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Press On: Messages on Faith, Hope, and Charity
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, who turns 90 this year, is known among his colleagues as a wise man, a resilient man, and a man of complete integrity. He is also known for telling wonderful stories. In Press On, he shares lessons and insights he has gleaned during his life. His messages focus on the three virtues spoken of so eloquently by the Apostle Paul--faith, hope, and charity--virtues that fit us for service in the kigdom here and also prepare us to reurn to our Heavenly Father's presence. He talks of following the Savior's example, of cultivating divine attributes, and of becoming modern pioneers by being "true to the truth." Readers will find profound counsel on many vital gospel principles, together with memorable stories, from the mind and heart of a leader who has shown--in word and deed--how to "press on."
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
18 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Joseph B. Wirthlin
5 books15 followersElder Joseph B. Wirthlin was ordained an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 9, 1986. He was sustained and set apart as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on 4 April 1975 and served in that capacity until he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1976. He was set apart in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy on August 28,1986, where he was serving when called to be an Apostle in October of 1986.
Elder Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City to Joseph L. and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. His father served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Elder Wirthlin graduated from the University of Utah in business administration. He is an Eagle Scout. He was active in athletics in high school and played football at the University of Utah.
Before his call as a General Authority, he was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of a trade association in Utah.
Elder Wirthlin served a mission in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 1930s. He served in stake and ward auxiliary positions, as a counselor in the Bonneville Ward bishopric for seven years, and as bishop of the same ward for nearly 10 years. He was a member of the Bonneville Stake high council and then served as a member of the stake presidency until he was called, on June 27, 1971, to be first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. He served there until April 1975, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve.
Elder Wirthlin served as General Authority area supervisor for the Europe Area from July 1975 to April 1978 and executive administrator for the Southeast Area of the United States and the Caribbean Islands from 1978–1982. He then served as the executive administrator for Brazil from 1 July 1982–1984. He was the managing director of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, the Relief Society, and the Military Relations Committee from 1978–1984.
From July 1984 to August 1986 Elder Wirthlin served as President of the Europe Area of the Church, directing Church affairs in Continental Europe, the British Isles, Ireland, and Africa. From August 1986 until his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, he served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, executive director of the Curriculum Department, and editor of Church magazines. He is presently serving as a member of the Missionary Executive Council, the General Welfare Services Committee, the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, the Leadership Training Committee, and First Contact of the Quorum of the Twelve for the Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Asia North, Pacific, and Philippines Areas.
He married Elisa Young Rogers on May 26, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children and forty-six grandchildren.
His last conference address is considered a classic by many. Titled "Come What May, and Love It," the address centered on reaction to adversity in life.
Elder Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City to Joseph L. and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. His father served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Elder Wirthlin graduated from the University of Utah in business administration. He is an Eagle Scout. He was active in athletics in high school and played football at the University of Utah.
Before his call as a General Authority, he was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of a trade association in Utah.
Elder Wirthlin served a mission in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 1930s. He served in stake and ward auxiliary positions, as a counselor in the Bonneville Ward bishopric for seven years, and as bishop of the same ward for nearly 10 years. He was a member of the Bonneville Stake high council and then served as a member of the stake presidency until he was called, on June 27, 1971, to be first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. He served there until April 1975, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve.
Elder Wirthlin served as General Authority area supervisor for the Europe Area from July 1975 to April 1978 and executive administrator for the Southeast Area of the United States and the Caribbean Islands from 1978–1982. He then served as the executive administrator for Brazil from 1 July 1982–1984. He was the managing director of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, the Relief Society, and the Military Relations Committee from 1978–1984.
From July 1984 to August 1986 Elder Wirthlin served as President of the Europe Area of the Church, directing Church affairs in Continental Europe, the British Isles, Ireland, and Africa. From August 1986 until his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, he served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, executive director of the Curriculum Department, and editor of Church magazines. He is presently serving as a member of the Missionary Executive Council, the General Welfare Services Committee, the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, the Leadership Training Committee, and First Contact of the Quorum of the Twelve for the Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Asia North, Pacific, and Philippines Areas.
He married Elisa Young Rogers on May 26, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children and forty-six grandchildren.
His last conference address is considered a classic by many. Titled "Come What May, and Love It," the address centered on reaction to adversity in life.
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January 4, 2010
I first fell in love with Elder Wirthlin when he spoke in conference about Snowball. The horse with amazing ability to jump. I enjoyed his addresses after that. This book has many of my favorites including, Sunday Will Come,
Quotes: 60 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.
James E Faust, page 144.The Holy Ghost: It can enhance our natural senses so that we can see more clearly, hear more keenly, and remember what we should remember. It is a way of maximizing our happiness.
158 When you have absolute confidence in things that are in conformity to the will of God and you act with all your power to achieve them, then you will "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
For teachers: 209 Sobel: You can get people to work for by using threats of by promising rewards. But if you want to create a band of brothers, you must inspire those who work with you and encourage them to give their all in a great cause.
Quotes: 60 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.
James E Faust, page 144.The Holy Ghost: It can enhance our natural senses so that we can see more clearly, hear more keenly, and remember what we should remember. It is a way of maximizing our happiness.
158 When you have absolute confidence in things that are in conformity to the will of God and you act with all your power to achieve them, then you will "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
For teachers: 209 Sobel: You can get people to work for by using threats of by promising rewards. But if you want to create a band of brothers, you must inspire those who work with you and encourage them to give their all in a great cause.
December 12, 2015
I've wanted to read this book for a long time, but am grateful I read it now. Elder Wirthlin's reminder to press on with faith, hope, and charity were a much needed message for me now. This book is a compilation of talks edited together in a wonderful way presenting Elder Wirthlin's consistently cheerful and humble message and testimony. I love his words teaching of Jesus Christ and the importance of continuing forward and doing our best. So many important principles are covered here, but my favorite chapter was the talk about improving our prayers (see page 154). Being close to the Lord will help us move forward in righteousness. I recommend this book. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"'If the Savior were to call 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 very nature, are sometimes not so easy to leave (p. 3)."
"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. The Lord has often enjoined us to invest the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls in those things of eternal significance--that is essential. As the clatter and clamor of life bustle about us, we hear shouting to 'come here' and to 'go there.' In the midst of the noise and seductive voices that compete for our time and interest, a solitary figure stands on the shore of our Sea of Galilee, calling quietly to us, 'Follow me (p. 5).'"
"We testify that God called, prepared, and sustained Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. Prophets have no other purpose, no other mission, except to serve God. Of his own sacred responsibility and holy calling, our living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has said" 'I have no desire other than to do that which the Lord would have done, I am His servant, called to serve His people. This is His Church. We are only custodians of that which belongs to Him (p. 23).'"
"President Thomas S. Monson taught the importance of our being willing to serve in this great cause when he asked: 'Are we sufficiently in tune with the Spirit that when the Lord calls, we can hear, as did Samuel, and declare, 'Here am I?' Do we have the fortitude and the faith, whatever our callings, to serve with unflinching courage, and unshakable resolve? When we do, the Lord can work His mighty miracles through us (p. 34).'"
"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. Lay your sins on the altar of sacrifice and forsake them. Joyously walk in holiness and in harmony with the commandments. Drink deeply of the living waters of the gospel of Jesus Christ (p. 47)."
"No matter our age, circumstances, or abilities, each of us can create something remarkable of our life (p. 49)."
"We may not be gifted artists, sculptors, or musicians, but the greatest art of all is the art of living. We can take the clay of time and create from it a masterpiece of an abundant life. Love the Lord will all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Enlist in great and noble causes. 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. Create of your life a masterpiece (p. 49)."
"How do we know when our faith conforms to the will of our Heavenly Father and that He approves of that which we seek? We must know the word of God. One of the reasons we immerse ourselves in the scriptures is to know of Heavenly Father's dealings with man from the beginning. If the desires of our heart are contrary to scripture, then we should not pursue them further (p. 62)."
"I promise that if we approach our children and grandchildren with love rather than reproach, we will find that their faith will increase as a result of the influence and testimony of someone who loves the Savior and His divine Church (p. 64)."
"Often when the world seems dark, when the heavens seem distant, we seek to blame everything around us, when the real cause of the darkness may be a lack of faith within ourselves. Be of good cheer. Have faith and confidence. The Lord will not forsake you (p. 65)."
"Nothing will be of greater value to you as you prepare for the responsibilities and trials of adulthood. A heartfelt testimony of the Book of Mormon will make you great missionaries and loving, patient parents (p. 80)."
"Though our trials are diverse, there is only one thing the Lord expects of us no matter our difficulties and sorrows. He expects us to press on (p. 83)."
"A few weeks before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren went to visit him in his home. Before the man left, President Grant prayed, 'O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end (p. 87)!'"
"Testimony gives us the eternal perspective necessary to see beyond the trials or challenges we will inevitably face. Remember what Heber C. Kimball prophesied: 'The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself....If you don't have it you will not stand; therefore seek for the testimony of Jesus and cleave to it, that when the trying times come you may not stumble and fall (p. 90).'"
"What is mortality if not a long process similar to learning to walk? We must learn to walk in the ways of the Lord. You are stronger than you think. Your Heavenly Father, the Lord and Master of the universe if your Creator. When I think of it, it makes my heart leap for joy. Our spirits are eternal, and eternal spirits have immeasurable capacity (p. 94)."
"Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the Lord admonished, 'and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly' (D&C 90:24). Draw close to the Lord Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer. Keep the faith. Doubt not. The storms will one day be stilled. Our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has said: 'We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm....[and] He will shower down blessings upon those who walk in obedience to His commandments (p. 96).'"
"'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; therefore, all things must be done in order' (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 (p. 114)."
"When you are tempted to throw your hands in the air and give up because of this dear sister, please, remember you're not competing with her any more than I'm competing with the members of the Quorum of the Twelve in winning a 50-yard dash. 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 toward them step by step (p. 115)."
"You become diligent through determined efforts. Set goals; make plans; follow through on your plans. Diligence provides its own reward, and it will be answered with blessings on your heads. If for some reason you have been less than diligent, remember the assurance given by President Spencer W. Kimball: 'The slothful and inadequate servant can repent, exchange apathy for diligence, and receive God's forgiveness (p. 123).'"
"Prepare yourself diligently through gospel study. Then talk to as many people as you can, with the intent of teaching them the gospel and inviting them to accept its saving ordinances (p. 128)."
"The Lord has not promised freedom from distress. But He has promised that if we are faithful, blessings will follow (p. 134)."
"There may not be a more frequently uttered commandment than that we lift up our hearts and our voices in prayer to our Heavenly Father (p. 154)."
"Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same? Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you sometimes bore yourself as you pray? Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will likely not merit much attention from our Heavenly Father. When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for awhile on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don't have to be grand or glorious; sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things, such as the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, the sound of a loved one's voice. Pondering the things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in (p. 156)."
"Do you want to commune with the Infinite? Then approach Him with reverence and humility. Don't worry so much about whether your words are polished. Worry instead about speaking from your heart. In faith, set before Him your righteous desires and your petitions, knowing that He will hear you (p. 157)."
"Another reason that our prayers have little power is because we fail to succor those in need (p. 159)."
"Righteous concern may lead us to appropriate action, but worrying about things we cannot control can paralyze and demoralize us. Instead of worrying, focus on doing all that you can do and then the worrying to your Heavenly Father. If your heart is right with Him, He will take care of the worry and the fear. We must learn to fret not (p. 161)."
"Instead of worrying or grumbling that our prayers have gone unanswered, we should delight ourselves in the Lord. Be grateful. Be happy. Know that the Lord, in His time, will bring about all your righteous desires, sometimes in ways we predict, others in ways we could not have possibly foreseen. What a wonderful recipe for happiness and peace (p. 163)."
"The more time we spend in righteous prayer, the more our beings will be filled with light. 'And if your eye is single to my glory,' the Lord has promised, 'your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things' (D&C 88:67). The more our souls are filled with light, the more we resemble our Father in Heaven and the more capable we are of enjoying the fruits of the Spirit (p. 164)."
"Such spiritual experiences are available to all who come before their Eternal Father with a broken heart and contrite spirit. One of the things we must do in this mortality is chase away the darkness. We must fill our souls with the light of the Holy Spirit (p. 168)."
"President Boyd K. Packer said, 'A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it. Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that 'leap of faith,' as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and step into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two (p. 174).'"
"Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years (p. 180)."
"Kindness is the walk and talk of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others, no matter what the circumstances. Kindness should permeate all of our word and actions in the home, at work, and especially in the Church (p. 181)."
"The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, think perfect thoughts, and feel 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 (p. 183)."
"'It has always been a cardinal teaching with the Latter-day Saints,' President Joseph F. Smith wrote, 'that a religion which has not the power to save people temporally and make them prosperous and happy here, cannot be depended upon to save them spiritually, to exalt them in the life to come.' The temporal and the spiritual are linked inseparably. As we give of our time, talents, and resources to tend the needs of the sick, offer food to the hungry, and teach the dependent to stand on their own, we enrich ourselves spiritually beyond our ability to comprehend (p. 198)."
"Every day, hundreds of thousands of faithful members lift up their hearts in prayer, asking that this great work will go forward. They plead that the hearts of the great and small will be softened. They ask that doors--some so great they open to an entire nation, others so humble they open to a single heart--will be opened. With the commission we bear and that kind of support, we will find the success and joy that come when a band of brothers embarks on a heavenly cause (p. 215)."
"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten everything around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, and more likable (p. 218)."
"How do we live in thanksgiving daily? By opening our arms to those around us. When was the last time you told someone you love how much they mean to you? When was the last time you expressed your gratitude to someone who has always been there for you, someone who has sacrificed for you, someone whose heart has always been filled with hopes and dreams for you? When was the last time you unselfishly reached out to help another in need? Every time we cheer another's heart, every time we ease another's burden, every time we lift a weary hand, we show our gratitude to that God to whom we owe all we have and all that we are (p. 227)."
"Will you consider what more you can do to build the kingdom of God? Will you consider what more you can do to bless the lives of others and bring light and hope into their lives (p. 248)?"
"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 (p. 260)."
"'If the Savior were to call 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 very nature, are sometimes not so easy to leave (p. 3)."
"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. The Lord has often enjoined us to invest the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls in those things of eternal significance--that is essential. As the clatter and clamor of life bustle about us, we hear shouting to 'come here' and to 'go there.' In the midst of the noise and seductive voices that compete for our time and interest, a solitary figure stands on the shore of our Sea of Galilee, calling quietly to us, 'Follow me (p. 5).'"
"We testify that God called, prepared, and sustained Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. Prophets have no other purpose, no other mission, except to serve God. Of his own sacred responsibility and holy calling, our living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has said" 'I have no desire other than to do that which the Lord would have done, I am His servant, called to serve His people. This is His Church. We are only custodians of that which belongs to Him (p. 23).'"
"President Thomas S. Monson taught the importance of our being willing to serve in this great cause when he asked: 'Are we sufficiently in tune with the Spirit that when the Lord calls, we can hear, as did Samuel, and declare, 'Here am I?' Do we have the fortitude and the faith, whatever our callings, to serve with unflinching courage, and unshakable resolve? When we do, the Lord can work His mighty miracles through us (p. 34).'"
"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. Lay your sins on the altar of sacrifice and forsake them. Joyously walk in holiness and in harmony with the commandments. Drink deeply of the living waters of the gospel of Jesus Christ (p. 47)."
"No matter our age, circumstances, or abilities, each of us can create something remarkable of our life (p. 49)."
"We may not be gifted artists, sculptors, or musicians, but the greatest art of all is the art of living. We can take the clay of time and create from it a masterpiece of an abundant life. Love the Lord will all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Enlist in great and noble causes. 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. Create of your life a masterpiece (p. 49)."
"How do we know when our faith conforms to the will of our Heavenly Father and that He approves of that which we seek? We must know the word of God. One of the reasons we immerse ourselves in the scriptures is to know of Heavenly Father's dealings with man from the beginning. If the desires of our heart are contrary to scripture, then we should not pursue them further (p. 62)."
"I promise that if we approach our children and grandchildren with love rather than reproach, we will find that their faith will increase as a result of the influence and testimony of someone who loves the Savior and His divine Church (p. 64)."
"Often when the world seems dark, when the heavens seem distant, we seek to blame everything around us, when the real cause of the darkness may be a lack of faith within ourselves. Be of good cheer. Have faith and confidence. The Lord will not forsake you (p. 65)."
"Nothing will be of greater value to you as you prepare for the responsibilities and trials of adulthood. A heartfelt testimony of the Book of Mormon will make you great missionaries and loving, patient parents (p. 80)."
"Though our trials are diverse, there is only one thing the Lord expects of us no matter our difficulties and sorrows. He expects us to press on (p. 83)."
"A few weeks before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren went to visit him in his home. Before the man left, President Grant prayed, 'O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end (p. 87)!'"
"Testimony gives us the eternal perspective necessary to see beyond the trials or challenges we will inevitably face. Remember what Heber C. Kimball prophesied: 'The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself....If you don't have it you will not stand; therefore seek for the testimony of Jesus and cleave to it, that when the trying times come you may not stumble and fall (p. 90).'"
"What is mortality if not a long process similar to learning to walk? We must learn to walk in the ways of the Lord. You are stronger than you think. Your Heavenly Father, the Lord and Master of the universe if your Creator. When I think of it, it makes my heart leap for joy. Our spirits are eternal, and eternal spirits have immeasurable capacity (p. 94)."
"Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the Lord admonished, 'and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly' (D&C 90:24). Draw close to the Lord Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer. Keep the faith. Doubt not. The storms will one day be stilled. Our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has said: 'We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm....[and] He will shower down blessings upon those who walk in obedience to His commandments (p. 96).'"
"'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; therefore, all things must be done in order' (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 (p. 114)."
"When you are tempted to throw your hands in the air and give up because of this dear sister, please, remember you're not competing with her any more than I'm competing with the members of the Quorum of the Twelve in winning a 50-yard dash. 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 toward them step by step (p. 115)."
"You become diligent through determined efforts. Set goals; make plans; follow through on your plans. Diligence provides its own reward, and it will be answered with blessings on your heads. If for some reason you have been less than diligent, remember the assurance given by President Spencer W. Kimball: 'The slothful and inadequate servant can repent, exchange apathy for diligence, and receive God's forgiveness (p. 123).'"
"Prepare yourself diligently through gospel study. Then talk to as many people as you can, with the intent of teaching them the gospel and inviting them to accept its saving ordinances (p. 128)."
"The Lord has not promised freedom from distress. But He has promised that if we are faithful, blessings will follow (p. 134)."
"There may not be a more frequently uttered commandment than that we lift up our hearts and our voices in prayer to our Heavenly Father (p. 154)."
"Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same? Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you sometimes bore yourself as you pray? Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will likely not merit much attention from our Heavenly Father. When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for awhile on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don't have to be grand or glorious; sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things, such as the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, the sound of a loved one's voice. Pondering the things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in (p. 156)."
"Do you want to commune with the Infinite? Then approach Him with reverence and humility. Don't worry so much about whether your words are polished. Worry instead about speaking from your heart. In faith, set before Him your righteous desires and your petitions, knowing that He will hear you (p. 157)."
"Another reason that our prayers have little power is because we fail to succor those in need (p. 159)."
"Righteous concern may lead us to appropriate action, but worrying about things we cannot control can paralyze and demoralize us. Instead of worrying, focus on doing all that you can do and then the worrying to your Heavenly Father. If your heart is right with Him, He will take care of the worry and the fear. We must learn to fret not (p. 161)."
"Instead of worrying or grumbling that our prayers have gone unanswered, we should delight ourselves in the Lord. Be grateful. Be happy. Know that the Lord, in His time, will bring about all your righteous desires, sometimes in ways we predict, others in ways we could not have possibly foreseen. What a wonderful recipe for happiness and peace (p. 163)."
"The more time we spend in righteous prayer, the more our beings will be filled with light. 'And if your eye is single to my glory,' the Lord has promised, 'your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things' (D&C 88:67). The more our souls are filled with light, the more we resemble our Father in Heaven and the more capable we are of enjoying the fruits of the Spirit (p. 164)."
"Such spiritual experiences are available to all who come before their Eternal Father with a broken heart and contrite spirit. One of the things we must do in this mortality is chase away the darkness. We must fill our souls with the light of the Holy Spirit (p. 168)."
"President Boyd K. Packer said, 'A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it. Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that 'leap of faith,' as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and step into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two (p. 174).'"
"Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years (p. 180)."
"Kindness is the walk and talk of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others, no matter what the circumstances. Kindness should permeate all of our word and actions in the home, at work, and especially in the Church (p. 181)."
"The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, think perfect thoughts, and feel 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 (p. 183)."
"'It has always been a cardinal teaching with the Latter-day Saints,' President Joseph F. Smith wrote, 'that a religion which has not the power to save people temporally and make them prosperous and happy here, cannot be depended upon to save them spiritually, to exalt them in the life to come.' The temporal and the spiritual are linked inseparably. As we give of our time, talents, and resources to tend the needs of the sick, offer food to the hungry, and teach the dependent to stand on their own, we enrich ourselves spiritually beyond our ability to comprehend (p. 198)."
"Every day, hundreds of thousands of faithful members lift up their hearts in prayer, asking that this great work will go forward. They plead that the hearts of the great and small will be softened. They ask that doors--some so great they open to an entire nation, others so humble they open to a single heart--will be opened. With the commission we bear and that kind of support, we will find the success and joy that come when a band of brothers embarks on a heavenly cause (p. 215)."
"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten everything around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, and more likable (p. 218)."
"How do we live in thanksgiving daily? By opening our arms to those around us. When was the last time you told someone you love how much they mean to you? When was the last time you expressed your gratitude to someone who has always been there for you, someone who has sacrificed for you, someone whose heart has always been filled with hopes and dreams for you? When was the last time you unselfishly reached out to help another in need? Every time we cheer another's heart, every time we ease another's burden, every time we lift a weary hand, we show our gratitude to that God to whom we owe all we have and all that we are (p. 227)."
"Will you consider what more you can do to build the kingdom of God? Will you consider what more you can do to bless the lives of others and bring light and hope into their lives (p. 248)?"
"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 (p. 260)."
July 25, 2025
Some favorite quotes:
"If we study, ponder, and pray, our faith in the unseen but true things of God will grow. Even if we start with only 'a particle of faith... even if [we] can no more than desire to believe'..., with nurturing attention, a tiny seed of faith can grow into a vibrant, strong, fruitful tree of testimony." p 15
"President Ezra Taft Benson... explained that there is 'something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly.'" p 76
"Enduring to the end means that we have our lives firmly planted on gospel soil, remaining in the mainstream of the Church, humbly serving our fellowmen, living Christ-like lives, and keeping our covenants. Those who endure are balanced, consistent, humble, constantly improving, and without guile. Their testimony is not based on wordly reasons - it is based on truth, knowledge, experience, and the Spirit." p 84
"Prayer is a private matter between you and Heavenly Father. Both He and you know when you have done what you can. Do not give a thought as to whether or not your best compares with others. In the eyes of Heavenly Father, that doesn't matter." p 157
"We all possess spiritual gifts. Some are blessed with the gift of faith, others the gift of healing. In the body of the Church, all of the spiritual gifts are present. In my case, perhaps one of the spiritual gifts for which I am most grateful is that I have been blessed with an obedient spirit. When I heard wise counsel from my parents or Church leaders, I listened and tried to make it part of my thoughts and actions." p 263
"If we study, ponder, and pray, our faith in the unseen but true things of God will grow. Even if we start with only 'a particle of faith... even if [we] can no more than desire to believe'..., with nurturing attention, a tiny seed of faith can grow into a vibrant, strong, fruitful tree of testimony." p 15
"President Ezra Taft Benson... explained that there is 'something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly.'" p 76
"Enduring to the end means that we have our lives firmly planted on gospel soil, remaining in the mainstream of the Church, humbly serving our fellowmen, living Christ-like lives, and keeping our covenants. Those who endure are balanced, consistent, humble, constantly improving, and without guile. Their testimony is not based on wordly reasons - it is based on truth, knowledge, experience, and the Spirit." p 84
"Prayer is a private matter between you and Heavenly Father. Both He and you know when you have done what you can. Do not give a thought as to whether or not your best compares with others. In the eyes of Heavenly Father, that doesn't matter." p 157
"We all possess spiritual gifts. Some are blessed with the gift of faith, others the gift of healing. In the body of the Church, all of the spiritual gifts are present. In my case, perhaps one of the spiritual gifts for which I am most grateful is that I have been blessed with an obedient spirit. When I heard wise counsel from my parents or Church leaders, I listened and tried to make it part of my thoughts and actions." p 263
December 28, 2023
This is a very practical book written by a spiritual and wise Apostle. Elder Wirthlin tells many stories of the Gospel in Action. This is a great resource for daily scripture study and in helping to prepare a talk and/or lesson in Church or FHE.
July 29, 2020
Elder wirthlin
What a joyful and inspiring book!
Everyone will be better after reading it!
Just put his words in to action!
What a joyful and inspiring book!
Everyone will be better after reading it!
Just put his words in to action!
February 24, 2012
Such a great collection of talks! These are words of counsel that lift and encourage, and it is glimpses into the life of a great man, one who spent so MANY of his days serving and teaching others.
My favorites ... that I will re-read down the road, I'm sure.
The Abundant Life **
"We may not be gifted artists, sculptors, or musicians, but the greatest art of all is the art of living. We can take the clay of time and create from it a masterpiece of an abundant life. Love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Enlist in great and noble causes. 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. Create of your life a masterpiece." (49)
Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst
Shall He Find Faith on the Earth?
Press On
One Step after Another **
"An old proverb states that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We 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 it again and again until we reach our destination." (113)
Growing into the Priesthood **
The Virtue of Kindness **
Band of Brothers **
Live in Thanksgiving Daily
"Those who live in thankgiving daily often are among the world's happiest people. And they make others happy as well." (220)
Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts
Sunday Will Come **
"Each of us will have our own Fridays -- those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards or our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our fridays." But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death -- Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life of the next, Sunday will come." (286)
My favorites ... that I will re-read down the road, I'm sure.
The Abundant Life **
"We may not be gifted artists, sculptors, or musicians, but the greatest art of all is the art of living. We can take the clay of time and create from it a masterpiece of an abundant life. Love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Enlist in great and noble causes. 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. Create of your life a masterpiece." (49)
Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst
Shall He Find Faith on the Earth?
Press On
One Step after Another **
"An old proverb states that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We 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 it again and again until we reach our destination." (113)
Growing into the Priesthood **
The Virtue of Kindness **
Band of Brothers **
Live in Thanksgiving Daily
"Those who live in thankgiving daily often are among the world's happiest people. And they make others happy as well." (220)
Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts
Sunday Will Come **
"Each of us will have our own Fridays -- those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards or our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our fridays." But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death -- Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life of the next, Sunday will come." (286)
January 13, 2009
This is a beautiful book written by an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Elder Wirthlin offers insights into living the gospel with more dedication and joy. Some of my favorite quotes:
"..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."
"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known." "Kindness is the walk and talk of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others, no matter what the circumstances."
"Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will likely not merit much attention from our Heavenly Father."
". . . we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things, such as the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, the sound of a loved one's voice."
"If you feel that Heavenly father is not listening to your petitions, ask yourself if you are listening to the cries of the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the afflicted all around you."
"The measure of our offering to bless the poor is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father."
"Give enough so that you can give yourself into the kingdom of God through consecrating of your means and your time".
**"Each of us will have our own Fridays. . those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death. . Sunday will come. 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."**
"..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."
"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known." "Kindness is the walk and talk of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others, no matter what the circumstances."
"Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will likely not merit much attention from our Heavenly Father."
". . . we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things, such as the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, the sound of a loved one's voice."
"If you feel that Heavenly father is not listening to your petitions, ask yourself if you are listening to the cries of the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the afflicted all around you."
"The measure of our offering to bless the poor is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father."
"Give enough so that you can give yourself into the kingdom of God through consecrating of your means and your time".
**"Each of us will have our own Fridays. . those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death. . Sunday will come. 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."**
November 17, 2007
This is a great book! It will be a great reference for me to use in the future. It does take some pressing on to get through the book, but it is worth it. It is very uplifting. I really enjoyed getting a deeper glimpse of Elder Wirthlin's testimony. He has a very strong testimony of Joseph Smith, President Hinckley, and the Book of Mormon.
January 4, 2010
This was a great book. I gave it four stars instead of five because much of the book is a reproduction of conference talks and BYU devotionals, not new material. Nevertheless, it is inspirational and encouraging, and it seems that even talks by apostles I've heard or read before supply new food for thought each time they're re-read.
August 8, 2008
This book is amazing! Elder Wirthlin has some great messages to share. I have really enjoyed the gospel lessons intermixed with life experiences (some of them his). It seems to make the importance of those lessons stronger. This book is very inspirational and an enjoyable reading experience.
September 25, 2010
Biased yes, but a prime anthology of Elder Wirthlin's best conference addresses. I still flip through it monthly and find huge inspiration and rejuvenation through his wisdom and tender testimony. It makes me a better person with each read. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
September 30, 2014
I loved this book. What a sweet man this Apostle is. Several of his talks in it are my favorite. This book inspired me to try a little harder to be a better individual. I've dog-eared sections I want to go back and print out for future references.
July 8, 2015
I was a little disappointed the book didn't contian anything different than a compilation of his talks throughout the years. A great and inspiring read, but nothing you can't get by searching for his talks online.
April 13, 2008
This book is in three sections, faith, hope and charity, with talks by Elder Wirthlin that fit in each category. Very inspiring. Many ideas of things we can do to grow in all three areas.
April 28, 2008
Fabulous insight and exactly what I needed at the time.
May 2, 2008
This Apostle of the Lord presents a book with chapters that have their own messages of discipleship. This newest addition to the LDS genre is a gem.
May 25, 2008
Joseph B Wirthlin always gives great talks at conference, so I really liked this book since it is basically a bunch of his talks catergorized under topics of faith, hope, and charity.
August 1, 2008
This book is a compilation of Elder Wirthlin's best talks. I read it during my lunch break. It's great!!
February 16, 2009
I was a little disappointed to realize this is a collection of Elder Wirthlin's General Conference talks instead of an original book. It was good to review many of his teachings though.
July 16, 2009
I loved this book! It was so uplifting and inspiring! Joseph B. Wirthlin was an amazing man.
October 20, 2009
I enjoyed reading his messages. They are just inspiring.
January 2, 2010
Love Elder Wirthlin and the wisdom and insights he had. What a great man!
March 16, 2010
He is such a funny guy. I love his talks, and the way he teaches life lessons.
October 7, 2010
Use this book during dark days
June 19, 2011
This was mostly just a compilation of his talks, I liked it, I think my mom gave it to me.
July 23, 2012
Very good book for all to read.
September 24, 2014
It was wonderful reading talks given by Elder Wirthlin. It really made me miss him.
June 1, 2008
A great compilation of General Conference, Devotional, and Fireside talks that he has given.
March 8, 2011
I just love Elder Wirthlin!
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