Scripture Study

"... The most important [thing] you can do ... is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently.... Learn the doctrine. Maser the principles...."
          - Elder Richard G. Scott

To acquire spiritual knowledge and to obey it with wisdom, one must-
     - In humility, seek divine light.
     - Exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
     - Hearken to His counsel.
     - Keep His commandments.

          - Elder Richard G. Scott

"The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained...."
          - Elder Richard G. Scott

Missionary Work

There is no better work than missionary work.  The Lord has commanded us to go forth and serve.  It is our responsibility and duty to serve the Lord and our neighbors. We as Heavenly Father’s children need to find the Lords lost sheep and bring them back to the fold.  As we perform missionary work, we will be blessed and we will bless the lives of our lost brothers and sisters.  Doing missionary work brings a great happiness to our souls and fills are hearts with joy.  The field is white and ready to harvest, so let’s get to work!

"Young people need to commit themselves early in life to the idea of a mission. That way, when they get older and begin to face some of the world's temptations, those temptations will be less likely to penetrate their hearts or minds. They will resist the temptations because they are focused on becoming a servant of the Lord."

- Elder M. Russell Ballard

"There are few things in life that bring as much joy as the joy that comes from assisting another improve his or her life."

 - Elder Richard G. Scott

"...the single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission."

- Elder David A. Bednar

"Fundamental to becoming good teachers is serious study of the word of the Lord, that we are able to impart our acquired knowledge to others."

- Elder L. Tom Perry

“Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify. When you’re on the Lord’s errand, you’re entitled to the Lord’s blessings.”

- President Thomas S. Monson.

"Young people need to commit themselves early in life to the idea of a mission. That way, when they get older and begin to face some of the world's temptations, those temptations will be less likely to penetrate their hearts or minds. They will resist the temptations because they are focused on becoming a servant of the Lord."

- Elder M. Russell Ballard

“We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.”

 - President Thomas S. Monson

“Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance.”

- President Thomas S. Monson


“When you’re on the Lord’s errand, you’re entitled to the Lord’s blessings.”

 - President Thomas S. Monson. 

“After all that has been said, our greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel.”

- Prophet Joseph Smith

Virtue

We are all spiritual beings of our Father in Heaven. He loves us and wants what is best for us. He is our maker and as our maker, He would never want his creation to get tarnished or hurt. We need to understand our worth and let no one take away our virtue. It is rightfully ours. If we can understand our worth and just how important we are we would never let our standards fail us and never descend to a lesser degree. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father and daughters of a King. 

“Because sexual intimacy is so sacred, the Lord requires self-control and purity before marriage, as well as full fidelity after marriage. In dating, treat your date with respect, and expect your date to show that same respect for you. Tears inevitably follow transgression. Men, take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears.”

- President Thomas S. Monson

“Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you. You find yourself unable to stop it. But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect upon you."

- President Gordon B. Hinckley 

"Most people in trouble end up crying, 'What was I thinking?' Well, whatever they were thinking, they weren't thinking of Christ. Yet, as members of His Church, we pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to 'always remember him' (D&C 20:77). So let us work a little harder at remembering Him."

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

“A wise man once said, “Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind.” Whether it governs in a positive way or a negative way is determined by what it brings onto the stage of your mind. If you can say that a song is spiritually inspiring or that it urges you to see yourself in a more noble perspective, the music is worthwhile. If it merely entertains or lifts your spirits, then it also has a useful place. But if it makes you want to respond in a carnal, sensual way or to consider unrighteous desires, then that music should be avoided. It is not worthy.”

- President Boyd K. Packer

“Moral discipline is learned at home. While we cannot control what others may or may not do, the Latter-day Saints can certainly stand with those who demonstrate virtue in their own lives and inculcate virtue in the rising generation. . . . Our teaching should draw upon our own faith and focus first and foremost on instilling faith in God in the rising generation. We must declare the essential need to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before Him in soberness, or in other words, with reverence. Each must be persuaded that service and sacrifice for the well-being and happiness of others are far superior to making one’s own comfort and possessions the highest priority.”

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."
            - President Thomas S. Monson

“By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance.”

- Elder Richard G. Scott

“Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography.”

- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“With this priesthood comes a great obligation to be worthy of it.”

- President Gordon B. Hinckley 

“In our day the dreadful influence of pornography is like unto a plague sweeping across the world, infecting one here and one there, relentlessly trying to invade every home, most frequently through the husband and father,” President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said. “The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. Lucifer seeks to disrupt ‘the great plan of redemption,’ ‘the great plan of happiness.’”

- President Boyd K. Packer

Priesthood

The Holy Priesthood is the greatest power that has ever existed.  It is the great power and authority that God trusts us with and expects us to be worthy of.  Many blessings come from the Priesthood and we are very fortunate to have them.  We are able to receive all of the sacred ordinances necessary for salvation in the glorious Celestial Kingdom.  We can be spiritually and physically healed by the blessings of the priesthood to achieve God’s plan.  There is no greater blessing than the Priesthood and we should always remember that it is there to help and guide us.

"I bear witness of the power of the priesthood given to the Church to protect us and guide us. And because we have that, we have no fear of the future. Fear is the opposite of faith. We move forward, certain that the Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family."

- President Boyd K. Packer

"Some suppose that the organization was handed to the Prophet Joseph Smith like a set of plans and specifications for a building, with all of the details known at the beginning. But it did not come that way. Rather, it came a piece at a time as the Brethren were ready and as they inquired of God."

- President Boyd K. Packer

The priesthood of God with its keys, it ordinances, its divine origin and ability to bind in heaven what is bound on earth, is as indispensable to the true Church of God as it is unique to it and . . . without it there would be no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

We must . . . know for ourselves that the Lord restored His Church and the priesthood keys through the Prophet Joseph Smith. And we must have an assurance through the Holy Ghost, refreshed often, that those keys have been passed without interruption to the living prophet and that the Lord blesses and directs His people through the line of priesthood keys which reaches down through presidents of stakes and of districts and through bishops and branch presidents to us, wherever we are and no matter how far from the prophet and the apostles.”

- President Henry B. Eyring

"While the Apostles hold all of the priesthood keys, all leaders and members alike may receive personal revelation. Indeed, they are expected to seek it through prayer and to act on it by faith.

" 'For through him we . . . have access by one Spirit unto the Father' (Ephesians 2:18)."

- President Boyd K. Packer

“Although we know of many cases where persons blessed by priesthood authority have been healed, we rarely refer to these healings in public meetings because modern revelation cautions us not to ‘boast [ourselves] of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation’ (D&C 84:73).”

- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

There is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad. It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become.”

- M. Russell Ballard

“The priesthood of God gives light to his children in this dark and troubled world. Through priesthood power we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to lead us to truth, testimony, and revelation. This gift is available on an equal basis to men, women, and children. Through the blessings of the priesthood, we can be equipped with ‘the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil’ (see Eph. 6:11–18). This protection is available to every one of us.”

- Robert D. Hales

"The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others."

- President Thomas S. Monson

"We who have been ordained to the priesthood of God can make a difference. When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we can build boys, we can mend men, we can accomplish miracles in His holy service. Our opportunities are without limit."

                 - President Thomas S. Monson

Agency

        We are free to act and we must act accordingly to God’s plan to achieve our full potential. Everyone can use their agency however they want. We can choose to say our prayers morning and night or not. We can choose to follow the commandment or not follow the commandment. The choices we make depend on how serious we are about inheriting the Celestial Kingdom and being all that we can be on this earth life. If we really want to strive to give our all, we have that choice. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, they gave us the ability to know right from wrong. Now we use that ability in our agency. 

“Agency "our power to choose" is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth. God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress (compare Alma 42:8). He will bless us to endure the consequences of others choices, but He will not prevent those choices."

- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"As we learn in [the] scriptures, the fundamental purposes for the gift of agency were to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God's chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God. . . .

- Elder David A. Bednar

Being provident providers, we must keep that most basic commandment, Thou shalt not covet (Exodus 20:17). Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement. . . . If our family does not have everything the neighbors have, . . . we go into debt to buy things we can’t afford and things we do not really need. Whenever we do this, we become poor temporally and spiritually.

- Elder Robert D. Hales

"Certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else."

- Elder David A. Bednar

"The way to exaltation is not a freeway featuring unlimited vision, unrestricted speeds, and untested skills. Rather, it is known by many forks and turnings, sharp curves, and controlled speeds. Our driving ability is being put to the test. Are we ready? We’re driving. We haven’t passed this way before. Fortunately, the Master Highway Builder, even our Heavenly Father, has provided a road map showing the route to follow. He has placed markers along the way to guide us to our destination."

- President Thomas S. Monson

"You are to do the choosing here and now during this exciting and wonderful time on earth. Moral agency, the freedom to choose, is certainly one of God's greatest gifts next to life itself. We have the honorable right to choose; therefore, we need to choose the right. This is not always easy."

- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"You live in a time of great challenges and opportunities. As spirit sons of heavenly parents, you are free to make the right choices. This requires hard work, self-discipline, and an optimistic outlook, which will bring joy and freedom into your life now and in the future."

- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation."

- Elder David A. Bednar

"There is an unlimited supply of good music in the world. Thus our biggest challenge is to choose wisely what we listen to and what we watch."

- M. Russell Ballard

"Choosing to do what the Lord has defined as right will, in the long run, always lead to the best outcomes."

                 - Richard G. Scott 

Enduring to the End

        Everybody has trials in their lives. We are meant to have them. They are necessary tests in this life. If we are able to overcome them, we will be blessed and closer to being able to inherit the kingdom of God. No matter what pains or afflictions we may face, Christ will always be there for us. Our Earth life is only a small portion of our whole existence; yet so important. The choices we make here on earth will determine where we go after this life. Endure to the end and you will be able to inherit the Kingdom of God. 

“The certainties of the gospel, the truth, once you understand it, will see you through these difficult times.” 
                - President Packer

“Even when you feel the truth of [the] capacity and kindness of the Lord to deliver you in your trials, it may still test your courage and strength to endure. The Prophet Joseph Smith cried out in agony in a dungeon:

“ ‘O God, where are thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?’(D&C 121:1–2). . . .

“The Lord’s reply has helped me and can encourage us all in times of darkness. Here it is: ‘My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes’ (D&C 121:7–8).”
                - President Henry B. Eyring

"Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God." 
                -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Jesus Christ lives, knows us, watches over us, and cares for us. In moments of pain, loneliness, or confusion, we do not need to see Jesus Christ to know that He is aware of our circumstances and that His mission is to bless.” 
                - President Eyring

"'Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world.' As we fix our gaze on His teachings, we will be guided to the harbor of spiritual safety." 
                - President Packer

"Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God...Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or "hanging in there." Ours is an active religion, helping God's children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day...Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God." 
                - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“We must remember that the adversary knows us extremely well. He knows where, when, and how to tempt us. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can learn to recognize the adversary’s enticements. Before we yield to temptation, we must learn to say with unflinching resolve, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ (Matthew 16:23).”
                - Elder Robert D. Hales

"The past is behind--we must learn from it. The future is ahead--we must prepare for it. The present is now—we must live in it."
                - President Thomas S. Monson

"We are all subject to sorrow and suffering, to disease and death. Through times good and bad, the Lord expects each of us to endure to the end. As we all go forward together in His sacred work, the Brethren realize the importance of your thoughtful consideration, so lovingly offered and gratefully received. We love you and pray for you, as you pray for us."
                - Elder Russell M. Nelson

"When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
                - Elder David A. Bednar

Personal Revelation

          Personal revelation is something given to us by our Heavenly Father. He knows us best and knows what is best for us. Pray and you will receive answers to your questions. The answers you receive may not always come right away or be the answer you want. However, it is important to pay attention to how you feel. If you feel it is right, then proceed. If you feel it is wrong, then change. As you seek revelation, pray in faith. You must have faith in order to receive revelation. Have enough faith to submit your will to God. 

“Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny.”

          - President Monson

“Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work.”

          - Elder Bednar

“Faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth.”

          - Joseph Smith

“As one's will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much needed to help meet the trials of life. In the trying and very defining Isaac episode, faithful Abraham staggered not . . . through unbelief.”

          - Elder Maxwell 

"Every Latter-day Saint may merit personal revelation. The invitation to ask, seek, and knock for divine direction exists because God lives and Jesus is the living Christ."

          - Russell M. Nelson

“To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to ‘ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ’ (Moroni 10:4). ‘Real intent’ means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.”

          - Elder Russell M. Nelson

"The Holy Ghost is the messenger for the Father and the Son and the teacher of and guide to all truth (see John 14:26; 16:13). Thus, 'by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things' (Moroni 10:5).

"The knowledge and spiritual conviction we receive from the Holy Ghost are the result of revelation."  

          - Elder David A. Bednar

“Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine.”

           - Elder Russell M. Nelson

“We need to embrace, study, and appreciate the revealed truths that are ours. We need to declare the gospel generously and kindly to all of our Father's children.”

          - M. Russell Ballard 

"Each of us should be careful that the current flood of information does not occupy our time so completely that we cannot focus on and hear and heed the still, small voice that is available to guide each of us with outgrown challenges today."

          - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Now the Lord would give us gift. He will quicken our minds. He will give us ... a knowledge that will be so deeply rooted in our souls that [it] can never be rooted out, if we will just seek for the light ... and the understanding which is promised to us, and which we can receive if we will only be true and faithful to every covenant and obligation pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ."
          - President Joseph Fielding Smith