Relying on His Strength

Relying on His Strength

“The Lord often places His servants in situations with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In this manner He pushes us to humble ourselves and to rely solely on His strength. He makes us instruments of His miracles and the manifestations of His power and compassion. That is perhaps … the reason why so many members receive callings and responsibilities that often appear to them to be beyond their strength and abilities.”

Bishop Gérald Caussé, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, “For When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong” (Brigham Young University Devotional, Dec. 3, 2013), 5, speeches.byu.edu

There is safety in the handbooks

Safety in Handbooks

“Whether you’ve been a lifelong member of the Church or are a relatively new member, consult the handbook when you are uncertain about a policy or procedure. You may think you know how to handle the situation when, in fact, you may be on the wrong track. There is safety in the handbooks.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Opening Remarks,” 2010 Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting.

living the covenants of the sealing ordinance

While serving recently as president of the St. George Utah Temple, I was about to seal a young couple. As I invited them to the altar and the groom took his bride by the hand, I realized that they were about to place upon that altar of sacrifice their own broken hearts and contrite spirits—a selfless offering of themselves to each other and to God in emulation of Christ’s sacrifice for them. And for what purpose? So that through a lifetime of sacrificing for each other—that is, trying to live as He did—they might become ever more as He is.

By living that way every day, they would each come closer to God, which would also bring them closer to each other. Thus, living the covenants of the sealing ordinance would sanctify not only their marriage but also their hearts and their very lives.

• SEPTEMBER 2015
• THE TEMPLE AND THE NATURAL ORDER OF MARRIAGE

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The Temple and the Natural Order of Marriage

By Elder Bruce C. Hafen

Served as a member of the Seventy from 1996 to 2010

the animal in us

 “Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed!”

Neal A. Maxwell, “Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness,” Ensign, May 1995, 68; emphasis added.

Learning to Teach Children

• JULY 2016
• “BEHOLD YOUR LITTLE ONES”: LEARNING TO TEACH CHILDREN

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TEACHING IN THE SAVIOR’S WAY

“Behold Your Little Ones”: Learning to Teach Children

1. Children are believing. 

2. Children can recognize the influence of the Spirit.

3. Children understand ideas literally.

4. Children are eager to learn. 

5. Children are eager to share and help.

6. Children are loving and want to be loved.

7. Children follow your example. 

8. Little children tend to have short attention spans. 

Lesson Resources

Need a story, visual aid, or video to enrich a Primary or family home evening lesson but don’t know how to find it? Visit lessonhelps.lds.org! You’ll find helpful material organized by Primary lesson, gospel topic, and category. Each week you’ll also find a new teaching tip.

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The Heavens Are Opened Exhibit

From watching a movie depicting the First Vision on a 220-degree circular screen to seeing the string that kept the original manuscript of the translated Book of Mormon tied together, we can be transported back in time again and again as we walk through the new exhibit in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City (an online and mobile experience is also available at history.lds.org/section/museum).

By Alan D. Johnson Director, Church History Museum
The Heavens Are Opened The New Church History Museum Exhibit Visiting this remarkable, highly interactive permanent exhibit makes Church history come alive, July 2016 Ensign

Fasting: Cherish Your Sacred Privilege

Fasting: Cherish Your Sacred Privilege

“I bear witness of the miracles, both spiritual and temporal, that come to those who live the law of the fast. I bear witness of the miracles that have come to me. Truly, as Isaiah recorded, I have cried out in the fast more than once, and truly God has responded, ‘Here I am’ (Isaiah 58:9). Cherish that sacred privilege at least monthly, and be as generous as circumstances permit in your fast offering and other humanitarian, educational, and missionary contributions. I promise that God will be generous to you, and those who find relief at your hand will call your name blessed forever.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Are We Not All Beggars?” Ensign, Nov. 2014, 42.

Liberal in Our Contributions

 “I am a firm believer that you cannot give to the Church and to the building up of the kingdom of God and be any poorer financially. … A person could not give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return. That’s been my experience. If the members of the Church would double their fast-offering contributions, the spirituality in the Church would double. We need to keep that in mind and be liberal in our contributions.”

Marion G. Romney, Welfare Agricultural Meeting, Apr. 3, 1971, 1.

Nothing we have is our own

Nothing we have is our own—it is all God’s. As such, there should be no feeling of pride or ownership for the things He blesses us with....

We first meet the needs and appropriate wants of our families and then consecrate the rest to bless God’s other children....

Many couples set the goal to own their own home. It is appropriate to borrow for a modest home, but be cautious. A mortgage will likely be your largest financial obligation and will impact your budget and finances until the day it is paid off. Shorter-term mortgages (say, 15 or 20 years as opposed to 30 years) require much less debt to be paid over time.

• JULY 2016
• AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE ON PERSONAL AND FAMILY FINANCE

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An Eternal Perspective on Personal and Family Finance

By Bryan Sudweeks, PhD, Chartered Financial Analyst, and E. Jeffrey Hill, PhD, Brigham Young University

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Failure in the Home

“No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay (2003), 154.

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling

‘[Growing] up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood. … Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get.’ She then adds: ‘Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.’”

Neil L. Andersen, “Children,” 28.

True to Their Faith

True to Their Faith

(click to view larger)

Photo illustration by Donna Kay Billmire

President Monson tells a story about one pioneer family and then quotes President George Albert Smith: “Will you live true to the faith of your ancestors? … Strive to be worthy of all the sacrifices [they] have made for you.” Whether you have a pioneer ancestry or are a first-generation member of the Church, do you look to examples of faith for guidance and strength? Here’s a good way you can get started:

1. Make a list of people you admire. They can be members of your own family (past or present), friends, Church leaders, or people in the scriptures.

2. Write down the qualities they have that you like. Is your mom really patient? Maybe your friend is kind to others. Perhaps you love Captain Moroni’s courage.

3. Pick one quality from your list and ask yourself, “How can I gain this quality? What do I need to do to develop this in my life?”

4. Write down your plans for developing this quality and put it somewhere you’ll see it often, to remind you of your goal. Pray for Heavenly Father’s help and check your progress regularly. Once you feel you have sufficiently developed this quality, you can pick a new quality to work on.

Remember that as we develop great qualities in ourselves, we not only honor the faith of our ancestors and the sacrifices they made, but we can also be an influence for good to those around us.