The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(1/11/98)
"Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve said that the
Savior defined His gospel, as He taught the Nephites. 'The gospel is
often referred to as the good news, or glad tidings of salvation,' Elder
Hunter said. 'The plan of salvation, therefore, is the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.'"—The Church News, Conference Issues 1970-1987, p.14
(1/12/98)
"We note, from the scripture that I have read, that this gospel is
eternal. It is everlasting; it is unchangeable; it is today what it was
yesterday, and will always continue to be the same. There are many
churches upon the face of the earth; there are many systems that are
called the gospel of Jesus Christ, but I should like to analyze this
morning, for a few brief moments, this word. I shall refer you to the
definition of the gospel as given by Paul in his epistle to the Roman
Saints. He says, 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the
Jew first, and also to the Greek.' So that we see in this gospel as
established very distinctly two things: it is eternal, and it is the
power of God unto the salvation of all men who will believe it. And the
Savior said, 'He that believes on me, the work that I do he will do
also.' So that true brief implies, not a lip confession, but works that
will harmonize our lives with the principles, the ordinances, the
teachings of the gospel, and the commandments of our Father in heaven.
An article of our faith states. 'We believe that through the atonement
of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and
ordinances of the gospel.'"—Rey L. Pratt, Conference Report,
October 1923, p.103
(1/13/98)
"I would recommend the companionship of the Holy Ghost to you
because you need to be sanctified, to be made pure or spotless, in order
to get back into the presence of our Heavenly Father. The shortest
definition of the gospel in all scripture is the one given by the
resurrected Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon where He explains this
role of the Holy Ghost:
'Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come
unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the
reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the
last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; . . . (3
Nephi 27:20-21.)'"—Dr. Daniel H. Ludlow, BYU Speeches, November
12, 1963, p.9
(1/14/98)
"Now if it is essential to receive the gospel in order to receive
the Christ, what follows? To answer this we must understand and define
the gospel. Is the gospel itself anything more than the sum total of the
Savior's divine attributes and qualities? I think that all who give
careful consideration to the scriptures and the works of the Master will
agree that it is."—Stephen L Richards, Conference Report, April
1959, p.52
(1/15/98)
"The Book of Mormon and other Latter-day Saint scriptures define the
term gospel precisely as the way or means by which an individual can
come to Christ. In these scriptures the gospel or doctrine of Christ is
the teaching that if people will (1) believe in Christ, (2) repent of
their sins, and (3) submit to baptism in water as a witness of their
willingness to take his name upon them and keep his commandments, he
will (4) pour out his Spirit upon them and cleanse them of their sins.
All who receive this baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost and (5)
endure to the end in faith, hope, and charity will (6) be found
guiltless at the last day and enter into the kingdom of God (Alma 7:
14-16, 24-25)."—Noel B. Reynolds; BYU Studies Vol. 31, No. 3,
pg.31
(1/16/98)
"President John Taylor, in his definition of Mormonism, said: 'The
everlasting Gospel, made known in the last days, is nothing more nor
less than the ancient religion restored. It is the commencement of the
'restitution of all things' spoken of by all the holy prophets since the
world was.'"—Hugh B. Brown, The Abundant Life, p.94
(1/17/98)
"In the 133rd section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord
defined 'the fulness of his gospel' as 'his everlasting covenant'
(D&C 133:57). By accepting membership in the Church, through baptism
and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person
enters into a covenant with the Lord to obey and live by all the
requirements of the gospel. The Lord's promise, conditioned upon such
obedience, is the gift of eternal life."—Caring For The Poor--A
Covenantal Obligation, President Marion G. Romney, General
Conference, October 1978
(3/10/04)
"For anyone seeking the courage to repent and change, I remind you
that the Church is not a monastery for the isolation of perfect people.
It is more like a hospital provided for those who wish to get well. Do
whatever you have to do to come into the fold and be blessed. For some
of you that is simply to live with greater faith, to believe more. For
some of you it does mean to repent-right here. Today. For some of you it
means to be baptized and come into the body and fellowship of Christ.
For virtually all of us it means to live more by the promptings and
promises of the Holy Ghost and to 'press forward with a steadfastness in
Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of
all men.' (2 Ne. 31:20)"
- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come
unto
Me," Ensign, Apr. 1998, pp. 18-19
(7/27/04)
"We must take a positive approach to our religion and literally make
it a way of life, a plan of daily action. We must reform ourselves day
by day along gospel lines, for this is the time of our probation and it
is now that we must prepare to meet our God. (See Alma
34:32.)" - Mark E. Petersen, "We
Believe
in Being Honest," Ensign, May 1982, pp. 15-16
(12/26/04)
"We are engaged in the Lord's work; this is his church; he is the
author of the plan of salvation; it is his gospel which we have received
by the opening of the heavens in this day; and our desire and whole
purpose in life should be to believe the truths he has revealed and to
conform our lives to them. No person in or out of the Church should
believe any doctrine, advocate any practice, or support any cause that
is not in harmony with the divine will. Our sole objective where the
truths of salvation are concerned should be to find out what the Lord
has revealed and then to believe and act accordingly." - Joseph Fielding
Smith, "Out
of
the Darkness," Ensign, June 1971, p. 2
(12/27/04)
"If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and
frustration, when men and women and youth and young adults are
desperately seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind,
it is an 'iron rod' as a safe guide along the straight path on the way
to eternal life, amidst the strange and devious roadways that would
eventually lead to destruction and to the ruin of all that is 'virtuous,
lovely, or of good report.'" - Harold B. Lee, "The
Iron
Rod," Ensign, June 1971, p. 7
(2/3/05)
"Would you agree to send students to just any school, taking any
variety of courses, and then award them specialized degrees, anything
they wanted-in architecture, law, medicine? Such an attitude would
suggest that a man would be just as good a surgeon by not studying for
it as he would by following the prerequisite courses. No person who has
given it real substantial thought would take such a position, and
neither you nor I would want to be under the knife of a surgeon who had
been trained, or maybe I should say 'untrained,' in such a pattern.
"Isn't it strange, then, that so many are able to apply such a view
toward religion. They advocate: Go to any school, take any course, or go
to no school at all, and we'll all end up in the same place with the
same heavenly diploma.
"That just isn't reasonable, nor is it true.
"The position that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the only true church upon the face of the earth is fundamental. Perhaps
it would be more convenient and palatable and popular if we were to
avoid it; nevertheless, we are under a sacred obligation and a sacred
trust to hold to it. It is not merely an admission; it is a positive
declaration. It is so fundamental that we cannot yield on this point." -
Boyd K. Packer, "The
Only
True and Living Church," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 40
(2/14/05)
"'...when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break
forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my
gospel;
"But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn
their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.' (D&C
45:28-29.)
"The fulfillment of this prediction is painfully evident today. The
large majority to whom the gospel has been taken reject it. It is
because of this rejection, and not because there is no guiding light,
that this generation has been and, unless it reverses its course, will
continue to be unable to avoid the calamities foreseen and foretold by
Jesus. For, said he, in that generation-that is, in which the gospel is
preached-'they perceive not the light' (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) and
'turn their hearts from me.'" - Marion G. Romney, "The
Light
Shineth," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 75-76
(7/5/05)
"It is no easy matter to live the
gospel as we should. But unless we do, we cannot receive the
blessings. It is no easy matter to become perfect in anything.
Perfection requires devotion, long-suffering, persistence, willingness
to sacrifice, and constant concentration. Imperfection can produce
only further imperfection.
"Could you sisters bake a good cake if you did not follow the recipe?
Could you brethren build a house or a highway, or make a clock, or
send a man to the moon if you ignored the formula provided for such
achievements? Could you become a doctor if you did not follow the
prescribed course in a medical school? Could you become an engineer if
you ignored the principles of engineering?
"Then can we expect to achieve perfection like that of Almighty God if
we fail to follow the course He lays out for us?
"The gospel will do us little good if we do not live it." - Mark E.
Petersen, "Believers
and
Doers," Ensign, Nov. 1982, 18
(8/13/05)
"We can live in the kingdom
of God and be stereotyped 'Mormons,' but to accomplish this, we have
to live and increase in wisdom, knowledge, patience, perseverance, and
all the gifts and graces of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for
it will take all the perseverance, and all the faith and patience that
we can command to live the Gospel of Christ." - Ezra T. Benson,
"Journal of Discourses," 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book
Depot, 1854-1886], 3:76
(8/23/05)
"Almost like children, we
fret over our fuel shortages and other inconveniences. We resent
restrictions upon our pleasure-seeking activities. Why don’t we admit
like grown men and women that a rejection of God is at the very root
of all of our troubles? Why do we refuse to wake up to the facts in
our situation? Why must we blindly plunge on into catastrophe?
"Should we not take right and proper steps to overcome our conflicts,
our crimes, and all of our corruptions?
"There is but one sure and certain way: return to God! And that must
include a sincere acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, with full
obedience to his precepts." - Mark E. Petersen, “O
America, America,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 14
(10/10/05)
"In the midst of the turmoil
we presently face, how would you like to have someone take you by the
hand as it were and lift you up and guide you? How would you like to
hear a prophet's voice give continued heaven-inspired guidance? How
would you like to belong to a divinely organized church that provides
a family-oriented program to help you teach your family correctly?
Where is a family that could not use this kind of assistance today?" -
A. Theodore Tuttle, "Conference Report," April 1969, Third Day,
Morning Meeting, p.125
12/6/05
"Therefore we say to all the world, if you want health, live
the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ; if you want wealth, if you
want that which is necessary to sustain life and to secure the necessary
comforts of life, obey the laws of the gospel, pay tithing to the Lord.
If you would solve the great problems of society, apply the gospel of
Jesus Christ. If you would understand government, if you would create
and train citizens who will make a great government, live the gospel of
Jesus Christ, for a good citizen in the Church of God is a good citizen
in any good government on the face of the earth. If you want happiness,
if you want that great joy that comes into the hearts of those who know
the truth, if you want contentment, peace of mind, opportunity for
service, live the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master." -
Stephen L Richards, "Conference Report," April 1920, Third Overflow
Meeting, p.100
3/4/06
"Our religion is 'not weight, it is wings.' It can carry us through the
dark times, the bitter cup. It will be with us in the fiery furnace and
the deep pit. It will accompany us to the hospital room and to the place
of bereavement. It can guarantee us the presence of a Captain on the
rough voyage. It is, in short, not the path to easy disposition of
problems, but the comforting assurance of the eternal light, by which we
may see, and the eternal warmth, which we may feel. 'The Lord is good:
Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.' (Ps.
34:8.)" - Marion D. Hanks, "Trust
in
the Lord," Ensign (CR), May 1975, p.12
9/10/06
"There has never been such a dire day as this. Iniquity abounds; all the
perversions and evils of Sodom have their devotees. And the revealed
word assures us that conditions will get worse, not better, until the
coming of the Son of Man.
"It is because of the evils and ills which cover the earth, because men
have strayed from the Lord's ordinances and broken his everlasting
covenant, because many walk in the ways of the world and are carnal,
sensual, and devilish that the Lord has given us a message to deliver to
our fellowmen.
"'Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the
inhabitants of the earth,' he said, 'called upon my servant Joseph
Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments.'
(D&C 1:17.)
"What then is our message for all men? It is the message of the
Restoration. It is the glad tidings that a gracious God had restored the
fulness of his everlasting gospel. It is the hallowed word that all men
may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." -
Bruce R. McConkie, "Who
Hath
Believed Our Report?," Ensign (CR), November 1981, p.46
11/27/06
"What the members of the Church possess is a pearl of great price, yet
sometimes this priceless gem is so familiar to us that we do not
appreciate its true value. While it is true that we should not cast our
pearls before swine, this does not mean we should not share them with
people who will appreciate their value. One of the greatest side
benefits of missionary work is watching the great value that others who
have not previously heard about our beliefs attach to them. There is a
great benefit in seeing ones treasures through someone else's eyes. My
concern is that we often take for granted the unique and valuable
blessings that we have of membership in the Lords Church, and in such a
state of under appreciation we are more likely to be complacent about
our Church membership and are less valiant contributors to building a
community of Saints." - L. Tom Perry, "Building
a
Community of Saints," Ensign (CR), May 2001, p.35
12/11/06
"I like to think of our lives as like a wagon wheel. We can divide our
activities into areas, such as the areas between the spokes. In one area
we devote our time to making a living; another area to our home; another
area to our political and civic life; another area might even be our
recreational life. I like to think of the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ, the great Church of God as the heart, the center, the hub of the
wheel, and from that central source and hub comes the strength and the
power and the oil and the grease that smooth out and make us joyous and
happy, and integrate the whole life. Only so far, of course, as we put
these teachings of Christ into operation in our homes, into our business
and into all of our pursuits, are we doing our full duty and are we
growing. That is why we are so anxious to have the spirit of God with us
at all times. That is why we come together so frequently, to sing, to
commune and to pray, and partake of the sacrament, in order that we
might always have those influence near us, that the same may bless us in
the work that is before us." - Franklin L. West, "Conference
Report," April 1945, Evening Meeting, p.117
2/21/07
"The present-day world is
threatened by agencies of destruction. Darkness of mind, hearts shaken
by impulses of selfishness, the prevalence of error, evil, ignorance of
that which is the right and the wrong, corruption, sin, and wickedness,
all these and more, now, as in the historic past, constitute the means
by which human society could destroy itself. That such may not come to
pass is the ardent hope of all who seek righteousness as their way of
life. Their seeking will not be in vain if they turn to '...the kingdom
of God and his righteousness...' (Matt.
6:33.) for a realization of their aspirations. All that the
kingdom represents is opposed to the destructive forces which I have
enumerated. The righteous, we are told, will inherit the earth. That
condition will only be attained when the kingdom of God, through its
saving power will triumph over evil and wickedness." - Delbert L.
Stapley, Conference Report, April 1964, Afternoon Meeting, p.136
3/11/07
"We must take a positive approach to our religion and literally make it
a way of life, a plan of daily action. We must reform ourselves day by
day along gospel lines, for this is the time of our probation and it is
now that we must prepare to meet our God. (See Alma
34:32.)" - Mark E. Petersen, "We
Believe
in Being Honest," Ensign (CR), May 1982, p.14
5/17/07
"Now Latter-day Saints, what shall we do, conditions being what they
are? Shall we compromise our principles and standards, give up the
struggle against sin and evil and let life move on more smoothly in this
sinful world? No, never. Our faith is immovably based upon truth and
reality—a living, personal God, who through Joseph Smith and his
associates, set up his Church, gave it principles, laws, standards, and
his priesthood (authority to act for him), thus qualifying it to work
for him and his righteous ways for the good, benefit, and blessing of
his children. But we need more faith in these realities, more devotion
to the cause which we are privileged to represent, stronger wills to
resist the allurements of evil, and more persistent, unselfish efforts
to live righteously every day. I repeat, our religion is a very
practical thing, for it must enter into every phase of our daily lives
if we would live in harmony with its teachings and receive the rewards
of obedience." - Joseph F. Merrill, "Conference Report," April 1949,
First Day—Morning Session, p.29
8/6/07
"We marvel at the numerous and varied discoveries that are achieved in
the laboratories of industry, in universities of learning, and through
private research. If man would concentrate the same degree of research
in the laboratory of his soul, he would discover life's purpose and
God's way to attain eternal life. This should be man's greatest and most
important goal." - Delbert L. Stapley, "Conference Report," October
1966, Third Day—Morning Meeting, p.112
8/14/07
"This 'religion'—with its powers, with the keys, with the ordinances and
principles of salvation—has been on this earth from the very beginning.
Indeed, the plan was laid in the heavens before the foundations of this
earth were laid. It is an everlasting covenant. It is the gospel which
did not begin with the coming of the Savior upon the earth, and we
accept the challenge and ours is the proud and great responsibility to
teach this to the nations of the earth, that down through time the
priesthood—the power of God on earth—the saving ordinances of the gospel
have been on the earth. It is true that in the past dispensations of the
gospel, the organization of the Church in the completeness with which we
have it today has not been here upon the earth. Today in the
dispensation of the fulness of times we have all that has been given in
any other dispensation plus things which have been hidden from all other
dispensations, revealed to us in this, the dispensation of the fulness
of times." - "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p.374
9/5/07
"Let's imagine that you are terribly hungry when you are ushered into
a room full of banquet tables spread with many kinds of food. You are
allowed to choose which foods to eat....
"What is on the Lord's table? Love, good fun, uplifting music,
peaceful prayer, scriptures, smiles, learning, happy talk, warm hugs,
good friends, and service to others. This is where eternal joy can be
found. That's why in Primary you repeat the motto, 'I Will Follow
God's Plan for Me.' Although you will have disappointing days, and
discouragement and sorrow along with the good, if you follow God's
plan, you will be feasting at the table of the Lord where the
spiritual satisfaction is far greater and lasts longer than the
physical satisfaction of food." - Michaelene P. Grassli, "Follow
Him," Ensign (CR), November 1989, p.92
9/17/07
"Men who by search and research discover the truths of the kingdom of
heaven may have to abandon many of their cherished traditions and even
their theories of imperfect philosophy and science if they would possess
the pearl of great price, God's kingdom which, with its standards,
principles, ideals, and holy ordinances is the gospel plan of life,
salvation, exaltation, and glory." - Delbert L. Stapley, "Conference
Report," October 1965, First Day—Morning Meeting, p.13
10/9/07
"Peace and good tidings; good tidings and peace. These are among the
ultimate blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings a troubled
world and the troubled people who live in it, solutions to personal
struggles and human sinfulness, a source of strength for days of
weariness and hours of genuine despair. This entire general conference
and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which convenes it
declare that it is the Only Begotten Son of God Himself who gives us
this help and this hope. Such assurance is as 'firm as the mountains
around us.' (See “Carry
On,” Hymns, no. 255.)" - Jeffrey R.
Holland, "The
Peaceable Things of the Kingdom," Ensign
(CR), November 1996, p.82
1/18/08
"The cure for our ills, I say
again, is religion. The outstanding need of the hour is the
unselfishness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Men must learn to love one
another. I pray for that day when every man shall know every other man
for every man's name will be brother. Under such conditions we shall
unitedly support the weak, and all will live in accordance with the
words of the Master. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that
Jesus is the Christ and all the world will know that if those who lack
wisdom will ask of God it shall be given unto them. May this happy day
come soon...." - Richard R.
Lyman, "Conference Report,"
April 1933, Second Day—Morning
Meeting, p.55
1/26/08
"To me, and I am sure to you,
God's plan is like a superhighway. This superhighway is built on solid
rock; it is built well above the fog-shrouded valleys; and it is built
well above the swamps of infidelity, selfishness, and immorality. The
Lord himself has said, 'I
am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life.'
(John 8:12.)"
- Robert L. Simpson, "Conference
Report," April 1965, Afternoon
Meeting, p.133
11/8/08
"If you can understand a people
so long-suffering, so tolerant, so forgiving, so Christian after what
they had suffered, you will have unlocked the key to what a Latter-day
Saint is. Rather than being consumed with revenge, they were anchored to
revelation. Their course was set by the teachings still found today in
the Old and the New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and
Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
"If you can understand why they would celebrate as they did, you can understand why we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the principles of the gospel.
"The Book of Mormon teaches, 'We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.'
"And so today in these strangely perilous times, in the true Church of Jesus Christ we teach and live the principles of His gospel." - Boyd K. Packer, "The Test," General Conference, October 2008
11/29/08
"When we look at the marvelous growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, and read the prophecies of the Prophet of God who was
chosen to open this last dispensation, it seems to me that it leaves no
room to doubt that the hand of God has been over this people from the
day the Church was organized up to the present time. It is true that we
have been tried and tempted; it is true we have been persecuted, and all
manner of falsehoods have been circulated against us, and retailed and
wholesaled the world over; but let me say to you, be faithful to the God
that has watched over this people and to His commandments, and just as
sure as we have increased to what we are today, just so sure will the
little stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands roll forth
and fill the whole earth, as the Prophet of God foretold. The time is
not far distant when men and women from among this people will be wanted
all over the world. I want to testify to you today that this people, who
have been chosen of God, will yet teach the world the way of life, and
the only way to get back into the presence of God. The world may not
believe it, and they may hold out against it as long as it is possible;
but the word has been spoken that this people, governed by the
revelations of the Almighty, shall yet be a light unto the world and
teach them the way back unto eternal life." - Reed Smoot,
"Conference Report," April 1902, Afternoon Session, p.24 - 25
3/18/09
"A
man will never be saved in unbelief. The Gospel is not the power of God
unto salvation to the unbeliever, but it is destined to save all who
believe and obey it. You Latter-day Saints who believe, if you continue
in the way of righteousness, shall be redeemed by the blood of Christ
and saved and exalted with Him on the right hand of the Father, just as
sure as He lives. The purpose of the Gospel is to save us from our sins
and our weaknesses, through repentance. How often do the Saints
pray, 'O Father, forgive
our sins; overlook our weaknesses, our shortcomings, and our
imperfections.' The Lord has
given the Gospel for that very purpose. It is the mission of the Gospel
to save us from these sins."
- Hyrum M. Smith, "Conference Report,"
April 1904, Afternoon Session, p.97
7/3/09
“It is not enough to know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is our
Savior, and that the gospel is true. We must take the high road by
acting upon that knowledge. It is not enough to know that President
Gordon B. Hinckley is God's prophet. We must put his teachings to work
in our lives. It is not enough to have a calling. We must fulfill our
responsibilities. The things taught in this conference are not just to
fill our minds. They are to motivate and guide our actions.” - Dallin
H. Oaks, “Be Not Deceived,” Ensign (CR), November 2004, p. 43
3/27/10
“The
gospel of Jesus Christ can resolve those inner conflicts and bring
inner peace and outer peace as well. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the
most valuable, the most needed message by the world today. It is the
answer to the problems that grow out of man’s selfishness and greed,
where such a high percentage of the problems arise. The gospel teaches
us to build rather than to destroy, to help people to give of
themselves in unselfish service to others rather than being on the
receiving end of things most of the time.” -
William H. Bennett, “Conference Report,” October 1970, Afternoon
Meeting, p. 148
4/21/10
"If we were to search for the
best definition of what is contained in the gospel of Jesus
Christ, we could hardly do better than look to the Lord Jesus
Christ's definition of what his gospel is. We read from 3 Nephi
27, beginning with verse 13, 'Behold I have given unto you my
gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I
came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father
sent me.' [3 Ne. 27:13] I presume we—you and I—also came into this
world to do the will of the Father because our Father sent us,
too. We have not been sent to do precisely the same thing that
Jesus Christ was sent to do, but it is vitally important to us
that we also do the will of the Father." - Hartman
Rector, Jr., "The Gospel," Ensign (CR), November 1985, p. 74
5/20/10
"It is no different today from
what it was in the days of Peter and Paul, the apostles of old. Paul
told the Romans that 'the gospel of (Jesus) Christ:... is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;...' (Romans
1:16.) Incorporated in this term salvation is not only the spiritual
but also the temporal phase of our lives. We cannot disassociate
mortal man from the eternal spirit of man within him. It is,
therefore, through obedience to the laws of God that we will find
the answer to our questions, whether they be domestic, political,
social, economic, or spiritual." - Henry
D. Moyle, "Conference Report," April 1963, Second Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 44
6/26/10
"The outlook for the
world is not encouraging, but we know what the answer is. There is only
one answer, and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peace must come from
the heart. Men's hearts must change, and righteousness must rule in the
lives of the people of the world before peace can come. May God hasten
the day." - Ezra Taft Benson,
"Conference Report," April 1947, Afternoon Meeting, p. 157
7/2/10
"In this world of confusion and rushing, temporal progress, we need to
return to the simplicity of Christ. We need to love, honor, and worship
him. To acquire spirituality and have its influence in our lives, we
cannot become confused and misdirected by the twisted teachings of the
modernist. We need to study the simple fundamentals of the truths taught
by the Master and eliminate the controversial. Our faith in God needs to
be real and not speculative. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ can be
a dynamic, moving influence, and true acceptance gives us a meaningful,
religious experience. One of the great strengths of the Mormon religion
is this translation of belief into daily thinking and conduct. This
replaces turmoil and confusion with peace and tranquility. - Howard
W. Hunter, "Conference Report," October 1970, Third Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 132
"A
good
woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity
to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her
heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems
to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are
important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive
messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time
away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater
ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize
correctly and navigate this life confidently." - Julie B. Beck, "And
upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit," Ensign (CR)
May 20108/5/10
"It has never been easy
to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was not easy when He lived, and
it was not easy in the early days of the Church. The early Saints were
subjected to unspeakable suffering and opposition.
"It has been over 180 years since the priesthood was restored. We now
number nearly 14 million members. Even so, we are a tiny fraction when
compared to the billions of people on earth. But we are who we are, and
we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel." - Boyd
K. Packer, "The Power of the Priesthood," Ensign (CR), May 2010
7/18/11
"The gospel of Jesus
Christ is true. It is the greatest joy, the only pure joy, we have in
this life. As we embrace it and all things we hold dear—families, loved
ones—all else is wrapped in that great package of love from a Father on
high who loves us." - Clinton L.
Cutler, "The
Greatest Joy," Ensign (CR) April 1990
8/27/11
If you want your son to play the piano, it is good to expose him to music.
This may give him a feel for it and help greatly in his learning. But this
is not enough. There is the practice and the memorization and the practice
and the practice and the practice before he can play it well.
If you want your daughter to learn a language, expose her to those who
speak it. She may get a feel for the language, even pick up many words.
But this is not enough. She must memorize grammar and vocabulary. She must
practice pronunciation. There is rote learning without which she will
never speak or write the language fluently.
So it is with the gospel. One may have a feel for it. But some time one
must learn the doctrine. Here, too, rote learning, practice, memorization,
reading, listening, discussion, all become essential. There is no royal
road to learning. - Boyd K. Packer, "Agency and Control," Ensign (CR)
April 1983
9/26/11
The gospel is so very
simple when we understand it properly. It is always right, it is always
good, it is always uplifting. Obedience to gospel principles brings
forth joy and happiness. Disobedience has a day of reckoning and will
only bring forth heartache, misery, strife, and unhappiness. - L.
Tom Perry, "
9/30/11
Now a final word. Enjoy your membership
in the Church. Where else in all the world can you find such a society?
Enjoy your activity. When I was a missionary in London fifty years ago,
my companion and I would shake hands in the morning and say to one
another, “Life is good.” Life in the service of the Lord is good. It is
beautiful. It is rewarding. -
10/9/11
This work of the Lord is indeed great and marvelous, but it moves
forward essentially unnoticed by many of mankind’s political,
cultural, and academic leaders. It progresses one heart and one family
at a time, silently and unobtrusively, its sacred message blessing
people everywhere. - L. Whitney Clayton, "The
Time Shall Come," Ensign (CR) October 2011
12/8/11
We have a sacred
responsibility to fulfill the threefold mission of the Church—first, to
teach the gospel to the world; second, to strengthen the membership of
the Church wherever they may be; third, to move forward the work of
salvation for the dead. - Ezra Taft
Benson, "A
Sacred Responsibility," Ensign (CR) April 1986
4/6/12
Some have come to think of activity in the Church as the ultimate goal.
Therein lies a danger. It is possible to be active in the Church and
less active in the gospel. Let me stress: activity in the Church is a
highly desirable goal; however, it is insufficient. Activity in the
Church is an outward indication of our spiritual desire. If we attend
our meetings, hold and fulfill Church responsibilities, and serve
others, it is publicly observed.
By contrast, the things of the gospel are usually less visible and more
difficult to measure, but they are of greater eternal importance. For
example, how much faith do we really have? How repentant are we? How
meaningful are the ordinances in our lives? How focused are we on our
covenants? - Donald L. Hallstrom, "Converted
to His Gospel through His Church," Ensign (CR) May 2012
5/26/12
The plan for a useful
and successful life is contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ, given
to us by the Redeemer of mankind, whose atoning sacrifice augments the
plan and makes it possible for us to return to the presence of God our
Heavenly Father. - Alvin R. Dyer, "The
Last Dispensation," Ensign (CR) May 1972
5/29/12
He wants us to become acquainted with his gospel, to test it, to prove
it, to participate in it, and to use it as a base on which to make our
decisions. This is that men might base their choices on truth. When
reason is joined with truth, there is convincing logic that sets up
the path in our hearts that leads upward and onward to a nobler life.
- John H. Vandenberg, "The
Agency of Man," Ensign (CR) April 1973
10/1/12
The
fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ brings great comfort in
stressing times of mortality. It brings light where there is
darkness and a calming influence where there is turmoil. It gives
eternal hope where there is mortal despair. It is more than just
beautiful doctrine. It is a reality in our lives that if we can be
obedient and obtain the eternal rewards that God grants us, if we
will draw nigh unto Him and embrace the eternal doctrine, we will be
blessed. - Robert D. Hales, "The
Eternal Family," Ensign (CR) November 1996
10/22/12
And finally, let us
deepen our faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us take upon ourselves
His name and commit each single day to walk anew in the path of
discipleship. Let our works make our faith perfect. Through
discipleship we may be perfected one step at a time by serving our
family, our fellowmen, and God. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The
Joy of the Priesthood," Ensign (CR) November 2012
1/8/13
But a
warning is sounded for us. It behooves us to be alert and to listen
and flee from the evil for our eternal lives. Without help we cannot
stand against it. We must flee to high ground or cling fast to that
which can keep us from being swept away. That to which we must cling
for safety is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our protection from
whatever force the evil one can muster. - Spencer W. Kimball, "Hold
Fast to the Iron Rod," Ensign (CR) November 1978
2/16/13
This Gospel is a Gospel of work, of service to God and our fellowmen,
from beginning to end. It is not sufficient that we be simply good, or
that we ourselves embrace the principles and ordinances of the Gospel,
but we are to teach them to others and administer the ordinances
thereof to those who are prepared to receive them, all things being
done in proper order. - George F. Richards,
Conference Report, October 1933, Afternoon Meeting, p.117
2/17/13
Virtuous and godly principles the principles of the gospel will, in
the end, come off triumphant; and they will sustain and preserve any
people who practice them, whether they are popular or not in the
estimation of the world. All who embrace the principles of the gospel
of Christ will be saved by them. He that abides a law will be
preserved by it. Any man who abides the law of the gospel will be
saved and receive exaltation and glory by it. - "The Discourses of
Wilford Woodruff," edited by G. Homer Durham, p.21
8/18/13
Both the gospel of Jesus Christ and the church of Jesus Christ are true
and divine, and there is an essential relationship between them that is
significant and very important. Understanding the proper relationship
between the gospel and the Church will prevent confusion, misplaced
priorities, and failed expectations and will lead to the realization of
gospel goals through happy, fulfilling participation in the Church. Such
understanding will avoid possible disaffection and will result in great
personal blessings. - Ronald E.
Poelman, "The Gospel and the Church," Ensign (CR) November 1984
6/19/14
Gospel
concepts as taught by the Savior are sometimes difficult for
the mind of mortal man. You see, God’s ways are not man’s
ways, and all of us need to learn that lesson well. I suppose
some of what we have been talking about here today is involved
in the divine truth that “the first shall be last, and that
the last shall be first.” (D&C
29:30.) There could be many surprises in the hereafter
as we look up ahead and exclaim in our amazement, “But he was
only a home teacher.” You know and I know that if he was the
kind of home teacher that the handbook talks about and if he
lived worthily, that man could likely stand eligible to
inherit all that the Father has. And there is no greater
blessing than that. - Robert
L. Simpson, “The
Lord’s Support System,” Ensign (CR) November 1976
7/29/14
The
gospel of Jesus Christ is not a checklist of things to do; rather,
it lives in our hearts. The gospel “is not weight; it is wings.” It
carries us. - Jean A. Stevens, “Fear
Not; I Am with Thee,” Ensign (CR) May 2014
9/1/14
Throughout
my life I have been blessed by the doctrine and teachings of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. As taught in the scriptures and by the
leaders and teachers of this Church, the gospel has been a light to
my path and the impetus for my temporal and spiritual progress. As
Brigham Young taught, the gospel laws “teach men to be truthful,
honest, chaste, sober, industrious, frugal and to love and practice
every good word and work, … they elevate and ennoble man, [and] if
fully obeyed, [they] bring health and strength to the body,
clearness to the perceptions, power to the reasoning faculties as
well as salvation to the soul.” - Dallin
H. Oaks, “The
Gospel in Our Lives,” Ensign (CR) May 2002
9/30/14
To the world I say: These are the
last days. They are days of trouble and sorrow and desolation. They
are days when Satan dwells in the hearts of ungodly men, when
iniquity abounds, and when the signs of the times are being shown
forth.
And there is no cure for the ills of the world except the gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope for peace, for temporal and
spiritual prosperity, and for an eventual inheritance in the kingdom
of God is found only in and through the restored gospel. There is no
work that any of us can engage in that is as important as preaching
the gospel and building up the Church and kingdom of God on earth. -
Joseph Fielding Smith, “Counsel
to the Saints and to the World,” Ensign (CR) May 1972
11/30/14
The
Savior clearly taught that His gospel, first and foremost, is His
atoning sacrifice. His gospel is also an invitation to receive the
blessings of the Atonement through faith in Christ, repentance,
baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring faithfully to the
end. - Daniel K. Judd, “Nourished
by the Good Word of God,” Ensign (CR) October 2007
4/28/15
To marvel at the wonders of the gospel is a sign of faith. It is to
recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives and in everything around
us. Our amazement also produces spiritual strength. It gives us the
energy to remain anchored in our faith and to engage ourselves in the
work of salvation. - Gérald Caussé,
“Is
It Still Wonderful to You?” Ensign (CR) April 2015
6/4/15
Now, if I understand my religion aright, if I understand the
Scriptures and the operations of the Spirit of God, we have got, as
a people, to come to this—let us know the will of God, and we will
do it, no matter where it strikes, what interest it may come in
contact with, or whose views it may overturn. That is my idea of
"Mormonism," as I have learned it. I consider that God is at the
helm. - Brigham Young, "Journal
of Discourses," 26 vols., 18:283
7/29/15
These
things are true and your eyes can see them, whether you believe them
or not has nothing to do with it. I will tell you that if this work
had not been of God, and God had not borne testimony to the
preaching of the Elders, we might have preached until we had been as
old as Methuselah and we could not have gathered the people from
almost every nation under heaven as we have done, according to the
predictions of the ancient Prophets contained in the Bible. But the
Lord has never disappointed anybody so far as his work is concerned.
It did not stop after the death of Joseph, and it never will on
account of the death of any man, Prophet, Apostle or any other man,
for it is in the hands of God, and he has decreed that it shall
stand for ever, and that it shall extend until its dominion becomes
universal. - Wilford Woodruff,
"Journal of Discourses," 26 vols., 17:192
8/31/15
The
mission, the message of the Church is to all mankind, and will bless
and lift the lives of all who will be partakers of it. And we come
to you with concern for the temporal and eternal salvation of every
soul—to the weary, the wandering, the lost and the lonely, the sick
and the sorrowing; those discouraged and despondent, those who have
lost loved ones, those looking for something to hold to in life. Oh,
it is there. May our Father help you find it. - Richard
L. Evans, "Conference Report," April 1970, First Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 17
11/7/15
If
one believes that all roads lead to heaven or that there are no
particular requirements for salvation, he or she will see no need
for proclaiming the gospel or for ordinances and covenants in
redeeming either the living or the dead. But we speak not just of
immortality but also of eternal life, and for that the gospel path
and gospel covenants are essential. And the Savior needs a church to
make them available to all of God’s children—both the living and the
dead. - D. Todd Christofferson, “Why
the Church,” Ensign (CR) November 2015
12/6/15
We
believe that God still speaks to his people on the earth today, and
that the Church is being led by a prophet of God … through whom the
Lord speaks. The gospel message is sweet, it is a message of peace
and goodwill, it is the one and only thing that will bring peace to
the world, and it offers salvation and exaltation to all who will
accept it. - N. Eldon Tanner, "The
Contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith," Ensign (CR),
November 1979, p.50
12/16/15
We converted a
very prominent banker not long ago, and when I attended one of the
conferences at which he was present, I asked him if he would like to
say a few words in the conference. He stood up and said something
like this: "Mormonism is not only a religion, it is a way of life."
And why should it not be a way of life? It is not just a Sunday
religion. It is a religion that enters into our lives until the
first thing in the life of a Latter-day Saint is to serve the Lord
and honor his priesthood, where every man can bear the priesthood of
God and help to build the kingdom of God in the earth. I thank the
Lord for such a Church as that. - Legrand
Richards, "Conference Report," April 1962, Second Day-Morning
Meeting, p.42
1/13/16
The first great message of this latter-day work has been with respect
to God, and my testimony to you is, my brethren and sisters, that the
great need of the world today is a correct understanding of God. This
world is in turmoil and strife. The old paths seem insufficient. Men
are seeking new ways to solve new problems. They are looking for safe
principles or guides which they can apply to these new problems and
test proposed new solutions. The only path to peace and happiness is
through the proper knowledge of God, including his plan of salvation;
and therein, and therein only, will the nations of the world find what
they are seeking today. - John A.
Widtsoe, "Conference Report," October 1921, Afternoon Session, p.49
3/21/16
Every seeker after truth should searchingly and honestly ask himself
or herself this question: Am I attempting to climb heavenward by
some other path than the one marked out by the Redeemer and Savior
of men? - Delbert L. Stapley,
Conference Report, April 1958, Afternoon Meeting, p.112
4/3/16
Whatever
happens in the world, whatever heights of civility or depths of
depravity emerge in society, the plan remains unaltered. The Church
will grow until it fills the whole earth. - Boyd
K. Packer, "The
Bishop and His Counselors," Ensign (CR), May 1999, p.57
4/25/16
We believe that
this Church is more than just a good place to go on Sundays and
learn how to be a good person. It is more than just a lovely
Christian social club where we can associate with people of good
moral standing. It is not just a great set of ideas that parents can
teach their children at home so they will be responsible, nice
people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
infinitely more than all of these things. - Bonnie
L. Oscarson, “Do
I Believe?” Ensign (CR) May 2016
6/26/16
It is delightful to know that in an age when churches are being
tested and tried and shaken, and doubt and uncertainty are
developing, here there is strength, here there is power, here there
is solidity; and in the most enlightened age that the world has ever
known for this Church to be making its most rapid progress, surely
is hopeful. - Melvin J. Ballard,
“Conference Report,” October 1929, First Day-Morning Meeting, p.48
7/1/16
Never before in all my
life have I been so grateful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints as I am today. My heart swells with
blessings for the faithful in Israel, for the faithful Latter-day
Saints, for God's blessings are upon the people of this Church. The
Lord has blessed the leaders of Israel. He has blessed the people of
Israel who have entered the fold of Christ. He has blessed the Church
in all its ramifications throughout the world, and I pray that he will
continue to bless the Church and those whom he has called to lead and
direct its affairs upon the earth. - Hyrum G. Smith, “Conference
Report,” April 1918, Second Day-Morning Session, p.53
10/8/16
But most of all, think of how you felt when for the first time you
believed and understood that you are truly a child of God; that
Jesus Christ willingly suffered for your sins so that you may be
clean again; that priesthood power is real and can bind you to your
loved ones for time and for all eternity; that there is a living
prophet on the earth today. Isn’t that wonderful and amazing? – Dieter
F. Uchtdorf, “Oh
How Great the Plan of Our God!” Ensign (CR) November 2016
11/24/16
We see the light of the gospel continuing to dawn like a
gentle new day upon previous intolerable darkness. It continues to
spread out into new frontiers, confirming the revelation to Joseph the
Prophet that “the
voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape” (D&C
1:2) and all hearts shall be penetrated. – David B. Haight, “Our
Lord
and Savior,” Ensign (CR) May 1988