Daily Gems - 18 June 2009

The Greatest Gift

"By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will 'always have his Spirit to be with [us].' That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth."

Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 17

Topics: Sacrament, Testimony

Young Single Adult Gems - 17 June 2009

The Holy Ghost

“It is the Holy Ghost that bears witness of your words when you teach and testify. It is the Holy Ghost that, as you speak in hostile venues, puts into your heart what you should say and fulfills the Lord's promise that ‘you shall not be confounded before men’ (D&C 100:5). It is the Holy Ghost that reveals how you may clear the next seemingly insurmountable hurdle. It is by the Holy Ghost in you that others may feel the pure love of Christ and receive strength to press forward. It is also the Holy Ghost, in His character as the Holy Spirit of Promise, that confirms the validity and efficacy of your covenants and seals God's promises upon you.”

D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign, May 2009, 22

Topics: Holy Ghost

Church History Gems - 17 June 2009

Provide Ordinances for Ancestors

"In [an] epistle, written one hundred and fifty years ago, Joseph Smith stated: 'The Saints have the privilege of being baptized for . . . their relatives who are dead . . . who have received the gospel in the spirit . . . through . . . those who have been commissioned to preach to them. . . . Those saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.' (History of the Church, 4:231; italics added.)

"The prophet Elijah committed the keys for vicarious work to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 110:13–16) to fulfill the Lord's promise that 'he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers' (D&C 2:2).

"Through further revelation to Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets, there has come an understanding of and provision for temple work and the family history effort that supports it. Every prophet since Joseph Smith has emphasized the imperative need to provide all ordinances for ourselves and our deceased ancestors."

Richard G. Scott, Redemption: The Harvest of Love, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 5

Topics: Family History

Daily Gems - 17 June 2009

Most Powerful Resource in Conversion

"The Book of Mormon is a proof that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Preach My Gospel teaches that 'the Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is [the] most powerful resource in conversion' ([2004], 104)."

Marcos A. Aidukaitis, "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 15–16

Topics: Proclaim the Gospel, Book of Mormon

Daily Gems - 16 June 2009

Finding Our Spiritual Footing

"Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the beginning or even along the way. Our conversion comes step-by-step, line upon line. We first build a foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We treasure the principles and ordinances of repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We include a continuing commitment to prayer, a willingness to be obedient, and an ongoing witness of the Book of Mormon."

Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 13

Topics: Opposition, Exaltation

Daily Gems - 15 June 2009

Urgency to Share the Gospel

"The Lord's Church has the responsibility to preach the gospel in the world. This is the foundation of missionary work, and the duty of our missionaries is to 'invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end' (Preach My Gospel [2004], 1)."

Silvia H. Allred, "Go Ye Therefore", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 10–11

Topics: Spirituality, Proclaim the Gospel

Church History Gems - 15 June 2009

Kingdom of God

"Today I speak of keys other than those of metal. The keys I speak of never rust. These are the keys of life and salvation in the kingdom of God. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, 'I will give you a key that will never rust, if you will stay with the majority of the Twelve Apostles, and the records of the Church, you will never be led astray' (quoted in Young Woman's Journal, Dec. 1906, p. 543).

"The Prophet also stated: 'The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1970], p. 158; see also Matt. 17:1–3). Peter, James, and John conferred the keys of the kingdom of God upon the Prophet Joseph and ordained him to be an Apostle and a special witness of the name of the Savior and to bear the keys of his ministry. Keys that pertain to the gathering of Israel, the dispensation of Abraham, and, indispensably, the keys of sealing were conferred upon the Prophet by Moses, Elias, and Elijah in 1836."

James E. Faust, The Keys That Never Rust, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 72

Topics: Priesthood Keys

Family Gems - 15 June 2009

No Matter Our Situation, We All Bear the Responsibility to Strengthen Families

“It is the responsibility and blessing of each of us to strengthen our families and homes. Each of us is in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.

“No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others.”

Barbara Thompson, “His Arm Is Sufficient,” Ensign, May 2009, 84

Topics: Family

Family Gems - 12 June 2009

Fathers Have a Sacred Responsibility to Lead Their Families

“It is our responsibility as fathers to lead our families in daily family prayer, daily study of the scriptures, and in family home evening. We must prioritize and preserve these opportunities to build and strengthen the spiritual underpinnings of our families. President Hinckley said: ‘Try not to let anything interfere. Consider it sacred’ (Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 21, 2003, 22).”

Claudio R. M. Costa, “Priesthood Responsibilities,” Ensign, May 2009, 56

Topics: Melchizedek Priesthood

Church History Gems - 12 June 2009

Blotting Out of Sins

"The image of a loving, forgiving God comes through clearly to those who read and understand the scriptures. Since he is our Father, he naturally desires to raise us up, not to push us down, to help us live, not to bring about our spiritual death. 'For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' he has said, '. . . wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.' (Ezek. 18:32.)

"As he fervently prayed at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in 1836, the Prophet Joseph Smith expressed his assurance that sins could be blotted out: 'O Jehovah, have mercy upon this people, and as all men sin forgive the transgressions of thy people, and let them be blotted out forever.' (D&C 109:34.) The thought of blotting out of sins during the process of forgiveness was also expressed by the Lord when he said: 'I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.' (Isa. 43:25.)"

Spencer W. Kimball, God Will Forgive, Ensign, Mar. 1982, 4–5

Topics: Repentance

Daily Gems - 12 June 2009

Weathering Storms with Optimism

"We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It with Simplicity," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 7

Topics: Opposition

Young Single Adult Gems - 12 June 2009

The Foundation of Our Testimony

“We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times.”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times,” Ensign, May 2009, 17

Topics: Testimony, Holy Ghost

Daily Gems - 11 June 2009

Activities That Interfere with the Sacrament

"During sacrament meeting—and especially during the sacrament service—we should concentrate on worship and refrain from all other activities, especially from behavior that could interfere with the worship of others."

Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 18–19

Topics: Sacrament

Daily Gems - 10 June 2009

A Future of Peace

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ' "

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22–23

Topics: Hope

Church History Gems - 10 June 2009

Meekness

"Meekness will permit us to endure more graciously the cruel caricaturing and misrepresentation that accompanies discipleship—especially in the rugged last days of this dispensation. Remember the fingers of scorn in Lehi's vision which pointed and mocked at those who clung to the iron rod? (See 1 Ne. 8:26–33.) The mockers were not a small minority. And they were persistent and preoccupied in their scorn of the Saints. You will come to see that preoccupation.

"Meekness permits us to be prompted as to whether to speak out or, as Jesus once did, be silent. But even when the meek speak up, they do so without speaking down.

"I stress again that meekness does not mean we are bereft of boldness. A meek, imprisoned Joseph Smith displayed remarkable boldness in rebuking the grossness of the guards in Richmond jail:

" 'Silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit! In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die this instant!' (History of the Church, 3:208.)

"Isn't it interesting that, in a world wrongly impressed with machismo, we see more and more coarseness which is mistaken for manliness, more and more selfishness masquerading as individuality?"

Neal A. Maxwell, Meekness—A Dimension of True Discipleship, Ensign, Mar. 1983, 73–74

Topics: Faith

Young Single Adult Gems - 10 June 2009

Instill in Each Heart a Testimony

“There is great need in today’s world to nourish the souls of our children and youth with ‘living water’ and the ‘bread of life.’ Like Peter, we too love the Lord, so today's parents and leaders work diligently to instill in each heart a testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. We teach in our homes, in missionary settings, and in the chapels and classrooms of our churches. We prepare and invite the Spirit to be with us. But to truly be able to feed His lambs and nourish His sheep with testimony and the Spirit, we must also cultivate in our homes and classrooms respect for each other and reverence for God.”

Margaret S. Lifferth, “Respect and Reverence,” Ensign, May 2009, 11

Topics: Testimony

Daily Gems - 9 June 2009

Jesus Is the Christ

"Jesus is the Christ. He is resurrected. He is our Savior and Redeemer. All will be made well when He comes again. This is His holy work. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, His priesthood was restored upon the earth."

Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 14

Topics: Faith, Jesus Christ

Daily Gems - 8 June 2009

Adversity and Growth

"If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 26

Topics: Adversity

Family Gems - 8 June 2009

Parents Can Offer Great Wisdom to Their Children

“When you are willing to listen and learn, some of life’s most meaningful teachings come from those who have gone before you. They have walked where you are walking and have experienced many of the things you are experiencing. If you listen and respond to their counsel, they can help guide you toward choices that will be for your benefit and blessing and steer you away from decisions that can destroy you. As you look to your parents and others who have gone before you, you will find examples of faith, commitment, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that you should strive to duplicate.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Learning the Lessons of the Past,” Ensign, May 2009, 31

Topics: Parenthood

Church History Gems - 8 June 2009

He Was Full of Joy

"O, [Joseph Smith] was full of joy; he was full of gladness; he was full of love. . . . And while he could play with children and amuse himself at simple, innocent games among men, he also communed with the Father and the Son and spoke with angels, and they visited him, and conferred blessings and gifts and keys of power upon him."

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

Topics: Joseph Smith