Chapter 21

Principles of Zion, Part XXI

Hope, Staying Power, Leadership, Teaching the Gospel, Charity

Hope is weakened by inner turmoil. A hopeful person looks toward heaven with
unwavering optimism (JRE Link, 2019-0513 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Lay aside negativism. A positive attitude in life is where faith begins. A positive outlook
is required to succeed in everything you do and to discover truth (JRE Link, 2017-1026 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Negativism chases away the Spirit. Faith brings Him back (JRE Link, 2019-0513 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

Can you stay active in the Church without all questions of life and faith being answered
for you? Is your obedience to God conditional?

Which of these two statements is true? You've got all the answers. The Lord has all the
answers.

Common sense leads to truth. Reason can lead to truth. But this is the tougher road in life
to find peace (JRE Link, 2018-0520 (Sun), COM-STR2).

All matters of faith are resolved in heaven through direct revelation. Common sense and
reason will follow (JRE Link, 2018-0520 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Wait... wait... wait for a greater knowledge of things to come (JRE Link, 2018-0818 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The Spirit will tell you the secrets you need to know––the great secrets of eternity (JRE Link, 2018-0818 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The Spirit gives you staying power in the Church (JRE Link, 2018-0722 (Sun), WSE-MAIN).

The Spirit will help you reason things through and overcome any doubts that you have.

Believe the signs, please (JRE Link, 2018-0928 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Your faith will be rewarded. Signs of all kinds will be given.

Don't extinguish the Spirit in your life. Don't hide away your inner most feelings from
God (JRE Link, 2018-0928 (Fri), COM-STR2).

I am real to you. I am the Spirit. Hear me speak (JRE Link, 2018-1215 (Sat), COM-STR2).

You experienced peace in the past. So, what has changed?

You're a stranger to me. You hardly pray any more.

We knew of the truth like Peter, but we were afraid and hid ourselves (JRE Link, 2018-0520 (Sun), COM-STR2).

I won't believe unless the others around me believe. My faith in God is dependent on
what others do.

Humble those who don't believe with miracles.

A friend spewing false teachings about the Church is no friend (JRE Link, 2017-0720 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

Bowl them over with the truth. False teachings about the restored gospel are the bowling
pins to knock over. Get a strike (JRE Link, 2017-0714 (Fri), COM-STR2).

False perspectives on the restored gospel are a dime a dozen (JRE Link, 2018-0314 (Wed), COM-STR2).

We resisted Joseph Smith's testimony, and his legacy of monumental achievements for
mankind, to our own detriment (JRE Link, 2019-0420 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Enemies of the Church say these words––Let's blast away at the testimony of Joseph
Smith using the power of persecution and the miracle of unbelief. That will move us closer to
God and make us all more Christlike.

Enemies of the Church preach the legacy of Joseph Smith the way they want it to be, not
the way the Lord wants it to be.

Enemies of the Church will rejoice in the truth of Church history, but not on their own
terms. They must be willing to repent, be baptized, and fully embrace the restored gospel. Then
they can truly rejoice (JRE Link, 2018-0908 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Let's overcome the bitterness of those who oppose the work of the Lord. Help them to see
that their anger and arguments against the Church are misplaced (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

In our outreach, we should always communicate in the most basic language of the
gospel––love, kindness, and forgiveness. Bitterness of soul meets its match in words like these (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Their unhappiness in life may have little or nothing to do with the Church itself. They
may criticize the Church or rally against it simply because the others around them are doing so (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

They mock the sacred ordinances of the temple, not realizing the powerful feelings of
peace available to them on the inside (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Emotional pain can cause temporary blindness in spiritual things. The passage of time,
however, can soften hearts and mend wounds (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Dry your eyes with a Kleenex. Enjoy a tearful reunion with the Church (JRE Link, 2018-1215 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The Holy Ghost provides clarity and an invitation to repent to those who have fallen
away from the Church. Remember the woman who bathed the Savior's feet with her tears. She
loved unceasingly. She loved much because she had been forgiven much.

The Spirit brings about real change in the world and can help us change our lives (JRE Link, 2016-1227 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The Spirit provides amazing insight into our personal problems.

The Spirit brings unbridled enthusiasm into our life pursuits.

The Spirit propels us forward in the cause of righteousness (JRE Link, 2017-1121 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The Spirit teaches us truth. The Spirit is truth (JRE Link, 2016-1227 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The Spirit is God––a member of the Godhead.

WE ARE––Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

But behold, this work is my glory, and the glory of the Father. We are one.

Look up to us for guidance, and we'll give it to you.

More revelation among the leaders of the Church will lead to more sanctification and
stronger testimonies among the members of the Church.

Stability, past precedent, and tradition are all very important, but it is revelation that
guides the Church. This was and is the overriding message of 1820 (JRE Link, 2018-0804 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Don't worry. The Spirit gives great answers to all of our questions. The Church is
continually growing in knowledge and experience (JRE Link, 2018-0612 (Tue), COM-STR2).

As members of the Church, and as her leaders, we must be willing to adapt and change
throughout our lives. We move towards light and truth, and not away from it.

Good leaders are the trademark of the Church. You won't be disappointed in life if you
follow their lead. A prevalence of the Spirit. A prevalence of revelation (JRE Link, 2017-0827 (Sun), COM-STR2).

A leader of the Church is not elevated by his seat on the stage, but by the consecration of
his life to the work of the Lord.

Leaders step forward. Leaders shine before the world (JRE Link, 2018-0209 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Be led by a prophet of God. Be led by true articles of faith (JRE Link, 2018-0208 (Thu), COM-STR2).

If a prophet dies, don't worry. There are ample men in the Church to take his place.

The leaders of the Church are great men. Deny this and you are fooling yourself (JRE Link, 2017-0902 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Speak peaceable things. Don't raise your voice in loud murmurings to God or to His
anointed servants on earth.

If we are going to disband the enemies of the Church, we should be teaching and not
lecturing opponents. Teach by the Spirit. Teach by example. Teach with love in your heart (JRE Link, 2016-1108 (Tue), COM-STR2).

You can't teach by the Spirit unless your sole desire is the welfare of souls.

Gospel instruction in our classrooms is often routine, and not inspired. Let's change that (JRE Link, 2016-1220 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Teaching the gospel requires the Spirit. Learning the gospel requires the Spirit (JRE Link, 2016-1220 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Teach the gospel tenderly. You'll have the Spirit as goes your heart (JRE Link, 2017-0121 (Sat), COM-STR2).

You'll reach a point where righteousness is fully established in your life. That's what
Sunday School is all about (JRE Link, 2020-1116 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Gospel lessons should have consequences, impacting people's lives.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not lukewarm, so why teach it in a lukewarm manner? (JRE Link, 2016-1220 (Tue), COM-STR2)

The gospel is taught from on high (JRE Link, 2016-1220 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The gospel taught with love fills the classroom with the Holy Ghost (JRE Link, 2016-1220 (Tue), COM-STR2).

An inspired Sunday School teacher brings charity to life. The students in class experience
the gospel up close and personal (JRE Link, 2018-0628 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Charity creates a perfect storm of powerful feelings in your heart. You cry uncontrollably
and experience a full spectrum of beautiful emotions through the Spirit. You discover the gospel
of Jesus Christ at its root level (JRE Link, 2018-0705 (Thu), COM-STR2).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is to live a life filled with good works. Faith to obey all the
commandments, coupled with a strong and vibrant love for God and all men, brings a fulness of
joy in this life and forever.