Church guide

M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I pray we will be filled with love for our Heavenly Father’s children and be able to see their needs and be willing to answer their questions and concerns about the gospel in clear and kind ways that will increase understanding and appreciation for one another. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/media/session_1_talk_5/5761494181001?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 LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr. Of the Seventy The greatest power of the Book of Mormon is its impact in bringing us closer to Jesus Christ. It is a strong witness of Him and His redeeming mission. Through it we come to understand the majesty and power of His Atonement. It teaches His doctrine clearly. And because of the magnificent chapters describing the visit of the risen Christ to the Nephites, we see and experience Him loving, blessing, and teaching those people and come to understand that He will do the same for us if we come to Him by living His gospel. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/there-is-power-in-the-book?lang=eng

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles My brethren of the holy priesthood, when we speak of home teaching or watchcare or personal priesthood ministry—call it what you will—this is what we are talking about. We are asking you as home teachers to be God’s emissaries to His children, to love and care and pray for the people you are assigned, as we love and care and pray for you. May you be vigilant in tending the flock of God in ways consistent with your circumstances, . . . . https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/emissaries-to-the-church?lang=eng

Elder J. Devn Cornish I witness to you that if you will really try and will not rationalize or rebel—repenting often and pleading for the grace, or help, of Christ—you positively are going to be “good enough,” that is, acceptable before the Lord; . . . . https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/am-i-good-enough-will-i-make-it?lang=eng

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Sharing the gospel is not a burden but a joy. What we call “member missionary work” is not a program but an attitude of love and outreach to help those around us. It is also an opportunity to witness how we feel about the restored gospel of our Savior. As Elder Ballard has taught, “A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/sharing-the-restored-gospel?lang=eng&_r=1

Our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, has taught that “love is the very essence of the gospel.” Love is so important that Jesus called it “the first and great commandment” and said that every other particle of the law and words of the prophets hang upon it. Love is the central motive for all we do in the Church. Every program, every meeting, every action we are part of as disciples of Jesus Christ should spring from this attribute—for without charity, “the pure love of Christ,” we are nothing. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf https://www.lds.org/liahona/2016/09/after-love-then-what?lang=eng

We are imperfect human beings striving to live in mortality according to Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of eternal progression. The requirements of His plan are glorious, merciful, and rigorous. We may at times be filled with determination and at other times feel totally inadequate. We may wonder if we spiritually can ever fulfill the commandment to stand spotless before Him at the last day. With the help of the Lord and through the power of His Spirit to “teach [us] all things,” indeed we can be blessed to realize our spiritual possibilities. Ordinances invite spiritual purpose and power into our lives as we strive to be born again and become men and women of Christ. Our weaknesses can be strengthened, and our limitations can be overcome. Elder David A. Bednar https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/always-retain-a-remission-of-your-sins?lang=eng

I invite each of you to heed the Savior’s call to go to the rescue. We can do it! Elder Mervyn B. Arnold https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/to-the-rescue-we-can-do-it?lang=eng

By reading many hundreds of our youth’s questions, . . . We learned that our youth love the Lord, sustain their leaders, and desire to have their questions answered! Questions are an indication of a further desire to learn, to add to those truths already in place in our testimonies, and to be better prepared to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.” The Restoration of the gospel began with a youth, Joseph Smith, asking a question. Many of the Savior’s teachings in His ministry began with a question. Remember His question to Peter: “Whom say ye that I am?” And Peter’s response: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” We need to help each other find Heavenly Father’s answers through the guidance of the Spirit. [In a recent] broadcast I said to the youth: "The leaders of this Church are no strangers to your issues, to your concerns, and to your challenges. “We have children. We have grandchildren. We are often meeting with youth all over the world. And we’re praying for you, we’re talking about you in the most sacred places, and we love you.” . . . . I have had my own learning moments from our dear prophet, President Monson. There is no question in my mind or in my heart that he is the Lord’s prophet on the earth; I have been a humbled recipient as he has received revelation and acted upon it. He has been teaching us to reach out, to protect each other, to rescue one another. So it was taught at the Waters of Mormon. Those “desirous … to be called his people” were willing “to bear one another’s burdens,” “to mourn with those that mourn,” and “to stand as witnesses of God.” I stand today as a witness of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know our Savior lives and loves us and directs His servants, you and me, to fulfill His mighty purposes on this earth. As we press forward, choosing to follow the counsel and the warnings of our leaders, we choose to follow the Lord while the world is going in another direction. We choose to hold fast to the iron rod, to be Latter-day Saints, to be on the Lord’s errand, and to be filled “with exceedingly great joy.” The growing question of today is clear: are you standing with the leaders of the Church in a darkening world so that you might spread the Light of Christ? . . . . Elder Ronald A. Rasband https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/standing-with-the-leaders-of-the-church?lang=eng

Elder Kevin R. Duncan shares a simple experience that reminds us that “. . . an unforgiving heart harbors so much needless pain. When we apply the healing ointment of the Savior’s Atonement, He will soften our heart and help us to change. He can heal the wounded soul (see Jacob 2:8). . . . Forgiveness is the very reason God sent His Son, so let us rejoice in His offering to heal us all. The Savior’s Atonement is not just for those who need to repent; it is also for those who need to forgive. If you are having trouble forgiving another person or even yourself, ask God to help you. Forgiveness is a glorious, healing principle. We do not need to be a victim twice. We can forgive. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/the-healing-ointment-of-forgiveness?lang=eng

Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing.Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. If you fall, summon His strength. Call out like Alma, “O Jesus, … have mercy on me.” He will help you get back up. He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going. Soon enough you will have the success you seek. “As you desire of me so it shall be done unto you,” the Lord has declared. “… Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously. … “… [Then] whatsoever you desire of me [in] righteousness, … you shall receive.” I love that doctrine! It says again and again that we are going to be blessed for our desire to do good, even as we actually strive to be so. And it reminds us that to qualify for those blessings, we must make certain we do not deny them to others: we are to deal justly, never unjustly, never unfairly; we are to walk humbly, never arrogantly, never pridefully; we are to judge righteously, never self-righteously, never unrighteously. . . . My brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. . . . If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting.Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today,tomorrow, and forever. “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?” Isaiah cried. “[God] giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. … “… They that wait upon [Him] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. … “For … the Lord … God will hold [their] right hand, saying unto [them], Fear not; I will help thee.” “Sanctify yourselves,” he said, “for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the-lord-will-do-wonders-among-you?lang=eng

Remember. ". . . we can always remember Him by trusting when the Lord assures us, 'He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.' When we fully repent, including by confessing and forsaking our sins, we ask with Enos, as our guilt is swept away, 'Lord, how is it done?' and hear the answer “Because of thy faith in Christ” and His invitation to 'put me in remembrance.' "Once we repent and priesthood leaders declare us worthy, we need not continue to confess and confess these past sins. To be worthy does not mean to be perfect. Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness invites us to be humbly at peace on our life’s journey to someday become perfected in Christ, not constantly worried, frustrated, or unhappy in our imperfections today. Remember, He knows all the things we don’t want anyone else to know about us—and loves us still. "Sometimes life tests our trust in Christ’s mercy, justice, and judgment and in His liberating invitation to allow His Atonement to heal us as we forgive others and ourselves. . . . "When we remember His words and example, we will not give or take offense. My friend’s father worked as a mechanic. His honest labor showed even in his carefully washed hands. One day someone at a temple told my friend’s father he should clean his hands before serving there. Instead of being offended, this good man began to scrub the family dishes by hand with extra soapy water before attending the temple. He exemplifies those who 'ascend into the hill of the Lord' and “stand in his holy place” with the cleanest of hands and the purest of hearts. If we have unkind feelings, grudges, or resentments or if we have cause to ask forgiveness of others, now is the time to do so. . . . ". . . He invites us always to remember that He is always welcoming us home. We learn by asking and searching. But please do not cease exploration until you arrive—in the words of T. S. Eliot—'where [you] started and know the place for the first time.' When you are ready, please open your heart to the Book of Mormon, again, for the first time. Please pray with real intent, again, for the first time. "Trust that early or faint memory. Let it enlarge your faith. With God, there is no point of no return." Elder Gerrit W. Gong https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/always-remember-him?lang=eng&_r=1

What does it mean to lead—and what does it mean to follow? The world teaches that leaders must be mighty; the Lord teaches that they must be meek. Worldly leaders gain power and influence through their talent, skill, and wealth. Christlike leaders gain power and influence “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.” Caring adults like these see young men not just as they are but as they can become. . . . I invite you to see yourself this way. There will be times in your life when you are called upon to lead. At other times, you will be expected to follow. But my message to you today is that regardless of your calling, you are always a leader, and you are always a follower. Leadership is an expression of discipleship—it is simply a matter of helping others come unto Christ, which is what true disciples do. If you are striving to be a follower of Christ, then you can help others follow Him and you can be a leader. Your ability to lead does not come from an outgoing personality, motivational skills, or even a talent for public speaking. It comes from your commitment to follow Jesus Christ. It comes from your desire to be, in Abraham’s words, “a greater follower of righteousness.” If you can do that—even if you aren’t perfect at it, but you’re trying—then you are a leader. Stephen W. Owen, Young Men General President https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/the-greatest-leaders-are-the-greatest-followers?lang=eng

I have marveled at Jimmy and Shawn and what they were willing to do. They have become heroes to me. If I could have the wish of my heart, it would be that each man and young man in this Church would demonstrate the courage, strength, and humility of this father and son. They were willing to forgive and let go of old hurts and habits. They were willing to submit to guidance from their priesthood leaders so that the Atonement of Jesus Christ could purify and magnify them. Each was willing to become a man who worthily bears the priesthood “after the holiest order of God.” To bear means to support the weight of that which is held. It is a sacred trust to bear the priesthood, which is the mighty power and authority of God. President Russell M. Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzxZs-m-y88

Children today find themselves in many different and complex family configurations. We need to reach out to those who feel alone, left behind, or outside the fence. Let’s open our arms and our hearts a little wider. These youth need our time and our testimonies. Let us think about them, welcome them, embrace them, and do everything we can to strengthen their love for the Savior. Jesus said, “Whoso shall receive one such … child in my name receiveth me.” Elder Neil L. Andersen https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/whoso-receiveth-them-receiveth-me?lang=eng

"In today’s world, no matter where we live and no matter what our circumstances are, it is essential that our preeminent identity is as a child of God. " "When difficult things occur in our lives, what is our immediate response? Is it confusion or doubt or spiritual withdrawal? Is it a blow to our faith? Do we blame God or others for our circumstances? Or is our first response to remember who we are—that we are children of a loving God? Is that coupled with an absolute trust that He allows some earthly suffering because He knows it will bless us, like a refiner’s fire, to become like Him and to gain our eternal inheritance? "We live in a world that can cause us to forget who we really are. The more distractions that surround us, the easier it is to treat casually, then ignore, and then forget our connection with God. Elder Donald L. Hallstrom https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/i-am-a-child-of-god?lang=eng

I ask myself, “How does the Savior see my faith?” And tonight I ask you, “How does the Savior see your faith?” Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance …, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice. Elder Neil L. Andersen https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/faith-is-not-by-chance-but-by-choice?lang=eng

General Conference "If you listen with the Spirit, you will find your heart softened, your faith strengthened, and your capacity to love the Lord increased. "Your choice to pray with full purpose of heart will transform your experience in the conference sessions and in the days and months that follow." President Henry B. Eyring https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/where-two-or-three-are-gathered?lang=eng

Every family needs saving. . . . Whatever problems your family is facing, whatever you must do to solve them, the beginning and the end of the solution is charity, the pure love of Christ. Without this love, even seemingly perfect families struggle. With it, even families with great challenges succeed. “Charity never faileth.” President Deiter F. Uchtdorf https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/in-praise-of-those-who-save?lang=eng