Quote -- John Taylor

"When we live our religion, when we walk according to the light of the Spirit of God, when we purge ourselves [of] impurity and corruption, and the sweet whispering of the Spirit of the Lord pours intelligence into our bosoms, broods over us, causing peace and joy to be with us, we have then, more or less, a faint glimpse of those things that are laid up for the faithful, and it is then we feel as though we and all that we have are in the hands of the Lord and that we are ready to offer ourselves [as] a sacrifice for the accomplishment of his purposes upon the earth."
~~John Taylor, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 151

Quote -- Trials and Tribulation

"Our trials can either end up hardening our heart or humbling us. How true the saying that suffering in life is inevitable, but misery is of our own making. In other words, because of the plan that we all agreed upon in the premortal life, we are going to suffer, whether we want to or not. However, if you can find how to suffer that tribulation in the Redeemer's name, you will bear it well and perhaps even do it with an understanding, happy heart."
~~Elder Gene R. Cook, "BYU Devotional", February 1, 2005

The Atonement Gives Us the Strength to Endure -- Dallin H. Oakes

The Atonement Gives Us the Strength to Endure

"The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the healing it offers do much more than provide the opportunity for repentance from sins. The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure 'pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,' because our Savior also took upon Him 'the pains and the sicknesses of his people' (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden."

Topics: Atonement, endurance, healing, repentance

(Dallin H. Oaks, "He Heals the Heavy Laden," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 9)

Bearing One Another's Burdens

"[We all face] dangers and hardships. . . . [But] there will be 'angels round about you, to bear you up' (D&C 84:88).

They will sustain us as we carry our earthly burdens. Often in our lives, those angels are the people around us, the people who love us, those who allow themselves to be instruments in the Lord's hands.

"President Spencer W. Kimball said, 'God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom' ("There is Purpose in Life," New Era, Sept. 1974, 5)."

Topic: Service

(Susan W. Tanner, "All Things Shall Work Together for Your Good," Ensign, May 2004, 106)

Individual Worth of Each Son or Daughter

"Only as we accept the Atonement in our lives and strive to live the gospel can we meet the challenges of life and find peace, joy, and happiness. Coming to understand this great gift is an individual pursuit for each child of God. . . .

"If we could truly understand the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, we would realize how precious is one son or daughter of God."

Topic: individual worth

(M. Russell Ballard, "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul," Ensign, May 2004, 86)

A Father's Role in the Family

"Fathers perform priesthood ordinances and give priesthood blessings, including father's blessings to their children. They pray for and with family members, collectively and individually. They set an example of respect and love for their eternal companion and mother of their children.

In all things they follow the example of the Savior and strive to be worthy of His name and His blessing. Fathers should seek constantly for guidance from the Holy Ghost so they will know what to do, what to say, and also know what not to do and what not to say. They serve the family and the Church in the spirit of love and enthusiasm, by example preparing family members to serve--especially preparing sons to serve as worthy missionaries."

Topic: fatherhood

(M. Russell Ballard, "The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 30)

The Absolutes of the Gospel

"Hearing the words of the Lord lifts us out of spiritual blindness 'into his marvelous light' (1 Peter 2:9).

". . . Much of that light comes from our discipline, dedication, and consecration to some important absolutes. The foremost of these absolutes is that there is a God who is the Father of our souls to whom we account for our actions. Second, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Third, that the great plan of happiness requires obedience to God's commandments. Fourth, that the greatest gift of God is eternal life (see D&C 14:7)."

Topics: happiness, spirituality, truth

(James E. Faust, "The Light in Their Eyes," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 21)

The Temple Is a Place of Tranquility

"The celestial room in the temple is especially a place of peace, tranquility, and beauty. It is a quiet haven where one can reflect, ponder, pray, meditate, and feel the love of Heavenly Father and the Savior. As we ponder and meditate in the temple, our thoughts naturally focus on members of our family."

Topics: temples, peace, family

(Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is About Families," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 10-11)

Strengthen Fathers (I really like this one)

"In order to strengthen the father in the home, I make two simple suggestions: first, sustain and respect the father in his position; second, give him love, understanding, and some appreciation for his efforts. . . . In terms of giving fathers love and understanding, it should be remembered that fathers also have times of insecurity and doubt. Everyone knows fathers make mistakes--especially they themselves. Fathers need all the help they can get; mostly they need love, support, and understanding from their own."

Topics: Fatherhood

(James E. Faust, "The Father Who Cares," Ensign, Sept. 2006, 4)

Acting on the Knowledge That God Lives

"It is not enough to know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the gospel is true. We must take the high road by acting upon that knowledge."

Topics: knowledge, obedience, commitment

(Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 46)

Cultivate Family Relationships

"Let us not live a life . . . that would bring regret. . . . It is not going to matter very much how much money you made, what kind of a house you lived in, what kind of a car you drove, the size of your bank account--any of those things. What is going to matter is that dear woman who has walked with you side by side as your companion through all of the years of life and those children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their faithfulness and their looking to you . . with respect and love and deference and kindness. . . .

"The only things you will take with you, when all is said and done, are your family relationships. . . . God bless us to be good fathers, . . good parents, and good husbands to our good wives."

Topics: Marriage, family, parenthood

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 3-4)

The Lord Will Ultimately Bless Us with All He Has

"Giving careful attention to covenant making is critical to our eternal salvation. Covenants are agreements we make with our Heavenly Father in which we commit our hearts, minds, and behavior to keeping the commandments defined by the Lord. As we are faithful in keeping our agreement, He covenants, or promises, to bless us, ultimately with all that He has."

Topics: covenants, commitment, faith, blessings

(Paul E. Koelliker, "Gospel Covenants Bring Promised Blessings," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 94)

Marriage Is Nurtured by Honoring Covenants

"As a husband and wife are each drawn to the Lord (see 3 Ne. 27:14), as they learn to serve and cherish one another, as they share life experiences and grow together and become one, and as they are blessed through the uniting of their distinctive natures, they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His children. Ultimate happiness, which is the very object of the Father's plan, is received through the making and honoring of eternal marriage covenants."

Topics: Marriage, covenants

(David A. Bednar, "Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan," Ensign, Jun 2006, 86)

Families Must Find Meaningful Time Together

"Families unite when they do meaningful things together. Children should work together under the leadership of parents. Common employment, even on a part-time basis, is valuable. So is a family garden. Common projects to help others are also desirable. Families may establish a perpetual missionary fund. They can research and write family histories and share them with others. They can organize family reunions. They can educate family members in the basic skills of living, including managing finances, maintaining property, and broadening their general education. The learning of languages is a useful preparation for missionary service and modern life. The teachers of these subjects can be parents or grandparents or other members of the extended family.

"Some may say, 'But we have no time for that.' As for time to do what is truly worthwhile, I suggest that many parents will find that they can turn their family on if they will turn their television off. . . .

"President David O. McKay taught:

" 'The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.' (Family Home Evening Manual 1968-69, p. iii.)"

Topics: home, children, teaching, parents

(Dallin H. Oaks, "Parental Leadership in the Family," Ensign, June 1985, 9)

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."

Topics: Savior, gospel, fathers, example

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

 

Extended Family Members Can Provide Support

"In today's world, where Satan's aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions that surround us. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins can make a powerful difference in the lives of children. Remember that the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time."

Topic: family

(M. Russell Ballard, "What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 43)

How to Become What the Lord Wants of Us

"It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

Topics: plan of salvation, personal growth, spirituality

(Dallin H. Oaks, "The Challenge to Become," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32)

His Infinite Love

"God the Father is merciful and has infinite love for you despite your faults. Only the voice of Satan will cause you to feel of no value. In contrast, the Holy Ghost will cause you to feel 'godly sorrow' unto repentance in a manner that fills you with hope of positive change."

(Anthony D. Perkins, "The Great and Wonderful Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 77)

Being Family-Centered Will Bring Happiness

"Our family-centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness--both our own and that of our children--than how well we love and support one another within the family."

Topic: family

(M. Russell Ballard, "What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 42)

Forgiveness Accomplishes Miracles

"Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way."

Topics: forgiveness, love, miracles

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Forgiveness," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 84)