Give, Said the Little Stream

I may have listened to this about 50 times today.  I kind of love it!  It makes me smile.  It makes me happy.  I think this is what life's about....  :)



"Give," said the little stream,
"Give, oh! give, give, oh! give."
"Give," said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
"I'm small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still."

Singing, singing all the day,
"Give away, oh! give away."
Singing, singing all the day,
"Give, oh! give away."

"Give," said the little rain,
"Give, oh! give, give, oh! give."
"Give," said the little rain,
As it fell upon the flow'rs;
"I'll raise their drooping heads again,"
As it fell upon the flow'rs.

Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
Do as the streams and blossoms do:
For God and others live.

Love Never Fails

I heard this song today on the radio.  It's pretty great!  :)  ...and it seems to be very related to 1 Corinthians 13 and Moroni 7 which are also pretty great!

Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath
Love is not proud
Love does not boast
Love after all
Matters the most

Love does not run

Love does not hide
Love does not keep
Locked inside

Love is the river that flows through
Love never fails you

Love will sustain
Love will provide
Love will not cease
At the end of time

Love will protect
Love always hopes
Love still believes
When you don't

Love is the arms that are holding you
Love never fails you

When my heart won't make a sound
When I can't turn back around
When the sky is falling down
Nothing is greater than this
Greater than this

Love is right here
Love is alive
Love is the way
The truth the life

Love is the river than flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you

Did you do what you were supposed to?

I've been reminded a bit lately that meaningful questions are key.  We won't learn what we need to if we don't ask.  "Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened" (3 Nephi 27:29).

We must ask!!  And going even further...good questions can teach and inspire.  I thought of this post and insight from last October this morning when someone asked me, "How was your weekend?  Did you do what you were supposed to?"  I like this question, but first, my response: "Good.  Yes, I tried."  Immediately I thought of Yoda, "Do or do not.  There is no try."  :)  I better try harder.  :)

Now, back to the question.  Did you do what you were supposed to?  I love that and I've been thinking about it all day.  First of all, did I do what's right?  Did I not get into trouble or make a bad decision?  Second, what was I supposed to do this weekend or today or whenever?  Was I just going along with whatever happened or did I have a plan and live it?  :)  Maybe most importantly, did I ask the Lord what He needed me to do and did I do it?  :)

I'm grateful for the question and the reminder to ask questions and to live purposefully and proactively - asking for the Lord's guidance and doing what I was "supposed to do," what He wants me do with my time, talents, resources, life.

Here are a few good talks and articles for further study:
* Ask, Seek, Knock by Elder Russell M. Nelson (October 2009)
* Personal Revelation by Elder Robert D. Hales (October 2007)
* What is Your Mission? by Elder John H. Groberg (May 1979)
* What a Patriarchal Blessing Can Do for You
* Ten Ways to Know You Are Converted

Things That Matter Most

I'm grateful for fast Sundays, not only for the chance to focus on spiritual health and, with a small sacrifice, show my love to the Lord, but for the chance to attend church where a focus is on sharing testimonies of truth.  This particular fast Sunday was special because our stake presidency requested that in Relief Society and Elders Quorum we spend the hour sharing our favorite scriptures about the Atonement.  What a wonderful blessing and sweet opportunity to be filled with the Spirit and to feel the Lord's love while focusing on that which is most important and HOPEful.

Joseph Smith taught, "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

It was remarkable and uplifting to hear the sweet testimonies of each sister and the scriptures shared from all the standard works, some more explicitly about the Atonement than others, but all with that same central message of our Heavenly Father and Savior's love and sacrifice that makes possible the hope and peace and purpose and joy in our lives, the opportunity for each of us to change.  I was reminded that this really is what it's all about - the scriptures are full of examples of the Lord's love and the Atonement blessing someone.

A few of my favorites (and most favorites) from today:
* 2 Nephi 25: 23, 26
* 2 Nephi 2:6-9 
* 2 Nephi 9:21-23, 41
* Jacob 4:11
* Mosiah 3:17
* Mosiah 4:6-9
* Mosiah 13:28
* Mosiah 15:7-9, 18-19
* Alma 7:11-12
* Alma 34:8-10, 15-16
* Alma 36:17-20
* Alma 42:15
* Helaman 5:9
* 3 Nephi 11:14-15
* 3 Nephi 27:13-15
* Ether 3:14
* Moroni 10:32-33
* D&C 18:10-13
* D&C 19:16-19
* D&C 45:3-5
* D&C 138:2-4
* Moses 5:7
* Article of Faith 3
* Luke 22:42-44
* John 3:16-17
* John 11:25
* John 14:6

* Jacob 7:11-12:  "And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them;for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.  And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me,for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost;wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost."

 * Mosiah 4:2-3:  "And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.  And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them."

* Moroni 7:41:  "And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise."


While thinking about this great, singular blessing, I was reminded of the importance of making this message and hope known to the world.

2 Nephi 2:8:  "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy,and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise."

2 Nephi 31:13:  "By following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."


One other thing that matters most...after a nice day of testimony it was a blessing to spend time with family, particularly listening to my Grandma share her gratitude and testimony and love.  She's stalwart in her faith and love for the Lord.  I'm always inspired and uplifted when I talk to her, but tonight I was touched by her expression of gratitude for family members helping her clean up after some work on her basement.  She talked about feeling overwhelmed with the work to do and grateful for those that came to work and brought hope.  She also mentioned the difficulty of giving up her church magazines in the process.  She had saved each one since 1952 when they moved into their house.  She expressed the loss she felt at not having those inspirational words of prophets and gospel principles tangibly at her finger tips anymore, but I thought it was very sweet and inspirational to me that she said she knew where to look to find those principles - in the lives of her posterity that she had raised and taught to live the principles taught by the prophets.  I think that's the goal, that we internalize His words, His love, and our testimony of Him and then live and share them.  It was a touching expression and great encouragement to do that better at being a living example of the principles of the gospel and words of the prophets.

I'd say it was an inspirational Sunday.  Grateful and HOPEful!  :)

May the light of your soul guide you

Someone gave me this poem this week.  I love it!  It seems very fitting and particularly inspiring.  :)

May the light of your soul guide you by John O'Donohue
May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work
You do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those
Who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in the bland absences.
May the day never burden you.
May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,
Possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.

It reminds me of some things I've been thinking about lately regarding knowing who I am and being me - letting my spirit lead.  :)  It also reminds me of some of these thoughts I wrote about a few years ago:

• Window to His Love (June 2013)
• An Eye Single to His Glory (May 2010)

Prayer Journal

I have been inspired lately by the importance and power of prayer.  This is something I need to work on.  I need to be better and particularly more focused in my prayers.

A couple of months ago a sister mentioned in a comment at church that she used to keep a prayer journal.  I thought this was a really neat idea.  I've kept a gratitude journal at different points in my life and tried to be mindful of the Lord's care and blessings, but I really loved this idea of a prayer journal and how it could help me be more focused in my prayers and in learning better how to hear the Lord respond.  :)  ...and then having a record of His love and answers and care and His tender mercies in my life.

It's almost like our own personal prayer roll - remembering and staying focused on that which we most desire, showing the Lord our faith and then recognizing His answers.  I want to try!  :)

These two beautiful songs have also encouraged me to listen for His voice:

• If I Listen With My Heart by Sally DeFord
• The Master's Voice by Sally DeFord

Sunday in Quotes

Elder Marvin J. Ashton, April 1992:

   "Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. Be fair with your competitors, whether in business, athletics, or elsewhere....Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened. If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care."

Elder James E. Faust, October 1996:

   "Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving."

Elder Richard G. Scott, October 1995:

   "Our Father in Heaven has invited you to express your needs, hopes, and desires unto Him. That should not be done in a spirit of negotiation, but rather as a willingness to obey His will no matter what direction that takes. His invitation, “Ask, and ye shall receive” (3 Ne. 27:29) does not assure that you will get what you want. It does guarantee that, if worthy, you will get what you need, as judged by a Father that loves you perfectly, who wants your eternal happiness even more than do you.  
   "I testify that when the Lord closes one important door in your life, He shows His continuing love and compassion by opening many other compensating doors through your exercise of faith. He will place in your path packets of spiritual sunlight to brighten your way. They often come after the trial has been the greatest, as evidence of the compassion and love of an all-knowing Father. They point the way to greater happiness, more understanding, and strengthen your determination to accept and be obedient to His will."

Our Hope, Our Deliverer, Our All

   "The Hope and Deliverer promised of old, for whom we have waited ere long. Oh, come and redeem us from slavery's yoke, and deliver thy people home. And now in whose presences our souls take delight. On whom in affliction we call. Our comfort by day, our song in the night.  Our Hope, our Deliverer, our All.  Hosanna...our Savior will come. O, Israel, and blessed He'll ever be called.  Hosanna...sing praises to God. Our Hope, our Deliverer, our All. Oh hear, thou dear Savior our call."

Go Forth With Faith

It was an inspiring day at church!  I love the gospel!  I love the Lord!  I'm grateful for the hope, the direction, the peace the gospel of Jesus Christ brings....to me, to all of us.  Because of Him we have faith, hope, love.  :)  There is much in the world that could be very discouraging and alarming and even cause fear, but God wants us to be happy, to have joy, to have faith in Him and His plan.  That brings joy!!  :)  Everlasting joy.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught the importance of Living Joyfully in Troubled Times.  What an inspired, applicable topic for us collectively and individually!  :)  It made me happy be reminded of the importance of choosing happiness and having faith.  Our Heavenly Father has a plan.  He is in charge.  He loves us!  There are challenges, but we can have faith and hope and joy!  Here are a few quotes I loved:

"President Benson was a “careful watcher of events, [who] maintains a certain buoyancy and cheerfulness we would do well to watch. Such buoyancy comes not from ignoring enveloping events, but from noticing these and yet looking beyond them to promises having to do with how the kingdom will finally prevail.”"

"Our Heavenly Father can accomplish miracles through each of us if we will but place our confidence and trust in Him....Faith gives us vision of what may happen, hope for the future, and optimism in our present tasks. Where faith is, we do not doubt the ultimate success of the work."

"Of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic. For while we know that “peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion,” we are also assured that “the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.” (D&C 1:35–36.)"

"With the assurance that the Church shall remain intact with God directing it through the troubled times ahead, it then becomes our individual responsibility to see that each of us remains faithful to the Church and its teachings."

"We have no cause to really worry. Live the gospel, keep the commandments. Attend to your prayers night and morning in your home. Maintain the standards of the Church. Try and live calmly and cheerfully. … Happiness must be earned from day to day. But it is worth the effort."

"Be cheerful in all that you do. Live joyfully. Live happily. Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love."

"Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. He expects us to be happy. But there is no happiness in a letting down of standards. There is no happiness when you fail to live according to your convictions, according to that which you know to be right."

"Do we realize that happiness here and now consists in freely, lovingly, joyfully acknowledging God’s will for us—and doing it in all ways and all affairs big and small? To live perfectly is to live happily. To live happily is to grow in spiritual strength toward perfection. Every action performed in accord with God’s will is part of that growth. Let us not partition our lives. Let us unify our lives, being contemptuous of fictitious honors and glories that do not come with God’s approval. Let us remember that the real source of our strength and happiness is beyond the reach of men and circumstances."

""Look unto me in every thought,” said Jesus. (D&C 6:36.)"


Last week Elder Holland taught seminary and institute teachers these same things in this talk Be Not Afraid, Only Believe.  I loved this and think it's important that we stand up for our faith and what we believe!


Relatedly, I LOVE the song "Go Forth with Faith!"  Every word of this song brings joy and encourages me in my testimony of the Savior and desire to share it.  I believe that's the ultimate goal of living joyfully in trying times - to share our faith and our joy.

Go Forth with Faith
Go forth with faith to tell the world Of Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Bear witness he is God's own Son; Proclaim his wondrous word.
Go forth with hope and courage strong To spread the word abroad
That people of all nations Are children of our God.

Go forth with love to tell the world The joy of families--
That we may be with those we love Thru all eternity.
Go forth to serve and do your best With no thought of reward;
Then you shall know the boundless joy Of serving Christ, the Lord.

Go forth with pow'r to tell the world The gospel is restored,
That all may gain eternal life Thru Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Go forth to preach his glorious truths Of peace, of joy, and love,
That all who heed his holy word May praise the Lord above.


And thinking about faith and joy, here is great article I read recently about The Secret Ingredient to Great Relationships - FAITH.  :)  Go forth with faith!

Love is...

...many things...today it is sleep, reading, books, scriptures, running, sunshine, family history, inspiration, service, kindness, temples, family, grandmas, flowers, cookies, music, friends...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Happy Valentine's Day!  :)

Blessed by Music

Today I feel particularly blessed and inspired by music....

I am the Resurrection (really incredible!!)


We Listen to a Prophet's Voice
We listen to a prophet's voice and hear the Savior too.
With love he bids us do the work the Lord would have us do.
The Savior calls his chosen seer to preach the word of God,
That men might learn to find the path marked by the iron rod.

In ev'ry land, in ev'ry tongue, our prophet will be heard;
How swiftly round the world his voice reveals the gospel word!
The sacred message that he brings will witness and agree
With ev'ry prophet called of God throughout earth's history.

Hosanna! Let our praise ascend unto the Savior's throne;
Rejoice! The prophet has confirmed that by Him we are known.
Attend, ye earth! The prophet speaks; come listen and obey.
He is the man who holds the keys of priesthood pow'r today.

From All That Dwell Below the Skies
From all that dwell below the skies,
Let the Creator's praise arise;
Let the Redeemer's name be sung
Through ev'ry land, by ev'ry tongue.

In ev'ry land begin the song;
To ev'ry land the strains belong.
In cheerful sounds all voices raise
And fill the world with loudest praise.

Your lofty themes, ye mortals, bring;
In songs of praise divinely sing.
The great salvation loud proclaim,
And shout for joy the Savior's name.

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord;
Eternal truth attends thy word.
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more.

I Am A Child of God (if you haven't listened to this in a while, I think you should!)


My main take-away....GOD LOVES US!  He lives!  He wants us to be happy!  We are His children.  He has blessed us - by creating a beautiful world, sending His Son, calling prophets, teaching us the gospel.  GOD LOVES US!  Eternal are His mercies....till the sun shall rise and set no more!

The Holy Ghost

I LOVE this quote by Parley P. Pratt:

“The gift of the Holy Ghost...quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.”

I'm grateful for the blessing of the Holy Ghost that is given to us as a gift and can be a constant companion when we are worthy and striving to follow the direction we receive.

Quick to Observe

I LOVE THIS TALK - "Quick to Observe" by Elder David A. Bednar, given in May 2005 at BYU:



I was thinking today about how the most important thing we can do in this life is to be loyal to the Lord.  That's not always easy, but it's why we're here, to prove ourselves faithful to Him.  Nothing else matters.  Elder Bednar describes this beautifully and I love how he talks about some of the unnoticed spiritual gifts and highlights Mormon's example as one who was "quick to observe."  I think this is so important and want to develop this important gift in my life.

2015

I'm looking forward to a great year!  :)  Here are some things I want to accomplish and become:

• have meaningful prayer and scripture study daily
• keep a journal consistently
• listen for and follow the Spirit daily - I'd like to be a better disciple of Christ.  I love this quote by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf from an April 2009 General Conference talk:  "Discipleship is not a spectator sport."
• share the gospel - I think this is a neat article to help get inspired and started!
• serve - be involved in the community and make a difference
• improve my talents and learn something new - some of my first thoughts and ideas include:  read, run the Ogden Marathon, sing with the Lamb of God group, work on my Spanish and Korean, do more at work, stretch
• build relationships, specifically deepen relationships and love better and more fully
• be happy, be grateful, be myself, love myself, be open, be real, be vulnerable
• travel - hopefully this will include at least a family trip to the Oregon coast, some weekend getaways, and maybe Hawaii?!  :)

Live Purposefully

While it may seem that the greys are greyer these days, I'm grateful for inspiration, direction, motivation, and goals that give purpose and meaning to life.  A few things that have helped me be inspired to move forward lately include:

• Pray more, Pray better
• Living with Purpose:  The Importance of "Real Intent" by Brother Randall L. Ridd
• Destination in Mind
• How to figure out what's worth spending your time on
• 5 Fun Ways to Record 2015

If you don't have a plan and direction, life can quickly turn into something like the story of "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie."  I have felt that way a little bit lately.  :)  I'm grateful for an ultimate and eternal goal, and look forward to making some more actionable and specific plans for my day to day and mortal progression.

Being An Instrument

I am very excited to study the Teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson this year in Relief Society.  I attended a lecture by Sheri Dew last November about President Benson.  I was inspired by his life, his faith,  his love for the Lord, his focus, and his example.  I know there is much to learn from his teachings.

BE AN INSTRUMENT
I loved our first lesson about him yesterday and how our teacher focused on the idea of "being an instrument."  That is what President Benson was - an instrument in the Lord's hands.  She shared verses from Alma about the mission and work of the sons of Mosiah - one of President Benson's favorite parts of the Book of Mormon (see Alma 17 through Alma 26).  We also read some quotes from Elder Don R. Clarke's October 2006 talk, Becoming Instruments in the Hands of God. and Sister Mary Ellen Smoot's talk October 2000 talk, We Are Instruments in the Hands of God.

I was inspired to work to be an instrument in the Lord's as hands, and to learn from the life and teachings of President Benson.  Here are a few of my favorites, so far:

LOVE THE LORD
Throughout his life President Benson had many things competing for his time, but he was consistently loyal to the Lord.  He example of loving the Lord and putting Him first are inspiring.

April 1988 - The Great Commandment--Love the Lord
"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities."

FAMILY
Family was very important to President Benson.  We see this from his early years how he helped to take care of his family while his father was away serving a mission and then as he married Flora and as their family home evenings were shared with the world.  His teachings and example of the importance of family is admirable.

Flora and I

October 1982 - Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships

Marriage and Family
“God intended the family to be eternal. With all my soul, I testify to the truth of that declaration. May He bless us to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family member so that in due time we can report to our Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all there—father, mother, sister, brother, all who hold each other dear. Each chair is filled. We are all back home.”

October 1982 - Worthy of All Acceptation
"Once the families in the Church become organized as the prophet has counseled, and after we have done all we can as a church and as family organizations to identify our progenitors, then perhaps we may qualify for this prophetic blessing spoken of by President Brigham Young:
“You will enter into the Temple of the Lord and begin to offer up ordinances before the Lord for your dead. … Before this work is finished, a great many of the Elders of Israel in Mount Zion will become pillars in the Temple of God, to go no more out: they will eat and drink and sleep there; and they will often have occasion to say—‘Somebody came into the Temple last night; we did not know who he was, but he was no doubt a brother, and told us a great many things we did not before understand.He gave us the names of a great many of our forefathers that are not on record, and he gave me my true lineage and the names of my forefathers for hundreds of years back. He said to me, ‘You and I are connected in one family; there are the names of your ancestors; take them and write them down, and be baptised and confirmed, and save such and such ones, and receive of the blessings of the eternal Priesthood for such and such an individual, as you do for yourselves.’ This is what we are going to do for the inhabitants of the earth. When I look at it, I do not want to rest a great deal, but be industrious all the day long; for when we come to think upon it, we have no time to lose, for it is a pretty laborious work.” (Journal of Discourses, 6:295; italics added.)"

BOOK OF MORMON
President Benson didn't give just one talk about the Book of Mormon, but several and it was obviously a focus of his thoughts.  Here area  few of my favorites:

April 1975 - The Book of Mormon is the Word of God

April 1986 - Cleansing the Inner Vessel
"Unless we read the Book of Mormon and give heed to its teachings, the Lord has stated in section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants that the whole Church is under condemnation: “And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.” (D&C 84:56.) The Lord continues: “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written.” (D&C 84:57.)

Now we not only need to say more about the Book of Mormon, but we need to do more with it. Why? The Lord answers: “That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion.” (D&C 84:58.) We have felt that scourge and judgment!"

October 1986 - The Book for Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion
"My beloved brethren and sisters, today I would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times. The gift I am thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technological revolutions. This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine. It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon, given to mankind 156 years ago....

"There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony....

"It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."

October 1988 - Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon
"I have a vision of thousands of missionaries going into the mission field with hundreds of passages memorized from the Book of Mormon so that they might feed the needs of a spiritually famished world....I have a vision of the whole Church getting nearer to God by abiding by the precepts of the Book of Mormon....Indeed, I have a vision of flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon."

What is the Book of Mormon?
This is not from President Benson, but I saw it recently and thought it was neat and immediately thought of him and his desire for all of us to know and love the Book of Mormon.

TALKS TO EACH GROUP
I think it's so sweet that President Benson spoke directly and specifically to many groups in the Church.  God loves all of His children and so does His prophet.  Here are an example of a few of his talks focused to specific groups:

• April 1986 - To the "Youth of the Noble Birthright"
• October 1986 - To the Young Women of the Church
• April 1987 - To the Home Teachers of the Church
• October 1987 - The the Fathers in Israel
• April 1988 - To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church
• October 1988 - To the Single Adult Sisters of the Church
• April 1989 - To the Children of the Church
• October 1989 - To the Elderly in the Church

I am already inspired by his simple, yet profoundly extraordinary life and mission.  I look forward to learning more from President Benson's teachings and example.