David A. Bednar -The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn
- You need not wait until you reach an arbitrary age to fulfill your responsibility to assist in the work of salvation for the human family.
- Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord--not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation.
Neil L. Andersen -Children
- When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. These are sacred decisions--decisions that should be made with sincere prayer and acted on with great faith.
- "The Savior of mankind described Himself as being in the world but not of the world. We also can be in the world but not of the world as we reject false concepts and false teachings and remain true to that which God has commanded."
- "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for."
- "If you are concerned about providing financially for a wire and family, may I assure you that there is no shame in a couple having to scrimp and save. It is generally during these challenging times that you will grow closer together as you learn to sacrifice and to make difficult decisions.
- It was not in the Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve bore their first child.
- 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--realizing the decision of how many children to have and when to have them is between a husband and wife and the Lord. We should not judge one another on this matter.
- The bearing of children is a sensitive subject that can be very painful for righteous women who do not have the opportunity to marry and have a family. To you noble women, our Heavenly Father knows your prayers and desires. How grateful we are for your remarkable influence, including reaching out with loving arms to children who need your faith and strength.
Ian S. Ardern -A Time to Prepare
- Time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price. Yet when times is wisely used, its value is immeasurable. On any given day we are all allocated, without cost, the same number of minutes and hours to use.
- "In family relationships love is really spelt T-I-M-E."
- Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text.
- Electronic games and cyber acquaintances are no lasting substitute for real friends who can give an encouraging hug, who can pray for us and seek after our best interest.
- I urge each of us to take those things which rob us of precious time and determine to be their master, rather than allowing them through their addictive nature to be the master of us.
Carl B. Cook -It Is Better to Look Up
- It is better to look up.
- I have pondered the role of prophets. I was burdened and my head was down. As the prophet spoke, I looked to him. He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ's Atonement. That is what prophets do for us. They lead us to God.
- Attitude is one of "can do" and "will do."
- "O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful?"
LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. -Redemption
- As I carried the call to rescue the less active, I saw and heard story after story of people who responded to invitations to come back and change their lives. I heard story after story of redemption.
D. Todd Christofferson -The Divine Gift of Repentance
- When prophets come crying repentance, it "throws cold water on the party." But in reality the prophetic call should be received with joy. Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life.
- Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.
- First, the invitation to repent is an expression of love.
- Second, repentance means striving to change.
- Third, repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience.
- "The choice to repent is a choice to burn bridges in every direction [having determined] to follow forever only one way, the one path that leads to eternal life. "
- Fourth, repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain.
- Fifth, whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness.
L. Tom Perry -Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
- While the Church is becoming more visible, there are still many people who do not understand it. Some have been taught to be suspicious of the Church, to operate under negative stereotypes about the Church without questioning their source and validity. There is also a great deal of misinformation and confusion about what the Church is and what it stands for. This has been true since the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
- The growing visibility and reputation of the Church presents some remarkable opportunities to us as its members. We can help "disabuse the public mind" and correct misinformation when we are portrayed as something we are not. More important, though, we can share who we are.
- First, we must be bold in our declaration of Jesus Christ.
- Second, be righteous examples to others.
- Your associates are not inviting you to teach, preach, expound, or exhort. Engage them in a two-way conversation--share something about your religious beliefs but also ask them about their beliefs. Gauge the level of interest by the questions they ask. If they are asking a lot of questions, focus the conversation on answering those questions. Always remember that is it better for them to ask than for you to tell.
- "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear."
- We should appreciate and approach such conversations with Christlike love. Our tone, whether speaking or writing, should be respectful and civil, regardless of the response of others. We should be honest and open and try to be clear in what we say. We want to avoid arguing or becoming defensive in any way.
- There is something a wide difference--a gulf of understanding--between the way we experience the Church from the inside and the way others look at it from the outside. This is the principal reason we hold open houses for temples before each dedication is taken care of.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
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