Classic BYU Speeches

When we die, what do we want to have defined our lives? For Russell M. Nelson, it is service to mankind, family, and faith in God.

God always answers our prayers but often not in the way or timeframe we would like. As we exercise patience and faith, our relationship with Him will grow.

Sometimes change comes in ways we want it least, and seems impossible when we want it most. But through Christ, we can change—and we can cope with change.

Sometimes change comes in ways we want it least, and seems impossible when we want it most. But through Christ, we can change—and we can cope with change.

Thomas Monson shares a few touching experiences that demonstrate the true meaning and spirit of Christmas, which we should all seek to have in our hearts.

As a newly called apostle and special witness of Jesus Christ, James E. Faust shares his testimony of the divinity and works of the Savior.

Spencer W. Kimball, July 13, 1971

I am delighted to be with you brothers and sisters today. It is not difficult for those of us who have admired President Holland for so long to anticipate joyfully the things he will bring to this new assignment. Among them will be his personal, small-town warmth, which will shrink the size of this big campus, and I foresee that his literacy will prove to be as contagious as is his laughter. If Mark Twain, one focus of Jeffrey Holland’s graduate work, could have experienced Jeffrey’s effective teaching of the Book of Mormon, Twain would not have made his uninformed and unkind remark about that book. At least Jeff would not have let him start reading in the book of Ether. And perhaps Jeff could even have put Twain “under,” but not in the sense Twain meant, rather in the best missionary meaning of those words. In our time, the words “true believer” have come to mean the manipulable and mindless who are part of political mass movements, seeking to escape from the burdens of freedom. Many years ago, a similar phrase was used, but with major definitional distinctions. The Apostle Nephi, and, even earlier, Alma, wrote of the “true believers in Christ.” (see Alma 46:14 and 4 Ne. 1:36.) It is a concept too precious not to bring to the fore simply because of the current connotations of those two words. Someday, perhaps, we can rescue still other words even more sadly abused and inverted, such as “gay” and “welfare.” There are some sobering parallels between our times and these earlier groups of “true believers” in Christ who were “faithful” members of the Church, including the Three Nephites, and who had “gladly” taken upon themselves the name of Christ (see Alma 46:15). They were persecuted by the disbelievers and irreligionists of their time, but they did not retaliate because of their commitment to Christ and because of their humility (see 4 Ne. 1:29–37). Theirs, too, was a time of polarities, for there was a “great division among the people” (4 Ne. 1:35). So much for the background of today’s theme. The “true believers in Christ” will be spoken of for the sake of convenience throughout my discussion in terms of “he,” but, of course, this group includes both women and men. Jesus, of course, knows who His true believers are. Others may know who His disciples are by the central characteristic of love, as we were so well taught by today’s lovely choral hymn, “Love One Another.” To begin with, the true believer, notwithstanding his weaknesses, is settled in his basic spirituality. He is settled, to use another of Alma’s phrases, in his “views of Christ” (Alma 27:28), so his views of everything else are put in that precious perspective. There are, of course, other kinds of believers who are not “true believers.” In the parable of the seeds, one outcome was when the seed had no root, typifying those who “for a while believe” but who “in time […]

As we focus on humbling ourselves and having faith in the Lord, we will find relief from the stress that comes from pursuing self-esteem.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. [Hebrews 9:16, 17] Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s life was a testament, which is to say his life was an expression of his conviction of Christ as well as a tangible proof of the reality of Christ. Rarely has a man’s life been so completely intertwined with his powerful message that his death, though natural, almost seemed to seal that testimony with his blood. The testator is dead. His testament will become even more powerful in the years to come. Elder McConkie’s life seemed so welded to Christ that one would expect that He was there to welcome him with the words, “Bruce, Bruce, not once were you ashamed of me, not once! Enter thou into my rest.” Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. [Hebrews 3:1–6] As Moses was faithful in his house, and his life of faithfulness became a testimony to Christ, so has Elder McConkie been faithful in his house and has held fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. I believe with all my heart that Elder McConkie stepped from his own bed at home with his family, who at his request on his deathbed prayed for his release the very moment he passed to the other world, into the mansion of Jesus Christ in a glory and peace which passeth all understanding. But he left with us his ringing testimony and his firm example which we should never forget. May I tonight capsulize and recall to our minds the keys of that testimony. Our loss is the gain of another and holier sphere. Oh strong soul, by what shore Tarriest thou now? For that force, Surely, has not been left vain! Somewhere, surely, afar, In the sounding labor-house vast Of being, is practised that strength. [Parley A. Christensen, All in a Teacher’s Day (Salt Lake City: Stevens and Wallis, Inc., 1948), p. 251] Our loss will be the less if we remember and do as he taught by precept and practice. These remarks are dedicated to the proposition that a grateful church will not […]