God is Eager to Answer Prayers and Fulfill Dreams

"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe."

 Elder Jeffrey Holland, "This is the Greatest of all Dispensations", July 2007, from CES Fireside 2004

God's Cake

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong, she is failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her andher best friend is moving away. Meanwhile her moter is baking a cake and askes her daughter if she would like a snack.  The daughter says, 'Absolutely mom, I love your cake." "Here have some cooking oil,' her mother offers.  'Yuck, says the daughter.  "How about a couple of raw eggs?' "Gross, Mom!"  "Would yo like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, all those things are disgusting.!" To which the mother replies; "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But, when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake."
"God works the same way.  Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult things.  But, God know that when he puts these things all in His order, they always work for good!  We just have to trust Him and , eventually, they will all make something wonderful.  God is crazy about you.  He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.  He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

PSST by Elder Dean Larsen

"In a world that is ripening in iniquity (see D&C 18:6) members of the Church face the challenge of sustaining a pattern of obedience to gospel principles that will result in their being increasingly different from the general behavioral trends of the world.  This will require all of the spiritual reinforcement that an be drawn upon.  Prayer, scripture study, participation in worship services, and the giving of service will become increasingly essential.  The influence of the temple will be important as a part of this spiritual undergirding."

Elder Dean L. Larsen, "The Importance of the Temple for Living Members"
April 1993, Ensign

Temple Protection

"Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people...The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance of work of the temples.  Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service.  We will be blessed in all of our affairs. We will be eligible to have the Lord take an interest in our affairs both spiritual and temporal."
Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple p. 265

Temple Attendance Protects our Family

President Ezra Taft Benson, “Make the temple a sacred home away from our eternal home.  This temple will be a standing witness that the power of God can stay the powers of evil in our midst.  Many parents, in and out of the Church, are concerned about protection against a cascading avalanche of wickedness which threatens to engulf Christian principles...There is a power associated with the ordinances of heaven-even the power of godliness-which can and will thwart the forces of evil if we will be worthy of those sacred blessings.  This community will be protected, our families will be protected, our children will be safeguarded as we live the gospel, visit the temple, and live close to the Lord.
(The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.256)
(Atlanta Georgia Temple Cornerstone laying, 1 June 1983, Pres. Ezra Taft Benson)

Becoming Christlike is a Lifelong Pursuit

"Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible..."...For every Paul, there is an Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible.  Day by day they move l=closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life.  They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment.  They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said 'were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.' (3 Ne 9:20; italics added).

"A Mighty Change of Heart" Ensign Oct 1989, Benson

I Am ONE

"Remember the words of Nathan Hale when he said:
'I am one, but I am one.
I can't do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, that I ought to do,
And what I ougt to do,
By the grace of God, I shall do!"
And this is my prayer for you this day. May God bless all of you, each and every one.  Thank you very much."

Ezra Taft Benson, Stand Up for Freedom