We don’t know the details of family connections in the spirit world or what may come after we are resurrected. But...we know that our eternal happiness depends on our doing our best to offer the same lasting happiness to as many of our kindred as we can…you will grow in desire and determination to be worthy to go into the house of the Lord as often as your circumstances allow. He wants to welcome you there...He chose His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and Redeemer. The only way to return to live with Them and with our family is through the ordinances of the holy temple.
- President Henry B. Eyring, I Love to See the Temple
The temple always in our sights
Welcome to the House of the Lord
[W]e can access the power of God, but only when we connect with Him through sacred covenants...In this life, we make these covenants by participating in priesthood ordinances and promising to do what God asks us to do, and in return, God promises us certain blessings...Making a covenant with God is different than casually making a promise...priesthood authority is required... Our covenants give us power to stay on the covenant path because our relationship with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father is changed.
- Dale G. Renlund, Accessing God’s Power through Covenants
Inspiring Short: The Fire of Temple Covenants | David A. Bednar
Covenant belonging is to make and keep solemn promises to God and each other through sacred ordinances that invite the power of godliness to be manifest in our lives. When we covenant all we are, we can become more than we are. Covenant belonging gives us place, narrative, capacity to become. It produces faith unto life and salvation…By oath and covenant, God’s restored priesthood authority is intended to bless all God’s children…
- Gerrit W. Gong, Covenant Belonging
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood Is Relevant to Women
What is the oath and covenant of the priesthood?
He who humbly follows Jesus Christ will experience and share in His light. And that light will grow until it eventually dispels even the most profound darkness. It means that there is a power, a strong influence, that emanates from the Savior...This profound insight—that light is spirit, which is truth, and that this light shines upon every soul who comes into the world—is as important as it is hopeful…Every time you turn your hearts to God in humble prayer, you experience His light. Every time you seek His word and will in the scriptures, the light grows in brightness.
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Bearers of Heavenly Light
True Joy is Possible Through Jesus Christ
[T]he gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today...We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in their lives…What you contribute to this work is magnificent! … Everyone deserves the chance to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Every person deserves to know where they can find the hope and peace that “[pass] all understanding.”
- President Russell M. Nelson, Preaching the Gospel of Peace
Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church. There is no greater work, no more important work. It blesses the lives of all those who participate in it. It will continue blessing future generations…We can all participate in missionary work. This is the Lord’s work, and He will help us do it. His gospel has to go to every nation, and we can be instruments in His hands to bless the lives of others by sharing with them His truth. We will be greatly blessed in the process.
- Silvia H. Allred, Go Ye Therefore
[T]he writing of personal and family histories will do more to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to children than almost anything we can do. I am sure you will never turn your own children’s hearts more to you than you will by keeping a journal and writing your personal history. They will ultimately love to find out about your successes and your failures and your peculiarities. It will tell them a lot about themselves, too...these records we are commanded to write are absolutely vital, not only to the salvation of our ancestors but also to ours…
- Hartman Rector, Jr., Turning the Hearts
Why Is It Important to Keep Records? (Knowhy #345)
Teachings of Wilford Woodruff: The Importance of Record Keeping
The Lord knew—in this fast-paced world full of distractions and in commotion—that making quality time for Him would be one of the major challenges of our day…President Nelson has repeatedly pled with us to make time for the Lord in our lives...But to hear the still voice of the Lord, he counseled, “you too must be still.”...Being still is an act of faith and requires effort…As we concentrate our hearts and minds on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost, we will have greater clarity about what is most needful, develop deeper compassion, and find rest and strength in Him.
- L. Todd Budge, Seek Him with All Your Heart
Recognizing Revelation | Growing Faith
Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation
The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives...As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world! ...And as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...we have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work...Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.
- President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail
Matthew 13 | The Parables of the Wheat and Tares, Mustard Seed, and Leaven | The Bible
There is an energy that comes from happiness and optimism that doesn’t just bless us—it builds everyone around us. Any small thing you do to light real happiness in others shows that you are already carrying the torch...You are the future leaders in this Church, and it will be up to you to carry this light forward...Will you be righteous?... Will your happiness in spite of your trials draw others who are good and noble and who need your friendship? Will you turn on your light?
- Sharon Eubank, Turn On Your Light
Why is it important to have living prophets to guide the true Church of Jesus Christ and its members?...The prophet can be inspired to see the future in benefit of mankind. We are told that “surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets”. We learn from this scripture that the Lord will reveal to His prophets absolutely anything that He feels is necessary to communicate to us. He will reveal His will to us, and He will instruct us through His prophets.
- Claudio R. M. Costa, Obedience to the Prophets
Prophets | Animated Scripture Lesson for Kids
The Lord said, regarding the scourges that would cover the land and would harden the hearts of many, “My disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved.”…When we stand in holy places—our righteous homes, our dedicated chapels, the consecrated temples—we feel the Spirit of the Lord with us...The battles will rage on, but we will face them with the Spirit of the Lord. We will “be not troubled” because when we stand with the Lord and stand for His principles and His eternal plan, we are standing on holy ground.
- Ronald A. Rasband, Be Not Troubled
Stand in Holy Places | Animated Scripture Lesson for Kids
Peace, Be Still | Sister Harkness, October 2020 General Conference
“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”…It should be noted that Jesus promised His peace—not the peace that the world gives...even if all the world is crumbling around us, the promised Comforter will provide His peace as a result of true discipleship. Ultimate total peace will come, of course, because He overcame the world. But we can have His peace with us irrespective of the troubles of the world. His peace is that peace, that serenity...
- Dennis E. Simmons, His Peace
Finding Peace: 5 Insights from the Savior's Words
Peace, Be Still | Sister Harkness, October 2020 General Conference
The Peace and Hope of Easter | President Russell M. Nelson Palm Sunday Invitation
Peace Through Prayer | Growing Faith
Before you ever received the gift of the Holy Ghost, you had the Light of Christ planted in your soul, that “light which is in all things, … giveth life to all things,”...One of its central messages is that life is the most precious of all gifts, a gift which is obtained eternally only through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the Light and Life of the World, the Only Begotten Son of God came to give us life by conquering death…In a world that so desperately needs all the light it can get, please do not minimize the eternal light God put in your soul before this world was.
- Jeffrey R. Holland, Fear Not: Believe Only!
Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness by Sister Sharon Eubank | April 2019 General Conference
Our Heavenly Father has innumerable gifts of light and truth prepared to shower down on each of us, His treasured children. They flow from our Bounteous Giver like a wellspring in the wilderness from His benevolent heart…I would like to talk about one all-encompassing gift of eternal truth...: It is that we really are God’s children. That truth is breathtaking! Stunning! And it is not figurative…If this priceless gift of understanding...is left unaccepted, unopened, and unreceived, what a terrible loss for us! What a sadness for the Giver!
- Patrick Kearon, Receive His Gift
Inspiring Short: Gifts of Love | Henry B. Eyring
Inspiring Short: Christ's Greater Love for Us | An Easter Message
[I]n His love for each of us, the Savior invites us to come closer to Him...There are times we feel close to the Savior Jesus Christ. And yet, sometimes during our mortal trials, we feel some distance from Him and wish for an assurance that He knows what is in our hearts and loves us as individuals. The Savior’s invitation includes the way to feel that assurance. Draw near Him by always remembering Him. Seek Him diligently through scripture study. Ask through heartfelt prayer to Heavenly Father to feel closer to His Beloved Son…Jesus Christ loves each of us. He offers that opportunity to draw closer to Him.
- President Henry B. Eyring, “Draw Near unto Me”
Seek Jesus Christ: Our Greatest Treasure
To the Saints of this dispensation, the Lord gave important instructions to seek balanced learning. The terms in the scriptures are study and faith...self-reliance comes from both efforts…literacy takes both study and faith. We need to cultivate both of them…faith [is] like one oar on a boat…Study is the other oar by which we can seek and obtain knowledge. What happens if you try to paddle a boat using only one oar? You go around and around in circles...It’s the same with trying to make study replace faith or trying to exercise faith but without study...the Holy Ghost cannot give us some answers until we are actively seeking knowledge.
- Chieko N. Okazaki, Rowing Your Boat
Accomplish Your Goals Through Small and Simple Things
Seek Learning - Part 1 - The Doctrine of Education
Church Leaders Gather in Mexico City for Historic BYU–Pathway Worldwide Meeting
As we patiently pursue the Savior’s covenant path, our home becomes “a house of glory, a house of order, [and] a house of God.”…fine homes follow the blueprint created by the Lord for His finest home, the temple... As we become more like Him, we will feel at home in His house, and He will feel at home in ours. We can maintain our home’s close connection to His home by qualifying for and using a temple recommend as frequently as circumstances allow. As we do so, the holiness of the Lord’s house rests in our house as well.
- L. Whitney Clayton, The Finest Homes
Bringing Up Children in Light and Truth: A House of Order, a House of God
3 Ways to Make Your Home a Place of Gospel Peace | Elder Quentin L. Cook
Prophets are inspired to provide us with prophetic priorities to protect us from dangers...Obeying the Word of Wisdom gave our members, especially our youth, a preventive inoculation against drug use and the resulting health problems and moral hazards. Unfortunately, there appears to be a resurgence of drug use in our own day. Living the Word of Wisdom today will free you from some of the most serious dangers you can face in this life.
- Quentin L. Cook, Give Heed unto the Prophets’ Words
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we possess sacred knowledge from revealed truth about the relationship between the body and the spirit... To bless us both physically and spiritually, the Lord also revealed to us a law of health, telling us which foods and substances are good for the body and which are not...We do not want to harm our mortal bodies, for they are a gift from God, and part of our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness is the reuniting of our immortal bodies with our spirits.
- L. Tom Perry, Let Him Do It with Simplicity
[T]he Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Lift up your hearts and rejoice, for unto you the kingdom, or in other words, the keys of the church have been given.” In the authority of these keys, the Church’s priesthood officers preserve the purity of the Savior’s doctrine and the integrity of His saving ordinances. They help prepare those who wish to receive them, judge the qualification and worthiness of those who apply, and then perform them. With the keys of the kingdom, the Lord’s servants can identify both truth and falsehood and once again authoritatively state...
- D. Todd Christofferson, Why the Church
A prophet is a watchman on the tower, protecting us from spiritual dangers we may not see… Why are we so willing to follow the voice of our prophet? For those diligently seeking eternal life, the prophet’s voice brings spiritual safety in very turbulent times.
…The prophet’s voice, while spoken kindly, will often be a voice asking us to change, to repent, and to return to the Lord...As you are humble in following the counsel of the Lord’s prophet, I promise you an added blessing of safety and peace.
- Neil L. Andersen, The Prophet of God
The Prophet of God - Neil L Andersen
[I]n this world of tribulation, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Indeed, as we walk uprightly and remember our covenants, “all things shall work together for your good.” All things for our good. A remarkable promise! Comforting assurance from God Himself!…We increase faith and trust in the Lord that all things can work together for our good as we gain eternal perspective; understand our trials may be “but for a small moment”; recognize affliction can be consecrated for our gain...
- Gerrit W. Gong, All Things for Our Good
Work Together for Our Good | Changed Through Jesus Christ
We first learned the gospel in our heavenly home. We have come to this earth with a veil of forgetfulness. And yet lingering in each of our spirits are those dormant memories. The Holy Ghost can part the veil and bring those things out of their dormancy. Often my reaction to a supposedly newfound truth is, “Oh, I remember that!”…I testify that the Lord wants you to know it is true, and He “will [reveal] the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost”…
- Glenn L. Pace, Do You Know?
We are each one on a road going toward home…We want to arrive home safely to our loving Father in Heaven. He wants us to make it safely there, so He has sent a guiding light for us to follow: a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect example...The Lord invites us to come out of the cold danger of worldliness and into the warmth of His light [and have] faith in the truths taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.
- Margaret D. Nadauld, Follow the Light
Light of The World - Lauren Daigle (Christmas story)
Why We Need a Savior | #LightTheWorld
In the “celestial” glory there are three levels, of which the highest is exaltation in the celestial kingdom. This is the dwelling of those “who have received of his fulness, and of his glory”…The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and commandments were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” That process requires far more than acquiring knowledge.…We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow.
- President Dallin H. Oaks, Kingdoms of Glory
Your Potential, Your Privileges
Accomplish Your Goals Through Small and Simple Things
One Percent Better By Elder Michael A. Dunn Of the Seventy
Just as sunlight daily bathes the earth to renew and sustain life, you can daily brighten the light within you when you choose to follow Him—Jesus Christ. A drop of sunshine is added every time you seek God in prayer; study the scriptures to “hear Him”; act on guidance and revelation from our living prophets; and obey and keep the commandments to “walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.” ...As you partake of the sacrament every week to take the Savior’s name upon you, to always remember Him and keep His commandments, His light will shine within you.
- Timothy J. Dyches, Light Cleaveth unto Light
Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation
God is our Father in Heaven. We are His spirit children, and we are created after His image. Therefore, each of us, as a child of God, has a divine potential to become like Him. We lived with Him as spirits before we came to this earth. Heavenly Father, as our spirit parent, loves us, wants the best for us, and prepared a plan for us to receive His greatest blessings, which are immortality and eternal life...Because He loves us, He prepared the way to return to His presence through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
- Takashi Wada, The Words of Christ and the Holy Ghost Will Lead Us to the Truth
Migration: A Yearning for Home
M. Russell Ballard - October 2019 General Conference
The role of obedience in gaining spiritual knowledge is crucial... Gaining spiritual knowledge is not a mechanical process. It is a sacred privilege based upon spiritual law. I testify that you can receive inspired help. Humbly ask your Eternal Father. Seek divine light. Exercise faith in the Savior. Strive to hearken to His counsel and obey His commandments…As you walk in faithful obedience, He will bless you, inspire you, and lead you to greater knowledge and capacity.
- Richard G. Scott, Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge
To set our house in an order pleasing to the Lord, we need to do it His way. We are to employ His attributes of “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, [and] meekness.”…Scriptures direct parents to teach faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Parents are to teach the plan of salvation and the importance of living in complete accord with the commandments of God...Parents should also teach by example how to consecrate their lives...Living in that manner will literally bless their posterity.
- President Russell M. Nelson, “Set in Order Thy House”