Daily Gems - 27 October 2009

The Plan of Salvation

“The Savior said: ‘Let not your heart be troubled. . . . In my Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you.’ A succinct summary is provided in the book of Moses: ‘For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ ”

Quentin L. Cook, “Our Father’s Plan—Big Enough for All His Children,” Ensign, May 2009, 37

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 7 October 2009

Attain Eternal Life with Our Families

“It is . . . important that we be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other (see Luke 6:37). This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord has made salvation ‘free for all men’ but has ‘commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance’ (2 Nephi 26:27).”

Quentin L. Cook, “Our Father’s Plan—Big Enough for All His Children,” Ensign, May 2009, 37

Topics: Repentance, Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 5 October 2009

Accepting God’s Will under Difficult Circumstances

“I witnessed how [a] faithful family dealt with great adversity. Several members of the Quero family had died in a terrible car accident. Brother Abraham Quero lost his parents, two sisters, his brother-in-law and his niece in that accident. Brother Quero showed an admirable attitude when he said the following: ‘This was the time to show loyalty to God and to acknowledge that we depend on Him, that His will must be obeyed, and that we are subject to Him.’ ”

Rafael E. Pino, “Faith in Adversity,” Ensign, May 2009, 41

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Adversity

Daily Gems - 17 September 2009

Being Purified in the Lord’s True Church

“I bear you my testimony that God the Father lives. He set a course for each of us that can polish and perfect us to be with Him. I testify that the Savior lives. His Atonement makes possible our being purified as we keep His commandments and our sacred covenants. And I know from my own experience that He can and will give us strength to rise through every trial.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Adversity ,” Ensign, May 2009, 27

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Young Single Adult Gems - 4 September 2009

A Denial of Our Identity

“When any of Heavenly Father’s children misuse their physical tabernacles by violating the law of chastity, by using drugs and addictive substances, by disfiguring or defacing themselves, or by worshipping the false idol of body image, whether their own or that of others, Satan is delighted. To those of us who know and understand the plan of salvation, any defiling of the body is rebellion (see Mosiah 2:36–37; D&C 64:34–35) and a denial of our true identity as sons and daughters of God.”

David A. Bednar, "Things as They Really Are,” CES fireside for young adults, May 3, 2009

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 14 August 2009

Knowledge Essential for Salvation

"Joseph Smith declared, 'It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance' (D&C 131:6). He added, 'The principle of knowledge is the principle of salvation . . . ; and every one that does not obtain knowledge sufficient to be saved will be condemned' (History of the Church, 5:387)."

Gérald Caussé, "Even a Child Can Understand, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 32

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 24 July 2009

Choosing the Right Way

"If we choose the right way, we are sustained in our actions by the principles of righteousness, in the which there is power from the heavens. If we choose the wrong way and act on that choice, there is no such heavenly promise or power, and we are alone and are destined to fail."

William R. Bradford, "Righteousness, Ensign," Nov. 1999, 85

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Young Single Adult Gems - 8 July 2009

We Should Not Judge One Another

“It is equally important that we be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord has made salvation ‘free for all men’ but has ‘commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.’ ”

Quentin L. Cook, “Our Father’s Plan—Big Enough for all His Children,” Ensign, May 2009, 37

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 3 July 2009

The Lord’s Way

"The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel."

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

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 30 June 2009

Truth Gained from the Book of Mormon

"When you know that the Book of Mormon is true, you know that Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. . . . You know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only name whereby you can receive salvation."

Marcos A. Aidukaitis, "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 16

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Book of Mormon

Daily Gems - 26 June 2009

Lifeblood of the Church

"Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church. There is no greater work, no more important work. It blesses the lives of all those who participate in it. It will continue blessing future generations."

Silvia H. Allred, "Go Ye Therefore," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 12

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Proclaim the Gospel

Daily Gems - 2 June 2009

The Author of Our Salvation

"Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever, never to taste of death again. Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar. The Savior is the Author of our Salvation."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22

Topics: Hope, Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 16 March 2009

A Glorious Future

"The things we hope for are often future events. If only we could look beyond the horizon of mortality into what awaits us beyond this life. Is it possible to imagine a more glorious future than the one prepared for us by our Heavenly Father? Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever, never to taste of death again. Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar. The Savior is the Author of our Salvation."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22

Topics: Atonement, Hope, Plan of Salvation

Daily Gems - 5 February 2009

Purpose of Life

"The Book of Mormon is a book that teaches 'the great plan of happiness' (Alma 42:8; see also vv. 5, 13, 31; 2 Nephi 9). In profound yet understandable terms, the Book of Mormon teaches the purpose of life, from whence we came, and what happens when we die. We learn of faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, of repentance, of the importance of baptism by immersion, and of the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. By studying and feasting upon the doctrines of the Book of Mormon, we gain 'a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men,' with a desire to 'endure to the end' that we may 'have eternal life' (2 Nephi 31:20)."

Craig C. Christensen, "A Book with a Promise," Ensign, May 2008, 107

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Plan of Salvation

Youth Gems - 18 November 2008

When Should We Prepare to Meet God?

"To be resurrected does not overcome the second death. To gain eternal life and live in the presence of the Father and the Son, we must repent and become eligible for mercy, which will satisfy justice.

"The revelations teach:

" 'This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God' (Alma 34:32).

" 'Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance' (Alma 34:33).

" 'That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world' (Alma 34:34)."

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

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Youth Gems - 13 November 2008

The Universal Resurrection

"The Resurrection from the dead is a most beautiful aspect of the Atonement and truly a part of the plan of happiness; the Resurrection is universal and applies to the entire human family. We will all be resurrected. I bear testimony of that fact and truth. This is an unconditional gift from God."

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

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Resurrection

Young Single Adult Gems - 27 October 2008

Practicing Restraint

"You cannot afford in any degree to become involved with pornography, whatever its form. You simply cannot afford to become involved in immoral practices--or to let down the bars of sexual restraint. The emotions that stir within you which make boys attractive to girls and girls attractive to boys are part of a divine plan, but they must be restrained, subdued, and kept under control, or they will destroy you and make you unworthy of many of the great blessings which the Lord has in store for you."

Gordon B. Hinckley, , " 'A Chosen Generation,' " Ensign, May 1992, 71)

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Young Single Adult Gems - 17 October 2008

God Grant Us Faith

"Let us never forget, my brethren and sisters, that each of us is a part of the whole and that what we do mars or beautifies the magnificent panorama of the kingdom of God.

"As our fathers labored in faith with a moving vision of the destiny of this work, even so can we. There is so much to be done, so much improvement to be made, but we can do it, walking in faith.

" 'If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.' (Matt. 17:20.)

"So declared the Lord.

"God grant us faith."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "God Grant Us Faith," Ensign, Nov. 1983, 53

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Faith

Youth Gems - 16 September 2008

Salvation and Exaltation

"To be saved—or to gain salvation—means to be saved from physical and spiritual death. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death. People may also be saved from individual spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him.

"To be exalted—or to gain exaltation—refers to the highest state of happiness and glory in the celestial realm. These blessings can come to us after we leave this frail and mortal existence. The time to prepare for our eventual salvation and exaltation is now (see Alma 34:32-33)."

Russell M. Nelson, "Salvation and Exaltation," Ensign, May 2008, 8

Topics: Plan of Salvation

Young Single Adult Gems - 18 August 2008

We Were All on the Side of Jesus

"In a premortal council at which we were all present, [the Savior] led the forces of good against those of Satan and his followers in a battle for the souls of men that began before this world was formed. That conflict continues today. We were all on the side of Jesus then. We are on the side of Jesus today."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Christians in Belief and Action," Ensign, Nov. 1996, 71

Topics: Plan of Salvation