LDS Spiritual Thoughts

Instruments of God’s Love

Debbi — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:01:14 +0000

God loves every one of his children—of that we are absolutely assured, we know it in our hearts—but God needs instruments of his love. He needs those who can carry his love and make it meaningful and personal in the lives of others. The shepherd’s search for the lost sheep was a mission of grace and so was the joyful journey of the forgiving father when he ran to meet the penitent prodigal who had come to himself and had, with trepidation, started home. - Marion D. Hanks, “Gifts You Can’t Wrap,” New Era, December 1972

Discouragement

Jeff — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:52:24 +0000

Submitted by: Deb Allred – Thanks!

When I was a teenager my institute teacher, Brother Ronald Walker, wrote me a note, part of which follows….
“Discouragement, of course, is the devils principal tool. TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM! Don’t let him use it. He tries it on each of us….Have FAITH. The Lord, when we put our trust in Him, will see us through any dfficulty, BUT IT IS UP TO US to place trust in Him and exercise courage and faith. We must also do our part to move forward, difficult as it may sometimes seem.”

Getting Our Bearings Straight – Cook

Debbi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:42:02 +0000

I think the challenge for all of us—but perhaps particularly for young adults—is to try not to look sideways to see how others are viewing our lives but to look up to see how Heavenly Father sees us. He doesn’t look on the outward appearance but on the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). And He knows, better than anyone else, what each one of us needs. - Carl B. Cook, “Look Up,” Liahona, January 2012

We Are Not Forgotten – Uchtdorf

Jeff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:24:48 +0000

Submitted by: Edina Heizerne Auer – Thanks!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught:

As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.

Years later I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten.

And I know something else: as an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart—neither are you!

You are not forgotten.

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

Being Continually Blessed – Christoffersonbre

Debbi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:52:02 +0000

Jesus teaches us, His disciples, that we should look to God each day for the bread—the help and sustenance—we require that particular day. The Lord’s invitation to seek our daily bread at our Heavenly Father’s hand speaks of a loving God, aware of even the small, daily needs of His children and eager to assist them, one by one. He is saying that we can ask in faith of that Being “that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given” (James 1:5). That is, of course, tremendously reassuring, but there is something at work here that is more significant than just help in getting by day to day. As we seek and receive divine bread daily, our faith and trust in God and His Son grow. - D. Todd Christofferson, “Recognizing God’s Hand in Our Daily Blessings,” CES Fireside, 9 January 2011

Brighten up!

Jeff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:38:55 +0000

Submitted by: Barbara Jackson Thanks!

If you want to be happy and make others happy too, nourish your attitude of gratitude. It will brighten your day because you will be focusing on the positive things in your life. And your brightness and appreciation will brighten the people around you and make you a good role model for them to follow. So scatter that sunshine and brighten up!

Unseen Blessings – Cook

Debbi — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:42:01 +0000

Sometimes, …great blessings come to those who are faithful. We should be grateful for all the tender mercies that come into our lives. We are unaware of hosts of blessings that we receive from day to day. It is extremely important that we have a spirit of gratitude in our hearts. – Quentin L. Cook, “The Songs They Could Not Sing,” Ensign (CR) October 2011

Two Roads

Debbi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:39:22 +0000

We all want to be on the right road. We all desire to move effectively down that highway of life with the least amount of detours and delays. We all have moments when we get slightly confused and need additional help in making correct choices. We are frequently at a crossroads where we must choose one of two highways: the lower road leading to spiritual delays and sorrow, or the higher road leading to spiritual progress and happiness. It is very important for us to always choose the higher road. - W. Craig Zwick, “Taking the Higher Road,” Ensign, August 2002

We Are All Enlisted

Debbi — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:03:10 +0000

Number one, Satan, or Lucifer, or the father of lies—call him what you will—is real, the very personification of evil. His motives are in every case malicious, and he convulses at the appearance of redeeming light, at the very thought of truth. Number two, he is eternally opposed to the love of God, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the work of peace and salvation. He will fight against these whenever and wherever he can. He knows he will be defeated and cast out in the end, but he is determined to take down with him as many others as he possibly can.

…I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil and him who is the personification of it, but a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God. Brethren of all ages, unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders in the lives of those “who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”

October 2011 General Conference, JEFFREY R. HOLLAND, We Are All Enlisted

Continued Growth in the Gospel

Debbi — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:55:57 +0000

Some who have accepted the gospel by being baptized do not continue to enjoy the feast. Once we have come to the Lord’s table, let us not leave too early!

Continuing to feast on the good things of the gospel means we will keep the commandments, attend our meetings, and contribute to the happiness of those around us by being good neighbors and friends. - F. Melvin Hammond, “Parables of Jesus: The Great Supper,” Ensign, April 2003