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"Leaders see a vision of the future; they take an oath to achieve that future; they take a stand to sacrifice whatever is necessary; then with words they paint a picture of that future and take us by the hand and lead us there, all the while keeping us in orbit. Leaders look to the stars and help us soar."

When discussing the purpose of life, we often hear the mantra “we are here to be tested,” but how many of us cringe at that thought? So few of us want to feel like a kid again sitting in a classroom taking a test on things we don’t remember, we don’t understand, and we can’t leave until we finish. Comparing life to a test can be a downer and not the inspirational mantra that it should be. But if we look at life as a lesson we learn from over and over again as more things become clear, we can gain the inspiration we need to improve. We didn’t learn algebra before we learned addition. Life can be viewed as a continual learning process, not the end test. It’s more about what we are learning and becoming than about having all the right answers.

We are taught from primary that with faith, miracles can happen.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell was a beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 23 years, from 1981 to 2004. The spiritual power of his teachings and his example of faithful discipleship blessed and continue to bless in marvelous ways the members of the Savior’s restored Church and the people of the world.

In response to our humility about our weakness, God offers to “make weak things become strong” unto us (Ether 12:27). There must be ways for weak things to become strong other than through noticeable improvement in our ability. . . .

As is taught in the temple, the Lord has always required his people to offer sacrifice, from the time of our first parents onward. The type and place of sacrifice have changed over the ages, but the fundamental principles undergirding the doctrine of sacrifice have not. Righteous sacrifices are really symbols of our obedience to the Lord, of Jesus Christ and His atonement, of our desire to imitate the Savior and live as He does. Our offering of sacrifice demonstrates our commitment to follow the Lord above anyone or anything else.

As an apostle of the Lord and now our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson has had many sacred experiences receiving revelation to guide the Church and to bless individual lives. One beautiful story of a dream he had can give us unique insight into how this revelation is sometimes received.

After a statement from President Russell M. Nelson last week called for people to refer to the full name of the Church and refrain from using the term "Mormon," media outlets across the nation have claimed, "It can't be done." In response, President Nelson said, “I know it can’t — but it’s going to be, because the Lord wants it that way. . . . We know that it’s going to be a challenge to undo tradition of more than 100 years. And we don’t have all the answers. All we know is the Lord has said, ‘Thus shall my church be called …. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' That’s enough for me.”

On the day that I defended my doctoral dissertation, I went to the Mesa Arizona Temple to express gratitude for the divine help I had felt throughout my academic journey. I was also interested in mapping out what would be next for my life. I had accepted a position to teach at Brigham Young University and was anticipating a move to Utah. I felt like it was a new beginning. I sensed that my life had a clean slate of sorts. Further, I had the words of the previous general conference resonating in my mind and heart. In particular, the teachings of Elder Dallin H. Oaks were profoundly penetrating my heart: