Do Better then You've Ever Done Before

“Let us do better than we have ever done before. Let us renew our determination to be real Latter-day Saints, and not just make-believe. . . .I do not know anybody who can not do a little better than he has been doing, if he makes up his mind.”

In Conference Report, Apr. 1941, 27. or Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, pg 5.

The Purpose of Celestial Marriage

“The aim of the gospel and the purpose of celestial marriage are not only to keep us together but also to make us eligible for our Heavenly Father’s highest reward: exaltation in the celestial kingdom, increase in that kingdom, and eternal life with our families….

“Let us always be mindful that as members of a family, we are tied to a mountain team that is attempting to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father….

“A marriage partnership is not a crutch. You do not marry somebody you think is a little higher than the angels and then lean on that person. Rather, you develop yourself and your own gifts and talents. As you develop, you grow together, supporting and strengthening one another….

“I ask you not to lean on your spouse as a crutch but to stand strong, strengthen each other, and ask for help as you pray together each night. I bear testimony that those moments in my life when I have been unhappy, depressed, or sad are when I have deviated, even to a minor degree, from the teachings of the Lord. That you might have true happiness and find the joy of a celestial marriage with a little heaven on earth is my prayer.”

Elder Robert D. Hales, “A Little Heaven on Earth,” Ensign Sept 2011, 47-49.

Study Section 132

“Every member of the Church should read and study section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Do you realize that there is no one between the Lord and the sealer when he performs the sealing ordinance? It is a beautiful and a touching ceremony.”

Elder Robert D. Hales, “A Little Heaven on Earth,” Ensign Sept 2011, 46.

Selecting a Companion

“Single members of the Church often ask, “How do I find the right person to marry?” Let me suggest an approach. Measure the spiritual level of your potential future companions. First, if they are members of the Church, are they active and fully committed, or are they passive or antagonistic? Second, if they are not members, are they receptive to the gospel and its teachings, or are they noncommittal or antagonistic?

“If you marry an active member in the temple for time and all eternity in the new and everlasting covenant, will you have problems? Yes. Will you be able to solve them? Yes. Will your chance be better to solve them and strengthen your testimony than if you had not married in the temple? Yes. But if you marry somebody who is antagonistic to the Church or passive toward the gospel, you are placing yourself in a position where you will find someday that you may have to choose between that individual and the Church. That is a very heavy responsibility.

“When you are choosing your companion, make sure that both of you have a desire for a celestial marriage relationship, a desire to have a companion for eternity, a desire to have a family for eternity, and a desire to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father.”

Elder Robert D. Hales, “A Little Heaven on Earth,” Ensign Sept 2011, 46.

Celestial Marriage

“Celestial marriage is what you create by being true to the sacred covenants you make during the temple marriage ceremony. After the vows are taken, a celestial marriage requires living a consecrated life of worthiness and celestial principles, which leads to happiness in this life and exaltation in the next. If we live the laws pertaining to celestial marriage, we will, with our spouse and with our family, be able to have a little heaven on earth.”

Elder Robert D. Hales, “A Little Heaven on Earth,” Ensign Sept 2011, 45-49

Guilt

“When we are misaligned, we feel guilt. That is the Spirit telling us we need to repent and realign ourselves with God’s will. Repentance is a principle we use daily to remain spiritually strong.”

Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society History: A Look at the Lord’s Vision for His Daughters,” Ensign Sept 2011, 40-43.

Faith in the Atonement

“Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ not only heals us, but it also enables us to do difficult things and live in an exemplary way.”

Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society History: A Look at the Lord’s Vision for His Daughters,” Ensign Sept 2011, 40-43.

Women's Influence

Because we as women have great influence on those around us, we must do all we can to keep ourselves spiritually strong.

Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society History: A Look at the Lord’s Vision for His Daughters,” Ensign Sept 2011, 40-43.