Spoken Word Messages

Sixteen hundred years ago, Saint Augustine pondered a timeless question: How do we decide whom we are to aid? He wrote, “Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special [attention] to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with you.”[1]

Wisdom is born of experience and observation. It is seasoned by time and cultivated through reflection. We benefit from wisdom when we apply the learnings of our past to the demands of the present and the future.

For millennia, the goal of peace—and how to achieve it—has been discussed and debated. Nations, communities, homes, and hearts have declared their desire for it and, with sincere effort, have worked to secure and preserve it.  

For well over a hundred years, many have enjoyed The Nutcracker. The ballet opens with family and friends gathering on Christmas Eve. The gift of a nutcracker unleashes a fantastic adventure for a little girl named Clara, complete with gingerbread soldiers, dancing snowflakes, a handsome prince, and a sugar plum fairy. Audiences around the world love the imaginative story, the unforgettable musical score by Tchaikovsky, and the fanciful choreography and sets. But at least part of the magic of The Nutcracker happens in gathering—the coming together of different people, not only onstage but also in the audience.

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”[1] And “he made the stars also. And … set them in the firmament of … heaven to give light upon the earth.”[2] For millennia, God—the “Father of lights”[3]—has illuminated this world not only through the sun, moon, and stars but through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, “the light of the world.”[4]

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 

In many lands, the Christmas season is celebrated as the most wonderful time of the year—and for good reason. Traditions of course vary, but sparkling lights, decorated trees, merry music, and gift giving all do their part to help us feel the spirit of the season.

Another Christmas season is upon us. For most, it’s a joyous time of year. But for some, it can bring feelings of loneliness, or it may awaken tender memories of loved ones who have departed.

“Sweet are the uses of adversity,”[1] wrote Shakespeare. No life is free from hardship, but blessings can flow from the trials of life. One such blessing is the gift of gratitude.

A young man, far from home, was spending his first night away at college. That evening, he found himself with little to do except entertain his feelings of loneliness and uncertainty. He was in a place that felt unfamiliar with people he didn’t know.

It’s estimated that more than 117 billion people have lived on earth. And with more than 8 billion people alive today, there’s no question—the world is a big place.[1]

Faith is an action word. It’s more than just belief—it’s belief that moves us to act. And it’s through faithful action that faith’s power is both demonstrated and received.

How do you spell love? Well, for most of us, the simple answer would be L-O-V-E. But to a growing child, the answer may be that love is actually spelled T-I-M-E. Time.

Fear is a great immobilizer. It’s so powerful that its effects can include diminished self-confidence and abandoned dreams. Fear does all it can to work itself into our minds and hearts and then demands it be allowed to stay even as it selfishly seeks to monopolize our thoughts and feelings.

I once stood at what might be described as the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world. Each day in Shibuya, Japan, more than a quarter of a million people walk through this intersection, moving in every direction as traffic halts, allowing the scramble to occur.[1]

At other times, perhaps in moments of discouragement or worry, we may instead find ourselves asking, “Heavenly Father, are you really there?”  

Today we remember the life of President Russell Marion Nelson who served as the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Nelson’s life was anything but ordinary and he seemed to leave an indelible mark wherever he went. But, if he were asked which of his many titles were most […]

150 years ago, the Tabernacle here in Salt Lake City, Utah, was dedicated as a house of prayer, a house of praise, and a house of thanksgiving.[1]

Not far from here, lies the world’s largest aspen tree. It’s known as Pando, and if you were looking for it, you very well would miss it. Instead of seeing what you might expect, one massive and sprawling large tree, what you would find is a large grove of aspen trees, numbering more than 40,000, each appearing to be separate, but actually sharing a single root system.[1]

Recently our family was enjoying a beautiful summer evening high in the mountains. Just as the sun was setting, it began to sprinkle and then to pour. It rained and rained, and we gave thanks to heaven for the abundance we received.

This world we live in is a beautiful place – filled with wonders and breathtaking sceneries. From soaring mountains and rolling plains to the concrete jungles of our cities and lush, tree-filled rainforests, one thing is certain, there is beauty all around. Ultimately, “beauty is found in the eye of the beholder.”[1] The beauty we see, not only in the earth but in the people of the earth, comes from the way we choose to view it.

Prayer is a primary form of communication between God and His children. Since the earliest of times, men and women have called upon God for help and direction.[1] As we learn the true relationship we each have with God, namely that He is our Father and we are His children, prayer becomes natural and even instinctive on our part.[2]

Nearly every Sunday morning, I arrive early before the start of our weekly Music & the Spoken Word broadcast. I often take a seat at the back of the concert hall and watch as the choir loft fills, one by one, with members of The Tabernacle Choir.

The story is told of a competition between two men designed to determine who could cut down the most trees in a single day. The contest began at first light and stretched through morning, afternoon, and into the evening. Every hour, the smaller of the two was seen wandering off into the forest for ten or so minutes at a time. Each time he left his post, his opponent, larger and seemingly more dedicated, smiled to himself, confident that his nonstop effort would win the day. He never stopped cutting, never took a break.

A few years ago, I traveled to Rome, Italy. Like most who go to Rome, I found myself touring the many incredible sites, admiring the beauty and history of that wonderful city.

The spirit of a pioneer is one of strength, faith, and hope. Through this spirit and sacrifice, pioneers have blazed new trails, built bridges, and settled valleys. Yet the pioneer spirit is not confined to a time, place, or people; rather, it’s a way of thinking – a way of living.[1]

There is safety in boundaries. Driving lanes on the road, a fenced area warning of a nearby cliff, or even screen time limits on a phone—all of these are examples of boundaries, meant to protect us from danger.

In the weeks leading up to this 5,000th broadcast, we received more than 1,000 inspirational stories and experiences from viewers and listeners around the world. If there was one consistent theme throughout these messages, it was this: “Music & the Spoken Word stirred something deep within me—a feeling that gave me the strength to continue forward.”

Recently I met a man who many years ago served as a pilot in the United States Navy. His unit was deployed and had been assigned an early-morning mission. It was winter, and the freezing rain and biting wind made preflight preparations nearly unbearable. Still, being in command, the young pilot had no choice but to press on.

Childhood is a time of rapid physical growth and constant discovery as a child learns about everything from gravity to language. Often, the child wants nothing more than to be like those they literally and figuratively look up to.