The start of a new year is typically a time for individuals to take stock of their lives and assess ways to improve them. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin to formulate their New Year’s resolutions, here’s a look at what modern Church leaders have said about setting and pursuing goals.
Patience, persistence and prayer
“As we begin this new year and make resolutions to improve things in our lives, these three requisites for successful fishing can help us.
“First, be patient. As with fishing, real change requires time — and often a lot of time. It is tempting to expect immediate results and then become disappointed when things don’t work out exactly as planned. …
“Second, be persistent. Keep at it, even when things get difficult. …
“Third, be prayerful. Call upon God for the strength you need as you labor diligently to become a better version of yourself — a better disciple of Jesus Christ, a brighter light in the world.”
— President Russell M. Nelson, social media post, Jan. 1, 2023
‘You can do this’
“Setting goals and accumulating the desire to do what the Lord wants you to do is something that only you can do. The Lord will help.
“Involve the Lord in your plans, in your goal setting, and seek His help as you go forward with your efforts. As you learn more about personal revelation, and as you learn that the Lord doesn’t shout but whispers, you will increase in your confidence that you can be guided personally by the Lord.”
— President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, Face to Face event, Feb. 23, 2020
Working and waiting
“My guess is that all of us want to be better at working and waiting. Let me give you some advice about how to do it. …
“First, keep your eyes open for humor in the present. The people I know who are good for the long haul all seem to smile easily. …”
Second, “focus your eyes on the blessings you are getting, now while you wait. … With an eye on today’s blessings you’ll have more staying power for the distant goal.”
— President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, “The Law of Increasing Returns,” BYU devotional, March 28, 1982
Faith points to the future
“As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.”
— President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, BYU devotional, Jan. 13, 2009
Learning from failure
“Every person, young and old, has had his own personal experience with falling. Falling is what we mortals do. But as long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path toward the spiritual goals God has given us, we can learn something from failure and become better and happier as a result.”
— Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “You Can Do it Now,” October 2013 general conference
Aligning goals with God’s will
“As we begin a new year, I encourage you to reflect on the Savior’s invitation to become like Him. …
“One way is to set goals that align with His will and teachings.
“Setting goals is not only a practical skill but also a spiritual discipline. It helps us to exercise appropriately our moral agency, to become agents who act and are not merely acted upon, and to evaluate our progress.
“Prayerfully seek the Lord’s guidance as you determine your goals this year, and consider sharing your goals with people you trust — whether that be your family, friends or leaders.”
— Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, social media post, Jan. 1, 2024
Work with grit and determination
“You need not be afraid, despite the dangers and challenges you will face. You will be blessed and protected when you seek righteous, worthwhile goals; plan and work with grit and determination; and rely and focus on faith, repentance, saving ordinances and the Savior’s atoning sacrifice as you endure to the end.”
— Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Achieving Worthwhile Goals,” BYU–Pathway Worldwide devotional, Dec. 7, 2021
Living well day by day
“Thoughtful planning and preparation are key to a rewarding future, but we do not live in the future — we live in the present. It is day by day that we work out our plans for the future; it is day by day that we achieve our goals. It is one day at a time that we raise and nurture our families. It is one day at a time that we overcome imperfections. We endure in faith to the end one day at a time. It is the accumulation of many days well lived that adds up to a full life and a saintly person.”
— Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, BYU devotional, Jan. 9, 2011
‘Don’t be discouraged’
“In this new year, you will face challenges. However, you are a son or daughter of God, made in His image. He made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life.
“This year you will have obstacles, delays, trials, temptations, distractions, disappointments and challenges. There will be mistakes. You may wonder about your future.
“Don’t be discouraged! You will have moments of hope and faith as doors open and obstacles are overcome this new year. Continue, persist and above all, believe in Jesus Christ.”
— Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, social media post, Jan. 1, 2024
Set lofty goals
“Let it be an example to you to continue to set lofty goals. I have always felt that it is better to aim for the stars and drag your feet in the treetops than to aim for the treetops and drag your feet in the mud.”
— Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, BYU commencement address, Aug. 15, 2013
Vision and balance
“A wise and familiar adage in Proverbs states, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18).
“This true principle was further described in our day by President M. Russell Ballard when he said, ‘Those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives’ (“Return and Receive,” April 2017 general conference). How true that is!
“Our spiritual vision, which comes from our gospel perspective, provides insight into all of life’s priorities. It allows us to align those priorities and to keep them properly balanced. This is why we see a very close connection between vision and balance.”
— Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, May 2021 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults
Keep on trying
“My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent and keep on trying. If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters; and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites. As we try, persevere and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change, we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were.”
— Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying,” April 2015 general conference
Personal development
“Set personal goals that challenge and stretch you. Discover new talents, interests and skills. … Please remember, personal gospel growth is not a set of requirements that you check off. Setting righteous personal goals and establishing disciplined and inspired patterns will bless your whole life.”
— Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Face to Face for youth and children, Nov. 17, 2019
Line upon line
“On one occasion, the Savior Himself said, ‘Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am’ (3 Nephi 27:27). This perfection certainly will not come until we reach the other side of the veil. Through His prophets, the Lord invites us to seek for ways to improve ourselves, never all at once, but line upon line.
“The help we can receive from the Lord in our goals and righteous pursuits is unlimited, and He supports us in any good and righteous endeavor.”
— Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, social media post, Feb. 26, 2021
Making a more wonderful world
“As you set goals and make plans for your life, working to relieve the suffering and lift the burdens of others should be present in your endeavors. These don’t have to be grand acts. You may not be in a position to make a global impact — though some of you will — but all of you will be able to do your part in spreading light, hope, peace, joy and love in your circles of influence, helping to make this a more wonderful world for more of God’s children.”
— Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, BYU commencement address, April 25, 2019
