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.