Gratitude Brings the Warmth of Summer

Gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Grateful in Any Circumstances, Ensign, May 2014, 75.

Make the Effort

Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. 

Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundant Life, Ensign, Jan 2012, 5.

Complaining and whining

"Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly.
... No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Tongue of Angels," Ensign, May 2007, 18.

Compensatory Blessings

Find the compensatory blessings in your life when, in the wisdom of the Lord, He deprives you of something you very much want. . . .
You will discover compensatory blessings when you willingly accept the will of the Lord and exercise faith in Him.

Richard G. Scott, "Finding Joy in Life," Ensign, May 1996, 25 

Savor Every Moment

Life ought to be enjoyed at every stage of experience and should not be hurried to fit an unnatural schedule which you have predetermined but which may not be the Lord’s plan for you at all.
Don’t wait to live. ... 
we of all people ought to savor every moment.

Jeffrey R. And Patricia T. Holland, "Some Things We Learned - Together," 3.

The Spirit of Elijah

The spirit of Elijah is “a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family.”⁵ This distinctive influence of the Holy Ghost bears powerful witness of the Father’s plan of happiness and draws people to search out and cherish their ancestors and family members—both past and present. The spirit of Elijah affects people both inside and outside of the Church and causes hearts to turn to the fathers.

David A. Bednar, "Missionary, Family History, and Temple Work," Ensign, Oct 2014, 34.

Gospel To-Do List

Simply performing and dutifully checking off all of the things on our lengthy gospel “to do” list does not necessarily enable us to receive His image in our countenance or bring about the mighty change of heart (see Alma 5:14).

David A. Bednar, "Missionary, Family History, and Temple Work," Ensign, Oct 2014, 33.

Heart = Inner Feelings

The word heart is used over 1,000 times in the standard works and symbolizes the inner feelings of an individual. Thus, our hearts—the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes—define who we are and determine what we will become.

David A. Bednar, "Missionary, Family History, and Temple Work," Ensign, Oct 2014, 31.

When Prayers Seem to Go Unanswered

It is so hard when sincere prayer about something you desire very much is not answered the way you want. It is difficult to understand why your exercise of deep and sincere faith from an obedient life does not grant the desired result. The Savior taught, “Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you.” ⁴ At times it is difficult to recognize what is best or expedientfor you over time. Your life will be easier when you accept that what God does in your life is for youreternal good.

Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, 9.

Help Each Day

Jesus teaches us, His disciples, that we should look to God each day for the bread - the help and sustenance - we require in that particular day.

D. Todd Christofferon, "Recognizing God's Hand in our Daily Blessings," Ensign, Jan. 2012, 17.

How Can I maintain a Spirit of Gratitude, even in Times of Trial?

We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. . . . How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It doesmean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.

This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Grateful in Any Circumstances," Ensign, May 2014, 75, 76.

Clumsy Prayers

Don't worry about your clumsily expressed feelings. Just talk to your Father. He hears every prayer and answers it in His way.

Richard G. Scott, "Agency and Answers: Recognizing Revelation," Ensign, June 2014, 49.

Hastening the Work

We as spirit children of our Heavenly Father were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.

Thomas S. Monson, "Hastening the Work," Ensign, June 2014, 4.

Temples are the Reason

The temple is the reason for everything we do in the Church. ³The temple was the reason our pioneer ancestors left their established homes and came west. It was the reason they suffered privation and even death. Temple covenants were the reason that, although babies were buried along the way, those pioneers could sing:

Come, come, ye Saints,

No toil nor labor fear;

But with joy wend your way. ⁴

Some lost everything but came into the valley with everything, really—temple ordinances, sacred covenants, and the promise of eternal life together as families.

Elaine S. Dalton, Oct 2008

Mirror of Eternity

Young women, look into the mirror of eternity. Remember who you are! See yourself as our Heavenly Father sees you. You are elect. You are of noble birth. Don’t compromise your divine inheritance. You were born to be a queen. Live so you are worthy to enter the temple and there receive “all that [the] Father hath.” ¹⁸Develop deep beauty. There is no more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous.

Elaine S. Dalton

He Knows You

 I want you to be proud you are a woman. I want you to feel the reality of what that means, to know who you truly are. You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. ¹That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your soul and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him. 

Jeffrey R. Holland

Young Woman Performing Miracles

Yes, give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity.

Ezra Taft Bens

Decide to Take a Step

"[Family history] does not require a large block of time. Just a little time on a consistent basis will yield the joy of the work. Make the decision to take the step."

Elder Allan F. Packer, "The Book," Ensign, Nov. 2014, 101.