The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(1/16/99)
"Again, let me say we know that not only do we have a
spark of divinity within us, but that we are actually spirit children of our
Heavenly Father and that 'every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.'
(D&C 46:11.) With this relationship, we are thus blessed with many talents
and possess great possibilities."
Franklin D. Richards
Conference Report, October 1968, p.111
(1/17/99)
"As calls come to us for church service by the Lord's
representatives, it is natural for us to wonder why we have been selected. The
Lord has made it plain that every individual has been blessed and endowed with
certain gifts and talents. And while there are many gifts, yet 'To some is given
one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.' (D&C
46:12)"
Henry D. Taylor
Conference Report, October 1963, p.71
"Now, after almost two thousand years, in the passing time of a century characterized by a decline in religious faith, the restored gospel joyfully proclaims anew, with as much enthusiasm and vigor as did the first century Christians, that Christ is risen. Our confidence in man's salvation through the atonement of Christ is a matter of faith, not completely understood, yet the central meaning of Jesus Christ for our time, as for all time, is to be found in that faith--faith in man's salvation through the resurrection."
Paul H. Dunn
Conference Report, April 4, 1969
(1/18/99)
"The gift and power of discernment in this world of
contention between the forces of good and the power of evil is essential
equipment for every son and daughter of God."
Stephen L Richards
Conference Report, April 1950, p.163
(1/19/99)
"There is no doubt, speaking of the people as a whole,
that we are greatly improving in the sight of God. But although this is
undoubtedly the case, I am convinced there are persons among us endowed with
spiritual gifts and susceptible of cultivation that could be exercised, if they
chose, to a far greater extent than they are, and who could move much faster in
the ways of holiness and get much nearer to the Lord. But the spirit which
attends the things of this world is operating upon them to that extent that they
do not increase those spiritual powers and blessings; they do not place
themselves in that close relationship to the Lord that it is their
privilege."
Lorenzo Snow
"Teachings of Lorenzo Snow", p.130-131
(1/20/99)
"Because faith is wanting, the fruits are. No man
since the world was had faith without having something along with it. The
ancients quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, women
received their dead, &c. By faith the worlds were made. A man
who has none of the gifts has no faith; and he deceives himself, if he supposes
he has. Faith has been wanting, not only among the heathen, but in
professed Christendom also, so that tongues, healings, prophecy, and prophets
and apostles, and all the gifts and blessings have been wanting."
Joseph Smith
"History of the Church", 5:218
(1/21/99)
"I know that there are no gifts, no graces, no
authority, which were possessed in the days of the Savior by his apostles which
are not possessed today by the people of God."
Heber J. Grant
General Conference, October 1917
(7/8/04)
"Everything is given by God. All talent,
creativity, ability, insight, and strength comes from him. In our own strength
we can do nothing, as Ammon admitted to his brother. (See
Alma 26:10-12 .) When we
seek the praise of man more than the praise of God, it will become easy to
fall." - Marvin J. Ashton, "
Neither Boast of Faith Nor of
Mighty Works
," Ensign, May 1990, p.
67
12/31/05
"Because our purpose here on earth has not
changed, nor will it ever, our Father steadily and regularly supplies additional
gifts to make our world safe and strengthen our wise use of agency. Think about
the gift of prayer—opportunities to be heard and understood. Think about the
gift of the Holy Ghost, who will show us all the things that we should do (see
2 Ne. 32:5). Think about
sacred covenants we have made, the scriptures, priesthood and patriarchal
blessings. Think about the ultimate gift of the Atonement and its reminder in
the sacrament that blankets us with love and hope and grace. These gifts help us
use our agency wisely to return back to our heavenly home, where 'eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him' (1
Cor. 2:9)." - Sharon G. Larsen, "Agency—A
Blessing and a Burden," Ensign (CR), November 1999, p.11
7/16/07
"A few years ago a
prominent university professor joined the Church. When I asked him to speak
before a group of New York businessmen and to explain why he had joined The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he said to these men, 'I'll tell
you why I joined this church. I came to a time in my life when my heart told me
things that my mind did not know. Then it was that I knew the gospel was
true.'
"When we understand more than
we know with our minds, when we understand with our hearts, then we know that
the Spirit of the Lord is working upon us." - Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy
Places," p. 92
12/27/07
"As the Prophet
Joseph indicated, this is our day and time. I believe the future holds
greater blessings for mankind than ever before. I rejoice in this great
outpouring of spiritual knowledge, when 'the
earth [is being] filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the
waters cover the sea.' (Hab.
2:14.) Knowledge and intelligence are dropping 'as
the gentle rain from heaven' (William
Shakespeare, 'The Merchant of Venice,' act 4, scene 1, 185. See also
Deut. 32:2.) to
bless all of our lives. We should seize every opportunity to move forward in
faith, looking beyond the year 2000 into a future bright with hope,
acknowledging that all good gifts come by divine providence. With such
increased knowledge comes a higher responsibility. If we work hard, wisely
manage our personal stewardships, and live providently, the Lord will
prosper us in our use of this heightened knowledge to advance His holy work."
- James E. Faust, "This
Is Our Day," Ensign (CR), May
1999, p.17
3/1/09
"Gifts
and talents that we don't use and share seem to diminish. It seems true that the
more we serve, the more we are able to serve. Our service muscles increase in
size and usefulness. The use phenomenon is a lot like the law of the harvest: We
reap what we sow. We can't pick a tomato or a carrot if we never planted and
cared for a seed. We can't expect to become more holy if we never plant the
seeds of spirituality."
- Mary Ellen Edmunds, "Love Is a Verb," p.107
10/19/09
“I shall mention only one more gift. It is personal to each one, and it is
priceless. It is the gift of the testimony of Jesus, that inner conviction and
assurance which will come to each person who truly and humbly seeks it. It is a
manifestation of the spiritual in man and a demonstration of his dual nature. It
does not come by rationalizing alone, but it is not inconsonant with reason when
the nature of man is understood. No gift of the Master brings more satisfaction
to the soul. I am sure I voice the sentiments of countless thousands who worship
with us this day when I thank God for this priceless gift of testimony.” -
Stephen L Richards, “Where Is Wisdom?” p. 322
6/5/10
"Do not be disappointed if you have read and reread and yet have
not received a powerful witness. You may be somewhat like the disciples
spoken of in the Book of Mormon who were filled with the power of God
in great glory 'and they knew it not' (3 Nephi 9:20)." - Boyd K. Packer, "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ—Plain and Precious Things, Ensign (CR), April 2005
6/13/10
"The really serious challenges in life require not so much
temporal resources but the gifts of the Spirit. Among such challenges
might be the sickness, suffering, or death of a loved one; a rebellious
and disobedient family member; false accusations; and other severe
disappointments. During such trials we need increased faith,
inspiration, comfort, courage, patience, and the ability to forgive.
These blessings can be poured out of the windows of heaven." - Ronald E. Poelman, "Tithing: A Privilege," Ensign (CR), May 1998, p. 78