Finding Joy 10

Richard G. Scott - Ensign November 2000, The Path to Peace and Joy
www.lds.org/ensign/2000/11/the-path-to-peace-and-joy?lang=eng&query=scott,+joy+(name%3a"Richard+G.+Scott")
"Are you taking full advantage of the redeeming power of repentance in your life so that you can have greater peace and joy? Feelings of turmoil and despondency often signal a need for repentance. Also the lack of the spiritual direction you seek in your life could result from broken laws. If needed, full repentance will put your life together. It will solve all of the complex spiritual pains that come from transgression. But in this life it cannot remedy some of the physical consequences that can occur from serious sin. Be wise and consistently live well within the boundaries of righteousness defined by the Lord."

** Joy can be found when I truly repent. When I live consistently righteously I will enjoy a joyous life.

Robert D. Hales – April 2003, Faith Through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/faith-through-tribulation-brings-peace-and-joy?lang=eng)

“My brothers and sisters, however dark conditions may seem in this world today, whatever the storms we are facing personally, in our homes and our families, this joy can be ours now. Sometimes we don’t understand death, illness, mental and physical disabilities, personal tragedies, war, and other conflict. Some of these are a necessary part of our mortal probation. Others, as Enoch foresaw, are part of the preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming, when “the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but,” said the Lord, “my people will I preserve.” And when Enoch saw all these things, he “received a fulness of joy.”

**Things can seem dark but even in the storms, we can find joy. Trials are an important part of our earthly existence, the Lord says He will preserve us. That is a joyful statement.


Thomas S. Monson - October 2008, Finding Joy in the Journey
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

**Don't wait to be happy, find joy now. We have a lot to do here on earth, don't get bogged down thinking that happiness is at the end of the journey. Be happy on the trip.



M. Russell Ballard -October 1992, The Joy of Hope Fulfilled
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/the-joy-of-hope-fulfilled?lang=eng
"My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!"
 He went on to talk about a family that was sealed in the temple and said, "Brothers and sisters, I wish all of you could have been with us in the temple that day to feel the joy of hope fulfilled. I am sure you would have sensed, as I did, the rekindled love for God and the sublime happiness that filled the heart of my friend’s mother as her four sons, their companions, and other family members surrounded her in the sealing room."

** We can find joy in the fact that the Lord gives us hope that he has a plan for us. We need to obey His commandments and he will guide us back to Him. When we go to the temple and are sealed as a family we will have joy.


Thomas S. Monson - April 2012, Willing and Worthy to Serve
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/willing-and-worthy-to-serve?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When I think of the word duty and how performing our duty can enrich our lives and the lives of others, I recall the words penned by a renowned poet and author:

I slept and dreamt

That life was joy

I awoke and saw

That life was duty

I acted and behold

Duty was joy. ⁸

Robert Louis Stevenson put it another way. Said he, “I know what pleasure is, for I have done good work.”⁹

** We are blessed to have a duty, a job to accomplish, so that when we have completed the task we can reflect on the good we have done and found joy in doing it.

Henry B. Eyring - April 2012, Families Under Covenant
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/families-under-covenant?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"At the coming of Elijah, not only was power given to the priesthood, but also hearts were to be turned: “The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven.”⁷

That feeling of his heart turning has already come to my friend and to his family. It may have come to you in this meeting. You may have seen in your mind, as I have, the face of your father or your mother. It may have been a sister or a brother. It may have been a daughter or a son.
   They may be in the spirit world or continents away from you. But joy came from a feeling that connections with them are sure because you are or can be bound to them by priesthood ordinances that God will honor."

** The sealing power of Elijah has bound my family together. Even if they are half a continent away, or even if they are in the spirit world, I can be joyful that I am eternally connected to them because I have been sealed to them.

Quentin L. Cook - April 2012, In Tune with the Music of Faith 
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/in-tune-with-the-music-of-faith?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace...²³  
   Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction.²⁶ The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."

**Our doctrine is clear: be positive and of good cheer. Have joy! We have joy by obeying the commandments and following His will.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - April 2009, Following the Savior's Path
 http://www.lds.org/friend/2012/04/following-the-saviors-path?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people showed they honored Him by placing palm leaves on the dusty path. They used the word Hosanna, a joyful word that means “save us now.” ....The gospel is the way of discipleship. As we walk in that way, we can experience confidence and joy. You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. Now is the time."

** Hosanna means "save us now" We can have confidence and joy knowing that living the gospel will save us unto the Lord.

Thomas S. Monson - October 2009, The Joy of Service  
   http://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/10/the-joy-of-service?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"My message to the young men and women of the Church is begin now to learn in your youth the joy of service in the cause of the Master.... As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward. To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy."

**We have to look outside of ourselves for ways to serve others. As we reach outward and serve, we will find true joy.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - September 2011, Forget Me Not 
http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"In this classic children’s story, (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) people all over the world desperately yearn to find a golden ticket. Some feel that their entire future happiness depends on whether or not a golden ticket falls into their hands. In their anxiousness, people begin to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket.
   So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket—the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home or perhaps freedom from stress or worry.
   There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”⁴ The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear."

** Happiness is not found in the big exotic extras, it's in the simple day to day things. Don't put your happiness on hold until the great day when all our dreams come true.

Agency 11

Thomas S, Monson - October 2010, The Three Rs of Choice
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-three-rs-of-choice?lang=eng
"We know that we had our agency before this world was and that Lucifer attempted to take it from us. He had no confidence in the principle of agency or in us and argued for imposed salvation. He insisted that with his plan none would be lost, but he seemed not to recognize—or perhaps not to care—that in addition, none would be any wiser, any stronger, any more compassionate, or any more grateful if his plan were followed."

** Agency is an eternal principle that we came to earth with. We had our agency before we came here.


Robert D. Hales - April 2006, To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency
www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/to-act-for-ourselves-the-gift-and-blessings-

"We have been given agency, we have been given the blessings of the priesthood, and we have been given the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghostfor a reason. That reason is our growth and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come. Today I ask, have we received that Spirit? Are we following on the strait and narrow path that leads to God and eternal life? Are we holding onto the iron rod, or are we going another way? I testify that how we choose to feel and think and act every day is the way we get on the path, and stay on it, until we reach our eternal destination."

** How we choose to behave every day will be the guide to if we are on the righteous path. We have the agency and the Light of Christ to guide us through our lives.


Boyd K. Packer - April 1988, Atonement, Agency, Accountablility
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1988/04/atonement-agency-accountability?lang=eng
"An atonement was made. Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands, and agency is ours to use it.

How supernally precious freedom is; how consummately valuable is the agency of man."

** Our gift of agency is a sweet and valuable freedom that is our choice to use.

Robert D Hales – October 2011, Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng&clang=eng

"The purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences."

 “We realize that the purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences. How do we do this? The scriptures give us an answer in one simple phrase: we “wait upon the Lord.”¹² Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and … [our] good.”¹³

**Our trials are given to us for us to know that we will use our agency wisely, that we will turn to our Father and wait upon the Lord for the peace that knowing His way brings.

Henry B. Eyring - Jan. 3, 1999, Always
CES Fireside, Brigham Young University 1998–99 Speeches, pg 1-8

   "I must add to my pleading a warning. You have the right and the obligation to choose for

yourselves. You can search the scriptures or not. You can choose to work hard enough, to

ponder, and to obey His commandments, so that the Holy Ghost can be your companion.

  Then you will come to know the Savior better and better and your heart will swell with love for Him, or you can choose to delay. You can choose to drift, deciding past efforts will be enough.

   My warning is a simple matter of cause and effect. Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the

world. If we do not choose to move toward Him, we will find that we have moved away."

** We can choose for ourselves how we will serve the Lord. There is no drifting, we are either moving towards Christ or away from Him

Dallin H. Oaks- October 11, 1987, Free Agency and Freedom 

Fireside address given at Brigham Young University

"1. Before the world was created, we existed in the presence of God.
2. Free agency is a gift of God.
3. We had free agency in the pre-mortal existence.
4. There Satan presented a plan that would have taken away our free agency.
5. When God rejected Satan’s plan, Satan and those who followed him rebelled
and were cast out of heaven.
6. Pursuant to God’s plan, Adam and Eve made the choice that caused the Fall, making
mankind subject to mortality and sin in the world.
7. We are here to be tested, and this cannot occur without opposition in all things.
8. To provide that opposition, Satan is permitted to try to persuade us to use our free
agency to choose evil.
9. If we choose evil and do not repent, we can ultimately become captives of Satan."

© INTELLECTUAL RESERVE, INC. 1
Free Agency and Freedom
DALLIN H. OAKS
Dallin H. Oaks was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 11 October
1987.

** Elder Oaks manages to break down the essence of this talk into nine informative steps. Each one has a significant meaning.

Richard G. Scott - September 15, 1998, Learning to Succeed in Life
Devotional Address, Brigham Young University

"There are two patterns for making decisions in life: The first I will call Decisions Based upon
Circumstance; the second, Decisions Based upon Eternal Truth.
   Worthy character centered in truth, fortified by continuing correct decisions, and anchored
in integrity is what I know you have decided to acquire in your life or you wouldn’t be here.
    Here you enjoy a personal freedom that likely you have never had before. That freedom can be a friend or enemy, depending upon how it is used. You will come to find that the restraints provided
by the teachings of the Lord actually form a platform leading to greater freedom. Should
they be hurriedly dismantled in the excitement of increased personal choice, serious problems
can result. Carefully consider your options and make correct choices to establish the proper
priorities in this critical phase of your life."

Richard G. Scott was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at BYU on 15 September 1998.

** We need to use our agency to make correct choices based on Eternal truth, rather than circumstance. As we establish proper priorities we will avoid problems and draw closer to the Lord.


Thomas S. Monson - April 2012, The Race of Life
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-race-of-life?lang=eng&query=agency

"Clearly, one primary purpose of our existence upon the earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones. We have also been given the gift of agency. In a thousand ways we are privileged to choose for ourselves. Here we learn from the hard taskmaster of experience. We discern between good and evil. We differentiate as to the bitter and the sweet. We discover that there are consequences attached to our actions."

** As we exercise our agency we learn for ourselves what will bring us closer to the Lord, and what will draw us away.

Richard G. Scott - April 1992, Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/healing-the-tragic-scars-of-abuse?lang=eng&query=agency

"Know that the wicked choice of others cannot completely destroy your agency unless you permit it. Their acts may cause pain, anguish, even physical harm, but they cannot destroy your eternal possibilities in this brief but crucial life on earth. You must understand that you are free to determine to overcome the harmful results of abuse. Your attitude can control the change for good in your life. It allows you to have the help the Lord intends you to receive. No one can take away your ultimate opportunities when you understand and live eternal law. The laws of your Heavenly Father and the atonement of the Lord have made it possible that you will not be robbed of the opportunities which come to the children of God."

**My eternal possibilities can not be changes by the actions of others. While I may be harmed, I still retain my agency as to how I will react.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - October 2005, Christlike Attributes - The Wind Beneath our Wings

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/christlike-attributes-the-wind-beneath-our-wings?lang=eng&query=agency

"The principle of spiritual self-reliance grows out of a fundamental doctrine of the Church that God has granted us—agency. I believe that moral agency is one of the greatest gifts of God unto His children, next to life itself.

When I study and ponder moral agency and its eternal consequences, I realize that we are truly spirit children of God and therefore should act accordingly."

**The gift of agency is one of the greatest blessings that God has given us. By granting us this gift our Father has given us a glimpse of His eternity and helped us see the consequences of our actions.

Thomas S. Monson - May 2012,  General Conference is for you: Words of a Prophet
http://www.lds.org/new-era/2012/05/general-conference-is-for-you/words-of-the-prophet?lang=eng&query=agency
"Clearly, one primary purpose of our existence upon the earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones. We have also been given the gift of agency. In a thousand ways we are privileged to choose for ourselves. Here we learn from the hard taskmaster of experience. We discern between good and evil. We differentiate as to the bitter and the sweet. We discover that there are consequences attached to our actions."

** We are privileged to choose for ourselves what we will do. It is a gift that we are given. We will learn and discover the consequences of our actions.

David A. Bednar - April 2005, The Tender Mercies of the Lord
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng&query=agency
As we learn in the scriptures, the fundamental purposes for the gift ofagency were to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God’s chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God.


**Learning to love one another is one of the purposes of why we are given our agency. The Lord will bless us with tender mercies as we choose to serve him.

Pornography 10

Thomas S. Monson - Ensign November 2010, pg 67-70, The 3 R's of choice
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-three-rs-of-choice?lang=eng
"Whether you wear a green T-shirt or a blue one makes no difference in the long run. However, whether you decide to push a key on your computer which will take you to pornography can make all the difference in your life. If a friend pressures you to drink alcohol or to try drugs and you succumb to the pressure, you are taking a detour from which you may not return. May we keep our eyes, our hearts, and our determination focused on that goal which is eternal and worth any price we will have to pay."

** Some decisions we make will not affect our lives. Yet, some choices we make will have an effect on our eternity.


Boyd K. Packer - October 2010 General Conference, Cleansing the Inner Vessel (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng&clang=eng)
"In our day the dreadful influence of pornography is like unto a plague sweeping across the world, infecting one here and one there, relentlessly trying to invade every home, most frequently through the husband and father. The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. Lucifer seeks to disrupt “the great plan of redemption,” ¹¹ “the great plan of happiness.” ^12"

   Pornography will always repel the Spirit of Christ and will interrupt the communications between our Heavenly Father and His children and disrupt the tender relationship between husband and wife.

** Pornography is like a plague that can corrupt our souls it repeals the Spirit of Christ and disrupts relationships between husbands and wives.

Dallin H. Oaks - May 2005 Ensign, Pornography (http://www.lds.org/ensign/print/2005/05/pornography?lang=eng&clang=eng)
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng&query=%E2%80%9Cfirst,+acknowledge+evil.+don%E2%80%99t+defend+try+justify+yourself.+second,+seek+help+lord+his+servants.
“Pornographic or erotic stories and pictures are worse than filthy or polluted food. The body has defenses to rid itself of unwholesome food. With a few fatal exceptions, bad food will only make you sick but do no permanent harm. In contrast, a person who feasts upon filthy stories or pornographic or erotic pictures and literature records them in this marvelous retrieval system we call a brain. The brain won’t vomit back filth. Once recorded, it will always remain subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind and drawing you away from the wholesome things in life.” ¹

"First, acknowledge the evil. Don’t defend it or try to justify yourself. For at least a quarter century our leaders have pleaded with men, and also with women and children, to avoid this evil. ² Our current Church magazines are full of warnings, information, and helps on this subject—with more than a score of articles published or to be published this year and last year alone. ³
   Second, seek the help of the Lord and His servants. Hear and heed President Hinckley’s words:“Plead with the Lord out of the depths of your soul that He will remove from you the addiction which enslaves you. And may you have the courage to seek the loving guidance of your bishop and, if necessary, the counsel of caring professionals” (Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 62).

   Third, do all that you can to avoid pornography. If you ever find yourself in its presence—which can happen to anyone in the world in which we live—follow the example of Joseph of Egypt. When temptation caught him in her grip, he left temptation and “got him out”

** Our body's natural defenses will reject bad food but it cannot vomit back filth that enters our mind. Once it's in the mind it will always be able to recall the perverted images back. Take these three steps to keep it out of your life.

Jeffery R. Holland - April 2010, Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul
 http://www.lds.org/tools/print/article/narrow/?lang=eng&url=/family/family-well-being/combating-pornography/audiences/individuals/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul
"Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! (You shouldn’t be serving tea anyway.) Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love you and would be shattered if you let them down. More than one man has been saved from sin or stupidity by remembering the face of his mother, his wife, or his child waiting somewhere for him at home. Whatever thoughts you have, make sure they are welcome in your heart by invitation only. As an ancient poet once said, let will be your reason".^6"

** Unwelcome thoughts will come, but we don't have to welcome them. Replace lewd thoughts with joyful memories. Do not have a place for your enemy in your thoughts and life.

Thomas S. Monson - April 2009, Until We Meet Again
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/until-we-meet-again?lang=eng&query=pornography "My beloved friends, under no circumstances allow yourselves to become trapped in the viewing of pornography, one of the most effective of Satan’s enticements. And if you have allowed yourself to become involved in this behavior, cease now. Seek the help you need to overcome and to change the direction of your life. Take the steps necessary to get back on the strait and narrow, and then stay there."

**Viewing of pornography on the internet will literally destroy the spirit. Don't allow yourself to get trapped viewing pornography. Avoid it at all costs.

Boyd K. Packer - Prophets and Apostles Speak Today, Power to Overcome Pornography
http://www.lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/power-to-overcome?lang=eng
President Packer said that the patrons of pornography not only damage marital relationships, but they also lose the Spirit of Christ and forfeit the power of the priesthood. However, he stressed that we all have the ability to choose—and we will be blessed if we choose to never partake of such evils, or, if already involved, if we will repent and forsake them.

**Viewing pornography hurts marraiges and makes us lose the power of the Priesthood. We have the choice, never get involved.

Thomas s. Monson - April 2010, Preparation Brings Blessings
 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/preparation-brings-blessings?lang=eng&query=pornography
"Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive. Curious exploration of pornography can become a controlling habit, leading to coarser material and to sexual transgression. Avoid pornography at all costs."

**Casuel curiosity is dangerous when it comes to pornography it can become a controlling habit leading to more intense sins.

Thomas S. Monson- October 2008, Standards of Strength
http://www.lds.org/new-era/2008/10/standards-of-strength?lang=eng&query=pornography
"Don’t be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change a radio station if what’s being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father’s standards. In short, if you have any question about whether a particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don’t see it, don’t read it, don’t participate.⁶ Some publishers and printers prostitute their presses by printing millions of pieces of pornography each day. No expense is spared to produce a product certain to be viewed, then viewed again. One of the most accessible sources of pornography today is the Internet, where one can turn on a computer and instantly have at his fingertips countless sites featuring pornography. "

**If you questions whether or not to see a movie, or read a book, don't do it. Don't support this industry by viewing it.

Gordon B. Hinckley - Ensign, Nov. 2000, 51, Great Shall be the Peace of Thy Children
 “I fear this may be going on in some of your homes. It is vicious. It is lewd and filthy. It is enticing and habit-forming. It will take [you] down to destruction as surely as anything in this world. It is foul sleaze that makes its exploiters wealthy, its victims impoverished”

**This is a strong statement that summerizes what pornography is; filthy, foul sleaze that is enticing and habit-forming.

Quentin L. Cook – October 2010, Let There be Light

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/let-there-be-light?lang=eng&query=*+(name%3a%22Mary+N.+Cook%22+OR+name%3a%22Quentin+L.+Cook%22+OR+name%3a%22Carl+B.+Cook%22)

"In our increasingly unrighteous world, it is essential that values based on religious belief be part of the public discourse."

“An ever-present danger to the family is the onslaught of evil forces that seem to come from every direction. While our primary effort must be to seek light and truth, we would be wise to black out from our homes the lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth. Pornography, in particular, is a weapon of mass moral destruction. Its impact is at the forefront in eroding moral values.”

** In the ongoing battle between good and evil we need to take a stand against evil.

Atonement 10

Elder Dallin H. Oaks- 3/31/12, Sacrifice
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/sacrifice?lang=eng&query=atonement
"A prophet declared that the whole meaning of the law of Moses pointed to that great and last sacrifice of...the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal. That sacrifice-the Atonement of Jesus Christ- is at the center of the plan of salvation."

** The greatest sacrifice is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is the key, the most important part of the great plan of salvation that our Father in Heaven has provided for us to return to Him.

Richard G Scott -  April 2010, He Lives All Glory to His Name
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-lives-all-glory-to-his-name?lang=eng
"Without the Atonement, Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness could not have been placed fully into effect. The Atonement gives all the opportunity to overcome the consequences of mistakes made in life. When we obey a law, we receive a blessing. When we break a law, there is nothing left over from prior obedience to satisfy the demands of justice for that broken law. The Savior’s Atonement permits us to repent of any disobedience and thereby avoid the penalties that justice would have imposed."

** We can overcome our past mistakes when we repent and use the Atonement. aha- The Atonment doesn't work like a bank, you can't do enough good and then sin, you must repent anew of a current disobedience.


James Faust - October 2001, The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-lives-all-glory-to-his-name?lang=eng
"Understanding what we can of the Atonement and the Resurrection of Christ helps us to obtain a knowledge of Him and of His mission. Any increase in our understanding of His atoning sacrifice draws us closer to Him. Literally, the Atonement means to be “at one” with Him. The nature of the Atonement and its effects is so infinite, so unfathomable, and so profound that it lies beyond the knowledge and comprehension of mortal man. I am profoundly grateful for the principle of saving grace. Many people think they need only confess that Jesus is the Christ and then they are saved by grace alone. We cannot be saved by grace alone, “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved,after all we can do."

**As we increase our understanding of the Atonement we draw closer to our Savior. We want to become "at one" with Him.

 Boyd K. Packer- April 1988, Atonement, Agency, Accountability
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1988/04/atonement-agency-accountability?lang=eng

" In the Book of Mormon the word atone in form and tense appears fifty-five times. I quote but one verse from Alma: “And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” 

Only once in the New Testament—fifty-five times in the Book of Mormon. What better witness that the Book of Mormon is indeed another testament of Jesus Christ?"

**The word atone appears fifty-five times in the Book of Mormon. Through these scriptures we can draw closer to our Savior and learn how to use his great sacrifice in our lives.

Richard G. Scott- October 2006, The Atonement can Secure Your Peace and Happiness
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/the-atonement-can-secure-your-peace-and-happiness?lang=eng

"I believe that no matter how diligently you try, you cannot with your human mind fully comprehend the eternal significance of the Atonement nor fully understand how it was accomplished. We can only appreciate in the smallest measure what it cost the Savior in pain, anguish, and suffering or how difficult it was for our Father in Heaven to see His Son experience the incomparable challenge of His Atonement. Even so, you should conscientiously study the Atonement to understand it as well as you can. You can learn what is needful to live His commandments, to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. You can qualify, with obedient family members, to live with Him and your Father in Heaven forever."

**The whole concept of the Atonement is so powerful that we can only catch little glimpses of it. I need to study to understand the Atonement better and as I do I will be more obedient in order to live with Him, and Father forever.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - April 2012, The Merciful Obtain Mercy
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-merciful-obtain-mercy?lang=eng&query=atonement
"The doctrine is clear. We all depend on the Savior; none of us can be saved without Him. Christ’s Atonement is infinite and eternal. Forgiveness for our sins comes with conditions. We must repent, and we must be willing to forgive others. Jesus taught: “Forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not … [stands] condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin”³ and “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”⁴

   Lay your burden at the Savior’s feet. Let go of judgment. Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another."

**We must repent and forgive others in order for the Atonment to be valid in our lives.

Henry B. Eyring - April 2012, Mountains to Climb

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng&query=atonement

"Knowing those reasons (that trials seem to take forever) may not give much comfort, but it can give you a feeling of patience. Those reasons come from this one fact: in Their perfect love for you, Heavenly Father and the Savior want you fitted to be with Them to live in families forever. Only those washed perfectly clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be there."

**We go through trials to prove ourselves before God. As we pass through and accept Christ's Atonement in our lives we can become clean enough to live with God again.

Thomas S. Monson - April 2010, He is Risen
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-is-risen?lang=eng&query=atonement
" Our Father knew that because of the nature of mortality, we would be tempted, would sin, and would fall short. So that we might have every chance of success, He provided a Savior, who would suffer and die for us. Not only would He atone for our sins, but as a part of that Atonement, He would also overcome the physical death to which we would be subject because of the Fall of Adam."

**Part of the Atonement that is gifted to all is not only can we receive a forgiveness of sin, but that we will overcome physical death. aha- the Atonement has power over both physical and spiritual areas.

Russell M. Nelson - April 2012, Thanks Be to God
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/thanks-be-to-god?lang=eng&query=atonement
"Central to God’s eternal plan is the mission of His Son, Jesus Christ.¹¹ He came to redeem God’s children.¹² Because of the Lord’s Atonement, resurrection (or immortality) became a reality.¹³ Because of the Atonement, eternal life became a possibility for all who would qualify."

** The Atonement accomplished two important things. 1-All men receive resurrection and 2-Eternal life is a possiblility if we qualify through our choices.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - April 2008, A Matter of a Few Degrees
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/a-matter-of-a-few-degrees?lang=eng&query=atonement

"Our Heavenly Father knew before we came to this mortal existence that negative forces would tempt us to drift from our course, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”That is why He prepared a way for us to make corrections. Through the merciful process of true repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we will “not perish, but have everlasting life".^"

** God prepared a way for us to make corrections, the Atonement, our sins can ge forgiven and we can obtain eternal life.

Family 10

Elder Paul E. Koelliker - 3/31/12, He Truly Loves Us
The Father's plan designed the pattern of family to help us learn, apply and understand the power of love... there is seemingly no end to the capacity to love. The feeling of love from our Heavenly Father is like a gravitational pull from heaven.
** I know this doesn't count towards my 10, but I really liked it.

President Henry B. Eyring- 3/31/12, Families under Covenant
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/families-under-covenant?lang=eng&query=family+under+covenant
"There is nothing as important that will come to your family as being sealed in the temple. Lift and lead your family home to Heavenly Father and the Savior." 1) Gain sure witness that keys of the priesthood are with us. 2) Love your wife. 3) Enlist entire family to love each other. 4) Correct in the Lord's way"

** There are things we must to to make sure we are able to be with our family together. Most importantly we need to be sealed in the temple. Then, we must teach and practice love in our homes.

L. Tom Perry - July 2012, The Strength of Our Heritage
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/07/the-strength-of-our-heritage?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"The prophets have warned us that the home is the place to save society.⁴A proper home, of course, is not created automatically when a boy and girl fall in love and marry. It takes those same virtues that were taught in pioneer homes—faith, courage, discipline, and dedication—to make a marriage successful. Just as the pioneers made the desert blossom as a rose, so too our lives and families will blossom if we follow their example and embrace their traditions. Yes, pioneer faith is needed as much in the world today as in any period of time. Once again, we need to know that heritage. We need to teach it, we need to be proud of it, and we need to preserve it. "

** It takes hard work to make a proper home for our families. Just as it was hard work that made the desert blossom as a rose, we need faith, courage, discipline and dedication in our families.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks- April 2012, Sacrifice
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/sacrifice?lang=eng&query=sacrifice

“Perhaps the most familiar and most important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in our families. Mothers devote themselves to the bearing and nurturing of their children. Husbands give themselves to supporting their wives and children.”

**Elder Oaks educates us on the different aspects of sacrifice and then points out where we need to focus our unselfish service and sacrifice to prepare for the destiny that the Lord provided for us.

L.Tom Perry - April 2003, The Importance of the Family
 http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=3c7776e6ffe0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
"We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes."  -He then tells of how media has a negative image of families."

** I need to realize where the world is seeping into my home and prevent it from influencing my family.

Robert D. Hales - April 1999, Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/strengthening-families-our-sacred-duty?lang=eng
"The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path."

** We can strenghten our family by teaching them our history, our values & how to choose right from wrong. Know what they do in their spare time, get to know their teachers and coaches, use extended family to stregthen your children.

Thomas S. Monson- April 2012, As We Close this Conferencehttp://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/as-we-close-this-conference?lang=eng&query=family+challenges 
"My dear brothers and sisters, may your homes be filled with love and courtesy and with the Spirit of the Lord. Love your families. If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I urge you to settle them now. Said the Savior:

“There shall be no disputations among you. …

“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

“[But] behold, this is not my doctrine … ; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."

** Keep contention out of your home. Fill your home with love and courtesy. Settle your differences or contentions now.



Elder Quentin L. Cook – April 2012 In Tune with the Music of Faith
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/in-tune-with-the-music-of-faith?lang=eng
"God loves all His children. He wants all of them to return to Him. He desires everyone to be in tune with the sacred music of faith."
“Our great desire is to raise our children in truth and righteousness. One principle that will help us accomplish this is to avoid being overly judgmental about conduct that is foolish or unwise but not sinful.”

**We need to show by example that we believe and follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to live in harmony with what the church teaches. Don't be overly harsh about unwise, not sinful, behaviors.

Henry B. Eyring - April 2010, Help Them on Their Way Home
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/help-them-on-their-way-home?lang=eng&query=family

"Heavenly Father has assigned us to a great variety of stations to strengthen and, when needed, to lead travelers to safety. Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.

   The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked."

**Family is important because it is where a child's life starts. Satan has no power in the first 8 years. We have the chance to get their feet firmly planted on the path home.

Thomas S. Monson - October 2007, Three Goals to Guide You

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/three-goals-to-guide-you?lang=eng&query=family

"1-Study diligently. A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world.

2-Pray earnestly. Perhaps there has never been a time when we had greater need to pray and to teach our family members to pray.

3-Serve earnestly. Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person’s family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief telephone call. If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings which come to us, we can accomplish much good."

** As we study, pray and serve, teaching our family to do this also, we will grow stronger in the gospel and we will know we have prepared them to serve our Heavenly Father.

Henry B. Eyring - YW Broadcast 2011, A Living Testimony

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2011/03/a-living-testimony?lang=eng&query=family

"One of the doctrines of the gospel I was taught when I was young is that the greatest of all the gifts of God is eternal life. ⁶ I learned that part of eternal life is to live together in love in families forever.

From the first time that I heard those truths and they were confirmed to my heart, I felt obligated to make every choice I could to avoid contention and seek peace in my family and in my home.

Now, only after this life can I enjoy the fulness of that greatest of all blessings, eternal life. But amidst the challenges of this life, I have been given at least glimpses of what my family in heaven can be like."

**We live together as families in heaven. We need to seek peace in our homes. Look for glimpses of what it will be like to be in heaven with your family.