Daily Gems - 24 April 2009

Miracles Do Come

"I delight in the Lord's mercies and miracles (see "Bless Our Fast, We Pray," Hymns, no. 138). I know that His tender mercies and His miracles, large and small, are real. They come in His way and on His timetable. Sometimes it is not until we have reached our extremity. Jesus's disciples on the Sea of Galilee had to toil in rowing against a contrary wind all through the night before Jesus finally came to their aid. He did not come until the "fourth watch," meaning near dawn. Yet He did come. (See Mark 6:45-51.) My testimony is that miracles do come, though sometimes not until the fourth watch."

Susan W. Tanner, "My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord," Ensign, May 2008, 83

Topics: Opposition, Mercy, Adversity

Young Single Adult Gems - 19 November 2008

Examples of the Lord's Tender Mercies to Us

"Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. . . .

". . . Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings."

David A. Bednar, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord," Ensign, May 2005, 99-100

Topics: Mercy, Peace

Daily Gems - 28 May 2008

Being Grateful Will Make Us Happy

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35

Topics: Mercy, Gratitude, Adversity

Daily Gems - 29 October 2007

Reaching toward the Savior

"Seeking [the] fruit of righteousness, it is no wonder that we . . . stretch with longing and adoration toward the Savior, for we know He extends 'the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him' (Mosiah 29:20). Because this glorious promise is true, where else would we look, where else would we reach, where else would we come but to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Lamb of God, our Messiah?

"I know that 'the Son of Righteousness arise[s] with healing in his wings' (3 Nephi 25:2) . . . for each one of us. He would guide and bless and gather us--if we will choose to come unto Him. May we do so every day of our lives."

Anne C. Pingree, "To Look, Reach, and Come unto Christ," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 115

Topics: Mercy

Daily Gems - 20 August 2007

The Lord's Tender Mercies Are Very Personal

"The tender mercies of the Lord are real and . . . they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them.

". . . The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and though the Lord Jesus Christ."

David A. Bednar, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord," Ensign, May 2005, 99

Topics: Jesus Christ, Mercy

Youth Gems - 19 June 2007

Can Mercy Satisfy the Demands of Justice?

"The great prophet Amulek taught, 'And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption' (Alma 34:16)."

Earl C. Tingey, "The Great Plan of Happiness," Ensign, May 2006, 72-73

Topics: Repentance, Justice, Mercy

Daily Gems - 16 April 2007

Our Work Is to Keep the Commandments and Choose God

"As we learn in [the] scriptures, the fundamental purposes for the gift of agency were to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God's chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God. . . .

". . . The Father's work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. Our work is to keep His commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength—and we thereby become chosen and, through the Holy Ghost, receive and recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives."

David A. Bednar, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord," Ensign, May 2005, 101-2

Topics: Heavenly Father, Agency, Mercy

Youth Gems - 13 February 2007

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

"I have reflected repeatedly upon the phrase 'the tender mercies of the Lord.' Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits 'his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men' (D&C 46:15)."

David A. Bednar, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord," Ensign, May 2005, 99

Topics: Mercy, Gifts of the Spirit, Prayer