LDS Spiritual Thoughts | Tag Archives: example

In Tune With The Music of Faith (Cook)

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

It needs to be taught and understood that we love and respect all of the people whom Lehi described.⁸ Remember, it is not up to us to judge. Judgment is the Lord's.⁹ President Thomas S. Monson has specifically asked us to have the "courage to refrain from judging others."¹⁰ He has also asked every faithful member to rescue those who have tasted of the gospel fruit and then have fallen away, as well as those who have not yet found the strait and narrow path. We pray that they will hold to the rod and partake of the love of God, which will fill their "soul[s] with exceedingly great joy."¹¹

While Lehi's vision includes all people, the culminating doctrinal concept is the eternal significance of the family. "The family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in eternity."¹² As Lehi partook of the fruit of the tree of life (the love of God), he was desirous that his "family should partake of it also."¹³

Our great desire is to raise our children in truth and righteousness. One principle that will help us accomplish this is to avoid being overly judgmental about conduct that is foolish or unwise but not sinful. Many years ago, when my wife and I had children at home, Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that it was important to distinguish between youthful mistakes which should be corrected and sins that require chastening and repentance.¹⁴ Where there is lack of wisdom, our children need instruction. Where there is sin, repentance is essential.¹⁵ We found this to be helpful in our own family.

Religious observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important. What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. When I was nearly five years old, my mother received word that her younger brother had been killed when the battleship on which he was serving was bombed off the coast of Japan near the end of World War II.¹⁶ This news was devastating to her. She was very emotional and went into the bedroom. After a while I peeked into the room to see if she was OK. She was kneeling by the bed in prayer. A great peace came over me because she had taught me to pray and love the Savior. This was typical of the example she always set for me. Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example.

-Quentin L. Cook, “In Tune with the Music of Faith“, April 2012 General Conference

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You Can’t Be Wrong When Doing Right (Soares)

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

In Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, the Lord teaches us what it means to sow in the Spirit and what really places us in the Lord's territory, as follows: humble ourselves before God, come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, witness before the Church that we have truly repented of all our sins, take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, have a determination to serve Him to the end, manifest by our works that we have received the Spirit of Christ, and be received by baptism into His Church. Our disposition to fulfill these covenants prepares us to live in God's presence as exalted beings. The remembrance of these covenants must guide our behavior in relation to our family, in our social interaction with other people, and especially in our relationship with the Savior.

Jesus Christ established the perfect behavior pattern by which we can build upon our attitudes to be able to fulfill these sacred covenants. The Savior banished from His life any influence that might take His focus away from His divine mission, especially when He was tempted by the enemy or by his followers while He ministered here on earth. Although He never sinned, He had a broken heart and a contrite spirit, full of love for our Heavenly Father and for all men. He humbled Himself before our Father in Heaven, denying His own will to fulfill what the Father had asked of Him in all things until the end. Even at that moment of extreme physical and spiritual pain, carrying the burden of the sins of all mankind on His shoulders and shedding blood through His pores, He told the Father, "Nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36).

My prayer, brothers and sisters, as we think about our covenants is that we may keep ourselves strong against "the fiery darts of the adversary" (1 N ephi 15:24), following the Savior's example so that we may sow in the Spirit and abide in the Lord's territory. Let us remember President Monson's formula: "You can't be right by doing wrong; you can't be wrong by doing right."

- Ulisses Soares, “Abide in the Lord’s Territory!“, April 2012 General Conference

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Joy In the Rescue (Edgley)

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes 1 Comment

There were several things I learned or was reminded of with this and similar interviews:

I learned that many less-active members have loved ones on their knees daily petitioning the Lord for help in rescuing their loved one.

I learned that it is not all that easy or comfortable for a less-active member to just walk back into the Church. They need help. They need support. They need fellowship.

I learned we have less-active members who are trying and willing to find the path back to activity.

I learned that many less-active members will hold callings if asked.

I learned that a less-active member deserves to be treated as an equal and be viewed as a son or daughter of a loving God.

Over the years I have wondered how this interview might have gone had I approached her as a less-active Church member. I leave you to be the judge.

Reactivation has always been an important part of the work of the Lord. While the rescue is a responsibility of every member, holders of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood have the responsibility to lead out in this work. After all, that is what priesthood service is all about--bringing all people to the exalting covenants; bringing peace, happiness, and self-worth.

From the Book of Mormon you will recall when Alma the Younger discovered that the Zoramites had fallen away from the Church, he organized a reactivation team to rescue these people. As they approached their assignment, Alma pleaded with the Lord with these words:

"O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.

"Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee" (Alma 31:34-35; emphasis added).

The charge to rescue is based on one of the most fundamental doctrines of the Church.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

"For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. ...

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:10-11, 15; emphasis added).

I have had the privilege of rescuing a few less-active members over my lifetime. Now when I help bring one back to Church activity, I don't visualize a single soul; I see six, seven, or more generations--thousands of souls. And then I think of the scripture: "Bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy" (D&C 18:15).

- Richard C. Edgley, “The Rescue for Real Growth“, April 2012 General Conference

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Salvation Is A Family Affair (Eyring)

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

"In an eternal sense, salvation is a family affair. ...

"Above all else, children need to know and feel they are loved, wanted, and appreciated. They need to be assured of that often. Obviously, this is a role parents should fill, and most often the mother can do it best."¹⁰

But another crucial source for that feeling of being loved is love from other children in the family. Consistent care of brothers and sisters for each other will come only with persistent effort by parents and the help of God. You know that is true from experience in your own families. And it is confirmed each time you read of the family conflicts faced by righteous Lehi and his wife, Sariah, in the Book of Mormon record.

The successes they won provide a guide for us. They taught the gospel of Jesus Christ so well and so persistently that children and even some descendants over generations had hearts softened toward God and toward each other. For instance, Nephi and others wrote and reached out to family members who had been their enemies. The Spirit at times softened the hearts of thousands and replaced hatred with love.

One way for you to reproduce the successes of Father Lehi is by the way you lead family prayers and family time, such as family home evenings. Give children opportunities to pray, when they can pray, for each other in the circle who need blessings. Discern quickly the beginnings of discord and recognize acts of unselfish service, especially to each other. When they pray for each other and serve each other, hearts will be softened and turned to each other and to their parents.

- Henry B. Eyring, “Families Under Covenant“, April 2012 General Conference.

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Christ’s Example (Oaks)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

Christ's ultimate submission to the will of the Father was as He drank the bitter cup of suffering in Gethsemane, at His scourging, and in His Crucifixion on Golgotha. His submissive attitude is reflected in His words, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39). His example of unhesitating, unswerving obedience sets a very high bar, but when we accept His admonition to "be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Ne. 12:48) as a key element of the plan of eternal progression, we begin to understand what the Lord expects us to be. As we seek to determine what kind of Saints we really are, we must honestly grade ourselves on our willingness to obey God. - Robert C. Oaks, “Stand and Be Judged for What We Really Are,” Ensign, April 2003

What the Lord Expects (Benson)

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

It is time to raise our sights, to get a vision of the magnitude of this great work. The Lord expects it of us. It is not enough just to be members of the Church and go to sacrament meeting. That is good--but that is not enough. The Lord expects us to be missionaries, to live the gospel--yes, wholly, and to help to build up His kingdom. - Ezra Taft Benson, “Of the Most Worth,” New Era, July 2002

Accountability

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

I have come to appreciate the Prophet Joseph Smith more than ever before because of his monumental accomplishments as the founding prophet of this dispensation.

Of all the things I've come to treasure, I think the most important is the conviction that if we're honest in heart and desire to know God, we can come to know Him and feel accountable to Him. We have the example of the Prophet Joseph Smith to thank for that. He modeled it, he taught it, and he held out the promise that we can come to know Christ also. That's priceless to me. - Marlin K. Jensen, “There Shall Be a Record Kept among You,” Liahona, December 2007

Following His Example (Monson)

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Debbi Posted in Quotes

Jesus provided our watchword: "Go, and do thou likewise." When we obey that declaration, we receive opportunities for joy seldom equaled and never surpassed. - Thomas S. Monson, “Your Jericho Road,” Liahona, September 1989

Pursuing Excellence

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Posted in Quotes

Decide now that whatever your pursuit in life, you will do better than your best. Leaving a legacy is an outgrowth of attitude. It emerges as we rise above ourselves. - Keith B. McMullin, “Signposts for Your Future,” New Era, January 2000

Living Worthily (Scott)

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Posted in Quotes

How can you keep your resolve to live worthily? How can you be sure that your resolve will not be eroded by the pressures around you?

Choose good friends, those who have made similar decisions in their lives, those like yourself who are wise enough to live a life of order and restraint. When one gets off track, it is generally because the other kind of friends were chosen. Be surrounded by true friends who accept you the way you are and leave you better because of their association. - Richard G. Scott, “Make It Automatic,” Ensign, January 1992