What can each of us do to begin our return to virtue? The course and the training program will be unique to each of us. I have derived my personal training program from instructions found in the scriptures: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”14 “Cleave unto [your] covenants.”15 “Stand … in holy places.”16 “Lay aside the things of […]
How can you know that your name and needs are known by our Heavenly Father? Elder Robert D. Hales counseled: “Turn to the scriptures. Kneel in prayer. Ask in faith. Listen to the Holy Ghost. … Live the gospel with patience and persistence.”7 – Elaine S. Dalton, “He Knows You by Name,” Ensign (CR) May […]
To know the truth, we need to live the gospel8 and “experiment”9 on the word. We are cautioned to not resist the Spirit of the Lord.10 Repentance, coupled with a determination to keep the commandments, is an important part of each individual’s search for truth.11 In fact, we may need to be willing to “give away all” our sins […]
Again, we are told that where two or three are assembled to worship the Lord in the right and proper way, they have claim to greater blessings than the man that bows down to worship by himself; and why is this? It is because, if united and pure in heart, their faith is greater. What mighty […]
The foundation and perspective then are these: We must first seek the kingdom, work and plan and spend wisely, plan for the future, and use what wealth we are blessed with to help build up that kingdom. When guided by this eternal perspective and by building on this firm foundation, we can pursue with confidence […]
The scriptural advice, “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength” (D&C 10:4) suggests paced progress, much as God used seven creative periods in preparing man and this earth. There is a difference, therefore, between being “anxiously engaged” and being over-anxious and thus underengaged. – Neal A. Maxwell, “Notwithstanding My Weakness,” Ensign (CR) […]
How are the thorns and slivers of life removed? The power to remove the thorns in our lives and in the lives of others begins with ourselves. Moroni writes that when we deny ourselves of ungodliness, then the grace of Christ is sufficient for us. (See Moro. 10:32.) – James E. Faust, “A Crown of Thorns, […]
We are counseled, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.”12 I have been greatly helped by laying a vexing matter at His feet for a while. When I picked it up again, it was lighter and more manageable. – Richard G. Scott, “He Lives,” Ensign (CR) November 1999
Our faith and commitment are tested when the world offers tempting and enticing alternatives that can turn our faces from the Lord’s kingdom. Some would like to live in that eternal city and still keep a “summer home” in Babylon. If we are not consciously and deliberately choosing the kingdom of God, we will in […]
No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” (Matt. 21:22; James 4:3; 1 Jn. 3:22; 1 Ne. 15:11; Enos 1:15; Mosiah 4:21; D&C 4:7; and Moses 6:52 are examples.) While we may invite this communication, it can never be forced! If we try to force it, we may be deceived. – Boyd K. Packer, “Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign (CR) […]