Mormon Musings

We  should  not  worry  that  we  are  not  professionally  trained  gospel  teachers.  No  training  class  or  manual  is  as  helpful  as  personally  studying  our  scriptures,  praying,  pondering,  and  seeking  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  Spirit  will  lead  you  along.  I  promise  you:  the  calling  to  be  a  parent  includes  the  gift  to  teach  in  the  ways  that  are  right  for  you  and  for  your  children.  Remember,  God’s  power  to  influence  us  righteously  is  His  love.  “We  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us." Elder Rob...

"Some might ask, 'Why doesn’t the inspiration come more easily and quickly?' The Lord taught Oliver Cowdery, 'You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right.'" —Robert D. Hales, " General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony "

"When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search  the scriptures." (Elder Hales, Ensign, Nov. 2006, 26-27)

“At the Copenhagen Denmark Area Conference held August 3–5, 1976, President [Spencer W.] Kimball went to see Thorvaldsen’s beautiful sculpture[s]. … After a few spiritual moments admiring The Christus, President Kimball bore his testimony to the caretaker who stood nearby. As he turned to the statue of Peter and pointed to the large set of keys in Peter’s right hand, he proclaimed: ‘The keys of priesthood authority which Peter held as President of the Church I now hold as President of the Church in this dispensation.’ Then he stated to the caretaker, ‘You work every day with Apostles in stone, but today you are in the presence of living Apostles.’ He then introduced President N. Eldon Tanner, Elder Thomas S. Monson, and Elder Boyd K. Packer. He presented the caretaker with a Book of Mormon in Danish, and bore his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The caretaker was moved to tears in acknowledgment of the Spirit he felt in the presence of a prophet and Apostles. He acknowledged to m...

How important it is during troubled times, when we are tested, that we do not do anything to lose the Holy Ghost's gentle persuasions, comfort, peace, and direction.  This peace will give us assurance to make correct choices in life in order to weather the storms and bring us closer to God's ways. Elder Robert D. Hales, Address to CES Religious Educators, February 1, 2002

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng#44-PD50029123_000_4020

When we do not do what is right or when our outlook is dominated by skepticism, cynicism, criticism, and irreverence toward others and their beliefs, the Spirit cannot be with us. We then act in a way that the prophets describe as the natural man. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14)." This "natural man is an enemy to God, . . . and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, . . . and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, [and] full of love’ (Mosiah 3:19).” Robert D. Hales ,  “Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 31