Steadfast and of Good Cheer

The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer as they have made the gospel of Jesus Christ‍ the center of their lives. This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious.

President Thomas S. Monson - April 2009 General Conference "Be of Good Cheer"
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng

As Bright As Your Faith

"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.

My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

President Thomas S. Monson - April 2009 General Conference "Be of Good Cheer"
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng

Let Our Lives Be Clean

Let us join in the fervent declaration of Joshua: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). Let our hearts be pure. Let our lives be clean. Let our voices be heard. Let our   actions be felt.

Then the beetle of pornography will be halted in its deadly course. Pernicious   permissiveness will have met its match. And we, with Joshua, will safely cross   over Jordan into the promised land-Even to eternal life in the celestial kingdom of our God.

President Thomas S. Monson - October 1979 General Conference "Pornography - The Deadly Carrier

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/pornography-the-deadly-carrier?lang=eng&query=pornography

Stay Away from Pornography

Stay completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever. It has proven to be an addiction which is more than difficult to overcome.

President Thomas S. Monson - April 2011 General Conference "Priesthood Power"
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/priesthood-power 

My Thoughts on the Life and Testimony of Thomas S. Monson

The thing that impresses me the most about President Monson’s life is how much he loves and serves people.  From a young age he was able to recognize the needs of others, including the primary teacher who was hurting because of the misbehavior of her class.  Not only did he recognize them but he wanted to help.  I was impressed by how people were and are drawn to him.  It says so much about him that he was able to find so many lost sheep and bring them back to the fold.  Even as a teen he was able to show enough sincere concern for them to respond to his invitations.  How amazing that he not only feels the promptings but that he also makes the time to act on them.

President Monson has a powerful testimony of service, of the scriptures, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I love listening to him talk about the Savior.  You can tell that not only does he worship Him, but it’s more than just that.  It is so easy to see that they are truly friends.  He loves Him.  He talks to Him.  He serves out of love for Him.  I also was touched by His testimony about prayer.  You can tell that it is by personal experience that he knows God hears and answers our prayers.  He also testifies that many of those prayers are answered through us.  President Monson is an incredible example of the truth of that.  What an amazing way he has of teaching us that God does work through us, and the better we listen the more he will talk to us and use us as His hands.

Nazareth Was a Little Place

“‘Father, where shall I work today?’

And my love flowed warm and free.

Then he pointed out a tiny spot

And said, ‘Tend that for me.’

I answered quickly, ‘Oh no, not that!

Why, no one would ever see,

No matter how well my work was done.

Not that little place for me.’

And the word he spoke, it was not stern;

He answered me tenderly:

‘Ah, little one, search that heart of thine;

Art thou working for them or for me?

‘Nazareth was a little place,

And so was Galilee.’”

—Meade MacGuire

 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1973/04/yellow-canaries-with-gray-on-their-wings?lang=eng&query=yellow+canaries+with+grey+on+their+wings