LDS Gem Archives, October 2007
Young Single Adult Gems - 31 октябрь 2007
We Must Know for Ourselves
"A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it cannot be given as a present or inherited from our ancestors. We cannot depend on the testimonies of other people. We need to know for ourselves. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, 'Every Latter-day Saint has the responsibility to know for himself or herself with a certainty beyond doubt that Jesus is the resurrected, living Son of the living God' ("Fear Not to Do Good," Ensign, May 1983, 80)."
Topics: Testimony
Church History Gems - 31 октябрь 2007
Foundation Laid by Early Saints.
"As I have contemplated the foundation laid by the early Saints, I have reviewed with reverence the sacrifice and devotion which they showed for the cause of truth. The pillars of their faith are still resident with us as a people today. We, like the early Saints, believe and testify, as the first pillar of our faith, that the Prophet Joseph Smith did indeed see the Father and the Son in the grove of trees in the spring of 1820. Said he, 'I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me' (JS—H 1:25). To those who questioned his experience, Joseph wrote, 'Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and . . . why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it' (ibid.).
"We share with our early brothers and sisters a witness and testimony of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This represents the second pillar of our faith. It is through reading and studying the Book of Mormon, and prayerfully seeking confirmation of its contents, that we receive a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth."
Topics: Testimony
Daily Gems - 31 октябрь 2007
Stand Steady and True
"Discipleship does not guarantee freedom from the storms of life. Even as we are wending our way carefully and faithfully along the strait and narrow path, we encounter obstacle and challenge. There are days, perhaps even months and years, when life is just hard. We experience our fair share of adversity, heartache, loneliness, pain, grief--sometimes; it seems more than our fair share.
"What to do when adversity strikes? There is only one thing to do. Stand steady and see it through. Stay steadfast, constant, and true. The real tragedy in the whirlwinds of life comes only when we allow them to blow us off our true course."
Topics: Discipleship, Adversity
Daily Gems - 30 октябрь 2007
The Atonement Gives Us the Strength to Endure
"The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the healing it offers do much more than provide the opportunity for repentance from sins. The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure 'pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,' because our Savior also took upon Him 'the pains and the sicknesses of his people' (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden."
Topics: Repentance, Enduring to the End
Family Gems - 30 октябрь 2007
Home Should Be a Haven of Love
"Home should be a haven of love. Honor, courtesy, and respect symbolize love and characterize the righteous family. . . .
"Where love is, there is no disputation. Where love is, there is no contention. Where love is, there God will be also."
Topics: Love
Youth Gems - 30 октябрь 2007
Accepting Joseph Smith as a Prophet
"An acquaintance said to me one day: 'I admire your church very much. I think I could accept everything about it—except Joseph Smith.' To which I responded: 'That statement is a contradiction. If you accept the revelation, you must accept the revelator.'
"It is a constantly recurring mystery to me how some people speak with admiration for the Church and its work while at the same time disdaining him through whom, as a servant of the Lord, came the framework of all that the Church is, of all that it teaches, and of all that it stands for. They would pluck the fruit from the tree while cutting off the root from which it grows."
Topics: Joseph Smith, Prophets
Family Gems - 29 октябрь 2007
The Influence of Righteous Women
“Do the best you can to help all of us reach higher and do better. Use your innate spiritual gifts to bless. Help us push back the pernicious influences of the world in our lives, our homes, and in the Church.”
Topics: Womanhood
Daily Gems - 29 октябрь 2007
Reaching toward the Savior
"Seeking [the] fruit of righteousness, it is no wonder that we . . . stretch with longing and adoration toward the Savior, for we know He extends 'the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him' (Mosiah 29:20). Because this glorious promise is true, where else would we look, where else would we reach, where else would we come but to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Lamb of God, our Messiah?
"I know that 'the Son of Righteousness arise[s] with healing in his wings' (3 Nephi 25:2) . . . for each one of us. He would guide and bless and gather us--if we will choose to come unto Him. May we do so every day of our lives."
Topics: Mercy
Young Single Adult Gems - 29 октябрь 2007
The Lord's Means of Bestowing the Blessings We Need
"In order to bestow His blessings on His children in a just and equitable manner, the Lord has instituted laws that govern those blessings that He wants all of us to enjoy. He has revealed this principle of laws to His prophet of the Restoration: 'There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated' (D&C 130:20-21). And again: 'I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise' (D&C 82:10).
"The Lord knew from the beginning that we, His children, would be faced with temporal and spiritual adversities during this mortal life. Indeed, these adversities are a vital part of this mortal probation. He knew that we would stand in need of His blessings throughout our lives in order to not only survive our individual trials, but also to enjoy a degree of comfort and even prosperity.
"Thus the law of tithing, which was instituted from the beginning."
Topics: Tithes and Offerings, Adversity
Church History Gems - 29 октябрь 2007
Added Measure of the Spirit.
"At this season exactly 176 years ago the first edition of the Book of Mormon, which had been translated 'by the gift and power of God' (Book of Mormon title page) was being set in type and run on a small press in Palmyra, New York. Its publication preceded and was a forerunner to the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which took place on April 6, 1830.
". . . I offer a challenge to members of the Church throughout the world and to our friends everywhere to read or reread the Book of Mormon. . . . Very near the end of its 239 chapters, you will find a challenge issued by the prophet Moroni as he completed his record nearly 16 centuries ago. Said he:
" 'And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? . . .
" 'And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true' (Moroni 10:27, 29).
"Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."
Topics: Book of Mormon
Daily Gems - 26 октябрь 2007
Bringing the Peace of the Lord into Our Homes
"Our families need the peace of God in their lives, and if we can't or won't invite the Lord into our lives, then our families become a reflection of our own turmoil. Women are asked to be nurturers to their families, but we must also be firm; we must be the hard rock footings on which our homes can stand. Our families need us to speak peace to them, just as the Lord speaks peace to us. Our homes need to be places where our families and friends want to be, where all who enter our homes can draw strength and courage to face the challenges of living in an increasingly wicked world. Our children need to hear us 'talk of Christ, . . . rejoice in Christ, [and] preach of Christ' (2 Nephi 25:26) so that they may know to what source they can look for the peace that 'passeth all understanding' (Philippians 4:7)."
Topics: Family, Jesus Christ
Family Gems - 26 октябрь 2007
The Divinity of Womanhood
"I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the 'highest place of honor' in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.
"One of your particular gifts is your feminine intuition. Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more attractive, even irresistible. You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part of the God-given divinity within each of you. It is your incomparable power and influence to do good. You can, through your supernal gifts, bless the lives of children, women, and men. Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance it. Use it to serve others."
Topics: Womanhood
Church History Gems - 26 октябрь 2007
Worthy of Respect.
"One hundred and fifty years ago our people were leaving Nauvoo and threading their way across the prairies of Iowa. None of us, I am confident, can appreciate the measure of sacrifice which they made in leaving their comfortable homes to brave the tempests of the wilderness on a journey that would not end until they reached this valley of the Great Salt Lake. Their suffering was immeasurable. They died by the hundreds for this cause of which each one of us is a part.
"I was in Palmyra this past summer and in Nauvoo, and in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which they had called Kanesville out of respect and love for a loyal friend. I stood where the Grand Encampment assembled when they reached the Missouri River. I have been over the trail from the Missouri to this valley a number of times. For me it is always a sacred experience. I am so deeply grateful for our inheritance. . . .
"Ours is the blessing to live in a better season. The terrible persecutions of the past are behind us. Today we are looked upon with respect by people across the world. We must always be worthy of that respect. We must earn it, or we will not have it."
Topics: Obedience
Daily Gems - 25 октябрь 2007
Study the Lives of the Master and the Prophet Joseph
"All of us would do well to study the life of the Master and try to emulate His words and doings. We would likewise do well to study the life of the Prophet Joseph. From his example, each of us could learn much concerning our own behavior."
Topics: Jesus Christ
Youth Gems - 25 октябрь 2007
Price of Life Experiences
"My dear young friends, there is another great truth that you young men must learn. It is that everything has a price. There is a price to pay for success, fulfillment, accomplishment, and joy. There are no freebies. If you don't pay the price that is needed for success, you will pay the price of failure. Preparation, work, study, and service are required to achieve and find happiness. Disobedience and lack of preparation carry a terrible price tag. As priesthood holders of this Church, part of the price we need to pay is by living differently from the world. We are the possessors and custodians of these commanding powers which can and do roll back the power of Satan on the earth. With all my heart I urge you to please help us push back the world. We must stand against the wind. Sometimes we must be unpopular and simply say, 'This is not right.'"
Topics: Choice and Accountability
Church History Gems - 24 октябрь 2007
A Day of Reverence.
Carthage, Illinois, Sunday, June 26, 1994
"This is a day of quiet reverence and deep respect.
"This is June 26. One hundred and fifty years ago, June 26 was a Wednesday. That morning Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois, who had come to Carthage, visited Joseph Smith in the jail.
"The next morning, Dan Jones, who had spent the night in the jail with Joseph and Hyrum, left to carry a message. He talked with Frank Worrel, one of the Carthage Grays. He reported that Worrel said: 'We have had too much trouble to bring old Joe here to let him ever escape alive, and unless you want to die with him, you had better leave before sundown. . . . You'll see that I can prophesy better than old Joe, for neither he nor his brother, nor anyone who will remain with them will see the sunset today.' . . .
"At 10:30 that morning, Governor Ford and his troops left for Nauvoo, leaving those in the jail behind at the mercy of the mob militia. As the afternoon of that sultry day wore on, the Prophet asked John Taylor to sing 'A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.' He sang all seven verses, and Joseph asked him to sing them again. He replied, 'I don't feel like doing it.' But at Hyrum's importuning he repeated the song.
Topics: Joseph Smith
Daily Gems - 24 октябрь 2007
Promises That We and the Lord Make
"When we receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, we receive what is called 'the oath and covenant' of the priesthood. We promise the Lord two things, and He promises us two things. We promise to be 'faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods' and faithful in 'magnifying [our] calling.' He promises that we will be 'sanctified by the Spirit.' Then after we are faithful in all things to the end, He promises that 'all that my Father hath shall be given [us]' (see D&C 84:33-41)."
Young Single Adult Gems - 24 октябрь 2007
Speaking to and Listening to God
"What a glorious blessing! . . . When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit."
Topics: Scripture, Holy Ghost
Youth Gems - 23 октябрь 2007
Accepting Joseph Smith as a Prophet
"An acquaintance said to me one day: 'I admire your church very much. I think I could accept everything about it—except Joseph Smith.' To which I responded: 'That statement is a contradiction. If you accept the revelation, you must accept the revelator.'
"It is a constantly recurring mystery to me how some people speak with admiration for the Church and its work while at the same time disdaining him through whom, as a servant of the Lord, came the framework of all that the Church is, of all that it teaches, and of all that it stands for. They would pluck the fruit from the tree while cutting off the root from which it grows."
Topics: Joseph Smith, Prophets
Family Gems - 22 октябрь 2007
Trust in Marriage
“Fidelity to one’s marriage vows is absolutely essential for love, trust, and peace. Adultery is unequivocally condemned by the Lord.
“Husbands and wives who love each other will find that love and loyalty are reciprocated. This love will provide a nurturing atmosphere for the emotional growth of children. Family life should be a time of happiness and joy that children can look back on with fond memories and associations.”
Topics: Marriage
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