Gifts we have been given:
Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost

The Savior's example

Wisdom and knowledge

The possibility of eternal life--"the greatest of all the gifts of God"

Christ's life, death, atoning sacrifice, and Resurrection

The priesthood, or God's authority and power on earth

God's commandments

Weakness

Covenants and ordinances, like the sacrament and temple endowment

Unique spiritual gifts

Gifts we can give to God:

Keep the commandments

Deny yourself of all ungodliness and love God

Offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit

Love those around you

Come unto Christ, take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him

Share the gospel with others

(From the December "For the Strength of Youth" magazine)

Today I sat through a wonderful Sunday School lesson taught by Sister Wilde. At the conclusion of the lesson, Sister Wilde left us with an encouraging thought.  Nephi was asked by the Lord to do something very difficult--to build a boat. He did it with the Lord's help! We have also faced difficult circumstances in our lives and we have tried to manage them with the help of the Lord. 

Sister Wilde then read this list, a list of possible things we have encountered and dealt with along our life's journey:

--Overcoming habits or addictions

--Changing your lifestyle

--Going through repentance after making serious errors

--Conquering your fears

--Mastering your talents

--Fulfilling a difficult calling

--Consecrating all that you have to God

--Forgiving the unforgivable

--Loving the unlovable

--Raising a righteous family in an unrighteous world

--Enduring crushing disappointment, such as financial setbacks, physical and emotional illness, wayward children, an unhappy marriage, no marriage, fertility problems, or an untimely death.

--Rising from an abusive, oppressive background

--Living chastely in an immoral world

--Being "as I am"

We stand with Nephi in our desire to keep the commandments, rely on the Lord for help, and "go and do" with courage and power.

This quote from Elder Todd Christofferson touched my heart this morning. Yes, I want more!

“Commandments are like a flight of stairs. Each step may represent one commandment, and with each commandment that we obey, we can move upward. Then, if we understand the essence of the commandments, we want more. We don’t feel resentment regarding the commandments; we want more in order to be able to progress more. And a Heavenly Father who loves us gives unto us according to our desires. If we desire it, He is going to give us more commandments in order to facilitate our progress.

So … please don’t complain about the commandments. Don’t say, ‘I don’t want any more,’ but rather say, ‘Yes, more, more. I want to progress. I want to be happy. I want to be like my Heavenly Father. And the commandments show me how to do so. They open up the pathway before me and also protect me from evil and the things that destroy happiness—and sometimes they even protect life itself.’”

(Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Steps to Happiness,” Liahona, Sept. 2013, 47.)

I made a concentrated effort to prepare for the sacrament yesterday by praying and going to church with an open heart.  I sought humility and a willingness to listen and be taught, and I heard and felt great things.

"God doesn't give advice, He gives commandments."

"Give yourself permission to be a work in progress."

"Transition from doing things to get to heaven, to seeing heaven in ourselves and in others."

"Minister in gratitude and love with pure intent, instead of ministering out of duty."

"Do what you can do."


Going to church is a great blessing. Partaking of the sacrament and recommitting is a necessary, weekly step. I am taught by the words and testimonies of others.

What President Monson had to say:

When we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated.  Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear and we will receive His promised blessings.

You may be tempted to lower your standards and to follow the crowd

in order to be accepted by those you desire to have as friends.  Please

be strong, and be alert to anything that would rob you of the blessings of eternity.  The choices you make here and now are forever important.

We are surrounded by persuasive voices, beguiling voices, belittling voices, sophisticated voices, and confusing voices.  I might add that these are loud voices.  I admonish you to turn the volume down and to be influenced instead by that still, small voice which will guide you to safety.

If the commandments had been written by man, then to change them by inclination or legislation or by any other means would be the prerogative of man. The commandments, however, were God-given.  Using our agency, we can set them aside.  We cannot, however, change them, just as we cannot change the consequences which come from disobeying and breaking them.

There are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged.  Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits.

I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures.  Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital.

To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father.  You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see.  When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.

(October 2015 General Conference)