LDS Gem Archives, October 2009
Daily Gems - 30 October 2009
The Door to True Happiness
“The gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret. It is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone’s theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe, who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend. And with that knowledge, He has given us the gospel—a divine gift, the ultimate formula for happiness and success.”
Topics: Gospel of Jesus Christ
Family Gems - 30 October 2009
Fathers Need to Be Strengthened
“In order to strengthen the father in the home, I make two simple suggestions: first, sustain and respect the father in his position; second, give him love, understanding, and some appreciation for his efforts. . . .
“In terms of giving fathers love and understanding, it should be remembered that fathers also have times of insecurity and doubt. Everyone knows fathers make mistakes—especially they themselves. Fathers need all the help they can get; mostly they need love, support, and understanding from their own.”
Topics: Fatherhood, Melchizedek Priesthood
Young Single Adult Gems - 30 October 2009
Help Others
“Help others in their race of life. Remember that when you help another up a mountain, you are a little nearer the top yourself.”
Topics: Service
Church History Gems - 30 October 2009
Divinely Given Endowment
"[The] full restoration [of the priesthood] involved the coming of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, whose head was taken to satisfy the whims of a wicked woman, and of Peter, James, and John, they who faithfully walked with the Master before his death and proclaimed his resurrection and divinity following his death. It involved Moses, Elias, and Elijah, each bringing priesthood keys to complete the work of restoring all of the acts and ordinances of previous dispensations in this the great, final dispensation of the fulness of times.
"The priesthood is here. It has been conferred upon us. We act in that authority. We speak as sons of God in the name of Jesus Christ and as holders of this divinely given endowment. We know, for we have seen, the power of this priesthood. We have seen the sick healed, the lame made to walk, and the coming of light and knowledge and understanding to those who have been in darkness.
"Paul wrote concerning the priesthood: 'No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.' (Heb. 5:4.) We have not acquired it through purchase or bargain. The Lord has given it to men who are considered worthy to receive it, regardless of station in life, the color of their skin, or the nation in which they live. It is the power and the authority to govern in the affairs of the kingdom of God. It is given only by ordination by the laying on of hands by those in authority to do so. The qualification for eligibility is obedience to the commandments of God.
"There is no power on the earth like it. Its authority extends beyond life, through the veil of death, to the eternities ahead. It is everlasting in its consequences."
Topics: Priesthood Keys, Priesthood Blessings
Youth Gems - 29 October 2009
The Lord’s Example
“As we go about our daily lives, we discover countless opportunities to follow the example of the Savior. When our hearts are in tune with His teachings, we discover the unmistakable nearness of His divine help. It is almost as though we are on the Lord’s errand; and we then discover that, when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help.”
Topics: Serving Others
Daily Gems - 29 October 2009
A Great Work
“We cannot and we must not allow ourselves to get distracted from our sacred duty. We cannot and we must not lose focus on the things that matter most.”
Topics: Proclaim the Gospel
Church History Gems - 28 October 2009
Very Weighty Responsibility
"When I study the scriptures and history, I find my interest being focused on the organization of events, the chemistry and human relationships of the individuals involved, and I marvel at the evidence of the Lord's hands in the events that occur.
"I have always been intrigued with the account of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I have tried to place myself many times in the position of the young Prophet Joseph Smith as this very weighty responsibility fell on his shoulders. At the time he received the plates for translation, he was still a new bridegroom, having been married just a few days over eight months. To complicate his life, his father-in-law had not been too happy about the marriage. In this situation the Prophet was entrusted with this very valuable record, which had not been given to a mortal for over 1,400 years. Just protecting the plates from the curious and from treasure seekers was a challenge in itself. Almost driven from his home near Palmyra, New York, he traveled to Harmony, Pennsylvania, his wife Emma's hometown, where he hoped he could begin the translation. Within three months of receiving the plates, he was finally settled in his own home, where he could work in some peace.
"Between December 1827 and February 1828, he spent considerable time becoming familiar with the language of the plates and learning how to translate."
Topics: Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon
Daily Gems - 28 October 2009
Teaching Our Youth
“President [J. Reuben] Clark [taught]: ‘You do not have to sneak up behind this spiritually experienced youth and whisper religion in [their] ears; you can come right out, face to face, and talk with [them].’ ”
Topics: Youth
Young Single Adult Gems - 28 October 2009
Love Others and Yourself
“The commandment given by the Savior was to love others and yourself. Am I secure enough in my love of myself to laugh at myself, to admit mistakes, to graciously accept a compliment? Am I secure in my love of others to smile and say hello to a perfect stranger?”
Daily Gems - 27 October 2009
The Plan of Salvation
“The Savior said: ‘Let not your heart be troubled. . . . In my Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you.’ A succinct summary is provided in the book of Moses: ‘For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ ”
Topics: Plan of Salvation
Youth Gems - 27 October 2009
Justice and Mercy
“Those who repent will be particularly blessed by the Atonement. Without the Atonement, the eternal principle of justice would require punishment (see Alma 42:14). Because of the Atonement, mercy can prevail for those who have repented and allow them to return to the presence of God (see Alma 42:15).”
Topics: Atonement
Young Single Adult Gems - 26 October 2009
Don’t Be Afraid
“Don’t be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change the radio station if what’s being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father’s standards. In short, if you have any question about whether a particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don’t see it, don’t read it, don’t participate.”
Topics: Righteousness
Daily Gems - 26 October 2009
We Are Our Brother’s Keeper
“Now, let me say a few words to those of you who are currently unemployed. The responsibility for finding employment or improving your employment rests with you. Continued guidance comes from the Lord through regular fasting and prayer. Your quorum leaders, bishops, specialists, and employment resource center staff will help in your efforts. We fear, however, that often priesthood leaders are unaware of your situation. Speak up! Let them know you are looking for work. And bishops and priesthood leaders, rise up and let the brotherhood of the priesthood engage themselves in the wonderful opportunity to truly be a quorum, a brotherhood, a brother’s keeper.”
Topics: Welfare
Family Gems - 26 October 2009
Family Prayer
“Family prayer—that is a practice, once very common, that is largely disappearing. I believe that the very act of people supplicating the Lord in prayer, night and morning, would have a most salutary effect upon our civilization and our lives.”
Topics: Prayer
Church History Gems - 26 October 2009
Fast Day
"Special fast days for various purposes were held during the exodus from Nauvoo, and after the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, some fasts were held on the first Thursday of the month. . . . During the difficult years of 1855 and 1856, because of prolonged drought and famine, the exceptionally hard winter, and the plague of grasshoppers, many of the Saints were in desperate circumstances. This is what Brigham H. Roberts wrote of it:
" 'To meet the very great demands of charity upon Latter-day Saints in those trying years, our fast day came into existence; the servants of the Lord instituted the first Thursday in every month as fast day, with a view of taking what was saved by this sacrifice and minister unto those who otherwise would be in want. This plan of meeting that emergency became an established institution.' (In Conference Report, Apr. 1913, p. 120.)
"Prior to this time the poor had been sustained by donations, but now the care of the poor became associated with fast day and what was donated became known as fast offerings, which were brought to the monthly fast meetings. From this early period when the Saints came to the valleys of the mountains to 1896, a regular fast day was held on the first Thursday of each month, and offerings were brought and given largely in kind."
Daily Gems - 23 October 2009
Walk in Obedience
“Read section 89 in the Doctrine and Covenants. You will find great promises:
‘All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
‘And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
‘And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.’ ”
Topics: Obedience
Church History Gems - 23 October 2009
Outlast Every Critic
"Those who mock Joseph Smith fulfill the prophecy of the Lord Himself. In the misery of Liberty Jail in March of 1839, Joseph cried out, 'O God, where art thou?' Among the words that came in answer are these: 'The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee;
" 'While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand.
" 'And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors.' (D&C 122:1–3.)
". . . I can promise that if you will make your decisions according to the standards of the gospel and the teachings of the Church, and if you will keep the faith, your lives will bear fruit of great good and you will know much of happiness and accomplishment.
"This Church is true. It will weather every storm that beats against it. It will outlast every critic who rises to mock it. It was established by God our Eternal Father for the blessing of His sons and daughters of all generations. It carries the name of Him who stands as its head, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. It is governed and moves by the power of the priesthood. It sends forth to the world another witness of the divinity of the Lord. Be faithful, my friends. Be true. Be loyal to the great things of God which have been revealed in this dispensation."
Topics: Opposition, Faith
Young Single Adult Gems - 23 October 2009
Humility
“The second key to an adequate self-esteem is humility. I do not mean the breast-beating, sackcloth-and-ashes kind of humility. I mean the humility that comes with inner strength and peace. It is the humility that allows us to accept and live with our own warts, without cosmetics to hide them.”
Topics: Humility
Family Gems - 23 October 2009
Happy Marriages Require Selflessness
“Meanwhile, mortal misunderstandings can make mischief in a marriage. In fact, each marriage starts with two built-in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people. Happiness can come to them only through their earnest effort. Just as harmony comes from an orchestra only when its members make a concerted effort, so harmony in marriage also requires a concerted effort. That effort will succeed if each partner will minimize personal demands and maximize actions of loving selflessness.”
Topics: Temple Work, Marriage
Daily Gems - 23 October 2009
Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ
Watch and share a new Mormon Messages video, "Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ" in which Apostles of Jesus Christ testify of the Saviors power to heal, change, and purify us through His Atonement.
Topics:
Subscribe to Daily Gems
Subscribe through e-mail
Subscribe through RSSGem Archives by Topic
- Atonement
- Book of Mormon
- Children of God
- Faith
- Family
- Jesus Christ
- Joseph Smith
- Plan of Salvation
- Repentance
- Restoration
LDS Gem Archives by date
- 2009
- 2008