Family Gems - 29 February 2008

Priesthood and Family

"President [Howard W.] Hunter said: 'A man who holds the priesthood regards the family as

ordained of God. Your leadership of the family is your most important and sacred responsibility.

The family is the most important unit in time and in eternity and, as such, transcends every other

interest in life' (Ensign, Nov. 1994, 50)."

H. David Burton, "Honoring the Priesthood, Ensign," May 2000, 40

Topics: Family

Daily Gems - 29 February 2008

The World Is Seeking for Answers

"We find a world today looking for answers to the question, What seek ye? in so many different ways. Too many are sowing seeds of a fruit that will not nourish an eternal soul."

L. Tom Perry, "What Seek Ye?" Ensign, May 2005, 84

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Young Single Adult Gems - 29 February 2008

Seek the Lighthouse of the Lord

"Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome. When we have done all that we are able, we can rely on God's promised help.

"You have access to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no mariner so lost, no gale so strong as to render useless the lighthouse of the Lord. It beckons through the storms of life. It seems to call, 'This way to safety; this way to home.' "

Thomas S. Monson, "Three Gates to Open," CES Fireside for Young Adults, Jan. 14, 2001

Topics: Adversity

Youth Gems - 28 February 2008

Being a Leader for Righteousness

"President Gordon B. Hinckley has said of you, 'You are . . . the finest [and strongest] generation of young people ever in the history of this Church' (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 714). I believe you have been prepared and reserved to be on the earth at this time when the challenges and opportunities are the greatest. I believe that the Lord is counting on you to be a leader for righteousness and to stand as a witness 'at all times and in all things, and in all places' (Mosiah 18:9). Indeed, it can be said of you that you are the 'bright shining hope' of the future (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Standing Strong and Immovable," Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 20)."

Elaine S. Dalton, "It Shows in Your Face," Ensign, May 2006, 109

Topics: Example

Daily Gems - 27 February 2008

The Importance of the Sacrament

"When we partake of the sacrament worthily, we remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, that He gave up His life and took upon Himself the sins of the world that we may have the blessing of immortality. We take upon ourselves the name of our Savior and promise to always remember Him and to keep His commandments--that is, to 'live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God' (D&C 84:44)."

L. Tom Perry, "As Now We Take the Sacrament," Ensign, May 2006, 41

Topics: Sacrament

Young Single Adult Gems - 27 February 2008

I Am in Your Midst

"The Lord said comfortingly, 'I am in your midst' (D&C 38:7). 'And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours' (D&C 78:18). "God watches the times and seasons. He knows your individual bearing capacities. In the very, very last days, for example, He will display His mercy in an unusual way: 'And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened' (Matthew 24:22). "Thus, you can have full faith and trust in God, His mercy and goodness."

Neal A. Maxwell, "These Are Your Days," Ensign, Oct. 2004, 29

Topics: Faith

Daily Gems - 26 February 2008

The Importance of Marriage

"Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant (see D&C 132:19). Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God (see Matthew 19:6). 'Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other' ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," paragraph 6). Children born of that marital union are 'an heritage of the Lord' (Psalm 127:3). Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself (see D&C 132:19-20)."

Russell M. Nelson, "Nurturing Marriage," Ensign, May 2006, 36-37

Topics: Marriage

Youth Gems - 26 February 2008

Prepare to Receive Your Patriarchal Blessing

"You are in a season of your life when you are making some of your most important decisions. Because you are being bombarded with so many incorrect messages about who you are, you need some additional guidance. You can learn more about your life and mission on earth and the light that is in you by preparing to receive and then studying your patriarchal blessing."

Julie Beck, "You Have a Noble Birthright," Ensign, May 2006, 106

Topics: Patriarchal Blessings

Young Single Adult Gems - 25 February 2008

Avoid Procrastination

"Do not procrastinate. Someone has said that procrastination is the thief of time. Actually, procrastination is much more. It is the thief of our self-respect. It nags at us and spoils our fun. It deprives us of the fullest realization of our ambitions and hopes."

Thomas S. Monson, "Three Gates to Open," CES Fireside for Young Adults, Jan. 14, 2001

Topics:

Family Gems - 25 February 2008

Salvation

"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

Ezra Taft Benson, "Salvation—A Family Affair," Ensign, July 1992, 2

Topics: Family

Daily Gems - 25 February 2008

The Power of Agency

"When we came into this world, we brought with us from our heavenly home this God-given gift and privilege which we call our agency. It gives us the right and power to make decisions and to choose. Agency is an eternal law. President Brigham Young, speaking of our agency, taught: 'This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice' (Deseret News, Oct. 10, 1866, 355)."

Wolfgang H. Paul, "The Gift of Agency," Ensign, May 2006, 34-35

Topics: Agency

Daily Gems - 22 February 2008

The Sure Foundation

"We are safe on the rock which is the Savior when we have yielded in faith in Him, have responded to the Holy Spirit's direction to keep the commandments long enough and faithfully enough that the power of the Atonement has changed our hearts. When we have, by that experience, become as a child in our capacity to love and obey, we are on the sure foundation."

Henry B. Eyring, "As a Child," Ensign, May 2006, 15-16

Topics: Jesus Christ

Family Gems - 22 February 2008

Love of Family

"Your most important friendships should be with your own brothers and sisters and with your father and mother. Love your family. Be loyal to them. Have a genuine concern for your brothers and sisters. Help carry their load so you can say, like the lyrics of that song, 'He ain't heavy; he's my brother.' "

Ezra Taft Benson, "To the 'Youth of the Noble Birthright,' " Ensign, May 1986, 43

Topics: Family

Young Single Adult Gems - 22 February 2008

Be Thou an Example

"The Apostle Paul provided sound counsel to guide our performance: 'Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity' (1 Timothy 4:12).

"Remember that the mantle of leadership is not the cloak of comfort, but the robe of responsibility. Accountability is not for the intention but for the deed. You must continue to refuse to compromise with expediency. You must maintain the courage to defy the consensus. You must continue to choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong."

Thomas S. Monson, "Three Gates to Open," CES Fireside for Young Adults, Jan. 14, 2001

Topics: Leadership

Daily Gems - 21 February 2008

What Matters Most Is Our Families

"[The] devastated and displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina . . . were hungry, frightened people who had lost everything and needed food, medical attention, and help of all kinds, but what they wanted and needed most was their families.

"Crisis or transition of any kind reminds us of what matters most. In the routine of life, we often take our families—our parents and children and siblings—for granted. But in times of danger and need and change, there is no question that what we care about most is our families! It will be even more so when we leave this life and enter into the spirit world. Surely the first people we will seek to find there will be father, mother, spouse, children, and siblings."

M. Russell Ballard, "What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 41

Topics: Family

Youth Gems - 21 February 2008

Serve Selflessly at Home

"In these preparatory years, you young women spend much of your time in schools or jobs where you receive accolades, honors, awards, ribbons, or trophies. When you move from that stage to young motherhood, there is a dramatic drop-off in outside commendation. Yet in no other capacity is there more opportunity to serve selflessly as Christ would do by taking care of hundreds of daily physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. You will bring the light of the gospel into your homes—not to be seen of others, but to build others—men and women of strength and light."

Susan W. Tanner, "I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up," Ensign, May 2006, 104

Topics: Serving Others, Parenthood

Daily Gems - 20 February 2008

We Are to Choose the Right While Storms Rage around Us

"[The] test [of life] is part of the purpose God had for us in the Creation.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us the Lord's description of the test we face. Our Heavenly Father created the world with His Son, Jesus Christ. We have these words to tell us about the purpose of the Creation: 'We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them' (Abraham 3:24-25).

"So, the great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God's commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage. And the tragedy of life is to fail in that test and so fail to qualify to return in glory to our heavenly home."

Henry B. Eyring, "Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 37-38

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Young Single Adult Gems - 20 February 2008

A Priceless Miracle and Glorious Miracle

"There is a glorious miracle awaiting every soul who is prepared to change. Repentance and forgiveness make a brilliant day of the darkest night. When souls are reborn, when lives are changed—then comes the great miracle to beautify and warm and lift. When spiritual death has threatened and now instead there is resuscitation, when life pushes out death—when this happens it is the miracle of miracles. And such great miracles will never cease so long as there is one person who applies the redeeming power of the Savior and his own good works to bring about his rebirth. . . . "The essence of the miracle of forgiveness is that it brings peace to the previously anxious, restless, frustrated, perhaps tormented soul. In a world of turmoil and contention this is indeed a priceless gift."

Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 35

Topics: Repentance

Youth Gems - 19 February 2008

No End to the Good We Can Do

"There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Need for Greater Kindness," Ensign, May 2006, 61

Topics: Example, Prayer

Daily Gems - 19 February 2008

Making a Difference

"Each one of us can make a difference in someone's life, even his or her eternal life, but we must act; we must do; we must labor diligently. Perhaps you have received an impression to invite someone to return to church or to hear the message of the restored gospel for the first time. Go ahead, follow that impression. . . . With faith and a willing heart (even desire), we must trust that the Spirit will give us 'in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what [we] shall say' (D&C 100:6)."

Paul K. Sybrowsky, "If Christ Had My Opportunities . . . ," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 37

Topics: Faith