If you haven’t heard of President Nelson before, he’s spent his life helping and serving people. He spent decades as a world-renowned heart surgeon, helped develop the first heart-lung machine used in open heart surgeries, and presided on many medical boards, associations and councils before being called as a global faith leader in 1984.

Since then, he has traveled all around the world, serving and lifting people of all walks of life on six continents, as he teaches about the life of Christ, and how to follow Him in a changing and ever-more-difficult world. If you’ve ever felt directionless, lost, or struggled to hold onto your faith, we hope you tune in and see what he has to say.

If you’d like to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its beliefs, chat with us or send us an email.

The post President Nelson to Speak to the World on Hope and Healing through Faith appeared first on morefaith.ph.

In President Nelson’s recent address, he reminded us that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and are mindful of us always. Speaking of the difficulties we’re experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he assured us that “these unique challenges will pass in due time.” This is a promise of hope, assurance, and grace that the Lord knows our circumstances, hears our petitions, and sees our efforts to serve Him through caring for one another and ministering to our fellow brothers and sisters, even those who are not of our faith.

The Lord also promised “that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear Him and obey His laws.” This is certainly not a ‘time-out’ for us in terms of things that strengthen our faith. Although there have been many adjustments in the church in response to the pandemic, including suspending all church gatherings worldwide, we have been counseled to hold our Sunday service at home. This might be a new setting but we have been prepared by the Lord for this kind of circumstance through the home-centered, church-supported approach to gospel learning. We are counseled to continue furthering His work by learning about His gospel and sharing its good tidings with those who need light and hope in these troubled times. We have been counseled to strengthen our families so that we can be prepared to face more challenges in the future. We should continue building our faith, fortifying what matters most, and increasing our capacity to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Elder M. Russell Ballard also assured us that “everything is going to be just fine as we turn our hearts to our Father in Heaven and look to Him and to the Savior as the Redeemer of all mankind.” He also emphasized that although we can’t attend the temple, we can find peace in our homes when we kneel, pray and seek for divine guidance. He also encouraged us to make use of technology, if we have access, to increase our knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to reach out virtually to our families and friends during this time when we are encouraged to stay home and not attend large gatherings.

In these troubled times, we can certainly find peace that the Lord still speaks to living prophets today who make us aware of His promises through them. We can be assured of the promises made by President Nelson and Elder Ballard since we know that “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same.”

Let us continue to hold onto hope, build each other up, and spread positivity through any means we find appropriate. Let’s continue to pray for those who are being directly impacted by the virus and those people who are on the frontlines trying to contain the virus or find a cure. Let’s pray for our governments, health workers, family, and friends. Let’s pray for compassion, understanding, unity, love, and wisdom to abound in people’s hearts. And most especially, let’s get on our knees and give thanks to God for our many blessings and the light and hope that His gospel brings to our lives in these troubled times.

The post Amidst The Corona Virus Pandemic, God’s Promises Can Give Us Peace appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Here are some of those gifts.

Answers to prayers. Wise counsel we often receive before conference is to come prepared with questions. We are promised that as we prayerfully seek for answers while listening to speakers, we will receive the answers we need, either directly from the words of the speakers, or from the enlightenment we receive through the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Receiving answers to our prayers doesn’t happen automatically. We are counseled to carefully prepare ourselves spiritually, so we can be ready to receive the answers we need. Sometimes, the answers do not come during the conference itself, but come later as we give heed to the counsel to carefully study the conference talks over the course of 6 months.

Aside from the talks given, answers can also be found in the hymns, prayers, and even discussions with our families about impressions they have received during the conference.

Witness of precious truths.  During the October 2018 Sunday morning session, Elder M. Russel Ballard opened the conference with a very powerful message about a vision his great grandfather, Joseph Fielding Smith, received regarding the redemption of the dead. He recounted the many trials and sorrows Joseph F. had to go through to become fully prepared to receive such revelation. At a young age, Joseph F. lost his father, Hyrum Smith, who was martyred at Carthage. Joseph F. also lost his mother, one brother, two sisters, two wives, and thirteen children during his lifetime.

Many of us might not have known what difficult trials Joseph F. Smith had to go through until this last General Conference. His life is a witness to the truthfulness of God’s words that all our trials “shall give [us] experience, and shall be for [our] good.” So great was his lost and so intense was his desire to come to know what happens after this life, that he was spiritually ready for such a powerful vision.

Elder Ballard’s witness of the life and ministry of his great grandfather, along with all the other witnesses given during General Conference, is one of the gifts we can receive when we carefully study and ponder the talks.

Promised Blessings. A frequent promise made during General Conference is that we can receive countless blessings when we prayerfully study the Book of Mormon. In his last General Conference talk, prophet Thomas S. Monson “implore[d] each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.” He promised that “[a]s we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.” What a promise! In today’s world of increasing evil, the Book of Mormon can be our protection. This was the prophet’s last counsel to us before he died. The fact that he chose this counsel over all others says so much about the importance of reading the Book of Mormon.

A similar promise was made by our current prophet Russel M. Nelson, when he said that a prayerful study of the Book of Mormon will enable us to make better decisions and receive answers and direction in our lives. He also added that we “can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions” as we immerse ourselves in the words of the Book.

All of these promises, along with all others, that have been made during General Conferences are God’s promises to all of us. The Lord declared that, “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same.”

General Conference is for more than just giving instruction and direction to a worldwide church and the world as a whole. It is also about showering abundant gifts into the lives of all those who are seeking for heaven’s truths, promises, and answers. As we prayerfully study the conference messages for the next 6 months, may we always ask what gifts the heavens have given to us in the form of carefully wrapped conference talks.

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Here are the main steps President Nelson counseled each of us to take to better receive personal revelation from God for ourselves.

• Find a quiet place where you can regularly go
• Humble yourself before God.
• Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father.
• Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
• Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses–yes, the very longings of your heart.
  And then listen.
• Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take.
• As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”

Are you already doing some of these steps? Have you had an experience when you felt God was speaking to your mind and heart? Share it with us in the comment section below.

Have more questions on how to communicate with Heavenly Father and receive your own personal revelation from Him? Feel free to contact us.

The post Mormon Prophet Explains How We All Can Speak With God appeared first on morefaith.ph.

One of Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s most powerful statements during conference, was that, “our covenants and our Savior’s Atonement enable and ennoble. Together, they help us hold on and let go. Together, they sweeten, preserve, sanctify, redeem.” We hear about the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ often. We know that we can experience the power of His Atonement as we repent and seek forgiveness, comfort those who are troubled and oppressed, forgive ourselves and others, cast our burdens at His feet, and lose ourselves in the service of our fellowmen. On the other hand, we rarely hear that our covenants also have enabling power.

The need for moral and spiritual power to thrive in this world is inevitably increasing. The source of this power is God and access to this power is through our covenants with Him. Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught that, “in these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments.” Our covenants with God enable us to weather the storms of life with perseverance, overcome life’s challenges with sustained hope, and recognize the subtle enticements of the adversary. Our covenants give us power to dispel mists of confusion about moral values that the world often tries to distort, and raise our views to see the things of eternity. When we live true to our covenants with God, our lives will be elevated to a great spiritual degree and we will gain the attributes of Godliness that we so desire.

As we seek to keep our covenants, we may find ourselves falling short of our commitment. In these trying times, we can take comfort and access the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as we turn to God for forgiveness and the cleansing of our souls. In many scriptural accounts, the Lord shows mercy to all those who offer up a broken heart and a contrite spirit. So will He also show mercy unto us as we look to Him for guidance and correction.

The guidance and correction that we seek often come from the prophet of God. Elder Ulisses Soares testified of the power given to the prophets to become the mouthpiece of God here on Earth. He recounted an experience when He witnessed the hand of the Lord in bringing to pass a miracle and they were right where God needed them to be. Prophets are the instruments by which God performs many mighty miracles. They speak the words of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has given us prophets in our day to declare unto us the mind and heart of God regarding all things pertaining to our salvation and exaltation. Elder Ulisses added that “[h]aving prophets is a sign of God’s love for His children.” When we follow the counsel of the prophets, we will feel the love of God in our lives, and our confidence that He is mindful of us will increase.

As we continue to seek inspiration from the words of God spoken by the mouth of His servants during General Conference, may we be blessed with a renewed commitment to pattern our lives in accordance with the covenants we have made with God. May we also find peace and comfort that the grace of God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all those who come unto Him in faith.

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If you have a Mormon friend in your circle, perhaps you’ve heard her talk about going to “general conference” and listening to “prophets and apostles”. Possibly, questions like the ones above have circled in your mind. A unique belief that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have is the knowledge that God, to this day, still communicates with His children through His servants, which you may know as Mormon prophets.

Some may have assumed that God has stopped communicating with us. This has since sparked long debates with various religious groups, historians, and ecclesiasticals alike about whether or not revelation from God still occurs to this day.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland testified that indeed, God still does. “Are the heavens open? Does God reveal His will to prophets and apostles as in days of old? That they are and that He does is the unflinching declaration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to all the world.” He continually speaks to us through revelations received by prophets, seers and revelators of the church.

MORMON PROPHETS AND APOSTLES

Since the time of Adam, the Lord has given authority to numerous prophets to speak and act in His name. In the scriptures, we read of prophets like Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah who received special instructions from God face-to-face, or if not, close encounters with Heavenly messengers who directly told them what needed to be done. These prophets of old were given priesthood keys and authority to carry out the Lord’s work. Today, latter-day prophets might not always publicize face-to-face encounters like the ones recorded about Moses and the others, but, they carry the same divine authority to act and speak in His name.

Latter-day, or Mormon, prophets are men who are called of God to receive commandments, prophecies and revelations from God. Their responsibility is to “make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them.” They preach His gospel, and lead His church on Earth.

Today, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s living prophet in the world today. Members of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers and revelators.

HOW PROPHETS ARE CALLED

Elder Neil L. Andersen explained that “The selection of a prophet is made by the Lord Himself. There is no campaigning, no debates, no posturing for position, no dissension, distrust, confusion, or commotion.”

In a divine process of selection, the Lord chooses His prophet. When the President of the Church passes away, the First Presidency, a group of leaders made up of the President and his two counselors, is immediately dissolved. They return to their places in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve has always been the successor to the President of the Church.

The newly-called President of the Church is then set apart officially to that position. With guided inspiration from the Lord, he chooses his counselors who will serve with him in the First Presidency. In a solemn assembly carried out after a new prophet is called, members of the church are given the chance to sustain them.

Today, President Russell M. Nelson holds the office of President of the church and he is assisted by two counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dallin H. Oaks along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who perform tasks similar to the apostles who served with Jesus during His ministry. Like them, these men bear witness of Christ.

WHY WE HAVE PROPHETS TODAY

In Ezekiel, we read of “watchmen who raise the warning voice”. Mormon prophets are our watchmen on the tower. We are sent here to Earth to be tried and tested, and surely the Lord will not leave us alone to battle these challenges ourselves. Through His prophets, we are guided by heavenly instructions to steer us to the path of righteousness, if we are willing to follow their inspired counsel.

Heavenly Father’s love and care for us are demonstrated through the words He speaks through the mouth of the prophets. He knows we are here to experience a myriad of trials and temptations, and so He sent us servants to raise a voice of warning. “A prophet’s greatest responsibility is to show us his sure witness that Jesus is the Christ” and to “point us the way” to Him.

Elder Andersen taught, “Anchoring our souls to the Lord Jesus Christ requires listening to those He sends. Following the prophet in a world of commotion is like being wrapped in a soothing, warm blanket on a freezing cold day.” During times of unrest, anxiety and fear, we can be reminded that the Lord has never left our side. He has not neglected or forgotten about us. He speaks to us through the mouth of His servants to this day and will continue to do so in these latter days.

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Do you ever wonder how Mormons choose a new prophet? Now that President Russell M. Nelson, the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has died, some may wonder how the next president, or the prophet of the church, is chosen. Here is what happens.

The Process of Choosing the Next Prophet

After the First Presidency, consisting of the president of the church and his two counselors, the highest governing body of the church is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They have each been called of God through prior revelation to the prophet.

These apostles as a group all hold the priesthood and the authority needed to run the church.

It is organized according to seniority of how long each member has been an apostle rather than each member’s age.

When a prophet dies, the first presidency as it was previously organized is dissolved, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles automatically assumes leadership of the church.

Usually 7-10 days after the death of the prophet (long enough for a funeral and other needed arrangements) the Quorum of the Twelve meet in council, and a formal motion is made.

If they decide to reorganize and call a new prophet and counselors, the Quorum unanimously selects a new prophet, who is historically the longest-serving apostle.

The new prophet selects two apostles to be his “counselors,” and the three of them preside over the church in what is known as the “First Presidency.”

The apostle who has served the second-longest then becomes the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or if he is serving in the First Presidency, then the third-longest serving apostle will become acting-president of that Quorum.

All of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then lay their hands on the new prophet’s head, and offer a prayer, giving him a blessing and the needed priesthood authority, “setting him apart” formally as the leader and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Prophet Is Chosen Through Revelation

When it comes to how a Mormon prophet is chosen or how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chooses a new prophet, the process is distinctive. It’s an orderly system that completely avoids any internal campaigning for position, which is quite remarkable in today’s world. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view this as a divinely revealed process, free from any electioneering, whether public or private.

Beyond the Church’s organizational structure, there’s a strong tradition that personal ambition for leadership at any level is considered inappropriate. The focus is instead on an individual’s personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve if asked.

What Does The Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Do?

Serving as God’s Spokesperson

This prophet acts as God’s spokesperson on Earth. He’s the designated individual through whom God communicates His will and messages to all of us in the present day, providing divine direction and counsel for the Church and for the entire world.

For instance, President Russell M. Nelson, announced a significant policy change regarding temple recommends in October 2018. He emphasized the sacred nature of temples and the need for greater spiritual preparation. Members understood this as a direct message from God to improve their focus on temple worship.

The prophet also provides divine guidance for the entire Church. He receives revelation and inspiration to direct its policies, doctrines, and programs, ensuring the organization aligns with divine purposes. President Nelson initiated the “home-centered, Church-supported” gospel learning emphasis in 2018, which led to a revised Sunday meeting schedule and new curriculum materials. This guidance aimed to strengthen families and individual gospel study.

Teaching Gospel Truths

Another key role is teaching gospel truths. The prophet expounds upon and clarifies eternal principles and truths of the gospel, helping members understand and apply them in their lives, often emphasizing neglected or misunderstood doctrines. Throughout his ministry, President Nelson had frequently taught about the importance of covenant keeping, emphasizing that making and keeping sacred covenants with God is central to eternal progression and happiness.

Calling People to Repentance and Improvement

He also calls people to repentance and improvement. He encourages members and others to turn away from sin, make positive changes, and strive for a higher spiritual standard, often issuing calls to action that challenge individuals to deepen their commitment. President Nelson had repeatedly invited members to gather Israel on both sides of the veil through temple and family history work, and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ, often asking them to undertake specific spiritual challenges like abstaining from social media for a period to focus on the Lord.

Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ

A fundamental part of a prophet’s mission is bearing witness of Jesus Christ. He offers a personal and authoritative testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, testifying of His divine sonship, Atonement, and Resurrection. In every General Conference address, President Nelson consistently bore a powerful and unwavering witness of Jesus Christ, affirming His central role in God’s plan and encouraging all to follow Him.

Receiving Continuing Revelation and Additional Scripture

Like ancient prophets, he may also receive new revelations that are canonized as scripture, adding to the body of sacred texts, or providing a deeper understanding of existing scripture. While less frequent in modern times, the capacity for this continuing revelation remains. While modern additions to the standard works are rare, prophets have provided foundational revelations, such as Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Mormon or the continuing stream of inspired counsel that guides the Church today, understood as ongoing revelation.

Interpreting Scripture and Prophecy

The prophet also has the spiritual discernment to interpret scripture and prophecy. He clarifies the meaning of existing scriptures and can understand and explain future events as revealed by God, offering context and application for the present time. Prophets often provide clarity on scriptural passages that might be confusing or misinterpreted, offering insight into their application in contemporary life. They also sometimes speak about the signs of the times and the Lord’s Second Coming, preparing members for future events.

Providing Practical Counsel for Daily Living

Much of what a prophet teaches is practical counsel for daily living, tailored to the current challenges and conditions faced by individuals and families, covering topics from marriage and parenting to financial prudence and mental well-being. President Nelson had given counsel on managing digital media use, strengthening family relationships, and finding joy amidst life’s challenges, offering specific actions members can take to improve their lives.

Guiding the Church’s Global Operations

As the President of a worldwide church, he also guides the Church’s global operations, overseeing its extensive humanitarian efforts, missionary work, and the building of temples and other facilities around the globe. President Nelson had overseen a significant acceleration in temple building announcements, reflecting a divinely inspired push to bring temple blessings to more members worldwide, including recent announcements for new temples in places like Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Serving as a Moral Compass

Finally, the prophet serves as a moral compass. He’s a leading voice on moral issues, advocating for righteousness and upholding divine standards in a changing world, often speaking out on social issues from an eternal perspective. President Nelson had consistently spoken about the sanctity of marriage and family, the importance of religious freedom, and the need for greater civility and respect in public discourse, providing a clear moral framework for members and others.

The post Infographic: How Do Mormons Choose A New Prophet? appeared first on morefaith.ph.

President Monson Genuinely Cared for Widows

Many members of the church have heard about his remarkable calling as a bishop when only 22 years old, and the 84 widows that he cared for and served while in that capacity. Through his stories and the accounts of others, we were able to see how he listened to the spirit’s promptings to help him reach out and serve others: visiting dying friends in a moment of need, giving his pet rabbits to a boyhood friend so that his family could have Thanksgiving dinner, and visiting nursing homes frequently, even in the midst of his many heavy responsibilities. The late President Boyd K. Packer said of him, “He visits [nursing homes] anytime his busy schedule permits, and sometimes even when it doesn’t permit.”

His love and willingness to serve others, and his gift for knowing how to do so through the spirit, was his hallmark, and one that inspires others to do the same, even after his passing.

President Monson Had a Sense of Humor… and Wiggling Ears

The fact that he could wiggle his ears at will was just awesome. The fact that he did it while on the stand to challenge a little copycat who was watching, was even more so, not to mention his demonstrating it for the world at General Conference. His comedic story telling always seemed to be a high point of conference, reminding us that there is humor to be found in all stages of life, and to always strive to keep a smile as you walk along the path.

President Monson Used Life Parables to Teach the Gospel

Perhaps one of the greatest things President Monson will be remembered for, is his unique perspective and ability to see spiritual applications in every day events. In 2013, he told about how he had once accidentally started a forest fire up by their cabin, turning that very public mistake into a lesson about the dangers of disobedience. Another time, he recounted his first Sunday in Navy boot camp, and the courage it took for him to stand, so he thought, alone in his faith, and how we can do the same, standing for what’s right in an uncertain world. He routinely turned life experiences into beautifully told parables that touched hearts and inspired positive change all over the world, echoing in some ways the teaching style of the Savior.

As we remember the life and works of this great man, may we ever emulate his service, sense of humor, and ability to recognize life’s lessons as we each travel our own path back to the presence of the Lord.

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Seeking The Lord’s Wisdom Before Riches

One of the most powerful admonitions of the Lord to Oliver Cowdery is to “seek not for riches but for wisdom.” Included in that verse is also a promise that “the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you and then shall you be made rich.” In these modern days, with so much competition and drive for success going on, it is sometimes easy to forget the important things. We become so tired and busy that we no longer have time to study the scriptures. With the world telling us that success comes in a box labeled “Career” and “Net Worth,” we sometimes lose focus on what matters most. It’s ironic that no matter how successful we are, without seeking the Lord first, we still feel unsatisfied, unhappy, and sometimes without direction. Let’s reassess our life and our goals. Let’s take time to seek the Lord’s wisdom first.
 

Love And Admonitions

Included in section 6 is also the Lord’s guidance for Oliver Cowdery on how to support Joseph Smith. In verses 18 and 19, the Lord said:

18 Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully, in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word’s sake.

19 Admonish him in his faults, and also receive admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity.

The Lord’s words for Oliver can also be applied on how we treat our sweethearts, our family members, and our friends. Getting angry and speaking hurtful words is an easy option. Being temperate and patient is more difficult. But there is wisdom in these words. We cannot fully know the feelings of the people we love the most. Let us have the courage to be kinder and express love more often. However, we should not shy away from giving them gentle admonitions if needed, to help them be the best they can be.
 

Doubt Not, Fear Not, But Trust in Him

The Lord’s final words in this section are ones of encouragement: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” Perhaps these words were given because of the many challenges that would accompany the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Like in the lives of Oliver Cowdery and the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord also knows how our life will unfold. Because He knows, we must learn to put our trust in Him.

Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a powerful insight: “My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!”
 

Revelation To Oliver Cowdery, A Message For Us

As we turn to the scriptures, we will learn that the messages are not only meant for them, the words also apply to us. Like Oliver Cowdery, we also belong in this great time of restoration with so many blessings and distractions. May we learn from the Lord’s message to him. May we learn how to seek the Lord’s wisdom first, extend more love to those we say we love, look to the Lord and never doubt, but trust in Him.

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Henry B. Eyring, Mountains to Climb

“Our choosing the right consistently whenever the choice is placed before us creates the solid ground under our faith.”

We may sometimes feel that the big choices we make are the only important ones, such as getting married in the temple, making covenants with the Lord, and going on a mission. But choices that might seem small, such as daily scripture study and prayer, honesty with our day’s work and our fellowmen, and being grateful, among many others, are equally important. The path to having solid unshakable faith has a pattern, and that is getting closer and closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the choices that we make every day. The pattern is not crooked, it does not wave to the right and to the left, but rather it is straight and narrow. Choosing the right consistently requires us to solidify our conviction that the path to righteousness is the only path we must take. Much like when we are supporting a football or a basketball team. We will not feel our connection to the team if we keep switching the team we are rooting for and give our loyalty to whoever wins. The big difference is that we already know that choosing the right always puts us on the winning side.

Jeffrey R. Holland, An High Priest of Good Things to Come

“Don’t give up… Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead… You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

This quote reminds us that there is hope and hope will never be lost because the hope that we all hold on to is the Savior Jesus Christ himself—a King who never forsakes his people and a Shepherd who never leads his sheep astray. No one is exempt from trials but it is comforting to know that no one is exempt from the tender mercies of the Lord as well. There is no place in this world we could go where the love and compassion of the Lord cannot follow.

David A. Bednar, Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease

“Sometimes we mistakenly may believe that happiness is the absence of a load. But bearing a load is a necessary and essential part of the plan of happiness.”

Elder Bednar’s remark is a reminder that the Plan of Happiness is not about having comfortable lives with no suffering and afflictions. He taught that the load we carry creates the “spiritual traction” necessary to keep us from getting stuck in circumstances that stagnate our progress. He also admonished us to shift our prayers from asking our loads to be removed to asking for the necessary strength and capacity to carry the load we bear.

Gordon B. Hinckley, To the Women of the Church

“We all worry about our performance. We all wish we could do better. But unfortunately we do not realize, we do not often see the results that come of what we do.”

President Hinckley’s statement teaches us that we need not torture ourselves with the questions, “Am I good enough?” and “Have I done enough?” When we have given our best and exhausted all our faculties to fulfill what we have to do, trusting that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to succor us in our shortcomings, then we can say that we are good enough or we have done enough.

May we continue to strengthen our faith, move forward with hope, remain grateful in our circumstances and acknowledge the good that we do in this world this 2017.

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