Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News

OPPORTUNITY: "Missionary work is difficult. It will tax your energies. It will strain your capacity. It will demand your best effort -- frequently, a second effort. Remember, the race goeth "not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong" (Ecclesiastes 9:11) -- but to him who endures to the end."

Opportunity of a lifetime

Preparation for a mission is not a spur-of-the-moment matter. It began before you can remember. Every class in Primary, Sunday School, seminary — each priesthood assignment — had a larger application. Silently, almost imperceptibly, a life was molded, a career commenced, a man made.

What a challenge is the calling to be an adviser to a quorum of boys. Advisers, do you really think about your opportunity? Do you ponder? Do you pray? Do you prepare? Do you prepare your boys?

Missionary work is difficult. It will tax your energies. It will strain your capacity. It will demand your best effort — frequently, a second effort. Remember, the race goeth "not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong" (Ecclesiastes 9:11) — but to him who endures to the end.

You who hold the Aaronic Priesthood and honor it have been reserved for this special period in history. The harvest truly is great. Let there be no mistake about it; the opportunity of a lifetime is yours. The blessings of eternity await you. — "The Army of the Lord," Ensign, May 1979

Magnify callings

For those of us who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, our privilege to magnify our callings is ever present. We are shepherds watching over Israel. The hungry sheep do look up, ready to be fed the bread of life. Are we prepared, brethren, to feed the flock of God? It is imperative that we recognize the worth of a human soul, that we never give up on one of His precious sons.

Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. Whom God calls, God qualifies.— "Our Sacred Priesthood Trust," April 2006 general conference, priesthood session

No greater gift

Our Heavenly Father's plan contains the ultimate expressions of true love. All that we hold dear, even our families, our friends, our joy, our knowledge, our testimonies would vanish were it not for our Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Among the most cherished thoughts and writings in this world is the divine statement of truth: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

This precious Son, our Lord and Savior, atoned for our sins and the sins of all. That memorable night in Gethsemane His suffering was so great, His anguish so consuming that He pleaded, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39) Later, on the cruel cross, He died that we might live, and live everlastingly. Resurrection morning was preceded by pain, by suffering, in accordance with the divine plan of God. Before Easter there had to be a cross. The world has witnessed no greater gift, nor has it known more lasting love. — "Treasured Gifts," Ensign, December 2006

Hall of Fame

In the interior of our consciousness, each of us has a private Hall of Fame reserved exclusively for the real leaders who have influenced the direction of our lives. Relatively few of the many men who exercise authority over us from childhood through adult life meet our test for entry to this roll of honor. That test has very little to do with the outward trappings of power or an abundance of this world's goods. The leaders whom we admit into this private sanctuary of our reflective meditation are usually those who set our hearts afire with devotion to the truth, who make obedience to duty seem the essence of manhood, who transform some ordinary routine occurrence so that it becomes a vista whence we see the person we aspire to be.

The name of Jesus of Nazareth, the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, has singular place and honored distinction in our Hall of Fame. — "My Personal Hall of Fame," Ensign, July 1991

Prayer of Faith

Our Heavenly Father has placed an upward reach in every one of us. The words of scripture speak loud and clear, "Look to God and live." No problem is too small for His attention nor so large that He cannot answer the prayer of faith. Prayer surely is the passport to spiritual power. You can pray with purpose when you realize who you are and what Heavenly Father wants you to become. — "Your Celestial Journey," General Young Women Meeting, March 27, 1999