A couple of weeks ago, attending Truman Madsen's funeral service, I was struck by the thought that one of the things I would miss most about him was his careful, loving, intelligent way of saying things, a way that made you think about them differently or see them a little more clearly. He was just so brilliant.
And that made me think about, and miss afresh, Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He too crafted all his words, spoken and written, with care and love and intelligence, And often the way he said things made me think about them in a whole new way, unlocking layers of insight and meaning. He too was so very brilliant.
So when I got home, I dug out my new copy of The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book. This illustrated edition gathers more than 1500 amazing quotations in a gorgeous display book with inspirational paintings. It is a book-lover's treat, a big, beautiful volume with new verbal and visual discoveries on every page. I love having it as a reference work, but I like even better to just sit down with it and spend a few "devotional minutes" thinking about one or two of the quotations. As a lover of words, I find myself easily caught up in Elder Maxwell's eloquent use of them.
I can't resist sharing a couple of my favorites from the book:
"Cain was not Abel's keeper, but he was his brother. Brother and keeper relationships are very different. The former emphasizes concern, the latter control." (This one affects my feelings about my responsibility and role as a mother.)
"If we are serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually request each of us to do those very things which are most difficult for us to do." (I think of this one when times seem hard and I need to remember that "easy" is not necessarily "better.")
"Jesus' brief stumbling while carrying the cross is a reminder as to how close to the very edge of our strength God stretches us at times."
"The gravel of grumpiness . . . keeps us off balance and annoyingly turns ankles. Even though we do not fully fall or stumble, we progress more slowly, painfully, and fitfully."
"Parents who crave the approval of their children at the expense of principle will find that they worship a jealous and capricious god."
"What we already know about God teaches us to trust him for what we do not know fully."
Aaagh! I could go on and on. It's just such wonderful stuff!
I miss you, Elder Maxwell. Thank goodness you left such a wealth of writing behind so that we could continue forever to be blessed by your careful, loving, intelligent way of putting things!

