War

“Of the 239 chapters in the Book of Mormon, 174 (73%) deal with war, terrorism, murder, political conspiracies, secret combinations, threats, family collisions, and other hostilities.

“Why did the Book of Mormon record keepers preserve so many incidents of war? President Ezra Taft Benson answered, “From the Book of Mormon we learn how Disciples of Christ live in times of war.”

David Brent Marsh, “How Disciples of Christ Live in Times of War and Violence,” Ensign, Sept 2012, 44. 

Defending Religious Freedom

 “My challenge is that we join with people of all faiths who feel accountable to God in defending religious freedom so it can be a beacon for morality. We caution you to be civil and responsible as you defend religious liberty and moral values. We ask that you do this on the Internet and in your personal interactions in the neighborhoods and communities where you live. Be an active participant, not a silent observer.”

Quentin L. Cook, “Restoring Morality and Religious Freedom,” Ensign, Sept. 2012, 38. 

Disagreement

 “There are some who feel that venting their personal anger of deeply held opinions is more important than conducting themselves as Jesus Christ lived and taught. . . . How we disagree is a real measure of who we are and whether we truly follow the Savior. It is appropriate to disagree, but it is not appropriate to disagreeable. . . . If we show love and respect even in adverse circumstances, we become more like Christ.”

Quentin L. Cook, “We Follow Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2010, 84-85.

Pray for Areas to Open

 “I would ask that your faith and prayers continue to be offered in behalf of those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely at this time. Miracles can occur as we do so.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 6. 

Missionary Service is a Priesthood Duty

 “I repeat what prophets have long taught—that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain you health and strength. Study the scriptures. Where such is available, participate in seminary or institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook. Preach My Gospel.

“A word to you young sisters: while you do not have the same priesthood responsibility as do the young men to serve as full-time missionaries, you also make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome your service.”

Thomas S. Monson, “As We Meet Together Again,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 5-6.

The Lifeblood of the Kingdom

“Missionary work is the lifeblood of the kingdom. May I suggest that if you are able, you might consider making a contribution of the General Missionary Fund of the Church.”

Thomas S. Monson, “It’s Conference Once Again,” Ensign, May 2011, 6. 

Serve Faithfully, and You'll Be Better

“The time you spend in the mission field, if those years are spent in dedicated service, will yield a greater return on investment than any other two years of your lives. . . . If you serve a mission faithfully and well, you will be a better husband, you will be a better father, you will be a better student, a better worker.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship,” Ensign, Nov, 1995, 52. 

No Better Way of Expressing Thanks

“There is probably no better way of expressing thanks to the Almighty than serving a full-time mission.”

Elder Leonard Chisango, Zimbabwe, “Responding to the Prophet’s Call,” Ensign, Sept. 2012, 27. 

Not Qualified?

“Many humble Latter-day Saints fear that they are not qualified for missionary labors. But to such a prospective missionary, the Lord has given this assurance: ‘Faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Senior Missionaries and the Gospel,” Ensign, Nov. 2004, 81. 

Missionary Service

 “I am constantly amazed at how the Holy Ghost matches the characteristics and needs of each missionary and couple to the widely varying circumstances of missionary service throughout the world.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Now Is the Time to Serve a Mission!” Ensign, May 2006, 89. 

In This Family We Serve Missions!

 “What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say be deed as well as word, ‘In this family we serve missions!”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “We Are All Enlisted,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 46. 

Facing Fear

“Fear of the unknown of fear that we don’t have the scriptural skills or language required can cause reluctance to serve. But the Lord has said, ‘If ye are prepared ye shall not fear’ (D&C 38:30). Your life is your preparation. . . . Just go and be yourselves.”

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Ensign, May 2001, 25. 

Senior Missionaries

 “We need many, many more senior couples. . . . Make yourselves available to leave home and give full-time missionary service. There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “As We Meet Together Again,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 6. 

Some Would Rather Pull a Hand Cart...

 “Some would rather pull a hand cart across the prairie than bring up the subject of faith and religion to their friends. . . . They worry about how they might be perceived or how it might harm their relationship.” President Uchtdorf continues, “It doesn't need to be that way because we have a glad message to share, and we have a message of joy.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign, May 2011, 76. 

Be Genuine

Describing our interactions with others, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counsels: “More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. . . . And then listen. . . . I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more.”

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Witnesses unto Me,” Ensign, May 2001, 15. 

Part of Who We Are

 “Successful missionary opportunities are more likely to be found when members are just good, true friends with others. As Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “If we are open about our member ship in the Church from the very beginning, . . . friends and acquaintances will accept that this is part of who we are.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Creating a Gospel Sharing Home,” Ensign, May 2006, 86. 

Say a Little More

“Years ago our family lived and worked among people who in almost every case were not of our faith. When they asked us how our weekend was, we tried . . . to share some religious experiences we had as a family over the weekend—for instance, what a youth speaker had said about the standards from For the Strength of Youth or how we were touched by the words of a young man who was leaving on his mission.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign, May 2011, 76. 

Good Works

 “Your good works will be evident to others. The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes. With that radiance, you had better prepare for questions.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Be Thou an Example of the Believers,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 48. 

Nurture Tender Souls

 “My desire is to plead with our sisters to stop worrying about a phone call or a quarterly or monthly visit,” said Ellen Smoot, the 13th Relief Society general president. She asked us to “concentrate instead on nurturing tender souls.”

Mary Ellen Smoot, in Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 117. 

Each of Us Can Do Something

 “The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone. . . .Unless we lose ourselves in service to others there is little purpose to our own lives.”

Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85.

Share Fearlessly

“God is preparing to receive your testimony of restored truth. He requires your faith and then your action to share fearlessly what has become so precious to you and to those you love.

“Prepare to share by filling your mild every day with the truths of the gospel. As you keep the commandments and honor your covenants, you will feel the testimony of the Spirit and more of the Savior’s love for you and for those you meet.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Sharing the Gospel Heart To Heart,” Ensign Sept 2012, 4. 

Pray to Meet Someone To Share the Gospel With

“I have a friend who prays every day to meet someone who is prepared to receive the gospel. He carries with him a copy of the Book of Mormon. The night before a short trip, he decided not to take a copy with him but instead a spiritual impression came to him: “Take a Book of Mormon with you.” He put on in his bag.

“When a woman he knew sat next to him on the trip, he wondered, “Is this the one?” She rode with him again on the return trip. He thought, “How should I bring up the gospel?”

“Instead, she said to him, “You pay tithing to your church, don’t you? He said he did. She said she was supposed to pay tithing to her church but didn’t. Then she asked, “What can you tell me about the Book of Mormon?”

“He explained that the book is scripture, another witness of Jesus Christ, translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. She seemed interested, so he reached into his bag and said, “I was impressed to bring this book with me. I think it is for you.”

“She began to read it. As they parted, she said, “You and I are going to have more conversations about this.”

“What my friend could not know—but what God did know—was that she was looking for a church. God knew she had watched my friend and wondered why his church made him so happy. God knew she would ask about the Book of Mormon and that she would be willing to be taught by the missionaries. She was prepared. So was my friend. You and I can also be prepared.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Sharing the Gospel Heart To Heart,” Ensign Sept 2012, 4. 

Prepared for Missionary Work

“God will put prepared people in the way of His prepared servants who want to share the gospel. You have had that happen in your own life. How often it happens depends on the preparation of your mind and your heart.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Sharing the Gospel Heart To Heart,” Ensign Sept 2012, 4.