At Parting

"We face many challenges in the world today, but I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. He loves each of us and will bless us as we seek Him through prayer and strive to keep His commandments."

--Thomas S. Monson, "At Parting", April 2011 General Conference

Service

"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives."
--Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?", Ensign, Nov. 2009, 84–87

They Marked the Path to Follow

"Noah had the unwavering faith to follow God’s commandments. May we ever do likewise. May we remember that the wisdom of God ofttimes appears as foolishness to men; but the greatest lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and we obey, we will always be right."

--Thomas S. Monson, "They Marked the Path to Follow", Ensign, Oct 2007, 4–9

Mosiah 2:22

Keep the Commandments, Hymn #303

This is and has always been one of my favorite quotes... esp the part where it says: "when God speaks and we obey, we will always be right."  I can't tell you how many times this has given me comfort in my life - no matter the trial, if we obey his laws, if we obey his answers that he gives to us, we will always be right. Wonderful! 

May You Have Courage

"My final plea tonight is that you have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Because the trend in society today is away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, you will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout your life. The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe."

--Thomas S. Monson, "May You Have Courage", Ensign, May 2009, 123–27

Alma 53:20–21

Stand for the Right, The Children's Songbook #159

Meridian Magazine :: You Tube: New Mormon Message: Have I Done Any Good?

Meridian Magazine :: You Tube: New Mormon Message: Have I Done Any Good?

What Is Christmas?

"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good.' As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours."
--Thomas S. Monson, “What Is Christmas?” Ensign, Dec. 1998, 2

In Search of the Christmas Spirit

"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always."
--Thomas S. Monson, “In Search of the Christmas Spirit,” Ensign, Dec. 1987, 3 (emphasis added)

The Profound Power of Gratitude - TOTW

"Gracias, danke, merci whatever language is spoken, 'thank you' frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity even a sincerity when 'thank you' is spoken."

--Thomas S. Monson, “The Profound Power of Gratitude,” Ensign, Sept. 2005, 3

Happy (belated) Mother's Day

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say God bless and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to fill the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours. --David O. McKay"

"One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these to sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice in service, are as one. --Thomas S. Monson"

For a long time, mother's day was a hard day for me - having had several miscarriages. But over time, even before I had my children, I realized that mother's day isn't just for mother's who had their own children. Mother's day was for every woman out there that had a positive influence in a child's life. Womanhood is a marvelous part of being a woman, which rolls into being a mother. So, though I desired children at the time, and I did not receive them - I was still a mother at heart and that was an incredible "finding" for me. So next to that, now in my life, I have 2 handsome boys in my life, miracles, they are my joy! And I do enjoy mother's day a great deal - because they are in my life.

Parents Must Set a Worthy Example

In many of the thoughts that are shared on a group I started for women of all denominations (On Wings of Faith), this one was posted by a member:

Parents Must Set a Worthy Example

"The Apostle Paul's statement to his beloved Timothy could well apply: `Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity' (1 Timothy 4:12)."Parents, live your lives in such a way that your children will find you an example worthy of emulation."

Thomas S. Monson, "Constant Truths for Changing Times," Liahona, May 2005, 21

There is a a quote by someone else, along the lines of the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Our example is so important in the lives of others, especially our children. The home is the best place to learn about life. I often think about the many children who don't have the loving home that they should. I think about those children, and how it must affect their whole outlook on not only their life, but the world around them. And then I am grateful for the parents who do create the atmosphere in their home that embrace the opportunity to be that great example and to establish a foundation of love, of success, of positive spiritual & emotional guidance. What a difference it makes in our lives, the world around us, and our child's future.