Youth Gems - 30 September 2010

The Gospel Is Simple

"The gospel is so very simple when we understand it properly. It is always right, it is always good, it is always uplifting. Obedience to gospel principles brings forth joy and happiness. Disobedience has a day of reckoning and will only bring forth heartache, misery, strife, and unhappiness."

L. Tom Perry, "What Should We Do on the Sabbath?" New Era, July 2010, 3

Topics: Obedience, Gospel of Jesus Christ

Daily Gems - 30 September 2010

Priesthood Power

"We have this priesthood power, and we should all be prepared to use it properly."

Dallin H. Oaks, "Healing the Sick," Ensign, May 2010, 48

Topics:

Daily Gems - 29 September 2010

Generations Linked in Love

"Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple."

Russell M. Nelson, "Generations Linked in Love," Ensign, May 2010, 92

Topics: Temple Work, Redeem the Dead

Young Single Adult Gems - 29 September 2010

If You Are Built on a Sure Foundation

"Is there a happy future for you and your posterity in these latter days? Absolutely! Will there be difficult times when those ominous latter-day warnings and prophecies are fulfilled? Of course there will. Will those who have built upon the rock of Christ withstand winds, hail, and the mighty shafts in the whirlwind? You know they will."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "This, the Greatest of All Dispensations," Ensign, July 2007, 57–58

Topics:

Church History Gems - 29 September 2010

Moses and Brigham Young

"Moses and Brigham Young had much in common. They were astute followers before they became great leaders. Moses had been prepared in the courts of Egypt and had gained much experience in military and other responsibilities. Brigham Young was likewise prepared for his leadership role. In the march of Zion's Camp he had observed the leadership of the Prophet Joseph Smith under difficult conditions. Brigham Young aided in the removal of the Prophet Joseph from Kirtland. He also directed the move of the persecuted Saints from Missouri to Nauvoo."

Russell M. Nelson, "The Exodus Repeated," Ensign, July 1999, 9

Topics: Prophets, Pioneers

Youth Gems - 28 September 2010

Point of Safe Return

"My dear young friends, when the captain of a long-range jet passes the point of safe return, and the headwinds are too strong or the cruising altitudes too low, he might be forced to divert to an airport other than his planned destination. This is not so in our journey through life back to our heavenly home. Wherever you find yourselves on this journey through life, whatever trials you may face, there is always a point of safe return; there is always hope. You are the captain of your life, and God has prepared a plan to bring you safely back to Him, to your divine destination."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Is There a Point of No Return?" New Era, June 2010, 3

Topics: Repentance, Atonement

Daily Gems - 28 September 2010

Mothers Teaching Children in the Home

"I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation."

L. Tom Perry, "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home," Ensign, May 2010, 31

Topics: Parenthood, Motherhood

Family Gems - 27 September 2010

Make Your Houses Happy Homes

"Let us open wide the windows of our hearts, that each family member may feel welcome and 'at home.' Let us open also the doors of our very souls, that the dear Christ may enter. Remember His promise: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation 3:20)."

Thomas S. Monson, "Hallmarks of a Happy Home," Ensign, Oct. 2001, 8

Topics: Jesus Christ, Family

Young Single Adult Gems - 27 September 2010

Evidence of the Atonement

"If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost today, you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life. For that reason and many others, you would do well to put yourself in places and in tasks that invite the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost works both ways: the Holy Ghost only dwells in a clean temple, and the reception of the Holy Ghost cleanses us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the service of the Lord. And with that companionship you will be strengthened against temptation and empowered to detect deception."

Henry B. Eyring, "Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times," Ensign, June 2007, 23

Topics: Atonement, Holy Ghost

Church History Gems - 27 September 2010

They Must Be Brought Here

"It was Sunday, October 5, 1856. On Saturday, the day before, a small group of missionaries returning from England arrived in the valley. They had been able to make relatively good time because their teams were strong and their wagons light. Franklin D. Richards was their leader. They immediately sought out President Brigham Young. They told him that hundreds of men, women, and children were scattered along the trail that led from the Missouri River to the Salt Lake Valley. Most of them were pulling handcarts, two companies of these, with two smaller companies following behind with ox teams and wagons. The first group was probably at this time in the area of Scotts Bluff, more than four hundred miles from their destination, with the others behind them. It was October, and they would be trapped in the snows of winter and perish unless help was sent.

"Brigham Young had known nothing of this. There was, of course, at that time no rapid means of communication. . . . The next morning, the Sabbath, he stood before the people in the Tabernacle and said:

" 'I will now give this people the subject and the text for the Elders who may speak. . . . It is this. On the 5th day of October, 1856, many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with handcarts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. The text will be, "to get them here." . . .

" 'That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people.' "

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Our Mission of Saving," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 52

Topics: Sustaining Leaders, Pioneers

Daily Gems - 27 September 2010

Perfection of Individuals and the Family

"Every law and principle and power, every belief, every ordinance and ordination, every covenant, every sermon and every sacrament, every counsel and correction, the sealings, the calls, the releases, the service—all these have as their ultimate purpose the perfection of the individual and the family, for the Lord has said, 'This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39)."

Boyd K. Packer, "The Power of the Priesthood," Ensign, May 2010, 9–10

Topics: Church Callings, Church Callings, Gospel Standards

Family Gems - 24 September 2010

Parents Can Teach Leadership Skills to Youth

"The responsibility of building leadership in the Church belongs to the father and the mother. . . . As youth grow and mature through their teenage years and move toward adulthood, the Church picks up an important role in this process of giving youth an opportunity to lead, but it begins in the home."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Tending the Flock: Teaching Leadership Skills to Youth," Ensign, June 2008, 16

Topics: Leadership

Church History Gems - 24 September 2010

Every Trial Is Necessary

"President Brigham Young offered the profound insight that at least some of our suffering has a purpose when he said:

" 'All intelligent beings who are crowned with crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives must pass through every ordeal appointed for intelligent beings to pass through, to gain their glory and exaltation. Every calamity that can come upon mortal beings will be suffered to come upon the few, to prepare them to enjoy the presence of the Lord. . . . Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation' (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A Widtsoe [1954], 345).

"We have much reason to hope. Joy can be ours if we are willing to sacrifice all for the Lord. Then we can look forward to the infinitely priceless possibility of overcoming all the challenges of this life. Then we will be with the Savior forever and, as President Brigham Young also said, "anticipate enjoying the glory, excellency and exaltation which God has prepared for the faithful' ("Remarks," Deseret News, May 31, 1871, 197)."

James E. Faust, "Where Do I Make My Stand?" Ensign, Nov. 2004, 18–21

Topics: Adversity, Faith

Young Single Adult Gems - 24 September 2010

Improved Prayers

"A key to improved prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. Then as you learn His will, pray that you will be led to have the strength to fulfill it."

Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, 8

Topics: Prayer

Daily Gems - 24 September 2010

Patience, a Defining Characteristic

"It is my prayer that patience will be a defining characteristic of we who hold the priesthood of

Almighty God; that we will courageously trust the Lord's promises and His timing; that we will act toward others with the patience and compassion we seek for ourselves; and that we will continue in patience until we are perfected."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Continue in Patience," Ensign, May 2010, 59

Topics: Patience, Serving Others

Youth Gems - 23 September 2010

Repentance

"If I were going the wrong way in the middle of a marathon, and I realized my mistake, would I keep going? I would immediately turn around! . . . I wouldn't stay on the wrong course because no matter how long I ran there, I would never reach the finish line. And yet for many who have made a moral mistake, a little voice keeps saying: 'You blew it. You can't change. No one will ever know anyway.' To you I would say, Don't believe it. 'Satan wants you to think that you cannot repent, but that is absolutely not true' (For the Strength of Youth [2001], 30)."

Elaine S. Dalton, "You Can Return," New Era, Mar. 2010, 11

Topics: Repentance

Daily Gems - 23 September 2010

Among the First Responders at Disasters

"This year marks 25 years since our humanitarian program became part of our welfare effort. The number of individuals assisted by this program could never adequately be measured. We will always strive to be among the first on the scene of disasters, wherever they may occur."

Thomas S. Monson, "Welcome to Conference," Ensign, May 2010, 4

Topics: Charity

Church History Gems - 22 September 2010

Kingston

"No one baptized in Kingston. Just ask any missionary who labored there. Time in Kingston was marked on the calendar like days in prison. A missionary transfer to another place—any place—would be uppermost in thoughts, even in dreams.

"While I was praying about and pondering this sad dilemma, for my responsibility then as a mission president required that I pray and ponder about such things, my wife called to my attention an excerpt from the book A Child's Story of the Prophet Brigham Young. She read aloud that Brigham Young entered Kingston, Ontario, on a cold and snow-filled day. He labored there about 30 days and baptized 45 souls. Here was the answer. If the missionary Brigham Young could accomplish this harvest, so could the missionaries of today.

"Without providing an explanation, I withdrew the missionaries from Kingston, that the cycle of defeat might be broken. Then the carefully circulated word: 'Soon a new city will be opened for missionary work, even the city where Brigham Young proselyted and baptized 45 persons in 30 days.' The missionaries speculated as to the location. Their weekly letters pleaded for the assignment to this Shangri-la. More time passed. Then four carefully selected missionaries—two of them new, two of them experienced—were chosen for this high adventure. The members of the small branch pledged their support. The missionaries pledged their lives. The Lord honored both.

"In the space of three months, Kingston became the most productive city of the Canadian Mission. The grey limestone buildings still stood; the city had not altered its appearance; the population remained constant. The change was one of attitude. The label of doubt yielded to the label of faith."

Thomas S. Monson, "Labels," Ensign, Sept. 2000, 5

Topics: Missionary Work, Faith

Daily Gems - 22 September 2010

Qualifying for the Lord's Spirit

"Qualifying for the Lord's Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord's Spirit with us."

Julie B. Beck, "And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit," Ensign, May 2010, 11

Topics: Commandments, Sacrament, Repentance

Young Single Adult Gems - 22 September 2010

The Sacrament

"Worthy partakers of the sacrament are in harmony with the Lord and put themselves under covenant with Him to always remember His sacrifice for the sins of the world, to take upon them the name of Christ, and to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments. The Savior covenants that we who do so shall have His Spirit to be with us and that, if faithful to the end, we may inherit eternal life."

David B. Haight, "The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice," Ensign, Apr. 2007, 18

Topics: Sacrament