Family Gems - 30 November 2007

We Are All Prodigal Sons and Daughters

"I know of no more beautiful story in all literature than that found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. It is the story of a repentant son and a forgiving father. It is the story of a son who wasted his inheritance in riotous living, rejecting his father's counsel, spurning those who loved him. When he had spent all, he was hungry and friendless, and 'when he came to himself' (Luke 15:17), he turned back to his father, who, on seeing him afar off, 'ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him' (Luke 15:20).

"I ask you to read that story. Every parent ought to read it again and again. It is large enough to encompass every household, and enough larger than that to encompass all mankind, for are we not all prodigal sons and daughters who need to repent and partake of the forgiving mercy of our Heavenly Father and then follow His example?"

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Of You It Is Required to Forgive," Ensign, June 1991, 5

Topics: Forgiving Others, Repentance

Young Single Adult Gems - 30 November 2007

Our Personal Quest to Know His Will

"My life's journey is different from yours. Each of you could teach me much from your experiences of submitting your will to the Lord's as you earnestly seek to know His will for you. We can rejoice together in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, gratefully acknowledging the blessing of having a testimony of the Savior and His Atonement for each of us. This I know—our individual efforts to become instruments in the hands of God have not been easy and have stretched us spiritually, enriching our mortal journeys in the most personal, glorious ways. . .

"May the Lord bless each of you in your personal quest to know His will for you and to submit your will to His. . . . Our individual will 'is the only possession which is truly ours to give' (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 24)."

Anne C. Pingree, "Knowing the Lord's Will for You," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 114

Topics: Testimony, Adversity

Daily Gems - 30 November 2007

The Love of Christ Will Never Fail Us

"We, [the Lord's] daughters, need to know that He loves us. We need to know that He sees the good in us. Feeling His love encourages us to press forward, reassures us that we are His, and confirms to us that He cherishes us even when we stumble and experience temporary setbacks. . .

"Our Heavenly Father loved us before we came to this earth. I know that He loves us, sisters, as does His Son, Jesus Christ. That love will never change--it is constant. You can rely on it. We can trust it.

"Just as the motto of Relief Society reminds us that 'charity never faileth,' we must believe that the love of Christ will never fail us. All that we do in Relief Society should reflect the love of our Savior and the love of our Heavenly Father. This great love should be the source of our motivation to serve others. It must be both our point of origin and our destination!"

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Eternally Encircled in His Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 108

Topics: Jesus Christ, Charity

Daily Gems - 29 November 2007

Responsibilities and Blessings of the Priesthood

"There is not a man or boy in this vast congregation tonight who cannot improve his life. And that needs to happen. After all, we hold the priesthood of God. If we are boys who have received the Aaronic Priesthood, we are entitled to the ministering of angels to guide and direct, to bless and protect us. What a remarkable and wonderful thing that is. If we have had conferred upon us the Melchizedek Priesthood, we have been given the keys of the kingdom that carry with them eternal powers. These were spoken of by the Lord when He laid His hands upon the heads of His disciples."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Rise Up, O Men of God," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 60

Topics: Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood

Youth Gems - 29 November 2007

Service in the Kingdom

"Brethren, it is in doing ?not just dreaming ?that lives are blessed, others are guided, and souls are saved. 'Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves' (James 1:22 ), counseled James."

Thomas S. Monson, "Do Your Duty—That Is Best," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 59

Topics: Serving Others

Young Single Adult Gems - 28 November 2007

Helping Others Keeps Our Own Spirits Alive

"Many of us will not survive our tests in mortality without help from others. And just as true: in helping others we keep our own spirits alive."

Kathleen H. Hughes, "That We May All Sit Down in Heaven Together," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 111

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Serving Others

Daily Gems - 28 November 2007

Learning and Magnifying Your Calling

"The call of duty can come quietly as we who hold the priesthood respond to the assignments we receive. President George Albert Smith, that modest yet effective leader and eighth President of the Church, declared, 'It is your duty first of all to learn what the Lord wants and then by the power and strength of His holy Priesthood to magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows in such a way that the people will be glad to follow you' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 14)."

Thomas S. Monson, "True to Our Priesthood Trust," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 58

Topics: Duty, Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood

Church History Gems - 28 November 2007

Faith Comes Not By Signs.

Joseph Smith

June 27, 1839

Commerce, Illinois

"Faith comes by hearing the word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God; that testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation. . . .

James E. Faust, "Eternity Lies before Us," Ensign, May 1997, 20

Topics: Temple

Youth Gems - 27 November 2007

Gratitude for Parents

"First, may I ask that we express thanks to our parents for life, for caring, for sacrificing, for laboring to provide a knowledge of our Heavenly Father's plan for happiness.

"From Sinai the words thunder to our conscience, 'Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee' (Exodus 20:12)."

Thomas S. Monson, "The Profound Power of Gratitude," Ensign, Sept. 2005, 4

Topics: Gratitude, Parents

Daily Gems - 27 November 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)."

Stanley G. Ellis, "He Trusts Us!" Ensign, Nov. 2006, 51

Topics: Church Callings, Blessings

Daily Gems - 26 November 2007

The Savior Has All Power to Save Every Man Who Repents

"Each of us needs to repent to some degree or another. To repent means to make the real changes in your life the Savior desires you to make for your happiness. Repentance is the great enabling principle of the gospel: when your faith in the Lord causes personal change, such action on your part, as Helaman states, 'bringeth [you] unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of [your] souls' (Helaman 5:11). As you seek to change, remember that our loving Savior, as Alma states, has 'all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance' (Alma 12:15). This is powerful, liberating, hope-filled doctrine!"

Marcus B. Nash, "The Great Plan of Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 50

Topics: Forgiving Others, Exaltation

Family Gems - 26 November 2007

Selfish Criticism Can Poison Relationships

"Now let me take a moment here to note that we must take care in our families not to cause spiritual or emotional snakebites in the first place! In much of today's popular culture, the virtues of forgiveness and kindness are belittled, while ridicule, anger, and harsh criticism are encouraged. If we are not careful, we can fall prey to these habits within our own homes and families and soon find ourselves criticizing our spouse, our children, our extended family members. Let us not hurt the ones we love the most by selfish criticism! In our families, small arguments and petty criticisms, if allowed to go unchecked, can poison relationships and escalate into estrangements, even abuse and divorce. Instead, just like we learned with the poisonous venom, we must 'make full haste' to reduce arguments, eliminate ridicule, do away with criticism, and remove resentment and anger. We cannot afford to let such dangerous passions ruminate--not even one day."

David E. Sorensen, "Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love," Ensign, May 2003, 11-12

Topics: Kindness, Family, Forgiveness

Church History Gems - 26 November 2007

Spiritual Strength in Temples.

"There were over 5,600 members who received their blessings in the Nauvoo Temple. The spiritual leaven given in the Nauvoo Temple blesses us today in an ever-increasing measure. It spreads to every house of the Lord in the world so that all who hunger and thirst for the fulness of God's word may be filled.

"John and Jane Akerley and the others of the multitude who waited in the bitter cold to enter the majestic Nauvoo Temple received within its walls the greatest blessings offered by the Lord in this life. They endured much, but their suffering was just beginning. Their temple blessings helped strengthen them for what lay ahead. Separated by death in Winter Quarters, they were able to endure all things because of their faith and the blessings received that cold February night in 1846.

"As the pioneers had the larger vision in their daily challenge for survival, so also we need to have a greater vision and understanding of our eternal destiny. Our challenges are more subtle but equally hard. Maintaining our spiritual strength is also a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes, as it did in their time, from our temples.

"I urge all who have not yet received these greatest of all blessings within the walls of the temple to do whatever may be necessary to qualify to receive them. To those who have received these blessings, I invite you to prepare yourselves to savor again the experience of being within the sacred premises of the holy temples of God and have the visions of life eternal open again to your hearts, minds, and souls."

James E. Faust, "Eternity Lies before Us," Ensign, May 1997, 20

Topics: Temple

Young Single Adult Gems - 26 November 2007

Depend on the Security and Guidance of the Holy Spirit

"There are those who attempt to scale a difficult rock cliff by a method called 'soloing.' They ascend alone, without equipment, companions, or any secure protection. They depend on their own skill and capacity. They do it for the thrill of living on the edge with high risk. It is done despite the probability that in time they will fall and be seriously injured or lose their life. They are like many who face the challenges and temptations of life without the security of following the commandments of God, guided by the Holy Spirit. In today's difficult world they will almost surely violate critical laws, with painful, destructive consequences. Do not 'solo' in life. You will almost certainly fall into transgression."

Richard G. Scott, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 40

Topics: Obedience, Holy Ghost

Church History Gems - 23 November 2007

Until 1:30 A. M.

Until 1:30 A.M.

"I would be grateful for your spiritual understanding as I speak of the greatest blessings that can be received in mortality.

"On February 3, 1846, it was a bitter cold day in Nauvoo, Illinois. That day, President Brigham Young recorded in his diary:

" 'Notwithstanding that I had announced that we would not attend to the administration of the ordinances, the House of the Lord was thronged all day. . . . I also informed the brethren that I was going to get my wagons started and be off. I walked some distance from the Temple supposing the crowd would disperse, but on returning I found the house filled to overflowing.

" 'Looking upon the multitude and knowing their anxiety, as they were thirsting and hungering for the word, we continued at work diligently in the House of the Lord.'

James E. Faust, "Eternity Lies before Us," Ensign, May 1997, 18

Topics: Temple

Young Single Adult Gems - 23 November 2007

Living Close to the Spirit

"Many of you are single. You are students; you are working; you are new to Relief Society. Some of you have been longtime members. . . . Each of you is valued and needed. Each of you brings love, energy, perspective, and testimony to the work. Your efforts to live close to the Spirit bless us all because you have learned to rely on the Spirit for strength and direction."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Sweet Moments," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 107

Topics: Virtue, Spirituality

Daily Gems - 23 November 2007

Fellowship among Priesthood Quorum Members

"One of the hallmarks of a strong [priesthood] quorum is the feeling of fellowship among its members. They care for each other. They help each other. Quorum presidents can build that fellowship best if they remember the Lord's purpose for unity in the quorum. It is of course so that they will help each other. But it is more, much more. It is so that they will lift and encourage each other to serve in righteousness with the Master in His work to offer eternal life to Heavenly Father's children."

Henry B. Eyring, "A Priesthood Quorum," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 44-45

Topics: Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood

Family Gems - 23 November 2007

Establish Praiseworthy Communication in the Home

"We need to get back to basic principles of recognizing the good and the praiseworthy within the family. Home evening needs to be reemphasized and used as a tool or foundation for wholesome communication and teaching, but never as an opportunity to bash other family members, neighbors, teachers, or Church leaders. Family loyalty will emerge when we reinforce the good and the positive and bridle our negative thoughts as we seek after those things that are of good report."

Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword," Ensign, May 1992, 18

Topics: Family

Daily Gems - 22 November 2007

Praise and Admiration for the Youth of the Church

"I want to say to . . . the vast majority of the youth of the Church . . . around the world how extraordinarily proud we are of you. Moral and physical danger exists almost everywhere around you and temptations of a dozen kinds present themselves daily, yet most of you strive to do what is right.

". . . I wish to raise my voice in praise of you, to express my love, my encouragement, and my admiration for you."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "To Young Women," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 28

Topics: Temptation

Youth Gems - 22 November 2007

Developing Character

"Our busy lives force us to focus on things we do from day to day. But the development of character comes only as we focus on who we really are. To establish and accomplish those greater goals, we do need heavenly help."

Russell M. Nelson, "Getting Where You Want to Go," New Era, May 2003, 6-7

Topics: Prayer