Church guide

Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Certainly, many interrelated attributes and experiences led to the spiritual maturity reflected in the lives of these four noble servants [Amulek, Pahoran, President Nelson, and President Eyring]. But the Savior and His prophets have highlighted an essential quality that all of us need to more fully understand and strive to incorporate into our lives. Meekness Please notice the characteristic the Lord used to describe Himself in the following scripture: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Instructively, the Savior chose to emphasize meekness from among all the attributes and virtues He potentially could have selected. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/meek-and-lowly-of-heart?lang=eng

Joy D. Jones Primary General President Truly knowing that you are a daughter of God will affect every aspect of your life and guide you in the service you render each day. President Spencer W. Kimball explained in these glorious words: “God is your Father. He loves you. He and your mother in heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life. “Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for each of you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood.” … Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/value-beyond-measure?lang=eng

Joy D. Jones Primary General President Truly knowing that you are a daughter of God will affect every aspect of your life and guide you in the service you render each day. President Spencer W. Kimball explained in these glorious words: “God is your Father. He loves you. He and your mother in heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life. “Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for each of you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood.” … Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/value-beyond-measure?lang=eng

Elder Gary B. Sabin Of the Seventy The Lord requires the heart and a willing mind. Our whole heart! When we are baptized, we are fully immersed as a symbol of our promise to fully follow the Savior, not half-heartedly. When we are fully committed and “all in,” heaven shakes for our good. . . . Many years ago, I took the Scouts on a campout in the desert. The boys slept by a large fire they had made, and like every good Scout leader, I slept in the back of my truck. In the morning when I sat up and looked at the campsite, I saw one Scout, whom I will call Paul, who looked particularly rough around the edges. I asked how he had slept, and he replied, “Not very well.” When I asked why, he said, “I was cold; the fire went out.” I answered, “Well, fires do that. Wasn’t your sleeping bag warm enough?” No answer. Then one of the other Scouts loudly volunteered, “He didn’t use his sleeping bag.” I asked in disbelief, “Why not, Paul?” Silence—then finally the sheepish reply: “Well, I thought if I didn’t unroll my sleeping bag, I wouldn’t have to roll it up again.” True story: he froze for hours because he was trying to save five minutes of work. We may think, “How foolish! Who would ever do that?” Well, we do it all the time in much more dangerous ways. We are, in effect, refusing to unroll our spiritual sleeping bags when we don’t take the time to sincerely pray, study, and earnestly live the gospel each day; not only will the fire go out, but we will be unprotected and grow spiritually cold. When we are complacent with our covenants, we are complicit with the consequences. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/stand-up-inside-and-be-all-in?lang=eng

Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President Our sisters across the ages have demonstrated the faithful pattern of discipleship that we too strive for. “The New Testament includes accounts of [certain] women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ [and in His Atonement], learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministry, miracles, and majesty. These women became exemplary disciples and important witnesses in the work of salvation.” . . . . I have read and passed over the seemingly unremarkable expression “certain women” numerous times before, but recently as I pondered more carefully, those words seemed to jump off the page. . . . When life seems unfair, as it must have seemed to Martha at the death of her brother—when we experience the heartaches of loneliness, infertility, loss of loved ones, missing opportunities for marriage and family, broken homes, debilitating depression, physical or mental illness, stifling stress, anxiety, addiction, financial hardship, or a plethora of other possibilities—may we remember Martha and declare our similar certain witness: “But I know … [and] I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/certain-women?lang=eng

Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita What does it mean to “be ambitious for Christ”? Being ambitious for Christ means being motivated, focused, and dedicated to His work. Being ambitious for Christ will seldom mean that we are singled out for public honor. Being ambitious for Christ means that we serve faithfully and diligently in our wards and branches without complaint and with joyful hearts. . . . . May we be ambitious for Christ as we accept our difficulties and trials with patience and faith and find joy in our covenant path. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/be-ambitious-for-christ?lang=eng

Elder W. Mark Bassett During last April’s general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained: “The Church is making great efforts to be transparent with the records we have, but after all we can publish, our members are sometimes left with basic questions that cannot be resolved by study. … Some things can be learned only by faith.” Ancient prophets taught this same principle, demonstrating that over time human nature has not changed and that the Lord’s pattern for learning is timeless. Consider this Old Testament proverb: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/for-our-spiritual-development-and-learning?lang=eng

Elder Gary E. Stevenson . . . [I]t is a gift and blessing from the Lord that the keystone of our religion is something as tangible and graspable as the Book of Mormon and that you can hold it and read it. Can you see the Book of Mormon as your keystone, your spiritual center of strength? . . . Within the book’s pages, you will discover the infinite love and incomprehensible grace of God. As you strive to follow the teachings you find there, your joy will expand, your understanding will increase, and the answers you seek to the many challenges mortality presents will be opened to you. As you look to the book, you look to the Lord. . . . https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/look-to-the-book-look-to-the-lord?lang=eng

Elder Gary E. Stevenson . . . [I]t is a gift and blessing from the Lord that the keystone of our religion is something as tangible and graspable as the Book of Mormon and that you can hold it and read it. Can you see the Book of Mormon as your keystone, your spiritual center of strength? . . . Within the book’s pages, you will discover the infinite love and incomprehensible grace of God. As you strive to follow the teachings you find there, your joy will expand, your understanding will increase, and the answers you seek to the many challenges mortality presents will be opened to you. As you look to the book, you look to the Lord. . . . https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/look-to-the-book-look-to-the-lord?lang=eng

. . . because Joseph was a prophet, we have witness upon witness, testimony upon testimony, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world. We have an unbroken chain of special witnesses of Jesus Christ, including our prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson; the counselors in the First Presidency; and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Craig C. Christensen https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/a-choice-seer-will-i-raise-up?lang=eng

"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

" '. . . 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

In this conversation on temples, Elder William R. Walker offers understanding of the importance and significance of temples in our lives. http://youtu.be/vGN9Mg-KnMY

“And I will be a Mormon pioneer by finding new ways to embrace our global brotherhood and sisterhood, to be a peacemaker, and to be a representative of the Savior in our world, which has moved into global territory. This is a triumph but also the beginning of a monumental challenge.” Melissa Inouye https://www.lds.org/church/news/pioneers-in-every-land-lecture-addresses-churchs-global-historical-landscape?cid=HP_MO_7-13-2015_dCN_fCNWS_xLIDyC-3_&lang=eng

"President Thomas S. Monson taught me an important lesson about keeping an eternal point of view. "Eighteen years ago while traveling on a train in Switzerland with President Monson, I asked him about his heavy responsibilities. His response strengthened my faith. “In the First Presidency,” he said, “we do everything we can to move this work forward. But this is the Lord’s work, and He directs it. He is at the helm. We marvel as we watch Him open doors we cannot open and perform miracles we can scarcely imagine." "Brothers and sisters, seeing and believing the Lord’s miracles in establishing His kingdom on earth can help us see and believe that the Lord’s hand is at work in our own lives as well." Elder Neil L. Andersen http://youtu.be/JhX3lDoLshc

"Grace, the sacred gift of Our Heavenly Father." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf http://youtu.be/qQ0Fu--uH5w?list=PLClOO0BdaFaPG-Y3Xxc0CnjcuBL8juapi

"Grace, the sacred gift of Our Heavenly Father." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf http://youtu.be/qQ0Fu--uH5w?list=PLClOO0BdaFaPG-Y3Xxc0CnjcuBL8juapi

"As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change, we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were.11" Elder Dale G. Renlund, April 2015 general Conference https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-04-270-elder-dale-g-renlund-highlights?lang=eng