Daily LDS Wisdom (Jesus Christ, priest, ritual, Latter-Day Saints, tradition)

[DeepShadow]

Following the marvelous tradition in other forums, I'll be posting the various quotes found in the LDS-GEMS email list offered by the church. See www.LDS.org/gems for more information.

GEMS come in various types, depending on audience and subject, so I'll try to include these categories whenever possible. Also, GEMS often come more than once a day, thus I'll be compiling all the day's GEMS into a single daily post.

Note: I've received permission to post these GEMS on the condition that it's not taking place for profit. From an email that I received September 9th:

"You have permission to post the LDS-GEMS on the web site as described in your e-mail. This permission is given with the understanding this use will be used for non-commercial purposes only. Please include a notice to that effect near the material (LDS-GEMS) on the web site.

"Thank you for checking with us."

Bobbie Reynolds, Legal Specialist
Intellectual Property Office

[DeepShadow]

GEMS-Youth: Elder Earl C. Tingey on Decisions

"There are some decisions that we need make only once. Having made the
decision, we no longer need to wonder how we will act in that particular
situation in the future. Decisions develop habits or patterns. . . . It is
important that you know, at your age and experience in life, how to
establish patterns that lead to eternal happiness."

( "Establishing Eternal Patterns," Ensign, Oct. 2004, 32)

------------------------------

Gems from the Teachings of Church Leaders
Spiritual Eyesight from the Touch of the Master's Hand

"Those who have felt the touch of the Master's hand somehow cannot
explain the change which comes into their lives. There is a desire to live
better, to serve faithfully, to walk humbly, and to be more like the
Savior. Having received their spiritual eyesight and glimpsed the promises
of eternity, they echo the words of the blind man to whom Jesus restored
sight: 'One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see'
(John 9:25)."

( President Thomas S. Monson, "Anxiously Engaged," Ensign, November 2004, 58)

[DeepShadow]

GEMS-Teachings: Great Eternal Promises to Those Who Persist in Righteousness

"We don't know in detail all that is going to be required of
humanity, of the Saints of God in the uncertain days ahead. Everyday
righteous living will be increasingly difficult. . . .

" . . .
But great eternal promises are extended to those who persist in
righteousness. . . . The key of the knowledge of God, administered by those
who keep the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood, will enable
us to come off as the sons of God."

( President James E. Faust, "The Key of the Knowledge of God," Ensign, November 2004, 55)

---------------------------------

"Fathers, grandfathers, we have an even greater responsibility to
guide our precious sons and grandsons. They need our help, they need our
encouragement, they need our example. It has been wisely said that our
youth need fewer critics and more models to follow."

( (Thomas S. Monson, "Anxiously Engaged," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 57))

[DeepShadow]

GEMS-Teachings: Building Zion Together

"If we believe that the Lord's Church has been
restored--and we do--then we must believe that Relief
Society is an essential part of His organizational fold. We need to stop
asking whether we fit--because we do! Our differences are not so
great that we cannot build Zion together."

( Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, "Belonging Is Our Sacred Birthright," Ensign, November 2004, 108)
-----------------------------------------
GEMS-Teachings: Becoming Who and What We Are

"[The] special blending of our common origins and
characteristics [together with] our unique attributes, experiences,
and specialized challenges . . . makes each of us who and what we
are."

( Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., "Perilous Times," Ensign, November 2004, 49)

[michel]

Hi, I looked up LDS, not knowing what that was - why does your church not call itself the Mormon church, if that is what it is ?

[DeepShadow]

The official name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mormon is a nickname (taken from the Book of Mormon) that often causes confusion with other groups, especially polygamist fundamentalists, one group of them having taken 'Mormons' as the official name of their church.

[michel]

Originally Posted by DeepShadow

The official name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mormon is a nickname (taken from the Book of Mormon) that often causes confusion with other groups, especially polygamist fundamentalists, one group of them having taken 'Mormons' as the official name of their church.

Out of context, but just a coincidence, there's a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints just 400 yards from my home; I keep meaning to go, just to see what it is like.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by michel