THE WORDS WE SPEAK: ROSEMARY M. WIXOM

How we speak to our children and the words we use can encourage and uplift them and strengthen their faith.

One of the greatest influences a person can have in this world is to influence a child. Children's beliefs and self-worth are shaped early in their lives.

How we speak to our children and the words we use can encourage and uplift them and strengthen their faith to stay on the path back to Heavenly Father. They come to this earth ready to listen.

 

DISCONNECT AND LISTEN WITH LOVE

 

Why not choose a time each day to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other? Simply turn everything off. When you do this, your home may seem quiet at first; you may even feel at a loss as to what to do or say. Then, as you give full attention to your children, a conversation will begin, and you can enjoy listening to each other.

 

 

WRITE TO PERSUADE OUR CHILDREN

 

President Monson asks: "What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation-not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again?

 

May the words we speak and write to our children reflect the love our Heavenly Father has for His Son, Jesus Christ, and for us.



 



 



IT'S A MIRACLE: ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSON

If you're not a full-time missionary with a  missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart-painted, as Paul said, "not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God."

Our day is a remarkable time of miracles. six months ago as President Monson announced the age change for young men and young women desiring to serve missions, there was an undeniable spiritual outpouring. Faith overcame doubt, and young men and women moved forward.

surely as the lord has inspired more missionaries to serve, he is also awakening the minds and opening the hearts of more good and honest people to receive his missionaries.

THE HOPE OF GOD'S LIGHT: PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF

ENTRANCE TO ENLIGHTENMENT

 

I have a cherished painting in my office that is titled Entrance to enlightenment. It was created by a friend of mine, the Danish artist Johan Benthin, who was the first stake president in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

The painting shows a dark room with an open door from which light is shining. It is interesting to me that the light coming through the door does not illuminate the entire room-only the space immediately in front of the door.

 

But even though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances, God promises the hope of His light- He promises to illuminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness.

 

 

LIGHT CLEAVETH UNTO LIGHT

 

 

There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth:

God's light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.

 

This is "the spirit of Jesus Christ," which gives "light to every man that cometh into the world."

 

so how do we open our eyes to the hope of God's light?

1. start where you are - The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of his light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come.
2. turn your heart toward the Lord- Lift up your soul in prayer and explain to your Heavenly Father what you are feeling. Acknowledge your shortcomings. Pour out your heart and express your gratitude. Let him know of the trials you are facing. Plead with him in Christ's name for strength and support. Ask that your ears may be opened, that you may hear his voice. Ask that your eyes may be opened, that you may see his light.
3. walk in the light- To the end, he sent his son to this earth to illuminate the way and show us how to safely cross the stumbling blocks placed in our path. He has given us the gospel, which teaches the way of the disciple. It teaches us the things we must know, do, and be to walk in his light, following in the footsteps of his beloved son, our savior.

 

LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS

 

Yes, we will make mistakes

Yes, we will falter

 

But as we seek to increase our love for God and strive to love our neighbor, the light of the gospel will surround and uplift us. The darkness will surely fade, because it cannot exist in the presence of light. As we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. And day by day, the hope of God's light will grow within us,  "brighter and brighter until the perfect day."

 

 

 

 



 



CATCH THE WAVE: ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON

I thank God and His Son, Jesus Christ, for the Restoration and its power to propel a magnificent wave of truth and righteousness across the earth.

More of you young men and women will catch this wave as you strive to be worthy of mission calls. You see this as a wave of truth and righteousness. You see your opportunity to be on the crest of that wave.

Our Eternal Father and Jesus Christ made multiple appearances to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Under their direction, other heavenly messengers came, each with a specific purpose.

• The angel Moroni revealed the Book of Mormon
• John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood
• Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood
• Moses bestowed keys for the gathering of Israel
• Elias conferred keys of knowledge about Abraham
• Elijah restored keys of the sealing authority

The Restoration fulfills many biblical prophecies

• Isaiah prophesied that the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains.
• The exodus of Mormon pioneers to the mountains of western America is a fulfilling saga of sacrifice and faith.
• Isaiah also foretold that God will do "a marvelous work and a wonder."
• That is now being fulfilled by the sacred work of our growing army of missionaries.

Prophecies that the stick of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) and the stick of Judah (the Bible) would be as one in God's hand have now been fulfilled.

The Book of Mormon is the centerpiece of the Restoration. It was written, preserved, and transmitted under the Lord's direction. It was translated "by the gift and power of God."

The book of Doctrine and Covenants contains many additional revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through him we have received more pages of scripture than we have from any other prophet.

May we catch this wave and fulfill the Lord's command to take the gospel "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"

WE BELIEVE IN BEING CHASTE: ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR

Obedience to the law of chastity will increase our happiness in mortality and make possible our progress in eternity.

WHY IS THE LAW OF CHASTITY SO IMPORTANT?

THE FATHER'S PLAN OF HAPPINESS

 

The Father's plan enables his spirit sons and daughters to obtain physical bodies, to gain mortal experience, and to progress toward exaltation

 

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF A PHYSICAL BODY

 



Our physical bodies make possible a breadth, a depth, and an intensity of experience that simply could not be obtained in our pre-mortal existence. Thus, our relationships with other people, our capacity to recognize and act in accordance with truth, and our ability to obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are amplified through our physical bodies.

 

Simply stated, there are lessons we must learn and experiences we must have, 



 



THE POWER OF PROCREATION

 

The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females was needed to enact the plan of happiness. The man and the woman are intended to learn from, strength, bless, and complete each other.

 



 THE NATURAL MAN

 

The precise nature of the test of mortality, then, can be summarized in the following question: Will I respond to the inclination of the natural man, or will I yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and put off the natural man and become a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord?

 

Every appetite , desire, propensity, and impulse of the natural man may be overcome by and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are here on the earth to develop godlike qualities and to bridle all of the passions of the flesh.

 

THE PRINCIPLE OF REPENTANCE

 

Guilt is to our spirit what pain is to our body-a warning of danger and a protection from additional damage. From the Atonement of the Savior flows the soothing salve that can heal our spiritual wounds and remove guilt. However, this salve can only be applied through the principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and consistent obedience. The results of sincere repentance are peace of conscience, comfort, and spiritual healing and renewal.

 

 

A PROMISE AND A TESTIMONY

 

Chastity and virtue are now, always have been, and always will be "most dear and precious above all things"



 



 

 



THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD: ELDER JOHN B. DICKSON

The church has moved steadily across the world from nation to nation, culture to culture, people to people, on the Lord's calendar and in his time.

I testify that through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Church has been restored and continues to move forward under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Their mandate to take the gospel to the world is the same as that of the Apostles of old.

It has been said of Africans that they have very little of that which matters least and a great deal of that which matters most. They have little interest in enormous homes and the finest cars but great interest in knowing their Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and in having eternal families. As a natural result of their faith, the Lord is lifting them in meaningful ways.