Patience | Neal A. Maxwell | 1979

Having patience with ourselves and our circumstances will bring us closer to God and increase our love, humility, and willingness to submit to Him.
This speech was given on November 27, 1979.
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"Thank you very much, Bob. I appreciate this great privilege each time that it is mine, my brothers and sisters. I am grateful to the choral group today for that last number, the lyrics of which I hope will linger with you somewhat, because I will turn to them as I close my speech.
I have chosen to speak today about a very pedestrian principle: patience, I hope that I do not empty the Marriott Center by that selection. Perhaps the topic was selfishly selected because of my clear and continuing need to develop further this very important attribute. But my interest in patience is not solely personal; for the necessity of having this intriguing attribute is cited several times in the scriptures, including once by King Benjamin who, when clustering the attributes of sainthood, named patience as a charter member of that cluster (Mosiah 3:19; see also Alma 7:23).
Patience is not indifference. Actually, it means caring very much but being willing, nevertheless, to submit to the Lord and to what the scriptures call the “process of time.”
Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient we are suggesting that we know what is best-better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. Either way we are questioning the reality of God’s omniscience as if, as some seem to believe, God were on some sort of postdoctoral fellowship and were not quite in charge of everything.
Saint Teresa of Avila said that unless we come to know the reality of God, including his omniscience, our mortal existence “will be no more than a night in a second-class hotel” (quoted by Malcolm Muggeridge in “The Great Liberal Death Wish,” Imprimis [Hillsdale College, Michigan], May 1979.) Our second estate can be a first-class experience only if you and I develop a patient faith in God and in his unfolding purposes.
We read in Mosiah about how the Lord simultaneously tries the patience of His people even as He tries their faith (Mosiah 23:21). One is not only to endure, but to endure well and gracefully those things which the Lord “seeth fit to inflict upon [us]” (Mosiah 3:19), just as did a group of ancient American saints who were bearing unusual burdens but who submitted “cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (Mosiah 24:15).
Paul, speaking to the Hebrews, brings us up short by writing that, even after faithful disciples had “done the will of God,” they “[had] need of patience” (Hebrews 10:36). How many times have good individuals done the right thing only to break or wear away under subsequent stress, canceling out much of the value of what they had already so painstakingly done? Sometimes that which we are doing is correct enough but simply needs to be persisted in patiently, not for a minute or a moment but sometimes for years. Paul speaks of the marathon of life and of how we must “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Paul did not select the hundred-meter dash for his analogy!
The Lord has twice said: “And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life” (D&C 101:38, emphasis added; see also Luke 21:19). Could it be, brothers and sisters, that only when our self-control becomes total do we come into the true possession of our souls?
Patience is not only a companion of faith but is also a friend to free agency. Inside our impatience there is sometimes an ugly reality: We are plainly irritated and inconvenienced by the need to make allowance for the free agency of others. In our impatience-which is not the same thing as divine discontent-we would override others, even though it is obvious that our individual differences and preferences are so irretrievably enmeshed with each other that the only resolution which preserves free agency is our patience and longsuffering with each other.
The passage of time is not, by itself, an automatic cure for bad choices; but often individuals like the prodigal son can “in process of time” come to their senses..."

[@crazyernurse7601]

The words of Elder Maxwell are even more meaningful since his passing. Knowing what patience he had in his last years is a great lesson to me in trusting the Lord and His timetable. Elder Maxwell’s words are a treasure to all of us who listen.

[@joshuatorkornoo1620]

A testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Heb 9:17

[@johncarmen7414]

0p

[@russBwright]

“In our approach to life patience also helps us to realize that while we may be ready to move on having had enough of a particular learning experience, our continuing presence is often needed as a part of the learning environment of others”

[@dwfootzoning]

Phenomenal and much needed talk for today! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true! The Church of Jesus Christ is true!

[@Boundless500]

I was going to click on another video...but this is the great Maxwell. I've benefited greatly from listening to this today

[@byuspeeches]

We are glad!

[@skyhiker9669]

I needed this talk today more than I can express.

[@huntinggravity3151]

I didn’t think I needed this talk when I looked at it, but after hearing it I’m so glad I spent the time to do so. What a beautiful lesson

[@V.Hansen.]

I see Brother Maxwell, I click

[@stephenikechukwu-aro5028]

This talk has so many things I can learn from.

[@byuspeeches]

We are glad you enjoyed it, Stephen!

[@fennykalunga4539]

This talk brought a lot of things to realization and I'm grateful it was re-shared.

[@Zackeryeet]

Prayer answered by whomever posted this today.

[@TBIhope]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

[@amh9641]

"Too many impatient politicians buy today's votes with tomorrow's inflation" - here we are in 2023 - DANG 😳

[@brianastle6954]

A prophet in very deed!

[@tylerburns1364]

May more of us seek out wisdom and knowledge such as this.

[@HastyClip]

I really needed to hear this. Thank you for sharing.

[@juliaantunesify]

So spiritual!! I love it

[@thestoff777]

One of my favorites from Maxwell 😊

[@asmith7094]

Strong work, Elder Maxwell!

[@AlejandroMadrid-32279]

Bad night of sleep. I have been inactive for many, many years. And last night was a bad night of remembrance of my sins. Now I remember that I am to patiently overcome and endure well.

[@jaromjones7087]

Come back, it’s not too late brother. We are waiting and so is He!

[@_juliojacob]

I was waiting anxiously for this discourse in video, thank you!!!

[@seanwsummers]

I love this talk! And will be listening again. Thank you for sharing!

[@byuspeeches]

Thank you for listening!

[@leswalker2639]

Great talk and lesson on patience this world needs a lot of patience.

[@TBIhope]

I need more patience with myself and with my God.

[@Icanonlyimagn7891]

What a marvelous reminder.🙏🏻

[@jackierichardson5057]

This is the talk

[@katherinem.4414]

Darn old mistakes....we make one, then we have to have patience while God may cut back, or make us wait for our answers.

[@alainmelchor2185]

Extraordinary

[@amandastakeonit7402]

So very good! So needed!

[@reesespc6928]

Elder Maxwell has always spoken the words which we need not want... earlier hue talks has always been a RICH REWARDING or growing experience

[@cristianemelo5398]

Muito obrigada.

[@saipisafaamausili4897]

The 1st talk that popped up as I usually played LDS hymns from tabernacle choir. And it is what I needed since I’ve been struggling with discipline and wanted to learn how to master this attribute. And yes it covers a lot of wonderful things that I need a reminder of ❤🙏

[@byuspeeches]

We're glad this speech came up just when you needed it.

[@TBIhope]

I need patience with myself.

[@dianneirinaga8995]

Thank you

[@davidconlee2196]

I listened to this at double speed.

[@slamrn9689]

Read the true scriptures folks!

[@vikisnow2439]

Can you share your favorites???

[@brianastle6954]

Scripture to be scripture must be true because it comes from God through his prophets. Amos in the old testament said "surely the Lord God will do nothing except he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets". Amos 3:7