Service with the Spirit - President Henry B. Eyring

We cultivate spiritual gifts by keeping the commandments and trying to live a blameless life. That requires faith in Jesus Christ to repent and be cleansed through His Atonement. So as priesthood holders we should never miss an opportunity to participate with all our hearts in the promise offered in every sacrament meeting for members of the restored Church to “take upon them the name of [God’s] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them.”¹
Just as we must be cleansed of sin to have the Spirit with us, we must be humble enough before God to recognize our need for it. The disciples of the resurrected Savior demonstrated that humility, as recorded in the Book of Mormon.

Service with the Spirit - President Henry B. Eyring

And so my message for us tonight is this: let us do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion, and then let us go forward fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do. That growth in power to serve may come slowly, it may come in small steps that are difficult for you to see, but it will come.

Pride and the Priesthood - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Brethren, we hold “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.”¹⁸ It is the power God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. In order to exercise His power, we must strive to be like the Savior. This means that in all things we seek to do the will of the Father, just as the Savior did.¹⁹ It means that we give all glory to the Father, just as the Savior did.²⁰ It means that we lose ourselves in the service of others, just as the Savior did.

Pride and the Priesthood - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

As priesthood bearers, we must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children.

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character - Elder Richard G. Scott

• Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His program to acquire the power to achieve.
  
  
• Repentance to rectify the consequences of mistakes of omission or commission.
  
  
• Obedience to the commandments of the Lord to provide strength and direction in our lives.
  
  
• Selfless service to enrich the lives of others.

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character - Elder Richard G. Scott

Your faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments will strengthen your character. Your character is a measure of what you are becoming. It is the evidence of how well you are using your time on earth in this period of mortal probation.

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character - Elder Richard G. Scott

• Trust in God and in His willingness to provide help when needed, no matter how challenging the circumstance.
  
  
• Obedience to His commandments and a life that demonstrates that He can trust you.
  
  
• Sensitivity to the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit.
  
  
• Courageous implementation of that prompting.
  
  
• Patience and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and when answers come a piece at a time over an extended period.

Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life - Elder Robert D. Hales

I acknowledge that all of us make mistakes. The scriptures teach us, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”²⁶ For those who find themselves captive to past unrighteous choices, stuck in a dark corner, without all the blessings available by the righteous exercise of agency, we love you. Come back! Come out of the dark corner and into the light. Even if you have to walk across a newly varnished floor, it is worth it. Trust that “through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind [including you and me] may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”²⁷

Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life - Elder Robert D. Hales

Contrary to the world’s secular teaching, the scriptures teach us that we do have agency, and our righteous exercise of agency always makes a difference in the opportunities we have and our ability to act upon them and progress eternally.

Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life - Elder Robert D. Hales

When we follow the prophets’ counsel to hold family home evening, family prayer, and family scripture study, our homes become an incubator for our children’s spiritual growth. There we teach them the gospel, bear our testimonies, express our love, and listen as they share their feelings and experiences. By our righteous choices and actions, we liberate them from darkness by increasing their ability to walk in the light.

Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life - Elder Robert D. Hales

Whenever we disobey, we spiritually paint ourselves into a corner and are captive to our choices. Though we are spiritually stuck, there is always a way back. Like repentance, turning around and walking across a newly varnished floor means more work—a lot of resanding and refinishing! Returning to the Lord isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life - Elder Robert D. Hales

In our mortal journey, it is helpful to remember that the opposite is also true: when we don’t keep the commandments or follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, our opportunities are reduced; our abilities to act and progress are diminished.

Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life - Elder Robert D. Hales

We chose to have faith in the Savior Jesus Christ—to come unto Him, follow Him, and accept the plan Heavenly Father presented for our sakes.

As We Meet Together Again - President Thomas S. Monson

...every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain your health and strength. Study the scriptures. Where such is available, participate in seminary or institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook Preach My Gospel.