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GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Those who share the gospel message with others extend to them the most important news they will ever hear—the miraculous renewing truths of the plan of salvation and exaltation brought about through the atoning sacrifice and mercy of Jesus Christ. Such is the nature of the timeless gospel we have the opportunity to share with others. In what ways can we make this sharing experience more spiritual, more life-changing, more productive, and more everlasting?”

Those who share the gospel message with others extend to them the most important news they will ever hear—the miraculous renewing truths of the plan of salvation and exaltation brought about through the atoning sacrifice and mercy of Jesus Christ. Such is the nature of the timeless gospel we have the opportunity to share with others. In what ways can we make this sharing experience more spiritual, more life-changing, more productive, and more everlasting?

Those who share the gospel message with others extend to them the most important news they will ever hear—the miraculous renewing truths of the plan of salvation and exaltation brought about through the atoning sacrifice and mercy of Jesus Christ. Such is the nature of the timeless gospel we have the opportunity to share with others. In what ways can we make this sharing experience more spiritual, more life-changing, more productive, and more everlasting?

The gospel or the “good news” is best defined in the Savior’s own words: “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. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.” (3 Ne. 27:13–15.)

The gospel is the foundation of the Church (see 3 Ne. 27:8–11). The doctrine of Christ—including all of the principles and ordinances of the gospel—is what we accept and apply in order to make the Atonement of Jesus Christ active in our lives. We must remember that the fulness of the gospel becomes efficacious as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, not merely acknowledge it. Knowing is not enough: we must live it. The gospel, just like all of the associated doctrines, principles, covenants, ordinances, and priesthoods, is centered in Christ.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

Ether 4:18. Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name.

All mankind must not only believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, but repent and be baptized in order to be saved. Again, just knowing is not enough; we must do.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:40–42. And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him.

The gospel is centered in the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every individual must be sanctified and cleansed through Christ’s Atonement. It is only through our Savior that all mankind can be saved by obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel.

Moses 5:58. And thus the gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached since the beginning of time. It didn’t start with Christ’s birth, or with the law of Moses, or even with Adam’s Fall. It is eternal. It is our duty not only to believe it, but to preach it to all the world (see Matt. 24:14; Mark 16:15; Morm. 9:22; D&C 18:28).

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

Gordon B. Hinckley:

I want to thank you for living the gospel, for doing what is right, for keeping the commandments and living in faith. I want to thank you for the goodness of your lives. You are the kind of people who keep the Church going. You pay your tithing and your fast offerings, you observe the Word of Wisdom. You try to do the right thing. You have family home evening. You try to help one another. You read the scriptures. You are my kind of people—good people, faithful people. Thank you for being the kind of people you are.

I encourage you to go forward and live the gospel and love the gospel. Make it a part of your lives—this great and glorious thing which has come to us through the providence of the Almighty. Live the gospel. Love the gospel. Read the scriptures. You won’t get a testimony of the Book of Mormon unless you read the Book of Mormon. You won’t get a testimony of the Doctrine and Covenants unless you read the Doctrine and Covenants. Faith comes of drinking at the fountain of eternal truth.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that will bless the lands of the world. Many people live in poverty and ignorance. They have a long way to go, and the gospel provides a bridge over which they walk, as it were, from their present situation to a brighter future. (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 245)

Joseph Fielding Smith:

The Church has two great responsibilities, that is the members of the Church have these responsibilities. . . . It is our individual duty to preach the gospel by precept and by example among our neighbors. In section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants we are informed that even those who are warned are under the obligation to receive the message and also to warn their neighbors.

The people who are living are entitled to hear the message, so this responsibility to teach the world is an outstanding one. We cannot get away from this obligation. The Lord declared that his coming is nigh at hand and that he would cut short his work in righteousness. It is our duty, then, to do all we can, and the Lord will bring to our aid other forces besides our missionaries that his work may advance and his words be fulfilled.

I speak of this responsibility at this time for fear there may be some who think the work they are doing is the great work of this dispensation. The people engaged in the Relief Society, the Sunday School, and the Mutual work, feel that they have great responsibilities, and they have, but their work does not overshadow this great duty of preaching the gospel to the world.

The other great responsibility which is placed upon each of us individually is to seek after our dead. (Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., ed. Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–1956], 1:307)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

As is obvious from the size of this book, the gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses a great deal, and there is much we can do to improve how we live the gospel. Here are just a few general ideas to help you understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ:

1. Search the scriptures. They contain the written word of the gospel of Jesus Christ and we are to live by that word (see D&C 84:43–44).

2. Pray. Pray and ponder to better understand and appreciate the gospel so that it will become part of your life (see 3 Nephi 17:3; D&C 138:1–11).

3. Plan. Set some goals and develop a plan (see D&C 88:119) to live the principles and ordinances of the gospel on a daily basis. Let us not just exist; we need to be anxiously engaged (see D&C 58:27–29), with a goal and a path.

4. Cultivate charity. Understand the worth of souls. They are precious to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, and they are our brothers and sisters (see John 3:16; 2 Ne. 26:24; Mosiah 28:3; D&C 18:10–16; Moses 1:39). Learn to love others as He does.

5. Be active in temple work. Attend the temple regularly to refresh your mind concerning your covenants and to be involved in the redemption of the dead (see D&C 128:15; 138:53–54).

6. Proclaim the gospel. Set a date for missionary activity, open your mouth (see D&C 33:8–11), assist the missionaries in every possible way, pray for those who do not know God (see Alma 6:6), place copies of the Book of Mormon, use pass-along cards, and so forth. Share this marvelous gift you’ve been blessed with.

7. Remind yourself to remember. Have a method to remember the Savior (see D&C 20:77, 79), to remember your covenants, to keep the commandments, to search and apply the scriptures to your life, to do good on a daily basis, and especially to remember who you really are. Use pictures, posters, notes, photos, desk objects—anything that will bring the gospel to mind throughout the day (see Mosiah 4:11).

8. Focus on the Atonement. Understand and appreciate the Atonement. When we understand and appreciate the Atonement, we will be filled with gratitude, which is a catalyst for change and a motivator to action. Feeling grateful and acting upon those feelings is essential to living the gospel on a daily basis (see 2 Ne. 9; D&C 19:15–19; review Atonement in the book).

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR TIME

The following story illustrates the personal nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ:

Timeless Gospel

Something my widowed Aunt Viola said to me when I was only ten or eleven years of age was life changing. She took me aside not long after my mother had passed away in giving birth to my younger brother, Robert, and shared with me the following experience. During a dream one night it seemed to her as though my mother had come to her and requested solemnly and with tenderness that she help care for her three bereaved children. So real was the impact of this experience that my aunt took it most seriously. In fact, throughout the rest of my early years, she found every occasion to provide special service and guidance, much like a mother would do. It was as if the hand of charity was being extended from the unseen world to bless and nurture those still plying the pathways of mortality.

What more fitting description could there be of the nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It is a boundless, all-pervasive program of heavenly nurture, transcending the limits of space and the confines of time to endow individuals, in whatever phase of spiritual progress they might find themselves, with the blessings essential for eternal growth and vitality. The Savior extends His hand of charity to all mankind in a gesture of divine redemption that began in the premortal realm, continues throughout mortality, reaches the pinnacle of atoning advocacy with the judgment—when He is to draw all individuals to the Father “to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil” (3 Ne. 27:14)—and extends on into the eternities. Just as mothers give life to their children and continue to yearn for their well-being, even beyond the veil, the Father and the Son give life to all mankind and, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, bestow upon all individuals a persistent, enduring, and longsuffering blessing of compassion and love. Such is the nature of the timeless gospel.

—Richard J. Allen

SUMMARY

The fulness of the gospel was restored in these the latter days. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church and kingdom of God. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the core of the gospel. All things in the plan of salvation are centered in Jesus Christ. This is why “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” (2 Ne. 25:26). We live this gospel as we practice its first four principles and ordinances: faith (in Jesus Christ), repentance (through Jesus Christ), baptism (by means of which we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ), and then receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost from the Father (because of Jesus Christ), and then enduring to the end. It is our duty to know and live the gospel, and to take it unto all the world.

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GRACE

“Nephi stated: “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23). As the Lord’s missionaries, we have the opportunity to help others grasp the infinite blessings of the grace of our Lord and to do all they can do to abide by the principles and ordinances of His gospel plan. What steps can we take to increase our own understanding of the doctrine of grace and apply it more fully to our lives as teachers of the gospel?”

The grace of God is manifested by His great love, mercy, and kindness to His children. From the creation, to the Atonement, the resurrection, and on to eternal life, His grace is evident. It is the grace of God that makes up for all our weaknesses and fulfills the law of justice after all we can do (see 2 Ne. 25:23). Through His grace, we become justified and sanctified (see D&C 20:30–32). The grace of our Heavenly Father and our Savior is sufficient for all those who love Them and keep Their commandments.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

1 Corinthians 15:10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Let us never forget that without the grace of God we are nothing. Our Heavenly Father expects us to labor abundantly in the cause of Christ in gratitude, but we cannot save ourselves. It is through God that we can do all and fulfill our potential.

Ephesians 2:8–10. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This well-known scripture is sometimes incorrectly used to indicate that we need not do good works to be exalted, but verse 10 makes it clear that we are expected to do good and not merely rely on the goodness of our Savior. Again, it is through the grace of God that we can do good works and progress.

2 Nephi 10:24. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

When we reconcile ourselves to Christ, we accept Him, we submit ourselves to His will, and we are in total harmony with His commandments, doing all in our power to be obedient and Christlike. Then, through the grace of God we are saved.

2 Nephi 25:23. For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

We are commanded to do all that we can in order to qualify for the eternal blessings of the grace of God and thus return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:30–34. And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true; And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength. But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.

Aw we repent, we are justified and sanctified through the grace of God; however, if we do not continue in good works we can lose the blessings of the grace of God. It behooves us to continue on the straight and narrow course, thus qualifying for the grace of God.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

Dallin H. Oaks:

We are not saved in our sins, as by being unconditionally saved through confessing Christ and then, inevitably, committing sins in our remaining lives (see Alma 11:36–37). We are saved from our sins (see Hel. 5:10) by a weekly renewal of our repentance and cleansing through the grace of God and His blessed plan of salvation (see 3 Ne. 9:20–22). (“Have You Been Saved?” Ensign, May 1998, 55)

James E. Faust:

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.” (“The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope,” Ensign, November 2001, 18)

Spencer W. Kimball:

One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation. . . . One passage in the Book of Mormon, written perhaps with the same intent as Paul’s statement above—to stress and induce appreciation for the gracious gift of salvation offered on condition of obedience—is particularly enlightening: “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” [2 Nephi 25:23.] . . .

However good a person’s works, he could not be saved had Jesus not died for his and everyone else’s sins. And however powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel.

Of course we need to understand terms. If by the word salvation is meant the mere salvation or redemption from the grave, the “grace of God” is sufficient. But if the term salvation means returning to the presence of God with eternal progression, eternal increase, and eventual godhood, for this one certainly must have the “grace of God,” as it is generally defined, plus personal purity, overcoming of evil, and the good “works” made so important in the exhortations of the Savior and his prophets and apostles. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982], 71)

Ezra Taft Benson:

As a Church, we are in accord with Nephi, who said, “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23). Grace consists of God’s gift to His children wherein He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him and comply with His laws and ordinances would have everlasting life.

By grace, the Savior accomplished His atoning sacrifice so that all mankind will attain immortality. By His grace, and by our faith in His atonement and repentance of our sins, we receive the strength to do the works necessary that we otherwise could not do by our own power. By His grace we receive an endowment of blessing and spiritual strength that may eventually lead us to eternal life if we endure to the end. By His grace we become more like His divine personality. Yes, it is “by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

What is meant by “after all we can do”? “After all we can do” includes extending our best effort. “After all we can do” includes living His commandments. “After all we can do” includes loving our fellowmen and praying for those who regard us as their adversary. “After all we can do” means clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and giving “succor [to] those who stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:15)—remembering that what we do unto one of the least of God’s children, we do unto Him (see Matthew 25:34–40; D&C 42:38). “After all we can do” means leading chaste, clean, pure lives, being scrupulously honest in all our dealings and treating others the way we would want to be treated. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], 353–54)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

 Here are seven ideas to help us understand the doctrine of grace and to apply it to our lives:

1. Gratitude. The doctrine of the grace of God is founded upon His goodness toward, and love of, His children. When we come to realize this truth, we will be filled with gratitude. Gratitude is the catalyst for obedience, change, and growth. Gratitude is an essential quality in those seeking the reconciling grace of God (see 1 Cor. 1:4).

2. Love begets love. When we feel the love of our Heavenly Father, we want to reciprocate. We want to show our love by keeping the commandments (see John 14:15; 21:15–17).

3. Atonement. The love and grace of Heavenly Father (see John 3:16) and our Savior Jesus Christ (see 2 Ne. 26:24) were the motivating forces empowering the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. The accompanying effects continually bless us in all facets of our lives: He takes upon Himself our pains, sicknesses, and infirmities, and He succors us continually (see Alma 7:11–12).

4. Diligence and hard work. The Lord gives us everything; therefore, it is because of His grace that we receive temporal and spiritual blessings here upon the earth. However, the law of the harvest is part of the magnificent plan: we must prepare the earth (which is the Lord’s); we must plant the seeds (which were created by the Lord as a gift to us); we must nurture the seeds (water and the nutrients are the Lord’s), and we must recognize that the vitality within the seeds (from the Lord) is empowered by the sun (which power is from the Lord). We can therefore look forward to the seeds bringing forth their fruit. The same law of the harvest applies to humankind and our spiritual growth: we plant the seeds of the word of God through faith, diligence, and patience (see Alma 32:40–43); we receive the blessings of the fruit because of His grace and mercy towards us; and we cultivate our spiritual blessings through obedience and valor according to our Heavenly Father’s plan. Thus it is true that we prosper and bear fruit by grace after all we can do (see 2 Ne. 25:23).

5. Recognize our weaknesses. When we recognize our weaknesses, we become humble. Then we are strengthened through the grace of God (see Ether 12:27).

6. Understand the doctrine of the Fall of Adam. We are in a fallen state, which involves both spiritual and temporal separation from God. Only through the grace of God can this separation be bridged, provided we repent (see Mosiah 4:5–11).

7. Repentance. The process of repentance requires that we seek the grace of God in order to be forgiven (see Hel. 12:24).

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR TIME

 The following explores the grace and mercy of our Savior in our own lives:

 Without Grace We are Nothing

Elder Boyd K. Packer had presided over the reorganization of our Stake, and now it was time for the new leadership to be installed during a special session. The brother whom the Lord had called to be patriarch took his place on the designated chair and the Apostle laid his hands on his head and began the ordination and setting apart with the words, “Brother [mentioning his name], you are nothing. . . .” This last word received considerable emphasis, followed by a long pause—which gave everyone present the motivation for deep soul-searching. Then Elder Packer continued: “. . . without the Lord.” It was a profoundly powerful teaching moment about leadership. No matter what our callings in the Church from time to time, we are truly “nothing without the Lord.” It is the Lord, through His Spirit, who energizes our service. It is the Lord who kindles our desire, hope, and love—all essential for meaningful service. It is the Lord who activates within us the gifts and talents we must draw upon in order to contribute effectively our modest donation to the building up of His kingdom. It is the Lord, through His Spirit, who sustains us, empowers us, guides us, and teaches us the correct way to proceed. It is the Lord, through His grace, who brings us the blessings of redemption and reconciliation with the Father, “after all we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23).

The Atonement of Jesus Christ transforms our nothingness to a potentiality of spiritual grandeur based on hope, faith, and obedience. This process depends on the merits, mercy, and grace of the Savior. There is only one verse in Holy Writ that contains all three of these key words of redemption, and it occurs in the Book of Mormon in the remarkable discourse of Lehi in which he instructs his son Jacob about the dynamic process of the Atonement (see 2 Ne. 2:8). However, just before he explains this idea, Lehi reminds Jacob: “And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever” (2 Ne. 2:5). The Apostle Paul was to say something very similar some four centuries later: “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20).

To say that no flesh is justified by the law is to confirm that no individual can ascend to a state of reconciliation with God on the basis of obedience alone. No individual in the world, save the Savior Himself, has ever lived the law to perfection, or ever will do so. Thus there remains always a deficit in the nature and works of man that can be bridged only through an infinite sacrifice and atonement based on grace. The key to closing the spiritual gap in the progress of mankind is summarized by Lehi in the extraordinary verse alluded to earlier: “Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved” (2 Ne. 2:8–9).

It is the intercession of the Holy Messiah that lifts mankind from a state of nothingness to a state of redeeming hope in Christ, after all they can do. It is through grace that the balance is made up. “Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth” (2 Ne. 2:6).

—Richard J. Allen

SUMMARY 

Understanding and appreciating the grace of God increases our love for God and helps us recognize our total dependence upon Him. This encourages us to full of gratitude and maintain a sense of humility, which is required in order to receive the grace of God. Let us remember and keep in mind the goodness and grace of God every day of our lives. Focusing on the atoning grace of the Savior is key to keeping the commandments.

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GRATITUDE

“Missionary testimonies regularly include the expression of sincere gratitude for the abundance of love that flows from heaven in so many ways. In our day, the Lord counseled: “VERILY I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks” (D&C 98:1). In what ways can we help others to understand the Lord’s promise that “he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” (D&C 78:19)?”

One of the cardinal virtues of life is gratitude. Gratitude is how you feel when you understand and appreciate someone or something. There is nothing quite so moving and wholesome as the experience of gratitude. It blesses both the giver and the receiver. An “attitude of gratitude” really enhances your life, for it helps you see the things that matter most.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

 Ephesians 5:20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We should always give thanks to our Heavenly Father. Nothing offends God as much as not showing gratitude (see D&C 59:21), and this gratitude should include thankfulness for all things that we receive here upon the earth (see Alma 7:23).

Mosiah 2:20. I say unto you, my brethren, that . . . you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another.

It is impossible to comprehend all that we have been given. Therefore, we should strive to show our gratitude with all our strength. Nevertheless, in giving thanks unto God for all things, we are still indebted to Him (see Mosiah 2:21). God blesses us beyond the measure of our performance and because He loves us.

Alma 34:38. That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

When we live in thanksgiving daily, our minds are filled with gratitude for all things. Every part of our life is a blessing from God: to see, to hear, to smell, to touch, to taste, to breathe—everything we are able to do. The earth in all its beauty pleases the eye and gladdens the soul: the mountains, the rivers, the lakes, the magnificent formations, the flowers, the trees, and everything that dwells here on earth, including the animals in all their beauty and splendor.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:19. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

 We receive a multitude of blessings for being grateful, and with a grateful heart we will recognize more and more of what God has given us. Gratitude expressed causes us to have an attitude of hope and faith, which moves us to action. Therefore, gratitude is a catalyst for action.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

 Gordon B. Hinckley:

The grateful man sees our society is afflicted by a spirit of thoughtless arrogance unbecoming those who have been so magnificently blessed. How grateful we should be for the bounties we enjoy. Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency. It expresses itself in ugly egotism and frequently in wanton mischief. . . .

Where there is appreciation, there is courtesy, there is concern for the rights and property of others. Without appreciation, there is arrogance and evil. (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 247)

Joseph F. Smith:

The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man! (Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith, comp. John A. Widtsoe [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939], 263)

Ezra Taft Benson:

The Prophet Joseph is reported to have said at one time that one of the greatest sins for which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty would be the sin of ingratitude. . . .

Sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], 363)

Brigham Young:

I do not know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of ingratitude. (Discourses of Brigham Young, ed. John A. Widtsoe [Slat Lake City: Bookcraft, 1998], 228)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

Here are four things you can do to feel and show more gratitude:

1. Remember that gratitude spreads under its own power.

●    Contagious desire—When you show gratitude to others, their hearts are touched. You induce in them, in turn, a willingness and desire to be grateful in their homes and communities.

●    Infectious joy—Gratitude sows joy in the receiver and the giver.

●    Transferable goodness—When you help others see their blessings, they will have a greater desire to do good. That is one way you can leverage your contributions to family, community, and society.

●    Antidote to smallness—Gratitude disarms envy, shames selfishness, and renders jealousy without effect.

2. Remember that gratitude brings its own rewards.

●    Confidence—Far from showing weakness and generating dependency, gratitude, if practiced on a consistent basis, helps build feelings of confidence and self-worth.

●    Togetherness—Gratitude builds togetherness and unity in families and groups.

●    Stature—Gratitude enhances stature because it shows that you have greater capacity to appreciate the good. Your character is enlarged and radiates to those around you.

●    Leadership—Gratitude is an element of leadership that attracts others to follow your example. Nothing is so needed as appreciation for a job well done.

●    Blessings of the Spirit—Blessings of the Spirit are often felt as gratitude is expressed or received. True gratitude is expressed and received by the Spirit, and the fruits of the Spirit are felt (see D&C 11:12–13).

3. Remember that gratitude starts with the little things.

●    Look around—Open your vision to the good in things and look for the best in others. Often by just looking for things to be grateful for, you will find that you have blessings in abundance.

●    Catch others doing good—By catching others doing good and expressing gratitude to them for it, you not only enforce the good being done, but you open the way for greater happiness and joy in life. It’s all too easy to see the negative, but it takes a strong spirit to see the positive and be grateful for it.

●    Say it—Express gratitude on a regular basis to your family, friends, and coworkers. Everyone will be blessed.

●    Write it—Write a thank-you note every month (or more frequently if you can) to someone who has blessed your life.

●    Ask for it—Desire a grateful heart. Remember the prayer: “Give me one more thing, Lord—a grateful heart.”

4. The Lord expects us to feel and express thanksgiving and gratitude.

●    Remember to thank God always—We are to thank God in all things (see Eph. 5:20).

●    We offend God as we fail to give thanks—When we fail to acknowledge God in all things, we offend Him (see Mosiah 26:39; D&C 59:21).

●    Receive all things with thanksgiving—When we receive all things—every experience and opportunity—with thanksgiving to our God, we are exceedingly blessed (see Mosiah 2:19–21; D&C 78:19).

●    How we do things makes a difference—Do all things with an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving (see D&C 59:15–16).

●    Live with a mindset of a grateful heart—Gratitude and thanksgiving should be our walk and our talk in our daily lives (see Alma 34:38).

●    Pray and offer thanksgiving—We can rejoice in gratitude at the end of each day as we thank the Lord for all our blessings (see 2 Ne. 9:52).

●    Offer thanks through sacrifice—In the Old Testament and early times in the Book of Mormon, the Lord’s servants offered sacrifice in gratitude and thanksgiving for their blessings (see Amos 4:5; 1 Ne. 2:7; 5:9). Our true offering of thanksgiving and gratitude can be a sacrifice of our whole soul (see Jacob 1:26) and a broken heart and contrite spirit (see 2 Ne. 9:20).

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR TIME

In one of his last general conference addresses, Apostle David B. Haight provided wonderful counsel regarding the importance of expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father.

Where There Not Ten Cleansed?

As recorded in Luke, one day the Savior entered a village where there were 10 lepers. Now, those of us who have grown up in the last few years know very little about lepers. Leprosy was a terrible, dreaded disease anciently. These 10 lepers came to the Savior and said, “Master, have mercy upon us; have mercy upon us who have that terrible ailment of leprosy.” And He said to the 10 lepers, “Go visit your priest, and he will take care of you”—which they did. They went to see their priests, and they were cleansed, all 10 of them. A short time later, one of them returned to the Savior and fell on his face and his hands and his knees, thanking the Savior for blessing him and making him well from that terrible disease. And the Savior said to that one man: “Weren’t there 10? What has happened to the other nine? Where are they?” (See Luke 17:11–19.)

As I’ve read that story again and again, it’s made a great impression upon me. How would you like to be part of the “nine society”? Wouldn’t that be something—to be numbered among those who failed to return and acknowledge the Savior for the blessings He had given them? Only one returned.

It’s so easy in life for us to receive blessings, many of them almost uncounted, and have things happen in our lives that can help change our lives, improve our lives, and bring the Spirit into our lives. But we sometimes take them for granted. How grateful we should be for the blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our hearts and souls. I would remind all of you that if we’re ever going to show gratitude properly to our Heavenly Father, we should do it with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—because it was He who gave us life and breath. He gave us the opportunity to live as we are, to have the gospel in our lives, to have the example of good people like President Hinckley leading the Church throughout the world today and the opportunity for the young people to look to him with pride and gratitude for a leader who looks and acts the part and demonstrates what the Spirit of Christ can bring into our heart and soul. As that gratitude is magnified and developed and expanded, it can bless our hearts and our minds and our souls to where we’d like to continue to carry on and do those things that we are asked to do. (David B. Haight, “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” Ensign, November 2002, 24)

SUMMARY

Gratitude can be a catalyst for growth and change in our lives. We heard a young man express with great sincerity his gratitude for a certain blessing in his life. He came to understand and appreciate that blessing, and his new state of mind, in turn, changed his life. The principle is clear. When you feel grateful, you will desire to show it through service. And you will be amazed at how others follow your example. That is the miracle of gratitude. Certainly one of the hallmarks of a disciple of the Savior is a lifestyle that reflects gratitude and thanksgiving.

♦

GRIEF

“Those with whom we share the gospel are often struggling under burdens of grief—grief over feelings of inadequacy before the Lord, grief over the loss of a loved one, grief over loneliness, grief over uncertainty about how to overcome the challenges of life in this world of doubt and confusion. The covenant of baptism into the fold of Christ replaces grief with joy. The whisperings of the Holy Ghost dispels grief through the healing influence of peace and the certainty of eternal life. How can we help others to reach out to the Lord in faith to receive the abundance of happiness promised to those who live a worthy life?”

Dealing with grief is one of the great challenges in life. The feelings of agony, heartache, misery, regret, sorrow, and suffering are part of life—a very difficult part, to be sure, yet essential to the learning process. Grief is unpleasant to experience and to endure. Still, the law of opposition in all things requires that we have a measure of grief in our lives (see 2 Ne. 2:11). We will have grief in death, in sin, and in our everyday trials and tribulations, especially for those we love who have strayed from the gospel path. The Lord suffered all these things so that He might know better how to succor us in our grief (see Alma 7:11–12). He will heal us and continue to bear our grief. He will give us peace (see D&C 19:23).

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

Matthew 5:4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Compare 3 Ne. 12:4; D&C 101:14.)

The power of the gospel is a healing and comforting power. Whatever the source of our grief, whether through bereavement or disappointment or the effects of impenitence—we can find in the gospel the means to overcome grief through the operation of the Spirit and through striving to do the will of the Father.

Mosiah 18:9. Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.

As part of our baptismal covenants we promise to comfort and mourn with those who grieve. In addition, we must remember in our own times of grief that we have a community of Saints to comfort us.

Mosiah 25:11. And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.

Our grief for the sins of others shows our love and concern for the welfare of our brothers and sisters (see Mosiah 28:3).

Alma 38:8. And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.

Sorrow and grief for sin is real. The Lord can and will heal us through His atoning sacrifice and give us peace as we repent and redirect our lives.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

 Thomas S. Monson:

God in His infinite mercy has not left grieving loved ones to wonder. He has provided truth. He will inspire an upward reach, and His outstretched arms will embrace you. Jesus promises to one and all who grieve, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (“Think to Thank,” Ensign, November 1998, 17)

Russell M. Nelson:

Dealing with grief occasioned by the passing of a loved one is made more tolerable because of the Lord, who provided sublime gifts of comfort and peace. He offered “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send” in his name. “He shall teach you all things,” the Lord said, “and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Then the Master added: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:26–27.)

Comfort and peace! What divine and priceless gifts!

Remarkably reassuring for those who encounter grief is the promised visitation of the Holy Ghost—the divine Comforter—who will provide hope and perfect love. And when nourished by prayer, that hope and love will endure until the end, when all saints shall dwell with God. (See Moroni 8:26.)

These gifts extend to all who truly believe in him, and are granted because of his infinite love for us. His peace comes as we comprehend his grace and act according to his will. It comes from faith founded upon his infinite atonement. To find that hope, that reassurance, and the ability to carry on, the bereaved person will seek to know the Lord and to serve him. It is his atonement that will make our future bright, regardless of the dark days inevitably encountered on life’s journey. (The Gateway We Call Death [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1995], x)

Marvin J. Ashton:

It is expedient for all of us, particularly those who may be weighed down by grief because of acts of misconduct or misfortune, to recall that even the Prophet Joseph Smith had hours of despair because of his very trying experiences in the Liberty Jail. Perhaps he too was entitled to question, “What did I do wrong? What have I done to displease Thee, O Lord? Where have I failed? Why are the answers to my prayers and pleas withheld?” In response to the feelings of his heart and mind he cried out:

“O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” (D&C 121:1.)

The reassuring response came:

“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.” (D&C 121:7–8.)

The promise God gave to Joseph Smith is a promise for all of us: “If thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes,” and also over heartaches caused by misconduct of loved ones.

As we are called upon to suffer we need to ask ourselves the question:

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (D&C 122:8.) (Be of Good Cheer [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1987], 18)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

Here are four ideas to help us understand and deal with grief:

1. Seek to understand.

●    Grief comes with the mortal experience—Opposition in all things is part of the plan of happiness (see 2 Ne. 2:11).

●    Grief provides an opportunity to grow—Growth comes from overcoming and enduring well the challenges of life (see Eccl. 1:18).

2. Reach out for help—do not remain in isolation.

●    Depend on a support team—Loved ones who can show empathy and understanding can strengthen and give hope to one who is in the midst of grief and misery. They can lighten the burden and help lift the heart to God, for He is our greatest support (see Prov. 3:5–6).

●    Priesthood power can assist—Blessings from the priesthood can heal us both physically and spiritually (see D&C 107:18). This is one way we can invite the power of God into our lives.

●    The Savior can lighten the burden—We must apply the Atonement to our lives in all things. All things that we bear can be laid at the feet of the Savior and He will help us bear our burdens and make them light. (see Mosiah 24:14–15; Alma 33:23).

3. Choose an affirmative perspective.

●    Faith dispels grief in time—Remember that sooner or later things will be better as we rely on the Lord and do all that lies within our power (see D&C 123:17).

●    Be positive—Hope in the Savior will give us strength to carry on (see Moro. 7:41). Have faith and trust in God (Alma 36:3). In virtually all cases someone somewhere will have it worse than we do. In every case, the situation is far easier than what the Savior went through during His atoning sacrifice (see D&C 19:15–19; 122:8).

4. Take active steps to dispel or dilute grief.

●    Pray—Do not forget that prayer is always part of living the gospel. Prayer has the power to bring down the blessings of heaven (see Ps. 102).

●    Maintain a proactive attitude—We can choose how to deal with each situation. We can be positive and move forward or we can be negative by asking, “Why me?”, by fixing fault and laying blame and thus wallowing in misery. It is our choice.

●    Face it head on: be of strong courage—Don’t deny grief, but seek to overcome and accept comfort. Talk to a loved one or dear friend. Remember, it is all right to shed tears. Recognize your feelings and how they need to be addressed (see Ps 31:24).

●    Seek to serve—When we turn ourselves outward, looking to bless and serve, we receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and our pain can be lightened or relieved (see Moro. 8:26).

●    Exercise foresight whenever possible—Hindsight is always 20/20. If we are careful and count the costs and weigh each decision carefully, relying on the Lord, we can often avoid the grief and misery that come from poor decisions and behavior.

●    Be tolerant—Everyone is different. Every person will not proceed at the same recovery rate, nor will their perception be the same. We should simply be supporting, loving, and nonjudgmental. We can never know the depths of another’s feelings. We musn’t compare ourselves with others who have gone through a similar experience.

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR TIME

In the following portion of a general conference address, Elder Lance B. Wickman tells the touching story of he and his wife’s bereavement, and the comfort they find in the gospel:

But if Not

Grief is the natural by-product of love. One cannot selflessly love another person and not grieve at his suffering or eventual death. The only way to avoid the grief would be to not experience the love; and it is love that gives life its richness and meaning. Hence, what a grieving parent can expect to receive from the Lord in response to earnest supplication may not necessarily be an elimination of grief so much as a sweet reassurance that, whatever his or her circumstances, one’s child is in the tender care of a loving Heavenly Father. . . .

I offer this as profound conviction born in the fiery crucible of life’s experience. Our second son, Adam, entered our lives when I was far away in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. I still have the joyful telegram announcing his birth. Adam was a blue-eyed, blond-haired little fellow with an impish personality. As he turned five years old, Adam eagerly looked forward to starting school. Then a common childhood illness blanketed our southern California community, and Adam contracted the disease. Aside from concern for his comfort, we were not worried. He even seemed to have a light case. Suddenly one morning he did not arise from his bed; he was in a deep coma. We rushed him to the hospital, where he was placed in intensive care. A constant cadre of devoted doctors and nurses attended him. His mother and I maintained a ceaseless vigil in the waiting room nearby.

I telephoned our dear stake president, a childhood friend and now a beloved colleague in the Seventy, Elder Douglas L. Callister, and asked if he would come to the hospital and join me in giving Adam a priesthood blessing. Within minutes he was there. As we entered the small, cramped space where Adam’s lifeless little body lay, his bed surrounded by a bewildering maze of monitoring devices and other medical paraphernalia, the kind doctors and nurses reverently stepped back and folded their arms. As the familiar and comforting words of a priesthood blessing were spoken in faith and earnest pleading, I was overcome by a profound sense that Someone else was present. I was overwhelmed by the thought that if I should open my eyes I would see the Savior standing there! I was not the only one in that room who felt that Spirit. We learned quite by chance some months later that one of the nurses who was present that day was so touched that she sought out the missionaries and was baptized.

But notwithstanding, Adam made no improvement. He lingered between this life and the next for several more days as we pleaded with the Lord to return him to us. Finally, one morning after a fitful night, I walked alone down a deserted hospital corridor. I spoke to the Lord and told Him that we wanted our little boy to return so very much, but nevertheless what we wanted most was for His will to be done and that we—Pat and I—would accept that. Adam crossed the threshold into the eternities a short time later.

Frankly, we still grieve for our little boy, although the tender ministering of the Spirit and the passage of the years have softened our sadness. His small picture graces the mantel of our living room beside a more current family portrait of children and grandchildren. But Pat and I know that his path through mortality was intended by a kind Heavenly Father to be shorter and easier than ours and that he has now hurried on ahead to be a welcoming presence when we likewise eventually cross that same fateful threshold.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, . . .
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design . . .
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. . . .

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, . . .
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
(“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85)

(Lance B. Wickman, “But If Not,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 30)

SUMMARY

Experiencing grief and all of its companions (including misery, woe, despair, and sorrow) is essential to our growth here upon the earth. All of us will suffer grief. The questions are: How will we deal with it? How can we grow from it? How can we help others using the lessons we have learned? All things we experience on the earth are part of our learning process and will help us become perfect as Heavenly Father and His Son are perfect. Just as Job, Joseph Smith, and many of God’s choice servants suffered, so must we all suffer in our own way, remembering that Christ suffered for all mankind more than we can comprehend. Let us go forward knowing the goodness of God and maintaining our hope through Christ as we look toward to a better time and place.

♦

HEAVENLY FATHER

“What is the message of our loving and merciful Father in Heaven for us today? It is the same message He gave to the young Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820 while pointing toward the glorified resurrected Lord standing next to Him: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JS—History 1:17). We as missionaries, serving the Father of grace and love, proclaim the very same message: Listen to the Savior and follow Him in faith and obedience. How do we as missionaries rise as worthy examples of these truths and plant in the hearts of the honest seekers the desire to pray for the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost in doing the will of the Father and the Son with honor and trust?”

Our Heavenly Father loves us. We are His children. He is all-powerful (omnipotent, see Ether 3:4). He is all-knowing (omniscient, see 2 Ne. 9:20). He is in and through all things (omnipresent, see D&C 88:41). The Doctrine and Covenants teaches us: “By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them” (D&C 20:17). Heavenly Father is not only unchangeable in His role and dealings with His children, He is also no respecter of persons (see Moro. 8:18; D&C 38:16). He loves all His children infinitely and equally. His work and His glory are to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of all of His children (see Moses 1:39). All can ask Him and He will give according to our needs and faith, for He seeks to help us return to His presence. Having a relationship with God is what life is all about. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). We are totally dependent upon our Heavenly Father. We love Him and our Savior. We will seek the will of God in all things.

 THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

 Psalm 111:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (See also Prov. 9:10.)

There are many references in the scriptures concerning “the fear of the Lord,” meaning that we should always reverence God and keep His commandments with complete resolve and obedience. Fearing God brings great blessings into our lives, including wisdom and understanding.

 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.

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son for our eternal welfare. This should move us to such gratitude that we not only love Heavenly Father (see Matt 22:36–40), but we have an overwhelming desire to keep His commandments (see John 14:15).

2 Nephi 9:20. O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

When we realize that God in fact knows all things, we are more anxious to call upon Him for help. We can trust that following His counsel will lead us to happiness.

Alma 26:35. Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Should we not rejoice, like Amulek did in this scripture, in the greatness of our Heavenly Father? We should recognize and remember the goodness of God in all things. This will move us to such gratitude that we will want to be good and do good and trust in His knowledge and mercy.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:41. He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.

The knowledge, power, and omnipresence of God the Father bring comfort to our soul. Confidence in Him inspires our faith and obedience, knowing as we do that He is in control. Because of His eternal perspective, He is full of justice and mercy and judges us perfectly (see Mosiah 29:12).

 Doctrine and Covenants 130:22. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

“Our Father in Heaven has a resurrected body of tangible substance. He is an exalted man. The prophet Lorenzo Snow said, “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be” (Lorenzo Snow, The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, ed. Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1984], 2). We can claim this amazing promise through righteousness.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

 Henry B. Eyring:

How can you and I remember, always, the goodness of God, that we can retain a remission of our sins? The Apostle John recorded what the Savior taught us of a gift of remembrance which comes through the gift of the Holy Ghost: “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.” (John 14:26.) (To Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 77–78)

Neal A. Maxwell:

Just as the love of God for us is unconditional, one day ours for Him will be likewise. This is what the first commandment is all about. But even then, the adoration and awe we have developed for God will take humble and eternal notice of the vital fact stressed by John—that God loved us first. (1 John 4:19.) Indeed, while God’s great plan of redemption was made feasible by His omniscience and His omnipotence, it was made inevitable because of His perfect love for us! (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1979], 128)

Gordon B. Hinckley:

God has given us the power of love. Love of what? Love for the Lord; love for his work, his cause, and his kingdom; love for people; love for one another. I have seen, time and again, how the love of God can bridge the chasm of fear. (Faith: The Essence of True Religion [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989], 16)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

 Here are some ideas for knowing, loving, and obeying God: 

1. Knowing God.

●    Through Jesus Christ—We not only learn of God the Father through our Savior but we come to Him through the Savior as well (see Ether 5:5).

●    The earth testifies of God—Seeing the handiwork of God’s creation witnesses of His presence and His power (see Alma 30:44).

●    Scriptures and written records testify of God—From the beginning of time the written record has spoken of God the Father and has revealed Him to mankind through His holy prophets (see Matt. 3:17; John 3:16).

●    Revelation and prayer—Adam, the Prophet Joseph, and others have witnessed His presence (JS–H 1:17) . Through prayer, we can come to know of our Heavenly Father and His goodness (see D&C 67:10). The Holy Ghost will testify to our spirit that there is a God in the heavens who is our Father and who loves us (2 Ne. 31:18; 3 Ne. 28:11)

2. Increasing our love for God.

●    Recognize and remember the goodness of God—There are many examples from the Book of Mormon: Nephi and his brothers were protected from Laban and enabled to obtain the records (see 1 Ne. 7:11). Lehi’s family was led through the wilderness by the Liahona (see Alma 9:9). God preserved them in their voyage across the ocean (see 2 Ne. 4:20). In our own lives we can enumerate examples of when Heavenly Father has preserved us, strengthened us, and supported us. Once we recognize the grace of God in all things, we receive His enabling power.

●    Appreciate the gift of His Only Begotten Son—When we comprehend the magnificence of the sacrifice of our Savior, our gratitude toward our Heavenly Father will deepen. This gratitude magnifies our love of God (see John 3:16; 16:27), and then our lives are changed because we have the love of God in our hearts (see 4 Ne. 1:15–16).

●    Be aware of the blessings of life—To see, hear, smell, taste, and feel brings joy to our lives. To breathe and to have our bodies function properly are all blessings from our Heavenly Father (Alma 34:38). When we recognize that these blessings and all other blessings come from Heavenly Father, our love is intensified (see Mosiah 4:5–6).

●    Have concern for the work of God—When we care about the things that Heavenly Father cares about (see Moses 1:39; JST Matt. 6:38), we will seek to serve Him and our brothers and sisters (see Mosiah 28:3; Alma 36:24; Hel. 10:4–5; D&C 18:10–16). An interesting thing occurs as we serve: we learn to love those we serve. The more we serve Heavenly Father, the more we will love Him (see John 13:34–35; D&C 42:29). 

3. Obeying God.

●    The greater the love, the greater the obedience—The scriptures have taught us clearly that if we love God we will keep His commandments (see John 14:15). Love is the motive for every righteous act.

●    Understand and appreciate the doctrines, principles, and covenants—Once we can comprehend the truth and power of the doctrines, principles, and covenants, we are filled with gratitude. We understand how careful God was and is in creating a wonderful plan for us to be able to return to Him. Through the gospel of His Son, with our covenants, we can draw nearer to God. This becomes the catalyst for change. Our attitudes, even our hearts, are full of faith and hope, resulting in a change of behavior (see 3 Ne. 27:13–15).

●    Loving the law—There is an excitement in the gospel of Jesus Christ when we joy in the privilege of keeping the commandments—the joy of loving and serving our God and our fellowmen (see Matt. 22:36–40). The fruits of loving others are truly enjoyable; hence we love the great commandment of love. The list goes on as we come to love our Heavenly Father and the commandments that are designed to bless our lives.

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR TIME

 In a general conference talk, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gives a beautiful testimony of God the Father, as follows:

 The Grandeur of God 

I make my own heartfelt declaration of God our Eternal Father this morning because some in the contemporary world suffer from a distressing misconception of Him. Among these there is a tendency to feel distant from the Father, even estranged from Him, if they believe in Him at all. And if they do believe, many moderns say they might feel comfortable in the arms of Jesus, but they are uneasy contemplating the stern encounter of God. Through a misreading (and surely, in some cases, a mistranslation) of the Bible, these see God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son as operating very differently, this in spite of the fact that in both the Old Testament and the New, the Son of God is one and the same, acting as He always does under the direction of the Father, who is Himself the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” . . .

Of course the centuries-long drift away from belief in such a perfect and caring Father hasn’t been helped any by the man-made creeds of erring generations which describe God variously as unknown and unknowable—formless, passionless, elusive, ethereal, simultaneously everywhere and nowhere at all. Certainly that does not describe the Being we behold through the eyes of these prophets. Nor does it match the living, breathing, embodied Jesus of Nazareth who was and is in “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his [Father].”

In that sense Jesus did not come to improve God’s view of man nearly so much as He came to improve man’s view of God and to plead with them to love their Heavenly Father as He has always and will always love them. The plan of God, the power of God, the holiness of God, yes, even the anger and the judgment of God they had occasion to understand. But the love of God, the profound depth of His devotion to His children, they still did not fully know—until Christ came.

So feeding the hungry, healing the sick, rebuking hypocrisy, pleading for faith—this was Christ showing us the way of the Father, He who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering and full of goodness.” In His life and especially in His death, Christ was declaring, “This is God’s compassion I am showing you, as well as that of my own.” In the perfect Son’s manifestation of the perfect Father’s care, in Their mutual suffering and shared sorrow for the sins and heartaches of the rest of us, we see ultimate meaning in the declaration: “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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit. I testify that amidst the wondrously complex tasks inherent in the universe, He seeks our individual happiness and safety above all other godly concerns. We are created in His very image and likeness, and Jesus of Nazareth, His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, came to earth as the perfect mortal manifestation of His grandeur. In addition to the witness of the ancients we also have the modern miracle of Palmyra, the appearance of God the Father and His Beloved Son, the Savior of the world, to the boy prophet Joseph Smith. I testify of that appearance, and in the words of that prophet I, too, declare: “Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive. . . . God does not look on sin with [the least degree of] allowance, but . . . the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.”

I bear witness of a God who has such shoulders. And in the spirit of the holy apostleship, I say as did one who held this office anciently: “Herein [then] is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another”—and to love Him forever, I pray. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Grandeur of God,” Ensign, November 2003, 70)

SUMMARY

We cannot say enough about the greatness and goodness of our Heavenly Father. His work is to help us return to His presence and enjoy a state of never-ending happiness. As we seek to know Him and love Him, we will find a joy in life that is consuming. Life will take a different course as we realize why we came to earth and what Heavenly Father has in store for His faithful children: all that He has, including eternal life.

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HOLY GHOST

“The gift of the Holy Ghost is given to all who come into the fold of Christ through faith, repentance, and baptism by water and fire. He is the continual source of personal revelation, peace, comfort, and joy for the humble and obedient. In what ways can we all become more effective missionaries by listening to the Holy Ghost and acting in accordance with His divine promptings? How can we best teach our listeners to do the same in the spirit of the consoling hymn “Let the Holy Spirit Guide” (LDS Hymn 143)?”

The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit and is the third member of the Godhead. His influence and power can be felt throughout the earth. He has different functions and powers, including the many gifts of the Spirit (see Moro. 10:4–19; D&C 46:10–33). He is the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit of Promise. He comforts, testifies, sanctifies, and acts as the constant companion of those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and live worthy of it. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift we receive from our Heavenly Father to help us in our sojourn here upon the earth. The Holy Ghost will show us all things we should do (see 2 Ne. 32:5). To live worthy of this blessing, we must repent and be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and then keep the commandments (see D&C 20:77, 79).

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

2 Nephi 31:13. By following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

When we are confirmed as members of the Church, we receive the Holy Ghost (baptism of fire). We become sanctified (holy) by the Spirit (see 3 Ne. 27:20). With the gift of the Holy Ghost, we become clean and pure. We can testify of Christ and His goodness (see John 15:26).

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.

The Spirit will console and encourage us in our times of need. The Spirit will also instruct us to do good, walk humbly, do justly, and judge righteously, and He will enlighten our souls (see D&C 11:12–13) and help us to feel love, peace, joy, and faith (see Gal. 5:22–23).

Moroni 6:9. And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.

Everything we do, from major life decisions to the conduct of our meetings, should be directed by the Spirit. As we do this, our actions will be fruitful and bring about righteous purposes (see D&C 43:8–10).

Moroni 10:5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

The Holy Ghost will witness the truth of all things to us in answer to our prayers (see D&C 6:23; 9:8–9). This is why the Nephites were so eager to receive the Holy Ghost and prayed for this special blessing (see 3 Ne. 19:9).

Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–12. For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.

According to the Lord, we have all been given gifts of the Spirit that we can use to bless people’s lives. He gives us these gifts according to needs and worthiness. As we study the blessings of having the Holy Ghost with us, we come to realize the great blessing it is to feel His presence in our lives. We should ever live worthy of this blessing. (See Moro. 10:4–25 and D&C 46:10–33 for a listing of gifts of the Spirit.)

Search the Topical Guide for additional scriptures concerning the Holy Ghost.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

Marion G. Romney:

The Holy Ghost is not only a witness to the truth; he is also a great revealer and teacher of truth. (“The Holy Ghost,” Ensign, May 1974, 90)

Neal A. Maxwell:

In a “wheat and tares” world, how unusually blessed faithful members are to have the precious and constant gift of the Holy Ghost with reminders of what is right and of the covenants we have made. “For behold, . . . the Holy Ghost . . . will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (2 Ne. 32:5.) Whatever the decibels of decadence, these need not overwhelm the still, small voice! Some of the best sermons we will ever hear will be thus prompted from the pulpit of memory—to an audience of one! (“Behold, the Enemy Is Combined,” Ensign, May 1993, 76)

Joseph B. Wirthlin:

As with all gifts, this gift must be received and accepted to be enjoyed. When priesthood hands were laid upon your head to confirm you a member of the Church, you heard the words, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” This did not mean that the Holy Ghost unconditionally became your constant companion. Scriptures warn us that the Spirit of the Lord will “not always strive with man.” When we are confirmed, we are given the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is a right that we must continue to earn through obedience and worthiness. We cannot take this gift for granted. (“The Unspeakable Gift,” Ensign, May 2003, 26)

James E. Talmage:

As already pointed out, the special office of the Holy Ghost is to enlighten and ennoble the mind, to purify and sanctify the soul, to incite to good works, and to reveal the things of God. But, beside these general blessings, there are certain specific endowments promised in connection with the gifts of the Holy Ghost. The Savior said: “These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17, 18; D&C 84:65–73. (Articles of Faith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981], 151)

John A. Widtsoe:

Only those who conform to the first ordinances of the gospel are connected officially with the powers of the Holy Ghost in such a way as to secure added help. A distinct and real power comes to the individual who receives the Holy Ghost. It is as if he had been given a key to a vast and wonderful building which he may enter at his pleasure. However, if the key be unused, the gift is of no value. Man must seek help from the Holy Ghost, if the gift shall be real. The gift of the Holy Ghost also represents a general law, for it is evident that all who have faith made active by repentance, and show obedience to law, will be in such harmony with intelligent forces as to receive much light from them if desired or needed. (A Rational Theology [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1937], 96–97)

Henry B. Eyring:

To me, the best directions about how to get the help of the Holy Ghost, directions that I have tested and know to be true, were given by President Marion G. Romney. I will give you his instructions in his own words. Then together let us see if we can figure out how we can work to prepare for that Sunday School teacher or quorum leader or sacrament meeting speaker to whom we will listen next Sunday.

Here are President Romney’s instructions: “If you want to obtain and keep the guidance of the Spirit, you can do so by following this simple four-point program. One, pray. Pray diligently. Pray with each other. Pray in public in the proper places. . . . Learn to talk to the Lord; call upon his name in great faith and confidence. Second, study and learn the gospel. Third, live righteously; repent of your sins by confessing them and forsaking them. Then conform to the teachings of the gospel. Fourth, give service in the Church.” And then President Romney concludes this way: “If you will do these things, you will get the guidance of the Holy Spirit and you will go through this world successfully, regardless of what the people of the world say or do.” (To Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 14–15)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

Here are some of the doctrines, principles, and covenants that will help us understand the Holy Ghost, as well as some ideas to help us obtain and retain His guidance:

1. Faith. Faith, the foundation of all righteousness, is key to having the blessing and power of the Holy Ghost in our lives (see 1 Ne. 10:17). 

2. Love. The motive for every righteous act is love (see John 3:16; 2 Ne. 26:24). The blessings and power of the Holy Spirit can come only to those who love God (see D&C 76:116).

3. Obedience. The law is decreed for receiving blessings (see D&C 130:20–21). The Lord has made this doctrine clear through the sacramental prayers. If we keep the commandments we can enjoy the companionship of His Spirit (see D&C 20:77, 79), and if not, we lose the blessing (see 2 Ne. 26:11; Morm. 1:14).

4. Gratitude for receiving the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is received by the laying on of hands. It is a precious gift from God that brings direction and power to our lives (see Acts 8:17; D&C 20:41–43). In our gratitude for this wonderful gift, we become humble and more easily entreated by His guidance.

5. Being born again. Following baptism one receives the Holy Ghost, making complete the process of being born again (see Mosiah 27:25), becoming a new creature (see Mosiah 27:26), and being sanctified by reception of the Holy Ghost (see 3 Ne. 27:20). Remember, to be born again is essential to enter the kingdom of God as well as the Celestial Kingdom.

6. Mighty prayer. Pray and fast for the blessing of the Holy Ghost (see 3 Ne. 19:9, 21). We must literally plead for the Spirit, for without it we are left to ourselves with no comfort, no guide, no teacher, and no knowledge of truth.

7. Searching the scriptures. Faith comes by hearing the word (see Rom. 10:17). The word is given by the power of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Ne. 32:3), and it “shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (D&C 68:4). This is why we must live by the word of God (see D&C 84:44–46).

8. Understanding and seeking the blessings and fruits of the Spirit. When we exercise our faith, keep the commandments, show love, and are pure before the Lord, we are blessed with the Spirit. We trust in the Spirit, which leads us to do good, to do justly, to walk humbly, and to judge righteously. Thus our minds are enlightened and we feel joy (see D&C 11:12–13). We also receive the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal 5:22–23).

9. Understanding and seeking the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit can be ours according to our needs and our stewardship responsibilities, that we in turn might be able to bless others. We should prepare to be worthy of these gifts that are given for the benefit of the children of God. Therefore, in order that we might be instruments in the hand of the Lord to bless our brothers and sisters, we should seek earnestly those gifts (see D&C 46:8). In addition, we should always give thanks for the blessings of the Spirit that we enjoy (see D&C 46:10–33).

10. Church service. Through the Holy Ghost, our efforts in the Church are magnified. We can teach effectively only by the Spirit (see D&C 42:14), and our meetings should be directed by the Spirit (see Moro. 6:9). In all of our Church service we rely on the Spirit in every facet of the work, whether it is to testify (see 3 Nephi 28:11) or do the work of the ministry (see Acts 13:2–4; 16:6). As disciples we have the joy of the Spirit (see Acts 13:52).

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR TIME 

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie reveals how he was saved from serious injury, even death, when his father listened to the prompting of the Holy Ghost. In addition, Elder McConkie relates instances where righteous individuals listened to the voice of the Spirit.

Hearkening to the Voice

I was once saved from death or serious accident because my father hearkened to the voice of the Spirit. If he had not responded instantly to the whisperings of the still small voice, my life might have ended then or had its course totally changed.

One of my earliest childhood recollections is of riding a horse through an apple orchard. The horse was tame and well broken, and I felt at home in the saddle.

But one day something frightened my mount, and he bolted through the orchard. I was swept from the saddle by the overhanging limbs, and one leg slipped down through the stirrup. I desperately hung to an almost broken leather strap that a cowboy uses to tie a lariat to his saddle. My weight should have broken the strap, but somehow it held for the moment. Another lunge or two of the stampeding horse would have broken the strap or wrenched it from my hands and left me to be dragged to injury or death with my foot entangled in the stirrup.

Suddenly the horse stopped, and I became aware that someone was holding the bridle tightly and attempting to calm the quivering animal. Almost immediately I was snatched up into the arms of my father.

What had happened? What had brought my father to my rescue in the split second before I slipped beneath the hoofs of my panic-driven horse?

My father had been sitting in the house reading the newspaper when the Spirit whispered to him, “Run out into the orchard!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, not waiting to learn why or for what reason, my father ran. Finding himself in the orchard without knowing why he was there, he saw the galloping horse and thought, I must stop this horse.

He did so and found me. And that is how I was saved from serious injury or possible death.

The Spirit told Wilford Woodruff to move his team away from the tree where he had tied them. He did so, and almost immediately the tree was uprooted and destroyed by a whirlwind.

The Spirit told President Joseph F. Smith to leave the platform on the rear of a train and to go inside and sit down. He did so, and almost immediately the train was involved in an accident.

I know an army pilot who was flying a military plane through a dense cloud over Vietnam when the Spirit told him to turn right. The pilot made an instant turn and another plane flashed by. He missed a head-on collision by inches.

When we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to the constant companionship of this member of the Godhead based on faithfulness. This is the greatest gift possible to receive in mortality.

There is nothing any of us need as much as the guiding and preserving care of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit that is given by the prayer of faith to those who love and serve the Lord.

I testify that if we love the Lord, keep His commandments, and seek His Spirit, we shall be blessed beyond our fondest hopes. (Bruce R. McConkie, “Friend to Friend: Hearken to the Spirit,” Friend, September 1972, 10)

SUMMARY

The Holy Ghost is the source of great blessings in our lives. We could not carry out the mission of the Church without the Holy Ghost and the supernal gifts of inspiration provided by Him. In all things the Spirit is the key to understanding and living the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit will indeed show us all things to do. Our duty is to live worthy of the companionship of the Spirit so we can serve the Lord and build up the kingdom of God here upon the earth.

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