Less Wi-Fi, More Nephi

True Disciples of the Savior
BY ELDER TERENCE M. VINSON Of the Presidency of the Seventy

“What we need here is less Wi-Fi and more Nephi!”...

We can feel enduring joy when our Savior and His gospel become the framework around which we build our lives. However, it’s so easy for that framework to become, instead, the things of the world, where the gospel sits as an optional extra or as simply attending church for two hours on Sundays. ...

it’s not our successes but rather our sacrifice and efforts that matter to the Lord....

There is no treasure, nor any hobby, nor any status, nor any social media, nor any video games, nor any sport, nor any association with a celebrity, nor anything on earth that is more precious than eternal life. So the Lord’s counsel to every person is “consider your ways.”

Teach With Effectiveness

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) spoke of the importance of good teaching: “Eternal life will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven. They must be led, and that means teaching” (quoted in Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Teacher Come from God,” Ensign, May 1998, 26).

The Savior’s freely given atoning love helps us become more forgiving and less judgmental of others and of ourselves. This love heals our relationships and gives us opportunities to love, understand, and serve as our Savior would.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, “Becoming Perfect in Christ,” Ensign, Jul 2014, 14.

Purposeful Challenges

Purposeful Challenges

“I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, ‘Was that all that was required?’ … What will it matter, dear sisters, what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life?”

Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2015, 11.

Failing to Plan

"In failing to plan, we lose sight of our eternal destiny."

Elder L. Tom Perry, "The Great Plan of Our God," Ensign, Feb 2009, 62.

Staying On the Path

“Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny.

“I plead with you to make a determination right here, right now, not to deviate from the path which will lead to our goal: eternal life without Father in Heaven.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “The Three Rs of Choice,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 68.

Face the Future With Hope

 “We should all face the future with hope because we know that the forces of evil will be overcome. We should all maintain a positive outlook as we face challenges because today we have the scriptures, the teachings of living prophets, priesthood authority, temples, and the support of each other as members of the Church. We should all “come off conqueror” because of prayer (D&C 10:5). And most important, we should have hope in eternal life because of the Lord’s perfect atoning sacrifice (see Moroni 7:41).

“When our priorities are right, we will live a richer and more abundant life. Putting the Lord, His kingdom, and our families first will give us the hope we need to face present and future challenges.”

Elder Jose A. Teixeira, “Facing the Future With Hope,” Ensign, July 2012, 17. 

What the Lord Asks

Whatever the Lord asks is little in comparison with what He has given and in light of what we receive through our small sacrifices—even redemption, revelation, power, joy, peace, knowledge, confidence, faith, hope, charity, dominions, eternal life, and all the Father has.

Elder Laurence E. Corbridge, “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Sept 2011, 35-37

Preparing for Eternal Life

“What can we do to better prepare our children spiritually for their eternal roles? Perhaps the most inclusive answer is: Teach them how to live the principles of the gospel. We prepare each day, right now, for eternal life. If we are not preparing for eternal life, we are preparing for something else, perhaps something for less.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Spiritual Development,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, 65, 66.”