Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
"I bear you my humble testimony, as one of the humblest among you. I know there are powers that can draw close to one who fills his heart with...love...I came to a night, some years ago, when on my bed, I realized that before I could be worthy of the high place to which I had been called, I must love and forgive very sould that walked the earth, and in that time I came to know and I received a peace and a direction, and a comfort, and an inspiration that told me things to come and gave me impressions that I knew were from a divine source." Harold B. Lee Conference Report Oct. 1946. 1941 ordained an Apostle, 1972 11th President of the church.
The Repentant Son
"Every parent ought to read that story of a repentant son and a forgiving father again and again. It is large enough to encompass every household and enough larger than that to encompass all humanity, for are we not all prodigal sons and daughters who need to repent and partake of the forgiving mercy of the Almighty and then follow His counsel? Had we not all made mistakes? Have we all not lived beneath ourselves from time to time. And have we not all also been in a position to extend a hand of forgiveness and fellowship. Our redeemer reaches out to us in forgiveness and mercy, but in so doing He commands that we repent of our wrongdoings. A true and magnanimous spirit of forgiveness will become an expression of that required repentance."
Gordon B. Hinckley, "Standing for Something" p.73
Luke 15:11-32
11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Gordon B. Hinckley, "Standing for Something" p.73
Luke 15:11-32
11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
"You know that your children will read...Cultivate within them a taste for the best. While they are very young, read to them the great stories which have become immortal because of the virtues they teach. Expose them to good books. Let there be a corner somewhere in your house, be it ever so small, where they will see at least a few books of the kind upon which great minds have been nourished.
"Let there be good magazines about the house, those which are produced by the Church and by others, which will stimulate their thoughts to ennobling concepts. Let them read a good family newspaper that they may know what is going on in the world without being exposed to the debasing advertising and writing so widely found. Where there is a good movie in town, consider going to the theater as a family. Your very patronage will give encouragement to those who wish to produce this type of entertainment. And use that most remarkable of all tools of communication, television, to enrich their lives. There is so much that is good, but it requires selectivity. Let those who are responsible for any efforts to put suitable family entertainment on television know of your appreciation for that which is good and also for your displeasure with that which is bad. In large measure, we get what we ask for. The problem is that so many of us fail to ask and more frequently, family to express gratitude for that which is good.
"Let there be music in the home. If you have teenagers who have their own recordings, you will be prone to describe the sound as something other than music. Let them hear something better occasionally. Expose them to it. It will speak for itself. More appreciation will come than you may think. It may not be spoken, but it will be felt, and its influence will become increasingly manifest as the years pass."
Gordon B. Hinckley "In Opposition to Evil" Ensign Sept. 04
"Let there be good magazines about the house, those which are produced by the Church and by others, which will stimulate their thoughts to ennobling concepts. Let them read a good family newspaper that they may know what is going on in the world without being exposed to the debasing advertising and writing so widely found. Where there is a good movie in town, consider going to the theater as a family. Your very patronage will give encouragement to those who wish to produce this type of entertainment. And use that most remarkable of all tools of communication, television, to enrich their lives. There is so much that is good, but it requires selectivity. Let those who are responsible for any efforts to put suitable family entertainment on television know of your appreciation for that which is good and also for your displeasure with that which is bad. In large measure, we get what we ask for. The problem is that so many of us fail to ask and more frequently, family to express gratitude for that which is good.
"Let there be music in the home. If you have teenagers who have their own recordings, you will be prone to describe the sound as something other than music. Let them hear something better occasionally. Expose them to it. It will speak for itself. More appreciation will come than you may think. It may not be spoken, but it will be felt, and its influence will become increasingly manifest as the years pass."
Gordon B. Hinckley "In Opposition to Evil" Ensign Sept. 04
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Martin and Willie Handcart Company
"In a Sunday school class there was sharp criticism of the ill-fated Martin and Willie Handcart companies, which met with tragedy because of their late start on their trek to the Salt Lake Valley.
"An elderly man arose and said 'I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts....give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the handcart company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife...too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but we became acquainted with God in our extremities.
"'I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go that far and then I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it....I have gone onto that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.
"An elderly man arose and said 'I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts....give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the handcart company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife...too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but we became acquainted with God in our extremities.
"'I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go that far and then I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it....I have gone onto that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.
"'Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then or any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.'" Elder Robert L. Backman, "Faith in Every Footstep" Ensign, Jan 1997, 7
"Come, Come ye Saints" by Julie Rogers
Friday, December 4, 2009
1 Nephi 1:20
"...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
St. Mark 6:47-51
" And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
"And he [the Savior] saw them [the disciples] toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
"But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
"For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."
"And he [the Savior] saw them [the disciples] toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
"But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
"For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."
"Into every adult human life come experiences like unto the battling of the storm tossed voyagers with contrary winds and threatening seas, ofttimes the night of struggle and danger is far advanced before succor appears; and then too frequently the saving aid is mistaken for a greater terror. As came unto Peter and his terrified companions in the midst of the turbulent waters so comes to all who toil in faith, the voice of the deliverer- 'It is I; be not afraid.'"
James E. Talmage, "Jesus the Christ" p. 313-314
James E. Talmage, "Jesus the Christ" p. 313-314
Strength through the Lord
1 Nephi 3 :7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father; I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
"I confess that I wince a little when I hear that promise quoted so casually among us. Jesus knew what kind of commitment would entail and so now does Nephi. And so will a host of others before it is over. That vow took Christ to the cross on Calvary and it remains at the heart of every Christian covenant. 'I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded'? Well-we shall see."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
How did the Savior find strength?
St. Luke 22: 41-43
41. "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42. "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43. "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Can angels strengthen us today?
"In a Sunday school class there was sharp criticism of the ill-fated Martin and Willie Handcart companies, which met with tragedy because of their late start on their trek to the Salt Lake Valley.
An elderly man arose and said 'I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts....give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the handcart company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife...too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but we became acquainted with God in our extremities.
"'I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go that far and then I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it....I have gone onto that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.
"'Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then or any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.'" Elder Robert L. Backman, "Faith in Every Footstep" Ensign, Jan 1997, 7
"Come, Come ye Saints" by Julie Rogers
Can Prayer strengthen us?
Luke 22:44 "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
St. Mark 15:34 "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
St. Luke 23: 46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
"The work of devil and of darkness is never more certain to be defeated than when men and women, not finding it easy or pleasant but still determined to do the Father's will look out upon their lives from which it may seem every trace of God has vanished, and asking why they have been forsaken, still bow their heads and obey." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Can the scriptures strengthen us?
1 Nephi 5:21 "And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children."
1 Nephi 19:23 "And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."
"...[The Book of Mormon] can help with personal problems in a very real way. Do you want to get rid of a bad habit? Do you want to improve relationships with your family? Do you want to increase your spiritual capacity? Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power."
Elder Russel M. Nelson, "A Testimony of the Book of Mormon" Ensign, Nov. 1999
Additional Scriptures on receiving strength through the Lord
Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
I Nephi 17:3, 50 "And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God, he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."
Doctrine and Covenants 5:34 "Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee."
1 Nephi 2:16
"And it came to pass that I Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father;wherefore I did not rebel against him..."
"There is great safety as the young people of the Church accept the gospel into their lives. There will be safety even in the times of great difficulty that are coming. there is a protection that they will have because of the mighty change that has come in their hearts. They will choose righteousness and find that they have no more desire to do evil. That change will come. It will not come in an instant; it will come over time. And there will be fortification created by the gospel of Jesus Christ through your faith and through your great efforts."
President Henry B. Eyring "We Must Raise our Sights" Ensign Sept 2004
"There is great safety as the young people of the Church accept the gospel into their lives. There will be safety even in the times of great difficulty that are coming. there is a protection that they will have because of the mighty change that has come in their hearts. They will choose righteousness and find that they have no more desire to do evil. That change will come. It will not come in an instant; it will come over time. And there will be fortification created by the gospel of Jesus Christ through your faith and through your great efforts."
President Henry B. Eyring "We Must Raise our Sights" Ensign Sept 2004
"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." Margaret D. Nadauld "The Joy of Womanhood" Ensign Nov. 2000
Much of the major growth that is coming to the church in the last days will come because many of the good woman of the world...will be drawn to the church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that women of the church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the woman of the church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--then the women of the world.
"Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than being selfish. These real heroines have true humility...which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility...
Thus is will be that female exemplars of the church will be a significant force in both the numerical and the spiritual growth in the last days."
Spencer W. Kimball, The Role of Righteous Women, Ensign Nov. 1979 103-104
"Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than being selfish. These real heroines have true humility...which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility...
Thus is will be that female exemplars of the church will be a significant force in both the numerical and the spiritual growth in the last days."
Spencer W. Kimball, The Role of Righteous Women, Ensign Nov. 1979 103-104
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