LDS Gem Archives, June 2007
Young Single Adult Gems - 29 June 2007
Living Our Lives to Prepare for the Second Coming
"The Lord expects us to be as faithful, as devoted, as courageous as those who went before us. They were called to give their lives for the gospel. We are called to live our lives for the same purpose. In these last days we have special reason to do so.
"Before that sacred night in Bethlehem, the events of history and the words of the prophets of all dispensations prepared the way for the first coming of the Lord and His Atonement. Similarly, history and prophecy laid the groundwork for the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. . . . The events and prophecies of our time are preparing us for the Savior's Second Coming."
Topics: Second Coming
Church History Gems - 29 June 2007
I Take Pleasure in Meeting with the Saints.
"I take pleasure in meeting with the Saints. I like to break bread with them in commemoration of the broken body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and also to partake of the cup in remembrance of his shed blood. And then to reflect upon the associations connected therewith. . . . I like to reflect upon all these and a thousand other things connected with the salvation, happiness and exaltation of the Saints of God in this world, and in the world to come."
Topics: Atonement
Daily Gems - 29 June 2007
The Church Lives in the Heart and Soul of the Members
"There is in the Church a central core of power deeper than programs or meeting or associations. It does not change. It cannot erode. It is constant and certain. It never recedes or fades.
"While the Church is housed in chapels, it lives in the heart and soul of every Latter-day Saint.
"Everywhere in the world, humble members draw inspiration from the scriptures to guide them through life, not fully understanding that they have found that 'pearl of great price' (Matthew 13:46) about which the Lord spoke to His disciples. . . .
"Each can receive assurance which comes through inspiration and testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is just as He declared it to be, 'the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth' (D&C 1:30)."
Topics: Revelation
Family Gems - 29 June 2007
Salvation--A Family Affair
“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 associations.”
Topics: Marriage
Youth Gems - 28 June 2007
Moroni's Faith in Our Generation
"Moroni exercised faith in the promised blessings for future generations. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained that this joyful anticipation of past prophets, including Moroni, was because they had seen our day in vision. They saw strong, covenant-keeping young people like you who would carry out the Lord's work in this final dispensation. Elder Holland said, 'The leaders in those ages past, were able to keep going, . . . not because they knew that they would succeed but because they knew that you would . . . a magnificent congregation of young [people] like you . . . in a determined effort to see the gospel prevail and triumph' ("Terror, Triumph, and a Wedding Feast," Church Educational System fireside, Sept. 12, 2004; see www.ldsces.org). We have a huge responsibility to fulfill Moroni's 'joyful anticipation.' "
Topics: Faith, Youth, Enduring to the End
Daily Gems - 28 June 2007
Joseph Smith's Testimony Changes Lives
"In retrospect, over 160 years later, although the events of June 27, 1844, were tragic, we are provided comfort as we realize that Joseph Smith's Martyrdom was not the last chapter in this account. Although those who sought to take his life felt that the Church would collapse without him, his powerful testimony of truth, the teachings he translated, and his declaration of the Savior's message go on today in the hearts of over 12 million members throughout the world, who proclaim him a prophet of God.
"The testimony of the Prophet Joseph continues to change lives."
Topics: Testimony
Daily Gems - 27 June 2007
Joseph Smith's Last Great Act of Love
"On June 27, 1844, Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor, and Willard Richards were together [in the Carthage Jail] when an angry mob stormed the jail, ran up the stairway, and began firing through the door of the room they occupied. Hyrum was killed, and John Taylor was wounded. Joseph Smith's last great act here upon the earth was one of selflessness. He crossed the room, most likely 'thinking that it would save the lives of his brethren in the room if he could get out, . . . and sprang into the window when two balls pierced him from the door, and one entered his right breast from without' (History of the Church, 6:618). He gave his life. . . . The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us love—by example."
Topics: Charity, Joseph Smith
Church History Gems - 27 June 2007
Be A Saint
"If there be trouble existing between me and anybody else, I would meet them half way, yes, I would meet them three quarters or even all of the way. I would feel like yielding; I would say, I do not want to quarrel, I want to be a Saint. I have set out for purity, virtue, brotherhood, and for obedience to the laws of God on earth, and for thrones and principalities and dominions in the eternal worlds, and I will not allow such paltry affairs to interfere with my prospects. I am for life, eternal lives and eternal exaltations in the kingdom of God."
Topics: Forgiveness
Young Single Adult Gems - 27 June 2007
Greater Love Hath No Man Than This
"In Carthage Jail he was incarcerated with his brother Hyrum and others. On June 27, 1844, Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor, and Willard Richards were together there when an angry mob stormed the jail, ran up the stairway, and began firing through the door of the room they occupied. Hyrum was killed, and John Taylor was wounded. Joseph Smith's last great act here upon the earth was one of selflessness. He crossed the room, most likely 'thinking that it would save the lives of his brethren in the room if he could get out, . . . and sprang into the window when two balls pierced him from the door, and one entered his right breast from without' (History of the Church, 6:618). He gave his life; Willard Richards and John Taylor were spared. 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us love--by example."
Topics: Charity
Daily Gems - 26 June 2007
Joseph Smith Given Power to Build the Kingdom of God
"I love the words of President Brigham Young, who said, 'I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom He gave keys and power to build up the kingdom of God on earth' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 343).
"To this fitting tribute to our beloved Joseph, I add my own testimony that he was God's prophet, chosen to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days."
Topics: Joseph Smith
Youth Gems - 26 June 2007
Priesthood and Spiritual Gifts
"The priesthood is intricately woven into who we are and have ever been. As sons and daughters of God, we each have unique responsibilities and roles, and through the blessings of the priesthood, we are all given equal partnership, gifts, and blessings."
Topics: Priesthood Blessings, Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood
Family Gems - 25 June 2007
Strengthening the Family
"Remember, the family is one of God's greatest fortresses against the evils of our day. Help keep your family strong and close and worthy of our Father in Heaven's blessings. As you do, you will receive faith and strength which will bless your lives forever."
Topics:
Church History Gems - 25 June 2007
Feel as our Heavenly Father does.
"We ought to be full of charity, of brotherly kindness and affection and love one towards another and love towards all men. We ought to feel as our heavenly Father does."
Daily Gems - 25 June 2007
Called to Our Unique Responsibilities
"Joseph Smith's father pronounced this blessing upon his son's head: 'The Lord thy God has called thee by name out of the heavens. Thou hast been called . . . to the great work of the Lord: to do a work in this generation which no other . . . would do as thyself, in all things according to the will of the Lord' (in Gracia N. Jones, Emma's Glory and Sacrifice: A Testimony [1987], 43-44). The Prophet Joseph was called to his unique part of 'the great work of the Lord.'. . . I [know] I [am] called to my portion of the work, too. This insight [is] helpful and [gives] me courage. . . .
"Sarah Cleveland, one of our early Relief Society leaders in Nauvoo, described our feelings: 'We have entered into this work in the name of the Lord. Let us boldly go forward' (Relief Society Minutes, Mar. 30, 1842, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24)."
Topics: Church Callings
Young Single Adult Gems - 25 June 2007
His Hand Is Truly over Us
"The work of the Prophet Joseph Smith is the Savior's work. In the Lord's service the path is not always easy. It often requires sacrifices, and we will likely experience adversity. But in serving Him, we discover that His hand is truly over us. So it was for Wycliffe, Tyndale, and thousands of others who prepared the way for the Restoration. So it was for the Prophet Joseph Smith and all who helped usher in the restored gospel. So it is and will be for us."
Daily Gems - 22 June 2007
The Keys of the Kingdom Planted on Earth
"In 1844 Joseph Smith conferred all the keys of the priesthood upon Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and their fellow Apostles. The Prophet said: 'I have lived until I have seen this burden, which has rested on my shoulders, rolled on to the shoulders of other men; . . . the keys of the kingdom are planted on the earth to be taken away no more for ever. . . . No matter what becomes of me' (quoted by Wilford Woodruff in Deseret News, Dec. 21, 1869, 2). Sadly, three months later, on June 27, Joseph Smith the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were martyred at Carthage, Illinois."
Topics: Priesthood Keys, Melchizedek Priesthood
Church History Gems - 22 June 2007
Love Our Neighbors As Ourselves
"God is our Father, we His children, and we all ought to be brethren; we ought to feel and act like brethren, and while we are striving to serve the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, we ought, at the same time, to seek to love our neighbor as ourselves; we ought to feel interested in his welfare, happiness and prosperity, and in anything and everything that will tend to promote his temporal and eternal good."
Topics: Charity
Family Gems - 22 June 2007
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.' "
Topics: Family
Young Single Adult Gems - 22 June 2007
Take Time Alone to Gain Your Own Testimony
"Gain your own testimony of the Savior. Pray passionately. Read the Book of Mormon when no one is watching. Take time alone to think about who Jesus really is and how His life and sacrifice are important to you.
"Remember the example of the young Joseph Smith. When he lit the candle at night to read the Bible, it was because he wanted to. When he went into the grove to pray, he went alone (see Joseph Smith—History 1:11-20)."
Youth Gems - 21 June 2007
Happiness
"If you understand the great plan of happiness and follow it, what goes on in the world will not determine your happiness."
Topics: Plan of Salvation, Joy
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