(10/16/04)
"The greatest gift in mortality is the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is 'the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost' (LDS Bible Dictionary, 'Holy Ghost'). The Holy Ghost is the custodian of all the gifts of the Spirit, chief among which is the gift of the knowledge of God (see D&C 46:13-14; John 17:3). The gift of the Holy Ghost is the key to obtaining the gift of eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God." - David A. Burton, "I Have a Question," Ensign, February 1999, p. 52

(10/17/04)
"Considering all that Jesus is and all he does for us, what should we be doing to show our appreciation? We should go far beyond knowing about Jesus and about his attributes and mission. We should come to 'know... the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent' (John 17:3). 'It is one thing to know about God and another to know him. We know about him when we learn that he is a personal being in whose image man is created; when we learn that the Son is in the express image of his Father's person; when we learn that both the Father and the Son possess certain [specific] attributes and powers. But we know them, in the sense of gaining eternal life, when we enjoy and experience the same things they do. To know God is to think what he thinks, to feel what he feels, to have the power he possesses, to comprehend the truths he understands, and to do what he does. Those who know God become like him, and have his kind of life, which is eternal life.' (Bruce R. McConkie, 'Doctrinal New Testament Commentary,' 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-73, 1:762.) In other words, to possess a knowledge of Christ, we must become as he is. We become 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Pet. 1:4). He instructed his Nephite disciples: 'What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am' (3 Ne. 27:27)." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Our Lord and Savior," Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 7

(10/18/04)
"The temple is a house of instruction-yes, even divine instruction-about God's eternal plan for his children. In the temple one gains a superior perspective about his personal relationship with his Maker and with the Savior-yes, special knowledge about God and Jesus Christ, which is essential to the obtaining of life eternal. 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent' (John 17:3)." - Robert L. Simpson, "The House of the Lord," Ensign, November 1980, p. 10

(10/19/04)
"'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,'" said Jesus to his Apostles shortly before he picked up the cross to walk to his crucifixion. Then he prayed for them--out loud--so that they could hear him. 'This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.' (John 14:1;  17:3.) These promises from God can comfort and sustain us through any kind of demand upon our soul. When we turn to God in prayer--with a needful spirit and a contrite heart and a desire to learn, we will feel the Spirit, the healing." - Elaine Cannon, "Adversity," [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987], p. 51