a little
cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.'
"
"In the wisdom of our day, the prophet's request may seem unfair and
selfish. In the wisdom of our day, the widow's response may appear foolish and
unwise. That is largely because we often learn to make decisions based upon what
we see," Elder
Wirthlin
said.
"Too often today, we do not rely on faith so much as on our own
ability to reason and solve problems," he continued, noting, "If we become ill,
modern medicine can work healing miracles."
"Faith exists when absolute
confidence in that which we cannot see combines with action that is in absolute
conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father," he said. "Without these three,
all we have is a counterfeit."
Elder Wirthlin explained these three components of
faith by saying, "First, we must have confidence in that which we cannot see. .
. . Second, for our faith to make a difference, we must act. . . . Third, one's
faith should be consistent with the will of our Heavenly Father, including His
laws of nature. . . .
"Often what passes for faith in this world is little
more than gullibility," he said.
To understand when "our faith conforms to
the will of our Heavenly Father," Elder Wirthlin said, "We must know the word of God,
. . . immerse ourselves in the scriptures. . . . We must heed the counsel of
latter-day prophets. . . . We must ponder and pray and seek the guidance of the
Spirit.
"Only when our faith is aligned with the will of our Heavenly
Father will we be empowered to receive the blessings we seek," he said. "Faith
is one of the grand and glorious powers of eternity. It is a force powerful
beyond our comprehension.
"Our faith is the foundation upon which all our
spiritual lives rest," he continued. "It should be the most important resource
of our lives. Faith is not so much something we believe; faith is something we
live."
He said that those who walk in faith will feel their lives
encompassed with the light and blessings of heaven. "They will understand and
know things that others cannot. Those who do not walk in faith esteem the things
of the Spirit as foolishness for the things of the Spirit can only be discerned
by the Spirit."
Further, he declared, "Our Heavenly Father is a powerful,
moving, directing Being. While we, may, at times, . . . struggle to understand
trials of faith . . . we have absolute confidence that a loving Heavenly Father
is at our side."
Referring to his opening thought, Elder Wirthlin continued,
"When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?
"Perhaps, as
members of the Church trust with all their hearts, transform their hopes and
beliefs into action, and seek to align themselves with the will of the Lord, the
answer to the question the Savior asked 2,000 years ago will be a resounding,
'Yes, He will find faith.' "
April 2002: 'Follow Me': Leaving
entangling nets
They were fishermen before they heard
the call. Casting their nets into the Sea of Galilee, Peter and Andrew stopped
as Jesus of Nazareth approached, looked into their eyes, and spoke the simple
words, "Follow Me," said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve.
Speaking Saturday morning, Elder Wirthlin recounted how James and John were
mending nets in a ship with their father when the Son of Man approached. Jesus
called to them. "And [they] immediately left the ship and their father, and
followed [the Lord.]"
"Have you ever wondered what it must have been like
to have lived in the days of the Savior?" asked Elder Wirthlin. "If the Savior were to call to you
today, would you be just as willing to leave your nets and follow Him? I am
confident that many would.
"But for some, it may not be such an easy
decision. Some have discovered that nets, by their nature, are sometimes not so
easy to leave.
"We sometimes think of these four men as modest fishermen
who did not sacrifice much when they left their nets to follow the Savior. To
the contrary," said Elder Wirthlin, "Peter, Andrew, James and John were
partners in a prosperous business . . . and Peter, 'Was well to do in a material
way. . . .' "
Nets are generally devices for capturing something, Elder Wirthlin explained.
"We might define a net as anything that entices or prevents us from following
the call of Jesus Christ.
"Nets in this context can be our work, our
hobbies, our pleasures and, above all else, our temptations and sins. . . . A
net can be anything that pulls us from fellowship with our Heavenly
Father.
"It is impossible to list the many nets that can ensnare us and
keep us from following the Savior. . . . I do not know of another period in the
history of the earth that has been so filled with such a variety of entangling
nets. . . . It is easy to get caught in a multitude of nets.
"Sometimes we
feel that the busier we are, the more important we are — as though our
'busyness' defines our worth."
Elder Wirthlin said, "That we focus the energy of
our minds, our hearts and our souls on those things of eternal significance —
that is essential. . . .
"In the midst of the noise and seductive voices
that compete for our time and interest, a solitary figure stands on the shores
of the Sea of Galilee calling quietly to us: 'Follow Me.'
"How do we
follow the Savior? By exercising faith. . . .by repenting of our sins. . . by
entering the waters of baptism. . . by obeying Him. . . .
"In contrast,
when we cling to our sins, our pleasures, and sometimes even our perceived
obligations; resist the influence of the Holy Ghost; and put aside the words of
the prophets, we then stand at the shore of our own Galilee, nets tightly
entangling us. We find ourselves unable to leave them behind and follow the
living Christ.
"We have nets that must be tended and nets that must be
mended. But when the Master of ocean, earth and sky calls to us, 'Follow Me,' we
should leave the entangling, worldly nets behind and follow His footsteps."
October 2001: Put 'one foot in front of the other' to reach spiritual heights
Offering counsel to help one receive
more joy and serenity during one's sojourn through mortal life, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the
Quorum of the Twelve related on Saturday afternoon the account of Erik
Weihenemayer, a 33-year-old man who dreamed of climbing Mt. Everest. "But there
is an important difference between Erik and every other climber who had
attempted the ascent before: Erik is totally blind."
When
asked how he did it, he responded that he kept thinking, "Just take each day
step by step. . . .
"Like Erik, we may have obstacles that hold us back,"
Elder Wirthlin
said. "We may even make excuses why we can't do what we want to do. Perhaps when
we are tempted to justify our own lack of achievement, we can remember Erik who,
in spite of having lost his sight, accomplished what many thought was impossible
simply by continuing to put one foot in front of the other. . .
.
"Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. You
will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will
take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step
and then repeating that again and again until we reach our
destination.
"The same principle applies to how you and I can climb higher
spiritually. Heavenly Father knows that we must begin our climb from where we
are. 'When you climb up a ladder,' the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, 'you must begin at the
bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with
the principles of the gospel — you must begin with the first, and go on until
you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after
you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them.'
"Our
Heavenly Father loves each one of us and understands that this process of
climbing higher takes preparation, time and commitment. He understands that we
will make mistakes at times, that we will stumble, that we will become
discouraged and perhaps even wish to give up and say to ourselves it is not
worth the struggle.
"We know it is worth the effort, for the prize, which
is eternal life, is 'the greatest of all the gifts of God.' (Doctrine and
Covenants 14:7.) And to qualify, we must take one step after another and keep
going to gain the spiritual heights we aspire to reach.
"An
eternal principle is revealed in holy writ: 'It is not requisite that a man
should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he
should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize.' (Mosiah
4:27.)
"We don't have to be fast, we simply have to be steady and move in
the right direction. We have to do the best we can, one step after another. . .
.
"The only thing you need to worry about is striving to be the best you
can be. And how do you do that? You keep your eye on the goals that matter most
in life and you move towards them step by step. I know many feel that the path
is hard and the way is dark. But like Erik, the courageous mountain climber, we
are not left without a guide.
"We have scriptures that reveal the word of
God to mankind through the ages. When we feast upon the word of God, we open our
minds to eternal truths and our hearts to the gentle whisperings of the Holy
Ghost. Truly God's word, through scriptures and modern-day prophets, is a 'lamp
unto [our] feet and a light unto [our] path.' " (Psalm 119:105.)
April 2001: Fasting draws one
closer to God, fortifies faith and benefits others
As Church members live the law of the
fast, they not only draw nearer to God through prayer, but they also feed the
hungry and care for the poor, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Sunday afternoon.
The law of the fast, he explained, "is based upon a primary, yet
profound principle — a simple practice — that if observed with the
proper spirit, will help us draw closer to our Heavenly Father and
strengthen our faith while at the same time help us ease the burdens of
others."
Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said
Latter-day Saints are encouraged to fast whenever their faith needs special
fortification and to fast regularly once each month on fast day. This fasting,
he added, must be linked with prayer.
"Without prayer, fasting is not
complete fasting, it's simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more
than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our
voices in communion with our Heavenly Father.
"Fasting, coupled with
mighty prayer, is powerful," he continued. "It can fill our minds with the
revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of
temptation."
Elder Wirthlin said fasting can help members develop
courage and confidence; it can strengthen character, build self-restraint and
discipline.
"Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have
greater power," he said. "Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over
our worldly appetites and passions."
Fasting, he added, can help families
in their daily work and can help members magnify their callings. It can also
give members a greater understanding of the needs of others.
"When we
fast, brothers and sisters, we feel hunger," Elder Wirthlin said. "And for a short time, we
literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do
so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might
feel."
Elder Wirthlin emphasized that fast offerings are
used for one purpose only — to bless the lives of those in need.
"As an
apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have traveled the world testifying of Him. I
come before you today to bear another witness — a witness of the suffering and
need of millions of our Heavenly Father's children."
Elder Wirthlin asked
parents to teach their children the joys of a proper fast by example.
"My
brothers and sisters," he said, "the measure of our offering to bless the poor
is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father."
Concluding, Elder
Wirthlin left a promise with the worldwide
congregation: "I raise my voice in testimony and promise along with the great
apostles that have preceded me that those who live the law of the fast will
surely discover the rich blessings that attend this holy principle."