Elder Ulisses Soares

We need to teach and strengthen others in their conversion.

The commandment to learn the gospel and teach it to one another is not new. It has been constantly repeated from the beginning of human history.

Admonition to teach our children the importance of God and Jesus Christ in their lives.

When we accept the Saviour’s invitation to come and see, we need to abide in Him, immersing ourselves in the scriptures, rejoicing in them, learning his doctrine, and striving to live the way He lived. Only then will we come to know him Jesus Christ and recognise His voice.

Put the principles of the gospel we have learned into our lives.

The best teacher is a good role model.

If we desire people, whether that be family or not, to joyfully treasure up the scriptures and the teachings of living apostles and prophets of our day, they need to see our souls delighting in them.

The parable of the prodigal son teaches us that when children come to themselves they often desire to come home.

Story of single mother (divorced) – Mary. Had always been faithful. Decided to cling to what she had always known to be true. Her children developed a love for Christ’s gospel.

Her daughter said: ‘I never felt like my mom raised us alone because the Lord was always in our home……I am so grateful she brought the gospel to life.

Testimony of Jesus Christ.

Sister Becky Craven

Story of sign in shop window advertising ‘Happiness – $15’

True happiness is found in carefully living the gospel.

Like a train we are on a track – a covenant path.

Vision of the tree of life – shows us how the effects of casualness can lead us away from the covenant path.

There is a careful way and a casual way to do everything, including living the gospel.

We can rationalise all we want, but the fact is there is not a right way to do the wrong thing.

Being careful in living the gospel does not necessary mean being formal or stuffy.

Are we careful in our sabbath day worship?

Are we careful in our temple worship?

Are we careful in our appearance and modest in our dress?

Are we carefu or casual in what we read or what we watch on TV or or on our mobile devices?

We do not lower our standards to fit in or make someone else comfortable. We are disciples of Jesus Christ and as such we are about elevating others, lifting them to a higher holier place where they too can reap greater blessings.

As a covenant people we are not meant to blend in with the world.

How grateful I am for the gift of repentance and for the Saviour’s atonement.

Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.

Elder Brook P Hales

Story of buying overcoat for son called to serve mission in Paris. When coat arrived it was too small. Gave it to another missionary who had been praying for an overcoat.

Srory of Joseph being sold into Egypt – eventually saved his family.

Story of son not getting job he expected. Devastated and crushed. Several years later became clear he would have missed a critical blessing.

Sometimes the answer to prayer…is not given in this life.

Story of blind woman – Pat. ‘Who would I be angry with? Hw=eavenly Father is in this with me.’

Faith also includes trust in God’s timing – Neal A Maxwell

Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

In spite of persecution, and sometimes because of it, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued to grow.

I wrestled with the question, ‘How can we, as members and disciples of Christ, best fulfill that great commission [“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19)] in our daily lives?’ Today I invite you to ponder that same question in your heart and mind.

Some members of the Church love being ambassadors of the gospel…others of us are more hesitant.

Five guilt-free things anyone can do to participate in the Savior’s great commission to help gather Israel:

first, draw close to God

second, fill your heart with love for others

third, strive to walk the path of discipleship. …..As your love of God and his chlidren deepens so does your commitment.

fourth, share what is in your heart;….. I am not asking that you stand on a street corner with a megaphone…… If someone asks about your weekend don’t hesitate to tell them about your experience at Church. …..Explain why we emphasise that this is the Church of Jesus Christ……Share with people why Jesus Christ and his church are so important to you.

fifth, trust the Lord to work His miracles……Understand that it is not your job to convert people – that is the role of the Holy Ghost……Believe, love, do. Follow this pattern and God will work miracles through you.

His gospel and His Church are an important part of your life and of who you are and what you do. Therefore, invite others to come and see and come and help, and God will do His saving work, and they will come and stay.

As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I bless you with the confidence to be a living testimonial of gospel values, with the courage to always be recognized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the humility to assist in His work as an expression of your love for Heavenly Father and His children. My dear friends you will rejoice in knowing you are as ignificant part in the long foretold gathering of Israel.

You can do this, we can all do this together.

W Christopher Waddell

On this date in 1830 Joseph Smith officially organised the Church. It was done in the Whitmer family home in Fayette, New York….They felt that they were in a “holy place.”

That miraculous feeling is what we all want in our homes. … My purpose today is to teach what I know of how we can qualify for that feeling more often and invite it to last longer in our families. As you know from experience, that is not easy to do. Contention, pride and sin have to be kept at bay.

4 Nephi: – no contention in the land

That happy time did not last for ever.

It is a pattern that has recurred over the ages.

Pride crept in, the people stopped sharing what they had with each other… they began to diminish in their faith in Jesus Christ.

The underlying cause is the influence of Satan.

Building faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning of reversing any spiritual decline in your family and in your home. That faith is more likely to bring repentance than your preaching against each symptom of spiritual decline.

Prayer in a family can reach across the world.

The family that prays together is together, even when they are far apart.

Even a baby can feel that the temple is sacred.

Every parent can bear testimony of what a temple has meant to him or her.

The restoration of the gospel started with a humble question pondered in a humble home, and it can continue in each of our homes as we continue to establish and practice gospel principles there. This has been my hope and my deepest desire since I was a little boy.

From a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in response to a concern that some family members might not be worthy of the Celestial Kingdom:

“He said, as well as I can remember, ‘You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than anything you can imagine.’ ”