Young Single Adult Gems - 22 July 2009

No Organization Better Able to Respond

“Elder Robert D. Hales has recently observed: ‘The economic clouds that have long threatened the world are now fully upon us. The impact of this economic storm on our Heavenly Father’s children requires a gospel vision of welfare today more than ever before.’ The unemployment and financial wakes of this storm are splashing over every stake and every ward throughout the Church. I suspect they have been felt in some way by each of us, whether personally—through members of our families or extended families—or through someone we know.

“Brethren, there is no organization better able to respond to the challenges of humanity than the priesthood of the Most High God. We have the organization. Stake presidents, bishops, elders’ quorum presidents, and high priests group leaders—we now call upon you to mobilize our priesthood quorums in response to the employment and financial challenges facing our members. Consider this your personal phone call. Now is the time to rally around, lift up, and help the families in our quorums who may be in distress.”

Richard C. Edgley, "This Is Your Phone Call,” Ensign, May 2009, 53

Topics: Melchizedek Priesthood

Youth Gems - 22 July 2009

Obtaining Inspiration

“Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings. . . .

“Developing this capacity helps us gain testimonies and becomes the means for obtaining additional inspiration in the future.”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times!” Ensign, May 2009, 18

Topics: Testimony

Daily Gems - 21 July 2009

Navigating Our Mortal Journey

"In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. . . . May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey."

L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It with Simplicity, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 10

Topics: Humility

Daily Gems - 20 July 2009

Testimony of Jesus 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

Young Single Adult Gems - 20 July 2009

You Are Not to Be Fearful

“Everywhere present is the influence of Lucifer and his legion of angels. They tempt you to do those things and say those things and think those things that would destroy. Resist every impulse that will trouble your spirit.

“You are not to be fearful. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that ‘all beings who have bodies have power over those who have not.’ And Lehi taught that all ‘men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.’ Remember, the prayerful power of your spirit will protect you.”

Boyd K. Packer, “Counsel to Young Men,” Ensign, May 2009, 51

Topics: Temptation

Family Gems - 20 July 2009

Raising a Family Requires Selfless Service

“A familiar example of losing ourselves in the service of others—this one not unique to Latter-day Saints—is the sacrifice parents make for their children. Mothers suffer pain and loss of personal priorities and comforts to bear and rear each child. Fathers adjust their lives and priorities to support a family. The gap between those who are and those who are not willing to do this is widening in today’s world. . . .

“We rejoice that so many Latter-day Saint couples are among that unselfish group who are willing to surrender their personal priorities and serve the Lord by bearing and rearing the children our Heavenly Father sends to their care. We also rejoice in those who care for disabled family members and aged parents. None of this service asks, what’s in it for me? All of it requires setting aside personal convenience for unselfish service. All of it stands in contrast to the fame, fortune, and other immediate gratification that are the worldly ways of so many in our day.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Unselfish Service,” Ensign, May 2009, 93

Topics: Service

Church History Gems - 20 July 2009

Cannot Place Him above the Twelve

"When Brigham Young returned to Nauvoo [after the Prophet Joseph's death], Sidney Rigdon, who had been a Counselor to Joseph Smith, challenged the leadership of Brigham Young and the Apostles. Said Brigham Young to the Saints in meeting assembled, 'If the people want President Rigdon to lead them they may have him; but I say unto you that the Quorum of the Twelve have the keys of the kingdom of God in all the world.' He continued: 'I know where the keys of the kingdom are, and where they will eternally be. You cannot call a man to be a prophet; you cannot take Elder Rigdon and place him above the Twelve; if so, he must be ordained by them' (History of the Church, 7:233).

"Brigham Young, as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, subsequently became the President of the Church, following the Prophet Joseph Smith. So it was with President Howard W. Hunter following the death of President Ezra Taft Benson. As President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:

" 'There is no mystery about the choosing of the successor to the President of the Church. The Lord settled this a long time ago, and the senior apostle automatically becomes the presiding officer of the Church, and he is so sustained by the Council of the Twelve which becomes the presiding body of the Church when there is no First Presidency. The president is not elected, but he has to be sustained both by his brethren of the Council and by the members of the Church' (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:156)."

James E. Faust, "The Keys That Never Rust, Ensign," Nov. 1994, 72–73

Topics: Priesthood Keys

Young Single Adult Gems - 17 July 2009

The Proper Language of Prayer

“While worldly manners of daily dress and speech are becoming more casual, we have been asked to protect the formal, proper language of prayer. In our prayers we use the respectful pronouns Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine instead of You, Your, and Yours. Doing so helps us to be humble. That can also enhance our prayers. Scripture so declares, ‘Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.’ ”

Russell M. Nelson, “Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers,” Ensign, May 2009, 48

Topics: Prayer

Church History Gems - 17 July 2009

One Dirty Little Irish Kid

"Those of us who have served missions have seen the miracle in the lives of some we have taught as they have come to realize that they are sons and daughters of God. Many years ago an elder who served a mission in the British Isles said at the end of his labors, 'I think my mission has been a failure. I have labored all my days as a missionary here and I have only baptized one dirty little Irish kid. That is all I baptized.'

"Years later, after his return to his home in Montana, he had a visitor come to his home who asked, 'Are you the elder who served a mission in the British Isles in 1873?'

" 'Yes.'

"Then the man went on, 'And do you remember having said that you thought your mission was a failure because you had only baptized one dirty little Irish kid?'

"He said, 'Yes.'

"The visitor put out his hand and said, 'I would like to shake hands with you. My name is Charles A. Callis, of the Council of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am that dirty little Irish kid that you baptized on your mission' (see The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 602–3).

"That little Irish boy came to a knowledge of his potential as a son of God. Elder Callis left a lasting legacy for his large family. Serving as a mission president for 25 years and in his apostolic ministry for 13 years, he blessed the lives of literally thousands. I feel privileged to have known this great Apostle of the Lord when I was a young man."

James E. Faust, "Them That Honour Me I Will Honour, Ensign," May 2001, 46–47

Topics: Apostles

Daily Gems - 17 July 2009

Daily Prayers Linked

"Morning and evening prayers—and all of the prayers in between—are not unrelated, discrete events; rather, they are linked together each day and across days, weeks, months, and even years."

David A. Bednar, "Pray Always, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 42

Topics: Prayer

Family Gems - 17 July 2009

Use Every Opportunity to Strengthen Families

“Scriptures, family home evening, and family prayer will strengthen families. We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path.”

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

Topics: Family

Daily Gems - 16 July 2009

Angelic Mortals

“We are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us. . . . Heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 30

Topics:

Church History Gems - 15 July 2009

No Sacrifice Too Great

"No effort was spared [in the building of the original Nauvoo Temple]. No sacrifice was too great. Through . . . five years men chiseled stone and laid footings and foundation, walls and ornamentation. Hundreds went to the north, there to live for a time to cut lumber, vast quantities of it, and then bind it together to form rafts which were floated down the river to Nauvoo. Beautiful moldings were cut from that lumber. Pennies were gathered to buy nails. Unimaginable sacrifice was made to procure glass. They were building a temple to God, and it had to be the very best of which they were capable.

"In the midst of all of this activity, the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were killed in Carthage on the 27th of June 1844. . . .

"But Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, picked up the reins. Joseph had placed his authority upon the shoulders of the Apostles. Brigham determined to finish the temple, and the work went on. By day and by night they pursued their objective, notwithstanding all of the threats hurled against them by lawless mobs. In 1845 they knew they could not stay in the city they had built from the swamplands of the river. They knew they must leave. It became a time of feverish activity: first, to complete the temple, and secondly, to build wagons and gather supplies to move into the wilderness of the West."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "O That I Were an Angel, and Could Have the Wish of Mine Heart, Ensign," Nov. 2002, 4

Topics: Temples

Young Single Adult Gems - 15 July 2009

The Importance of Temple Worship

“Because I love you, I am going to speak to you heart to heart, without mincing words. I have seen that many times individuals have made great sacrifices to go to a distant temple. But when a temple is built close by, within a short time, many do not visit it regularly. I have a suggestion: When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple.”

Richard G. Scott, “Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need,” Ensign, May 2009, 43

Topics: Temple Work

Youth Gems - 15 July 2009

Receiving Inspiration

“When the winds blow and the rains pour, they blow and pour on all. Those who have built their foundations on bedrock rather than sand survive the storms. There is a way to build on bedrock by developing a deep personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and knowing how to receive inspiration. . . . We need to learn how to recognize and apply these promptings.”

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

Topics: Spirituality

Daily Gems - 14 July 2009

Power of the Atonement

"No institution, plan, program, or system ever conceived by men has access to the redeeming and transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Lawrence E. Corbridge, "The Way, Ensign, Nov. 2008," 36

Topics: Purpose of Mortality

Daily Gems - 13 July 2009

Caring for the Poor

"Throughout history, the Lord has measured societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor. . . . We might ask ourselves, living as many of us do in societies that worship possessions and pleasures, whether we are remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to acquire more and more of this world's goods."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 39

Topics: Serving Others

Church History Gems - 13 July 2009

History of Sacrifices

"The Perrys were like other families who joined the Church in the early 1800s. They moved from their home in upstate New York to Ohio, and then on to the gathering in Missouri. Forced from their Missouri home, they moved to Illinois. Again driven from their home, in the very cold winter of 1846, they made the painful trip across Iowa to settle in the Lake Branch at Winter Quarters. Here Gustavus served as a counselor in the bishopric until they were instructed in 1852 by Brigham Young to close the ward, join a wagon train, and make the long trek across the plains. . . .

"Each of us has these special accounts in our family histories of the sacrifices that were made for us to be blessed with a knowledge of the gospel. In some families, you may be the first member to join. You become its pioneer family. Therefore you have the obligation to record in your history who brought the converting power of the gospel to you."

L. Tom Perry, "The Value of a Good Name, New Era," Feb. 2009, 2, 4

Topics: Family History

Young Single Adult Gems - 13 July 2009

The Wise Man Built His House upon the Rock

“The Savior said:

“ ‘Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock—

“ ‘And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

“ ‘And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—

“ ‘And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it" (3 Nephi 14: 24–27).

“It is interesting to notice that the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew against both houses! Living the gospel does not mean that we will everlastingly escape adversity. Rather, it means that we will be prepared to face and endure adversity more confidently.”

Rafael E. Pino, “Faith in Adversity,” Ensign, May 2009, 42

Topics: Faith

Family Gems - 13 July 2009

Do Not Let Anything Replace Monday Night Family Home Evening

“Concerning family home evening, [President Hinckley] said, ‘Keep Monday night sacred for family home evening’ (Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 21, 2003, 23).

“Our children, just like their parents, have time demands on them in every aspect of their lives. They have activities involving church and school and friends. Many of our children are attending schools where they are the minority. Frequently the schools schedule events on Monday evenings—activities like sports, rehearsals or practices, choirs, and other events. We need to keep Monday nights free of other commitments so that we can have our family home evenings. No other activity is more important for our family.”

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

Topics: Family Home Evening