Convert retention
Every convert is precious. Every convert is a son or daughter of God who has been touched by His Holy Spirit. Every individual worthy of baptism is also worthy of saving with full activity in the Church. . . . Do all within your power to save them, to bless their lives, to help them taste the sweet truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. See that those whom you baptize are in very deed converts to the Church who have had come into their hearts a testimony of the truth of this work. Write their names and their addresses in your books of scriptures so that you will never forget them or lose track of them because they are your special people. They are your converts and God will hold you responsible for them. — From missionary meeting, Santiago, Chile, April 26, 1999
Importance of families
One of the great challenges that faces us, and I think that faces the Western World, is to keep the family intact and viable and strong — father, mother, children working together to accomplish something — that is a great challenge. To me it is wonderfully refreshing to see our Latter-day Saint families, little children with fathers and mothers who love them and care for them and nurture them and lead them along and would do anything in the world to help them. I think we are building a future for the Church and also a future for the nation of which we are a part — every nation across the world. You can't have good people with good homes and not materially affect the course of the nation. No nation is stronger than the homes of its people. — From Church News interview, Nov. 2, 1999
Live worthy of a recommend
Live worthy to hold a temple recommend. There is nothing more precious than a temple recommend. . . . Whether you can go there frequently or not, qualify for a temple recommend and keep a recommend in your pocket. It will be a reminder to you of what is expected of you as a Latter-day Saint. — From member meeting, Guam, Jan. 31, 2000
Missionary work
You missionaries, you are part of this responsibility of binding your converts to the Church. You may not be able to continue to visit them. But you can write them occasionally and give them encouragement. When you go home do not forget them. At all times live worthy of their trust. Write to them occasionally assuring them of your love. — From missionary satellite broadcast, "Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep," Feb. 21, 1999
Promise of eternal life
The Lord in His great mercy, the Lord in His love for us, has made it possible for us to be brought together under the authority of the Holy Priesthood in a relationship which will last beyond death, and over which death will have no control. No great man or woman of government, no military leader, no great businessman, no great educator, no great professional man can make that kind of promise. He may attain to the highest honors of men, but he will have no control over the destiny of men and women when they pass the threshold of death. — From member meeting, Guayaquil, Ecuador, July 31, 1999
Spirit of fear
God hath not given you the spirit of fear. That comes from the adversary. The Lord has given you the power of love, and a sound mind; the power of the priesthood, the power of your call, love for the gospel which you teach, for people you teach, and for the Lord. . . . And then this great injunction, "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord." (2 Timothy 1:8.) — From missionary meeting, Maracaibo, Venezuela, Aug. 3, 1999
Tithes and offerings
Do we pay [our tithes and offerings] begrudgingly as a duty? Or do we give the Lord our offerings with thanksgiving for the opportunity, with a cheerful heart and a pleasant way. Are we inclined to hold to the last penny, or do we add a little on the assumption that we may have forgotten some item that came to us during the year? — From BYU devotional, Nov. 30, 1999
Voice of testimony
We speak with a voice of testimony, of revelation. In this the dispensation of the fulness of times, there was the great parting of the curtain by the Father and the Son to speak to the boy Joseph, to show themselves, that They are individual personages and that They have the capacity to speak unto men and direct them. There is nothing like it in all the history of mankind. — From sacrament meeting, [Salt Lake] East Mill Creek 12th Ward, Dec. 26, 1999
What does the Lord expect?
What does the Lord expect of us as Latter-day Saints? What does He expect of me as a member of this Church? He expects me to show a love for God, in the manner in which I live my life. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . . And. . .Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:37,39.)
There is no room in the heart of a Latter-day Saint for bitterness, for unkindness, for animosity to any other of the sons and daughters of God. They may not be of our faith, but we owe them an obligation to treat them as sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven.
He expects us to develop in our hearts and lives a profound love for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. That will find its best expression in the service which we give to others.
He expects each of us to be faithful members of the Church; to do what we are asked to do; to move the work forward; to serve wherever we are called to serve, and build the kingdom in the world. — From member meeting, Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 28, 2000
