Mormon Musings

"What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears." —Gordon B. Hinckley, " Chapter 3: Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism ",  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley , 2016

"The reason our Heavenly Father asks us to pray cannot be that we are able to tell Him something He does not already know. Rather, the reason He asks us to pray is that the process of learning to communicate effectively with Him will shape and change our lives as much as we are changed by learning to communicate as children." —David E. Sorensen, "Prayer", Ensign, May 1993

"There will be noise and people around you most of your waking day. God hears your silent prayers, but you may have to learn to shut out the distractions because the moment you need the connection with God may not come in quiet times." —Henry B. Eyring, " Priesthood and Personal Prayer "

When a choice will make a real difference in our lives—obvious or not—and when we are living in tune with the Spirit and seeking his guidance, we can be sure we will receive the guidance we need to attain our goal. The Lord will not leave us unassisted when a choice is important to our eternal welfare. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, BYU Devotional, September 1981 https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dallin-h-oaks_revelation/

 30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.  31 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. Helaman 14:30-31

If we expect to receive, we must ask, seek, and knock. In his search for truth, Joseph Smith read from the scriptures, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” In answer to his prayer of faith, the heavens were opened. God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, descended in glory and spoke to Joseph Smith, ushering in the dispensation of the fulness of times. For us, miraculous healing, powerful protection, divine knowledge, liberating forgiveness, and precious peace are among the answers that come when we offer up a “soul’s sincere desire” in faith. Carol F. McConkie, October 2016 General Conference

We  should  not  worry  that  we  are  not  professionally  trained  gospel  teachers.  No  training  class  or  manual  is  as  helpful  as  personally  studying  our  scriptures,  praying,  pondering,  and  seeking  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  Spirit  will  lead  you  along.  I  promise  you:  the  calling  to  be  a  parent  includes  the  gift  to  teach  in  the  ways  that  are  right  for  you  and  for  your  children.  Remember,  God’s  power  to  influence  us  righteously  is  His  love.  “We  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us." Elder Robert D. Hales, October 2016 General Conference