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Refer your friends to join The LDS Daily WOOL (Words Of Our Leaders)
6/11/06
"How can you become converted? How can you make the gospel of Jesus
Christ not just an influence in your life but the controlling influence
and, indeed, the very core of what you are? The ancient prophet Jeremiah
spoke of the law of God, the gospel, being written in our hearts. He
quotes the Lord speaking about us, His people in the latter days: 'I
will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and
will be their God, and they shall be my people.' (Jer.
31:33, Ezek.
11:19-20, Mosiah
5:2.)
"Do you want this for yourself? I can tell you how that can happen, but
it must be something you want. The gospel cannot be written in your
heart unless your heart is open. Without a heartfelt desire, you can
participate in sacrament meetings, classes, and Church activities and do
the things I will tell you, but it won't make much difference. But if
your heart is open and willing, like the heart of a child, (See Matt.
18:3-4.) let me tell you what you can do to be converted." - D.
Todd Christofferson, "When
Thou Art Converted," Ensign (CR), May 2004, p.11
10/22/06
"We who hold the priesthood of God cannot afford to
drift. We have work to do (see Moroni
9:6). We must arise from the dust of self-indulgence and be men!
It is a wonderful aspiration for a boy to become a man—strong and
capable; someone who can build and create things, run things; someone
who makes a difference in the world. It is a wonderful aspiration for
those of us who are older to make the vision of true manhood a reality
in our lives and be models for those who look to us for an example." -
D. Todd Christofferson, "Let
Us Be Men," Ensign, November 2006
10/25/08
"Zion
is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of
her citizens. Remember, 'the
Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one
mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them'
(Moses
7:18). If we would
establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise
to this standard. It will be necessary (1) to become unified in one
heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a
holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such
effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until
Zion comes for these things to happen—Zion will come only as they
happen." - D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," General
Conference, October 2008
7/10/09
“Good men
sometimes make mistakes. A man of integrity will honestly face and
correct his mistakes, and that is an example we can respect.
Sometimes men try but fail. Not all worthy objectives are realized
despite one's honest and best efforts. True manhood is not always
measured by the fruits of one's labors but by the labors
themselves—by one's striving.” - D. Todd
Christofferson, “Let Us Be Men,” CR October 2006
1/1/10
“By ‘moral
discipline,’ I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral
discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right
because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the
self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of
respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see
Mark 10:42–45). The root of the word discipline is
shared by the word disciple, suggesting to the mind the
fact that conformity to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ is
the ideal discipline that, coupled with His grace, forms a virtuous
and morally excellent person.” – D. Todd
Christopherson, “Moral Discipline,” Ensign, November 2009
8/12/10
"Through the scriptures, God
does indeed 'show forth his power' to save and exalt His children. By
His word, as Alma said, He enlarges our memory, sheds light on falsehood
and error, and brings us to repentance and to rejoice in Jesus Christ,
our Redeemer." - D. Todd
Christofferson, "The Blessing of Scripture," Ensign (CR) May 2010
9/8/10
"As the Savior
demonstrated, the consecrated life is a pure life. While Jesus is the
only one to have led a sinless life, those who come unto Him and take
His yoke upon them have claim on His grace, which will make them as He
is, guiltless and spotless. With deep love the Lord encourages us in
these words: 'Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be
baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the
Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day' (3
Nephi 27:20)." - Todd D.
Christofferson, "Reflections
on a Consecrated Life," Ensign (CR) October 2010
9/9/10
"A consecrated life is a
life of labor. Beginning early in His life, Jesus was about His Father's
business (see Luke
2:48–49). God Himself is glorified by His work of bringing to pass
the immortality and eternal life of His children (see Moses
1:39). We naturally desire to participate with Him in His work,
and in so doing, we ought to recognize that all honest work is the work
of God. In the words of Thomas Carlyle: 'All true Work is sacred; in all
true Work, were it but true hand-labour, there is something of
divineness. Labour, wide as the Earth, has its summit in Heaven.'
"God has designed this mortal existence to require nearly constant
exertion." - D. Todd Christofferson,
'Reflections
on a Consecrated Life," Ensign
(CR) October 2010
9/11/10
"Jesus demonstrated that a consecrated life is a life of service....
"Those who quietly and thoughtfully go about doing good offer a model of
consecration. No one in our time more perfectly incorporates this trait
into daily life than President Thomas S. Monson. He has cultivated a
listening ear that can discern even the faintest whisper of the Spirit
signaling the need of someone he can reach and help. Often it is in
simple acts that confirm divine love and awareness, but always, always
Thomas Monson responds." - D. Todd
Christofferson, "Reflections
on a Consecrated Life," Ensign (CR) October 2010
9/12/10
"A consecrated life is a
life of integrity. We see it in the husband and wife 'who honor marital
vows with complete fidelity.' We see it in the father and mother whose
demonstrated first priority is to nourish their marriage and ensure the
physical and spiritual welfare of their children. We see it in those who
are honest." - D. Todd
Christofferson, "Reflections
on a Consecrated Life," Ensign (CR) October 2010
10/19/11
Repentance exists as an option only because of the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. It is His infinite sacrifice that “bringeth about means unto men
that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15). Repentance is
the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which
“mercy can satisfy the demands of justice” (Alma 34:16). - D.
Todd Christofferson, "The
Divine Gift of Repentance," Ensign (CR) October 2011
1/26/12
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
3/21/12
Asking for and receiving
daily bread at God’s hand plays a vital part in learning to trust Him
and in enduring life’s challenges. We also need a daily portion of
divine bread to become what we must become. To repent, improve, and
eventually reach “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians
4:13) is a step-by-step process. Incorporating new and wholesome
habits into our character or overcoming bad habits or addictions often
means an effort today followed by another tomorrow and then another,
perhaps for many days, even months and years, until we achieve victory.
But we can do it because we can appeal to God for our daily bread, for
the help we need each day. - D. Todd
Christofferson, "Recognizing
God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings," Liahona, January 2012
4/24/12
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “we believe all that
God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He
will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the
Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith 1:9). This is to say that while there
is much we do not yet know, the truths and doctrine we have received
have come and will continue to come by divine revelation. - D. Todd
Christofferson, "The Doctrine of Christ," Ensign (CR) May 2012
8/4/12
We enter into covenants by priesthood ordinances, sacred rituals that
God has ordained for us to manifest our commitment. Our foundational
covenant, for example, the one in which we first pledge our willingness
to take upon us the name of Christ, is confirmed by the ordinance of
baptism. It is done individually, by name. By this ordinance, we become
part of the covenant people of the Lord and heirs of the celestial
kingdom of God. - D.Todd Christofferson, "The
Power of Covenants," Ensign (CR) May 2009
10/21/12
The Church and the world
and women are crying for men, men who are developing their capacity
and talents, who are willing to work and make sacrifices, who will
help others achieve happiness and salvation. They are crying, “Rise
up, O men of God!” - D. Todd Christofferson, "Brethren,
We Have Work to Do," Ensign (CR) November 2012
11/13/12
Let me mention one other thing. In
ancient times when people wanted to worship the Lord and seek His
blessings, they often brought a gift. For example, when they went to
the temple, they brought a sacrifice to place on the altar. After His
Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept
burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now
is "a broken heart and a contrite spirit." As you seek the blessing of
conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or
repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality,
it is the gift of yourself-what you are and what you are becoming. - D.
Todd Christofferson, "When
Thou Art Converted," Ensign (CR), May 2004, p.11
2/1/13
The Lord asked His disciples what manner of men they should be and
then answered, "Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3
Nephi 27:27; see also 3
Nephi 18:24). That is our ultimate quest. What did He do that
we can emulate as men? - D.
Todd Christofferson, "Let
Us Be Men," Ensign (CR) October 2006
8/10/13
Divine
covenants make strong Christians. I urge each one to qualify for and
receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully
keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress,
let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact.
Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need,
and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In
His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying,
“Here am I.” - D. Todd
Christofferson, "The
Power of Covenants," Ensign (CR) May 2009
9/4/13
Our
anxiety to redeem the dead, and the time and resources we put behind
that commitment, are, above all, an expression of our witness
concerning Jesus Christ. It constitutes as powerful a statement as
we can make concerning His divine character and mission. It
testifies, first, of Christ’s Resurrection; second, of the infinite
reach of His Atonement; third, that He is the sole source of
salvation; fourth, that He has established the conditions for
salvation; and, fifth, that He will come again. - D.
Todd Christofferson, "The
Redemption of the Dead and the Testimony of Jesus," Ensign
(CR) November 2000
5/10/14
The
Savior is not dependent on food or water or oxygen or any other
substance or power or person for life. Both as Jehovah and Messiah,
He is the great I Am, the self-existing God. He simply is and ever
will be.
By His Atonement and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has overcome all
aspects of the Fall. Physical death will be temporary, and even
spiritual death has an end, in that all come back into the presence
of God, at least temporarily, to be judged. We can have ultimate
trust and confidence in His power to overcome all else and grant us
everlasting life. - D. Todd
Christofferson, “The
Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign (CR) May 2014
10/11/14
The
gospel of Jesus Christ opens the path to what we may become. Through
the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace, our failures to live
the celestial law perfectly and consistently in mortality can be
erased and we are enabled to develop a Christlike character. - D.
Todd Christofferson, “Free
Forever, to Act for Themselves,” Ensign (CR) November 2014
11/2/14
It is not our purpose just to participate in discussions about the
gospel or to talk to anyone and everyone we can about the Church or
merely to set goals and make plans. These things are important, but
they are a means to an end, and that end is bringing people to
Christ. - D. Todd Christofferson,
“Why
We Share the Gospel,” Ensign, August 2014
3/6/15
Divine
chastening has at least three purposes: (1) to persuade us to
repent, (2) to refine and sanctify us, and (3) at times to redirect
our course in life to what God knows is a better path. - D.
Todd Christofferson, “As
Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten,” Ensign (CR) April
2011
4/14/15
Certainly
the adversary is pleased when parents neglect to teach and train
their children to have faith in Christ and be spiritually born
again. Brothers and sisters, many things are good, many are
important, but only a few are essential. - D.
Todd Christofferson, “Why
Marriage, Why Family,” Ensign (CR) April 2015
11/7/15
If
one believes that all roads lead to heaven or that there are no
particular requirements for salvation, he or she will see no need
for proclaiming the gospel or for ordinances and covenants in
redeeming either the living or the dead. But we speak not just of
immortality but also of eternal life, and for that the gospel path
and gospel covenants are essential. And the Savior needs a church to
make them available to all of God’s children—both the living and the
dead. - D. Todd Christofferson, “Why
the Church,” Ensign (CR) November 2015
1/8/16
We control the disposition of our means and resources, but we
account to God for this stewardship over earthly things. It is
gratifying to witness your generosity as you contribute to fast
offerings and humanitarian projects. Over the years, the suffering
of millions has been alleviated, and countless others have been
enabled to help themselves through the generosity of the Saints.
Nevertheless, as we pursue the cause of Zion, each of us should
prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should and all
that we should in the Lord's eyes with respect to the poor and the
needy. - D. Todd Christofferson,
"Come
to Zion,” Ensign (CR) October 2008
4/27/16
Perhaps the most essential of a father’s work is to turn the hearts
of his children to their Heavenly Father. If by his example as well
as his words a father can demonstrate what fidelity to God looks
like in day-to-day living, that father will have given his children
the key to peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.
- D. Todd Christofferson, “Fathers,”
Ensign (CR) May 2016
10/17/16
The Bible tells us that “God is love.” He is the perfect embodiment
of love, and we rely heavily on the constancy and universal reach of
that love. As President Thomas S. Monson has expressed: “God’s love
is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is
simply always there.” – D. Todd
Christofferson, “Abide
in My Love,” Ensign (CR) November 2016
2/23/17
Consider for a moment the significance of the Resurrection in
resolving once and for all the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth
and the great philosophical contests and questions of life. If Jesus
was in fact literally resurrected, it necessarily follows that He is
a divine being. No mere mortal has the power in himself to come to
life again after dying. Because He was resurrected, Jesus cannot
have been only a carpenter, a teacher, a rabbi, or a prophet.
Because He was resurrected, Jesus had to have been a God, even the
Only Begotten Son of the Father. – D.
Todd Christofferson, “The
Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign (CR) May 2014
3/25/17
There
are
many ways to describe and speak of divine love. One of the terms we
hear often today is that God’s love is “unconditional.” While in one
sense that is true,
the descriptor unconditional appears nowhere in scripture. Rather, His
love is described in scripture as “great and wonderful love,” “perfect
love,” “redeeming
love,” and “everlasting love.” These are better terms because the word
unconditional can convey mistaken impressions about divine love, such
as, God
tolerates and excuses anything we do because His love is
unconditional, or God makes no demands upon us because His love is
unconditional, or all are saved in
the heavenly kingdom of God because His love is unconditional. God’s
love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for
each of us depends
on how we respond to His love. – D.
Todd
Christofferson, “Abide
in
My Love,” Ensign (CR) November 2016