Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Young Single Adult Gems

Young Single Adult Gems

The Lord Loves You

Posted: 06 Jul 2009 12:00 AM PDT

"The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours. Each one of you has to decide for yourself if you are going to ignore the past and suffer the painful mistakes and tragic pitfalls that have befallen previous generations, experiencing for yourself the devastating consequences of bad choices. How much better your life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ such as the sons of Helaman, Moroni, Joseph Smith, and the stalwart pioneers—and choose, as they did, to remain faithful to your Heavenly Father's commandments."

M. Russell Ballard, "Learning the Lessons of the Past," Ensign, May 2009, 33

Topics: Example

Conform to the Will of God

Posted: 03 Jul 2009 12:00 AM PDT

"Early Church leaders in this dispensation confirmed that adhering to the covenant path provides the reassurance we need in times of trial:" 'It was [the knowledge that their course in life conformed to the will of God] that enabled the ancient saints to endure all their afflictions and persecutions, and to take . . . not only the spoiling of their goods, and the wasting of their substance, joyfully, but also to suffer death in its most horrid forms; knowing (not merely believing) that when this earthly house of their tabernacle was dissolved, they had a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Cor. 5:1.)' (Lectures on Faith [1985], 67)."They further pointed out that in offering whatever sacrifice God may require of us, we obtain the witness of the Spirit that our course is right and pleasing to God (see Lectures on Faith, 69–71). With that knowledge, our faith becomes unbounded, having the assurance that God will in due time turn every affliction to our gain. Some of you have been sustained by that faith as you have endured those who point fingers of scorn from the 'great and spacious building' and cry, 'Shame!' (see 1 Nephi 8:26–27), and you have stood firm with Peter and the Apostles of old, 'rejoicing that [you] were counted worthy to suffer shame for [Christ's] name' (Acts 5:41)."

D. Todd Christofferson, "The Power of Covenants," Ensign, May 2009, 21 Topics: Covenants

Topics: Obedience

Gaining a Testimony

Posted: 01 Jul 2009 12:00 AM PDT

"While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith's vision before they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful."

Allan F. Packer, "Finding Strength in Challenging Times," Ensign, May 2009, 18

Topics: Testimony

Posted by Taylor at 10:04 AM