Daily LDS Wisdom

DeepShadow · Jun 16, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Elder Robert D. Hales on Salvation through Jesus Christ

"I bear my special witness that Jesus Christ gave His life, making
possible the salvation and exaltation of all the families of the earth.
With all the feeling of a tender parent, I express my love and the love of
our Heavenly Father to you and your family. May we gather our loved ones
around us, 'gird up [our] loins; [and] fresh courage
take. Our God will never us forsake.' With faith, courage, and love,
families will truly be together forever."

( "With All the Feelings of a Tender Parent: A Message of Hope to Families," Ensign, May 2004,
91)

DeepShadow · Jun 16, 2005

GEMS-Youth: President Thomas S. Monson on Decisions

"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny.

"The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever
be."

( "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 54-55)

DeepShadow · Jun 17, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Elder M. Russell Ballard on Returning to the Lord's Presence

"Our Heavenly Father has reached out to us through the Atonement of
our Savior. He invites all to 'come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of
Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption'
(Omni 1:26). He has taught us that it is through our faithful adherence to
gospel principles, through receiving the saving ordinances that have been
restored, through continual service, and by enduring to the end that we can
return to His sacred presence. What possible thing in the whole world is
remotely as important as to know this?"

( "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul," Ensign, May 2004, 87)

DeepShadow · Jun 17, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Elder Robert D. Hales on Mortality

"Any of us may experience a spouse, a child, a parent, or a member of
our extended family suffering in one way or another--mentally,
physically, emotionally, or spiritually--and we may experience
these tribulations ourselves at times. In short, mortality is not easy.

"Each family has its own special circumstances. But the gospel
of Jesus Christ addresses every challenge--which is why we must
teach it to our children."

( "With All the Feelings of a Tender Parent: A Message of Hope to Families," Ensign, May 2004,
88)

DeepShadow · Jun 18, 2005

GEMS-Family: Three Great Truths to Teach Your Children

"If you were going to teach your children three great truths that you
would want them to remember, what would they be? Helaman asked his sons
Lehi and Nephi to remember three great truths 'that ye may do these
things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, . . . that ye may
have that precious gift of eternal life' (Helaman 5:8). My . . .
invitation to you is to find out what Helaman asked his sons to remember
and then to teach those things to your children. I'll help you this
much. Read and ponder Helaman, chapter 5."

( (H. Bryan Richards, "Remember the Teachings of Your Father," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 96))

DeepShadow · Jun 19, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: President Gordon B. Hinckley on Living with Charity toward All

"We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward
all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and
accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us."

( "The Dawning of a Brighter Day," Ensign, May 2004, 84)

DeepShadow · Jun 22, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Elder Dennis E. Simmons on Meeting Our Challenges

"Our scriptures and our history are replete with accounts of God's
great men and women who believed that He would deliver them, but if not,
they demonstrated that they would trust and be true.

"He has the power, but it's our test. What does the Lord expect of us with
respect to our challenges? He expects us to do all we can do. He does the
rest. Nephi said, 'For we know that it is by grace that we are saved,
after all we can do' (2 Nephi 25:23)."

( "But If Not . . .," Ensign, May 2004, 74)

DeepShadow · Jun 22, 2005

GEMS-Youth: Elder Earl C. Tingey on Standards

Elder Earl C. Tingey on Standards

"In life, as in athletics, there are standards, or measured behavior.
There are rights and wrongs. . . .

"Unfortunately, we are seeing the removal of traditional standards of morality and behavior in
today's world. The vernacular of today is 'anything goes.' The world views time-honored standards as old-fashioned or out-of-date.

"We belong to a church where adhering to standards is expected. Things that have always been wrong in the past are still wrong today. The Church does not modify standards of morality by
adapting to changing customs or to the mores of the societies in which we live."

( "For the Strength of Youth," Ensign, May 2004, 49)

DeepShadow · Jun 22, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: President Boyd K. Packer on Salvation through Repentance and Healing

"Remember the Atonement of Christ. Do not despair or count as forever
lost those who have fallen to the temptations of Satan. They will, after
the debt is paid to 'the uttermost farthing' (Matthew 5:26) and
after the healing which attends complete repentance takes place, receive a
salvation."

( "Do Not Fear," Ensign, May 2004, 80)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Sister Julie B. Beck on Having a "Mother Heart"

"A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored gospel,
and she teaches the principles of the gospel without equivocation. She is
keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are
shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will
allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she
learns to the generations who follow her."

( "A 'Mother Heart,' " Ensign, May 2004, 75)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Family: Holding Family Home Evening Weekly Will Bind Families Together

"Family home evenings should be scheduled once a week as a time for
discussions of gospel principles, recreation, work projects, skits, songs
around the piano, games, special refreshments, and family prayers. Like
iron links in a chain, this practice will bind a family together, in love,
pride, tradition, strength, and loyalty."

( President Ezra Taft Benson, "Salvation--A Family Affair," Ensign, July 1992, 4)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Following the Lord Each Day

Sister Gayle M. Clegg said: "A Primary child from Ghana
answer[ed] the question 'What does it mean to choose the right
every day?' with 'It means to follow the Lord and Savior every day
and do your best even when it is hard.' This modern pioneer boy knew .
. about keeping commandments every day. He understood that his own story
would unfold simply by putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a
time."

( "The Finished Story," Ensign, May 2004, 15)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Sustaining Church Leaders

Elder W. Rolfe Kerr said: "It [is] a sacred honor and privilege to . . . [sustain] the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. We humbly declare
that they are 'special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world' (D&C 107:23). . . . We declare to the world that these latter-day servants of the Lord speak the words of Christ."

( "The Words of Christ--Our Spiritual Liahona," Ensign, May 2004, 36)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on Dedicated Temple Worship

"The Punta Arenas Chile Stake is the Church's southernmost stake anywhere on this planet. . . . For the Punta Arenas Saints it is a 4,200-mile round-trip bus ride to the Santiago temple. For a
husband and wife it can take up to 20 percent of an annual local income just for the transportation alone. Only 50 people can be accommodated on the bus, but for every excursion 250 others come out to hold a brief service with them the morning of their departure . . . just to sing with, pray for, and cheer on their way those who [are] going to the temple."

( "Abide in Me," Ensign, May 2004, 31)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Youth: President Boyd K. Packer on Dating

"Dating should not be premature or without supervision. You should appreciate your parents if they see to that.

"Young people sometimes get the mistaken notion that spirituality and the religious attitude interfere with youthful growth. They assume that the requirements of the Church are interferences and aggravations that thwart the full expression of young manhood and young womanhood.

"How foolish is the youth who feels that the Church is a fence around love to keep him out. Oh, youth, if you could know! The requirements of the Church are the highway to love and to happiness, with guardrails securely in place, with guideposts plainly marked, and with help along the way.

"How unfortunate to resent counsel and restraint. How fortunate are you who follow the standards of the Church, even if just from sheer obedience or habit. You will find a rapture and a joy fulfilled."

( "You're in the Driver's Seat," New Era, June 2004, 8)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on Peace and Joy

"Know within your hearts that Jesus the Christ lives. Be at peace, for
as you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. Let not your hearts be
weary, but rejoice. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the gospel is
restored once again. The heavens are not sealed. As in ancient days, we
have a man who communicates with the Infinite. A prophet, President Gordon
B. Hinckley, walks the earth in our day and at this time."

( "Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts," Ensign, May 2004, 43)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: President Ezra Taft Benson on the Necessity of a Free Nation

"Our Father in Heaven planned the coming forth of the Founding Fathers and their form of government as the necessary great prologue leading to the restoration of the gospel. Recall what our Savior Jesus Christ said nearly two thousand years ago when He visited this promised land: 'For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth' (3 Nephi 21:4). America, the land of liberty, was to be the Lord's latter-day base of operations for His restored church."

( "Our Divine Constitution," Ensign, Nov. 1987, 4)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Family: Teach Your Children to Understand the Meaning of More and Less

"We have all heard children, after they have opened many Christmas or birthday gifts, say, 'Isn't there more?' With all the challenges present in this 'more generation,' there remains divine
counsel to teach our children 'to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, . . . to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord, . . . [and to] observe the Sabbath day [and] keep it holy' (D&C 68:25, 28-29).

"The meaning of more and less is not always crystal clear. There are times when less is in reality more and times when more can be less. For instance, less pursuit of materialism may enable more family togetherness. More indulgence of children may result in less understanding of life's important values."

( H. David Burton, "More Holiness Give Me," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 99)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: President Ezra Taft Benson on the Declaration of Independence

"Fifty-six men signed the document on August 2, 1776, or, in the case of some, shortly thereafter. They pledged their lives!--and at least nine of them died as a result of the war. If the Revolution had failed, if their fight had come to naught, they would have been hanged as traitors. They pledged their fortunes!--and at least fifteen fulfilled that pledge to support the war effort. They pledged their sacred honor!--best expressed by the noble statement of John Adams. He said: 'All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope, in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it; and I leave off as I begun, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my
living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, Independence, now, and INDEPENDENCE FOR EVER' (Works of Daniel Webster, Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1877, 17th ed., 1:135)."

( "Our Priceless Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 1976, 33)

DeepShadow · Jul 8, 2005

GEMS-Teachings: President N. Eldon Tanner on the Faith of Christopher Columbus

"Columbus himself, in a letter to the Spanish hierarchy, wrote, 'Our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my emprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?'
(quoted in Mark E. Petersen, The Great Prologue, Deseret Book Co., 1975, p.
26).

"During the voyage, after weeks of sailing with no sign of land, mutiny raised its head. Finally, Columbus promised the captains of the Pinta and the Nina, both of whom wanted to turn back, that if no land was sighted in forty-eight hours, they would turn back. Then he went to his cabin and, in his words, 'prayed mightily to the Lord.' On October 12, the very next day, they sighted land."

( "If They Will But Serve the God of the Land," Ensign, May 1976, 48)

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