The Royal Generation

“I am certain that the Lord is pleased with the youth of the Church today. You have been saved to come forth to the earth at this important time. He is counting on you to build his kingdom here. He has educated you, trained you, and equipped you better than any other generation. Now surely, he expects you to perform. . . .

“May the Lord continue to strengthen and to bless you with faith and the desire to serve him as he would command you.  Do it with all the enthusiasm your souls can muster, and I promise you great joy which comes only as a result of service in our Father in heaven’s kingdom.”

L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Buenos Aires Area Conference 1975, p. 39. 

A Soft Answer Turneth Away Wrath

“It is in the home that our behavior is most significant. It is the place where our actions have the greatest impact, for good or ill. Sometimes we are so much ‘at home’ that we no longer guard our words. We forget simple civility. If we are not on guard, we can fall into the habit of criticizing one another, losing our tempers, or behaving selfishly. Because they love us, our spouses and children may be quick to forgive, but they often carry away in silence unseen injuries and unspoken heartache. . . .

“When we feel anger or contention in our homes, we should immediately recognize what power has taken control of our lives and what Satan is endeavoring to accomplish. Solomon provided us this wise formula: ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger’ (Prov. 15:1).

“Our home should ideally be a refuge where each member feels safe, secure, loved, and insulated from harsh criticism and contention that we so often encounter in the world.”

Wayne S. Peterson, “Our Actions Determine Our Character,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 84.

No Hands But Ours

"Shortly after the culmination of World War II, a devastated city in England began its heartbreaking and wearying work, of restoration. In the old city square had stood a large statue of Jesus Christ with His hands outspread in an attitude of invitation. On the pedestal were carved the words “Come Unto Me.”

In the process of the restoration of the statue with the aid of master artists and sculptors, the figure was eventually reassembled except for the hands of which no fragments could be discovered anywhere in the surrounding rubble. Someone made the suggestion that the artist would have to fashion new hands since the former hands could not be found.

Later come a public protest, couched in the words, “NO, leave Him without hands!” So today in the square of that English city the restored stature of Christ stands without hands and on the base of it are carved the words, “Christ has no hands but ours.”

My Sister's Hands

My sister’s hands are fair and white. My sister’s hands are dark.

My sister’s hands are touched with age, or by the years unmarked

And often when I pray for strength to live as He commands,

The Father sends me sustenance in my sister’s hands.

My sister’s hands are lines and worn with burdens of their own,

And yet I know that should I mourn, I need not weep alone.

And often as I seek His grace to lighten life’s demands,

The Father sends me solace borne in my sister’s hands.

My sister’s hands, compassion’s tools that teach my own their art

Witnesses of charity within the human heart,

Bearers of the Savior’s love and mercy unto man,

I have felt the Master’s touch, in my sister’s hands.

-Sally DeFord

Honesty Guide

Elder Marvin J. Ashton has given us a guide by which we can determine whether something is honest. Simply ask yourself: “‘Is it right? Is it true?’ not ‘Is it expedient satisfactory, convenient, or profitable?’ ” Then follow your honest answer.

In Conference Report, Apr. 1982, p. 13; or Ensign, May 1982, p. 11

Honesty: True Joy

“We often speak of that scriptural reference, ‘Man is that he might have joy’. There is a joy that comes to one from being honest. Let me tell you how. By this means you can have the companionship of the Master and you can have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. Violations of the code of honesty will deprive you of these two great blessings….if we would have the companionship of the Master and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, we must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and with our fellowmen. This results in true joy."

Howard W. Hunter

Seek Wisdom Instead of Power

“Let [us] seek for wisdom instead of power,” said Sister Snow, “and [we] will have all the power [we] have wisdom to exercise.”

Eliza R. Snow, in Daughters in My Kingdom, 45-46.

Before You Visit Homes

Eliza R. Snow counseled visiting teachers, “to be filled with the Spirit of God, of wisdom, of humility, of love” before they visited homes so they would be able to ascertain and meet spiritual needs as well as temporal ones. She said, “You may feel to talk words of peace and comfort, and if you find a sister feeling cold, take her to your heart as you would a child to your bosom and warm [her] up.”

Eliza R. Snow, in Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 108.

Focus On People

“Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task.”

Julie B. Beck, Ensign, Nov. 2009, 114. 

When You Are Sustained and Set Apart

“The Lord will make you an instrument in His hands if you are humble, faithful, and diligent. . . . You will receive added strength when you are sustained by the congregation and set apart.”

Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 20). 

Someone We Have Sustained

“We can determine to pray daily for someone called by God to serve us. We can thank someone who has blessed us by his or her service. We can decide to step forward when someone we have sustained asks for volunteers.”

See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 211-12.

Our Sustaining Vote

“By our sustaining vote, we make solemn promise. We promise to pray for the Lord’s servants and that He will lead and strengthen them (see D&C 93:51). We pledge that we will look for and expect to feel inspiration from God in their counsel and whenever they act in their calling (see D&C 1:38).

“That promise will need to be renewed in our hearts frequently. Your Sunday School teacher will try to teach by the Spirit, but just as you might do, your teacher may make mistakes in front of the class. You, however, can decide to listen and watch for the moments when you can feel inspiration come. In time you will notice fewer mistakes and more frequent evidence that God is sustaining that teacher.

“As we raise a hand to sustain a person, we commit to work for whatever purpose of the Lord that person is called to accomplish.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Called of God and Sustained by the People,” Ensign, June 2012, 4. 

Our Pioneer Ancestors

“We each can learn much from our early pioneer ancestors, whose struggles and heartaches were met with resolute courage and an abiding faith in a living God. … Youth and children were among the thousands who pulled and pushed handcarts. . . I think that there is not a member of this Church today who has not been touched by the accounts of the early pioneers. Those who did so much for the good of all surely had as their objective to inspire faith. They met the goal in a magnificent manner.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Our Honored Pioneer Heritage,” New Era, July 2011. 

Keep an Eternal Perspective

“I would admonish you to maintain an eternal perspective. Make certain that the marriage in your future is a temple marriage. There is no scene so sweet, no time so sacred as that very special day of your marriage. Then and there you glimpse celestial job. Be alert; do not permit temptation to rob you of this blessing.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Whom Shall I Marry?” New Era, Oct. 2004, 6. 

Trials

President Thomas S. Monson reminds us that “life was never intended to consist of a glut of luxury, be an easy course, or filled only with success. There are those games which we lose, those races in which we finish last, and those promotions which never come. Such experiences provide an opportunity for us to show our determination and to rise above disappointment.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Go For It!” Ensign, May  1989, 44. 

It Takes Courage

“It takes courage to gather children from whatever they’re doing and kneel together as a family. It takes courage to turn off the television and the computer and to guide your family through the pages of the scriptures every day. It takes courage to turn down other invitations on Monday night so that you can reserve that evening for your family. It takes courage and willpower to avoid over-scheduling so that your family can be home for dinner.”

Larry R. Lawrence, “Courageous Parenting,” 100.

Children's Consequences

 “If we attempt to mitigate or erase the consequences of our children’s choices, our children may have a difficult time understanding and following divine laws.”

Mark D. Ogletree, “Helping Without Hovering,” Ensign, Mar 2012, 12. 

Gifts on Condition of Obedience

“Just as God has bestowed some gifts on all of His mortal children without requiring their personal obedience to His laws, parents provide many benefits like housing and food even if their children are not in total harmony with all parental requirements. But, following the example of an all-wise and loving Heavenly Father who has given laws and commandments for the benefit of His children, wise parents condition some parental gifts on obedience.”

 Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 28.

Work

Elder D. Todd Christofferson has explained that work can even help our children negotiate some of life’s pain and discouragement: “By work we sustain and enrich life. It enables us to survive the disappointments and tragedies of the mortal experience. Hard-earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character [and] creates beauty.”

D. Todd Christofferson, “Reflections on a Consecreated Life,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 17. 

Raising Children

“In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life.”

James E. Faust, “The Greatest Challenge in the World—Good Parenting,” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 33. 

Sustaining Our Leaders

“You will all abide the pledge you have given to the Lord and to one another by the uplifted hand, that you all mean to uphold and sustain these officers in all these various organizations, that . . . you will do everything you can to help them, to benefit them, bless them, and encourage them in the good work in which they are engaged.”

President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918), Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 218-19.