Faith cometh not by signs

The Lord declared, “Faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe” (D&C 63:9; see also verses 10–12). Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) explained that the righteous will have signs in their lives as a result of their faith:

“Signs flow from faith. They may incidentally have the effect of strengthening the faith of those who are already spiritually inclined, but their chief purpose is not to convert people to the truth, but to reward and bless those already converted. …

“Signs are sacred grants of divine favor reserved for the faithful and concerning which the recipients are commanded not to boast” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 713–14).

What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?

"The Savior once asked His disciples the following question: “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

This is a question that my father taught me to carefully consider years ago. As I was growing up, my parents assigned me chores around the house and paid me an allowance for that work. I often used that money, a little over 50 cents a week, to go to the movies. Back then a movie ticket cost 25 cents for an 11-year-old. This left me with 25 cents to spend on candy bars, which cost 5 cents apiece. A movie with five candy bars! It couldn’t get much better than that.

All was well until I turned 12. Standing in line one afternoon, I realized that the ticket price for a 12-year-old was 35 cents, and that meant two less candy bars. Not quite prepared to make that sacrifice, I reasoned to myself, “You look the same as you did a week ago.” I then stepped up and asked for the 25-cent ticket. The cashier did not blink, and I bought my regular five candy bars instead of three.

Elated by my accomplishment, I later rushed home to tell my dad about my big coup. As I poured out the details, he said nothing. When I finished, he simply looked at me and said, “Son, would you sell your soul for a nickel?” His words pierced my 12-year-old heart. It is a lesson I have never forgotten.

To the question, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Satan would have us sell our lives for the candy bars of this world. The Savior, however, calls us, without price, to exchange our sins, to take upon us His countenance, and to take that into the hearts of those within our reach."

-Robert C. Gay
"What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?"
Oct 2012

The adversary’s construction crews are working overtime

"In our world today, the adversary’s construction crews are working overtime, hastily inflating the large and spacious building. The expansion has spread across the river, hoping to envelop our homes, while the pointers and the scoffers wail day and night on their internet megaphones.

President Nelson explained, “The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord.” Let us remember Lehi’s words: “We heeded them not.”

Although we need not fear, we are to be on guard. At times, little things can upend our spiritual balance. Please don’t allow your questions, the insults of others, faithless friends, or unfortunate mistakes and disappointments to turn you away from the sweet, pure, and soul-satisfying blessings that come from the precious fruit of the tree. Keep your eyes and your hearts centered on the Savior Jesus Christ and the eternal joy that comes only through Him."

-Neil L. Andersen
"Fruit"
Oct 2019

The Savior’s Touch

"It is very hard to imagine the physical and emotional suffering that weighed on the leper who came unto the Savior. Leprosy affects the nerves and skin, causing disfigurement and disability. Additionally, it led to great social stigma. Someone stricken with leprosy had to leave their loved ones and live isolated from society. Lepers were considered unclean, both physically and spiritually. For this reason, the law of Moses required that lepers wear torn clothing and call out, “Unclean!” as they walked. Sick and despised, lepers ended up living in abandoned houses or in the tombs.5 It is not hard to imagine that the leper who approached the Savior was broken.

Sometimes—in one way or another—we too can feel broken, whether due to our own actions or those of others, due to circumstances we can or cannot control. In such moments, we can place our will in His hands."

-Walter F. González
"The Savior’s Touch"
Oct 2019

Starved to Death with their Stomachs Full

"Years ago, President Boyd K. Packer told of a herd of deer that, because of heavy snowfall, was trapped outside its natural habitat and faced possible starvation. Some well-meaning people, in an effort to save the deer, dumped truckloads of hay around the area—it wasn’t what deer would normally eat, but they hoped it would at least get the deer through the winter. Sadly, most of the deer were later found dead. They had eaten the hay, but it did not nourish them, and they starved to death with their stomachs full.

Many of the messages that bombard us in the information age are the spiritual equivalent of feeding hay to deer—we can eat it all day long, but it will not nourish us.

Where do we find true spiritual nourishment? Most often, it is not trending on social media. We find it when we “press [our] way forward” on the covenant path, “continually holding fast to the rod of iron,” and partake of the fruit of the tree of life. This means that we must deliberately take time each day to disconnect from the world and connect with heaven."

-Stephen W. Owen
"Be Faithful, Not Faithless"
Oct 2019

The Church is Christ's Body

"Just as every part of the body (eyes, ears, hand, etc.) are necessary to make it operate properly, all members-old, young, male, female, single, married, gifted, or not- are necessary in a ward. Why? "For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God" (D&C 46:11).

Since everyone  has at least one spiritual gift, the reason to come to church is to share that gift and to edify and bless the lives of others. For a person to say they don't come to church because they feel closer to God fishing on the river on Sunday is totally selfish. They have a spiritual gift they are not sharing.  They are in the category of 'the eye saying to the hand, I have no need of thee." The eye or the leg can't cut itself off and say 'it's only hurting me.' It affects the whole body.   When a person fails to attend church, it also affects the whole body (or church).

If we stand back and look at the big picture, we see the genius of the Lord. He sprinkles spiritual gifts throughout the church. Not everyone is an apostle, or a teacher, or a singer, or an administrator.  The Lord calls a Bishop to be like a "choir director" and assign people different parts according to their gifts to help build the Kingdom of God. The Lord created a need for community. He did not say isolate yourself from the world and become pure. 1 Cor 12:12-22 are part of the unity theme that he was preaching."

-Joseph McConkie
1998

The Grandeur of God

"Jesus did not come to improve God’s view of man nearly so much as He came to improve man’s view of God and to plead with them to love their Heavenly Father as He has always and will always love them. The plan of God, the power of God, the holiness of God, yes, even the anger and the judgment of God they had occasion to understand. But the love of God, the profound depth of His devotion to His children, they still did not fully know—until Christ came."

-Jeffrey R. Holland
"The Grandeur of God"
Oct 2003