Friday, September 30, 2016

Matthew 18:35 Three quotes on forgiveness

Elder Richard G. Scott “Forgiveness heals terrible, tragic wounds, for it allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord” (“Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse,” Ensign, May 1992, 33).

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive” (“The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 77).

Elder Marion D. Hanks of the Seventy: "What is our response when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated,..? Do we resent, become bitter, hold a grudge? Or do we resolve the problem if we can, forgive, and rid ourselves of the burden?
"The nature of our response to such situations may well determine the nature and quality of our lives, here and eternally....
"Even if it appears that another may be deserving our resentment or hatred, none of us can afford to pay the price of resenting or hating, because of what it does to us" (Forgiveness: The Ultimate Form of Love," Ensign,  Jan 1974,20,21.)

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Matthew 18:21-22 Story of the bishop that forgot the funeral

President Monson taught: “The father was a cabinetmaker and fashioned a beautiful casket for the body of his precious child. The day of the funeral was gloomy, thus reflecting the sadness they felt in their loss. As the family walked to the chapel, with Father carrying the tiny casket, a small number of friends had gathered. However, the chapel door was locked. The busy bishop had forgotten the funeral. Attempts to reach him were futile. Not knowing what to do, the father placed the casket under his arm and, with his family beside him, carried it home, walking in a drenching rain”

“If the family were of a lesser character, they could have blamed the bishop and harbored ill feelings. When the bishop discovered the tragedy, he visited the family and apologized. With the hurt still evident in his expression, but with tears in his eyes, the father accepted the apology, and the two embraced in a spirit of understanding” (“Hidden Wedges,” Ensign, May 2002, 19).

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Matthew 16:15-17. The spirit speaks to us with the most power

President Joseph Fielding Smith “The Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith [2013], 183–84).

Monday, September 26, 2016

Matthew 14:25 When their strength was spent He came to their rescue.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following about the Savior’s awareness of His disciples’ toil to cross the Sea of Galilee in the storm:
“From the mountaintop where he prayed … , Jesus saw the peril and strugglings of his beloved friends as they sought the safety of the western shore of the Galilean lake. … His awareness of their plight must have come by the power of the Spirit rather than the natural eye, for they were more than four—perhaps were five or six—miles away. …
“… In some eight or ten hours they traveled less than four miles from the shore.
“Their peril was great. Even strong men cannot resist indefinitely the battering waves and the rolling power of a storm at sea. It was now the fourth watch of the night, sometime between three and six A.M. Jesus had left them to struggle and toil till their strength was spent. Now he came to the rescue” (The Mortal Messiah, 4 vols. [1979–81], 2:358–59).

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Matthew 5:48 Be perfect

President Nelson:
“We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous [difficult] and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love him and keep his commandments” (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 88).

Friday, September 16, 2016

Matthew 5:1 We determine our happiness

President Uchtdorf:
“So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.
“… External circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.
“… We determine our happiness” (“Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 23).

Matthew 5:16. Your example has a powerful effect for good.

Sister Dalton:
"By the way you live the gospel, you reflect the Savior's light. Your example will have a powerful effect for good on the earth. 'Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations' (D&C 115:5) is a call to each of you. It is a call to move to higher ground. It is a call to leadership—to lead out in decency, purity, modesty, and holiness. It is a call to share this light with others. It is time to 'arise and shine forth.' " ("It Shows in Your Face," Ensign, May 2006, 109)