Bishop Thomas S. Monson calls upon extended family for welfare help

 "Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared how Bishop Monson cared for the widows: “Many may know that young Bishop Monson took a week of his personal vacation time every Christmas season to visit all of those eighty-five widows in his ward. Many may not know that for the first several years the gift he would take them was one of the … hens raised and dressed out by him in his own poultry coops.”¹

"Bishop Monson recalled how he helped an elderly couple who needed to paint their home: “In a moment of inspiration I called, not upon the elders quorum or upon volunteers to wield paint brushes, but rather, following the welfare handbook, upon the family members who lived in other areas. Four sons-in-law and four daughters took brushes in hand and participated in the project.”² This inspiration helped the family reconnect and better care for each other."

- in "Ministering to Our Fellow Travelers," Liahona, Jul 2021, p. 37, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/07/come-follow-me/ministering-to-our-fellow-travelers?lang=eng 

(Footnotes: 

1. Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: Man of Action, Man of Faith, Always ‘on the Lord’s Errand,’” Ensign, Feb. 1986, 12–13.

2. Thomas S. Monson, “The Bishop—Center Stage in Welfare,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 89. 

)

 “Family prayer is the greatest deterrent to sin, and hence the most beneficent provider of joy and happiness” 

- President Thomas S. Monson, (“Hallmarks of a Happy Home,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 69). As quoted in https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/PD10052297/manual-page-families_1489734_prt.pdf

To be a Latter-day Saint is to be a pioneer

"To be a Latter-day Saint is to be a pioneer, for the definition of a pioneer is “one who goes before to prepare or open up the way for others to follow.”"

- Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "True to the Faith of Our Forefathers," Ensign, July 2016
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/07/true-to-the-faith-of-our-forefathers?lang=eng

The goal of gospel teaching is to help reach exaltation

"In the Church, the goal of gospel teaching is not to pour information into the minds of God’s children, whether at home, in the classroom, or in the mission field. It is not to show how much the parent, teacher, or missionary knows. Nor is it merely to increase knowledge about the Savior and His Church.

"The basic goal of teaching is to help the sons and daughters of Heavenly Father return to His presence and enjoy eternal life with Him. To do this, gospel teaching must encourage them along the path of daily discipleship and sacred covenants. The aim is to inspire individuals to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles. The objective is to develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to become converted to His gospel.

"Teaching which blesses and converts and saves is teaching which emulates the Savior’s example. Teachers who emulate the Savior’s example love and serve those they teach. They inspire their listeners with eternal lessons of divine truth. They live lives worth emulating."

- Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, Ensign, March 2016, p. 4
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2016/03/learn-of-me?lang=eng

"prayer is the provider of spiritual strength"

- President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "Be Your Best Self," General Conference, April 2009

"The messages portrayed on television, in movies, and in other media are very often in direct opposition to that which we want our children to embrace and hold dear. It is our responsibility not only to teach them to be sound in spirit and doctrine but also to help them stay that way, regardless of the outside forces they may encounter. This will require much time and effort on our part—and in order to help others, we ourselves need the spiritual and moral courage to withstand the evil we see on every side."

- Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "Three Goals to Guide You," General Conference, Oct 2007

FHE helps us withstand temptations

"We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program [family home evening]. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."

- Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "Constant Truths for Changing Times," General Conference, April 2005

"Times change, but truth persists."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "The World Needs Pioneers Today," Ensign, Jul 2013, p. 5

"Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "Charity Never Faileth," Ensign, Nov 2010, p. 124
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/11/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng

Giving thanks helps us recognize our blessings

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," Ensign, Nov 2010, p. 87
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/11/the-divine-gift-of-gratitude?lang=eng

"Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "May You Have Courage," General Conference, Apr 2009
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/may-you-have-courage?lang=eng

"Each [temple] is blessing the lives of our members and is an influence for good upon those not of our faith."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "As We Meet Together Again," Ensign, Nov 2010, p. 4
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/11/as-we-meet-together-again?lang=eng

“He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven, for everyone has need of forgiveness.”

- George Herbert, an early 17th-century poet, as quoted by Pres. Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "Hidden Wedges," Ensign, May 2002, p. 19
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/05/hidden-wedges?lang=eng

"And how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "The Sacred Call of Service," Ensign, May 2005, p. 54
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/05/the-sacred-call-of-service?lang=eng#footnote3-25905_000_022

We discover something about ourselves when we learn about our ancestors

"I admonish all families: search out your heritage. It is important to know, as far as possible, those who came before us. We discover something about ourselves when we learn about our ancestors."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "Constant Truths for Changing Times," Ensign, May 2005, p. 21
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/05/constant-truths-for-changing-times?lang=eng

But I never have yet Felt a tinge of regret For being a little too kind

I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need made me blind;
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.

- As quoted by Pres. Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "Treasured Gifts," Ensign, Dec 2006, p. 9
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/12/treasured-gifts?lang=eng

If we want to control our actions, we must control our thinking

“Every action is preceded by a thought. If we want to control our actions, we must control our thinking.”

- Pres. David O. McKay, as quoted by Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, in "Preparation Brings Blessings," General Conference, Apr 2010
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/preparation-brings-blessings?lang=eng

God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved

“If you do not magnify your calling, God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved, had you done your duty.”

- Pres. John Taylor, as quoted by Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency in “The Call of Duty,” General Conference, Apr 1986

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/04/the-call-of-duty?lang=eng

On the Lord’s errand, entitled to the Lord’s help

“Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Duty Calls,” General Conference, Apr 1996

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/04/duty-calls?lang=eng

The Lord is in the details of our lives

"Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives."

- President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov 2012
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/11/consider-the-blessings?lang=eng