Daily Gems - 18 November 2009

Be Thou 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: Testimony

Young Single Adult Gems - 9 November 2009

If You Desire to Know

“The marvelous and wonderful thing is that any individual who desires to know the truth may receive that conviction. The Lord Himself gave the formula when He said, ‘If any man will do [the will of the Father], he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17).”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Faith: The Essence of True Religion,” Ensign, Oct. 1995, 5

Topics: Testimony, Faith

Daily Gems - 6 November 2009

Testimony

“Elder Dallin H. Oaks defined a testimony this way: ‘A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true’ (Dallin H. Oaks, “Testimony” Ensign, May 2008, 26). At another time Elder Oaks said, ‘Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become’ (Dallin H. Oaks, quoted in Kenneth Johnson, “Coming to Know for Ourselves,” Ensign, July 2008, 29).”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times!” Ensign, May 2009, 17

Topics: Testimony, Conversion

Youth Gems - 5 November 2009

Converting Power

“Conversion depends upon our feeling the Spirit. The words of the Book of Mormon invite the Holy Ghost. There is great converting power in the word of God. Alma taught us that the word of God was ‘more powerful . . . than the sword, or anything else’ in changing people’s hearts (Alma 31:5).”

Henry B. Eyring, “Why the Book of Mormon?” New Era, May 2008, 9

Topics: Testimony, Conversion, Book of Mormon

Daily Gems - 13 October 2009

Hungry for Things of the Spirit

“President [J. Reuben] Clark described youth as ‘hungry for things of the Spirit [and] eager to learn the gospel.’ He said: ‘They want it straight, undiluted. They want to know . . . about our beliefs; they want to gain testimonies of their truth. They are not now doubters but inquirers, seekers after truth.’ ”

Boyd K. Packer, “Counsel to Young Men,” Ensign, May 2009, 50

Topics: Testimony

Youth Gems - 6 October 2009

A Testament of Jesus Christ

“The Book of Mormon has been at the center of missionary work since the gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph. We use it every day in missionary work. One fact about the Book of Mormon being the key to power in each part of missionary work is this: the Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ. The title page tells us that. It says that the purpose of the book is to show what great things the Lord has done for His people, to help them know that the covenants the Lord has made with His people are still in force, and to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Why the Book of Mormon?” New Era, May 2008, 6–8

Topics: Book of Mormon, Testimony

Young Single Adult Gems - 5 October 2009

Testimony

“This thing which we call testimony is the great strength of the Church. It is the wellspring of faith and activity. It is difficult to explain. It is difficult to quantify . . . , yet it is as real and powerful as any force on the earth.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Testimony,” Ensign, May 1998, 69

Topics: Testimony

Daily Gems - 21 September 2009

How Inspiration Comes

“While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith’s vision before they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful.

“Over time we will receive answers and learn how inspiration comes. This is something each person learns for himself.”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times!” Ensign, May 2009, 18

Topics: Testimony, Revelation, Holy Ghost

Daily Gems - 16 September 2009

Process to Gain a Testimony

“You gain a vibrant, life-changing testimony today the same way it has always been done. The process hasn’t been changed. It comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience, and service. That is why the teachings of prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as they ever have been.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Learning the Lessons of the Past,” Ensign, May 2009, 34

Topics: Obedience, Testimony, Faith

Family Gems - 11 September 2009

Family Scripture Study Will Protect Children

“A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Liahona, Nov. 2007, 118

Topics: Scripture, Testimony

Church History Gems - 28 August 2009

Fire in My Bones

"As we share our testimony with others, I hope that we will have the same convincing power and enthusiasm the members had who brought the message to Brigham Young. He said:

" 'The brethren who came to preach the Gospel to me, I could easily out-talk them . . .; but their testimony was like fire in my bones; I understood the spirit of their preaching; I received that spirit; it was light, intelligence, power, and truth, and it bore witness to my spirit, and that was enough for me' (Remarks by Brigham Young, 28 July 1861; JD 9:141)."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Truth Restored," BYU Devotional, August 22, 2006

Topics: Testimony

Youth Gems - 22 July 2009

Obtaining Inspiration

“Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings. . . .

“Developing this capacity helps us gain testimonies and becomes the means for obtaining additional inspiration in the future.”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times!” Ensign, May 2009, 18

Topics: Testimony

Young Single Adult Gems - 1 July 2009

Gaining a Testimony

“While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith’s vision before they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful.”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times,” Ensign, May 2009, 18

Topics: Testimony

Daily Gems - 18 June 2009

The Greatest Gift

"By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will 'always have his Spirit to be with [us].' That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth."

Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 17

Topics: Sacrament, Testimony

Young Single Adult Gems - 12 June 2009

The Foundation of Our Testimony

“We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times.”

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times,” Ensign, May 2009, 17

Topics: Testimony, Holy Ghost

Young Single Adult Gems - 10 June 2009

Instill in Each Heart a Testimony

“There is great need in today’s world to nourish the souls of our children and youth with ‘living water’ and the ‘bread of life.’ Like Peter, we too love the Lord, so today's parents and leaders work diligently to instill in each heart a testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. We teach in our homes, in missionary settings, and in the chapels and classrooms of our churches. We prepare and invite the Spirit to be with us. But to truly be able to feed His lambs and nourish His sheep with testimony and the Spirit, we must also cultivate in our homes and classrooms respect for each other and reverence for God.”

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

Topics: Testimony

Daily Gems - 4 June 2009

Impact of a Mission

"My testimony of the Savior and His infinite Atonement was strengthened. My missionary experiences became part of who and what I am. Missionary work became my passion. It has impacted my life and that of my family more than anything else."

Silvia H. Allred, "Go Ye Therefore," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 11

Topics: Testimony, Proclaim the Gospel

Youth Gems - 30 April 2009

Testimony

"Great events are not a guarantee that our testimony will be strong. Laman and Lemuel are good examples of this. They were visited by angels and even then, almost in the very next minute, they were questioning the will of the Lord. Some great leaders of these latter days can also teach us about this principle. They were taught from on high during the early days of the Restoration and still were not strong enough to endure to the end. These experiences show us that to receive the witness of the 'still small voice' sometimes can have a stronger impact on our testimonies than the visit of an angel."

Carlos A. Godoy, "Testimony as a Process," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 101

Topics: Testimony

Daily Gems - 29 April 2009

Solemn Witness

"I express my solemn witness that the Book of Mormon is true. It is a book that has brought about a mighty change in my life. I know that God lives. Jesus is the Christ. His gospel has been restored to the earth. President Thomas S. Monson is His prophet and living oracle at this time. The Spirit I feel as I daily read, ponder, and pray about the book of Mormon strengthens my understanding and testimony of these things and reaffirms to me that they are true."

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

Topics: Testimony, Book of Mormon, Truth

Daily Gems - 22 April 2009

Women's Part under the Plan

"To do our part under the plan of the Lord, we are to increase our faith and personal righteousness. Membership in the Church requires faith, which we nourish throughout our lives with great 'diligence, and patience, and long-suffering' (Alma 32:43). In the common heritage we share, we have remarkable examples of faith in the early women of the Church. Early pioneer women were driven from homes and perseuted because of their faith. Others survived fires and floods. They crossed oceans and walked thousands of miles, tolerating dirt, illness, and near starvation to help build the Lord's kingdom on the earth. Many of them buried husbands, children, parents, and siblings along the way. Why did they do this? They did it because the fire of their faith burned in their souls. . . . Like you, they had a conviction and a testimony that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ was true and that the Lord needed them to do their part in establishing His kingdom on the earth. Their pursuit of personal righteousness was a daily effort to become more like the Savior through repentance, scripture study, prayer, obedience to commandments, and through seeking after everything 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy' (Articles of Faith 1:13)."

Julie B. Beck, "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 109–10

Topics: Testimony, Faith, Righteousness