When I ask, “Am I a true and living member?” my question is, am I deeply and fully dedicated to keeping the covenants I have made with the Lord? Am I totally committed to live the gospel and be a doer of the word and not a hearer only? Do I live my religion? Will I remain true? ...To answer affirmatively the question, “Am I a living member?” confirms our commitment...It means that we are every day Christians, walking as Christ would have us walk. Living members are those who strive to have a total commitment.
- President Howard W. Hunter, Am I a “Living” Member?
Inspiring Short: Give God Your Best | Ezra Taft Benson
Give Your Best Effort | Come Learn with Me | Doctrine and Covenants 75
It is a fact that God is no respecter of persons. He loves all of his children, and I believe he loves them equally...God tells us he cannot deny his words.Quite obviously, he is much more pleased with us when we keep his commandments, and he delights to bless us when we do. But if we do not keep his commandments, he will chasten us. It does not mean that he doesn’t love us, any more than when parents discipline children. In fact, it is because he does love us that he chastens us that we might learn obedience.
- Hartman Rector, Jr., Endure to the End in Charity
Alma the Younger Is Called to Repentance by an Angel | Mosiah 27
Why is the Lord now bringing hundreds of His temples closer to us? One reason is that amid the turmoil and temptations of the world, He has promised to strengthen and bless His covenant Saints, and His promises are being fulfilled! How do these holy houses strengthen, comfort, and protect us? We find an answer in the pleadings of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple...the Prophet prayed that in the Lord’s holy house, the Saints would be armed with the power of God...In His house, we are literally endowed with heavenly power.
- Neil L. Andersen, Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth
Building the Kirtland Temple: A special house for the Lord
[H]ow firm is your foundation? And what reinforcements to your testimony and understanding of the gospel are needed? The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple...as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power. And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead…“whenever the Lord has had a people on the earth who will obey His word, they have been commanded to build temples.”
- President Russell M. Nelson, The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation
A Milestone for the Salt Lake Temple Renovation Project
I Will Go and Do: 2020 Youth Theme (feat. David Archuleta) — Official Music Video
I pray we may lay aside any “weapons of war” that we’ve consciously or even unconsciously taken up to defend ourselves from the blessings of God’s love...—anything that would keep us from loving God with all our hearts and keeping all our covenants with Him. As we live our covenants, the Lord can give us the help and power we need to both recognize and overcome our weaknesses…don’t give up. Be patient with yourself, keep your covenants, repent often...Listen for and heed the promptings He sends you. He will not abandon His covenant relationship with you.
- Kristin M. Yee, The Joy of Our Redemption
Inspiring Short: The Fire of Temple Covenants | David A. Bednar
The House of The Lord: The Blessings of the Temple
The Lord called Enoch’s people Zion “because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them”. Elsewhere He said, “For this is Zion—the pure in heart”...Much of the work to be done in establishing Zion consists in our individual efforts to become “the pure in heart”...The law of the celestial kingdom is, of course, the gospel law and covenants, which include our constant remembrance of the Savior and our pledge of obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and fidelity.
- D. Todd Christofferson, Come to Zion
How Is the Unity of Zion Society Achieved? (Knowhy #581)
BUILDING ZION - by Angie Killian - Christian Song
Come to Zion | Elder David A. Bednar
This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving…We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain. Regardless of the challenges, trials, and hardships we endure, the reassuring doctrine of the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ includes Alma’s teaching that the Savior would take upon Him our infirmities and “succor his people according to their infirmities.”
- Quentin L. Cook, “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time”
Inspiring Short: Lessons from Liberty Jail | Jeffrey R. Holland
When someone has hurt us or those we care about...[i]t can feel as if the pain or the injustice is the most important thing in the world and that we have no choice but to seek vengeance. But Christ, the Prince of Peace, teaches us a better way. It can be very difficult to forgive someone the harm they’ve done us, but when we do, we open ourselves up to a better future. No longer does someone else’s wrongdoing control our course. When we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our own lives. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies...
- David E. Sorenson, Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love
Forgiving Others: An Easter Message from President Russell M. Nelson
[O]ne of your crucial missions throughout your life is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow the impressions of the Spirit. As you do this, God will bless your life; He will bless your current or future family; and He will bless the lives of His children who you encounter…Whenever we seek to bless the lives of others, the Lord takes mercy upon us even more; He strengthens us and helps us in our lives. Please remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior and understands you personally...He has the power to bless you in everything if you believe in Him and do not doubt.
- Gregorio E. Casillas, God Loves All His Children
Having Courage & Trusting the Lord: Stand Up for What You Believe In
President Nelson said, “Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, and because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you have ever had, then as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world.” That is the relief Jesus Christ offers us!…Repentance, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, is what relieves us of the weight of the rocks of sin. And by this exquisite gift, God’s mercy relieves us from the heavy and otherwise insurmountable demands of justice.
- Camille N. Johnson, Jesus Christ Is Relief
As I... reflected on the often hectic pace of our modern lives—the busyness, noise, diversions, distractions, and detours that so often seem to demand our attention—a scripture came to my mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.” I believe the Lord’s admonition to “be still” entails much more than simply not talking or not moving... “be still” may be a way of reminding us to focus upon the Savior unfailingly as the ultimate source of the spiritual stillness of the soul that strengthens us to do and overcome hard things.
- David A. Bednar, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God”
Be Still | Come Learn with Me | Doctrine and Covenants 101
[A] perfect and loving Father in Heaven has chosen the pattern of revealing truth to His children through a prophet, someone...God has personally prepared, called...sanctified, and sustained. That is why we are never spiritually at risk in following prophetic counsel… Current conditions in the world have caused some to panic. As God’s covenant children, we do not...need to fear... we cannot be a source of confusion about the importance of following prophetic counsel. It is that very counsel that will allow the rising generation to see “the enemy while he [is] yet afar off; and then [they can make] ready” to withstand the enemy’s attack.
- Allan D. Haynie, A Living Prophet for the Latter Days
Why does God give us commandments?
Why does God give us commandments? Part 2
We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ...As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.
Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others…our opportunities to shine surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.
- President Thomas S. Monson, Be an Example and a Light
Shine Your Light So Others May See
Faith is strong when it has deep roots in personal experience, personal commitment to Jesus Christ, independent of what our traditions are or what others may say or do. Our testimony will be tested and tried. Faith is not faith if never tested. Faith is not strong if never opposed. So don’t despair if you have trials of faith or unanswered questions...Faith is beautiful because it persists even when blessings don’t come as hoped for.
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Nourish the Roots, and the Branches Will Grow
Why Must a Trial of Faith Precede a Witness of Truth? (Knowhy #246)
Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need...Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life are enhanced...Your faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments will strengthen your character.
- Richard G. Scott, The Transforming Power of Faith and Character
Naaman follows Elisha’s counsel and is healed
The Lord Instructs Nephi to Build a Ship | 1 Nephi 17:7–10
I Will Go and Do: 2020 Youth Theme (feat. David Archuleta) — Official Music Video
In the Church, stewardship is not limited to a temporal trust or responsibility…We are accountable as stewards over earthly blessings, which the Lord has provided… My heart rejoices as I observe the Saints all over the Church doing everything they can to provide Christlike service wherever there is a need. Because of member contributions, the Church can quietly and quickly, without fanfare, respond to needs all over the world.
- Quentin L. Cook, Stewardship—a Sacred Trust
“Zion cannot be built up,” the Lord said, “unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom.” The covenant of consecration is central to this law. We shall one day apply it in its fulness. This covenant embraces the “giving of one’s time, talents, and means to care for those in need—whether spiritually or temporally—and in building the Lord’s kingdom.” These principles of love, work, self-reliance, and consecration are God given.
- Keith B. McMullin, Come to Zion! Come to Zion!
Get to Zion (feat. Northwest Stories) | Track Video
The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers… Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. Contention reinforces the false notion that confrontation is the way to resolve differences; but it never is. Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.
- President Russell M. Nelson, Peacemakers Needed
How To Cope With Bullying - Let Us Be Kind
As soon as we accept the Lord’s invitation “Walk with me,” the nature of our…service changes. It becomes all at once higher and nobler but also more achievable, because we know that we are not alone… You need never feel that you are too small or too insignificant for Him to take notice of you and the service you are giving in His name. If you listen, He will teach you His ways. Remember that God’s work and glory is not simply to run an effective organization; it is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. This is, after all, why He…invites us to participate in His work. Our progress is His work!
- President Henry B. Eyring, “Walk With Me”
Through the Savior’s Church, we receive the blessings of the priesthood—including the power of God to help us in our lives. Under authorized priesthood keys, we make sacred promises to God and receive sacred ordinances that prepare us to live in His presence...I testify that “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God”—the Melchizedek Priesthood—with its keys, authority, and power has been restored to the earth in these latter days.
- Shayne M. Bowen, Miracles, Angels and Priesthood Power
The Priesthood of God (a Temple & Priesthood Preparation song) by Alaina Larsen & Cris Conerty
The procedure of sustaining is much more than a ritualistic raising of the hand. It is a commitment to uphold, to support, to assist those who have been selected...Your uplifted hands in the solemn assembly this morning became an expression of your willingness and desire to uphold us, your brethren and your servants, with your confidence, faith, and prayer. I am deeply grateful for that expression.
- President Gordon B. Hinckley, This Work is Concerned with People
How the First Presidency Found Strength in Christ
The fundamental responsibility of prophets, seers, and revelators, all of whom bear apostolic authority, is to bear certain testimony of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world. This basic call to be a special witness of His name has remained constant whenever Apostles have been on the earth…In keeping with this divinely mandated responsibility to bear certain witness of the name of Jesus Christ to all the world, the living Apostles of our day have given their testimony.
- Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators
Special Witness - Elder Stevenson
[W]e have an urgent need in the Church for leaders, particularly stake presidents and bishops, to harness and channel spiritual power through councils. Family, ward, and stake problems can be solved if we seek solutions in the Lord’s way...lives are blessed when leaders make wise use of committees and councils. They move the work of the Lord forward much faster and farther...Brothers and sisters, let us work together as never before in our stewardships to find ways to make more effective use of the wondrous power of councils.
- M. Russell Ballard, Counseling with Our Councils
Scattered Among Us | President Jean B. Bingham
His Councils | President Oaks and President Erying
Church of Saints | President Bonnie H. Cordon
Rise Through Councils | President M. Russell Ballard
In my first message as President of the Church, I encouraged you to begin with the end in mind. This means making the celestial kingdom your eternal goal and then carefully considering where each of your decisions while here on earth will place you in the next world...Thus, if we unwisely choose to live telestial laws now, we are choosing to be resurrected with a telestial body. We are choosing not to live with our families forever...how and where and with whom do you want to live forever? You get to choose. When you make choices, I invite you to take the long view—an eternal view.
- President Russell M. Nelson, Think Celestial!
Friend to Friend: Keeping Baptismal Covenants with Elder Soares - Animated