Just as he had before his call to the apostleship, [Elder Oaks] relied heavily on revelation to guide him in what he said to audiences after he became a member of the Twelve. He felt the heavy responsibility of spiritually feeding those who came, or tuned in, to hear him, and he wanted to align his will with God's in selecting, developing, and addressing topics of importance in advancing the Lord's purposes. …

"A Christlike leader should teach the flock that they should always look toward the Master," Elder Oaks instructed. "One who teaches this to the flock should never obscure their view by standing in the way, such as by seeking the limelight himself, or by casting a shadow of self-interest, self-promotion, or self-gratification." "Being a Christlike leader may be uncomfortable at times. There is a strong tendency in most of us to spend our time and fulfill our responsibilities through activities in which we feel a sense of qualification and comfort," he related, again from his own experience. "We must resist that tendency. We should turn from that which is familiar and comfortable and work to do that which is required, spending our time and exerting our efforts to qualify ourselves for what we have been called to do. That is the way to have the spirit and power of our callings."

Good leaders are also good teachers. "The Savior was the Supreme Teacher," Elder Oaks pointed out. "One way He taught so effectively was by telling stories using easy-to-understand words. He shared simple stories - parables - and real-life examples that made sense to those He taught. His simple language enabled Him to reach and hold hearers from every class and condition."

Elder Oaks practiced what he preached. Elder Neil L. Andersen remembered Elder Oaks visiting his mission years earlier and "speaking to his missionaries in terms they could remember long after he has finished." "Elder Oaks told the missionaries simply, 'Be worthy, be obedient, and be busy,' elaborating on each idea in turn." Elder Andersen marveled that "a man with his kind of mind would say something so simple."

Elder [Kim B.] Clark's message of continuing learning of the whole soul reminds me of an experience I had when I was serving in a stake presidency at the same time I was a professor and I gave a lot of lectures. And whenever I gave a lecture I was conscious that I was singing a solo, but whenever I testified of the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ and of our savior I was always part of a duet because the Holy Ghost was there to testify to those in audience of the truth of the things I was saying.

When we understand the doctrine that explains our relationship to God, we also understand our relationship to one another. All men and women on the earth are the offspring of God—spirit brothers and sisters. What a powerful idea! No wonder God's Only Begotten Son commanded us to love one another. If only we would do so! What a different world it would be if brotherly and sisterly love and unselfish assistance could transcend all boundaries of nation, creed, and color. Such love would not erase all differences of opinion and action, but it would encourage each of us to focus our opposition on inappropriate actions rather than on actors. By doing so we can follow Jesus Christ's example of loving all people while also teaching and upholding the commandments of God.