Daily Gems - 24 November 2009

Faith and Devotion to the Gospel

“My brothers and sisters, I thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel. I thank you for the love and care you show to one another. I thank you for the service you provide in your wards and branches and in your stakes and districts. It is such service that enables the Lord to accomplish His purposes here upon the earth.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign, May 2009, 6

Topics: Serving Others, Purpose of Mortality

Youth Gems - 3 November 2009

Children of God

“Who are we? We are children of God. Our potential is unlimited. Our inheritance is sacred. May we always honor that heritage—in every thought and deed.”

Russell M. Nelson, “You Are a Child of God,” New Era, July 2008, 6

Topics: Creation, Purpose of Mortality

Youth Gems - 1 October 2009

The Spirit

“Development of the spirit is of eternal consequence. The attributes by which we shall be judged one day are those of the spirit. These include the virtues of integrity, compassion, love, and more. Your spirit, by being housed in your body, is able to develop and express these attributes in ways that are vital to your eternal progression.

“Spirit and body, when joined together, become a living soul of supernal worth. Indeed, we are children of God—physically and spiritually.”

Russell M. Nelson, “You Are a Child of God,” New Era, July 2008, 4

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Creation

Daily Gems - 30 September 2009

Our Test in Mortality

“Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

“We must remember that the adversary knows us extremely well. He knows where, when, and how to tempt us. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can learn to recognize the adversary’s enticements. Before we yield to temptation, we must learn to say with unflinching resolve, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ (Matthew 16:23).”

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

Topics: Enduring to the End, Purpose of Mortality

Daily Gems - 14 July 2009

Power of the Atonement

"No institution, plan, program, or system ever conceived by men has access to the redeeming and transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost."

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

Topics: Purpose of Mortality

Daily Gems - 20 April 2009

Testing Our Limits

"[The] testing of our limits in priesthood service is made necessary by God's plan to qualify His children to live with Him again forever. Heavenly Father loves His children. He offered us eternal life, to live with Him again in families and in glory forever. To qualify us to receive that gift, He gave us a mortal body, the opportunity to be tempted to sin, and a way to be cleansed from that sin and to rise in the First Resurrection. He gave us His Beloved Son, Jehovah, as our Savior to make that possible. The Savior was born in mortal life, was tempted but never sinned, and then in Gethsemane and on Golgotha paid the price of our sins so that we could be cleansed. The purifying can come only to those who have faith enough in Jesus Christ to repent of sin, be cleansed through the ordinance of baptism, and make and keep covenants to obey all His commandments. And there was to be a fierce enemy of our souls, Lucifer, who would with his legions relentlessly try to capture every child of God to keep him or her from having the joy of eternal life."

Henry B. Eyring, "O Ye That Embark," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 57

Topics: Atonement, Purpose of Mortality, Opposition

Daily Gems - 7 April 2009

Facing Challenges and Difficulties

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel's end—no dawn to break the night's darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea 'Is there no balm in Gilead?' (Jeremiah 8:22). We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," Ensign, May 2008, 90

Topics: Love, Purpose of Mortality, Adversity

Daily Gems - 3 April 2009

Blessed with Miracles

"I delight in the examples of those in the scriptures who walk by faith on their earthly journey. Each time I walk with Abraham and Isaac on the road to Mount Moriah, I weep, knowing that Abraham does not know that there will be an angel and a ram in the thicket at the end of that journey. We are each in the middle of our earthly path, and we don't know the rest of our own stories. But we, as Abraham, are blessed with miracles."

Susan W. Tanner, "My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord," Ensign, May 2008, 82-83

Topics: Miracles, Faith, Purpose of Mortality

Daily Gems - 23 February 2009

Gospel Consistent from the Beginning of Time

"As the restored Church of Jesus Christ blossoms throughout the globe—now with more than 13 million members—'the faith of our fathers' has an expanded meaning. . . . Often when people learn of the restored gospel, they are impressed by it—many even want to join the Church. But they are reluctant to disappoint their ancestors; they feel they should be true to the faith of their fathers. . . .

"What, then, is the faith of our fathers? Is it the religion of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents?

"But what of the faith of the ancient ones before them? What of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? . . .

of the Savior and those disciples who followed Him?

"The faith of our Father in Heaven has been consistent since the beginning of time, even from before the foundation of this world. . . .

"We believe in the great plan of happiness, the plan of redemption, the plan of salvation, whereby God's children may experience mortality and return to the presence of the Father—a merciful plan established from before the foundation of this earth.

"This is the plan and the faith of our Father!"

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Faith of Our Father," Ensign, May 2008, 70, 75

Topics: Restoration, Purpose of Mortality

Young Single Adult Gems - 6 February 2009

It Is Time to Be Prepared

"We live in a most exciting and challenging period in human history. As technology sweeps through every facet of our lives, changes are occurring so rapidly that it can be difficult for us to keep our lives in balance. To maintain some semblance of stability in our lives, it is essential that we plan for our future. I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received in dealing with our personal and family preparedness. We want to be found with oil in our lamps sufficient to endure to the end."

L. Tom Perry, "If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 35

Topics: Purpose of Mortality

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

Daily Gems - 29 January 2009

Sweet and Satisfying Fruits of Fellowship

"Throughout the journey along the pathway of life, there are casualties. Some depart from the road markers which point toward life eternal, only to discover the detour chosen ultimately leads to a dead end. Indifference, carelessness, selfishness, and sin all take their costly toll in human lives.

"Change for the better can come to all. Over the years we have issued appeals to the less active, the offended, the critical, the transgressor to come back. 'Come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the Saints' (First Presidency statement, in Ensign, Mar. 1986, 88)."

Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," Ensign, May 2008, 89

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Repentance

Young Single Adult Gems - 16 January 2009

God's Wish for Us

"A quality life is God's greatest wish for us. Life is to be lived well in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. There should not be a waiting period."

Marvin J. Ashton, "Be a Quality Person," Ensign, Feb. 1993, 64

Topics: Purpose of Mortality

Daily Gems - 16 December 2008

Live Forever with God

"The person we are when we depart this life is the person we will be as we enter the next. Thankfully, we do have Today. . . . We really are immortal in the sense that Christ's Atonement conquers death, both physical and spiritual. And provided we have so lived Today that we have claim on the Atonement's cleansing grace, we will live forever with God. This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversaries, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all who wisely use Today."

Lance B. Wickman, "Today," Ensign, May 2008, 105

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Repentance, Justice

Daily Gems - 12 May 2008

Life Is Everlasting

"Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so."

Thomas S. Monson, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!" Ensign, May 2007, 25

Topics: Plan of Salvation, Jesus Christ, Purpose of Mortality

Daily Gems - 4 March 2008

Promised Blessings

"While it may be true in some instances that our promised blessings will be fulfilled only in the eternities, it is also true that as we search, pray, and believe, we will often recognize things working together for our good in this life."

Susan W. Tanner, "All Things Shall Work Together for Your Good," Ensign, May 2004, 105.

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Prayer

Young Single Adult Gems - 28 November 2007

Helping Others Keeps Our Own Spirits Alive

"Many of us will not survive our tests in mortality without help from others. And just as true: in helping others we keep our own spirits alive."

Kathleen H. Hughes, "That We May All Sit Down in Heaven Together," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 111

Topics: Purpose of Mortality, Serving Others

Daily Gems - 17 May 2007

The Savior's Teachings Bring Peace in the Midst of Conflict

"Our Father in Heaven wants each of us to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. Our Master, Jesus Christ, and His prophets have taught how to have that peace and happiness, even in a world that is ever more challenging, with increasing conflict and an intense concentration of alluring temptations."

Richard G. Scott, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 40

Topics: Opposition, Purpose of Mortality