LDS Gem Archives, June 2008
Church History Gems - 30 June 2008
No Coat to Wear
"We demonstrate our love by how well we serve our God. Remember when the Prophet Joseph Smith went to John E. Page and said to him, 'Brother Page, you have been called on a mission to Canada.'
"Brother Page, struggling for an excuse, said, 'Brother Joseph, I can't go to Canada. I don't have a coat to wear.'
"The Prophet took off his own coat, handed it to John Page, and said, 'Wear this, and the Lord will bless you.'
"John Page went on his mission to Canada. In two years he walked something like 5,000 miles and baptized 600 converts. (See Andrew Jenson, "John E. Page," The Historical Record, 5:572.) He was successful because he responded to an opportunity to serve his God.
"We had a missionary in our mission who was particularly devoted and obedient. I said to him one time, 'Elder, what is the source of your motivation?'
Topics: Proclaim the Gospel
Young Single Adult Gems - 30 June 2008
Qualities of an Eternal Companion
"There are many qualities you will want to look for in a friend or a serious date--to say nothing of a spouse and eternal companion--but surely among the very first and most basic of those qualities will be those of care and sensitivity toward others, a minimum of self-centeredness that allows compassion and courtesy to be evident. ‘That best portion of a good man's life [is] his . . . kindness,’ said Mr. William Wordsworth (‘Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey’ [1798], lines 33–35). There are lots of limitations in all of us that we hope our sweethearts will overlook. I suppose no one is as handsome or as beautiful as he or she wishes, or as brilliant in school or as witty in speech or as wealthy as we would like, but in a world of varied talents and fortunes that we can't always command, I think that makes even more attractive the qualities we can command--such qualities as thoughtfulness, patience, a kind word, and true delight in the accomplishment of another. These cost us nothing, and they can mean everything to the one who receives them."
Family Gems - 30 June 2008
Loving and Serving One Another
" 'No one can assist in this work [unless] he shall be humble and full of love' (D&C 12:8). 'By love serve one another' (Gal. 5:13). Just as service is a natural consequence of love, so is love a natural consequence of service. Husbands, serve your wives. Wives, serve your husbands. Husbands and wives, serve your children. And to all we say, serve God and neighbor. As we do so, we will come to love the object of our devotion and thus be obedient to the first and great commandment of love."
Topics: Serving Others, Love
Daily Gems - 30 June 2008
Power of a Personal Testimony
"The most valuable power we can possess is the treasure of a personal testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning power.
"A testimony comes to us as we live a worthy life and seek it in prayer. 'And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith' (D&C 42:14), our Lord counseled through the Prophet Joseph."
Young Single Adult Gems - 27 June 2008
Measure for Marriage
"One good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?"
Family Gems - 27 June 2008
Parents Can Best Teach by Example
"President Brigham Young instructed parents by saying:
" 'If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.' (Journal of Discourses, 14:192.)
"If we are to instill faith in our children, they must see us demonstrate our faith in their young lives. They must see us on our knees daily, asking the Lord for His blessings and expressing our gratitude unto Him. They need to see us using our priesthood to administer to those in need, and to bless our children. They need to see us reverently worshiping in our sacrament meetings. They need to see us cheerfully and willingly giving of our time and talents to the building of the Lord's kingdom here on earth. They need to see us proving our faith by the payment of our tithes and offerings to Him. They need to see us diligently studying and discussing the scriptures to increase our faith and understanding."
Topics: Example, Parenthood, Teaching
Church History Gems - 27 June 2008
Ordinary Human Beings
"May I offer counsel of a general nature, first with comments about General Authorities. We recognize them as instruments in the hand of the Lord, yet realize that they are ordinary human beings. They require haircuts, laundry services, and occasional reminders just like anyone else. President Benson once shared with us a story to illustrate. He said:
" 'Orson F. Whitney . . . was a great man to concentrate. One day when he was traveling by train, he was so preoccupied that he did not notice the train pass the station where he was to get off. So he had to [be driven] back to where he should have been. Meanwhile the stake president waited and waited. . . . Finally when he decided that something had more than likely happened to Brother Whitney and he was not going to make it, they commenced the meeting. As Elder Whitney approached, he was greeted by the opening hymn, which was "Ye Simple Souls Who Stray." '
"We honor such a man because of his extraordinary calling. His official acts are valid on earth and in heaven."
Topics: Melchizedek Priesthood, Aaronic Priesthood
Daily Gems - 27 June 2008
Patterns of Righteousness
"It is important to establish patterns of righteousness in your own life, which will enable you to set a good example for your family, whatever form your family may take.
"The example of your righteous life will strengthen your family. President Hinckley gave the young women 'a simple four point program' in the general Young Women meeting last spring that will not only 'assure your happiness' but will bless your family as well. He counseled each of us to '(1) pray, (2) study, (3) pay your tithing, and (4) attend your meetings' ("Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly," Ensign, May 2007, 115). . . .
"As you commit to these patterns of righteousness, you will be blessed throughout your life and will develop the spiritual foundation from which you can strengthen your family by example."
Topics: Family, Righteousness, Example
Daily Gems - 26 June 2008
Gospel Message Brings Light, Hope, and Joy
"In the middle of [the] despair [of postwar Germany], my family learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and the healing message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This message made all the difference; it lifted us above our daily misery. Life was still thorny and the circumstances still horrible, but the gospel brought light, hope, and joy into our lives. The plain and simple truths of the gospel warmed our hearts and enlightened our minds. They helped us look at ourselves and the world around us with different eyes and from an elevated viewpoint."
Topics: Joy, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Adversity
Youth Gems - 26 June 2008
Enduring to the End
"Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God. This belief distinguishes Latter-day Saints from many other Christian denominations that teach that salvation is given to all who simply believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. The Lord clearly declared, 'If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God' (D&C 14:7). "Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or 'hanging in there.' Ours is an active religion, helping God's children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day. Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy. This is a joyful religion, one of hope, strength, and deliverance. 'Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy' (2 Nephi 2:25). "Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God."
Topics: Enduring to the End
Church History Gems - 25 June 2008
Keys
"Often we speak of keys of priesthood authority. Fifteen living men--the First Presidency and the Twelve--have been ordained as Apostles and have had all keys of priesthood authority conferred upon them. President Gordon B. Hinckley recently explained that 'only the President of the Church has the right to exercise [those keys] in their fulness. He may delegate the exercise of various of them to one or more of his Brethren. . . .' (Ensign, Nov. 1992, p. 54.)
"Under assignment from the First Presidency and the Twelve, General Authorities confer the appropriate keys upon presidents of stakes and of missions, who in turn confer the needed keys upon bishops and upon quorum and branch presidents.
"Assigned to each one who bears the priesthood is a loving leader, because 'mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.' (D&C 132:8.)
"That order also defines bounds of revelation. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that 'it is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instruction for those in authority, higher than themselves.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 21.) That same principle precludes receiving revelation for anyone outside one's defined circle of responsibility."
Topics: Melchizedek Priesthood, Aaronic Priesthood
Daily Gems - 25 June 2008
Possible for All Mankind to Live Again
"Faith in Christ includes the knowledge that following His Crucifixion, He arose from the tomb, and His Resurrection made it possible for all mankind to live again (see 1 Corinthians 15:21 23). Faith in Christ is the assurance that He and His Heavenly Father appeared to a young man, Joseph Smith, paving the way for the Restoration of all things in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which bears His holy name."
Topics: Faith, Jesus Christ, Resurrection
Young Single Adult Gems - 25 June 2008
Hearing the Still, Small Voice
“Each of us should be careful that the current flood of information does not occupy our time so completely that we cannot focus on and hear and heed the still, small voice that is available to guide each of us with our own challenges today."
Topics: Holy Ghost, Revelation
Youth Gems - 24 June 2008
The Savior's Standards
"As popular culture across the world degenerates, sleaze increasingly saturates the media, entertainment, advertising, and the Internet. But popularity according to the world's prevailing norms is a very perilous scale to use to measure what's right or even what's not dangerous. A movie or television show may be well known and well liked by millions of viewers and nevertheless portray images and conduct that are pornographic. If something in a movie 'isn't too bad,' that automatically means that it isn't too good either. Thus, the fact that others watch movies or open Web sites that aren't appropriate is no excuse for us. Priesthood holders' lives should emulate the standards of the Savior and His Church, not the standards of the world."
Topics: Gospel Standards
Daily Gems - 24 June 2008
Lessons Learned from Tragedy
"From bearing one another's burdens as ward members, we have learned several lessons:
"1. The Lord's organization is fully adequate to know and care for those with even the most dire emotional and spiritual needs.
"2. Adversity can bring us closer to God, with a renewed and enlightened appreciation for prayer and the Atonement, which covers pain and suffering in all their manifestations.
"3. Members who suffer tragedy firsthand often experience an increased capacity for love, compassion and understanding. They become the first, last, and often the most effective responders in giving comfort and showing compassion to others.
"4. A ward, as well as a family, draws closer together as it endures together--what happens to one happens to all.
Topics: Adversity, Serving Others
Family Gems - 23 June 2008
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."
Topics: Fatherhood, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Example
Church History Gems - 23 June 2008
We Must Testify
"Oliver Cowdery began work as Joseph's scribe on 7 April 1829. He was 22 years of age. The Prophet was about one year older. These young men were the age of many of our missionaries. They began the work of translation in earnest. Oliver later said: 'These were days that were never to be forgotten. . . . Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated, with the Urim and Thummim, . . . the history, or record, called "The Book of Mormon." '
"Oliver was with Joseph when John the Baptist appeared to restore the Aaronic Priesthood. He was with Joseph when the Lord Himself appeared in the Kirtland Temple. He was with Joseph when Peter, James, and John conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood. He was with Joseph when Moses, Elijah, and Elias conferred upon them many of the keys of the Restoration.
"Of the eleven men who were witnesses to the Book of Mormon, nine apostatized. None of them, however, ever denied their testimony that they had seen the plates. Since the days of Joseph and Hyrum, millions have raised their voices to the growing chorus proclaiming that the gospel has been restored to earth again.
"Brothers and sisters, we must testify that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, lest we fail in our stewardships as heralds of the Restoration of the kingdom of God. We read in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3: 'Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. . . . He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood.' "
Topics: Restoration
Daily Gems - 23 June 2008
Leadership Drawn from the Congregation
"President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said: 'In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, one takes the place to which one is duly called, which place one neither seeks nor declines' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1951, 154). The Church has no professional clergy. The call to leadership positions worldwide is drawn from the congregation. We have no seminaries for the training of professional leaders."
Topics: Leadership, Serving Others
Young Single Adult Gems - 23 June 2008
Trust in the Lord’s Timing
"The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans unfold as He thinks best? The same is true with the second coming and with all those matters wherein our faith needs to include faith in the Lord’s timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and purposes."
Topics: Faith
Family Gems - 20 June 2008
Marriage Is a Full Partnership
"Men and women joined together in marriage need to work together as a full partnership. However, a full and equal partnership between men and women does not imply the roles played by the two sexes are the same in God's grand design for His children. As the proclamation clearly states, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other. Men are given stewardship over the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. To women, God gives stewardship over bestowing and nurturing mortal life, including providing physical bodies for God's spirit children and guiding those children toward a knowledge of gospel truths. These stewardships, equally sacred and important, do not involve any false ideas about domination or subordination. Each stewardship is essential for the spiritual progression of all family members, parents and children alike."
Topics: Marriage, Parenthood
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