Daily Gems - 30 April 2007

To Obtain the Manifestations of the Lord

"The Prophet Joseph Smith [said] that he 'had to pray all the time, exercise faith, live his religion, and magnify his calling, to obtain the manifestations of the Lord, and to keep him steadfast in the faith' (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 469). All of us may expect some challenges to our faith. These challenges may come in different ways. You may not always like the counsel that the Church leaders give to you. They are not trying to be popular. They are trying to help us avoid the calamities and disappointments that come through disobedience to God's laws."

James E. Faust, "Called and Chosen," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 54

Topics: Faith, Obedience

Young Single Adult Gems - 30 April 2007

Perseverance, the Secret of Success

"Success is usually earned by persevering and not becoming discouraged when we encounter challenges. Paul Harvey, the famous news analyst and author, once said: 'Someday I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that someone will ask me, "What's the secret of it?" I shall say simply this: "I get up when I fall down" ' (quoted in Marvin J. Ashton, Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 126)."

James E. Faust, "Perseverance," Ensign, May 2005, 51

Topics: Enduring to the End, Adversity

Church History Gems - 30 April 2007

"My Servant Joseph"

"There should be no exaggerated emphasis on the fallibility or mortal failings of Joseph Smith. They were only things that are a part of any human being. He and his work enjoyed the benediction of Deity. On a special occasion, the Lord said to him, 'Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.' (D&C 124:1.)"

James E. Faust, "The Expanding Inheritance from Joseph Smith," Ensign, Nov. 1981, 75-76

Topics: Joseph Smith

Family Gems - 27 April 2007

Strengthen Fathers

"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."

James E. Faust, "The Father Who Cares," Ensign, Sept. 2006, 4

Topics: Fatherhood

Young Single Adult Gems - 27 April 2007

We Can Receive Spiritual Reassurance in Response to Our Prayers

"How often have each of us fallen to our knees with . . . feelings of inadequacy and need for divine reassurance? . . .

"[As did Joseph Smith,] we too can receive spiritual reassurance in response to our prayers. We can receive a witness that our Father in Heaven knows us by name and that He has an earthly mission for us to fulfill."

Susan W. Tanner, "Glad Tidings from Cumorah," Ensign, May 2005, 104

Topics: Prayer

Church History Gems - 27 April 2007

The Work Continues

"It was Friday morning, June 28, 1844, and already the summer sun was hot in Illinois. Since about eight o’clock that morning Dr. Willard Richards, Samuel H. Smith, and nine others had plodded along the dusty road between Carthage and Nauvoo, Illinois. Moving along the road with the solemn procession were two wagons heaped with bushes to protect their cargo from the blistering heat of the sun.

"Laid out on the wagons were the lifeless bodies of Joseph Smith, age thirty-eight, over six feet tall, and Hyrum, his brother, age forty-four, and even larger in stature than Joseph. Wearily, Dr. Richards and Samuel Smith, brother to the two murdered men, pressed toward Nauvoo and talked of the events just the day before during which Joseph and Hyrum were gunned down by an armed mob with painted faces. The two victims, along with Dr. Richards and John Taylor, were lodged in Carthage Jail, supposedly for their protection, when the mob, numbering from 150 to 200 marauders, stormed the jail and shot to death their intended victims. . . .

"Some of the enemies of Joseph Smith exulted in their infamous deeds; and many proclaimed that the Church, which he had restored and for which he had given his life, would die with him.

"But, to the surprise of its enemies, the Church did not die nor did the work of Joseph Smith cease with his mortal death. What has transpired in a century and a half bears eloquent testimony to the eternal nature of the work of this singularly remarkable man, Joseph Smith."

James E. Faust, "The Expanding Inheritance from Joseph Smith," Ensign, Nov. 1981, 75-76

Topics: Joseph Smith

Daily Gems - 27 April 2007

Be Not Afraid, Only Believe

"Brothers and sisters, whatever your distress, please don't give up and please don't yield to fear. I have always been touched that as his son was departing for his mission to England, Brother Bryant S. Hinckley gave young Gordon a farewell embrace and then slipped him a handwritten note with just five words taken from the fifth chapter of Mark: 'Be not afraid, only believe' (Mark 5:36)."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Broken Things to Mend," Ensign, May 2006, 71

Topics: Proclaim the Gospel

Daily Gems - 26 April 2007

Our Mission of Righteousness

"The Lord has constituted us as a people for a special mission. As he told Enoch in ancient times, the day in which we live would be one of darkness, but it would also be a time when righteousness would come down from heaven, and truth would be sent forth out of the earth to bear, once more, testimony of Christ and His atoning mission. As with a flood, that message would sweep the world, and the Lord's elect would be gathered out from the four quarters of the earth (see Moses 7:62). Wherever we live in the world, we have been molded as a people to be the instruments of the Lord's peace. In the words of Peter, we have been claimed by God for His own, to proclaim the triumph of Him 'who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God' (1 Peter 2:9-10). We cannot afford to be caught up in a world prone to give and to take offense. Rather, as the Lord revealed to both Paul and Mormon, we must neither envy nor be puffed up in pride. We are not easily provoked, nor do we behave unseemly. We rejoice not in iniquity but in the truth. Surely this is the pure love of Christ which we represent (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-6; Moroni 7:45-47)."

Robert S. Wood, "Instruments of the Lord's Peace," Ensign, May 2006, 95

Topics: Proclaim the Gospel

Daily Gems - 25 April 2007

Missions Bless beyond Measure

"All that I now hold dear in life began to mature in the mission field. Had I not been encouraged to be a missionary, I would not have the eternal companion or precious family I dearly love. I am confident that I would not have had the exceptional professional opportunities that stretched my every capacity. I am certain that I would not have received the sacred callings with opportunities to serve for which I will be eternally grateful. My life has been richly blessed beyond measure because I served a mission."

Richard G. Scott, "Now Is the Time to Serve a Mission!" Ensign, May 2006, 89-90

Topics: Proclaim the Gospel

Young Single Adult Gems - 25 April 2007

Deciding to Come Back

"If you have become entangled in sin from poor choices, please decide to come back now. You know how to begin. Do it now. We love you. We need you. God will help you."

Richard G. Scott, "How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil," Ensign, May 2004, 102

Topics: Repentance

Church History Gems - 25 April 2007

Joseph Smith's Teachings of the Savior.

"Ages ago in the Great Council, Jesus was the prepared but meek Volunteer. As the Father described the plan of salvation and the need for a Savior, it was Jesus who stepped forward and said humbly but courageously, 'Here am I, send me.' (Abr. 3:27; see also Moses 4:2.) Never has anyone offered to do so much for so many with so few words!

"It is through the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom the resurrected Jesus called, that we learn these things and so much more about Jesus--long before Bethlehem and well beyond Calvary.

"Whenever we speak of the Prophet Joseph Smith, therefore, it should be in reverent appreciation of the Lord who called him and whom Joseph served so well."

Neal A. Maxwell, "A Choice Seer," Ensign, Aug. 1986

Topics: Joseph Smith

Daily Gems - 24 April 2007

Testing Our Faith in the Book of Mormon

"When the missionaries came to our home, I had the desire to listen to the message of the Restoration of the gospel. My motivation was mainly curiosity. Attending church, I heard more new spiritual knowledge. It was interesting and I liked it, but I was missing the essential: giving heed. I had to build a personal spiritual foundation upon the living reality of Christ and the confirmation that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration. That confirmation came only when I gave heed and tested my beginning faith in the Book of Mormon, the physical evidence of modern revelation."

Charles Didier, "Man's Search for Divine Truth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 49-50

Topics: Restoration, Prophets

Youth Gems - 24 April 2007

The Blessings of the Priesthood Are Available to Men and Women Equally

"I hope our granddaughters and grandsons grow up knowing that they are not and have never been third-party observers of the priesthood. The blessings of the priesthood, which 'are available to men and women alike' (Dallin H. Oaks, "Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 26), are woven in and through and around their lives. Each of them is blessed by sacred ordinances, and each of them can enjoy the blessings of spiritual gifts by virtue of the priesthood."

Julie B. Beck, "An Outpouring of Blessings," Ensign, May 2006, 11

Topics: Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood

Family Gems - 23 April 2007

Greater Love in Our Homes

"I would like to see greater love in our homes. . . . You parents who are fathers and mothers of children, treasure your children. Look to them with love. Lead them . . . with love. . . . They will follow after you if you do that. And I make you a promise that if you do so, the time will come when you will feel so grateful that you have done so, that you will get on your knees and thank the Lord for the precious children who have come to you and grown up under your direction."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 4-5

Topics: Love

Church History Gems - 23 April 2007

Enjoy the Holy Spirit

"When we enjoy the Holy Spirit, when we are trying to live our religion here on the earth, we are the happiest people on God's footstool, no matter what our circumstances may be. I do not care whether we are rich or poor, whether in happiness or affliction, if a man is living his religion and enjoys the favor and Spirit of God, it makes no difference to him what takes place on the earth. There may be earthquakes, war, fire or sword in the land, but he feels that it is all right with him. That is the way I feel."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 51

Topics: Peace, Holy Ghost

Young Single Adult Gems - 23 April 2007

Games of Chance Appear Innocent But Can Lead to Addiction

"The pursuit of a game of chance may seem like harmless fun. But there attaches to it an intensity that actually shows on the faces of those who are playing. And in all too many cases this practice, which appears innocent, can lead to an actual addiction. The Church has been and is now opposed to this practice."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Gambling," Ensign, May 2005, 61

Topics: Gospel Standards

Daily Gems - 23 April 2007

Our Identity as Priesthood Holders Makes Us Missionaries

"Proclaiming the gospel is not an activity in which we periodically and temporarily engage. And our labors as missionaries certainly are not confined to the short period of time devoted to full-time missionary service in our youth or in our mature years. Rather, the obligation to proclaim the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is inherent in the oath and covenant of the priesthood into which we enter. Missionary work essentially is a priesthood responsibility, and all of us who hold the priesthood are the Lord's authorized servants on the earth and are missionaries at all times and in all places—and we always will be. Our very identity as holders of the priesthood and the seed of Abraham is in large measure defined by the responsibility to proclaim the gospel."

David A. Bednar, "Becoming a Missionary," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 44

Topics: Proclaim the Gospel

Church History Gems - 20 April 2007

The Holy Ghost is not Restricted to Apostles or Prophets

"Every man or woman that has ever entered into the church of God and been baptized for the remission of sins has a right to revelation, a right to the Spirit of God, to assist them in their labors, in their administrations to their children, in counseling their children and those over whom they are called upon to preside. The Holy Ghost is not restricted to men, nor to apostles or prophets; it belongs to every faithful man and woman, and to every child who is old enough to receive the gospel of Christ."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 49

Topics: Revelation

Family Gems - 20 April 2007

Honor Your Wives

"You men who hold the priesthood of God, honor your wives. Respect them. They are the mothers of your children. When all is said and done, when you have lived your lives and go on to eternity, you will not take five cents of wealth that you have accumulated, not five cents. There is only one thing that you can take with you, and that is your eternal soul and the love and companionship of your husband or your wife. Live worthy of it."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 4

Topics: Marriage

Daily Gems - 20 April 2007

Relying on the Savior

"Jesus said, 'Without me ye can do nothing.' (John 15:5). I testify that that is God's truth. Christ is everything to us and we are to 'abide' in Him permanently, unyieldingly, steadfastly, forever. For the fruit of the gospel to blossom and bless our lives, we must be firmly attached to Him, the Savior of us all, and to this His Church, which bears His holy name. He is the vine that is our true source of strength and the only source of eternal life. In Him we not only will endure but also will prevail and triumph in this holy cause that will never fail us."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Abide in Me," Ensign, May 2004, 32

Topics: Enduring to the End