Church guide

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency …just because spiritual trials are real does not mean that they are incurable. We can heal spiritually. Even the deepest spiritual wounds—yes, even those that may appear to be incurable—can be healed. My dear friends, the healing power of Jesus Christ is not absent in our day. The Savior’s healing touch can transform lives in our day just as it did in His. If we will but have faith, He can take our hands, fill our souls with heavenly light and healing, and speak to us the blessed words, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/bearers-of-heavenly-light?lang=eng

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Among the realities we face as children of God living in a fallen world is that some days are difficult, days when our faith and our fortitude are tested. These challenges may come from a lack in us, a lack in others, or just a lack in life, but whatever the reasons, we find they can rob us of songs we so much want to sing and darken the promise of “springtime in [the] soul” that Eliza Hewitt celebrates in one of her verses. So what do we do in such times? . . . . https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/songs-sung-and-unsung?lang=eng

Elder Ulisses Soares Of the Presidency of the Seventy Brothers and sisters, please consider the importance of the invitation King Limhi gave to his people and its relevance to us. He said, “Lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God.” With these words, Limhi invited his people to look to the future through the eyes of faith; to replace their fears with the optimism of hope born of faith; and to not waver in placing their trust in God regardless of circumstance. Mortal life is a period of testing where we will be proven to see if we will do all things that the Lord our God shall command us. This will require unwavering faith in Christ even in times of great difficulty. It will require that we press forward with steadfast faith in Christ, being led by the Spirit and trusting that God will provide for our needs. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/confide-in-god-unwaveringly?lang=eng

President Russell M. Nelson President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year! My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. . . . For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy! . . . His joy is constant, assuring us that our “afflictions shall be but a small moment” and be consecrated to our gain. How, then, can we claim that joy? . . . We can give thanks for Him in our prayers and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase. Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy! And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families. If we focus on the joy that will come to us, or to those we love, what can we endure that presently seems overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair, or simply impossible? . . . . What will you and I be able to endure as we focus on the joy that is “set before” us? What repenting will then be possible? What weakness will become a strength? What chastening will become a blessing? What disappointments, even tragedies, will turn to our good? And what challenging service to the Lord will we be able to give? . . . . If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ. . . . . https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng

Elder D. Todd Christofferson 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.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/abide-in-my-love?lang=eng

Pablo learns from his father. "Pablo, who was it that helped you come to this point in your life standing so uprightly before the Lord?” He said, “My dad.” I said, “Pablo, tell me your story.” Pablo continued: “When I was nine, my dad took me aside and said, ‘Pablo, I was nine once too. Here are some things you may come across. You’ll see people cheating in school. You might be around people who swear. You’ll probably have days when you don’t want to go to church. Now, when these things happen—or anything else that troubles you—I want you to come and talk to me, and I’ll help you get through them. And then I’ll tell you what comes next.’” “So, Pablo, what did he tell you when you were 10?” “Well, he warned me about pornography and dirty jokes.” “What about when you were 11?” I asked. “He cautioned me about things that could be addictive and reminded me about using my agency.” Here was a father, year after year, “line upon line; here a little, and there a little,”10 who helped his son not only hear but also understand. Pablo’s father knew our children learn when they are ready to learn, not just when we are ready to teach them. I was proud of Pablo when we submitted his missionary application that night, but I was even prouder of Pablo’s dad. “It’s never too early and it’s never too late to begin this important process.” Elder Bradley D. Foster https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/its-never-too-early-and-its-never-too-late?lang=eng

LDS members are encouraged to help migrants and refugees around the world. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-members-encouraged-assist-refugees

Prepare for General Conference. https://www.lds.org/church/events/october-2015-general-conference?lang=eng

We need to know the official doctrine of the Church so we are not diverted from Christ’s leadership by the ever-changing whims of individuals. . . . Blessings of the Spirit increase our freedom and power to do what is right, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Elder Robert D. Hales http://youtu.be/U0Vbq2TIuzg

The last week of Jesus Christ’s life changed the world forever. See how: http://mormon.org/easter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73jY8xH_vhc#t=102

Watch the 2013 Christmas Devotional. https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/christmas-devotional/2013/12?cid=HPFR120613187&lang=eng