Youth Gems - 31 May 2007

How Can We Have Greater Wisdom and Withstand Trials Better?

"The prophets of our day have promised you, my friends, that as you keep the standards given in For the Strength of Youth and 'live by the truths in the scriptures, you will be able to do your life's work with greater wisdom and skill and bear trials with greater courage. You will have the help of the Holy Ghost. . . . You will be worthy to go to the temple to receive holy ordinances. These blessings and many more can be yours' (For the Strength of Youth, 2-3)."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "See the End from the Beginning," Ensign, May 2006, 44

Topics: Worthiness

Daily Gems - 31 May 2007

Learn and Do the Duties of Your Calling

"How does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it. An elder magnifies the ordained calling of an elder by learning what his duties as an elder are and then by doing them. As with an elder, so with a deacon, a teacher, a priest, a bishop, and each who holds office in the priesthood. . . .

"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.

"May all within the sound of my voice make a renewed effort to qualify for the Lord's guidance in our lives. There are many who plead and pray for help. There are those who are discouraged and in need of a helping hand."

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

Topics: Duty

Church History Gems - 30 May 2007

A Most Glorious Doctrine

"This doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is most glorious. It is comforting, at least to my spirit, to think, that, in the morning of the resurrection, my spirit will have the privilege of dwelling in the very same body that it occupied here."

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

Topics: Resurrection

Youth Gems - 29 May 2007

The Strength of Youth

"Living the standards set in For the Strength of Youth will make you feel good about yourself. Write those standards into your heart and mind, and live accordingly. Compare each of those standards with where you are today. Listen to the Spirit, who will teach you what you need to do to become more like Jesus."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "See the End from the Beginning," Ensign, May 2006, 45

Topics: Gospel Standards

Daily Gems - 29 May 2007

Following the Prophet's Words as if from the Lord's Mouth

"On the day the Church was organized, Joseph Smith received a revelation that included an important principle for all Church members. Speaking to the Church about Joseph Smith the Lord said, 'thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you . . . for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth' (D&C 21:4-5).

"Now listen to the blessings promised to those who heed: 'For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; year, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good' (D&C 21:6).

"Those are powerful promises that can keep us safe in these treacherous times. We need them, and the Lord will give them to each of us if we are willing to follow the prophets, seers, and revelators."

Paul V. Johnson, "The Blessings of General Conference," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 52

Topics: Prophets, Obedience

Daily Gems - 28 May 2007

Pay Special Attention to Those Called of God

"Give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles. To give heed is to pay special attention. It is to listen to those who have been called by God to be the especial living witnesses of Jesus Christ for our time. It implies that they are recognized in this role, that a response is given to their invitation to receive a personal spiritual confirmation that their teachings are true, and that a commitment to follow them will be made."

Charles Didier, "Man's Search for Divine Truth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 48

Topics: Prophets, Revelation

Young Single Adult Gems - 28 May 2007

The Light of the Atonement

"[Jesus Christ] is the Light of the Atonement fulfilled in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Golgotha, who took upon Himself the sins of the world, that all mankind may obtain eternal salvation. He is the Light of the empty tomb. . . . He is my Light, my Redeemer, my Savior--and yours."

Robert D. Hales, "Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light," Ensign, May 2002, 71–72

Topics: Jesus Christ

Church History Gems - 28 May 2007

Our Future Destiny

"Our future destiny lies on the other side of the veil. When I die I want the privilege of going where God my Heavenly Father is, and where Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 86)

Topics: Resurrection

Family Gems - 28 May 2007

Parents Must Take Advantage of Every Teaching Moment

"Are we likening all of our children's gospel experiences to the real needs in their lives? Are we teaching them about the gift of the Holy Ghost, repentance, the Atonement, the sacrament, and the blessing of sacrament meeting as they meet the challenges in their lives? There is not enough time in formal meetings to teach our children everything they need to know. Therefore, we must take advantage of everyday teaching moments.

"These moments are priceless. They come when we are working, playing, and struggling together. When they come, the Spirit of the Lord can help us know what to say and help our children accept our teaching."

Robert D. Hales, "With All the Feeling of a Tender Parent," Ensign, May 2004, 90

Topics: Parenthood

Young Single Adult Gems - 25 May 2007

I Know the Savior Lives

"As one of His Apostles, authorized to bear witness of Him, I solemnly testify that I know that the Savior lives, that He is a resurrected, glorified personage of perfect love. I witness that He gave His life that we might live with Him eternally. He is our hope, our Mediator, our Redeemer."

Richard G. Scott, "He Lives," Ensign, Nov. 1999, 89

Topics: Testimony, Plan of Salvation

Family Gems - 25 May 2007

Achieving Our Highest Destiny

"The purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help all of the children of God understand their potential and achieve their highest destiny. This church exists to provide the sons and daughters of God with the means of entrance into and exaltation in the celestial kingdom. This is a family-centered church in doctrine and practices. . . . Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them. Under the merciful plan of the Father, all of this is possible through the atonement of the Only Begotten of the Father, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. . . . The fulness of eternal salvation is a family matter."

Dallin H. Oaks, "Apostasy and Restoration," Ensign, May 1995, 87

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 25 May 2007

Become a Missionary before You Go on a Mission

"The single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission. Please notice that . . . I emphasized becoming rather than going. . . .

". . . It is possible . . . to go on a mission and not become a missionary, and this is not what the Lord requires or what the Church needs."

David A. Bednar, "Becoming a Missionary," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 45

Topics: Proclaim the Gospel

Church History Gems - 25 May 2007

I Rejoice in the Resurrection

"I am satisfied, always have been, in regard to the resurrection. I rejoice in it. The way was opened unto us by the blood of the Son of God."

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

Topics: Resurrection

Daily Gems - 24 May 2007

Blessings of the Temple

"The ideals of faith, hope, and charity are most evident in the holy temples. There we learn the purpose of life, strengthen our commitment as disciples of Christ by entering into sacred covenants with Him, and seal our families together for eternity across generations. Receiving our own endowment in a temple and returning frequently to perform sacred ordinances for our kindred dead increases our faith, strengthens our hope, and deepens our charity. We receive our own endowment with faith and hope that we will understand the Lord's plan for His children, will recognize the divine potential within each of us as children of our Heavenly Father, and will be faithful to the end in keeping the covenants we make. Performing temple ordinances for the dead is a manifestation of charity, offering essential blessings to those who have preceded us, blessings that were not available to them during their mortal lives. We have the privilege of doing for them what they are unable to do for themselves."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Cultivating Divine Attributes," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 27

Topics: Faith, Charity, Temple Work

Youth Gems - 24 May 2007

Are All Faithful Members Equal?

"All faithful members of the Lord's Church are equally blessed by priesthood ordinances."

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

Topics: Ordinances and Covenants, Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood

Young Single Adult Gems - 23 May 2007

We Were All on the Side of Jesus

"In a premortal council at which we were all present, [the Savior] led the forces of good against those of Satan and his followers in a battle for the souls of men that began before this world was formed. That conflict continues today. We were all on the side of Jesus then. We are on the side of Jesus today."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Christians in Belief and Action," Ensign, Nov. 1996, 71

Topics: War in Heaven, Premortal Existence, Jesus Christ

Church History Gems - 23 May 2007

The Lord Jesus Christ

"There is no being that has power to save the souls of men and give them eternal life, except the Lord Jesus Christ, under the command of His Father."

Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 74

Topics: Jesus Christ

Daily Gems - 23 May 2007

A Light unto the World

"This entire people have become as a city upon a hill which cannot be hid. Sometimes we take offense when one who is a member of the Church is involved in a crime and the public press is quick to say that he is a Mormon. We comment among ourselves that if he had been a member of any other church, no mention would have been made of it.

"Yet, is not this very practice an indirect compliment to our people? The world expects something better of us, and when one of our number falters, the press is quick to note it. We have, indeed, become as a city upon a hill for the world to see. If we are to be that which the Lord would have us be, we must indeed become 'a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should shew forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.' (1 Pet. 2:9.)"

Gordon B. Hinckley, "A City upon a Hill," Ensign, July 1990, 4

Topics: Example

Daily Gems - 22 May 2007

A Noble and Refined Character

"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily," Ensign, Sept. 2001, 8

Topics: Gratitude

Youth Gems - 22 May 2007

When Should We Prepare to Meet God?

"To be resurrected does not overcome the second death. To gain eternal life and live in the presence of the Father and the Son, we must repent and become eligible for mercy, which will satisfy justice.

"The revelations teach:

" 'This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God' (Alma 34:32).

" 'Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance' (Alma 34:33).

" 'That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world' (Alma 34:34)."

Earl C. Tingey, "The Great Plan of Happiness," Ensign, May 2006, 73

Topics: Plan of Salvation