ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT - THE POWER OF SCRIPTURE

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly. They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.

Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change. "

-Elder Richard G. Scott. "The Power of Scripture." October 2011 General Conference. 

FAVORITE QUOTES ABOUT THE TEMPLE

 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." 

-Isaiah 2:2-3

"The temple was a place of learning for the Savior when He was on the earth; it was very much part of His life. Temple blessings are available once again in our day."  

-James E. Faust

"As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls - not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

-Thomas S. Monson

“It [the temple] will refine your natures. It will peel off the selfish shell in which most of us live. It will literally bring a sanctifying element into our lives and make us better men and women…Here we can reflect on the great goodness of the Lord to us. Here we can reflect on the great plan of happiness which our Father has outlined for His children…do it while you still have the strength to do it."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

"Our ancestors, along with many other faithful Saints, sacrificed everything because of their testimonies and faith in Jesus Christ. They knew that the gospel had been restored to the earth once more and that they were led by a prophet of God. They knew that the Book of Mormon was true and understood its message and witness. They knew that through the restoration of priesthood keys, families could be sealed together for eternity through holy priesthood ordinances available only in a temple. They knew that temple work was the key to the salvation and exaltation of the human family. They knew the importance of this work, and they were willing to give all that they had in order to provide a house acceptable to the Lord wherein this holy work could be performed. They sacrificed everything so that past and future generations would have access to the 

eternal blessings of the temple."  

-Elaine S. Dalton

SONGS WITH REAL MEANING

"She said, 'no one is alone the way you are alone'
And you held her looser than you would have if you ever could have known
Some things tie your life together, slender threads and things to treasure
Days like that should last and last and last."

"But it's warmer where you're waiting.
It feels more like July.
There's pillows in their cases,
and one of those is mine.
And you wrote the words 'I love you',
and sprayed it with perfume.
It's better than the fire is
to heat this lonely room.
It's warmer where you're waiting
It feels more like July.
It feels more like July."

"I am fairly agile
I can bend and not break
Or I can break and take it with a smile
And I am so resilient
I recover quickly
I'll convince you soon that I am fine." 

"Is there time?
Is there time to follow just one desire?
Is there time?
Is there time to follow your heart's?
Dress your wounds
Test your strength
Face the night
Crave the touch
Feel the pain
Know the signs
Is there truth in your pain?
You decide."

"And follow me south of the big docks
they teather the boats
the rich men revere
as so important
they hire our fathers to steer.
And down to the edge of the water
where we'll spill our guts
and we'll name our fears
I'll give you this picture
keep it and don't be scared."

"And the night can freeze, before you set it on fire.
And our flares go unnoticed.
Dimminished, faded just as soon as they are fired."

"Pouring over photographs.
I'm living in your letters.
Breathe deeply from this envelope
it smells like you and I can't be
without that scent. It's filling me
with all you mean to me.
Hope has sprung a perfect dive
a perfect day, a perfect lie.
A slowly crafted monologue
conceding your defeat." 

"Tonight, they're burning the roads they built to lead us to the light.
And blinding our hearts with their shining lies,
while closing our caskets cold and tight. But I'm dying to live."

"I'm starting to panic
remember she asked you
remember to breathe
and everything will be okay."

"And from the ballroom floor we are in celebration
One good stretch before our hibernation
Our dreams assured and we all, will sleep well."

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS

Out my bedroom window I can see just north of the railroad tracks.
Just past them a canyon, a trail.
I go down to Benton and over the bridge.
This afternoon I rode to take a break
and to be refreshed by the creek,
the quietness, the stability of the seasons. 
Leaves less colored than the last time:
higher up the trail they change from green to yellow to red.
The slender moon up in the sky.
Fallen leaves floating down
faster than the stream that carries them.
I didn't stop for water from my backpack.
Only reaching in my pocket to pull out my camera.
Life's better this way. 
My legs burn.
It's been too long since I got away.
Away from the books, the classroom, and the lab. 
The way down my bike tire bounces off rocks
that could send me into the bushes.
My elbows shaking, start to itch
from the vibration, the wind, the rush
of remembering what it feels like to be alive -
to be the one making my own tracks again.

OCTOBER GENERAL CONFERENCE 2010

This past week I've been looking over my notes from General Conference and have thought a lot about what I learned and changes I want to make in my life. I'm so grateful to have a living prophet today to guide and direct us. All the church leaders are such intelligent, humble, and inspiring people that help me learn more about Jesus Christ and how I can find more joy through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A friend reminded me that not only are the speakers inspired to share things that will help us in our lives, but we too are prepared to receive what they will share with us. It's always crazy how many things that are touched on always apply directly to me and things I have been pondering. Each conference is also always an uplifting reminder to me of what is most important in life and a reminder of how real the gospel is. It helps me refocus my priorities and what matters most. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church restored again on the earth with all the authority and keys of God. I'm grateful God calls prophets to lead us and give us direction today in this crazy world!

These are some of the things that stood out the most to me this conference:

• A testimony of the gospel comes in private powerful manifestations. 
• It is sometimes easier to believe dead prophets than living prophets. 
• The attitude of a teacher is not taught but caught. 
• A consecrated life is full or work. 
• When we experience tough times in life, we need to slow down and focus on what is most important. 
• The key relationships in life are with God, our families, our fellowmen, and ourselves. 
• Wrong choices diminish our ability to act in the future. 
• There is no safer way to approach life, than by following the prophet. 
• In temple mirrors we should see ourselves at children of our ancestors and parents of our posterity; we are to see ourselves home with Heavenly Father. 
• Faith changes simple acts to great acts. 
• The Book of Mormon is truly a prepared tool to gather scattered Israel home. 
• Complete healing is found only at the Savior's feet. 
• The Anti-Nephi-Lehi's not only laid down weapons that were to be used against their enemies, but also weapons against their God. 
• Pride violates the two great commandments. 
• It is impossible to be prideful if you are filled with charity. 
• Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but less about yourself. 
• Pondering the scriptures means taking the time to think, pray, and invite revelation, after reading.
• We magnify our callings in the priesthood by letting the light of Christ shine through us and having the Spirit with us. 
• More important than the words we speak, is having the Holy Ghost with you as you minister to others. 
• Don't take detours because you may never find your way back to the right path. 
• Christ is for us, Satan against us, so it is our vote that counts. 
• Nowhere is mercy more manifest than in repentance. 
• Lehi and Joseph Smith's histories parallel each other. 
• We need both personal and priesthood lines of communication. 
• Being grateful unlocks the doors of heaven so we can feel Heavenly Father's love more fully.
• Receiving the Holy Ghost is not passive but a call to act. 
• Having an honorable name is better than riches.
• Satan is the ultimate counterfeit fisher of men. 
• We should ever be found doing the work of the Lord.

http://new.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2010/10?lang=eng