COMMITTMENT

1. We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us—all of us—have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. . . Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully but also as the determination to live decently. . . . May each [have] . . . the determination and the courage to say, with Job of old, “While my breath is in me, … I will not remove mine integrity from me.” Job 27:3, 5.

     PRESIDENT THOMAS S MONSON
     President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 
     “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,”
     184rd Annual  General Conference,
     Priesthood Session, 5 April 2014

2.  When people make family and religious commitments to gospel principles, they begin to do better spiritually and often temporally . . . [and] societies at large are strengthened as families grow stronger. Commitments to family and values are the basic cause. Nearly everything else is effect. . . . So the bad news is that family breakdown is causing a host of societal and economic ills. But the good news is that, like any cause and effect, those ills can be reversed if what is causing them is changed. Inequities are resolved by living correct principles and values.  If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives.

     ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD,
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
     "That the Lost May Be Found",
     1 April 2012, or  May Ensign, pages 98.

3. “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
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 
      “For Peace at Home,”
     183rd Annual  General Conference,  
      Saturday afternoon, 6 April 2013

4.  “Who could have imagined not very many years ago that the full standard works and years of general conference messages would fit into your pocket? Just having them in your pocket will not protect you, but studying, pondering, and listening to them during quiet moments of each day will enhance communication through the Spirit.

“… Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you . . . review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need.”

     ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
     “For Peace at Home,”
      183rd Annual  General Conference,
     Saturday afternoon, 6 April 2013

5. “ My brothers and sisters, temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service .... Some degree of sacrifice has ever been associated with temple building and with temple attendance. ... Those who understand ... know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings....

Each [temple] stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. ... My beloved brothers and sisters, may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes.” (My emphasis.)

     PRESIDENT THOMAS S MONSON
     President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 
     “Welcome to Conference,
     183rd Annual  General Conference,
     Saturday morning April 6, 2013

6. “Jesus’s teachings were not meant to be theoretical.
        Always they were to be acted upon.”

“Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places.”

     ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
     “Followers of Christ,”
     183rd Annual  General Conference, 
     Sunday afternoon, 7 April 2013

7.   "To me, failure is only when you quit trying...if you keep working at a task and try to do what's right and honest, ultimately it works out."

    ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD
    of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 
    True to the Faith,”
      by Kathleen Lubeck, March 1986 Ensign

8.  “It is crucial for us to understand that Heavenly Father has provided a way for all . . . to have access to the blessings of and be strengthened by the power of the priesthood. (Moses 1:39) . . . We have unlimited, divine potential. But if we are not careful . . . we can drift away from the true doctrine and gospel of Christ and become spiritually undernourished and wilted, having removed ourselves from the divine light and living waters of the Savior’s eternal love and priesthood power . . .

     ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
     “This Is My Work and Glory,”
     183rd Annual  General Conference,  
     Saturday Morning, 7 April 2013

9. A periodic review of the covenants we have made with the Lord will help us with our priorities and with balance in our lives. This review will help us see where we need to repent and change our lives to ensure that we are worthy of the promises that accompany our covenants and sacred ordinances. Working out our own salvation requires good planning and a deliberate, valiant effort. . . . Jesus, our exemplar, often ‘withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed’ (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did.”

“Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. . . . Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.”

“Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.”

     ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 
     157th Annual  General Conference, April 1987

10. “As Christians today, we have the opportunity to act straightway, immediately, and decisively . . . to reject worldly habits, customs, and traditions, . . .  forsake our sins, [and follow the Master] . . . Our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways. (See Ether 12:27; Mosiah 5:2.)"

“This is the call of Christ to every Christian today: ‘Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep’—share my gospel with young and old, lifting, blessing, comforting, encouraging, and building them.”

“The call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work.”

 “As we follow [Christ], He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible.”

 “We feed His lambs in our homes by how we live the gospel: keeping the commandments, praying, studying the scriptures, and emulating His love. We feed His sheep in the Church as we serve . . . And we feed His sheep throughout the world by being good Christian neighbors, practicing the pure religion of visiting and serving the widows, the fatherless, the poor, and all who are in need.”

“Denying ourselves of ungodly behavior is the beginning of repentance, which brings a mighty change of heart until ‘we have no more disposition to do evil (Mosiah 5:2).’ This change, called conversion, is possible only through the Savior. . . . As we are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways.”

     ELDER ROBERT D HALES
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
     “Being a More Christian Christian
     182nd Semi-annual General Conference
     Sunday afternoon, October 2012

11. “Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment. (See John 5:39; Amos 8:11; see also James E. Faust, “A Personal Relationship with the Savior,” Ensign, Nov. 1976, 58–59) The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment (See Alma 31:5). When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance (See Alma 36:23–26). Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined.”

“The Prophet Joseph pointed out that before your baptism, you could be on neutral ground between good and evil. But “when you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can [go] back.” His counsel was that we must never forsake the Master. (See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 324; see also Revelation 3:15–16.)”

“While anything that lessens commitment is of consequence, two relevant challenges are both prevalent and significant. The first is unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse. The second is sexual immorality and impure thoughts. These often precede and are at the root of the choice to be less committed.”

     ELDER QUENTIN L COOK,
      of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
     “Can Ye Feel So Now?”
     182nd Semi-annual General Conference
      Saturday Morning, 6 October 2012  

12. “When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view . . . By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish, confusion, sleepless nights, and pillows wet with tears. But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God”

      ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSON
      of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
      "Trial of Your Faith"
      182nd Semi-annual General Conference,
      Saturday afternoon, 6 October, Ensign, Nov. 2012, 41

13. “Jesus’s call “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22) is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics. In fact, discipleship is not a competition at all but an invitation to all. Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon. In truth, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world.”

“Discipleship is believing Him in seasons of peace and believing Him in seasons of difficulty, when our pain and fear are calmed only by the conviction that He loves us and keeps His promises (Mark 5:36).”

     ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSON
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
     "What Thinks Christ of Me?"
     182nd Annual General Conference
      Sunday afternoon, 1 April 2012, or Ensign, May page 111

14.  “Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience. . . . Without this covenant, repentance remains incomplete and the remission of sins unattained. ([Scriptures] speaks repeatedly of . . . ‘Baptism of or unto repentance’ [referencing] baptism with its covenant of obedience [as] the capstone of repentance. With full repentance, including baptism, one is qualified for the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and it is by the Holy Ghost that one receives the baptism of the Spirit (see John 3:5) and forgiveness of sins . . . (2 Nephi 31:17).


     ELDER D TODD CHRISTOFFERSON
     of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
     "The Divine Gift of Repentance"
     181st Annual General Conference,
      Saturday afternoon, April 2011


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