We are told that God is no respecter of persons, and yet in no other church of which I am aware is provision made for those beyond the veil of death to receive every blessing which is afforded the living...Men boast that they are “saved” and in the same breath admit that their forebears have not been and cannot be saved...Here we serve in behalf of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. Theirs is the option to accept or reject the ordinance which is performed...The dead are given the same opportunity as the living.
- President Gordon B. Hinckley, The Great Things Which God Has Revealed
Ministry of Joseph Smith: Temples
Discovering Jesus Christ Through Family History
An Invitation to Come Unto Christ
[I]t is not just about what we do—our words and actions—but also why we do what Jesus Christ has asked us to do—our desires and motives...He wants us to do those things with real intent because we love Him with all our heart…When we choose to do each thing the Lord has asked us to do...with a sincere heart and with real intent, each act of service and worship becomes a powerful spiritual experience that strengthens our faith and testimony and fills our hearts with joy and love for God and our fellow man.
- Ronald M. Barcellos, The Lord Looketh on the Heart
How Will You Be Judged? God’s Mercy Explained
Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth...Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ... Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost... Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
- Richard G. Scott, The Power of Scripture
Come Follow Me with John Hilton III (Doctrine and Covenants 137-138, Nov 29-Dec 5)
Reading the Scriptures | Changed Through Jesus Christ
[O]ur canon of scripture contains very little about the spirit world that follows death and precedes the Final Judgment. So what else do we know about the spirit world?…what we…know…is that the Father’s and the Son’s work of salvation continues there. Our Savior initiated the work of declaring liberty to the captives, and that work continues as worthy and qualified messengers continue to preach the gospel, including repentance, to those who still need its cleansing effect.
- President Dallin H. Oaks, Trust in the Lord
The Blessings of Temple and Family History Work
While yet in life, Jesus prophesied that He would also preach to the dead. Peter tells us this happened in the interval between the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection…Our efforts on behalf of the dead bear eloquent witness that Jesus Christ is the divine Redeemer of all mankind. His grace and promises reach even those who in life do not find Him. Because of Him, the prisoners shall indeed go free.
- President D. Todd Christofferson, The Redemption of the Dead and the Testimony of Jesus
Russell M. Nelson's Grandfather Visited by Departed Father
In the vision of the redemption of the dead given to President Joseph F. Smith, he saw many of the noble and great prophets who had been on the earth prior to the Savior’s coming. He also saw...“other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work.” Who were those other choice spirits? Our generation was somewhere there among those “noble and great” leaders, prepared in the world of spirits to be on the earth at this time!
- Elaine S. Dalton, We Did This for You
Thoughts for the Rising Generation
Russell M. Nelson - The Rising Generation
Urgent Call to the Rising Generation: Prepare the World for the Savior’s Return
[T]he fruit of living the gospel is evident in the lives of Latter-day Saints everywhere…A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, “Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.”...belief is a precious word, an even more precious act...Christ Himself said, “Be not afraid, only believe,”...belief [i]s always the first step toward conviction and...the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase “We believe."
- President Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe”
A Christmas message from President Henry B. Eyring
We Believe, Kenneth Cope, EFY Music (Church of Jesus Christ Welfare System)
[O]ur gospel study and instruction are rooted in the word of God and that we don’t sensationalize or speculate on what the Lord has not revealed. Instead, we focus on essential and eternal gospel principles...The Lord’s exhortation to study the scriptures individually and as families and to attend church each week to study His gospel provides a remarkable framework to learn His doctrine and hear His voice. We search the scriptures to understand the narrative, the principles they teach, and the application of these truths in our lives.
- Chad H. Webb, That All May Be Edified
The Thirteenth Article of Faith: Standing Together
I Will Be What I Believe - Blake Gillette
The First Christmas Story, Retold by Children | The Birth of Jesus Christ
[W]e are blessed with continuing revelation to living prophets. Prophets are “commissioned agents of the Lord, authorized to speak for Him.” Some revelations are of monumental importance, and others enhance our understanding of essential divine truths and provide guidance for our day…I declare with all solemnity that continuous revelation has been received and is being received through channels the Lord has established.
- Quentin L. Cook, The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives
How can you receive personal revelation to guide your life?
Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation
Prophets are seers and revelators. That means they can see what others cannot see, and they can prophesy of future events. They can also prepare us for calamities. Prophets receive commandments and revelations from the Lord...Elder Gary E. Stevenson said, “The Lord continues to reveal His commandments and will to His prophets today because He desires to lead us to happiness in this life and to celestial glory in the next life.”...the Lord assures us that His will will be done.
- Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, Prophets of God
Come Follow Me with Casey Paul Griffiths (Articles of Faith and Official Declaration 1-2, Dec 6-12)
Silent Night | 7-Year-Old Claire Crosby Accompanied by President Russell M. Nelson
“In the First Presidency,” [President Monson] 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.”...The Lord declared, “I am able to do mine own work.” We each try to do our part, but He is the grand architect...As we are spiritually awake and alert, we see His hand across the world and we see His hand in our own personal lives… Can you see the hand of God moving His work forward?
- Neil L. Andersen, Thy Kingdom Come
Press Forward: 2016 Youth Theme
A Great Work | Youth Music Festival 2021
Be part of the greatest story ever told | #LightTheWorld with Love 2021
[O]ur Heavenly Father’s involvement in the details of our lives, even when we may not be aware of it or understand it…The Father is aware of us, knows our needs, and will help us perfectly...Sometimes our most earnest and worthy desires are not answered in the way we hope, but we find that God has greater blessings in store...We have the assurance that in His own way and in His own time, Heavenly Father will bless us and resolve all of our concerns, injustices, and disappointments.
- Brook P. Hales, Answers to Prayer
Trust in the Lord - Youth Theme 2022
Till We All Come in the Unity of the Faith
An Invitation to Come Unto Christ
Family Proclamation, paragraph 1
The family proclamation, announced 30 years ago, declares that “the family is ordained of God” and “is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” ...As then-Elder Russell M. Nelson taught a Brigham Young University audience, the family is "pivotal to God’s plan…In fact, a purpose of the plan is to exalt the family.”
The Church of Jesus Christ is sometimes known as a family-centered church. It is! Our relationship to God and the purpose of our mortal life are explained in terms of the family. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan of our Heavenly Father for the benefit of His spirit children.
- President Dallin H. Oaks, The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ
Family Proclamation, paragraph 2
[The Family] proclamation, with its revelatory words, was created to “maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” Everyone belongs to a family, whether you are a mother, father, daughter, son, grandchild, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, or cousin. Most importantly, each of us is, as the proclamation states, “a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents … [with] a divine nature and destiny.”
…President Nelson taught: “You are literally spirit children of God. … Make no mistake about it: Your potential is divine. With your diligent seeking, God will give you glimpses of who you may become.”
- Ronald A. Rasband, The Family Proclamation- Words from God
Migration: A Yearning for Home
Family Proclamation, paragraph 3
God is the literal Father of all mankind; we are each part of His eternal family. Because He loves us with the love of a perfect Father, He wants us to progress and advance and become like Him. He ordained a plan by which we would come to earth, in families, and have experiences that would prepare us to return to Him and live as He lives.
The central element of this plan was the promise that Jesus Christ would offer Himself as a sacrifice, to rescue us from sin and death.Our task in that plan is to accept the Savior’s sacrifice by obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel. You and I accepted this plan. In fact, we rejoiced in it...
- President Henry B. Eyring, Gathering the Family of God
How to build a united and eternal family? (2022)
Finding Joy in Establishing a Happy Eternal Family
Family Proclamation, paragraphs 4-5
After Adam and Eve were joined in marriage, the scripture reads, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.”...This commandment has not been forgotten or set aside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…In “the best of times [and] … the worst of times,” the true Saints of God, acting in faith, have never forgotten, dismissed, or neglected “God’s commandment … to multiply and replenish the earth.” We go forward in faith…What a wonderful blessing we have to receive sons and daughters of God into our home.
- Neil L. Andersen, Children
Our Fun Family Vacation - The Importance of Spending Time With Family
Having Children Enriches Your Life
Choosing Eternal Families Over Modern-Day "Idols" | Elder Quentin L. Cook
Family Proclamation, paragraphs 6-8
Regardless of your circumstances, you can make your home the center of gospel learning and living. It simply means taking personal responsibility for your conversion and spiritual growth. It means following President Nelson’s counsel “to [remodel your] home into a sanctuary of faith.”...How grateful I am for my “goodly parents,” who raised their family in a home of constant spiritual nourishment, loving relationships, and wholesome recreational activities. The teachings they provided in my youth have held me in good stead. Parents, please build strong relationships with your children. They need more of your time, not less.
- Steven W. Owen, Be Faithful, Not Faithless
Home and Family - Through Small Things
What Family Means - Happy Families
Pizza with the Puentes - Happy Families
Blending Families: Love is Key - Happy Families
Make It a Good Day - Happy Families
Raising a Family: Learning the Ropes Together - Happy Families
One Big Experiment - Happy Families
Family Proclamation, paragraphs 9-10
[The Family Proclamation]…is now a clarion call to protect and strengthen families and a stern warning in a world where declining values and misplaced priorities threaten to destroy society by undermining its basic unit…Today I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s “title of liberty,” and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. As we are all part of a family, the proclamation applies to everyone
- M. Russell Ballard, What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest
Elder Stevenson on Fortifying Families