“But for a Small Moment” | Neal A. Maxwell
331,786
Published 2017-03-21
This speech was given on September 1, 1974.
Introduction: 0:00
The Lessons of the Atonement: 4:09
Traps Impeding the Ability to Meet Challenges: 13:47
The Church's Basis in Christ: 33:40
Read the speech here:
speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell_small-moment…
Read more about Neal A. Maxwell here:
speeches.byu.edu/speakers/neal-a-maxwell/
Read more on overcoming adversity here:
speeches.byu.edu/collections/overcoming-adversity/
"It is because you will face some remarkable challenges in your time; it is because the Church has ceased to be in the eyes of men a mere cultural oddity in the Mountain West and is now, therefore, a global church—a light which can no longer be hid; it is because you have a rendezvous with destiny that will involve some soul stretching and some pain that I have chosen to speak to you tonight about the implications of two things we accept sometimes quite casually.
These realities are that God loves us and, loving us, has placed us here to cope with challenges which he will place before us. I’m not sure we can always understand the implications of his love, because his love will call us at times to do things we may wonder about, and we may be confronted with circumstances we would rather not face. I believe with all my heart that because God loves us there are some particularized challenges that he will deliver to each of us. He will customize the curriculum for each of us in order to teach us the things we most need to know. He will set before us in life what we need, not always what we like. And this will require us to accept with all our hearts—particularly your generation—the truth that there is divine design in each of our lives and that you have rendezvous to keep, individually and collectively.
God knows even now what the future holds for each of us. In one of his revelations these startling words appear, as with so many revelations that are too big, I suppose, for us to manage fully: “In the presence of God, . . . all things . . . are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord” (D&C 130:7). The future “you” is before him now. He knows what it is he wishes to bring to pass in your life. He knows the kind of remodeling in your life and in mine that he wishes to achieve. Now, this will require us to believe in that divine design and at times to accept the truth which came to Joseph Smith wherein he was reminded that his suffering would be “but a small moment” (D&C 121:7). I’d like to talk to you about some of those small moments that will come your way in life and that come to each of us.
Let me begin by reminding you that we so blithely say in the Church that life is a school, a testing ground. It is true, even though it is trite. What we don’t accept are the implications of that true teaching—at least as fully as we should. One of the implications is that the tests that we face are real. They are not going to be things we can do with one hand tied behind our backs. They are real enough that if we meet them we shall know that we have felt them, because we will feel them deeply and keenly and pervasively." - Neal A. Maxwell
Neal A. Maxwell was an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on September 1, 1974.
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All Comments (21)
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This past 14 months I've been dealing with leukemia and Elder Maxwell's talks make it easier to deal with the treatments and the pain. Grateful for his example
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Wow. Thank you, Elder Maxwell. You died when I was only a toddler, but you’re still one of the greatest teachers I’ve had.
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This man's talks and speeches are profound and spiritually potent. I love this servant of the Lord
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Dear Elder Maxwell! I hope he knows that today, these were the perfect words for me to hear.
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How I wish that this man were still with us today. We need someone like him.
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Took me 19 years of listening to this talk to now understand some. Incredible talk.
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Maxwell definitely the best pen in the game. His style was like no other. Even tho this was over 40 years ago I needed to hear this now more than ever. Rest in peace to the GOAT 🐐✍️🔥🔥🔥
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Perhaps the greatest talk in my life time. I so miss this GREAT man.
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This memory came because I saw the thumbs down and I thought; it’s not that they don’t like it or disagree with the message they can understand such beautiful vocabulary.
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I'm listening to this on June 23, 2021. This is a hard talk for me to hear but, very much need to hear. I love Neal A Maxwell. He speaks with such clarity and without anything left out. Thank you Jesus Christ for giving us these words from Elder Maxwell.
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60 seconds in and I’m already crying
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"It is very important that we not assume the perspectives of mortality in making the decisions that bear on eternity." Amazing talk!
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A great, relevant talk even today, 45 years later.
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I miss hearing this great man speak each April and October.
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anyone else wonder what has become of the kids crying in the background? Just had wonder that kind of thing when I'd find myself distracted during the talk from time to time. thankfully i could easily go back and reissue to those parts unlike the people in attendance! 😁 Thank you, Elder Maxwell, for the enlightening insights and truths!!
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Loved his counsel. Some of us will have to be the most courageous not when we are alone, but when we are in a crowd. Stay strong and blessed 🤟🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
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Why is this a gem? Every sentence is a sermon in itself.
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This is a great talk! I needed to hear Elder Maxwell remind me that It is God's will that should be done and not mine, especially if my will is not in sync with God's. Some times He will not remove our cups. Other times He will. In order for us to be like Him, we must be willing to submit to what He sees fit to inflict upon us as a child submits to his or her parents. I hope one day soon to have that level of righteousness.
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Getting a confidence boost That being “soul-stretched” is what this life is all about! Shout out from southern Utah this June 2021. Thank you
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Its 2020. This hits hard.
