General Authority Gems

"May we ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life's greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do our spirits go when we die?


"He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.


"Ultimately, He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha's hill His compassionate words: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'


"Who was this 'man of sorrows...acquainted with grief'? 'Who is this King of glory,' this Lord of lords? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of Our Salvation. He beckons, 'Follow me.' He instructs, 'Go, and do thou likewise.' He pleads, 'Keep my commandments.'


"Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude."


~~Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


From The Divine Gift of Gratitude

Joy to the World - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

chri

Kids and Christmas

Christmas Spirit

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Hallelujah, Christmas 2010

Scriptures of the Month

From the Bible:

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7)

From the Book of Mormon:

"And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.

"And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me; Nephi, what beholdest thou?

"And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

"And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?

"And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things.

"And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

"And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

"And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

"And he angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!" (From 1 Nephi 13-21)

December Scripture Reading Idea

I came across a fun scripture reading idea a couple of years ago for the month of December. I forgot to do it again last year, but I'm going to remember this year, and thought I would share it with all of you so you can participate, too! The tip is: If you read one chapter from the Gospel of Luke every day in December, you will finish the gospel on Christmas Eve. Isn't that cool? 24 chapters, 24 days till Christmas. What a great way to celebrate the true meaning of the season, by beginning the month reading about the birth of Christ, following him through his mortal ministry, and reading about the miracle of his glorious resurrection on Christmas Eve.

A little personal twist I enjoy adding is to buy one of those chocolate advent calendars and eating that day's chocolate along with that day's chapter from Luke. Just a fun little add-on if you like. :-)

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Tell me what you are thankful for!

Scriptures of the month - November 2010

From the Bible:
"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off;


"And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.


"And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.


"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.


"And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.


"And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?


"There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.


"And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." (Luke 17:12-19)

Question to ponder: Do I remember to say "Thank you"? Or am I among the "nine"?

This Is the Christ ~ Mormon Tabernacle Choir

General Authority Gems

"Today, as we look at the world around us, we are faced with problems which are serious and of great concern to us. The world seems to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace. Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, dishonesty, and a host of other ills cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams.

"My counsel for all of us is to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals readily recognized and never failing.... The Lord loves us and will bless us as we call upon him."


Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


From A Word at Closing

General Authority Gems

"Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age.... No matter your situation, you can make family history a part of your life right now.... [C]hildren can draw a family tree. Youth...can help the older generation work with computers. Parents can relate stories of their lives to their posterity."


Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


From Generations Linked in Love


For more on Family History, visit FamilySearch
Read also about temples in the LDS faith

Scriptures of the month - October 2010

From the Bible: 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

From the Book of Mormon: 

“O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ.” (Alma 31:31)

Hymn:

    Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace

    When other sources cease to make me whole?

    When with a wounded  heart, anger, or malice,

    I draw myself apart, Searching my soul?

    Where, when my aching grows, Where, when I languish,

    Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

    Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

    Who, who can understand? He, only One.

    He answers privately, Reaches my reaching

    In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.

    Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.

    Constant he is and kind, Love without end.

(Text: Emma Lou Thayne)

Click here to listen to Where Can I Turn for Peace? (Click on “Words and Music”)

Continue in Patience

Get more from your scripture study!

Here are a few tips for getting more out of your scripture study:


Questions: Ask questions like "What did this prophet want me to know?" or "How can I apply this to my life?" Increased understanding comes as you explore the answers to these questions.


Name Substitution: Insert your name for a name or pronoun in the scriptures.


Cause and effect: Look for if/then and because/therefore relationships. Example: Jeremiah 7:5-7


Words of emphasis or explanation: Words and phrases like behold, wherefore, because, nevertheless, and thus we see are invitations to stop and look for lessons learned or meanings given.


Read more scripture tips at Ten Scripture Study Tools.

The Missing Piece

General Authority Gems

"As you ponder--not just read but ponder and meditate--on scriptural passages, the power of the Holy Ghost will distill truths in your mind and heart as a secure foundation in this uncertain time in which we live."


Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


From He Lives! All Glory to His Name!

In Remembrance of 9/11: Finding Hope

General Authority Gems

"With all my heart and soul I give thanks to our Heavenly Father for His love for us, for the gift of His Son, for the life and example of Jesus the Christ, and for His sinless and selfless sacrifice. I rejoice in the fact that Christ is not dead but risen from the grave! He lives and has returned to the earth to restore His authority and gospel to man. He has given us the perfect example of the kind of men and women we should be.

"...as we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands, that others through us may feel His loving embrace."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


From You Are My Hands

Scriptures of the month - September 2010

From the Bible: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

From the Book of Mormon: “And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore...can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?” (2 Nephi 31:10)

Hymn:    

“Come follow me,” the Savior said. 

Then let us in His footsteps tread,

For thus alone can we be one, 

With God’s own loved, begotten Son.

Is it enough alone to know, 

That we must follow Him below,

While traveling through this vail of tears?

No, this extends to holier spheres.

We must the onward path pursue,

As wider fields expand to view,

And follow Him unceasingly,

Whate’er our lot or sphere may be.

For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow’rs,

And glory great and bliss are ours,

If we throughout eternity,

Obey his words, “Come follow me.”

(Text: John Nicholson, Music: Samuel McBurney)

Click here to listen to Come, Follow Me (Click on “Words and Music”)