"Set in Order thy House"

"As we go through life, even through very rough waters, a father's instinctive impulse to cling tightly to his wife or to his children may not be the best way to accomplish his objective. Instead, if he will lovingly cling to the Savior and the iron rod of the gospel, his family will want to cling to him and to the Savior.

"This lesson is surely not limited to fathers. Regardless of gender, marital status, or age, individuals can choose to link themselves directly to the Savior, hold fast to the rod of His truth, and lead by the light of that truth. By so doing, they become examples of righteousness to whom others will want to cling."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, "Set in Order Thy House," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 69

"Quench Not the Spirit"

"We . . . must be careful not to hinder, disregard, or quench the Spirit in our lives.

"The beckoning invitations of the world attempt to divert our attention from the strait and narrow path. The adversary labors to dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit,whether we are teenagers, young adults, or mature men and women. The role of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is essential in every season of our mortal lives."

Keith K. Hilbig, "Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 37

"Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock"

"With all the strength of my soul I testify that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He hears the prayers of humble hearts; He hears our cries for help. . . . His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, speaks to each of us today: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation3:20).

"Will we listen for that knock? Will we hear that voice?Will we open that door to the Lord, that we may receive the help He is so ready to provide? I pray that we will."

Thomas S. Monson, "Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 24

"Our Father Which Art in Heaven"

"Prayer endows us with the power to draw near to our Eternal Father.How important it is, then, that one of our fundamental teachings to our children is how to pray."

L. Tom Perry, "Our Father Which Art in Heaven," Ensign, Nov. 1983, 12

"What matters Most Is What Lasts Longest"

"[The] devastated and displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina .. were hungry, frightened people who had lost everything and needed food,medical attention, and help of all kinds, but what they wanted and needed most was their families.

"Crisis or transition of any kind reminds us of what matters most. In the routine of life, we often take our families--our parents and children and siblings--for granted. But in times of danger and need and change, there is no question that what we care about most is our families! It will be even more so when we leave this life and enter into the spirit world. Surely the first people we will seek to find there will be father, mother, spouse, children, and siblings."

M. Russell Ballard, "What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 41

"We have Followed This Counsel..."

President James E. Faust:
Some have said, "We have followed this counsel in the past and have never had need to use our year's supply, so we have difficulty keeping this in mind as a major priority." Perhaps following this counsel could be the reason why they have not needed to use their reserve.
(Ensign, May 1986, p.22).

"How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil"

"You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with concern for the future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to live with peace and happiness in a world awash with evil. If you choose to concentrate on the dark side, this is what you will see. . . . Now the brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness."

Richard G. Scott, "How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil," Ensign, May 2004, 100

"The Atonement: All for All"

This is the quote that made it's way to my inbox last year on the day that my daughter passed away. Every time I read this...I feel a confirmation of importance and reality of our eternal bonds. Danielle

"We can have eternal life if we want it, but only if there is nothing else we want more."

Bruce C. Hafen, "The Atonement: All for All," Ensign, May 2004, 98

"Faith, Service, Constancy"

In our everyday quest to fortify ourselves and our families against the storms of life, we must not forget to nourish our spirit and do everything in our power to strengthen our faith.

I hope to add a few inspirational thoughts now and then; to lift our spirits and inspire our hearts. If you come across any profound thoughts or quotes that have touched your life, please share them by emailing them to sunrisemeadows1@live.com.

Thank you, Danielle

"At . . . moments of crisis and challenge, some choose to abandon faith just at the time when it most needs to be embraced. Prayer is ignored at the very hour when it needs to be intensified. Virtue is carelessly tossed aside when it needs to be cherished. God is forsaken in the all-too-human yet mistaken fear that He has forsaken us.

"The truth is that our only safety, our only security, our only hope is to hold fast to that which is good. As the mists of darkness gather around us, we are only lost if we choose to let go of the iron rod, which is the word of God."

David S. Baxter, "Faith, Service, Constancy," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 14