Words to Live By A Testament of Priesthood Power On the Earth Today
Table of Contents Title Page………………………………………………………………………………...1 Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………… 2 Christ as Our Foundation……………………………………………………...…….3 Adversity………………………………………………………………………………..4 Gospel of Jesus Christ………………………………………………………………….5 Prayer……………………………………………………………………………………6 Service………………………………………………………………………………….…7 The Last Days…………………………………………………………………………8 One’s Attitude………………………………………………………………………….9 Trails……………………………………………………………………………….…...10 Repentance…………………………………………………………………………….11 Trust in God………………………………………………………………………….12 Charity…………………………………………………………………………………13 Service………………………………………………………………………………….14 God is Unchanging…………………………………………………………………15 Happiness……………………………………………………………………………16 The Holy Ghost………………………………………………………………….…17 Peace through Christ…………………………………………………………..….18 Endure to the End…………………………………………………………………19 Perfection…………………………………………………………………………..…20 Doctrine of Becoming………………………………………………………………21 Atonement……………………………………………………………………………22
Christ as Our Foundation “If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.� -Howard W Hunter Helaman 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Testimony I know that if I base my life on the teachings of Christ, I will always know which way to go and what I need to do to be happy in this life.
Adversity
“Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong.�-James E. Faust D&C 121: 7-8 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. John 16:33 In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Testimony I have a firm testimony that if it were not for the hard trails I have been through, it wouldn’t be able to endure the current struggles I face in my life.
Gospel of Jesus Christ “Nothing will bring greater joy & success than to live according to the teachings of the gospel. Be an example, be an influence for good.” –President N Eldon Tanner Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Testimony I know in my life that I am the happiest when I am living the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prayer “Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him.” –Gordon B Hinckley 2 Nephi 32:9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. Philippians 1:19 For Iknow that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Testimony Prayer is real, the Lord hears and answers our prayers through various means: through other people, through the scriptures, and through Church Leaders. I have seen this happen in my life, and I testify that it is true.
Service “Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people. Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ.” –President Hinckley Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. 2 Chronicles 34:13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of al that wroung the work in any manner of service […] Testimony I have seen in my own life that when I am serving others I think less about my problems, and myself and in turn I am happier.
The Last Days “We are the last dispensation, and so much work has to be done, and we need to be in a hurry in order to accomplish It.” –Joseph Smith Alma 1: 25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, Testimony As we have seen lately in the news, we are in the last days, and the persecution against the Church will only continue.
One’s Attitude “So much in life depends on our attitude, the way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference.” -President Monson 1 Nephi 19:9 […] yea they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men. Luke 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. Testimony If we choose to be grateful each and everyday even when its hard, we will be able to see the world through the Lord’s eyes, and things will seem just a little bit easier.
Trails “If you are on the right path it will always be uphill.” –Henry B Eyring D7C 121:7-8 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Testimony I know that life is never easy, and it is because of the hardships that we face that we are made stronger and become the people the Lord wants us to be.
Repentance “True repentance involves a change of heart not just a change of behavior.� -President Ezra Taft Benson 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
D&C 61:2 I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts
Testimony
I have learned in my life that when we repent because we have to, it means little in the eyes of God. It is when we truly realize we have made a mistake and are trying to improve that the change truly takes place.
Trust in God “Don’t give up. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. You keep your chin up. It will be alright in the end. Trust god and believe in good things to come.” –Elder Jeffrey R Holland D+C 127:2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. Testimony Knowing that one day I will see the face of God and all of my sorrows and sins will turn into joy and happiness is what makes the hard times bearable.
Charity “Charity is having patience with someone. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than be judgmental and critical of each other. May we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.” –President Thomas S Monson Moroni 7: 45-47 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and enviethnot, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Testimony Charity is one of the hardest things I have ever struggled with, and this quote rings true to me. We so easily judge the second we see someone when we must realize that everyone around us is struggling and needs our love. I know as I strive to accept others for who they are, I am becoming who the Lord needs and wants me to be.
Service “We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elveators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve. It will do us little good to speak of the general brotherhood of mankind if we cannot regard those who are all around us as our brothers and sisters.� –President Spencer W Kimball Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of theleast of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Testimony Service is a way to express our gratitude to God, as well as help our fellowmen.
I feel that I am happiest when I am serving others.
God is Unchanging “No matter how serious the trail, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, God will never desert us. He never has and he never will. He cannot do it. It is against His character to do so. He is an unchangeable being. He will stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace, we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trails and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandment.” –President George Q Cannon Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible D7C 123:17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. Testimony
It is so comforting to me to know that my God is a God of miracles, a God of Love, a God of Hope, and a God that will never change, He will always be there for me in good times and in bad.
Happiness “The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than to fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel. –Boyd K Packer Alma 41:10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concering restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness. James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Testimony The best way to achieve happiness in this life is through following the principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ
The Holy Ghost “With faith and obedience practiced long enough the Holy Ghost becomes a constant companion, our nature changes, and endurance becomes certain.� –President Eyring Moroni 10:5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things John 14:26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Testimony As we live worthy of the presence of the Holy Ghost, we will never be lead astray.
Peace through Christ “It’s hard to have a negative attitude about things if and when your life is focused on the Prince of Peace.” –M Russell Nelson Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. Helaman 5:47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
Testimony In and through Christ, all things are made right and we are able to be at peace with the things in life that we do not understand.
Endure to the End “When His love and glory are our motivation, it will carry us through to the end and we will be trusted of the Lord.” –Elder Christofferson Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endured to the end shall be saved. 2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of Go and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ,
and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. Testimony If we place our trust in Christ, with a firm faith that it will all work out in the end, that end will be a lot easier to reach.
Perfection
“God is perfectly aware that the people we think are perfect are not.� -President Uchtdorf Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Testimony It is so hard at times to realize that those perfect looking people around me are in fact not perfect. It is through loving others and loving myself,
that I have come to realize it is alright to not be perfect at everything all the time.
Doctrine of Becoming “For when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them.” –Joseph Smith Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: Testimony
When I trust that the Lord is the one who is leading my path, I am able to take a step back and realize it does not have to be perfect now, but it will be someday in the future.
Atonement “This glorious doctrine is another witness of the all-encompassing nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He made salvation available to every repentant soul. His Atonement conquered death, and He permits the worthy deceased to receive all ordinances of salvation vicariously.� -Elder Richard G Scott Alma 7:11-13 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictionsand temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loosethe bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he mighttake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Testimony Alma 7 is one of my favorite chapters in all of the Book of Mormon. Knowing that my older brother and Savior died for me, so that I too can return and live with Him one day means everything to me.