The Book of Brooksby, Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15
Patience is related almost directly to faith and hope, and if we have
these qualities, we are really just showing God our trust in him and
his timetable.

1 Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we
experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the
development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and
humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when
we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts,
expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more
worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and
suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we
come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and
Mother in heaven” (cited in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the
Miracle, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972, p. 98).

2 Dictionaries define patience in such terms as bearing pain or sorrow
calmly or without complaint; not being hasty or impetuous; being
steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.

3 Even so, the Lord has made no secret of the fact that He intends to
try the faith and the patience of His Saints. (See Mosiah 23:21.) We
mortals are so quick to forget the Lord: “And thus we see that except
the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions … they will not
remember him.” (Hel. 12:3.) However, the Lord knows our bearing
capacity, both as to coping and to comprehending, and He will not give
us more to bear than we can manage at the moment, though to us it may
seem otherwise. (See D&C 50:40; D&C 78:18.) Just as no temptations
will come to us from which we cannot escape or which we cannot bear,
we will not be given more trials than we can sustain. (See 1 Cor.
10:13.) Therefore, given the aforementioned grand and overarching
reasons to rejoice, can we not “be of good cheer” in spite of stress
and circumstance?

4 Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or
suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the
ability to do God’s will and accept His timing. When you are patient,
you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and
hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith--you must wait for
the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled.

5 Paul wrote of how, even after faithful disciples had “done the will
of God,” they “[had] need of patience.” (Heb. 10:36.) How many times
have good individuals done the right thing initially only to break
under subsequent stress? Sustaining correct conduct for a difficult
moment under extraordinary stress is very commendable, but so is
coping with sustained stress subtly present in seeming routineness.
Either way, however, we are to “run with patience the race that is set
before us” (Heb. 12:1), and it is a marathon, not a dash. When you and
I are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we like our timetable
better than God’s. And thus, while the scriptural phrase “in process
of time” means “eventually,” it also denotes an entire spiritual
process: “The Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth;
and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of time, was taken up into
heaven.” (Moses 7:21)

6 Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the
ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are
perfected.

7 From Harry Emerson Fosdick we read, “The most extraordinary thing
about the oyster is this. Irritations get into his shell. He does not
like them. But when he cannot get rid of them, he uses the irritation
to do the loveliest thing an oyster ever has a chance to do. If there
are irritations in our lives today, there is only one prescription:
make a pearl. It may have to be a pearl of patience, but, anyhow, make
a pearl. And it takes faith and love to do it.” (In The Treasure
Chest, ed. Charles L. Wallis, New York: Harper & Row).

8 “Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental
anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we
were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be
excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make
saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and
self-mastery.” (Faith Precedes the Miracle, Deseret Book Co., 1973,
pp. 97–98.)

9 He is well disciplined who develops patience in his dealings with
his fellowmen. In conversation he is considerate and knows how to
listen. A courteous conversationalist is not a boaster, a babbler, or
a boor. Wise is the man who says what needs to be said, but not all
that could be said.

10 Have you ever been following a slowpoke car that is doddering along
with the driver looking at everything along the way, and you know that
if he doesn’t speed up you are never going to get through on that
green light? But then he does speed up--just enough to get through on
the yellow light--and you have to stop. This has a great tendency to
test the patience. Sometimes we even start thinking rather
derogatorily about him as he drives away. However, it just may be that
the Lord is protecting us from an accident two miles down the road
because we stopped at that light, even though we did it reluctantly.
If you entertain these kinds of thoughts, it may have a tendency to
make you thankful instead of irate or angry, which is much better for
your digestion.

11 George Q. Cannon wrote in Gospel Truths: “So it is with all of us.
We have great afflictions from time to time. It seems to be necessary
that we should be tried and proved to see whether we are full of
integrity or not. In this way we get to know ourselves and our own
weaknesses; and the Lord knows us, and our brethren and sisters know
us. Therefore, it is a precious gift to have the gift of patience, to
be good-tempered, to be cheerful, to not be depressed, to not give way
to wrong feelings and become impatient and irritable. It is a blessed
gift for all to possess.” (Jerreld L. Newquist, ed., Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1957, 2:198.) Yes, there are obstacles and
challenges. Men sometimes become cynical. Some despair and lose hope
and faith in the future, but the message stands: do not abandon, for
the Lord lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer; he is the Prince of
Peace. The great assurance of life, the great reason for eternal life,
is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way.

12 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and
your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree
to bring forth fruit unto you.

13 Again, as one reviews the various areas of life’s activities and
appreciates the many human inadequacies, the great value of patience
is seen as an important part of being a peacemaker. Sometimes we are
misunderstood, even by those who are closest to us. Under such
circumstances, patience will develop within us the capacity to accept
criticism if warranted or not. The ability to exercise forbearance
under provocation means that we are following the Savior’s teachings
to do good to those that despitefully use us and to turn the other
cheek. (See Matt. 5:39, 44.) Patience is truly a mighty virtue and can
be developed as we become peacemakers and make up our mind to be
patient within our own life as well as with others. I am grateful that
the restored gospel of Jesus Christ incorporates the remarkable
principle of patience. I am most thankful for the patience my Father
in Heaven has evidenced with me in my life.

14 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience,
and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile
against those who do cast you down, lest ye become sinners like unto
them; but that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with
a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

15 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and
experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

16 Friends and loved ones often offer strength and support when our
own resolve is weak. In turn, our own strength and capacity will be
doubled when we help others endure. I pray that God will help us to
endure well, with purpose and power. When we so do, the meaningful
declaration in 2 Tim. 4:7 will take on a new dimension: “I have fought
a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

17 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

18 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


Younger Elder Brooksby


1-“After Much Tribulation Come the Blessings” by Adney Y. Komatsu,
October 1979 General Conference
2-Patience, a Key to Happiness by Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 1987
General Conference
3-“Be of Good Cheer” by Neal A. Maxwell, October 1982 General Conference
4-Preach My Gospel Chapter 6: How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?
5-“Endure It Well” by Neal A. Maxwell, April 1990 General Conference
6-D&C 67:13
7-Adversity and You by Marvin J. Ashton, October 1980 General Conference
8-Gifts of the Spirit by James A. Cullimore, October 1974 General Conference
9-Proper Self-management by Marvin J. Ashton, October 1976 General Conference
10-That Ye May Have Roots and Branches by Hartman Rector, Jr., April
1983 General Conference
11-To Follow or Not, That Is the Question by Charles Didier, October
1981 General Conference
12-Alma 32:43
13-Be a Peacemaker by Franklin D. Richards, October 1983 General Conference
14-Alma 34:40-41(edited)
15-Romans 5:3-5
16-“If Thou Endure It Well” by Marvin J. Ashton, October 1984 General Conference
17-Hebrews 10:35-36
18-Hebrews 12:1-2

The Book of Brooksby, Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14
If we can be grateful for all of God's creations, from wonderful
sights to the slums of the earth, from man's best friend to
mosquitoes, from times of blessings to times of trial, we will never
encounter a problem again, because there will be nothing left with
power to affect our minds and spirits but for good.

1 A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of
humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as
prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.

2 Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are
unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that
would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is
one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.
We can be grateful! It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world
to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to
God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead
the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace,
and understanding.

3 We need to be more grateful. I think there’s no true character
without gratitude. It’s one of the marks of a real strong character,
to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are
ours. We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily
associations, in church, everywhere. It doesn’t cost anything. It’s so
easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation and gratitude. And it’s
so easy, also, to be dissatisfied and to be envious of other people.

4 One of the evils of our time is taking for granted so many of the
things we enjoy. This was spoken of by the Lord: “For what doth it
profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the
gift?” (D&C 88:33.) The Apostle Paul described our day to Timothy when
he wrote that in the last days “men shall be lovers of their own
selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy.” (2 Tim. 3:2.) These sins are fellow
travelers, and ingratitude makes one susceptible to all of them.

5 “I believe,” said President Joseph F. Smith many years ago, “that
one of the greatest sins of which the inhabitants of the earth are
guilty today is the sin of ingratitude, the want of acknowledgment, on
their part, of God and his right to govern and control. We see a man
raised up with extraordinary gifts, or with great intelligence, and he
is instrumental in developing some great principle. He and the world
ascribe this great genius and wisdom to himself. He attributes his
success to his own energies, labor and mental capacity. He does not
acknowledge the hand of God in anything connected with his success,
but ignores him altogether and takes the honor to himself; this will
apply to almost all the world. In all great modern discoveries in
science, in the arts, in mechanics, and in all the material
advancement of our age, the world says, ‘We have done it.’ The
individual says, ‘I have done it,’ and he gives no honor and credit to
God. Now, I read in the revelations through Joseph Smith, the prophet,
that because of this, God is not pleased with the inhabitants of the
earth but is angry with them because they will not acknowledge his
hand in all things.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1939, pp. 270–71.)

6 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth
liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I
would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly
before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things
with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil
spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some
are of men, and others of devils.

7 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive
it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves
even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in,
in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for
the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

8 When we understand this principle, that God offers us opportunities
for blessings and blesses us through our own adversities and the
adversities of others, we can understand why He has commanded us again
and again to “thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7).

9 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made
glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even
an hundred fold, yea, more.

10 When we contemplate what the Lord has done for us in the past, our
present surroundings, and our future prospects, what a blest people we
are! I have thought sometimes that one of the greatest virtues the
Latter-day Saints could possess is gratitude to our Heavenly Father
for that which He has bestowed upon us and the path over which He has
led us. It may be that walking along in that path has not always been
of the most pleasant character; but we have afterwards discovered that
those circumstances which have been very unpleasant have often proved
of the highest advantage to us.

11 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it
be received with thanksgiving:

12 How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous
tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our
perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters
empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a
catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent
of all virtues.

13 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God.

14 And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the
depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon the waters
for the space of four days, my brethren began to see that the
judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that
they should repent of their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me,
and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had
swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great
was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I
did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord
because of mine afflictions.

15 Though the sun shines and the rain falls alike upon the just and
the unjust, the righteous man is grateful for these blessings; the
ungodly man receives the benefits as a matter of course with a soul
incapable of gratitude. The capacity to be grateful is a blessing, for
the possession of which we should be further grateful.

16 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared
did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord
all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to
praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of
the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they
did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under
the water.

17 We rejoice because the Lord is ours, because we are sown in
weakness for the express purpose of attaining to greater power and
perfection. In everything the Saints may rejoice--in persecution,
because it is necessary to purge them, and prepare the wicked for
their doom; in sickness and in pain, though they are hard to bear,
because we are thereby made acquainted with pain, with sorrow, and
with every affliction that mortals can endure, for by contact all
things are demonstrated to our senses. We have reason to rejoice
exceedingly that faith is in the world, that the Lord reigns, and does
his pleasure among the inhabitants of the earth. Do you ask if I
rejoice because the Devil has the advantage over the inhabitants of
the earth, and has afflicted mankind? I most assuredly answer in the
affirmative; I rejoice in this as much as in anything else. I rejoice
because I am afflicted. I rejoice because I am poor. I rejoice because
I am cast down. Why? Because I shall be lifted up again. I rejoice
that I am poor because I shall be made rich; that I am afflicted,
because I shall be comforted, and prepared to enjoy the felicity of
perfect happiness, for it is impossible to properly appreciate
happiness except by enduring the opposite (DBY, 228).

18 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the
thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that
God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has
caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in
peace one with another--I say unto you that if ye should serve him who
has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to
day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according
to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to
another--I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet
ye would be unprofitable servants.
And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments;
and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye
should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he
hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you
and prosper you.

19 This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our
opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the
world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach,
ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice,
and friends who help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when
we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate
within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered
among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the
noblest of virtues.

20-Elder Richard L. Evans once said, “Gratefully we acknowledge the
infinite mind of our Maker, and gratefully ought to offer our tithes
and offerings, and earnestly consistent service, in thanks for all
that God has given, and keep his commandments in remembrance of the
love and providence and purpose of the Creator, the God and Father of
us all, the organizer and operator of heaven and earth, without whom
all these things would not be so. Thank God for all this: for life and
what sustains it, for loved ones that make it meaningful, for faith
and purpose and continuance, always and forever. Thank God for all of
this--and much, much more.” (“Thanks: for the Organization and
Operation of the Earth,” Improvement Era, Feb. 1968, p. 74; KSL “The
Spoken Word” broadcast, Nov. 19, 1967.) Now, brethren and sisters, I
bear my testimony to you that the Lord wants us to be grateful and
thankful unto him. And if we do these things which he has advised us
to do, we will be the happiest people who dwell upon the earth, for
this is the way to the presence and society of our Father in heaven. I
so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


Younger Elder Brooksby


1-Gratitude As a Saving Principle by James E. Faust, April 1990
General Conference
2-Grateful in Any Circumstances by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2014
General Conference
3-Receive All Things with Thankfulness by Ezra Taft Benson, February
1978 Liahona
4-Gratitude As a Saving Principle by James E. Faust, April 1990
General Conference
5-Gratitude and Thanksgiving by Marion G. Romney, October 1982 General
Conference
6-D&C 46:7
7-Alma 34:38
8-Give Thanks in All Things by Dallin H. Oaks, April 2003 General Conference
9-D&C 78:19
10-Teachings of the Presidents-Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 7: Faithfulness
in Times of Trial: “From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine”
11-1 Timothy 4:4
12-Grateful in Any Circumstances by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2014
General Conference
13-Philippians 4:6
14-1 Nephi 18:15-16
15-Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage, Chapter 17: The Sermon on the Mount
16-Ether 6:9-10
17-Teachings of the Presidents-Brigham Young, Chapter 25: Cultivating
Gratitude, Humility, and Honesty
18-Mosiah 2:20-22
19-An Attitude of Gratitude by Thomas S. Monson, April 1992 General Conference
20-Gratitude and Thanksgiving by Marion G. Romney, October 1982
General Conference

The Book of Brooksby, Chapter 13

As we strive to improve and apply the things we have learned in order to become better people, we have to remember who we do it for. It cannot be only for ourselves, or it's not truly improvement.

1 This morning I would like to teach of another divine attribute--a quality which, when it becomes part of our lives, produces as an outgrowth individuals who are happy in their relationships with others and at peace with themselves and those around them: siblings who enjoy each other more; married couples who cherish their relationships; those who are alone, for whatever reason, who find a fuller and more abundant life. You see, there are those among us today who are completely selfless--as was he.

A selfless person is one who is more concerned about the happiness and well-being of another than about his or her own convenience or comfort, one who is willing to serve another when it is neither sought for nor appreciated, or one who is willing to serve even those whom he or she dislikes. A selfless person displays a willingness to sacrifice, a willingness to purge from his or her mind and heart personal wants, and needs, and feelings. Instead of reaching for and requiring praise and recognition for himself, or gratification of his or her own wants, the selfless person will meet these very human needs for others. Remember the words of the Savior as he taught his disciples on an occasion when personal recognition was being sought: “But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, … whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42–45.)

2 When the magnificent ocean liner Lusitania plunged to the bottom of the Atlantic, many lives were lost with the vessel. Unknown are many deeds of valor performed by those who perished. One man who went down with the Lusitania gave his life preserver to a woman, though he could not swim a stroke. It didn’t really matter that he was Alfred Vanderbilt, the American multimillionaire. He did not give of worldly treasure; he gave his life. Said Emerson, “Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.” (“Gifts,” in The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, New York: Wm. H. Wise and Co., 1929, p. 286.)

3 François de la Rochefoucauld observed, “One of the reasons why so few people are to be found who seem sensible and pleasant in conversation is that almost everybody is thinking about what he wants to say himself, rather than about answering clearly what is said to him.”

4 To do the special things given to this generation, you will need to guard against selfishness. One of the tendencies most individuals have which simply must be overcome is the tendency to be selfish. All that you can do now while you are young and are more pliant to become less selfish and more selfless will be an important and lasting contribution to the quality of your life in the years, and in the eternity, to come. You will be a much better wife or a much better husband, a better mother or a better father, if you can change the tendency to be selfish. Your children whom you will not know for a few years yet have an interest in your conquest of selfishness.

5 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

6 Selfishness is actually the detonator of all the cardinal sins. It is the hammer for the breaking of the Ten Commandments, whether by neglecting parents, the Sabbath, or by inducing false witness, murder, and envy. No wonder the selfish individual is often willing to break a covenant in order to fix an appetite. No wonder those who will later comprise the telestial kingdom, after they have paid a price, were once unrepentant adulterers, whoremongers, and those who both loved and made lies.

The early and familiar forms of selfishness are: building up self at the expense of others, claiming or puffing credit, being glad when others go wrong, resenting the genuine successes of others, preferring public vindication to private reconciliation, and taking “advantage of one because of his words” (2 Ne. 28:8).

7 Selfishness, viewed in its true sense, is the absence of empathy and compassion, the abandonment of brotherhood, the rejection of God’s plan, the isolation of one’s soul.

8 To quote a sentence from Cromwell: “I beseech you, … Think it possible that you may be mistaken.”

9 In one degree or another we all struggle with selfishness. Since it is so common, why worry about selfishness anyway? Because selfishness is really self-destruction in slow motion. No wonder the Prophet Joseph Smith urged, “Let every selfish feeling be not only buried, but annihilated” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 178). Hence annihilation--not moderation--is the destination!

10 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

11 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

12 Selflessness is righteousness. It embraces the true spirit of companionship. It is the very essence of friendship. It is the portrayer of true love and oneness in humanity. Its reward is the freeing of the soul, a nearness to divinity, a worthiness for the companionship of the Spirit. Every requirement that God’s plan for our salvation places upon us is based on the giving of one’s self.

13 The Latter-day Saints have got to learn that the interest of their brethren is their own interest, or they never can be saved in the celestial kingdom of God (DBY, 271).

14 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

15 Naturally, we all have a desire for recognition, and there is nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying ourselves. But when seeking the “gain and praise of the world" is a central part of our motivation, we will miss the redemptive and joyful experiences that come when we give generously of ourselves to the work of the Lord.

What is the remedy? The answer, as always, lies in the words of Christ: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”

Those who wholeheartedly turn their lives over to our Savior and serve God and fellowman discover a richness and fulness to life that the selfish or egotistic will never experience. The unselfish give of themselves. These may be small gifts of charity that have a grand impact for good: a smile, a handshake, a hug, time spent in listening, a soft word of encouragement, or a gesture of caring. All these acts of kindness can change hearts and lives. When we take advantage of the unlimited opportunities to love and serve our fellowmen, including our spouse and family, our capacity to love God and to serve others will greatly increase.

16 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, … [and] goodness.” (Gal. 5:22.) Everyone who belongs to His church wants to reach out--not because he is directed in an institutional or organizational way--to serve, love, aid, succor, and care for others with kindness and genuine concern. In humble, selfless ways each of us can be a light to others who may secretly or silently be longing or even praying to find that sense of belonging. My brothers and sisters, this type of caring, of nurturing, can never be accomplished by mandate or calendar, but comes because one has within himself that sense of belonging--feels its power, joy, goodness, and becomes concerned about all of God’s children.

17 Selflessness is a beautifully expressive word. It is a divine word expressing a divine pattern of living. I testify of the selflessness of the Savior. I testify that through his life, his atoning sacrifice, and his resurrection, he has made possible resurrection for all mankind, and eternal life for the obedient. I know that he lives! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Younger Elder Brooksby

1-Selflessness: A Pattern for Happiness by H. Burke Peterson, April 1985 General Conference

2-"Anonymous” by Thomas S. Monson, April 1983 General Conference

3-Your Eternal Home by Thomas S. Monson, April 2000 General Conference

4-President Kimball Speaks Out on Planning Your Life by Spencer W. Kimball, June 1982 Liahona

5-Mosiah 2:17

6-“Repent of Our Selfishness” by Neal A. Maxwell, April 1999 General Conference

7-Selfless Service by William R. Bradford, October 1987 General Conference

8-Should the Commandments Be Rewritten? by Richard L. Evans, October 1971 General Conference

9-“Repent of Our Selfishness” by Neal A. Maxwell, April 1999 General Conference

10-Matthew 6:25

11-Matthew 16:25-26

12-Selfless Service by William R. Bradford, October 1987 General Conference

13-Teachings of Presidents: Brigham Young-Chapter 30: Developing Christlike Attitudes toward Others

14-Romans 12:3

15-Are You Sleeping through the Restoration? by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2014 General Conference

16-The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Basic Needs of People by James E. Paramore, April 1983 General Conference

17-Selflessness: A Pattern for Happiness by H. Burke Peterson, April 1985 General Conference

The Book of Brooksby, Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

We stand as lights on a hill, an example of those who know, trust and believe in Christ. This is our great responsibility as ones who have a knowledge of the truth.

1 In Timothy, we are admonished to be an example of the believers. (See 1 Tim. 4:12.) A believer is someone who follows and knows the teachings of Christ not only in his mind but also in his heart and whose actions are a witness of that belief. It isn’t easy to be an example of the believers. We don’t usually wake up in the morning and say, “Today I’m going to be an example of the believers!” Yet we can say, “Today I will be kind and thoughtful, or considerate, or honest, or whatever quality I need to work on.” And then we will try hard all day to make a conscious effort to do so. That we can do! We can live in such a way that people can look to us as their examples. To be a good example of a principle, we must not only understand it but we must live that principle. It should become such a part of our everyday living that without consciously thinking about it, the principle is reflected in the way we live.

2 Each member can be an example of the believers. As followers of Jesus Christ, each of you can live in accord with His teachings. You can have “a pure heart and clean hands”; you can have “the image of God engraven upon your [countenance].” Your good works will be evident to others. The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes. With that radiance, you had better prepare for questions. The Apostle Peter so counseled, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”

3 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

4 Standing as a witness in all things means all things--big things, little things, in all conversations, in jokes, in games played and books read and music listened to, in causes supported, in service rendered, in clothes worn, in friends made.

5 For each of us, our righteous examples may seem small, but by influence they are great. To all within your sphere of influence, “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Let others feel the peace and joy that gospel living brings you. Invite your friends not of our faith or less-active members over for family home evening. Bring them to church and set an example of reverence for them. Let them see that you avoid movies or television shows or Internet sites that would drive the Spirit away and thus make us less-effective instruments.

6 “Feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3) by consistently studying the scriptures every day and by following the counsel of the living prophets. Particularly make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit and daily sup from its pages. Be an example in your Church activity--honor the Sabbath day, attend your meetings, observe the Word of Wisdom, pay your tithes and offerings, support your leaders, and otherwise keep the commandments. Serve cheerfully and gratefully in every calling you receive. Live worthy of a temple recommend and enjoy the sweet, sacred spirit that comes from frequent temple attendance. Dress and groom yourself in a way that reflects your lifelong commitment to share the gospel with others.

7 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

8 We must have patience in order to withstand pain and grief without complaint or discouragement, which detract from the Spirit. It’s necessary to have patience in the face of tribulation and persecution for the cause of truth, which sets an example because the manner in which we bear our cross will be an influence to others to help lighten their load.

9 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

10 Then we have a mission in the world: each man, each woman, each child who has grown to understanding or to the years of accountability, ought to be an example to the world. They ought not only to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth, but ought to live so that the very life they live, the very words they speak, their every action in life will be a sermon to the unwary and to the ignorant, teaching them goodness, purity, uprightness, faith in God and love for the human family. Let every man’s life be so that his character will bear the closest inspection, and that it may be seen as an open book, so that he will have nothing to shrink from or be ashamed of. Let all men who are elevated to positions of trust in the Church live so that no man can point to their faults, because they will have no faults; so that no man can justly accuse them of wrongdoing, because they do no wrong; that no man can point out their defects as ‘human’ and as ‘weak mortals,’ because they are living up to the principles of the gospel, and are not merely ‘weak human creatures,’ devoid of the Spirit of God and the power to live above sin. That is the way for all men to live in the kingdom of God.

11 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

12 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

13 The instructions are clear. We must teach, and we must be an example of those teachings; but many times in our zeal to persuade others to righteousness we begin to use force, which results in rebellion. Attempting to force others to accept our way of thinking will cause them to close their minds to our teachings and ultimately reject our words. They have their free agency.

14 It is interesting to note that we choose the examples we follow. We exercise our own agency through our choices. Examples are not forced upon us. We choose which ones we want to emulate and which ones we want to ignore or disregard. The choice is ours, and so is the burden of the consequence.

15 Ammon, the Nephite missionary, provided an example for us. He had chosen to serve the Lamanite king and was sent to watch the flocks of Lamoni. When a band of renegades attacked and scattered the sheep, Ammon’s fellow servants had fear and began to weep. What did Ammon say? “Be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water” (Alma 17:31).

Now, we may read this as a story about some shepherds trying to round up some missing sheep, but the message is much more powerful and significant than that. Ammon was a missionary with noble intentions to bring the king and his kingdom back to the fold of righteousness, to the well of living water. The challenge looked daunting to those who could see only, in everyday terms, sheep strung out on hillsides and not enough manpower to round them up. They were discouraged and fearful that the king would discover their loss.

Ammon not only led the force to recapture the sheep, he drove away the evil men who caused the problems; and his heroic efforts persuaded the king to follow him and to follow the Savior. Ammon teaches us that no matter our circumstances, we can be an example to others, we can lift them, we can inspire them to seek righteousness, and we can bear testimony to all of the power of Jesus Christ.

16 May we have that testimony, that desire in our hearts, to teach others, to explain what we believe, and to live lives of righteousness, to live the good life, to be an example to mankind, and to be able to spread this work not only by what we say but by the way we act, the way we live, the way we represent the Church, and the type of example we are to mankind.

Younger Elder Brooksby

1-Be Thou an Example by Ruth B. Wright, October 1991 General Conference

2-Be Thou an Example of the Believers by Russell M. Nelson, October 2010 General Conference-Edited

3-Matthew 5:14-16

4-Stand as a Witness by Margaret D. Nadauld, April 2000 General Conference

5-We Are Instruments in the Hands of God by Mary Ellen Smoot, October 2000 General Conference

6-To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church by Ezra Taft Benson, April 1988 General Conference

7-Philippians 2:14-15-Edited

8-Patience in Affliction by Angel Abrea, April 1992 General Conference

9-1 Peter 2:20-21

10-The Meaning of Morality by Victor L. Brown, April 1971 General Conference

11-2 Nephi 31:16

12-D&C 115:5

13-“Born of Goodly Parents” by Dallas N. Archibald, October 1992 General Conference

14-Be Thou an Example by Ruth B. Wright, October 1991 General Conference

15-“When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren” by Robert D. Hales, April 1997 General Conference

16-Faith, Devotion, and Gratitude by David B. Haight, April 2000 General Conference