The Lord's Way

“There is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment. . . . We must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Ensign, May 2012, 76-77. 

Neglecting Scripture Study

 “I believe that neglecting to study the scriptures on a regular basis is a form of hardening our hearts. I fear that if we persist in that course, we will be given a lesser portion of the word and eventually know nothing of God’s mysteries. Drinking daily from the scriptures, on the other hand, will help us build spiritual strength and knowledge, unmask the deceptions of the devil, and discover the snares he has laid to catch us.

“Ask yourselves the following questions, I invite you to allow the Holy Ghost to speak to your mind and heart:

·         Do I take time to study the scriptures every day?

·         If not, what excuse do I have for not doing so?

·         Will my excuse be acceptable to the Lord?

“ I challenge you to commit to reading the scriptures daily. Do not go to bed tonight until you have read. As you read, there will come to you a greater desire to do the will of the Lord and to make changes in your life.”

Elder Michael John U. Teh, “The Power of the Word of God,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 53. 

Christ Changes Human Nature

 “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “Born of God,” Ensign, Oct. 1985, 6. 

Traditions

 “The Lord has not been so explicit in providing us religious customs along the order of feasts and festivals to remind us of the blessings we receive from Him today. However, the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive.”

“Family Traditions,” Ensign, May 1990, 20. 

How Can We Support Others as They Begin to Age?

“A segment of our society desperately yearning for an expression of true love is found among those growing older, and particularly when they suffer from pangs of loneliness. . . . [Elder Richard L. Evans said of the aging:] ‘What they need in the loneliness of their older years is, in part at least, what we needed in the uncertain years of our youth: a sense of belonging, an assurance of being wanted, and the kindly ministrations of loving hearts and hands; not merely dutiful formality, not merely a room in a building, but room in someone’s heart and life. . . .  We cannot bring them back the morning hours of youth. But we can help them live in the warm glow of a sunset made more beautiful by our thoughtfulness, but our provision, and by our active and unfeigned love.’”

Thomas S. Monson, “Gifts,” Ensign, May 1993, 61, 62.

Family History and Youth

 “Family history work, Elder Packer added, will change how the youth make decisions and how they feel about challenges. He said they might think, “If Grandpa did this, I can do it too.”

“He said that a temple president reported that when youth stand proxy in baptism for any name they come out smiling, but “when they do it for an ancestor they have tears in their eyes. They feel something deeper; they feel something more.”

“Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 75.

Prepared Youth

Elder Zwick said the Lord’s words are clear: “I will hasten my work in its time” (D&C 88:73). “The Lord Himself is taking charge here,” he added. “I don’t think there has ever been a generation of youth that has been prepared for the curriculum like [the youth] are today. I don’t think there has ever been a group of youth that has done as many baptisms or more ordinances for the dead . . . [or] that has been as close to temple work and all of the facets of that as this group. And certainly all of that . . . prepares them for missionary service and builds a sure foundation for additional responsibilities in the years following their missions.”

“Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 74.