Youth Gems - 29 March 2007

The Importance of the Sacrament

"As you Aaronic Priesthood holders assist in preparing, blessing, administering, and passing the sacrament, you help all members who partake thereof to recommit themselves to the Lord and to renew their faith in the Savior's atoning sacrifice. Members who take the sacrament are reminded to take upon themselves the name of the Son, always remember Him, keep His commandments, and seek to have His Spirit to be with them. I hope that you will value the priesthood you hold and always honor your priesthood duties."

James E. Faust, "A Royal Priesthood," Ensign, May 2006, 50

Topics: Sacrament

Daily Gems - 29 March 2007

Carrying the Scriptures in Our Hearts

"How I love to carry the scriptures with me in my heart! The spirit of what I have read rests there to bring me peace and comfort. The knowledge I have gained gives me guidance and direction. I have the confidence born out of obedience."

Cheryl C. Lant, "My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 76

Topics: Scripture, Peace

Church History Gems - 28 March 2007

When the Resurrection Comes

"When the resurrection comes, we shall come forth clothed with immortal bodies; and the persecutions, suffering, sorrow, pain and death, incident to mortality, will be done away forever."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 81)

Topics: Resurrection

Daily Gems - 28 March 2007

The Lord's Plan through the Ages

"The Father's plan of life, with its central focus on Christ's Atonement, was prepared before the foundation of the world (see Abraham 3:22-28; Alma 13:3). It was given to Adam and Eve, and they were commanded to teach it to their children (see Moses 5:6-12). Over time, the posterity of Adam rejected the gospel, but it was renewed through Noah and then again through Abraham (see Exodus 6:2-4; Galatians 3:6-9). The gospel was offered to the Israelites in Moses's day. . . [but] the fulness of the gospel was finally restored to Israel by the Savior Himself in the meridian to time. . . .

"Following the Savior's death and those of His Apostles, doctrines and ordinances were changed, and apostasy set in again. This time spiritual darkness lasted for hundreds of years before rays of light would once more penetrate the earth. . . . The Apostle Paul . . . referred to the 'restitution of all things,' saying that the Savior 'in the dispensation of the fulness of times . . . might gather together in one all things of Christ' (Ephesians 1:10).

"[Finally] the Lord directed the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith."

Merrill J. Bateman, "A Pattern for All," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 74

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Restoration

Daily Gems - 27 March 2007

Continuing Revelation Is Preparing the Church and the Members

"[Some] people say, 'I would have willingly endured persecution and trials if I might have lived in the early years of the Church when there was such a flow of revelation published as scripture. Why is that not happening now?'

"The revelations that came through the Prophet Joseph Smith, printed as scripture, laid the permanent foundation of the Church through which the gospel of Jesus Christ could go forth to 'every nation' (2 Nephi 26:13). . . .

"The opposition and trials are different now. If anything, they are more intense, more dangerous than in those early days, aimed not so much at the Church as at us as individuals. The early revelations, published as scriptures for the permanent guidance of the Church, define the ordinances and covenants and are still in force.

"One of those scriptures promises, 'If ye are prepared ye shall not fear' (D&C 38:30). . . .

"[Much] has been done to prepare us. . . . I do not fear the future. . . .

Boyd K. Packer, "On Zion's Hill," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 70-71

Topics: Revelation

Youth Gems - 27 March 2007

Repentance

"I will speak briefly of the principle of repentance. How grateful I am for the understanding we have of this great principle. It is not a harsh principle, as I thought when I was a boy. It is kind and merciful."

Richard G. Hinckley, "Repentance, a Blessing of Membership," Ensign, May 2006, 49

Topics: Repentance

Church History Gems - 26 March 2007

Joseph Smith was a True Prophet

"I bear my testimony that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, ordained of God to lay the foundation of His Church and kingdom in the last dispensation and fulness of times. . . . The Prophet Joseph laid down his life for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ, and he will be crowned as a martyr in the presence of God and the Lamb. In all his testimonies to us, the power of God was visibly manifest in the Prophet Joseph."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 14)

Topics: Joseph Smith, Testimony

Family Gems - 26 March 2007

Becoming Examples of Righteousness by Following the Savior

"As we go through life, even through very rough waters, a father's instinctive impulse to cling tightly to his wife or to his children may not be the best way to accomplish his objective. Instead, if he will lovingly cling to the Savior and the iron rod of the gospel, his family will want to cling to him and to the Savior.

"This lesson is surely not limited to fathers. Regardless of gender, marital status, or age, individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth. By so doing, they become examples of righteousness to whom others will want to cling."

Russell M. Nelson, "Set in Order Thy House," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 69

Topics: Savior, Fatherhood

Daily Gems - 26 March 2007

Elements for Eternal Destiny

"Each of you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood has inside of you all of the essential elements for your eternal destiny. These elements, some of them dormant, need to be strengthened and nourished from the outside. Some of them are physical; some of them are spiritual. The human spirit needs to know about its eternal journey--to know where it came from, why it is here in mortality, and where it must ultimately go to receive joy and happiness and fulfill its destiny. Replenishing our spirits with spiritual nutrients can be everlasting and will go with us into the eternities."

James E. Faust, "Spiritual Nutrients," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 55

Topics: Aaronic Priesthood

Daily Gems - 23 March 2007

Let Children Know of Your Trust in the Lord

"We can know what the Lord wants us to do—and experience 'the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work' (Alma 26:3). . . .

"To truly be an instrument in the hands of God, in order to fully have that blessing bestowed upon us in 'the day of this life' in which we 'perform [our] labors' (Alma 34:32), we must, as Elder Maxwell says, 'finally submit ourselves' (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 24) to the Lord."

Anne C. Pingree, "Knowing the Lord's Will for You," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 112

Topics:

Church History Gems - 23 March 2007

My Ears Have Heard the Fullness of the Gospel.

"I thank God that I live in this day and age of the world, when my ears have heard the sound of the fulness of the gospel of Christ."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 10)

Topics: Restoration

Family Gems - 23 March 2007

The Essence of Character

"All of us, single or married, are eternally part of some family—someway, somewhere, somehow—and much of our joy in life comes as we correctly recognize and properly develop those family relationships. We come to this earth charged with a mission: to learn to love and serve one another. To best help us accomplish this, God has placed us in families, for he knows that is where we can best learn to overcome selfishness and pride and to sacrifice for others and to make happiness and helpfulness and humility and love the very essence of our character."

John H. Groberg, "The Power of Family Prayer," Ensign, May 1982, 50

Topics: Serving Others, Family

Youth Gems - 22 March 2007

What Does President Hinckley Think of Me?

"The young men . . . throughout the world, and their young women counterparts, are very special. President Hinckley has spoken of them:

" 'I have said many times that I believe we have the finest generation of young people that this Church has ever known. . . . They try to do the right thing. They are bright and able, clean and fresh, attractive and smart. . . . They know what the gospel is about, and they are trying to live it, looking to the Lord for His guidance and help' ("Your Greatest Challenge, Mother," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 97-98)."

Ronald A. Rasband, "Our Rising Generation," Ensign, May 2006, 46

Topics: Faith

Daily Gems - 22 March 2007

Let Children Know of Your Trust in the Lord

"Be there for your children. Sit on the bed and enjoy the

late-night talks--try to stay awake! Pray for the Lord to

inspire you. Forgive often. Choose your battles. Testify frequently of

Jesus Christ and His goodness and of the Restoration. And most of all, let

them know of your trust in the Lord."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Sweet Moments," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 109

Topics: Testimony

Young Single Adult Gems - 21 March 2007

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

"Faith is not bravado, not just a wish, not just a hope. True faith is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ--confidence and trust in Jesus Christ that leads a person to follow Him."

Dennis E. Simmons, "But If Not . . .," Ensign, May 2004, 73

Topics: Faith

Daily Gems - 21 March 2007

No Organization Can Compare with It

"This organization is divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and of men. Therefore there is not any organization that can compare with it, . . . that can ever occupy the same stand and platform that this can. . . .

"Make [Relief Society] first, make it foremost, make it the highest, the best and the deepest of any organization in existence in the world. You are called by the voice of the Prophet of God to do it, to be uppermost, to be the greatest and the best, the purest and the most devoted to the right."

Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 184

Topics: Relief Society

Church History Gems - 21 March 2007

The Lord's Church Upon the Earth

"Whenever the Lord has a Church upon the earth, and that Church receives the Gospel of Christ, and they enjoy the Holy Ghost, every gift and grace that ever did belong to the Church of God belongs to that Church."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 4)

Topics: Restoration

Daily Gems - 20 March 2007

Experiencing the Sweet Peace of Forgiveness

"Sometimes we carry unhappy feelings about past hurts too long. We spend too much energy dwelling on things that have passed and cannot be changed. We struggle to close the door and let go of the hurt. If, after time, we can forgive whatever may have caused the hurt, we will tap 'into a life-giving source of comfort' through the Atonement, and the 'sweet peace' of forgiveness will be ours ("My Journey to Forgiving," Ensign, Feb. 1997. 43). Some injuries are so hurtful and deep that healing comes only with help from a higher power and hope for perfect justice and restitution in the next life. . . . You can tap into that higher power and receive precious comfort and sweet peace."

James E. Faust, "Instruments in the Hands of God," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 115

Topics: Forgiving Others, Atonement

Youth Gems - 20 March 2007

Correct Choices Bring Freedom

"You live in a time of great challenges and opportunities. As spirit sons of heavenly parents, you are free to make the right choices. This requires hard work, self-discipline, and an optimistic outlook, which will bring joy and freedom into your life now and in the future."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "See the End from the Beginning," Ensign, May 2006, 42

Topics: Joy, Choice and Accountability, Agency

Young Single Adult Gems - 19 March 2007

The Scriptures Are the Food of a Man's Soul

The Scriptures Are the Food of a Man's Soul

"In the early 1500s young William Tyndale . . . studied the work of the Bible scholar Erasmus, who believed that the scriptures are 'the food of [a man's] soul; and . . . must permeate the very depths of [his] heart and mind' (quoted in Benson Bobrick, Wide as the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired [2001], 89). Through his studies, Tyndale developed a love for God's word and a desire that all God's children be able to feast on it for themselves. . . .

"Eventually Tyndale, like others, was killed for his efforts. . . . But the belief for which he gave his life was not lost. Millions have come to experience for themselves what Tyndale taught throughout his life: 'The nature of God's word is, that whosoever read it, . . . it will begin immediately to make him every day better and better, till he be grown into a perfect man' (quoted in Wilcox, Fire in the Bones, xv)."

Robert D. Hales, "Preparations for the Restoration and the Second Coming: 'My Hand Shall Be over Thee,'" Ensign, Nov. 2005, 89-90

Topics: Scripture