Reason for the Season

"We must know Christ better than we know him; we must remember him more often than we remember him; we must serve him more valiantly than we serve him. . . .What manner of men and women ought we to be? Even as he is."

--Howard W Hunter, "The Temptations of Christ", Ensign, November 1976, p. 19

God's Love

"God’s love fills the immensity of space; therefore, there is no shortage of love in the universe, only in our willingness to do what is needed to feel it."

--John H. Groberg, "The Power of God’s Love", Ensign, Nov. 2004, 9

[sorry it's been so long since I posted. I have been having some medical things... but I need this right now for SURE. Love.]

Salvation Available to All

"We come to this world in many colors, shapes, sizes, and circumstances. We don't have to be rich, tall, thin, brilliant, or beautiful to be saved in the kingdom of God--only pure. We need to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. And we can all choose to do that regardless of where we live or what we look like."

~Clate W. Mask Jr., "Standing Spotless before the Lord," Ensign, May 2004, 93

True Disciples

True disciples are those who go beyond simply believing. They act out their belief.

--James E. Faust, "The Resurrection", Ensign, May 1985 p.30

Mercy

"One cannot be merciful to others without receiving a harvest of mercy in return."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Blessed Are the Merciful", Ensign, May 1990, p. 70

Absolute Truths

"We cannot cope with the confusions and challenges of this world unless we use a clear and consistent moral compass that will unerringly take us through our own personal trials and the tugs and pulls of our own temptations--a compass that will chart our way to peace of mind, self-worth, and joy. This moral compass is built around four absolute truths.

The first absolute truth is that there is a loving Father in Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is our personal Savior--a more certain truth than any worldly fact. Nothing could provide a truer "north" for every person's own moral compass.

The second absolute truth is that there is an adversary, Satan, the tempter, who would lead us away from God and His infinite peace....One of Satan's most spiritually damaging lies which undermines our sense of self-worth and hope is that we cannot be forgiven of our sins.

The third absolute truth is that all of us choose our own course, endowed by agency. Yes, who we are is the sum of all the choices we make. We should always remember that our choices do not begin with the act, but in the mind with the idea. Given our agency, we are therefore individually responsible for our thoughts or ideas, acts, habits, character and yes even our destiny.

The fourth absolute truth is that the temptations of the devil can always be overcome by renewed faith in God and by repentance.

Yes, when we stray from that narrow and straight way, marked by our moral compass, our footing can be restored on the road that surely leads to salvation and eternal life. We can experience wisdom, peace of mind, self-worth, and joy not only in the life to follow but in the life each of us lives today by walking in the Savior's footsteps, guided by an unfailing compass calibrated on these four eternal and absolute truths."

Taken from Richard B. Wirthlin, Oct 1997 conference

I needed to read that today.

p.s. I remember reading this back in high school seminary, I think. It still makes me happy. And so, I link! Ha!

Be Willing to LIVE for Your Faith, not just Die!

"Some men are willing to die for their faith but will not fully live for it. Christ both lived and died for us. By walking in his steps and through his atonement we can gain the greatest gift of all--eternal life--which is that kind of life of the great Eternal One, our Father in heaven."

--Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ--Gifts and Expectations, Byu Devotional", 10 December 1974

from LDSNuggets.com

And God Said

"AND GOD SAID"

I said, "God, I hurt."
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."
I said, "God, I am so depressed."
And God said, "that is why I gave you sunshine."
I said, "God, life is so hard."
And God said, "that is why I gave you loved ones."
I said, "God, my loved ones died."
And God said, "Mine did too."
I said, "God, it is such a loss."
And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."
I said, "But God, your loved one lives."
And God said, "So does yours."
I said, "God, where are they now?"
And God said, "Mine is on my right and yours is in the light."
I said, "God it hurts."
And God said, "I know."

--author unknown

The Lord's Standards

"The Lord's standards have come from Him. Some of them may appear a little out-of-date in our society, but this does not detract from their validity nor diminish the virtue of their application. The subtle reasoning of men, no matter how clever, no matter how plausible it may sound, cannot abridge the declared wisdom of God."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Pursue the Steady Course", Ensign, Jan.

What is Your Destination?

"As we pursue our journeys, let us ever bear in mind that in train travel and in life, there are stations, there are departures, calls, schedules, and opportunities for being side-tracked and diverted. Wise is the individual who follows in his, the Savior’s, paths. Safety and joy belong to those who will come and follow him. I bear witness to you today that God is eternal. We are eternal, and God never intended for us to travel alone."

~Marvin J. Ashton, "What Is Your Destination?", Ensign, July 1972, 62

"If we choose the wrong road, we choose the wrong
destination."

~ Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 44

Alice: Oh, no, no. I was just wondering if you could help me find my way.
Cheshire Cat: Well that depends on where you want to get to.
Alice: Oh, it really doesn't matter, as long as...
Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn't matter which way you go.

God is at the Helm... (and my little Brother's on Deck!)

A little personal note. This isn't my real, about-my-life kind of blog, and I usually just share quotes here, but indulge me. Today my family took my little brother to the Missionary Training Center. We won't see him again for 2 years. We all cried a LOT. But after a few weeks there learning the Italian language and learning more of the gospel he loves enough to give up his life right now - filled with girls, his guitar, and, yes, his motorcycle - he will go to Milan Italy to share that gospel with all he meets. I am so proud of him. I will miss him. But I am so happy that the Lord means so much to him that at 19 he would go for 2 whole years to a foreign country (and let's face it, he has always been the baby, a mama's boy) to serve Him.

"Some, in speaking of war and troubles, will say, are you not afraid?
No, I am a servant of God, and this is enough, for Father is at the helm.
It is for me to be as clay in the hands of the potter, to be pliable and
walk in the light and countenance of the Spirit of the Lord, and then no
matter what comes. Let the lightnings flash and the earthquakes bellow, God
is at the helm, and I feel like saying but little, for the Lord God
Omnipotent reigneth and will continue his work until he has put all enemies
under his feet, and his kingdom extends from the rivers to the ends of the
earth."

~John Taylor, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 150

Do Unto Others?

"If you feel that Heavenly Father is not listening to your petitions,
ask yourself if you are listening to the cries of the poor, the sick,
the hungry, and the afflicted all around you."

—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Hiding from Love... Yeah, I've tried that...

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything,
and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly
be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it
intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even
to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies
and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it
up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--
it will change. It will not be broken; it will become
unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The
alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of
tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of
Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the
dangers and perturbations of love is Hell."


C. S. Lewis