Skip to main content

2 Nephi 10

Lesson Quotes:
Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“[Satan] promotes conduct and choices that limit our freedom to choose by replacing the influence of the Holy Spirit with his own domination (see D&C 29:40; 93:38–39). Yielding to his temptations leads to a narrower and narrower range of choices until none remains and to addictions that leave us powerless to resist” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Agency,” Ensign, June 2009, 49).

Doctrinal Mastery Lesson Quotes - 2 Nephi 26:33
Elder Quentin L. Cook
“In our day, the scriptural imperative for unity is largely ignored, and for many people the emphasis is on tribalism, often based on status, gender, race, and wealth.  In many countries, if not most, people are deeply divided about how to live.  In the Lord’s Church, the only culture we adhere to and teach is the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The unity we seek is to be unified with the Savior and His teachings.

“As we look at the primary purposes of the Church, they are all based on equality before the Lord (see 2 Nephi 26:33) and following the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ. …


“Fulfilling divinely appointed responsibilities, based on righteousness, unity, and equality before the Lord, brings personal happiness and peace in this world and prepares us for eternal life in the world to come (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:23). It prepares us to meet God (see Alma 34:32) (“Prepare to Meet God,” Ensign, May 2019).

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“God does not look on the outward appearance.  I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely.  Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly.  Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.” (“The Love of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 22)

Elder Quentin L. Cook
“As we look at the primary purposes of the Church, they are all based on equality before the Lord (see 2 Nephi 26:33) and following the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  With respect to missionary work, the principal qualifications for baptism are humbling oneself before God and coming forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:37). Education, wealth, race, or national origin are not even considered. …

“I would expect that your own experiences in the temple would be similar to mine. When I would leave my workday world in San Francisco and arrive at the Oakland Temple, I would experience an overwhelming feeling of love and peace. A major part of that was sensing I was closer to God and His purposes. The saving ordinances were my primary focus, but a significant part of those beautiful feelings was the quality and unity that permeate the temple. Everyone is dressed in white clothing. There is no evidence of wealth, rank, or educational attainment; we are all brothers and sisters humbling ourselves before God.

“In the sacred sealing room, the eternal marriage ordinance is the same for everyone. I love the fact that the couple from the humblest background and the couple from the wealthiest background have exactly the same experience. They wear the same type of robes and make the same covenants across the same altar.  They also receive the same eternal priesthood blessings.  This is accomplished in a beautiful temple built by the tithes of the Saints as the sacred house of the Lord.” (“Prepare to Meet God,” Ensign, May 2018, 116)

President Russell M. Nelson
“As recorded in the Book of Mormon, which we esteem as a scriptural companion to the Holy Bible, the Savior invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he [denies] none that come unto Him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; …all are alike unto God” (see 2 Nephi 26:33)

“May I repeat that last phrase: “All are alike unto God.” You who are gathered here in this room strive to make this heavenly truth and earthly reality. I commend you for it.  And yet we all realize that, as a society and as a country, we have not yet achieved the harmony and mutual respect that would allow every man and woman and every boy and girl to become the very best version of themselves. 

“The cure for what ails us was prescribed by the Master Healer, Jesus the Christ. When a taunting Pharisee challenged Him to identify the greatest commandment in the law, the Savior’s response was most memorable and brief.  It was filled with truth that leads to a joyful life. His instruction was first to love God with all our hearts and, then, to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 22:35-39)….

“We are all connected, and we have a God-given responsibility to help make life better for those around us.  We don’t have to be alike or look alike to have love for each other.  We don’t even have to agree with each other to love each other.  If we have any hope of reclaiming the goodwill and sense of humanity for which we yearn it must begin with each of us, one person at a time.”

(NAACP Convention Remarks, June 21, 2019)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“There is room for those who speak different languages, celebrate diverse cultures, and live in a host of locations. There is room for the single, for the married, for large families, and for the childless. There is room for those who once had questions regarding their faith and for those who still do.  There is room for those with differing sexual attractions. In short, there is a place for everyone who loves God and honors His commandments as the inviolable measuring rod for personal behavior, for if love of God is the melody of our shared song, surely our common quest to obey Him is the indispensable harmony in it.  With divine imperatives of love and faith, repentance and compassion, honesty and forgiveness, there is room in this choir for all who wish to be there (see 2 Nephi 26:33). “Come as you are,” a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, “Don’t plan to stay as you are,” We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be.”
(“Songs Sung and Unsung,” Ensign, May 2017, 51)







Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jacob 1-2

Lesson Quotes: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland “Perhaps you already know (but if you don’t you should) that with rare exception, no man or woman who speaks [in general conference] is assigned a topic. Each is to fast and pray, study and seek, start and stop and start again until he or she is confident that for this conference, at this time, his or hers is the topic the Lord wishes that speaker to present regardless of personal wishes or private preferences. … Each has wept, worried, and earnestly sought the Lord’s direction to guide his or her thoughts and expression” (“An Ensign to the Nations,” Ensign, May 2011, 111). President Hugh B. Brown “President John Taylor said on one occasion, speaking to the brethren of the priesthood: “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved, had you done your duty.” “This is a challenging statement. If I by reason of sins of commission or omission lose what I might have had in the hereafter, I mys...

Matthew 18-20

Lesson Quotes: President Boyd K. Packer: “The Lord has told us, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt. 18:20; see also D&C 6:32.) “There is safety in learning doctrine in gatherings which are sponsored by proper authority” (“Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21). President Henry B. Eyring: “Because He is a resurrected and glorified being, He is not physically everyplace where Saints gather. But, by the power of the Spirit, we can feel that He is here with us today.” (April GC 2016) Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin “Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?” (“Come What May, a...

Alma 52-63

  Quotes from Lesson:   Sister Sheri Dew “Men and women of faith are expected to have faith.  While the Lord will reveal many things to us, He has never told His covenant people everything about everything.  We are admonished to ‘doubt not, but be believing.’ But ‘doubting not’ does not mean understanding everything” (Will you Engage in the Wrestle?, BYUI, May 2016). Elder David A. Bednar Part 1: “Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and his message, but he chose not to take offense. … “One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, ‘it mattereth not.’ … “… If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then communicate privately, honestly...