Remission of Sins

“In order to receive a remission of sins, it is necessary to take each step as taught in the doctrine of Christ. Receiving the ordinance of baptism, therefore, requires that we first develop faith in the Savior and repent of our sins. Then we enter into the required baptismal covenant to keep the commandments and qualify for the promised blessing of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. Likewise, to renew the blessing of the constant companionship of the Spirit promised in the sacrament prayers, we continue the ongoing process of developing and exercising faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, and partaking of the sacrament with a determination to keep the commandments.”

Elder Wilford W. Anderson, “Receiving and Retaining a Mighty Change,” Ensign, April 2012, 36-37. 

Might Change of Heart

“A mighty change of heart is not something we experience only once. Rather, it is a process we repeat over and over throughout our mortal lives, and thus our light grows “brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D& C 50:24). We repeat the steps as taught in the doctrine of Christ by exercising our faith unto repentance. When we participate in the renewing ordinance of the sacrament, the power and influence of the Holy Ghost are renewed in our lives. Through the power of the Spirit, we are once again spiritually reborn and become the sons and daughters of Christ (see Mosiah 5:7). That is what is meant by our taking upon us the name of Christ (see Mosiah 5:8), which we must be willing to do each time we partake of the sacrament.”

Elder Wilford W. Anderson, “Receiving and Retaining a Mighty Change,” Ensign, April 2012, 36.

Yield Our Hearts to Christ

 “When we yield our hearts to Christ—by conforming to the principles and ordinances of His gospel—He changes us. He also heals us and sanctifies us (see Helaman 3:35). As a result, “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). This is they might change of heart experienced by the people of King Benjamin (see Mosiah 5:2) and by Alma the Younger (see Ama 5:12-14). This is the rebirth of which the Savior spole to the Pharisee Nicodemus (see John 3:1-5). It occurs when we apply the doctrine of Christ. We are reborn into the family of Christ and thereby become His sons and His daughters (see Mosiah 5:7). This rebirth is the essence of His gospel, for it prepares us to return to the presence of the Father.”

Elder Wilford W. Anderson, “Receiving and Retaining a Mighty Change,” Ensign, April 2012, 36.

Purify Our Desires

“Alma taught that God grants unto men according to their desires, whether they be good or evil (see Alma 29:4). Our hope, then, is not just to refrain from sinning but also to turn to the Lord, who has the power to grant a remission of our sins, to purify our desires, and to change our very natures (see Mosiah 5:2).”

Elder Wilford W. Anderson, “Receiving and Retaining a Mighty Change,” Ensign, April 2012, 35. 

Essentials for Effective Councils

“In his book, Counseling with Our Councils, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gives the following three suggestions:

“First, focus on fundamentals.” Follow the guidelines in Handbook 2: Administering the Church, chapter 4, which can be found online in the Serving in the Church section of LDS.org.

“Second, focus on people, not programs.” Pursue “the integration of new members, activation of the less active, concerns of the youth, the economic plight of individual members, and the needs of single mothers and widows.”

“Third, councils are for counsel and the exchange of ideas, not just reports and lectures. Establish a climate conducive to openness, where every opinion is valuable.” Individuals have different viewpoints and backgrounds, so each can add a helpful perspective to understanding members’ needs.

See Elder M. Russell Ballard, Counseling with Our Councils, 106, 109, 112. 

Ward Council

“The ward council meeting is one of the most important meetings in the Church because priesthood quorum and auxiliary leaders can discuss and plan with the bishopric. . . . Of all the councils and committees in the Church, I believe the ward council can have the greatest impact in helping our Father’s children.”

M. Russell Ballard, Counseling with Our Councils: Learning to Minister Together in the Church and in the Family, 102. 

Spirit of Inspiration

 “We are entirely dependent upon the spirit of inspiration, and if there ever was a time, since Adam occupied the Garden of Eden, when the Spirit of God was more needed than at the present time, I am not aware of it. The signs of the times, and the rapid approach of scenes that will try the hearts of the Latter-day Saints, and their integrity, demand that we now seek earnestly the Spirit of God, and Divine assistance, for it will certainly be needed in the scenes now rapidly approaching. We know that we have needed it in the past. We can easily see that if we had not been in the possession of the Spirit of God to direct us through many of the scenes through which we have passed, we should not have been in the enjoyment of our present prospects of exultation and glory, and our circumstances would have been much less favorable. And if we have needed the Holy Spirit in the past, we may truly understand that it will be needed in the future.”

“Teachings of Lorenzo Snow,” pg 77-78.