The blessings of life......if we open the door, He will enter

“Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call ‘the furnace of affliction’. Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become.”

Dallin H. Oaks

“In our hearts do we feel a sense of gratitude and devotion to the Father? Are we of one heart with Him to whom we owe everything? The test of our devotion to the Lord seems to be the way we serve Him.”

L. Tom Perry

“All good things require effort. That which is worth having will cost part of your physical being, your intellectual power, and your soul power ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’. But you have to seek, you have to knock. On the other hand, sin thrusts itself upon you. It walks beside you, it tempts you, it entices, it allures. You do not have to put forth effort. … Evil seeks you, and it requires effort and fortitude to combat it.

But truth and wisdom are gained only by seeking, by prayer, and by effort.”

David O. McKay

“The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”

Joseph F. Smith

“In the quiet hours, in the heat of battle, and through the hazards of the day; in times of temptation, of sorrow, of peace and of blessing, let us pray always, both alone, and with our families gathered around us, with gratitude for the blessings of life, for understanding of its problems, and for strength to endure to the end.”

Heber J. Grant

“In speaking of the story of the 10 lepers, Elder Howard W. Hunter also stressed our need to thank our Heavenly Father for all the blessings that He gives to us: ‘Of the ten men who were healed, only one returned to express appreciation. This must have been a disappointment to the Master, but there are many who receive blessings, many who are endowed with good things in life, yet never take the time or go to the effort to show gratitude to the benefactor or express appreciation to God. Happiness and joy from blessings are never complete until there is a deep feeling of gratitude within oneself which moves an expression of appreciation’

“My constant and earnest prayer … is that my mind may never become darkened, that I may never depart from the path of rectitude and right, but that as I grow in years I may increase in understanding, that the light and inspiration of the Spirit of God may burn in my heart and enlighten my understanding and keep me firm and faithful in serving my Heavenly Father.”

Heber J. Grant

“Every soul that walks the earth, you and I, all of us-whether rich or poor, whether good or bad, young or old-every one of us is going to be tested and tried by storms of adversity, winds that we must defend ourselves against. And the only ones who won’t fail will be those whose houses have been built upon the rock. And what’s the rock? It’s the rock of obedience to the principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the Master taught.”

Harold B. Lee

“Let us listen for the sound of His sandaled feet. Let us reach out for the Carpenter’s hand.”

Thomas S. Monson

“When we strive to be Christlike, He is ‘formed’ in us; if we open the door, He will enter; if we seek His counsel, He will counsel us. For Christ to be ‘formed’ in us, we must have a belief in Him and in His Atonement. Such a belief in Christ and the keeping of His commandments are not restraints upon us. By these, men are set free. This Prince of Peace waits to give peace of mind, which may make each of us a channel of that peace.”

 

Howard W. Hunter