Church guide

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I hasten to say that focusing on the Father’s and the Son’s achievements rather than our failures does not give us one ounce of justification for undisciplined lives or dumbing down our standards. No, from the beginning the gospel has been “for the perfecting of the saints, … till we … come … unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” I am simply suggesting that at least one purpose of a scripture or a commandment can be to remind us just how magnificent “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” really is, inspiring in us greater love and admiration for Him and a greater desire to be like Him. . . . My brothers and sisters, except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing, so while in mortality let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call “toxic perfectionism.” We should avoid that latter excessive expectation of ourselves and of others and, I might add, of those who are called to serve in the Church—which for Latter-day Saints means everyone, for we are all called to serve somewhere. . . . Brothers and sisters, every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life than we often succeed in living. If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human. May we refuse to let our own mortal follies, and the inevitable shortcomings of even the best men and women around us, make us cynical about the truths of the gospel, the truthfulness of the Church, our hope for our future, or the possibility of godliness. If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete—which is the New Testament meaning of perfection. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng

Many of us . . . are inclined to insist on the law and do so in an unloving way. Elder Dallin H. Oaks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsrZ1XqwQlg

"I would like to suggest that each of you participate in a spiritual exercise sometime soon, perhaps even tonight while saying your prayers. Humbly ask the Lord the following question: “What is keeping me from progressing?” In other words: “What lack I yet?” Then wait quietly for a response. If you are sincere, the answer will soon become clear. It will be revelation intended just for you." Elder Larry R. Lawrence https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/what-lack-i-yet?lang=eng

When we open ourselves to the Spirit, we learn God’s way and feel His will. During the sacrament, which I call the heart of the Sabbath, I have found that after I pray for forgivenessof sins, it is instructive for me to ask Heavenly Father, “Father, is there more?” Sister Neill F. Marriott https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/yielding-our-hearts-to-god?lang=eng

Friends may be curious what it means to be an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. New members of the Quorum of the Twelve introduced. http://youtu.be/aR9AbEG_Kbg

" '. . . Many of the things you can count, do not count. Many of the things you cannot count really do count.' " . . . Do [our goals] look impressive from a distance but fail to address the real needs of our fellowman?" President Dieter F. Uchtdorf http://youtu.be/Ko2zw0cBCCs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73jY8xH_vhc

http://www.lds.org/topics/christmas?lang=eng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfj0pkSNlAU&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlKetn7ZiNU&feature=g-all-u&context=G214e2ccFAAAAAAAAAAA