- "Sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return. Without repentance there can be no forgiveness, and without forgiveness all the blessings of eternity hang in jeopardy. As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly nearer hopeless and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back up or he has lost the power to do so."
- "Substitute habits, change environment. Change comes by substituting new habits for old. You mold your character and future by thoughts and actions.
- "You can change by changing your environment. Let go of lower things, and reach for higher. Surround yourself with the best in books, music, art, and people."
- Harry Emerson Fosdick once wrote: "Some Christians carry their religions on their backs. It is a packet of beliefs and practices which they must bear. At times it grows heavy and they would willingly lay it down, but that would mean a break with old traditions, so they shoulder it again. But real Christians do not carry their religion, their religion carries them. It is not weight; it is wings. It lifts them up, it sees them over hard places, it makes the universe seem friendly, life purposeful, hope real, sacrifice worthwhile. It sets them free from fear, futility, discouragement, and sin--the great enslavers of men's souls. You can know a real Christian, when you see him, by his buoyancy."
- I hope it is clearly evident when the world looks at us that we are known for our buoyancy--that we live, believe, and practice real Christian ideas and doctrine.
- "Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough o find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back."
- In the Lord's great plan of salvation there are no more important teachers than parents, who teach their children constantly by example and by precept.
- "Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church."
- First is love.
- Second, concentrate entirely on those being taught.
- A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. One who understands that principle will not look upon his or her calling as "giving or presenting a lesson," because that definition views teaching from the standpoint of the teacher, not the student.
- Third, teach from the prescribed course material, with greatest emphasis on teaching the doctrine and principles and covenants of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Fourth, prepare diligently and strive to use the most effective means of presenting the prescribed lessons.
- Fifth, "teach the principles of my gospel ... as they shall be directed by the Spirit. ... And if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach."
- Sixth, A gospel teacher is concerned with the results of his or her teaching, and such a teacher will measure the success of teaching and testifying by its impact on the lives of the learners.
- "The calling of the gospel teacher is one of the noblest in the world. The good teacher can make all the difference in inspiring boys and girls and men and women to change their lives and fulfill their highest destiny.
- No man is an island; No man stands alone. Each man's joy is a joy to me; Each man's grief is my own. We need one another, So I will defend Each man as my brother; Each man as my friend. - John Donne
- We cannot overlook the potential of our new members or misjudge their talents.
- Our words and external expressions are not neutral, for they reflect both who we are and shape who we are becoming.
- What we say and how we act will create an atmosphere welcoming or hostile to the Holy Ghost.
- Our words are creating an atmosphere in which we build or demolish.
- What we say and how we present ourselves not only betray our inner person but also mold that person, those around us, and finally our whole society. Every day each of us is implicated in obscuring the light or in chasing away the darkness. We have been called to invite the light and to be a light, to sanctify ourselves and edify others.
- Striving to live righteously is attempting to do all that we can in obedience. With this comes the inner peace and comfort that in doing all we can, the plan of God will be accomplished in our behalf. No other feeling in the soul of man can bring the joy and happiness than that of knowing you are doing all you can to become righteous.
- "... By this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive."
- With the gift of the Holy Ghost comes the ability to develop a powerfully sensitive capacity to make the right choices. Cultivate that gift.
- Oh, how I would encourage you to eave deeply into the fabric of your soul that recognition that your life now is a part of a much bigger plan the Lord has for you. You lived part of it in the premortal existence. You were valiant there and came here because you wanted to grow and enjoy greater happiness. What you decide to do now will affect how well you fulfill that divine, personal plan He has for you.
- Sometimes when there is a significant need in my life, I review mentally scriptures that have given me strength. There is great solace, direction, and power that flow from the scriptures, especially the words of the Lord.
- "Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men."
- "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
- He has promised to help us with our burdens: "I will ... ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, ... that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."
- "What I say unto one I say unto all."
- "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."
- "I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it."
- A building develops a personality of its own.
Mary Ellen Smoot -Rejoice, Daughters of Zion
- We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who: Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study. Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes. Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood. Delight in service and good works. Love life and learning. Stand for truth and righteousness. Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth. Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.
- We declare to the world that it is not by chance that we have embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ; it rings true!
- We can all extend our arms in love to others and give gifts of compassion and tenderness that can only flow from a woman's heart.
- Sisters who know right from wrong stand firm on the Lord's side.
- Each of us has a vital role, even a sacred mission to perform as a daughter in Zion.
- "The Church was created in large measure to help the family, and long after the Church has performed its mission, [the family] will still be functioning."
- "The ultimate purpose of the adversary ... is to disrupt, disturb, and to destroy the home and the family."
- The adversary is delighted when we act like sightseers, meaning those who are hearers rather than doers of the word, or shoppers, meaning those preoccupied with the vain things of this world that suffocate our spirits. Satan baits us with perishable pleasures and preoccupations--our bank accounts, our wardrobes, even our waistlines--for he know that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also. Unfortunately, it is easy to let the blinding glare of the adversary's enticements distract us from the light of Christ.
- "In this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full."
- Satan is the god of Babylon, or this world. Christ is the God of Israel, and His Atonement gives us power to overcome the world.
- "If you expect glory, intelligence and endless lives," said President Joseph F. Smith, "let the world go."
- We no longer have the luxury of spending our energy on anything that does not lead us and our families to Christ.
- In the days ahead, a casual commitment to Christ will not carry us through.
- We are not women of the world. We are women of God. And women of God will be among the greatest heroines of the 21st century.
- It is not for us "to be led by the women of the world; it is for [us] to lead ... the women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy."
- The Lord's standard of behavior will always be more demanding than the world's, but then the Lord's rewards are infinitely more glorious--including true joy, peace, and salvation.
- We are not panicked about perfection, but we are working to become more pure.
- We cannot be women of the world, for we are latter-day women of God.
- Your challenges today are different from those of your forebears, but they are nonetheless real.
- First, it is a divinely established sisterhood.
- Second, the society is a place of learning.
- Third, it is an organization whose basic character is caring for others. Its motto is "Charity Never Faileth."
- Fourth, the Relief Society is a place where the needs of women to socialize can be met.
- You cannot imagine the gifts and talents each of you has. All women have appealing features. I do not refer to model-type appeal, but rather that which comes from your personality, your attitude, and your expressions. I urge you to enhance the natural, God-given, feminine gifts with which you have been so richly blessed. None of you should be so content that you cease to care about how you look or act. In his day, President Brigham Young encouraged women to get an education. This is still good counsel, but I hasten to add: in all your getting, do not lose your sweet femininity.
- It is a mistake for women to think that life begins only with marriage. A woman can and must have an identity and feel useful, valued, and needed whether she is single or married. She must feel that she can do something for someone else that no one else ever born can do.
- With all my heart I urge you sisters who have received your endowments to seek the blessings, peace, and comfort of the temple. Temple worthiness affords a great spiritual protection even for sisters who do not have regular access to blessings of the temple. In His infinite wisdom, the Lord requires worthy brethren to wear the mantle of the priesthood in order to enter the temple, but He permits the sisters to enter solely by virtue of their personal worthiness.
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
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