Daily Gems - 30 September 2007

The Crowning Temple Ordinance

"The crowning temple ordinance is available only to a man and a woman when they are sealed together, forming an eternal family unit. It is by virtue of this and all other priesthood ordinances that the families of the earth shall be blessed (see Abraham 2:11). This sealing ordinance is so central to the Lord's purposes that He has promised to the faithful who are not sealed in this life through no fault of their own this blessing in the life to come. No other doctrine in all of religion better confirms God's commensurate love for both His sons and His daughters."

Craig A. Cardon, "Moving Closer to Him," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 94-95

Topics: Ordinances and Covenants, Temple Work

Daily Gems - 28 September 2007

The Holy Scriptures

"At the beginning of most dispensations, a book is given to the newly called prophet. Moses received tablets (see Exodus 31:18). Lehi was given a book to read concerning the destruction of Jerusalem (see 1 Nephi 1:11–14). Ezekiel was given 'a roll of a book' (Ezekiel 2:9–10) containing the Lord's message for the house of Judah in his day. John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos was shown a book with seven seals (see Revelation 5; D&C 77:6). Is it any wonder, then, that the Lord would provide a book containing the fulness of the gospel as part of the 'restitution of all things'? The Book of Mormon has the power to draw all men and women to Christ. Its references to the Savior's Atonement are the clearest on record with regard to its purpose and powers."

Merrill J. Bateman, "A Pattern for All," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 75

Topics: Book of Mormon

Church History Gems - 28 September 2007

Happiness and Felicity.

"The Priesthood . . . is a perfect order and system of government, and this alone can deliver the human family from all the evils which now afflict its members, and insure them happiness and felicity hereafter."

Brigham Young, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 18

Topics: Priesthood Keys

Family Gems - 28 September 2007

Repentance and Forgiveness Eradicate Bitterness

"I recall listening at length to a couple who sat across the desk from me. There was bitterness between them. I know that at one time their love was deep and true. But each had developed a habit of speaking of the faults of the other. Unwilling to forgive the kind of mistakes we all make, and unwilling to forget them and live above them with forbearance, they had carped at one another until the love they once knew had been smothered. It had turned to ashes with the decree of a so-called 'no-fault' divorce. Now there is only loneliness and recrimination. I am satisfied that had there been even a small measure of repentance and forgiveness, they would still be together, enjoying the companionship that had so richly blessed their earlier years."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Of You It Is Required to Forgive," Ensign, June 1991, 4

Topics: Love, Repentance, Forgiving Others

Daily Gems - 27 September 2007

Our Time and His Coming

"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. Do we have eyes to see that the events and prophecies of our time are preparing us for the Savior's Second Coming?"

Robert D. Hales, "Preparations for the Restoration and the Second Coming: 'My Hand Shall Be over Thee,' " Ensign, Nov.2005, 92

Topics: Restoration

Daily Gems - 26 September 2007

Feed My Sheep

"Jesus showed patience and love to all who came to Him seeking relief for their physical, emotional, or spiritual illnesses and who felt discouraged and downtrodden.

"To follow the Savior's example, each one of us must look around and reach out to the sheep who are facing the same circumstances and lift them up and encourage them to proceed on the journey towards eternal life.

"This need today is as great as or perhaps even greater than when the Savior walked on this earth. As shepherds we must understand that we should nurture each one of our sheep to bring them to Christ, which is the purpose of all we do in this Church."

Ulisses Soares, " 'Feed My Sheep,' " Ensign, Nov. 2005, 98

Topics: Atonement

Young Single Adult Gems - 26 September 2007

Bound by Covenant to the Lord

"We who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are bound by covenant to the Lord. He has said: 'I [will] not forget thee. . . . I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands' (Isaiah 49:15-16; see also 1 Nephi 21:15-16)."

Susan W. Tanner, "Glad Tidings from Cumorah," Ensign, May 2005, 106

Topics: Ordinances and Covenants

Church History Gems - 26 September 2007

Sustaining the Prophets.

"As we see the work move forward and move on, I would only declare to you as I stand before you today that in those 90 and more years that I've had, as I've witnessed and felt and seen and been part of the spiritual experiences that have been mine, this is the work of the Lord. It's just as has been revealed. I've sensed it and I feel it, and I so declare to you.

"I remind you that the Savior taught, as recorded in Matthew, that whosoever 'findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it' (Matt. 10:39). Now, some scholars and others have thought: 'Well, that's a paradox. It's probably a mistranslation. It really doesn't make very good sense.' It's very clear in my mind, and I hope it is in yours, that as we live in the world of materialism, in Babylon that we live in today, and see the happenings of the world, whether you read the financial pages or the political pages or whatever, you can sense and feel that where we find our strength and where we find the answer to our challenges and our problems would be as we listen to the voice of the prophet—God's prophet here upon the earth."

David B. Haight, "Sustaining the Prophets," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 36

Topics: Prophets

Youth Gems - 25 September 2007

Having a Heart Full of Thanks

"The prophet Alma urged, 'Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day' (Alma 37:37)."

Thomas S. Monson, "The Profound Power of Gratitude," Ensign, Sept. 2005, 4

Topics: Prayer

Daily Gems - 25 September 2007

Priesthood Is Unique and Indispensable

"The priesthood of God, with its keys, its ordinances, its divine origin and ability to bind in heaven what is bound on earth, is as indispensable to the true Church of God as it is unique to it and . . . without it there would be no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Our Most Distinguishing Feature," Ensign, May 2005, 43

Topics: Priesthood Keys, Ordinances and Covenants, Melchizedek Priesthood

Daily Gems - 24 September 2007

The Battle for the Souls of Men

"When armies are formed, battles are generally fought on vast battlefields. But this battle for souls is quite different. The conflict goes on each day in individual lives and pits the Lord's troops against Satan's forces of greed, selfishness, and lust. . . .

". . . The weapons of choice are not spears and swords wielded on a chaotic field of battle.

"Rather, the weapons of eternal worth reflecting the whole armor of God are truth, righteousness, faith, prayer, and the word of God (see Ephesians 6:13-18). These weapons are wielded in our minds, mouths, and movements. Every righteous thought, word, and deed is a victory for the Lord. . . .

"The stakes are extremely high. The prizes are the very souls of the sons and daughters of God, their eternal salvation. And these souls will be won or lost on the basis of virtue and cleanliness, on the basis of charity and service, and on the basis of faith and hope."

Robert C. Oaks, "Who's on the Lord's Side? Who?" Ensign, May 2005, 49-50

Topics: Worthiness

Young Single Adult Gems - 24 September 2007

The Lord Knows and Loves You Personally

"Did you know that Heavenly Father knows you personally--by name? . . .

"You may not have heard the Lord call you by name, but He knows each one of you and He knows your name. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said. 'I testify to you that God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys!' ("Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been," Ensign, May 2004, 46)."

Elaine S. Dalton, "He Knows You by Name," Ensign, May 2005, 109-10

Topics: Children of God, Individual Worth

Church History Gems - 24 September 2007

"Meeting Postponed"

"There was [a] setting . . . in 1847, when the Saints were accumulating on the Iowa side of the Missouri River. Brigham Young had been here in the Salt Lake Valley with that first company of the Saints, but in December he had gone back to the Missouri to meet with the Saints there. And in a setting in Kanesville, there were nine of the Twelve assembled: two were in the valley here, one had gone to Texas, and nine were there. In that setting, in the Orson Hyde home, the First Presidency was reorganized on December the 5th, 1847, but they needed to have it ratified by the Saints. And so that meeting was postponed for three weeks so they could build a little log tabernacle in Kanesville. And in three weeks, with the workmen there and the members of the Church who had come in by wagons getting ready to cross the Missouri and head for the valley, they built a little tabernacle.

"In that meeting was presented a proposition that the Presidency of the Church would be reorganized, but they needed a sustaining like we've done here today, like that opportunity that is ours to raise our hands and sustain the prophet. So the First Presidency was reorganized; Brigham Young had selected Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards to be his counselors. Thus, it takes the sustaining of the people to give the leaders of the Church the authority that the Lord has designated by revelation that is necessary."

David B. Haight, "Sustaining the Prophets," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 36

Topics: Sustaining Leaders

Church History Gems - 21 September 2007

Sustaining in 1844.

"Imagine [the] setting of the sustaining in 1844, after the Prophet and Hyrum had been martyred, and of the meeting called in Nauvoo when Sidney Rigdon had now come from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hopefully to take over as 'guardian' and to be the leader of the Church. The members of the Twelve were hurrying from various parts of the world, returning to Nauvoo. Think of that setting and the meeting when Sidney Rigdon presented the proposition that he would logically be the one to be called because he was the First Counselor, even though he was in some disfavor with the Prophet. And imagine Brigham Young being there and speaking for the Twelve, explaining to that body of Saints how the faithful brethren had been taught by the Prophet regarding the Twelve and the authority that rested with the Twelve.

"After they had presented both sides of the case and the voting took place, some of them stated that they saw and felt a change in Brigham Young as he spoke, that they thought they heard the voice of the Prophet, that they thought they could even see some facial features of the Prophet upon Brigham Young. I'm saying this to you because as the years go on and as we learn more and as we're more sensitive to the spiritual direction that is in this work, we sense and feel the hand of the Lord in it. But think of the sustaining in that setting in 1844, to have the Church rest in the hands of the Twelve."

David B. Haight, "Sustaining the Prophets," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 36

Topics: Leadership

Daily Gems - 21 September 2007

Preparation for the Second Coming

"Signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. . . . While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us. We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming."

Dallin H. Oaks, "Preparation for the Second Coming," Ensign, May 2004, 7-9

Topics: Second Coming

Youth Gems - 20 September 2007

Our Motives Influencing Our Actions

"Our motives and thoughts ultimately influence our actions. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the power of good thoughts and proper motives: 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not' (D&C 6:36).

"In Proverbs we read, 'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he' (Proverbs 23:7)."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Your Right to Choose the Right," New Era, Aug. 2005, 6

Topics: Choice and Accountability, Thoughts

Daily Gems - 20 September 2007

Determination to Live Righteously

"[The Lord's] sweet assurance . . . can guide you and me--in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well."

Thomas S. Monson, "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 55-56

Topics: Courage

Family Gems - 19 September 2007

True Marriage Requires Union of Minds and Hearts

"In true marriage there must be a union of minds as well as of hearts. Emotions must not wholly determine decisions, but the mind and the heart, strengthened by fasting and prayer and serious consideration, will give one a maximum chance of marital happiness."

Spencer W. Kimball, "The Importance of Celestial Marriage," Ensign, Oct. 1979, 3

Topics: Unity, Marriage

Young Single Adult Gems - 19 September 2007

Heeding the Holy Ghost's Promptings

"The gift of the Holy Ghost is a spiritual gift. It is sensitive and will not be associated with unworthiness. You cannot offend or ignore it one day and expect it to strengthen you the next day. But as you heed its promptings and remain righteous, it will grow stronger within you. The Holy Ghost [warns people] of physical danger; the Holy Ghost will also warn you of spiritual danger."

Neil L. Andersen, "Beware of the Evil behind the Smiling Eyes," Ensign, May 2005, 47

Topics: Holy Ghost

Church History Gems - 19 September 2007

Imagine a Meeting.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith had received some instruction regarding the organization of the Church, which we have by way of revelation as set forth in section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Imagine—on April the 6th, 1830, in Fayette, New York, in the Peter Whitmer farmhouse—a meeting in that little log cabin, maybe 20 by 30 feet, where the Church was organized. Just imagine in that little setting, where he blessed Oliver and Oliver blessed him, as they followed the direction that they had received and the Church organization was presented to that little assembly.

"Joseph and Oliver and Hyrum and Samuel Smith and the two Whitmers had been baptized and acted in order to be 'agreeable to the laws' of New York (D&C 20:1). But just imagine as you run through your mind the spiritual setting in that assembly and the feeling that they must have had as the proposition was presented to them to sustain . . . the Prophet and Oliver as the first elders, to set the Church in motion. Some of the diaries and the accounts of that occasion indicate they had the feeling of heavenly beings in that meeting.

"Some were rebaptized. Some were baptized on that occasion for the first time, including the Prophet's father and mother—just imagine! The sacrament was served for the first time in this dispensation in an official meeting of the Church, now organized. Imagine the feeling of the passing of the bread and the water, emblems of the torn flesh and the spilt blood of the Savior."

David B. Haight, "Sustaining the Prophets," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 36

Topics: Melchizedek Priesthood, Sacrament