Category: LDS Quotes

Keep the commandments for eternal happiness

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

“A useful way to think about the commandments is they are loving counsel from a wise, all-knowing Heavenly Father. His goal is our eternal happiness, and His commandments are the road map He has given us to return to Him, which is the only way we will be eternally happy. How significant are the home and the family to our eternal happiness? On page 141 of my little brown book, it states, “Indeed our heaven is little more than a projection of our homes into eternity.”

“In a world where the moral compass of society is faltering, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ never wavers, nor should its stakes and wards, its families, or its individual members. We must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important to keep but acknowledge all of God’s commandments. We must stand firm and steadfast, having perfect confidence in the Lord’s consistency and perfect trust in His promises.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “Obedience to Law is Liberty”. April 2013 General Conference.

Watch and learn for a great marriage

Nurture Mama 1 Comment

“Marriage is a gift from God to us; the quality of our marriages is a gift from us to Him.”

“Watch and learn:

  • the best marriage partners regard their marriages as priceless. I have observed that couples who have made their marriages priceless practice the patterns of faith: they attend sacrament and other meetings every week, hold family home evening, pray and study the scriptures together and as individuals, and pay an honest tithing. Their mutual quest is to be obedient and good.
  • faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of happy eternal marriages.
  • repentance and humility build happy marriages.
  • terrific marriages are completely respectful, transparent, and loyal.
  • successful couples love each other with complete devotion.”

“Their dinner hour and the family time that follows become the center of their day and the object of their best efforts.”

Elder L. Whitney Clayton, “Marriage: Watch and Learn”. April 2013 General Conference.

The Words We Speak to Children: Pray to speak to their hearts

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

“One of the greatest influences a person can have in this world is to influence a child. Children’s beliefs and self-worth are shaped early in their lives. Everyone within the sound of my voice has the power to increase a child’s confidence in himself or herself and to increase a child’s faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the words they speak.”

“To speak to a child’s heart, we must know a child’s needs. If we pray to know those needs, the very words we say may have the power to reach into their hearts. Our efforts are magnified when we seek the direction of the Holy Ghost.”

“The answer to our prayer of how to meet our children’s needs may be to more often technologically disconnect. Precious moments of opportunity to interact and converse with our children dissolve when we are occupied with distractions. Why not choose a time each day to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other? Simply turn everything off. When you do this, your home may seem quiet at first; you may even feel at a loss as to what to do or say. Then, as you give full attention to your children, a conversation will begin, and you can enjoy listening to each other.”

Rosemay M. Wixom, “The Words We Speak”. April 2013 General Conference.

Commit to reading the scriptures daily

Nurture Mama 1 Comment

“I believe that neglecting to study the scriptures on a regular basis is a form of hardening our hearts. I fear that if we persist in that course, we will be given a lesser portion of the word and eventually know nothing of God’s mysteries. Drinking daily from the scriptures, on the other hand, will help us build spiritual strength and knowledge, unmask the deceptions of the devil, and discover the snares he has laid to catch us.

“As you ask yourselves the following questions, I invite you to allow the Holy Ghost to speak to your mind and heart:

  • Do I take time to study the scriptures every day?
  • If not, what excuse do I have for not doing so?
  • Will my excuse be acceptable to the Lord?

“I challenge you to commit to reading the scriptures daily. Do not go to bed tonight until you have read. As you read, there will come to you a greater desire to do the will of the Lord and to make changes in your life.”

Elder Michael John U. Teh, “The Power of the Word of God”. March 2013 Ensign. 

Ensign Article: Raising Resilient Children

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

The March 2013 Ensign included a great article, Raising Resilient Children. I thought this article was very helpful, so I am highlighting a few segments of it. They also included a great list recommendations, “Instead of doing this….” “Do this….” “And get this result….”. Access the article online here.

“How well children respond to setbacks depends largely on how well their parents helped them develop the attitudes and the skills of resilience.”

Resilience means “our ability to bounce back from adversity”.

“Give mostly praise. Celebrate small steps in the right direction.”

Recommendations for Parents

  • Pray to understand your children’s strengths and how to help them with their weaknesses.
  • Be patient and realize that children need time to develop resilience.
  • Strive to understand that mistakes and failures are opportunities to learn.
  • Allow natural, logical consequences to serve as the disciplinarian.
  • Respect children’s decisions, even if their poor choices lead to lost privileges.
  • Refrain from berating children for breaking the rules.
  • Do not discourage effort by criticizing harshly.
  • Rather than praising accomplishment, encourage and praise effort.
  • “Praise your children more than you correct them. Praise them for even their smallest achievement” (President Ezra Taft Benson [1899–1994], “The Honored Place of Woman,” Ensign, Nov. 1981, 107).

Consistent, good habits lead to peace at home

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

Elder Scott’s address at the April 2013 General Conference was a talk that really stood out to me. I could have highlighted and reposted the entire talk here, but I tried to limit myself to the most significant sections!

“Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity.”

“Children can be responsible for improving the Christ-centered efforts in the home. It is important for parents to teach children to recognize how their actions affect each individual who lives in the home. Children who are made to feel accountable for their actions, whether righteous or otherwise, grow to become trustworthy citizens in the kingdom of God.”

“More importantly, simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings.”

-use tech devices as “a tool of protection from the worst of society”.  Study the scriptures on phone/ipod throughout the day.

“When we obey the commandments of the Lord and serve His children unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from God—power to do more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights, our talents, our abilities are expanded because we receive strength and power from the Lord. His power is a fundamental component to establishing a home filled with peace.”

“One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.”

“We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “For Peace at Home”. April 2013 General Conference.

10 Things Not to Say to Your Children

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

Recently I discovered this post, 10 Things Not to Say to Your Children, via Pinterest. I thought it was a good list to remember and try to remove from my daily conversations with my children. (You can follow the link to get the explanation behind each point, and ideas for what you can say instead)

1. No (running, hitting, yelling, fill in the verb)!

2. Good job!

3. Don’t argue with me.

4. Wait until your Dad/Mom/other person finds out about this.

5. If you do that one more time…

6. You are doing that the wrong way.

7. That is what happens when you…

8. You can’t/Don’t do that.

9. We are (whatever the child doesn’t want to do at that moment), OKAY?

10. You are making me really mad right now.

The strength of the women

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

“We must never lose sight of the strength of the women. … It is mothers who most directly affect the lives of their children. … It is mothers who nurture them and bring them up in the ways of the Lord. Their influence is paramount. …

“… They are the creators of life. They are the nurturers of children. They are the teachers of young women. They are our indispensable companions. They are our co-workers in building the kingdom of God. How great is their role, how marvelous their contribution.”

  • Gordon B. Hinckley, “Standing Strong and Immovable,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 21.

Act well the part as a daughter of God and as a mother

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

“As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter. Our daily contributions of nurturing, teaching, and caring for others may seem mundane, diminished, difficult, and demeaning at times, and yet as we remember that first line in the Young Women theme—“We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us”—it will make all the difference in our relationships and our responses.”

“What e’er thou art, act well thy part.”

“Young women need mothers and mentors who exemplify virtuous womanhood. Mothers, your relationship with your daughter is of paramount importance, and so is your example. How you love and honor her father, his priesthood, and his divine role will be reflected and perhaps amplified in your daughter’s attitudes and behavior.”

Elaine S. Dalton, “We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father”. April 2013 General Conference.

Words from a living prophet (April 2013)

Nurture Mama Leave a comment

“May I suggest a formula that will ensure our success: first, search the scriptures with diligence; second, plan your life with purpose (and, I might add, plan your life regardless of your age); third, teach the truth with testimony; and fourth, serve the Lord with love.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Come, All Ye Sons of God”. April 2013 General Conference.

 

“A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.”

Story of lighting a field on fire as an 8 year old boy.

“My brothers and sisters, the great test of this life is obedience. “We will prove them herewith,” said the Lord, “to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”

“The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Obedience Brings Blessings”. April 2013 General Conference.

 

“I admonish you to be good citizens of the nations in which you live and good neighbors in your communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to our own.”

“As this conference now concludes, I invoke the blessings of heaven upon each of you. May your homes be filled with peace, harmony, courtesy, and love. May they be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. May you nurture and nourish your testimonies of the gospel, that they will be a protection to you against the buffetings of Satan.

Until we meet again in six months, I pray that the Lord will bless and keep you, my brothers and sisters. May His promised peace be with you now and always.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Until We Meet Again”. April 2013 General Conference.