“There Are Many Called, But Few Are Chosen”
Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–35
34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men . . .
President Harold B. Lee said:
“The Lord said something in our day which explains why many fail and are not chosen. He asked the question, ‘Why are they not chosen?’ (D&C 121:34). We see those who fail in Church life as well as we see it in public life. Sometimes we have elected men to public office whom we thought were faithful to Church standards only to have them betray us and virtually sell their souls for temporary political advantage.
“Likewise in the Church, men who have been elevated to high positions have betrayed us, and some have wondered why others have not been called to fill certain positions. The Lord tells us why men fail. He said, ‘Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and [they] aspire to the honors of men’ (D&C 121:35).
“And I submit that it is the same now as it has been in every dispensation of the Church. Men fail to measure up to their highest possibilities because they seek after worldly things and they aspire to the honors of men.”
(In Conference Report, Oct. 1965, 128.)
