John 13: 34-35 Love is Reciprocal

Elder Orson Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Love is a principle, like knowledge, which can be imparted without diminishing the fountain from which it emanates. Love, in other words, begets love. We love that which is congenial to our minds; if we love purity and virtue in ourselves, we will love them in others; and when it is known by others that we love them, because of their virtue and goodness, they will love us for like reasons; thus love, when founded upon true principle, is reciprocal” (Orson Pratt, "The Seer," Oct. 1853, p. 155).

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Elders David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, ‘No one knows what it is like. No one understands.’ But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power” (David A. Bednar, “Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 90).

Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,’ because our Savior also took upon Him ‘the pains and the sicknesses of his people’ (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden” (Dallin H. Oaks, “He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 9).

John 7:17 If any man will do his will

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

"In other words, when you are trying to verify the truth of gospel principles, you must first live them. Put gospel doctrine and Church teachings to the test in your own life. Do it with real intent and enduring faith in God."

"If you will do these things, you have a promise from God—who is bound by His word¹¹—that He will manifest the truth to you by the power of the Holy Ghost. He will grant you greater light that will allow you to look through the darkness and witness unimaginably glorious vistas incomprehensible to mortal sight."

"Some may say that the steps are too hard or that they are not worth the effort. But I suggest that this personal testimony of the gospel and the Church is the most important thing you can earn in this life. It will not only bless and guide you during this life, but it will also have a direct bearing on your life throughout eternity" ("Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth," General Conference, Oct 2014).

Forgive- Luke 23:34

Gordon B. Hinckley:

“I plead with you to ask the Lord for strength to forgive. … It may not be easy, and it may not come quickly. But if you will seek it with sincerity and cultivate it, it will come” (“Of You It Is Required to Forgive,” Ensign, June 1991, 5).

There is Power in the Language of the Scriptures

The Language of the Scriptures

1)         President Ezra Taft Benson: "It is important that in our teaching we make use of the language of holy writ" (The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, April 1987).

2)         Gospel Teaching and Learning: “Some ways to helps students identify principles and doctrines are … Encourage students to underline in their scriptures key words or phrases that identify principles and doctrinal statements” (5.2.1, bullet #4).

3)         President Ezra Taft Benson: “The words and the way they are used in the Book of Mormon by the Lord should become our source of understanding and should be used by us in teaching gospel principles” (“A Witness and a Warning”, 31-32).

4)         President Boyd K. Packer: “If the language of the scriptures at first seems strange to you, keep reading. Soon you will come to recognize the beauty and power found on those pages (“The Key to Spiritual Protection,” October 2013).

5)         Elder Richard G. Scott: “There is great solace, direction, and power that flow from the scriptures, especially the words of the Lord” (“He Lives,” October 1999)

6)         President Ezra Taft Benson: “King Benjamin caused that his three sons “should be taught in all the language of his fathers.” (Mosiah 1:2.) They needed to understand and use the language of holy writ. If they didn’t know the right words, they wouldn’t know the plan” (General Conference, October 1985)

7)         Sister Susan W. Tanner: “Sometimes the exact words from the scriptures forcefully answer our prayers. Reading the scriptures also opens our minds and hearts to thoughts prompted by the Spirit. We are much more apt to receive such help if we go to the scriptures seeking, desiring, and asking” (“Scriptures—More Precious Than Gold and Sweeter Than Honey,” Sept 11, 2005).

8)         Teaching, No Greater Call: “Help children understand the language of the scriptures. When you read scriptures together, explain the meaning of important words. Help children pronounce difficult words and names. Have them listen for certain words, phrases, or ideas ("Lesson 12: Teaching from the Scriptures," Part B: Basic Principles of Gospel Teaching—Teach the Doctrine).

9)         Elder Richard G. Scott: “When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased” (“He Lives,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 88).

10)     Acts 20:35: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Increase in Faith-Luke 17:1-10

Joseph Smith on Faith:

By way of definition, he taught that faith is "the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness"; that it is "the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings"; that it is "the moving cause of all action in ... intelligent beings"; that it is also a principle of power; that it "is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God." (Lectures on Faith, pp. 1-8.)

(From Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Bruce R. McConkie)

 Deity is the object upon which faith unto life and salvation rests. Such faith is centered in Christ. "Three things are necessary," the Prophet says, "in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation." These he named as (1) "The idea that he actually exists"; (2) "A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes"; and (3) "An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will." (Lectures on Faith, p. 33.)

Thus in order to gain faith men must gain a knowledge of God; they must know that he is a personal being in whose image man is created, and that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost -- though one Godhead: one in character, perfections, and attributes -- are separate and distinct personalities.

Then they must gain a correct understanding of both the character and attributes of Deity. As listed by the Prophet, his attributes are: Knowledge, Faith or Power, Justice, Judgment, Mercy, and Truth; and his character is summarized under these headings: (1) "He was God before the world was created, and the same God that he was after it was created"; (2) "He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and ... he was so from everlasting, and will be so to everlasting"; (3) "He changes not, neither is there variableness with him, and ... his course is one eternal round"; (4) "He is a God of truth, and cannot lie"; (5) "He is no respecter of persons"; and (6) "He is love." (Lectures on Faith, pp 39, 42-49.)

Relative to the perfections of God, the record says: "What we mean by perfections is, the perfections which belong to all the attributes of his nature." (Lectures on Faith, p. 50.) For instance, the perfection of God consists in his possession of all knowledge, all power, and all truth. It follows that if a person believes that God is progressing and gaining new knowledge, or that he does not yet have all power, or that there are new truths for him to learn, that person cannot attain perfect faith. Or, as the Prophet expressed it: "If it were not for the idea existing in the minds of men that God had all knowledge it would be impossible for them to exercise faith in him." (Lectures on Faith, p. 44.)

Finally, in obtaining or increasing faith, the great governing principle is personal righteousness. A man's faith cannot exceed his righteousness and obedience. The greater the adherence to the truth, the greater is the faith of an individual. "An actual knowledge to any person, that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God, is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God without which no person can obtain eternal life." (Lectures on Faith, p. 57.)

Such then is the course by which the apostles of old, or the saints in any age, have power to gain faith, to increase such faith as they may have, and to gain favor with the Lord. And since faith is a principle of power, when men do gain it, they have power to perform miracles, heal the sick, raise the dead, move mountains, or command a sycamore tree to be plucked up and planted in the sea. Signs, miracles, and gifts are the effects which flow from faith; where these are, there is faith; where these are not, there is no faith. "When faith comes," the Prophet said, "it brings its train of attendants with it -- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth, and disappear when it disappears from the earth; for these are the effects of faith, and always have, and always will, attend it. For where faith is, there will the knowledge of God be also, with all things which pertain thereto -- revelations, visions, and dreams, as well as every necessary thing, in order that the possessors of faith may be perfected, and obtain salvation." (Lectures on Faith, pp. 70-71; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 242-248.)