True Discipleship as a Latter-day Saint

In a BYU Devotional, given on May 14 1996, Elder F. Enzio Busche of the Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave advice to those listening on how to become a disciple of Christ. The talk was entitled "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit". Even though this talk was given thirteen years ago, it is just as applicable to us today.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

The annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional was held Sunday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. MST in the Conference Center. The devotional featured the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Members of the First Presidency were the speakers.

Sisters, if you're interested to watch this devotional through the internet, please click here and then click English. Program length is one hour.

How Can I Be? composed by Nela Otuafi

Sisters, here's a very cute song that I think most of you will like. It has such a catchy tune that I just had to include the lyrics so that you can sing along. This version was sung by (left to right) Uaisele Fa, Adam Ashby and Ben Mataele.

How Can I Be?

How can I be like my brother Nephi?
And my father Lehi of old?
How can I be like Captain Moroni
In the wars that were told?

How can I see forever
Like the promise to the three Nephites?
I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite
I wanna be Benjamin the Wise
I wanna be like Abinadi
Oh tell me how can I be like them?

How can I be like Alma the Younger,
Strong servant of the Lord?
How can I be like Mighty Ammon,
Whose heart was his sword?

How can I be a stripling warrior,
And learn to fight by faith?
I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite
I wanna be Benjamin the Wise
I wanna be like Abinadi
Oh tell me how can I be like them?

How can I be like my brother Joseph,
When he prayed in the grove of trees?
How can I have the strength that he had
And the love he had for God?

How can I be courageous
And strive to choose the right?
I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite
I wanna be Benjamin the Wise
I wanna be like Abinadi
I wanna be like Jesus Christ
Oh tell me how can I be like Him?
Oh tell me how can I be like Him?

Quote - Perspective

"A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine. Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on earth."

--Richard G Scott, "Finding Joy in Life", Ensign, May 1996

Sleigh Ride: Brian Stokes Mitchell and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Temple Square Moving Toward Environmentally Friendly Holiday Display

When the switch is flipped the day after Thanksgiving, hundreds of thousands of lights will illuminate Temple Square and some of them will be energy-conserving LED (light emitting diode) lights. Within the next three to five years, all of the trees and greenery on Temple Square will be lit with LED lights.

The LED lights are low energy, according to Eldon Cannon, group manager for Temple Square’s Ground Services. “They do not use nearly as much electricity, and as a result we will be saving energy and saving costs.”

Compared to traditional incandescent lights, LED lights not only save energy but are cooler in temperature, protecting the trees from harmful heat.

(To read the whole article, click here)

Angel Statue is Placed Atop Philippines' Second Temple

Activities in the busy street of Gorordo in Cebu City temporarily halted as people witnessed the installation of the statue of angel Moroni on the Cebu Philippines Temple on Thursday, Nov. 5. People on the street applauded after the statue was placed atop the spire of the temple.

(To read the whole article, click here)

Only A Stone Cutter

This is a true story told by Elder Uchtdorf during the October 2008 General Conference.

John Rowe Moyle was one of the stonemasons who worked on the Salt Lake Temple. Every Monday morning he walked twenty miles from his home to the temple site. He worked on the temple all week, and then on Friday he walked twenty miles home to take care of his farm. Brother Moyle was injured in an accident and his leg had to be removed, but he made himself a wooden leg. He practiced walking on the leg until he could endure the pain it caused. Then he walked on his wooden leg to Salt Lake City to continue working on the temple. He carved the words Holiness to the Lord on the east side of the temple.

Repent ... That I May Heal You

Years ago, I was asked to meet with a man who, long before our visit, had had a period of riotous living. As a result of his bad choices, he lost his membership in the Church. He had long since returned to the Church and was faithfully keeping the commandments, but his previous actions haunted him. Meeting with him, I felt his shame and his deep remorse at having set his covenants aside. Following our interview, I placed my hands upon his head to give him a priesthood blessing. Before speaking a word, I felt an overpowering sense of the Savior’s love and forgiveness for him. Following the blessing, we embraced and the man wept openly.

I am amazed at the Savior’s encircling arms of mercy and love for the repentant, no matter how selfish the forsaken sin. I testify that the Savior is able and eager to forgive our sins. Except for the sins of those few who choose perdition after having known a fulness, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven.¹⁵ What a marvelous privilege for each of us to turn away from our sins and to come unto Christ. Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing them with joy and peace of conscience. Jesus declares, “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?”¹⁶

(To read the whole talk, click here)

The Sacred Role of Mothers

Apostle's wife felt comfort despite attack

The wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson said she felt a comforting peace that helped her remain calm during an attack by armed robbers last spring.

Sister Wendy Watson Nelson described the experience Friday during a speech to 3,300 women at the Time Out for Women event in Salt Lake City. The robbery occurred in May at an LDS mission home in Mozambique.

"The four armed robbers had one intention," Sister Nelson said, "to (harm) my husband and to take me hostage."

(To read the whole article, click here)

The Martyrdom: The Prophet Seals His Testimony with His Blood

• God protected Joseph Smith until his earthly mission was complete.

In June 1844, the prophet said: "I do not regard my own life. I am ready to be offered a sacrifice for this people; for what can our enemies do? Only kill the body, and their power is then at an end. Stand firm, my friends; never flinch. Do not seek to save your lives, for he that is afraid to die for the truth, will lose eternal life. Hold out to the end, and we shall be resurrected and become like Gods, and reign in celestial kingdoms, principalities, and eternal dominions.

• Before his death, Joseph Smith conferred upon the Twelve Apostles every priesthood key and power that the Lord had sealed upon him.

"Upon the shoulders of the Twelve must the responsibility of leading this church henceforth rest until you shall appoint others to succeed you. Your enemies cannot kill you all at once, and should any of you be killed, you can lay your hands upon others and fill up your quorum. Thus can this power and these keys be perpetuated in the earth.'...

• The Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum lived great and died great for their testimonies of the gospel.

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city,and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!

• Joseph Smith fulfilled his earthly mission and sealed his testimony with his blood.

"This martyrdom has always been an inspiration to the people of the Lord. It has helped them in their individual trials; has given them courage to pursue a course in righteousness and to know and to live the truth, and must ever be held in sacred memory by the Latter-day Saints who have learned the great truths that God revealed through His servant, Joseph Smith."

(To read the full lesson, click here)

Marriage and Divorce

Elder Ballard: Single Adults, Magnify the Spirit

Elder Ballard emphasized conference attendees should take time to consider where they are spiritually. He implored them to stay away from pornography. "Avoiding pornography will help remove those things in your lives that dull your spiritual side," he counseled.

"If there is anything in your lives that is bothering you or you know you are not doing or you are neglecting to do, make a resolve to fix them today," Elder Ballard advised. "May Heavenly Father bless you this morning to have the courage and the spiritual power to be able to repent and to keep your life in focus, moving in the right direction."

Elder Ballard included this promise to the single adults: "Take comfort in the fact that you can work and study the gospel and gain a witness and testimony of the gospel, strong enough that your Spirit will be able to withstand any adversity that may come into your life."

He concluded his remarks with some advice on marriage. "I know you probably want me to talk about marriage," he said. "That's pretty simple. Just find somebody and get married. That's not a hard thing — just do it! Just remember one other thing in the pursuit of that — that none of you are perfect. You're not going to find the exact perfect person. Don't just hang out. Visit with each other. Go on dates."

(To read the whole article, click here)

Updated Gospel Principles Manual

The Gospel Principles manual contains information on 47 core principles of the gospel for personal study and teaching. In 2010 and 2011, this manual will be used in Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society classes, as well as the Gospel Principles class for investigators and new members. The manual is available online in multiple media formats.

Sisters, this manual will be used every Sunday in the Gospel Principles class. In Relief Society, it will only be used on the second and third Sundays of the month. These manuals will be distributed just before the new year begins so, remember to bring your own manuals after you get them.

(To read the contents, click here)