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The Daily - 2021

The Nauvoo Temple

The Lord has commanded His people to build temples since ancient times. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, early Saints followed this commandment even in great poverty and affliction. 

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His Word Cannot Be Slain

Throughout the history of the world, wicked men have sought to stop the Lord’s work by killing His prophets. But killing prophets has never stopped the work of God. 

Light the World with Love

The annual Light the World challenge offers us a chance to serve and love others, as well as remember the love of Jesus Christ. It begins on Giving Tuesday, and we can remember to give freely, as Christ did. 

Recording Gratitude

When we record our experiences and recognize the Lord's hand in our lives, we strengthen our testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

2021 Christmas Devotional

The annual 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional can help us start the month off with the true spirit of Christmas. By remembering the Babe of Bethlehem, the prophecies He fulfilled and the gift of His life and His sacrifice we can keep the true spirit

Brightest and Best

The wise men followed the star of Bethlehem, which they saw in the east, to find the Savior. Similarly, as we follow the light of Christ, we can find Him in our own lives. 

A Fulness of Joy

One of the most beautiful truths of the plan of salvation is that Heavenly Father has provided a way for all His children to accept His gospel, regardless of their earthly opportunities and circumstances. Because of the Savior's atoning sacrifice...

Hope and Gratitude

Gratitude heals our souls and brings us joy. As we learn to be grateful in any circumstance, we can be filled with this healing and joy.

Healing and Gratitude

The Lord has commanded us to be grateful because it soothes our feelings and gives us a greater perspective on life. Gratitude is a kind of remedy for the many spiritual woes and maladies we face.

Making Room

Time is limited, and we fill it so quickly. This Christmas season, let us fill our lives with Christ, rather than with worldly things of less importance. 

Ye Have Done It unto Me

This Christmas, let us remember the example and teachings of our Savior and do what we can to serve and help our brothers and sisters. 

A Living Church

The Church of Jesus Christ is a living church. Prophets, seers, and revelators lead the church according the Lord’s directions. Policy and procedure may change, but the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is constant.  

The Nativity Song

This Christmas season, let us remember "The Nativity Song" and put in the effort needed to draw spiritually closer to the Savior.  

Light Your Family Tree

Christ is “the light and the life of the world” (3 Nephi 9:18). We learn that we should look to His light as an example (3 Nephi 18:16) and that His work is the light we should hold up in our own lives to share with those around us (3 Nephi 18:24).

Keeping Christmas

When we have the Christmas spirit, we remember the Savior, whose birth we commemorate on December 25. We remember the tidings of great joy, the spirit of giving, the spirit of obedience, the spirit of gratitude, and the gift of love. 

Warn and Forewarn

The Lord will warn and forewarn us against the challenges of our day. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is one such warning.

Christmas Spirit

The spirit of Christmas, or the spirit of Christ, encourages us to love our fellow men. It encourages generosity, joy, forgiveness, repentance, gratitude, and Godliness. As we embrace the spirit of Christmas, we embrace the spirit of Christ.

Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Because of Christ, our entire beings can rejoice. We should proclaim the good news to all mankind. Christ died to save us all, if we will but repent and come unto Him. 

Imperfect Families

Our families may be imperfect, but they give us the best chance of feeling the love we felt in heaven. This Christmas, as we focus on the Savior, we can also improve our relationships with those who are closest to us. 

Victory through Christ

Because of Jesus Christ, the grave has no victory. And because of Christ, we can be redeemed if we will come unto Him and repent.  

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

At times we face sorrow, despair, and other painful experiences that come in this mortal life. But “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.” Through Christ, we can be healed, and all things will work together for our good. 

Winter Solstice

In the northern hemisphere, today is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. However, the light of Christ is always shining, even when it feels distant. As we seek the Savior, we will find the light and hope we so desperately need

He Lives!

At Easter, we focus on the Savior’s death and resurrection. But at Christmas, the world remembers His life. 

The Miracle Dreams

Because of Christ, dreams of peace and healing can become reality. Because of His infinite atonement, we can each have our vision cleared; have our ears opened; be made whole, clean, and pure; and rise victorious over the grave.

A Schoolhouse Parable

The Savior suffered for us. He atoned for all our sins, if we will but come to Him and repent. This is the gift we celebrate at Christmas. 

God Be with You Til We Meet Again

In the English language, the word “goodbye” comes from the phrase “God be with ye.” May God be with you as we part. 

Remember the Real Thing

With the power of God, we will not be persuaded to retreat from a good thing. As we remember and recognize His power, we will not be fooled by counterfeits.

The Way Home

We are each on a journey home to our Heavenly Father, who is longing for our safe return. We can make it safely home if we stay connected to the one reliable source of guidance: Jesus Christ.

Everlasting Love

Whether we feel loved or unloved, we can show God’s love to those around us because He loves us. When we love Him, we are better able to love as He does. 

Delight in the Scriptures

As we familiarize ourselves with the Old Testament, we can be more prepared to recognize the hand of God in these latter days, and we will be better equipped to see as His prophecies are fulfilled.

A New Year: 2021

We are all looking forward to 2021, a new year that will bring a new normal. But as we look forward to 2021 with hope and gratitude, we can also be thankful for the lessons we have learned and the blessings we've received from the Lord in 2020.

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Because a living prophet teaches us today, we can rejoice in truth. As we put our trust in Jesus Christ, rather than in men, and obey His commandments, we will see that signs follow faith.

Setting Goals

Setting goals is an important way to measure growth and change. Personal-development specialists suggest that it’s important to set goals that are specific, difficult but attainable, and time-constrained. These goals may be related to spiritual growth, physical health, family, careers, education, and even our hobbies. This week, let's take some time to withdraw like the Savior did—without distractions—to pray, ponder, and set some worthy goals of improvement.

Consecrated for Thy Gain

The Lord will also strengthen us, not only through this pandemic but through all the challenges we face in mortality. And through His grace, our afflictions may be consecrated for our gain.

Lift a Burden to Lift Your Burden

A yoke is a type of harness to distribute a load. When we are yoked with the Savior, we add our efforts to His work, and He offers us His strength as we face challenges and trials. We must give before we can receive, but He gives us so much more in return. As we lift burdens around us while doing His work, we will feel our own burdens grow lighter.

Ask of God

As we follow the example of and counsel from prophets of God, we will receive both answers and comfort. We don’t have to wonder; we can find truth when we ask of God.

Family History and the Hearts of the Children

Temples may have been largely closed for all but living ordinances over most of the last year, but we have still been able to do family history work. As temples begin to open for proxy work in areas that have contained the SARS-Cov-2 virus, we will be able to once again proxy for the family names we have found during their closures.

Can We Change Our Natures?

If we are to truly become like the Savior, we must be willing to change—to give up our rough edges—because we love Him. We are good enough and we are loved, but we are still incomplete. As we follow the Savior’s path, we will progress, step by step, toward becoming like Him.

He Knows Our Needs

We may not always understand why we aren’t given what we want when we want it, but the Lord has a plan for us, and He has perfect love and compassion for us. As we accept His will, we will find His plan of greater happiness, more understanding, and a greater determination to accept His will.

Facing Doubts and Questions

When we do encounter questions, we should take them to the right sources. As we approach the Lord in search of truth, He will not lead us astray. And we must remember to doubt our doubts before we doubt our faith, as Elder Uchtdorf taught. There may be things we do not or cannot understand, but that doesn’t mean we should deny the truth we have.

The Sealing Power and Gathering Israel

Elijah was the last Old Testament prophet before Jesus Christ to the sealing power of the Melchizedek priesthood, and he restored this power on April 3, 1836. The sealing power is one reason that Elijah’s return was so important: it allows us to be united eternally in families and enables us to receive ordinances on behalf of our ancestors in the temple. It is instrumental to the gathering of Israel.

How Can I Keep from Singing?

Even when we lose our comforts and our happiness, we can find peace. When we cling to the rock of our salvation and our refuge, Jesus Christ, we can find joy even in trouble. Because of Christ, how can we keep from singing and praising the Lord?

His Paths Are Straight

A straight line is the shortest distance between two points, and the Lord’s paths are straight. When we follow His path, we will reach our goals more directly than by following our own counsel. Sometimes, this timing doesn’t match our plans, but it is always the best timing.

Suffering and Joy

Suffering does not mean we stand apart from the chosen of God. Elder Matthew S. Holland reminded us that when John the Revelator asked the Lord about those standing in white robes and praising God, the Lord replied, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Jesus Christ is the source of all joy, and He can heal all wounds and right every wrong. No matter the cause of our pain, relief comes from this one source.

Words, Seeing, and Believing

Many things we know as a society are based on the words of others. Our knowledge of physics, chemistry, medicine, and many other fields depend on our trusting experts who then communicate their knowledge. Similarly, we can trust the word of

The Persuasions of Men

It can be tempting to fear men more than God and go “on in the persuasions of men." But even when things seem dire, the Lord will support us “against all the fiery darts of the adversary,” and he will be with us “in every time of trouble” when we are faithful and heed His counsel.

We Are Sowing

Every action we take plants a possibility for the future. When we do good, we are sowing possibilities for goodness in the future, whether in our own lives or the lives of others. We may not always see the fruits of our labors, but the Lord does, and He will bless us for our efforts.

Hurt and Forgiveness

Most of us have experienced both ends of a misunderstanding. We have inadvertently and unintentionally hurt feelings, or we have been hurt by the insensitive actions of others. But the Lord has taught us what to do in both of these situations. As we come to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will seek reconciliation with all men.

Voices of the Restoration

As we read the words of individuals who lived through the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, we can better understand both that restoration and the challenges faced by the early Latter-day Saints. We can recognize their worries, questions, and fears, and how they faced them. As we read their testimonies and learn how they overcame their own trials and uncertainty, our own faith can be strengthened.

Sharing Light and Truth

President Russell M. Nelson's graditude challenge in November helped to fill social media with messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy. It encouraged us to share light and truth. As we strive to fill social media with these things throughout the year, not only during the holidays, we can help lift others.

It Is Not Expedient Now

When Oliver was transcribing the Book of Mormon as Joseph Smith translated, he had a desire to translate, as well. The Lord called this a righteous desire, and He gave Oliver the gift of translation. But when Oliver didn’t use this gift, it was rescinded. The Lord explained, “It was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now." Sometimes in our own lives, we fear and miss opportunities. But through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can continue to improve and progress.

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

We learn from Nephi’s vision that the Tree of Life is a representation of the love of God, and we learn from the ancient prophet Alma that we must nourish the word of God, looking forward with an eye of faith, if we want to pluck its fruit. After we have been diligent, patient, and faithful, we will taste this fruit, which is "sweet above all that is sweet."

If You Desire

We generally do what we most want to do, and we often achieve what we most desire to achieve. The question is what we really want, and whether we really want eternal rewards more than earthly ones.

Changing Our Natures

The Lord asks us not only to change our behavior, but to change our very natures. As we cultivate our love for the Lord through obedience, we will also cultivate a change in our natures: we become more like the Lord because we love Him.

Historical Resources

Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources contains useful information that can supplement our study of the Doctrine and Covenants in 2021.

The Lord Shall Conquer

The Lord compensated for the loss of the 116 pages. He compensated for Oliver’s ceasing to translate and gave Joseph sufficient strength to make up for it. His grace will also compensate for weakness in our lives today. His wisdom is greater than the devil’s cunning work in our own lives, so “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against us.

Amazing Love

Love is at the heart of our Heavenly Father’s grand design, and it is at the heart of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we increase our focus on the Savior’s atonement, we will find joy in His “amazing love.”

Climb to Higher Ground

On a mountain plateau, one must resume the climb to reach the mountaintop. Simlilarly, if you coast for a while on a bicycle without pedaling, you will gradually come to a stop. There comes a time when you must either resume pedaling or fall off the bike. If we wish to reach our spiritual destinations, we must choose to act and climb to higher ground.

The Arm of Flesh

As we turn to the Savior, Jesus Christ, instead of relying on “the arm of flesh,” and fearing “man more than God,” we will find strength and support in the midst of our trials.

Questions, Weakness, and Love

The Lord cares about our questions, and He will guide us through them. Sometimes we are asked to change, and sometimes we are asked to be patient, faithful, and prepare for Him to teach us at a later date.

Priesthood Keys Restored

The restoration of priesthood keys is an essential aspect of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their administration is an important function of His church today. This is one reason we need the Lord's church in addition to a personal relationship with Christ.

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

As we follow the Lord’s guidance, we can be taught the words He would have us say and serve His children, our brothers and sisters. We may serve in “a lowly place,” or we may serve in a position that receives great visibility, but wherever we are, we should trust in His “tender care” and do His will “with a heart sincere.”

Love and Prayer

The Lord wants to hear from us because He loves us. And we can find peace even in trials, like Kayla did, because of the overwhelming love of our Savior and His infinite atonement. With His love, we can get through anything.

The Authority of The Lord's Church

We can feel the Spirit in any place where followers of Christ are gathered in His name, whether that's in someone’s home, at a church of a different denomination, or outdoors. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). But we can only receive priesthood keys, ordinances, and covenants in His church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Personalizing Our Study

The Doctrine and Covenants is in some ways very different from the Book of Mormon and the Bible: It’s not an ancient record. It’s full of modern revelation, and many of the revelations in its sections were received in direct response to a specific question. But it is also very similar, in that it also contains the word of God. As we pray, study with purpose, learn the historical context, and personalize our experiences, we will better understand this book of revelations.

Acting on Faith

Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer are examples in the early Church of Jesus Christ of acting on faith before they received a witness. They each chose to act, and they were rewarded with greater faith and understanding.

We Come Unto Thee

The truth makes us free, but we must continue in the Lord’s path if we want to retain the joy that is found in that truth and freedom. We must remember to thank the Lord for His blessings, His gospel, and His priesthood.

Through a Glass Darkly

The word of the Lord—received through scripture, personal revelation, and the mouths of prophets and apostles—helps us to clear our spiritual vision like the removal of a cloudy cataract. While we may not understand all things now, there will come a time when we will see all things clearly, as the Lord sees them.

A Literal Godsend

It is no coincidence that the Lord has appointed a physician of hearts and souls to lead His church at this time. Miracles still happen today, and we have seen many over the past year. The Lord hears our prayers for help and healing. As we strive to be “good global citizens,” as President Russell M. Nelson has counseled, we can show by our actions that we “remember the worth of souls is great in the eyes of God” (D&C 18:10).

Happiness

When all is said and done, happiness comes from keeping the commandments (John 13:17). By listening to and following Jesus Christ, we can find lasting hope, joy, and peace and aspire to eternal life.

Your Infinite Worth

It is of vital importance for us to remember that we have infinite worth, but it is equally important to see the worth of others and show them by our words and deeds that the worth of their souls is great both to us and to God. Knowing that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, we must also love others as He first loved us.

O God, the Eternal Father

It can sometimes seem difficult to ponder the sacrifice and infinite atonement of our Savior for the duration of the sacrament portion of our meetings, but the words of hymns can help us focus on Him.

We Are Highly Favored

The Lord looks upon us favorably and blesses us, even in times of affliction and disappointment. As we search for awareness of the Lord’s hand and favor in our lives, we will find it.

Hope for Something Better

We are all children of God. He loves us. This is part of our eternal identities. And with God's love, there is always hope for something better.

Empowered and Enabled

The Lord can strengthen each of us. He empowers us with His priesthood, prepares us for the challenges we will face, equips us with the knowledge and spiritual gifts we need to stay strong, readies us for the last days and gives us prophets to lead us, endorses us before the Father, and qualifies us for exaltation.

The Lord's Church and Prophet

We gain strength and power from God as we support His church and His prophets. The Lord Himself declared, “Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you” (D&C 18:5).

As Sisters in Zion

Our mission as women may be vast and broad, but we need not feel overwhelmed: the Lord will give us the strength to fulfill our purpose. Through the Spirit, we will gain the wisdom and power of God that we need to succeed in these endeavors.

Creating Belonging

Creating belonging is part of our Church and an essential part of becoming like the Savior. What can we do to show we are trying to create belonging in our own congregations? Sister Tracy Browning of the Relief Society General Board suggested that we could reach out to others, get to know them, and extend invitations to those who might need a friend. We can pray for inspiration to know how to help. As we do these things, we will not only lift burdens of loneliness around us, but we will lift any loneliness we feel ourselves by following in the Savior’s way.

Even When We Fall

As we turn to Heavenly Father in sincerity, with broken hearts and contrite spirits, coming unto Him as a little child, He will comfort us. He will never leave us comfortless.

The Land of Uprightness

At times, we may feel persecuted, smitten, overwhelmed, desolate, and like we are dwelling in darkness. But as we thirst after the Living Water that is Christ—Jehovah of the Old Testament—and remember what great things He has done for His people, and what great things He will continue to do, He will deliver us. As we learn to do His will, we will be led “into the land of uprightness.”

Continue in Meekness

We each endure injury in this life, but we don’t always do so with meekness. Meekness is something to seek actively, not something we gain passively. It requires strength, courage, restraint, modesty, and graciousness. As we find the strength to continue in meekness ourselves, enduring our own injuries with patience—and without resentment—we will be blessed.

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

Because of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we know that hope and understanding can follow darkness and obscurity if we seek truth through the Savior and His appointed prophets and apostles.

Miracles Have Not Ceased

Some ask why we don't have mighty miracles today, like those that occurred in the early days of the Restoration. In response, Elder David A. Bednar says, "We do!" Temple-work miracles were seen in Nauvoo in February 1846, and they were seen in North America in November 2020.

Personal and Priesthood Revelation

The Lord speaks to us through two lines: a personal line and a priesthood line. These channels work together, dependent on faith, worthiness, and obedience, to help us achieve our eternal destiny.

Life Help Resources

The Savior has a perfect understanding of our unique circumstances, even if our mortal understanding is limited. As we draw nearer to Him, all aspects of our lives will be improved. We can show gratitude for the resources the Lord has made available to us through the church, family, education, and medical professionals by making use of them as needed.

The Voice of the Lord

In the Doctrine and Covenants, we learn that nothing will "be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants." Teachings that go against what has been revealed to the Lord's spokesmen on the earth are not of God because He teaches that “all things must be done in order” (D&C 28:13). As we listen to the Lord’s prophets and apostles, heeding their advice even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable, we will learn to recognize the voice of the Lord.

Israel, Israel, God Is Calling

God is calling. He is speaking, and a glorious morning is breaking. Angels are descanting and extending their powers to man. As we “come to Zion” in our hearts, we will be filled with joy.

He Shows the Way

Life may not always be fair or easy, but the Lord will lead us back to Him and help us fill the measure of our creation here on earth. As we seek the Lord earnestly, He will guide us and grant us peace.

Coping with Anxiety

Anxiety is real, but there is help available through medical professionals and the healing power of Jesus Christ. As we become more familiar with available resources and educate ourselves, we will be better equipped to begin the healing process.

Gathered with the House of Israel

The gathering of Israel has been promised since Old Testament times. The Lord reassured His people that although they would be scattered among nations, they would eventually be gathered again. That gathering has begun

Expanding Perspectives

At times, our own limited perspectives limit our understanding of the Lord’s plan for our lives. As we focus on Jesus Christ, we can expand these limited perspectives. As we recognize the true gift of His atonement—the freedom He offers us—and walk in His footsteps with faith and repentance, we can unlock happiness, peace, and fulfillment.

Let us rejoice in the way of truth, which living prophets and apostles teach by the spirit of God, and allow the light of truth to banish darkness in our lives. As we rely on Jehovah and put our trust in Him, keeping His law, joy and cheer will follow our choice.

Principles of Preparation

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell concluded that “everything … points to Jesus Christ as the foundation upon which we must build even our temporal preparedness.” We build upon this foundation by taking action. As we do so, we will gain increased confidence to face the trials of life.

Our Best Days Are Ahead

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained that even though we mace face challenges that are “not what we wanted or expected, God has prepared His children and His church” for these times. We must not simply hold on; we will move forward and become better. Our best days are ahead, and the Lord "will continue to do many unimaginable things among His children, His people.”

The Most Important Influence

As we choose to "let God prevail" in our lives, the Lord will bless us with the same blessings He promised Abraham. Decsions will become easier, and many issues will become nonissues. As we let Him prevail, the Lord will “fight [our] battles, and [our] children’s battles, and our children’s children’s [battles] … to the third and fourth generation” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:37).

A Testimony: He Lives!

This weekend, we will celebrate Easter Sunday and remember that Christ rose again. We also have an opportunity to hear the testimony of His living prophets and apostles, who share His guidance for us today.

Jesus, Once of Humble Birth

When the Savior first came to earth, He was born of a woman and quietly laid in a manger. Few knew the importance of what had just taken place. But when He comes again, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is the Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace.

A Growing Desire to #HearHim

The more we choose to #HearHim, the more we desire to hear His voice and feel His love. And as we do these things, we will be inspired to help others do the same.