And if it so be that you should … bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy (D&C 18:15).
The Apostle Paul was a great missionary. He said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). Paul traveled to many places to share the gospel. He found joy in sharing the gospel and helping people be happy.
The Prophet Joseph Smith’s brother Samuel was the first missionary in the latter days. Since that time, more than one million men and women have served missions. Each missionary, like Samuel Smith and Paul, has a testimony of the gospel and wants to share it with others.
President David O. McKay (1873 – 1970) said, “Every member a missionary.” That means you can be a missionary now! Sharing the gospel with others will remind you of your baptismal covenant to always remember Jesus Christ. Remember these words:
I can be a missionary now.
I don’t have to wait until I’m grown.
I’ll live each day the best that I know how,
And they’ll see I have a testimony of my own,
A testimony of my very own.
Talk Source: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM10…
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Rom. 1:16).
Do you know any missionaries? Have you ever thought you might like to be a missionary? Did you know that you can be a missionary now? The best missionaries love the Lord, and they love other people. When we love others, we want to share with them our greatest treasure — the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We can learn in the Book of Mormon how Ammon became a great missionary (see Alma 17 – 20). He and his brothers wanted to share the gospel with those who had never heard it. Their father was King Mosiah, and the Nephites expected one of the brothers to be king after him. However, each one said that he wanted to be a missionary more than he wanted to be king.
Ammon traveled to the land of King Lamoni, a Lamanite, and volunteered to be the king’s servant. He tended the king’s flocks, he fought the king’s enemies, and he ended up teaching the gospel to the king and his people. When the king and queen understood Ammon’s message that Jesus Christ would come and redeem them from sin, they were very happy. The scriptures tell us they were overwhelmed with joy. Ammon, too, was overcome with joy. He learned that the Lord welcomes everyone who repents and believes in Him.
The Apostle Peter knew that the gospel could help sinners become righteous. But he needed to learn that the gospel is for all people. Peter was a Jew and thought that it was “unclean,” or wrong, to keep company with someone who was not a Jew. Cornelius was a centurion (army officer) for Rome, the nation that conquered the Jews. He was a good man who prayed often and wanted to do what was right. An angel told Cornelius to send for Peter to come and tell him what God wanted him to do. Then God gave Peter a vision in Simon the tanner’s house to help the Apostle understand that he should not call any person unclean.
Three times Peter saw this vision before he was prepared in his heart to teach Cornelius about Jesus Christ. When Peter taught Cornelius, the centurion believed him, and the Holy Spirit was poured out on all those who were there. What great joy everyone felt! Peter learned that the Lord loves and accepts people from every nation. (See Acts 10.)
We can be like Ammon and Peter. We can be missionaries right now by living the gospel and showing love to others. We are missionaries when we share our testimony that Heavenly Father loves all His children. Heavenly Father wants you and me to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all His children.
Talk Source: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=true&locale=0&sourceId=9cf…
Happiness comes when we obey God’s commandments. Jesus Christ taught the first and the second commandments. He said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” Then He said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). We can obey these commandments by serving others. That means we do something kind for them. When we serve others we can be happy.
Jesus showed us how to do this. He came to earth to help us. Everywhere He went He helped people. He taught people the gospel. He visited and blessed people who were sick. He helped people who had disabilities. He was a friend to the lonely. By serving others, Jesus did what Heavenly Father wanted Him to do. In Mosiah 2:17 we learn that when we serve someone else we are really serving God.
President Thomas S. Monson encourages us to serve others. Children around the world serve those in need, and their happiness shines through when they share their stories.
Max said: “At my preschool I helped clean the tables and chairs for my teachers. It made me feel good to help someone without being asked first.”
Carson and Kyleigh said: “When our grandma was in the hospital we decided to give her a special gift by cleaning her house really well before she got home. It made us feel really good to do this for her.”
Brittish said: “When my mom broke her leg she needed to use a wheelchair. I helped with my three brothers and sister at home, and I was able to help my mom get the things she needed. Service makes me feel great!”
When we obey the commandment to love and serve others we are serving God and we are blessed with happiness. Try it yourself and see that this is true!
Talk Source: https://www.lds.org/friend/2010/11/when-we-serve-others-we-serve-god?lan…
President Thomas S. Monson repeats what the Savior said — that in order to find purpose in life, lose yourself in the service of others.
“Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their lives,” he says. (http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/serve-god-by…)
No living person has stood before more general conference congregations than President Thomas S. Monson.
Since being called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in October 1963, he has addressed 154 sessions of annual and semiannual general conferences. By the conclusion of the 181st Annual General Conference — which includes two general sessions Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, and a priesthood session Saturday evening — he will have delivered 158 general conference addresses.
He has spoken in 23 conference sessions since he became President of the Church Feb. 3, 2008. He was sustained as president on April 5, 2008, during the 178th Annual General Conference of the Church. He spoke during three sessions of that conference; he has spoken four times at all other conferences since he became Church president. Called to the First Presidency in November 1985, he served as second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson and President Howard W. Hunter and as first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley. He spoke twice at each conference during their administrations.
President Monson also has addressed numerous general auxiliary meetings of the Church held in conjunction with general conferences.
No living person has stood before more general conference congregations than President Thomas S. Monson. By the conclusion of the 181st Annual General Conference — which includes two general sessions Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, and a priesthood session Saturday evening — he will have delivered 158 general conference addresses.
Recently, the Church News visited President Monson in his office. The conversation, which touched on several topics, focused on what has become a theme of his administration and, indeed, his ministry as a bishop, stake presidency member, mission president, apostle and, now, President of the Church: serving and caring for the poor and the needy, reaching out to the lonely and downhearted and befriending those who seem to have few, if any, friends.
Putting his call as President of the Church in perspective, he said, “I believe that when we face our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold?’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?'”
Over the years, from the time he delivered his first address as an apostle in October 1963, President Monson has testified of Jesus Christ and encouraged people to emulate Him in serving and reaching out to others.
President Monson shows us how to serve by his example.
Talk Source: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/60704/President-Thomas-S-Monson-Th…
Jesus Christ said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” ( John 15:13 ). This doesn’t mean we have to die to show our love for our friends. We lay down our lives every time we put someone else’s needs before our own. (And the “friends” mentioned in the scripture above can be understood to be everyone we meet, since Jesus also commanded us to “love one another.”)
We lay down our lives through service. Church members have many opportunities to serve. We can do small acts of kindness for our neighbors, take part in community service, fulfill responsibilities within our local congregations or contribute to the Church’s large-scale humanitarian efforts. These actions, whether great or small, let us feel the happiness of connecting with our brothers and sisters and remind us that God often allows us to be the answer to someone else’s prayers.
Talk Source: http://mormon.org/service
The Savior taught, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). To the Nephites He said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Nephi 18:20).
Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He may not always answer as we expect, but He does answer — in His own time and according to His will. Because He knows what is best for us, He may sometimes answer no, even when our petitions are sincere.
Answers to prayer come in many ways. They often come through the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost (see “Revelation”). They may come in the circumstances of our lives or through the kind acts of those around us. As we continue to draw near to our Heavenly Father through prayer, we will recognize more readily His merciful and wise answers to our pleadings. We will find that He is our “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Talk Source: http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-primary/lds-primary-talk/heavenly-father-…
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:24).
When Jesus lived on the earth, many people came to listen to His words. They brought their children so Jesus could bless them, but the disciples told them to go away. Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). Jesus loved the children and blessed them.
The Primary song “A Child’s Prayer” reminds us of that scripture story and teaches us about prayer.
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
“Suffer the children to come to me.”
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.
Heavenly Father loves you. You are His child. He wants you to pray to Him often — anytime, anywhere. The next verse of this song reminds you to pray.
Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list’ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom,
The kingdom of heav’n.
(Children’s Songbook, 12 – 13)
Talk Source: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM10…
In the scriptures we find many examples of prayer.
Enos prayed for his family, his friends, and his enemies.
Joseph Smith prayed when he had a question.
The Brother of Jared prayed when he had a problem.
Jesus Christ prayed for each of us.
We follow the example of others who showed us how to pray.
Talk Source: Jenny Smith
In this latter day the promise of eternal families was restored in 1829 when the powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood were restored to the earth. Seven years later, in the Kirtland Temple, the keys to perform the sealing ordinances were restored, as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants:
“Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
“Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi — …
” … The keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands” (D&C 110:13 – 14, 16).
With the restoration of these keys and priesthood authority comes the opportunity for all who are worthy to receive the blessings of eternal families. “Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house” (D&C 110:9).
By divine commandment, spouses are required to love each other above all others. The Lord clearly declares, “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else” (D&C 42:22). The proclamation states: “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families [see D&C 83:2 – 4; 1 Tim. 5:8]. [By divine design,] mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” By divine design, husband and wife are equal partners in their marriage and parental responsibilities. By direct commandment of God, “parents have a sacred duty … to teach [their children] to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens [in the countries where they reside]” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102; emphasis added; see D&C 68:25 – 28; Mosiah 4:14 – 15).
Talk Source: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-eternal-family?lang=eng
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth. God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name.
We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. The most important exercise of the priesthood takes place in the family. Each husband and father in the Church should strive to be worthy to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. With his wife as an equal partner, he presides in righteousness and love, serving as the family’s spiritual leader. He leads the family in regular prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. He works with his wife to teach the children and help them prepare to receive the ordinances of salvation. He gives priesthood blessings for direction, healing, and comfort.
Young men who are members of the church can be ordained to the priesthood when they are 12 years old. Some of you may have an older brother who is a deacon, teacher or priest. These young men can also bring the blessings of the priesthood into our homes.
If your family does not have anyone who holds the priesthood, then your home teachers, priesthood leadership, or members of your ward can help your family to receive the blessings of the priesthood in your home.
Elder Douglas L. Callister of the Seventy shared the following story about the blessings of the priesthood in his family:
Years ago our youngest child had a serious bone tumor in his lower back. When he was taken to the hospital for surgery, I overheard the doctors in the hallway talking about his condition. They said it was likely that nothing could be done to save our boy’s life.
When I went back in my son’s room, I tried to encourage him. I assured him that he was receiving the finest medical care. He said, “Daddy, I’m not counting on the doctors. I’m counting on my blessing. You laid your hands on my head, and you blessed me. And I have faith that the blessing will be fulfilled.”
My son was healed. His life is an example of the power of a priesthood blessing. One of the lessons I’ve learned through my Church service is that our Father in Heaven loves little children. He loves to bless them, and He often blesses them through His priesthood servants. Friend, Jul 2006, 8 – 9
I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that Heavenly Father has given worthy men the power to act in his name. I know that our families can be blessed by this priesthood power.
Talk Source: http://primarytalks.blogspot.com/2008/05/priesthood-can-bless-and-streng…
