Daily Gems - 4 November 2009

The Examples We Need to Be

“May I suggest that our ability and our credibility to exemplify reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for each other. In today’s society, the standards of decorum, dignity, and courtesy are assailed on every side and in every form of media. As parents and leaders, our examples of respect for each other are critical for our youth and children because they are watching not only the media—they are watching us! Are we the examples we need to be?”

Margaret S. Lifferth, “Respect and Reverence,” Ensign, May 2009, 11

Topics: Parenthood, Example

Daily Gems - 22 October 2009

Be an Example

“May each of us strive to be ‘an example of the believers.’ May we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and do all that is asked of us, and may we do these things in faith, nothing wavering, with a pure and virtuous heart.”

Ann M. Dibb, “Be Thou an Example of the Believers,” Ensign, May 2009, 116

Topics: Example

Daily Gems - 8 October 2009

A More Righteousness Generation

“With all my heart I hope and pray that you will be wise enough to learn the lessons of the past. You don’t have to spend time as a Laman or a Lemuel in order to know that it’s much better to be a Nephi or a Jacob. You don’t have to follow the path of Cain or Gadianton in order to realize that ‘wickedness never was happiness’ (Alma 41:10).”

M. Russell Ballard, “Learning the Lessons of the Past,” Ensign, May 2009, 33

Topics: Example, Righteousness

Church History Gems - 2 October 2009

Two Different Backgrounds

"Brigham Young and John Taylor came from widely different backgrounds which affected their outlook and perceptions and gave balance to the early leadership of the Church. President Young had spent his infancy, childhood, and young adulthood in rural communities of Vermont and New York, communities which were comparatively unknown and undistinguished. Farm families in these areas were so preoccupied with the business of wrestling a living from the soil that little time was left for cultural and intellectual pursuits, even had facilities been available to them. Brigham Young's upbringing brought him deep understanding of God's working with the things of the land and how to tame a wild environment. John Taylor, on the other hand, was born in an area that had been under cultivation for hundreds of years, in England. Nearby were large commercial centers that over the centuries had acquired the jewels of civilization—libraries, museums, theaters, and universities. The different environments in which Brigham Young and John Taylor were reared to maturity were calculated to prepare one to tame the wilderness and the other to combat the intellectual enemies of the Church with teachings of the restored gospel couched in well-honed sentences."

L. Tom Perry, "By the Hands of His Prophets", Ensign, Aug. 1998, 53–54

Topics: Example, Pioneers

Family Gems - 28 September 2009

Set Your Homes in an Order Pleasing to the Lord

Russell M. Nelson, “Set in Order Thy House,” Liahona, Jan. 2002, 80–81

Topics: Righteousness, Example

Family Gems - 14 September 2009

Seek to Create the Ideal Family

“Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them. With a mother in the home in an environment of love and service, the parents teach their children, through example and precept, the ways of the Lord and His truths. They fulfill their divinely appointed roles mentioned in the family proclamation. Their children mature by living teachings instilled from birth. They develop characteristics of obedience, integrity, love of God, and faith in His holy plan. In due course, each of those children seeks a companion with similar ideals and aspirations. They are sealed in the temple, bear children, and the eternal plan continues, with generation strengthening generation.”

Richard G. Scott, “First Things First,” Liahona, July 2001, 7

Topics: Melchizedek Priesthood, Example, Family

Family Gems - 7 September 2009

Families Are Strengthened through Gospel Activities

“One example of great importance for humanity is strengthening our own families. The principle of family home evening was given to us in 1915. President McKay reminded parents again in 1964 that ‘no other success can compensate for failure in the home’ (Quoted from J. E. McCulloch, Home: The Savior of Civilization (1924), 42; in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 5). In 1995 the prophets of our day called upon all the world to strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Heeding the Voice of the Prophets,” Liahona, July 2008, 5

Topics: Example, Family

Daily Gems - 3 September 2009

Commitment to Be Virtuous

“As I hear the young women of the Church quote the Young Women theme, my desire and commitment to be virtuous and to be holy are strengthened. As bearers of the holy priesthood, we should see that the sisters are not the only examples of virtue.

“The Lord has commanded each of us, in section 38 of the Doctrine and Covenants, to be virtuous: ‘And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me’ (D&C 38:24).”

Michael A. Neider, “Revealed Quorum Principles,” Ensign, May 2009, 14

Topics: Example, Womanhood

Daily Gems - 1 September 2009

Example of Service

“Growing up during the Great Depression, President Thomas S. Monson learned how to serve others. Often his mother asked him to deliver food to needy neighbors, and she would give homeless men odd jobs in exchange for home-cooked meals. Later as a young bishop, he was taught by President J. Reuben Clark, ‘Be kind to the widow and look after the poor’ (in Thomas S. Monson, “A Provident Plan—A Precious Promise,” Ensign, May 1986, 62). President Monson looked after 84 widows and cared for them until they passed away.”

Robert D. Hales, “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually,” Ensign, May 2009, 7

Topics: Example, Serving Others

Young Single Adult Gems - 6 July 2009

The Lord Loves You

“The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours. Each one of you has to decide for yourself if you are going to ignore the past and suffer the painful mistakes and tragic pitfalls that have befallen previous generations, experiencing for yourself the devastating consequences of bad choices. How much better your life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ such as the sons of Helaman, Moroni, Joseph Smith, and the stalwart pioneers—and choose, as they did, to remain faithful to your Heavenly Father’s commandments.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Learning the Lessons of the Past,” Ensign, May 2009, 33

Topics: Example

Youth Gems - 4 November 2008

Don't Be Afraid to Be Different!

"Sisters, don't be afraid to be different in our century! Sometimes we have to be different in order to maintain Church standards. So I repeat, don't be afraid to be different, but be as good as you can be."

James E. Faust, "Your Light—a Standard to All Nations," Ensign, May 2006, 112

Topics: Example

Youth Gems - 30 October 2008

Are You a Standard for Others?

"My call to you is the same as Moroni's call: 'Awake, and arise . . . , O daughter[s] of Zion' (Moroni 10:31). He saw you. He saw this day. These are your days! It is up to you to decide that you will 'arise and shine forth.' I believe that as you awake and arise, your light will be a standard to the nations, but I also believe your standards will be a light to the nations. You are set apart. You distinguished yourselves in the premortal existence. Your lineage carries with it a covenant and promises. You have inherited the spiritual attributes of the faithful—even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Your very nature reflects your divine heritage and destiny."

Elaine S. Dalton, "It Shows in Your Face," Ensign, May 2006, 111

Topics: Example

Youth Gems - 28 October 2008

The Strength of Youth

"Living the standards set in For the Strength of Youth will make you feel good about yourself. Write those standards into your heart and mind, and live accordingly. Compare each of those standards with where you are today. Listen to the Spirit, who will teach you what you need to do to become more like Jesus."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "See the End from the Beginning," Ensign, May 2006, 45

Topics: Example

Daily Gems - 7 October 2008

Expanding Our Circle of Love

"We must strive to manifest the love of Christ, who always sought to please His Father by doing His will. . . . We must make every effort to follow His supreme example--to demonstrate such love through our thoughts, our speech, our actions--in all the things we do and are. We must not allow pride or vanity, selfishness or personal agendas to displace our reaching out to others in love. Quite simply and profoundly, we must first allow ourselves to be encircled by God's love. We do this best by embracing the Savior's eternal Atonement. Then we can expand that circle to include our family and all others. Such a circle is indeed heaven."

Bonnie D. Parkin, Eternally Encircled in His Love, Ensign, Nov. 2006, 109-10

Topics: Jesus Christ, Example

Young Single Adult Gems - 15 September 2008

Even as I Am

"'Follow me,' the Savior said. And we realize that to follow him is not impossible. The miles which he traveled, each of us can travel, for he took them one step at a time, one journey at a time. You could walk from Jerusalem to Nazareth. You could walk to the Sea of Galilee from Nazareth. You could follow Joseph and Mary and Jesus to Egypt. You could walk to the Mount of Transfiguration and back and forth from Jerusalem to

Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Bethany, the River Jordan. All these, you could do. But this is not the kind of following that he expected. He meant for us to follow his teachings and his example. Anyone with normal health can walk those miles and climb those hills and ford those streams. But it is quite another thing to be 'even as I am,' (3 Ne. 27:27) as he said to the Nephites."

Spencer W. Kimball, "A Gift of Gratitude," Tambuli, Dec. 1977, 2

Topics: Jesus Christ, Example

Daily Gems - 9 September 2008

Attention to Duty

"Scores of discouraged new missionaries have been comforted to learn that early in his own mission, President Hinckley was also discouraged and admitted as much to his father. He even courageously shared his father's brief response: 'Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work' (in Gordon B. Hinckley, Faith: The Essence of True Religion [1989], 115). Over 70 years later, we are all witnesses to how earnestly President Hinckley took that counsel to heart. His sterling character and prophetic wisdom provide persuasive proof for the benefits of remembering the Church's history as well as our own."

Marlin K. Jensen, "Remember and Perish Not," Ensign, May 2007, 38

Topics: Example

Youth Gems - 7 August 2008

Answering Questions about the Church

"The growing prominence of the Church and the increasing inquiries from others present us with great opportunities to build bridges, make friends, and pass on accurate information. But it can also present a greater possibility of misunderstanding and sometimes even prejudice if we allow others to define who we are and what we believe rather than presenting it ourselves.

"Generally, there is no problem with those who are personally acquainted with our members. But there are millions upon millions who are not acquainted with any members of our faith. I would hope that those who know very little about the Church would seek to learn more about us. I would hope they would get to know our members rather than judging us by the misinformation given by those who do not know and in some cases by those who would deliberately mislead or defame.

"You as members can help this to happen by reaching out and sharing with others the basic information found in the Articles of Faith, along with such things as the facts, faith, families, and fruits of the gospel.

"We should also remember that sometimes the best way to answer people's interest can be by how we live, how we radiate the joy of the gospel in our lives, how we treat others, and how sincerely we follow the teachings of Christ."

M. Russell Ballard, "Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 27

Topics: Example

Family Gems - 27 June 2008

Parents Can Best Teach by Example

"President Brigham Young instructed parents by saying:

" 'If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.' (Journal of Discourses, 14:192.)

"If we are to instill faith in our children, they must see us demonstrate our faith in their young lives. They must see us on our knees daily, asking the Lord for His blessings and expressing our gratitude unto Him. They need to see us using our priesthood to administer to those in need, and to bless our children. They need to see us reverently worshiping in our sacrament meetings. They need to see us cheerfully and willingly giving of our time and talents to the building of the Lord's kingdom here on earth. They need to see us proving our faith by the payment of our tithes and offerings to Him. They need to see us diligently studying and discussing the scriptures to increase our faith and understanding."

L. Tom Perry, "Train Up a Child," Ensign, May 1983, 78

Topics: Example, Parenthood, Teaching

Daily Gems - 27 June 2008

Patterns of Righteousness

"It is important to establish patterns of righteousness in your own life, which will enable you to set a good example for your family, whatever form your family may take.

"The example of your righteous life will strengthen your family. President Hinckley gave the young women 'a simple four point program' in the general Young Women meeting last spring that will not only 'assure your happiness' but will bless your family as well. He counseled each of us to '(1) pray, (2) study, (3) pay your tithing, and (4) attend your meetings' ("Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly," Ensign, May 2007, 115). . . .

"As you commit to these patterns of righteousness, you will be blessed throughout your life and will develop the spiritual foundation from which you can strengthen your family by example."

Mary N. Cook, "Strengthen Home and Family," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 11 12

Topics: Family, Righteousness, Example

Family Gems - 23 June 2008

Becoming Examples of Righteousness by Following the Savior

"As we go through life, even through very rough waters, a father's instinctive impulse to cling tightly to his wife or to his children may not be the best way to accomplish his objective. Instead, if he will lovingly cling to the Savior and the iron rod of the gospel, his family will want to cling to him and to the Savior. "This lesson is surely not limited to fathers. Regardless of gender, marital status, or age, individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth. By so doing, they become examples of righteousness to whom others will want to cling."

Russell M. Nelson, "Set in Order Thy House," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 69

Topics: Fatherhood, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Example