Saturday, March 5, 2011

Daily Thought -- March 5, 2011

"After President Wilford Woodruff joined the Church he desired to serve a mission.

" 'I was but a Teacher,' he wrote, 'and it is not a Teacher's office to go abroad and preach. I dared not tell any of the authorities of the Church that I wanted to preach, lest they might think I was seeking for an office.' (Leaves from My Journal, Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1882, p. 8.)

"He prayed to the Lord, and without disclosing his desire to any others, he was ordained . . . and sent on a mission. They went to the Arkansas Territory.

"He and his companion struggled through a hundred miles of alligator-infested swamps, wet, muddy, and tired. Brother Woodruff developed a sharp pain in his knee and could go no further. His companion left him sitting on a log and went home. Brother Woodruff knelt down in the mud and prayed for help. He was healed and continued his mission."
Boyd K Packer, "The Aaronic Priesthood," Ensign, Nov. 1981, 30

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Daily Thought -- March 4, 2011

“The best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life.”

Richard G Scott “He Lives! All Glory to His Name!” Ensign, May 2010, 78

Daily Thought -- March 3, 2011

"It is not enough to know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the gospel is true. We must take the high road by acting upon that knowledge."

-Dallin H Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 46

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Daily Thought -- March 2, 2011

"When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds with light and knowledge, He 'quickens' us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the inner man or woman. As a result we notice a measurable difference in our soul. We feel strengthened, filled with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy and enthusiasm, both of which enhance our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we otherwise could do on our own. We yearn to become a holier person."

- Keith K. Hilbig "Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 38

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Daily Thought -- March 1, 2011

"The Church began its first decade with only a few members. Despite intense opposition, 597 missionaries were called during the 1830s, and over 15,000 converts were baptized into the Church. The United States, Canada, and Great Britain were opened to the preaching of the gospel.

"There were many converts during the 1840s while persecutions continued to rage against the Church and especially against the Prophet Joseph. In the midst of these difficulties and despite the great challenges of travel, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ continued to cover more of the earth through the faithful service of 1,454 missionaries called during the 1840s, and Church membership grew to more than 48,000. On June 27, 1844, the persecution of Joseph Smith culminated when he and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob in the Carthage Jail.

"Soon after the Martyrdom and in fulfillment of Joseph's vision, Brigham Young and the Church began preparations to move to the Rocky Mountains. Hardship, affliction, death, and apostasy were ever present. Still, the work moved forward. In the 1850s some 705 missionaries were called to serve in areas including Scandinavia, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Hawaii. Missionary work also began in such diverse parts of the world as India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Burma, South Africa, and the West Indies."

-M Russell Ballard, "The Truth of God Shall Go Forth," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 81