"Israel, Israel,
God is calling--calling us to live the gospel of Jesus Christ personally in
small ways as well as large, and then to reach out to those who may not look or
dress or behave quite like we do, and then (where you can) go beyond that to
serve in the widest community you can address."
"Because He came
to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like
Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the
year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and
love, more respect and concern for others."
"It is our sacred
joy and privilege to serve the Lord and our fellowmen, to commit the best that
is within us to the noble cause of lifting others and building the kingdom of
God."
"To Christians
who have returned to their old, less faithful ways, consider the faithful
example of Peter. Do not delay. Come hear and recognize the Master’s voice
calling. Then straightway return to Him and receive His abundant blessings once
again."
"The Lord is in
all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His
help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers,
we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us."
"The Lord is in
all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His
help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers,
we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us."
"Conversion is an
enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony.
It is the result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance,
obedience, and diligence. Any honest seeker of truth can become converted by experiencing
the mighty change of heart and being spiritually born of God."
"Discipleship is
the pursuit of holiness and happiness. It is the path to our best and happiest
self."
"The call is to
come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand."
"We want to see
Jesus Christ now, but our certain reunion with Him at the judgment bar will be
more pleasing if we first do the things that make Him as familiar to us as we
are to Him. As we serve Him, we become like Him, and we feel closer to Him as
we approach that day when nothing will hide our view."
"A testimony is
spiritual knowledge of truth obtained by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Continuing conversion is constant devotion to the revealed truth we have
received—with a heart that is willing and for righteous reasons."
"As Christians
today, we have the opportunity to act straightway, immediately, and decisively,
just as Peter and Andrew did: 'they forsook their nets, and followed
him.'"
"We can’t direct
the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and
contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."
"Angels rejoice
as priesthood leaders across the world build Zion in their wards, stakes, and
missions. And they will rejoice over the young men and women you help to build
Zion wherever they are and in whatever circumstances they may be. Zion is the
result of people bound by covenant and love."
"Like the intense
fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial
of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened."
"Parents must
have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony. Your
children need to know that you have faith in the Savior, love your Heavenly
Father, and sustain the leaders of the Church. Spiritual maturity must flourish
in our homes."
"Declaring our
testimony of the gospel is good, but being a living example of the restored
gospel is better. Wishing to be more faithful to our covenants is good;
actually being faithful to sacred covenants—including living a virtuous life,
paying our tithes and offerings, keeping the Word of Wisdom, and serving those
in need—is much better. Announcing that we will dedicate more time for family
prayer, scripture study, and wholesome family activities is good; but actually
doing all these things steadily will bring heavenly blessings to our
lives."
"There is power
in our love for God and for His children, and when that love is tangibly
manifest in millions of acts of Christian kindness, it will sweeten and nourish
the world with the life-sustaining nectar of faith, hope, and charity."
"We are commanded
'to give thanks in all things.' So isn’t it better to see with our eyes and
hearts even the small things we can be thankful for, rather than magnifying the
negative in our current condition?"
"Courage is
required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater
courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to
achieve."
"No matter our
circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each
day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring
gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."
"Don’t limit
yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can
do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities."
"If we do not
have a deep foundation of faith and a solid testimony of truth, we may have
difficulty withstanding the harsh storms and icy winds of adversity which
inevitably come to each of us."
"The person who
is working on his or her family history fits the description of one who is
fulfilling his or her duty. I know the effort, I know the expense. I know the
difficulties through which one may go to uncover one name. I know our Heavenly
Father is aware of these efforts. And those for whom we perform sacred
ordinances are aware of our efforts. Oftentimes, in a miraculous way, there
shall appear before us a clear pathway through a field of turbulence."
"The onslaught of
wickedness against our children is more subtle and brazen than it has ever
been. Building a strong family culture adds another layer of protection for our
children, insulating them from worldly influences."
"So much in life
depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others
makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy
about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and
contentment."
"As we follow
[the Savior], He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His
will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never
before thought possible."
"In your morning
prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an
opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day
with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help."
"The more we
devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we
will be on a path to regrets. The more we rely on the Savior’s grace, the more
we will feel that we are on the track our Father in Heaven has intended for
us."
"Often when we
pray for help with a significant matter, Heavenly Father will give us gentle
promptings that require us to think, exercise faith, work, at times struggle,
then act. It is a step-by-step process that enables us to discern inspired
answers."
"God knows our
gifts. My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been
given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve
others that God provides us. But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired
to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve."
"Christ is the
source of all true priesthood authority and power on earth. It is His work, in
which we are privileged to assist."
"The purpose of
mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often
during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons
may be."
"The keys Elijah
restored to Joseph Smith permit our hearts to be bound and each of us linked to
those of our ancestors who are waiting for our help. Through our efforts in
holy temples here on earth using the authority delegated by the Savior, our progenitors
receive the saving ordinances that allow them to enjoy eternal happiness."
"God will put
prepared people in the way of His prepared servants who want to share the
gospel. You have had that happen in your own life. How often it happens depends
on the preparation of your mind and your heart."
"Yes, this life
is passing swiftly; our days seem to fade quickly; and death appears
frightening at times. Nevertheless, our spirit will continue to live and will
one day be united with our resurrected body to receive immortal glory. I bear
solemn witness that because of the merciful Christ, we will all live again and
forever."
"Line upon line
and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our
thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God.
Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience."
"There is no fog
so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the
lighthouse of the Lord can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It
calls, 'This way to safety. This way to home.' It sends forth signals of light
easily seen and never failing. If followed, those signals will guide you back
to your heavenly home."
"The Lord loves
us and is mindful of us. He is always on our side as we do what is right. He
will help us in time of need."
"Courage is the
word we need to hear and hold near our hearts—courage to turn our backs on
temptation, courage to lift up our voices in testimony to all whom we meet,
remembering that everyone must have an opportunity to hear the message."
"I wish also to
commend you, my brothers and sisters, wherever you are throughout the world,
for all that you do in your wards and branches, your stakes and districts. As
you willingly fulfill callings when you are asked, you are helping to build the
kingdom of God on earth."
"Our Heavenly
Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for
assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant.
The Lord is in the details of our lives."
"Christmas is
what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ
is at the center of our celebration. If we have not already done so, we can
establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will
help us capture and keep the spirit of Christmas."
"This joyful
season brings to all of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the
degree to which we have turned our minds, feelings, and actions to the Savior,
whose birth we celebrate."
"Christmas is the
spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see
joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is
discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. It is peace because
we have found peace in the Savior’s teachings. It is the time we realize most
deeply that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for
others."
"Do you young
people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your
life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for
the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the
temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the
gift of the Holy Ghost."
"For many, the
call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be
afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal
to His work."
"Let us resolve
to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were
designed to become. Let us listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy
Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew
about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our
unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."
"Anywhere you are
in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice,
you can make a powerful contribution. Begin now. I promise you that the Lord
will help you find a way. And it will make you feel wonderful."
"It is through
our Savior’s sacrifice that we can gain exaltation and eternal life. As we
accept His ways and overcome our pride by softening our hearts, we can bring
reconciliation and forgiveness into our families and our personal lives. God
will help us to be more forgiving, to be more willing to walk the second mile,
to be first to apologize even if something wasn’t our fault, to lay aside old
grudges and nurture them no more."
"At this joyous
season, may personal discords be forgotten and animosities healed. May
enjoyment of the season include remembrance of the needy and afflicted. May our
forgiveness reach out to those who have wronged us, even as we hope to be
forgiven. May goodness abound in our hearts and love prevail in our
homes."
"Any work you do
in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one
of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even
greater blessings will be received."
"Line upon line
and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts,
our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto
the Lord requires both persistence and patience."
"Your habits of
family prayer and scripture reading will create more lasting memories and
greater changes of heart than you may realize now. Even apparently temporal
activities, such as attending an athletic event or watching a movie, can shape
a child’s heart. What matters is not the activity but the feelings that come as
you do it."
"When you are
faced with a test of faith, stay within the safety and security of the
household of God. There is always a place for you here. No trial is so large we
can’t overcome it together."
"For any whose
lives are not in order, remember, it is never too late to make the Savior’s
Atonement the foundation of our faith and lives."
"Parents must
resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important
responsibility."
"Knowing that the
gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the
gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be
true to the gospel."
"Christmas and
some of the cherished traditions of the season remind us that we, like the Wise
Men of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of
gifts: a broken heart and a contrite spirit."
"What all of us
long for in our hearts, at Christmastime and always, is to feel bound together
in love with the sweet assurance that it can last forever. This is the promise
of eternal life, which God has called His greatest gift to His children (see
D&C 14:7)."
"Like the
shepherds of old, we need to say in our hearts, 'Let us see this thing which is
come to pass.' We need to desire it in our hearts. Let us see the Holy One of
Israel in the manger, in the temple, on the mount, and on the cross. Like the
shepherds, let us glorify and praise God for these tidings of great joy!"
"There was a song
in a film years ago with the line 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas.'
Well, you can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts
God has given you and, as best you can, offer them to others as He would. That
is the spirit of Christmas and of true happiness every day."
"The more
commercialized and busy the Christmas season becomes, the easier it is for the
sublime message of the Savior’s life to get lost along the way. If we notice
that planning for parties and scrambling for presents begin to detract from the
peaceable message of Jesus Christ and distance us from the gospel He preached,
let us take a step back, slow down a little, and reconsider what matters
most."
"While it’s true
that we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if
we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the
Son of God and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world."
"The celebration
of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember Him and His gifts to
us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him. He has
told us what we could give Him to bring Him joy. First, we can, out of faith in
Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We can repent and make sacred
covenants with Him. . . . Second, you can give Him the gift of doing for others
what He would do for them."
"Christmas is a
time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon
us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts,
feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a
time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ
and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of
renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His
commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with
lights, gifts, or parties."
"Some of you may
be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to
the call to serve. Remember that this is the Lord’s work, and when we are on
the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. The Lord will shape the
back to bear the burden placed upon it."
"Many of you will
in the Christmas season find ways to give food to people who are hungry. As you
do, you bring joy to the Lord. Yet He taught us that there is a way to give an
even more priceless and lasting gift. He said, 'I am the bread of life: he that
cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never
thirst' (John 6:35). With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we
can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of
eternal life."
"The Christmases
I remember best, the Christmases which touched my heart the most, are
Christmases filled with love and giving and the Spirit of the Savior. . . .
Bringing the Christmas spirit into our hearts and homes takes conscious effort
and planning but can surely be accomplished."
Source: lds.org
This site is highly recommended
Source: lds.org
This site is highly recommended
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment!