A Greater Opportunity

“When marriage is not possible, experience has shown that adoption, difficult though this may be for the young mother, may afford a greater opportunity for the child to live a life of happiness. Wise and experienced professional counselors and prayerful bishops can assist in these circumstances.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Save the Children,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 53. 

It Begins at Home

“The responsibility of building leadership in the Church belongs to the father and the mother. As youth grow and mature through their teenage yours and move toward adulthood, the Church picks up an important role in this process of giving youth an opportunity to lead, but it begins in the home.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Tending the Flock: Teaching Leadership Skills to Youth,” Ensign, June 2008, 16. 

This Christmas Season

 “Perhaps this Christmas season we might each resolve to approach our Father in Heaven humbly in prayer and petition the power of His Beloved Son to be with us in our daily walk and to free us from our personal forms of captivity, great or small.”

Elder Bruce D. Porter, “Come Let Us Adore Him,” Ensign, Dec 2013, 25

Christ Frees Us

 “Whatever binds us—sins, circumstances, or past events—the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Immanuel, came to set us free, He proclaims liberty to the captives and freedom from the bonds of death and the prison of sin, ignorance, pride, and error. It was prophesied that He would say to the prisoners, “Go forth” (Isaiah 49:9). The only condition of our freedom is that we come unto Him with broken hearts and contrite spirits, repent, and seek to do His will.”

Elder Bruce D. Porter, “Come Let Us Adore Him,” Ensign, Dec 2013, 24. 

John Weightman

“John Weightman was a successful man whose charities brought him attention and renown. One evening, after perusing a pile of newspaper clippings praising him for his generosity, he picked up hi Bible. Soon he fell asleep after reading the Savior’s words: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” (Matthew 6:19).

As he slept, John found himself in “the heavenly city,” traveling with others as they received their mansions. When the Keeper of the Gate stopped in front of a tiny hut built of cast-off materials, he said to John, “This is your mansion.”

John protested, listing his many public contributions.

“Were not all these carefully recorded on earth where they would add to your credit?” asked the Keeper of the Gate. “You have had your reward for them. Would you be paid twice?”

During this Christmas season, I hope each of us has the opportunity to give anonymously.”

Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Promise of Christmas,” Ensign, Dec 2013, 19. 

Offer Precious Gifts

"You need not fear that you will lose friends by inviting the missionaries to meet them. I have friends who rejected the missionaries but have thanked me over many years for offering them something they knew was so precious to me. You can make friends forever by offering the gospel, which they see has brought you happiness. Never miss an opportunity to invite a friend and especially a family member to choose to follow the plan of happiness."

President Henry B. Eyring, "Family and Friends Forever," Ensign, Dec 2013, 4-5.

Spirits to Blossom

"... we must exercise works. . . .We cannot hope to receive personal revelation unless we conduct ourselves like faithful disciples of Christ. Respecting the covenants we have made with God qualifies us to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost, who enlightens our intelligence and causes our spirits to blossom."

Bishop Gerald Causse, "Keeping the Faith in a World of Confusion," Ensign, Aug 2012, 29.

Strengthen Testimonies

"To strengthen our testimonies and protect ourselves from error, we must therefore constantly nourish and fortify our faith. To begin with, we need to have pure hearts and great humility."

Bishop Gerald Causse, "Keeping the Faith in a World of Confusion," Ensign, Aug 2012, 29.

First Reflex - Scriptures

"When we are troubled, our first reflex must be to search the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. Their writings are beacons that cannot deceive us: "Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and out faith becometh unshaken" (Jacob 4:6)."

Bishop Gerald Causse, "Keeping the Faith in a World of Confusion," Ensign, Aug 2012, 29.

Test of Testimonies

"All members of the Church at some time in their lives face moments that test the sincerity and strength of their testimonies. Braving these trials of our faith helps us stand firm in a world that is falling more and more into the depths of confusion. This confusion is evident in the barrage of messages that surround us. With the advent of the Internet, for example, an uninterrupted avalanche of contradictory opinions and information invades our everyday lives. These contradictions can become disconcerting and paralyzing."

Bishop Gerald Causse, "Keeping the Faith in a World of Confusion," Ensign, Aug 2012, 26.

Duty = Great Sacrifice

"These great men . . . might have chosen to follow a path easier than the one where duty led. But they did not. Certainly their duty did not always lead to personal comfort or casual convenience. Their duty frequently meant great sacrifice and personal hardship; but nevertheless, duty they chose, and duty they performed."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Learn Your Duty," Ensign, Aug 2012, 16.

Find Happiness

"When we accept duties willingly and faithfully, we find happiness. Those who make happiness the chief objective of life are bound to fail, for happiness is a by-product rather than an end in itself. Happiness comes from doing one's duty and knowing that his life is in harmony with God and His commandments. . . ."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Learn Your Duty," Ensign, Aug 2012, 16.

Duty

"Most of us don't mind doing what we ought to do when it doesn't interfere with what we want to do, but it takes discipline and maturity to do what we ought to do whether we want to or not. Duty is too often what one expects from others and not what one does. What people think and believe and plan are all very important, but what they do is the thing that counts most. It is a call to throw out selfishness and to think of the common good of all."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Learn Your Duty," Ensign, Aug 2012, 16.

Become Like Him

 “By learning of Him, by believing in Him, by following Him, there is the capacity to become like Him. [Our] countenance can change; [our] outlook enhanced. Life becomes what it should become.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Way of the Master,” Ensign, Jan 2003, 4. 

How Many People Did You Help?

 “There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”

“Perhaps when we have our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold,’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?’ In reality, you can never love the Lord until you serve him by serving his people.“

Thomas S. Monson, “How Firm a Foundation,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 68. And “Face and Attitudes,” New Era, Sept, 1977, 50.

Our Callings

 “Whatever our calling, regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and then go and do, remembering the words of the Master, even the Lord Jesus Christ, who promised, ‘I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’”

“We can strengthen one another; we have the capacity to notice the unnoticed. When we have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that know and feel, we can reach out and rescue those for whom we have responsibility.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Call to Serve,” Ensign, Nov, 2000, 47.

The Happiness Project

“To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow men. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Lord’s Way,” Ensign, May 1990, 93.

Small Acts of Service

 “Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person’s family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief telephone call. If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings which come to us, we can accomplish much good.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 120-21.

Visiting Teaching...

“One of the bishop’s duties was to send to every serviceman a subscription to the Church News and to the Improvement Era and to write a personal letter to him each month. Since President Monson had served in the navy in World War II, he appreciated the importance of a letter from home. He had 23 ward members serving in the military, so he called a sister in the ward to handle the details of mailing these letters. One evening he handed her the monthly stack of 23 letters.

“Bishop, don’t you ever get discouraged?” she asked. “Here is another letter to Brother Bryson. This is the 17th letter you have sent to him without a reply.”

“Well, maybe this will be the month,” he said. It was. The reply from Brother Bryson read: “Dear Bishop, I ain’t much at writin’ letters. Thank you for the Church News and magazines, but most of all thank you for the personal letters. I have turned over a new leaf. I have been ordained a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. My heart is full. I am a happy man.”

President Monson saw in that letter the practical application of the adage “Do you duty, that is best. Leave unto the Lord the rest.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Call of Duty,” Ensign, May 1986, 39.

Prophetic Promise

“The Holy Ghost has confirmed truth in this conference and will again as you seek it, as you listen, and as you later study the messages of the Lord’s authorized servants.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Mountains to Climb,” Ensign, May 2012, 26. 

If We Do Our Part, We Won't Fail

 “[The Lord] will not permit us to fail if we do our part. He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities. . . . It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being”

Ezra Taft Benson, in Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 20.

Whom You Might Have Saved

 “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.”

Teaching of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001), 164. 

Living Water of Christ

 “Like the pioneers of 1847 who ventured west along a trail that kept them relatively close to life-sustaining fresh water from rivers . . . we need to follow and partake of the Living Water of Christ to refresh our faith and sustain our efforts as we travel the road through mortality.”

M. Russell Ballard

Confidence and Composure

 “Keep the word of wisdom. Seek worthy companions. Attend church faithfully. Never fail daily to seek for help through prayer. And I promise you that the way will be easier and you shall have a composure of mind and a confident attitude toward life and the future… [H]ave faith. The Lord will be with you; you will be guided. I bear witness of Him and of His sacrifice. I bear witness of Him and of His sacrifice and of His Atonement and of His love for you.”

Boyd K. Packer

Be a Little Better

“Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. We can be a little more kind. We can be a little more merciful. We can be a little more forgiving. We can put behind us our weaknesses of the past and go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about it, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities.”

Gordon B. Hinckley

Strengthening Our Testimonies

“We must strengthen our testimony. We all need to study the plan of salvation and learn of our relationship to God. As we walk by faith, we will have confirmed in our hearts spiritual experiences which will strengthen our faith and testimony.”

James E. Faust

God's Light

“There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. [See D&C 88:11-13.] It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. . . . It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.

“This is ‘the Spirit of Jesus Christ,’ which gives ‘light to every man that cometh into the world.’ [D&C 84:45-46.]”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Hope of God’s Light,” Ensign, May 2013, 75. 

Discover Unexpected Benefits

“Life’s menu serves each of us our portion of spinach—we may not like such fare, but it can strengthen us. The trials we face can provide unexpected benefits. We can identify something we have struggled with or considered a failure and then ask ourselves questions such as the following:

•          Is there anything I have learned or can learn from this experience?
•          Are there others who have experienced something like this whom I could emulate?
•          Can I develop increased compassion for others and their difficulties because of this experience?
•          Can this bring me closer to God?

Many of life’s most important lessons are learned from the trials and challenges we experience.”

Vaughn E. Worthen, Associate Director, Counseling and Career Center, Brigham Young University, “The Healing Balm of Hope,” Ensign, Sept. 2013, 66. 

Develop Confidence

“Confidence is the breeding ground for hope. Confidence is generated by confronting challenges and striving for and achieving meaningful goals. We can gain confidence by tackling a task we have been putting off, engaging in a difficult conversation we might have been avoiding, or working on developing a talent. We should focus on effort and progress rather than complete success. Confidence is not the certainty of success but rather the conclusion that failure does not determine our worth—we lose nothing by trying.”

Vaughn E. Worthen, Associate Director, Counseling and Career Center, Brigham Young University, “The Healing Balm of Hope,” Ensign, Sept. 2013, 66.

Identify and Challenge Negative Beliefs

“Negative thoughts are the termites of the soul. If we find ourselves frequently thinking or saying, “I can’t,” “It’s too hard,” or “It’s unfair,” then we might ask ourselves if such thoughts are accurate and if they are helping us build the lives we want. It may help to replace these inaccurate assumptions with more constructive thoughts, such as, “I will try,” “I will give it my best,” and Life is what I make of it.” If unproductive, negative thinking remains persistent and significantly impairs our growth, we should consider seeking help, including the aid of a professional counselor.”

Vaughn E. Worthen, Associate Director, Counseling and Career Center, Brigham Young University, “The Healing Balm of Hope,” Ensign, Sept. 2013, 65. 

Always Have Hope

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has implored us to remember that “regardless of how desperate things may seem or how desperate they may yet become, . . . .you can always have hope. Always.”

M. Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 32.

Disappointment of Shattered Dreams

 “At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. . . . If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in Faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” Ensign, May 2008, 90. 

What Does it Mean to be Redeemed?

“Among the most significant of Jesus Christ’s descriptive titles is Redeemer. . . . The word redeem means to pay off an obligation or a debt. Redeem can also mean to rescue or set free as by paying a ransom. If someone commits a mistake and then corrects it or makes amends, we say he has redeemed himself. Each of these meanings suggests different facets of the great Redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ through His Atonement, which includes, in the words of the dictionary, ‘to deliver from sin and its penalties, as by a sacrifice made for the sinner.’ [Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 3rd ed. (1988), ‘redeem.’]”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Redemption, Ensign, May 2013, 109. 

Model for Manhood

“Fathers, you are the primary model of manhood for your sons. You are their most meaningful mentor, and believe it or not, you are their hero in countless ways. Your words and your example are a great influence on them.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 47. 

Shared Experiences with Youth

 “It is important to have shared experiences with the youth so you are on the same playing field. Instead of standing on the sidelines, you need to actively participate. There is real power in shared experiences.

“All members should be engaged with youth, regardless of their calling.”

Mat Duerden, assistant professor, Brigham Young University.

Wrong Roads

 “I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road. A [mathematical] sum [incorrectly worked] can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and [then] working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot ‘develop’ into good. Time does not heal it. The spell must be unwound.”

C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (1946), viii. 

Recognize the Good in Others

“I offer some final thoughts for those who love a family member who is not making good choices. That can challenge our patience and endurance. We need to trust in the Lord and in His timing that a positive response to our prayers and rescue efforts can occur. We do all that we can to serve, to bless, and to submissively acknowledge God’s will in all things. . . . With faith we can know that this straying loved one is not abandoned but is in the watchcare of a loving Savior.

“Recognize the good in others, not their stains. At times a stain needs to appropriate attention to be cleansed, but always build on his or her virtues.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “For Peace at Home,” Ensign, May 2013, 31. 

Prophetic Words On Human Frailty

“In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

“So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. . . . So be patient and kind and forgiving.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe,” Ensign, May 2013, 94. 

Optimism

 “Any believing Latter-day Saint is an optimist about what lies ahead for him or her, however difficult the present may be.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Our Perfect Example,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 70. 

We Are Never Alone

 “I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. ‘[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved’ [Moroni 7:36.]

Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 31. 

Look Up

 “When your difficulties seem overwhelming, look up, not down. When sadness and despair start to get a foothold, remember this: the Atonement of Jesus Christ did more than overcome physical and spiritual death. Yes, we will all be resurrected, and all of us have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins as we repent and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. But as wonderful as the gifts of resurrection and repentance are, the Atonement is much more. Through the Atonement we can receive strength to meet the most difficult trials of life.”

Elder Larry W. Gibbons, “A Time for Faith Not Fear,” Ensign, Jul 2013, 36. 

Your Trust in God Must Be Powerful and Enduring

“This life is an experience in profound trust—trust in Jesus Christ, trust in His teachings, trust in our capacity as led by the Holy Spirit to obey those teachings for happiness now and for a purposeful, supremely happy eternal existence. To trust means to obey willingly without knowing the end from the beginning (see Proverbs 3:5-7). To produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience. . . .

“As you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17. 

Put God First

 “We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives. . . . When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4. 

Give Your Best Effort

“Your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your Call,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76. 

Called of God

 “You are called of God. The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in His Church. He chose you.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your Call,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76. 

Miracles

 “I promise you, as you pray to know with whom to speak, names and faces will come into your mind. Words to speak will be given in the very moment you need them. Opportunities will open to you. Faith will overcome doubt, and the Lord will bless you with your very own miracles.”

Elder Neil L. Anderson, “It’s a Miracle,” Ensign, May 2013, 78-79. 

Sister Scriptorians

President Spencer W. Kimball asked us to become “sister scriptorians.” He said: “Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up! After all, who has any greater need to ‘treasure up’ the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching?”

Spencer W. Kimball, in Daughters in My Kingdom, 50. 

Grace is an Enabling Power

 “It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grace in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.

“Grace is the divine assistance or heavenly help each of us desperately needs to qualify for the celestial kingdom. Thus, the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and the good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.

“In my personal scripture study, I often insert the term “enabling power” whenever I encounter the word grace. Consider, for example, this verse with which we are all familiar: “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23). I believe we can learn much about this vital aspect of the Atonement if we will insert “enabling and strengthening power” each time we find the word grace in the scriptures.”

Elder David A. Bednar, “The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, Apr 2012, 42-43

Rely on His Grace

 “And it is eternally important for all of us to recognize that both of these essential elements of the journey of mortality—both putting off the natural man and becoming a saint, both overcoming bad and becoming good—are accomplished through the power of the Atonement. Individual willpower, personal determination and motivation, effective planning and goal setting are necessary but ultimately insufficient for us to triumphantly complete this mortal journey. Truly, we must come to rely upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8).

Elder David A. Bednar, “The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, Apr 2012, 42.  

How Can I Strengthen My Relationship with God?

“To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ [Psalm 46:10]

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 21. 

Important to Him

 “In His mercy, the God of heaven, the Creator and Ruler of all things everywhere, had heard a prayer about a very minor thing. One might well ask why He would concern Himself with something so small. I am led to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us. How much more would He want to help us with the big things that we ask, which are right (see 3 Nephi 18:20)?”

Elder J. Devn Cornish, “The Privilege of Prayer,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 101. 

Trust God

 “The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. Is we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans unfold as He thinks best?”

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004), Even As I Am (1982), 93. 

LIfeline of Pryayer

 “No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electric failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place.”

President James E. Faust, “The Lifeline of Prayer,” Ensign, May 2002, 59. 

We Are To Act

 “He is our perfect Father. He loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience. . . . We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 31-32. 

Soul's Sincere Desire

 “Prayer is a privilege and the soul’s sincere desire. We can move beyond routine and ‘checklist’ prayers and engage in meaningful prayer as we appropriately ask in faith and act, as we patiently persevere through the trial of our faith, and we as humbly acknowledge and accept, ‘not my will, but Thine, be done.’”

Elder David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign, May 2008, 97. 

Correct Decisions

“When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes Heavenly Father answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 31. 

No Blessing Will Be Denied

“The Lord has promised that in the eternities no blessing will be denied his sons and daughters who keep the commandments, are true to their covenants, and desire what is right.

“Many of the most important deprivations of mortality will be set right in the Millennium, which is the time for fulfilling all that is incomplete in the great plan of happiness for all of our Father’s worthy children. We know that will be true of temple ordinances. I believe it will also be true of family relationships and experiences.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 75. 

True Happiness = Marriage

 “It is in marriage that true happiness is found. You must not let education or other worldly pursuits keep you from this important step.”

Elder Brent H. Nielson, “Move Forward With Faith,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 54. 

No Fear

 “In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we need have no fear. We need not fear death, because we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His gift of the Resurrection.  We need not fear what man can do to us, because we know that if God is with us and if we have faith in Jesus Christ, we can accomplish whatsoever thing is expedient to His work (See Moroni 7:33). We need not fear the future, because we know that as we keep the commandments, the Lord will bless us.”

Elder Brent H. Nielson, “Move Forward With Faith,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 52. 

Covenant Relationship

“Our commitment to a covenant life is of monumental importance—not just to us but also to generations that will follow. Firmly establishing a covenant relationship with God will be the supreme legacy we provide our posterity. If we haven’t already done so, now is the time!”

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, “Living a Covenant Life,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 49.

How We Live

 “Whether we live a long or short life upon this earth is of little consequence in the eternities. What really matters is how we live. Living the life of a covenant keeper is of highest value because keeping our covenants is the only way we can fulfill our eternal purpose.”

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, “Living a Covenant Life,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 48. 

Ordinances

 “Ordinances are sacred ceremonies in which we make covenants. Covenants are promises we make with God. To connect us with heaven and help us overcome the confusion of the mortal world, ordinances raise our view, providing a vision of the things of eternity. Baptism (in which we are born again spiritually and take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ), confirmation (in which we become a member of the Savior’s Church and receive the incomparable gift of the Holy Ghost), ordination to the holy Melchizedek Priesthood (whereby we obtain God’s holy authority and promise to magnify our callings), the endowment (wherein we are understanding), and sealing (whereby we are connected to our families in an eternal model) collectively bestow on us what we need to fulfill God’s plan.”

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, “Living a Covenant Life,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 46-47. 

Attributes of Godliness

 “Living by covenant is the way we mature in gaining the attributes of godliness.”

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, “Living a Covenant Life,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 48.

Alignment Process

 “Prayer is not a negotiation process. It is an alignment process. We don’t move God to our point of view. Prayer is less about changing our circumstances and more about changing us.”

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Improving Your Personal Prayers,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 38. 

Mind of Christ

 “When we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, it means “our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ. . . . We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant.”

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Improving Your Personal Prayers,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 38. 

Deepest Desires

 “Schedule sufficient time to carefully and humbly communicate the deepest desires of your heart with Heavenly Father.”

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Improving Your Personal Prayers,” Ensign,  Jun 2013, 37.

Spiritual Link

 “Prayer is an essential and enabling spiritual link between God and man. Without prayer, there is no possible return to the Father. Without prayer, sufficient faith to understand and keep the commandments is impossible. Without prayer, the necessary spiritual power to avoid temptation and overcome trials and adversity would be unavailable. Without prayer, repentance, forgiveness and the cleansing power of the Atonement are unattainable. With the power of personal prayer, all things are possible.”

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Improving Your Personal Prayers,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 37. 

Pour Out Our Souls

 “We can speak with Heavenly Father vocally or by forming thoughts and expressions in our minds and hearts. Personal prayers should be solemn, sacred expressions of praise and gratitude; heartfelt petitions for specific needs and desires; humble, contrite confessions and requests for cleansing forgiveness; pleadings for comfort, direction, and revelation. These expressions often cause us to pour out our very souls to our loving Heavenly Father.”

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Improving Your Personal Prayers,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 37. 

Spiritual Barometer

 “I am convinced that personal prayer is one of the most significant challenges facing members of the Church, particularly youth and young adults. And because they struggle with prayer, they struggle spiritually.

“Our personal prayers are a barometer of our spiritual strength and an indicator of our spiritual well-being.”

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, “Improving Your Personal Prayers,” Ensign, Jun 2013, 36. 

Honest Labor

 “Teaching children the joy of honest labor is one of the greatest of all gifts you can bestow upon them. I am convinced that one of the reasons for the breakup of so many couples today is the failure of parents to teach and train sons in their responsibility to provide and care for their families and to enjoy the challenge this responsibility brings. Many of us also have fallen short in instilling within our daughters the desire of bringing beauty and order into their homes through homemaking. . . .”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Joy of Honest Labor,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 62. 

Treat Wives With Dignity and Respect

 “Brethren, let’s treat our wives with dignity and with respect. They’re our eternal companions. Sisters, honor your husbands. They need to hear a good word. They need a friendly smile. They need a warm expression of true love.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Love at Home—Counsel from Our Prophet,” Ensign, Aug. 2011, 4. 

They Forgive

“Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Ensign, May 2012, 77. 

Our Defining Tests

“Having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments are and always will be the defining test of mortality. . . .

“Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction. The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.” 

Elder Quentin L. Cook, “In Tune with the Music of Faith,” Ensign, May 2012, 44. 

Humbly Grateful

 “Let us not be arrogant but rather humbly grateful if our children are obedient and respectful of our teachings of the ways of the Lord.”

President James E. Faust, “Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered,” Ensign, June 2013, 21.

Disobedient Children

 “We should be considerate of those worthy, righteous parents who struggle and suffer with disobedient children.”

President James E. Faust, “Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered,” Ensign, June 2013, 20. 

Loving But Firm Discipline

 “An important element of doing the best we can as parents is to provide loving but firm discipline. If we do not discipline our children, society may do it in a way that is not to our liking or our children’s. Part of disciplining children is to teach them to work.”

President James E. Faust, “Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered,” Ensign, June 2013, 19. 

Disobedient Children

 “The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for theirs; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.”

Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110. 

Who are Good Parents?

 “Who are good parents? They are those who have lovingly, prayerfully, and earnestly tried to teach their children by example and precept “to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.” This is true even though some of their children are disobedient or worldly. Children come into this world with their own distinct spirits and personality traits. Some children “would challenge any set of parents under any set of circumstances. . . . Perhaps there are others who would bless the lives of, and be a joy to, almost any father or mother.” Successful parents are those who have sacrificed and struggled to do the best they can in their own family circumstances.”

President James E. Faust, “Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered,” Ensign, June 2013, 16. 

Inheriting our Kingdom

 “An older couple retired from the world of work and also, in effect, from the Church. They purchased a pickup truck and camper and . . . set out to see the world. . . . They had no time for the temple, were too busy for genealogical research and for missionary service. He lost contact with his high priests quorum and was not home enough to work on his personal history. Their experience and leadership were sorely needed in their branch, but . . . they were not available. . . .

“If we insist on spending all our time and resources building up for ourselves a worldly kingdom, that is exactly what we will inherit.”

President Spencer W. Kimball, “Worship the True and Living God,” Ensign, June 2013, 11.

A Poor Exchange

“One man I know of was called to a position of service in the Church, but he felt that he couldn’t accept because his investments required more . . . of his time than he could spare for the Lord’s work. He left the service of the Lord in search of Mammon, and he is a millionaire today.

“But I recently learned an interesting fact: If a man owns a million dollars worth of gold . . . , he possesses approximately one 27-billionth of all the gold that is present in the earth’s thin crust alone. This is an amount so small in proportion as to be inconceivable to the mind of man. But there is more to this: The Lord who created and has power over all the earth created many other earths as well, even “worlds without number” (Moses 1:33); and when this man received the oath and covenant of the priesthood (see D&C 84:33-34), he received a promise from the Lord of “all that my Father hath” (D&C 84: 38). To set aside all these great promises in favor of a chest of gold and a sense of carnal security is a mistake in perspective of colossal proportions. To think that he has settled for so little is a saddening and pitiful prospect indeed; the souls of men are for more precious than this.”

President Spencer W. Kimball, “Worship the True and Living God,” Ensign, June 2013, 10-11.

He Understands

“There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. I testify that if we will be obedient and if we are diligent, our prayers will be answered, our problems will diminish, our fears will dissipate, light will come upon us, the darkness of despair will be dispersed, and we will be close to the Lord and feel of His love and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost.”

Elder Robert D. Hales, “Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure,” Ensign, May 1998, 77. 

Guidance

 “Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal voyage without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him guidance to ensure our safe return. I speak of prayer. I speak too of the whisperings from that still, small voice.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Race of Life,” Ensign, May 2012, 92. 

Your Patriarchal Blessing

 “Your [patriarchal] blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 66. 

Inspired Messages

 “Occasionally I ask myself, “Did I listen to the words given by the men and women who spoke at the most recent general conference of the Church?  Have I read and reread their words? Have I pondered them and applied them to my life? Or have I just enjoyed the fine talked and neglected to apply their inspired messages in my personal life?”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Walking in Circles,” Ensign, June 2013, 4. 

Guardians of Virtue

What can each of you do to be a guardian of virtue? It starts with believing you can make a difference. It starts with making a commitment. When I was a young woman, I learned that some decisions need to be made only once. I wrote my list of things I would always do and things I would never do in a small tablet. It included things like obeying the Word of Wisdom, praying daily, paying my tithing, and committing to never miss church. I made those decisions once, and then in the moment of decision, I knew exactly what to do because I had decided beforehand. When my high school friends said, “Just one drink won’t hurt,” I laughed and said, “I decided when I was 12 not to do that.” Making decisions in advance will help you be guardians of virtue. I hope each of you will write a list of things you will always do and things you will never do. Then live your list.

Elaine S. Dalton, “Guardians of Virtue,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 121–24

Rear Your Children With Confidence in the Lord

“The measure of our success as parents . . . will not rest solely on how our children turn out. That judgment would be just only if we could raise our families in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible. . . . When parents keep the covenants that have made at the altar of the temple, their children will be forever bound to them.”

President Boyd K. Packer, “Our Moral Environment,” Ensign, May 1992, 68.

In Harmony With His Will

“As we exercise the undoubted power of the priesthood of God and as we treasure His promise that He will hear and answer the prayer of faith, we must always remember that faith and the healing power of the priesthood cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him whose priesthood it is. This principle is taught in the revelation directing that the elders of the Church shall lay their hands upon the sick. The Lord’s promise is that ‘he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed’ (D&C 42: 48; emphasis added).”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Healing the Sick,” Ensign, May 2010, 50. 

The Stable Family

 “When we look back at what President McKay taught, it was truly prophetic. The current editor-in-chief of the U.S. News and World Report has chronicled the history and consequences that have occurred since then. He reports that “divorce rates have more than doubled since the 1960s,” and births to unwed mothers “have risen from 5 percent in 1960 to about 35 percent today.” He explains the results and the adverse impact on children. He makes it clear that “the stable family of two biological parents . . . turns out to be the ideal vessel for molding character, for nurturing, for inculcating values, and for planning for a child’s future.”

Quentin L. Cook. 

Strength and Power of the Temple

 “The Prophet Joseph often spoke to Relief Society sisters at their meetings. With the Nauvoo Temple under construction, the Prophet instructed the sisters in doctrine, preparing them to receive more knowledge through temple ordinances. In 1842 he said to Mercy Fielding Thompson that the endowment “will bring you out of darkness into marvelous light.”

“An estimated 6,000 Latter-day Saints received temple ordinances before the exodus from Nauvoo. President Brigham Young said, “Such has been the anxiety manifested by the saints to receive the ordinances [of the temple], and such the anxiety on our part to administer to them, that I have given myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple night and day, not taking more than four hours sleep, upon an average, per day, and going home but once a week.” The strength and power of temple covenants fortified that Saints as they left their city and temple for a journey into the unknown.”

** Unknown reference

Time Passes Quickly

“Near the end of his life, one father looked back on how he had spent his time on earth. An acclaimed, respected author of numerous scholarly works, he said, ‘I wish I had written one less book and taken my children fishing more often.’

“Time passes quickly. Many parents say that it seems like yesterday that their children were born. Now those children are grown, perhaps with children of their own. ‘Where did the years go?’ they ask. We cannot call back time that is past, we cannot stop time that now is, and we cannot experience the future in our present state. Time is a gift, a treasure not to be put aside for the future but to be used wisely in the present.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 66. 

In A World of Tribulation

“The Savior [spoke] to His disciples as He faced His Crucifixion and as they faced fear, disarray, and persecution. In His last collective counsel to them in mortality, He said: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).

“So, in a world of tribulation, let’s remember our faith. . . . And let’s live life more fully, with more boldness and courage than at any other time.

“Christ has overcome the world and made a path for us.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “This, the Greatest of All Dispensations,” Ensign, July 2007, 54. 

How Can I Become A Disciple of Christ?

“The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact place where we stand! We do not have to prequalify to take that first step. It doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor. There is no requirement to be educated, eloquent, or intellectual. We do not have to be perfect or well-spoken or even well-mannered. You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. . . . It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Way of the Disciple,” Ensign, May 2009, 77, 78. 

The Promise of the Atonement

“Save for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ.

“How all can be repaired, we do not know. It may not all be accomplished in this life. . . .

“This knowledge should be as comforting to the innocent as it is to the guilty. I am thinking of parents who suffer unbearably for the mistakes of their wayward children and are losing hope.”

President Boyd K. Packer, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 20. 

The Lord's Way

“There is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment. . . . We must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Ensign, May 2012, 76-77. 

Neglecting Scripture Study

 “I believe that neglecting to study the scriptures on a regular basis is a form of hardening our hearts. I fear that if we persist in that course, we will be given a lesser portion of the word and eventually know nothing of God’s mysteries. Drinking daily from the scriptures, on the other hand, will help us build spiritual strength and knowledge, unmask the deceptions of the devil, and discover the snares he has laid to catch us.

“Ask yourselves the following questions, I invite you to allow the Holy Ghost to speak to your mind and heart:

·         Do I take time to study the scriptures every day?

·         If not, what excuse do I have for not doing so?

·         Will my excuse be acceptable to the Lord?

“ I challenge you to commit to reading the scriptures daily. Do not go to bed tonight until you have read. As you read, there will come to you a greater desire to do the will of the Lord and to make changes in your life.”

Elder Michael John U. Teh, “The Power of the Word of God,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 53. 

Christ Changes Human Nature

 “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “Born of God,” Ensign, Oct. 1985, 6. 

Traditions

 “The Lord has not been so explicit in providing us religious customs along the order of feasts and festivals to remind us of the blessings we receive from Him today. However, the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive.”

“Family Traditions,” Ensign, May 1990, 20. 

How Can We Support Others as They Begin to Age?

“A segment of our society desperately yearning for an expression of true love is found among those growing older, and particularly when they suffer from pangs of loneliness. . . . [Elder Richard L. Evans said of the aging:] ‘What they need in the loneliness of their older years is, in part at least, what we needed in the uncertain years of our youth: a sense of belonging, an assurance of being wanted, and the kindly ministrations of loving hearts and hands; not merely dutiful formality, not merely a room in a building, but room in someone’s heart and life. . . .  We cannot bring them back the morning hours of youth. But we can help them live in the warm glow of a sunset made more beautiful by our thoughtfulness, but our provision, and by our active and unfeigned love.’”

Thomas S. Monson, “Gifts,” Ensign, May 1993, 61, 62.

Family History and Youth

 “Family history work, Elder Packer added, will change how the youth make decisions and how they feel about challenges. He said they might think, “If Grandpa did this, I can do it too.”

“He said that a temple president reported that when youth stand proxy in baptism for any name they come out smiling, but “when they do it for an ancestor they have tears in their eyes. They feel something deeper; they feel something more.”

“Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 75.

Prepared Youth

Elder Zwick said the Lord’s words are clear: “I will hasten my work in its time” (D&C 88:73). “The Lord Himself is taking charge here,” he added. “I don’t think there has ever been a generation of youth that has been prepared for the curriculum like [the youth] are today. I don’t think there has ever been a group of youth that has done as many baptisms or more ordinances for the dead . . . [or] that has been as close to temple work and all of the facets of that as this group. And certainly all of that . . . prepares them for missionary service and builds a sure foundation for additional responsibilities in the years following their missions.”

“Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 74. 

Youth "Called To Action"

 “In the midst of changes that require Latter-day Saint teenagers to take a greater role in missionary preparation, family history and temple work, and Sunday instruction, leaders say to the youth of the Church have been “called to action” and asked to “arise and shine forth” (D& C 115:5).

“The changes make one thing obvious: “The Lord has something He wants to do,” said Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy.”

Sarah Jane Weaver, “Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 74. 

Peace Through the Atonement

 “No matter how daunting the challenges in our lives or in the world around us, we know we can have peace through the power of the infinite Atonement because Christ overcame the world. Faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement engenders the hope of deliverance and the promise of a better world to come.”

Elder Paul V. Johnson, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 59.

Peace for the Restless Soul

 “Indifference to the Savior or failure to keep the commandments of God brings about insecurity, inner turmoil, and contention. These are the opposite of peace. Peace can come to an individual only by an unconditional surrender—surrender to him who is the Prince of Peace, who has power to confer peace. One may live in beautiful and peaceful surroundings but, because of inner dissension and discord, be in a state of constant turmoil. On the other hand, one may be in the midst of utter destruction and the bloodshed of war and yet have the serenity of unspeakable peace. If we look to man and the ways of the world, we will find turmoil and confusion. If we will but turn to God, we will find peace for the restless soul.”

The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. Clyde J. Williams (1997), 172. 

Peace is a Gift

 “Peace is a gift. We don’t determine the conditions upon which this gift is given. Our Father in Heaven sets the terms. Sometimes we become so focused on our quest for peace that we forget it is one of the fruits of a righteous life. Out best course for finding peace is to leave righteously—to keep our covenants. This is the only course that leads to that inner peace we all desire. The adversary would tempt us to put all our efforts into directions other than a righteous life in our search for peace, but if we do this we will be disappointed in the end. True peace comes only from the Lord as a result of our righteous lives.”

Elder Paul V. Johnson, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 56. 

Full Blessings of the Atonement

“We cannot access the full blessings of the Atonement of the Lamb of God without making sacrifices of our own. In fact, in the Lectures on Faith we are taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. . . . It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.”

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 49.

Lectures on Faith (1985), 69.

No More Blood Sacrifices

“After the Savior completed His Atoning sacrifice, blood sacrifices were no longer a gospel ordinance. We are now required to offer the Lord “a broken heart and a contrite spirit (3 Nephi 9:20). We are also asked to comply with the principles of sacrifice by obeying the commandments, offering precious gifts of love, time, and service of our Savior. Our sacrifices deepen our worship, acknowledge our debt to God, and express gratitude for our blessings (see Bible Dictionary, “Sacrifices”).”

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 48-49.

Passover and Christ's Crucifixion

 “John also records that the Last Supper occurred the day before Passover; thus the Savior was likely bound and crucified at the same time the Passover lambs were being sacrificed at the temple (see John 13:1). John also recounts that when Pilate ordered the soldiers to break the legs of those being crucified to hasten their deaths, the soldiers instead pierced Jesus’s side to make sure He was dead. Just as the lambs of Israel were sacrificed without breaking any bones, so the Son of God was sacrificed and the scriptures fulfilled: “A bone of him shall not be broken” (John 19:36; see also Psalm 43:20).”

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 48.

Endure to the End

“A commitment to endure to the end means that we will not ask for a release from a call to serve. It means that we will persevere in pursuit of a worthy goal. It means that we will never give up on a loved one who has strayed. And it means that we will always cherish our eternal family relationships, even though difficult days of disease, disability, or death.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “The Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 39. 

Integrity Toward Faith

"The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lord, I Believe," April 2013 General Conference

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/05/lord-i-believe?lang=eng

Wearing the Mantle Of Charity

“All of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing [his or] her best to deal with the challenges which come [his or] her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Charity Never Falleth,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 125. 

Help One Another As Equal Partners

 “A marriage of equal partners is also one in which the partners help one another in their stewardships, indeed, are “obligated to help one another as equal partners.” This partnership extends to housework and childcare. President Packer has said, “There is no task, however menial, connected with the care of babies, the nurturing of children, or with the maintenance of the home that is not [the husband’s] equal obligation.”

Valerie M. Hudson and Richard B. Miller, “Equal Partnership in Marriage,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 22.

Boyd K. Packer, “A Tribute to Women,” Ensign, July 1989, 75. 

"Rule Over"

 “Genesis 3:16 states that Adam is to ‘rule over’ Eve, but this doesn’t make Adam a dictator. . . . Over in ‘rule over’ uses the Hebrew bet, which means ruling ‘with,’ not ruling ‘over.’. . . The concept of interdependent, equal partners is well-grounded in the doctrine of the restored gospel. Eve was Adam’s ‘help meet’ (Genesis 2:18). The original Hebrew for meet means that Eve was adequate for, or equal to, Adam. She wasn’t his servant or his subordinate.”

Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen, “Crossing Thresholds and Becoming Equal Partners,” Ensign, Aug. 2007, 27. 

Man is Not Superior to Woman

 “In some culture, tradition places a man in a role to dominate, control, and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject. It is founded on the false premise that a man is somehow superior to a woman. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 46. 

We Must Not Take This Gift For Granted

“As with all gifts, this gift must be received and accepted to be enjoyed. When priesthood hands were laid upon your head to confirm you a member of the Church, you heard the words, ‘Receive the Holy Ghost.’ This did not mean that the Holy Ghost unconditionally became your constant companion. Scriptures warn us that the Spirit of the Lord will ‘not always strive with man’ (Genesis 6:3). When we are confirmed, we are given the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is a right that we must continue to earn through obedience and worthiness.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Unspeakable Gift,” Ensign, May 2003, 28. 

Saving Ordinances

 “The saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World,” Ensign, May 2011, 92. 

Personal Interview

 “In the sacramental prayers, God promises to send the Holy Ghost to be with us. I have found in that moment that God can give me what feels like a personal interview. He brings to me attention what I have done that pleases Him, my need for repentance and forgiveness, and the names and faces of people He would have me serve for Him.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “He Is Risen,” Ensign, Apr 2013, 4-5.

Sacrament

 “The Lord offers us a guide in this quest for eternal life in the sacramental prayers that help me and can help you. We are invited to renew our baptismal covenants in every sacrament meeting.

“We promise to always remember the Savior.  The emblems of His sacrifice help us appreciate the magnitude of the price He paid to break the bands of death, to offer us mercy, and to provide forgiveness of all our sins if we choose to repent.

“We promise to keep His commandments. Reading the scriptures and the words of the living prophets and listening to inspired speakers in our sacrament meetings remind us of our covenants to do so. The Holy Ghost brings to our minds and hearts the commandments we most need to keep that day.”

President Henry B. Eyring, “He Is Risen,” Ensign, Apr 2013, 4.

Consistent Study of the Scriptures

“I believe that few other activities will bring us greater spiritual benefit than the daily, consistent study of the scriptures.”

Elder Michael John U. Teh of the Seventy, “The Power of the Word of God,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 52. 

Rediscovering the Scriptures

“I am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again.”

President Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 62.

Strength Beyond Our Own

“Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have the power and the desire to help us overcome our feelings of grief, despair, inadequacy, discouragement, pain, and temptation. They constantly offer us comfort, peace, hope, love, and strength. They can heal our feelings of fear, distrust, anger, self-doubt, sorrow, discouragement, and inadequacy. They can be the best resource we have to help us get through difficult days and trying times. If we but come unto Christ, He will lead us to the Father and a fullness of joy in Their presence.”

Carolyn J. Rasmus, “The Enabling Power of the Atonement,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 21. 

Access the Power of the Atonement

“When we feel troubled, unsure, afraid, or discouraged, doing the following can help us access the power of grace and the Atonement:

·         Believe in the Father and in the Son and all They have promised to do for us.

·         Obey God’s commandments and partake of the sacrament regularly to build spiritual strength.

·         Pray, fast, study the scriptures, and worship in the temple to feel God’s love and know of His promises.

Carolyn J. Rasmus, “The Enabling Power of the Atonement,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 21. 

Feel Confident In God's Hands

On the eve of Jesus Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, He issued this benediction to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Of this invitation, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “[This] may be one of the Savior’s commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to his invitation could be any ore grievous to the Lord’s merciful heart.” Elder Holland added, “I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the living heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands.”

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Come unto Me,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 19. 

The Atonement Strengthens Us

“The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.”

Elder David A. Bednar, “The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, Apr. 2012, 42-43. 

Lessons of Resilience From Childhood

When I was a child, many adults in my life—parents, neighbors, teachers, and Church leaders—taught me and my brother and sisters the following lessons. These five principles may be helpful for your children:

1.       Paying the price for privileges.

I knew that freedom to play with my friends in the coming days depended on whether or not I came home on time.

2.       The law of the harvest.

If I wanted money, I had to deliver the newspapers for my route and collect the money each month.

3.       Personal accountability and responsibility.

I had to complete my own homework, science fair projects, and merit badges.

4.       The law of restitution.

I could make up for misbehavior by apologizing and repairing the wrong. My parents sometimes suggested that I complete extra chores, such as pulling weeds.

5.       Learning from mistakes.

If I made my bed poorly, did not wash the dishes properly, or did not pull weeds properly, I had to redo these tasks correctly.

-Lyle K. Burrup

Recommendations for Resilience

 “Here are some recommendations for how we might apply [helping children develop resilience] in our homes:

·         Pray to understand your children’s strengths and how to help them with their weaknesses.

·         Be patient and realize that children need time to develop resilience.

·         Strive to understand that mistakes and failures are opportunities to learn.

·         Allow natural, logical consequences to serve as the disciplinarian.

·         Respect children’s decisions, even if their poor choices lead to lost privileges.

·         Refrain from berating children for breaking the rules.

·         Do not discourage effort by criticizing harshly.

·         Rather than praising accomplishment, encourage and praise effort.

·         “Praise your children more than correct them. Praise them for even their smallest achievement.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Honored Place of Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1981, 107).

Lyle J. Burrup, “Raising Resilient Children,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 15. 

Adversity and Resilience

 “We know two things about adversity and resilience: First, there is “an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). Second, obtaining anything of great worth often requires great sacrifice.

“As children become resilient, they understand and accept these two facts. They see life as challenging and ever changing, but they believe they can cope with those challenges and changes. They view mistakes and weaknesses as opportunities to learn, and they accept that losing may precede winning.

“As children develop resilience, they believe they can influence and even control outcomes in their lives through effort, imagination, knowledge, and skill. With this attitude, they focus on what they can do rather than on what is outside their control.

“Another mark of resilience is to see great purpose and meaning in life and people. A sense of purpose will help our children avoid giving up, in spite of setbacks and pressure to do so.”

Lyle J. Burrup, “Raising Resilient Children,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 13. 

Problems with Missionaries

“When an intelligent, talented missionary with no history of emotional problems struggled, priesthood leaders and others often wondered why. In many cases, the missionary just hadn’t learned how to deal with challenges well. Parents can help their children avoid such problems by teaching principles that foster greater resilience.”

Lyle J. Burrup, “Raising Resilient Children,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 13. 

Prophetic Promise

“The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and remove the burden of our sins. His atonement allows us to leave the past behind and move forward with clean hands, a pure heart, and a determination to do better and especially to become better.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 24.

Find Joy in the Journey

 “Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey. I don’t go cycling with my wife because I’m excited about finishing. I go because the experience of being with her is sweet and enjoyable.

“Doesn’t it seem foolish to spoil sweet and joyful experiences because we are constantly anticipating the moment when they will end?

“Do we listen to beautiful music waiting for the final note to fade before we allow ourselves to truly enjoy it? No. We listen and connect to the variations or melody, rhythm, and harmony throughout the composition.

“Do we say our prayers with only the “amen” or the end in mind? Of course not. We pray to be close to our Heavenly Father, to receive His Spirit and feel His love.

“We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. “This is the day which the Lord hath made. . . ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it.” [Psalm 118:24.]

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 23-24. 

Relief Society Saves Souls

Eliza R. Snow, second Relief Society general president, gratefully acknowledged the efforts of sisters in Ogden, Utah, USA, to strengthen one another. “I am well aware that a great deal is donated [in terms of service] that never reaches the [record] books,” she said.  But recognizing that a heavenly record is kept of the sisters’ work as they reach out to those whose hearts have grown cold, she said: “President Joseph Smith said this society was organized to save souls. . . . Another book is kept of your faith, your kindness, your good works, and words. . . . Nothing is lost.”

Ensign, Mar 2013, 7. 

Obedience

 “We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see.”

President Boyd K. Packer, “Agency and Control,” Ensign, May 1983, 66. 

Enabling Power Of the Atonement

 “I suspect that many Church members are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming and cleansing power of the Atonement than they are with the strengthening and enabling power. It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us—that is fundamental and foundational to the doctrine of Christ. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us—not only to direct us but also to empower us.”

Elder David A. Bednar, “The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, Apr. 2012, 42. From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on October 23, 2001. 

Change Human Nature

“The purpose of the gospel is . . . so make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”

See Franklin D. Richards, in Conference Report, Oct. 1965, 136-37; see also David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1954, 26. 

In the Strength of the Lord

“With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to his gospel, a step at a time improving as we go, pleading for strength, improving our attributes and our ambitions, we will find ourselves successfully in the fold of the Good Shepherd. That will require discipline and training and exertion and strength. But as the Apostle Paul said, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Philippians 4:13).”

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-95), “Developing Spirituality,” Ensign, May 1979, 26.

Where Can I Find Hope?

“Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. . . . My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. . . . Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. . . . It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come. . . . Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”

Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 36, 38. 

The Surest and Sweetest Remedy

“I wish to speak particularly to you who feel your lives are broken, seemingly beyond repair.

“To all such I offer the surest and sweetest remedy that I know. It is found in the clarion call the Savior of the world Himself gave . . . :

“ ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ [Matthew 11:28.]”

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Broken Things to Mend," April 2006 Conference.