Daily Thought -- August 31, 2010

“The Savior taught us to love even our enemies. The vast majority of our members heed this counsel. Yet there are some who feel that venting their personal anger or deeply held opinions is more important than conducting themselves as Jesus Christ lived and taught.”

Quentin L. Cook, “We Follow Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2010, 84-85

Daily Thought -- August 30, 2010

"A revelation given in 1830, the year the Church was organized, directs that the elder or priest who administers the sacrament 'shall kneel . . . and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:" 'O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ.' (D&C 20:76–77, 79.)"The prayer offered at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in 1836 is another model that illustrates the language of prayer used by the Prophet Joseph Smith:" 'And now, Holy Father, we ask thee to assist us, thy people, with thy grace, in calling our solemn assembly, . . ." 'That thy glory may rest down upon thy people and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house.' (D&C 109:10, 12.)"This prophetic model of the language of prayer has been faithfully followed in all of the sacred petitions by which the prophets have dedicated temples to the Lord. Exactly one hundred years ago this week, at a spot not far from where I stand, President Wilford Woodruff began the dedicatory prayer of the Salt Lake Temple with these words:" 'Our Father in heaven, thou who hast created the heavens and the earth, and all things that are therein; thou most glorious One, . . . we, thy children, come this day before thee, and in this house which we have built to thy most holy name, humbly plead the atoning blood of thine Only Begotten Son, that our sins may be remembered no more against us forever, but that our prayers may ascend unto thee and have free access to thy throne, that we may be heard in thy holy habitation.' (As quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Mar. 1993, p. 2.)"

Dallin H. Oaks, "The Language of Prayer," Ensign, May 1993, 16–17

New Feature Coming Next Sunday: I love to see the Temple

Next week, I'll be starting a new feature called "I love to see the Temple." I'll be posting stories and information about two temples (one in the morning, another in the afternoon) every Sunday.

I hope you enjoy!

Daily Thought -- August 29, 2010

“ ‘Moral discipline’ [means] self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see Mark 10:42-45).”

D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Discipline,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 105

Daily Thought -- August 28, 2010

“What does it mean to seek the face of the Savior? Surely it means more than just recognizing His picture. Christ’s invitation to seek Him is an invitation to know who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has asked us to do. Coming to Christ, and eventually seeing His face, comes only as we draw close to Him through our faith and our actions. It comes through a lifetime of effort.”

Cheryl C. Lant, “That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior,” Ensign, May 2010, 81

Daily Thought -- August 27, 2010

“Our children, just like their parents, have time demands on them in every aspect of their lives. They have activities involving church and school and friends. . . . We need to keep Monday nights free of other commitments so that we can have our family home evenings. No other activity is more important for our family.”

Claudio R. M. Costa, “Priesthood Responsibilities,” Ensign, May 2009, 56

Daily Thought -- August 26, 2010

"The Prophet Joseph Smith said: 'The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society course of study, 2007], 186)."Zion is both a place and a people."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 37

Daily Thought -- August 25, 2010

"We live in a noisy, contentious world, where it is possible to be viewing or listening to information, music, or even pure nonsense virtually every waking hour. If we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings."

Quentin L. Cook, "We Follow Jesus Christ," Ensign, May 2010, 85

Daily Thought -- August 24, 2010

“You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel—your mind—clean and free from the clutter of the world.”

Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 45

Daily Thought -- August 23, 2010

"Music can help you draw closer to your Heavenly Father. It can be used to educate, edify, inspire, and unite. However, music can, by its tempo, beat, intensity, and lyrics, dull your spiritual sensitivity. You cannot afford to fill your minds with unworthy music.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Preparation Brings Blessings,” Ensign, May 2010, 66

Daily Thought -- August 22, 2010

"Let me tell you something I learned when I was about . . . six or seven years old. My brother and I (we were about the same age) walked to the stake conference together. I can still go in that building in Brigham City and go back just under the balcony, and say, 'I was sitting about there when it happened.' "What was it that happened? There was a man speaking at the pulpit, Elder George Albert Smith. He was a member of the Council of the Twelve at that time. I do not remember what he said, whether he was talking about the Word of Wisdom, or about repentance, or about baptism. But somehow while he was speaking it was fixed in my little-boy mind that there stood a servant of the Lord. I have never lost that testimony or that feeling. In my mind I came to know that he was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. ". . . Although I sit now in the Council of the Twelve, I have never lost that feeling about these men. Often when we meet in the Council, I look around the circle and know again that these are the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth. They are special witnesses of him."

Boyd K. Packer, "Behold Your Little Ones," Ensign, July 1973, 53–54

Daily Thought -- August 21, 2010

“If you feel you have been wronged—by anyone (a family member, a friend, another member of the Church, a Church leader, a business associate) or by anything (the death of a loved one, health problems, a financial reversal, abuse, addictions)—deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have.”

Donald L. Hallstrom, “Turn to the Lord,” Ensign, May 2010, 80

Daily Thought -- August 20, 2010

"Everyone needs good friends. Your circle of friends will greatly influence your thinking and behavior, just as you will theirs. When you share common values with your friends, you can strengthen and encourage each other. Treat everyone with kindness and dignity. Many nonmembers have come into the Church through friends who have involved them in Church activities."

Thomas S. Monson, "Preparation Brings Blessings," Ensign, May 2010, 65

Daily Thought -- August 19, 2010

"My young friends, be strong. . . . You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that [truth]. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone.”
Thomas S. Monson, “Video Presentation: I Have a Purpose,” Ensign, May 2010, 124

Church Seeks Input For New Singles/Dating Website

I just got this in my email:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is currently working
on developing a special website for Young Single Adults. The website
will include many great features and new content. One of the features
is on dating. Of Course! In order to better know what you want/need on
this portion of the website, we are asking you to please take 5
minutes to complete the attached survey. The information you provide
will be kept both anonymous and confidential. Thank you so much for
your help! Look for the new website to come out soon.

Follow this link to the Survey:
https://lds.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_3kZXfXf2WFIyudm

PS. If you have already taken this, please pass it along to others. We
are needing around 500 participants by Thursday. Thanks!

I took they survey, and I hope that if you're single, you will, too. If you aren't single,I hope you pass this along to any single friends you may have.

Daily Thought -- August 18, 2010

“Our Father in Heaven has promised that you will ‘mount up with wings as eagles; [you] shall run, and not be weary; and [you] shall walk, and not faint.’ You ‘shall not be deceived.’ God will bless and prosper you. ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against you; . . . and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.’ ”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Happily Ever After,” Ensign, May 2010, 127

Daily Thought -- August 17, 2010

“There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives.”

Richard G. Scott, “He Lives! All Glory to His Name!” Ensign, May 2010, 77

Daily Thought -- August 16, 2010

"Millions of ordinances are performed in the temples each year in behalf of our deceased loved ones. May we continue to be faithful in performing such ordinances for those who are unable to do so for themselves. I love the words of President Joseph F. Smith as he spoke of temple service and of the spirit world beyond mortality. Said he, 'Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their [people] here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties' (Joseph F. Smith, in Conference Report, Oct. 1916, 6)."Brothers and sisters, the Church continues to grow, as it has since being organized over 179 years ago. It is changing the lives of more and more people every year and is spreading far and wide over the earth as our missionary force seeks out those who are looking for the truths which are found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We call upon all members of the Church to befriend the new converts, to reach out to them, to surround them with love, and to help them feel at home."

Thomas S. Monson, "Welcome to Conference," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 4–6

Daily Thought -- August 15, 2010

"A person can never be a good judge without the gospel of Jesus Christ as a reference. The gospel has a long and successful record of guiding people to happiness.”

Gregory A. Schwitzer, “Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others,” Ensign, May 2010, 105

Daily Thought -- August 14, 2010

"Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter. "Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Continue in Patience," Ensign, May 2010, 56

Daily Thought -- August 13, 2010

“Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son. Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do. Plan to do it. Promise Him to obey. Act with determination until you have done what He asked. And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve and to know what you might do next.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Act in All Diligence,” Ensign, May 2010, 63

Daily Thought -- August 12, 2010

"Margaret [McNeil Ballard] was just ten when her family left Scotland and started for Utah. 'I was . . . somewhat of a venturesome spirit,' she wrote. . . . The journey held more than enough drama to suit her. From Liverpool to New York, she cooked for and took care of her seasick family. Later, all the McNeil children except Margaret caught the measles."Once, the McNeil wagon was delayed by runaway oxen, but Margaret was sent ahead to join the main part of the company with four-year-old James strapped to her back. That evening, she recorded, 'A kind lady helped me take my brother off my back and I sat up and held him on my lap.' In the morning, people in the company shared bacon and bread with her and James. . . .". . . Margaret was charged with caring for the family cow. Wakening early, she would hurry the cow ahead of the company so it could eat in the grassy places along the way. Then, as the company caught up with and passed her, she would hurry the cow along to catch up. 'Being alone much of the time,' she wrote, 'I had to get across the rivers the best I could. Our cow was a Jersey and had a long tail. When it was necessary to cross the rivers I would wind the end of the cow's tail around my hand and swim across . . . with the cow.' "

M. Russell Ballard, "Margaret McNeil Ballard's Legacy of Faith," Ensign, July 1989, 16, 18

Daily Thought -- August 11, 2010

“As we pass through the trials of life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another.”

James B. Martino, “All Things Work Together for Good,” Ensign, May 2010, 103

Daily Thought -- August 10, 2010

"You will become more diligent as you feel the magnitude of the trust God has placed in you. There is a message from the First Presidency for you in that Duty to God booklet: 'Heavenly Father has great trust and confidence in you and has an important mission for you to fulfill. He will help you as you turn to Him in prayer, listen for the promptings of the Spirit, obey the commandments, and keep the covenants that you have made' (Fulfilling My Duty to God: For Aaronic Priesthood Holders [booklet, 2010], 5)."

Henry B. Eyring, "Act in All Diligence," Ensign, May 2010, 61