A compilation April 2015 challenges grouped by topic

	APRIL 2015 Conference CHALLENGE: (Apostles and First Presidency Only)
	Pray:
2nd coming			For His kingdom to come and His will to be done.
action			For courage to speak and act as God directs, no matter how others respond
atonement			For my witness of the Savior; His Atonement and His Second Coming to increase - so my strength will increase
comfort			To be buoyed up with God’s love
commandments			Often and tell Him that I remember Him, and am willing to take upon me his name, keep his commandments, and work righteousness
compassion			To know how to help the Lord comfort others
conversion			Seek conversion through prayer
courage			To be able to courageously face my struggles and uncertainties
family			Twice daily for sons and daughters
grace			That the Lord’s grace may bring me happiness now and faith in sure promises to come
grace			Plead to understand my indebtedness to God and for my soul to be blessed with his Grace.
grace			To understand the gift of Grace with all my heart and mind
grace			And plead for God to recognize me
gratitude			To confess His hand in all things
Holy Ghost			For the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost			For the power to do and say as the Lord directs and to remain worthy of the Gift of the Spirit.
humility			To increase my desire to obey with meekness and gratitude and love
humility			To be prepared for General Conference
love			Seek the mighty change of heart; to be filled with the love of God and the desire to serve Him and His children
marriage			That my marriage may flourish and my family prosper
marriage			for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion. (Eyring, FB)
power			To be armed with righteousness and power
Priesthood			Express gratitude for the blessings of the Priesthood.
protection			To be warned and protected by the Lord’s servants
protection			To know how to escape calamity through faith in Christ, repentance, and keeping my covenants
relationship			Work in prayer to be recognized personally by God
repent			Confess my faults, plead for mercy, and shed tears of gratitude for the Plan of Redemption
respect			And express my recognition of who God really is
revelation			For guidance in making important decisions
revelation			For revelation
revelation			For him to reveal more to me about my call; about those I serve and what I can do to serve them
revelation			That He will lead me into all truth and show me the right way
revelation			For the Spirit to come upon the prophet as the Lord’s mouthpiece and the Apostles and others servants as they speak
revelation			Work to know what God would say
reverence			Keep a proper reverence for God; kneel to pray
serve			For a witness of His approval as I go about His work
serve			For charity and peace as I serve others for Christ.
temptation			To not walk through the door of temptation
temptation			For daily protection through the mists of evil
vision			For clear perspective; to see beyond this world
vision			To be spiritually awake and alert to His hand in the world and my life
vision			In faith to have my spiritual eyes opened even wider to see more clearly His hand and to know I am not alone.
	Actions:
2nd coming			Stand fast in my faith that He is coming.
2nd coming			Anticipate His coming and rehearse the glorious events over and over and with loved ones
2nd coming			Recognize fulfillment of prophecy. The Second Coming is drawing nearer.
action			Be involved in His cause – the greatest cause in the world
action			Raise my voice with like-minded individuals (as directed by the Spirit) to protect the freedom to believe, to preach, to worship, to live my religion.
action			I do not delay in this great cause and “run” with others to act.
action			Rise to my potential
action			Build on my strengths.
action			Be informed and aware of issues in my community that impact religious liberty.
agency			Be aware of my power to choose good over evil; choose the essential over the good
atonement			Don’t be distracted by the evil in the world. Instead, focus on and rejoice in the Atonement to feel peace
atonement			Rely on the Atonement for repentance and progression
atonement			Always remember Christ saves me from my fallings, failings, fears, sorrows and sins and discouragement through repentance and my obedience to His commandments
atonement			Continue to learn about and appreciate more fully, the Atonement of Christ
atonement			Examine my life to see if anything needs to be repented of, no matter how long ago it happened. Put the Atonement to work.
atonement			Stay in awe and profound gratitude for the Atonement at all times by seeing its eternal significance
atonement			Always witness of the Atonement.
atonement			Allow the Atonement to purify me
atonement			Acknowledge the events of the Fall and their role in the Divine Plan
attitude			Be cheerful!
attitude			Submit cheerfully and patiently to all the will of the Lord.
attitude			Cheerfully persevere in peace, godliness and honesty.
attitude			Press forward with hope in Christ and love of God and of all men.
commandments			Live what I believe at all times, even if hard or impractical
commandments			Live what I believe no matter who I’m with
commandments			Patiently and persistently embrace and apply gospel principles daily.
commandments			Strive to do my very best to do ALL that God commands and live the celestial law now
commandments			Develop a deep reverence, respect, and awe for Christ, the commandments and Judgment Day.
commandments			Set my heart on the commandments and following the prophet
commandments			Obey out of LOVE
commandments			Walk the path of discipleship and live the gospel faithfully and joyfully
Compassion			Seek out the ill or lonely
Compassion			Act on my feelings of compassion for others to lighten burdens, mourn, and witness of God
Compassion			Express my love and the love of the Savior for them, and then LISTEN
Compassion			Express gratitude for and give credit to the Holy Ghost for the comfort received.
Compassion			Comfort others with the knowledge and hope of the Plan of Redemption
Compassion			Feel the burdens of others, especially when my burdens are heavy
discipline			Bridle my flesh – it is key to my test in mortality
discipline			Bridle all my passions
discipline			Identify trivial distractions
faith			Don’t be casual in my faith
faith			Never doubt or fear
faith			Trust He knows me
faith			Seek refuge from the storm by being rooted in righteousness, ordinances, and following Christ and feeling His love.
faith			Build faith in those with questions by encouraging them to humbly study, ponder, pray, live gospel principles and seek appropriate counsel.
faith			Exercise faith in Christ and on His holy name.
faith			Submit to his will and timing and acknowledge His hand in all things.
faith			Recognize the promises of God and trust them; move forward in faith
faith			Work in faith for the companionship of the Holy Ghost
family			Create an environment of light and truth and lead my children to a hope in Christ
family			Work for a righteous, Christ-centered family.
family			Give my BEST efforts to strengthening my family
family			Make the family the center of my life
family			Seek to have the end result of all my activity in the church be family happiness
family			Do family history work
family			Make sure my children know they are loved and that our home is safe. Watch over and care for them.
family			Use church resources
family			Help the rising generation become the greatest generation of young adults in the history of the church!
fast			Claim the marvelous blessings of the Fast.
fast			Fast and pray often for the spirit of prophecy and revelation as I study
fast			Extend the love of the Savior to others in His way – through prayer, fasting and offerings as often as I reasonably can.
fear			Develop godly fear and reject  mortal fear
grace			Access the Savior’s grace for forgiveness and sanctification
grace			Accept God’s grace
gratitude			Always express gratitude for the Atonement and Resurrection; grace, justice, love, and mercy
humility			Recognize my rationalizations, pretenses, and self-deceptions.
humility			Prepare my heart to receive the word of God
humility			Be humble and give credit to God when complimented.
humility			Do not cover my sins by appearing to be what I am not
humility			Soften my heart
humility			Don’t be too confident and comfortable in my good deeds or trust my own righteousness
love			Respect the beliefs of others
love			Accept God’s profound love for me
love			Follow Christ out of love; yearn to do all He asks; hunger to be edified by the Spirit and to hear His voice through His ordained servants.
love			Make sacrifices to follow the Savior and love and serve as He did.
marriage			Unite with others and raise my voice to support and defend marriage and family
marriage			Be a light on a hill around marriage and family
marriage			Honor the office of marriage; protect, encourage and defend it
marriage			Be an equal partner with my spouse. Make important decisions after counseling with the Lord.
marriage			Teach the doctrine and principles surrounding marriage and family
marriage			Seek to have my marriage sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise
missionary			Share the gospel
prepare			Prepare for General Conferences with prayer
prepare			Prepare for the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets
prepare			Heed the warning voices of God’s servants
repent			Repent now
repent			Humbly desire to be born again – truly changed
repent			Don’t be impatient with others who are not living up to my standards
repent			Don’t live on autopilot
repent			Examine the condition of my heart; how I love; how I grow closer to God
repent			See myself as I really am and change through the Atonement.
repent			I go to Church for healing and maintenance.
Sabbath			Give the entire Sabbath Day back to the Lord
Sabbath			Delight in the Sabbath Day!
Sabbath			Examine my feelings about and my behavior on the Sabbath
Sabbath			Simplify food on Sunday
Sabbath			Ask “What sign do I want to give God?” when choosing activities
sacrament			Accept the ministering of angels that comes through the Sacrament
sacrament			See the Sacrament as spiritual food
sanctification			Make it a priority to be born again and reconciled to God
scriptures			Feast upon the word of Christ.
scriptures			Study the words of the prophets for revealed truth
scriptures			Work in faith to get the truth deep in my heart  as I read and listen
scriptures			Study and mark from my paper scriptures.
scriptures			Grow in my knowledge of the Lord – learn, listen, follow.
scriptures			Know the official Doctrine of the Church
scriptures			Increase my exposure to spiritual truth
scriptures			Let the things I am learning actually change me
serve			Focus on HOW I serve, not where I serve
serve			Learn how to more effectively minister to those in need.
serve			Ponder my calling and do my best to understand it and magnify it
teaching			Talk, rejoice, preach, and prophesy of Christ at every opportunity
teaching			Labor diligently to persuade my children and brethren to believe these things
traditions			Identify traditions of sacrifice, gratitude, faith and righteousness to build faith. Preserve them.
traditions			Faithfully study the scriptures, have fhe, priesthood blessings and observe the Sabbath.
unity			Work on unity in the ward through conversion, love of God, fairness, selflessness, gospel culture, customs and traditions.
virtue			Try to be pure always
vision			Recognize the gifts and talents in myself and others for the unfolding of the divine plan in my generation
vision			Keep my eyes focused on the Lord always. Trust Him in every thought.
vision			Consistently focus on my heavenly destination
vision			Establish my desires and actions on the foundation of Christ through my covenants and ordinances.
vision			The things of God are my first priority in my actions and thinking
vision			Focus on the power of the gospel, not the form of it.
vision			Keep the Savior at the center of my life

The Priesthood - a Sacred Gift

The Priesthood - a Sacred Gift
Thomas S. Monson
(link to talk)

(remember I am using the "language of faith" meaning I am wording the counsel and teaching "as if" I already believe or am already doing it. All bold type is my insertion.)

• I consider my callings
• I reflect on my responsibilities
• I determine my duty
• I follow Jesus Christ; learn of Him and follow in His footsteps
• I am united with others in my service in the Church
• I do all I can to the best of my ability in my calling
• I have a spiritual awareness of the sacredness of my calling and the opportunity I have to magnify my calling.
• I appreciate the sacred emblems of the Sacrament and the priesthood which administers it.
• I love the Book of Mormon and the sacred truths found therein.
• I wax strong in the knowledge of the truth.
• My understanding is sound because I search the scriptures diligently to know the word of God.
• I pray and fast often and am given the spirit of prophecy and revelation
• I teach with power and authority of God.
• I am a valiant and righteous child of God.
• I mark my scriptures
• I understand that the Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels
• I am grateful for the healing powers of the priesthood.
• The priesthood is one of the most precious gifts ever bestowed upon mankind.
• The blessings of the priesthood flow through all holders who are worthy and honor it at all times by being full of charity towards all, having virtue garnish their thought always.
• I am prepared for any service I am called to perform.
  
  GENERAL CONFERENCE CHALLENGE:
• Ponder my calling and do my best to understand it and magnify it 
• Search the scriptures, mark them
• Fast and pray often for the spirit of prophecy and revelation as I study
• Accept the ministering of angels that comes through the Sacrament

Blessings of the Temple

Blessings of the Temple
Thomas S. Monson

(link to talk)

(remember I am using the "language of faith" meaning I am wording the counsel and teaching "as if" I already believe or am already doing it. All bold type is my insertion.

• The building of temples is a very clear indication of the growth of the Church.
• In the temple, 
• I leave behind the distractions and confusion of the world
• I find beauty and order
• I find rest for my soul 
• I find a respite from the cares of my life
• a dimension of spirituality comes
• I find peace which transcends any other feeling which can come to my human heart
• I grasp the true meaning of the Savior's gift of peace which permeates my heart when it is:
• troubled
• afraid
• burdened with grief
• feeling confusion
• pleading for help
• As I go to the temple and remember my covenants I am better able to overcome the temptations and trials and challenges I face. 
• These blessings of the temple are priceless and I express gratitude for them daily.
• There is no blessing more precious to me than the peace and comfort I receive from the knowledge I have that I will be with my spouse forever.
• I have the spirit of temple worship.
• I am obedient to the commandments
• I follow carefully the steps of the Savior.
• I offer prayers of gratitude for the great and marvelous gift of the Atonement of Christ.

PARABLE:

young man
called to serve

reassigned

disappointed, but still worked hard, determined to serve the best he could

became discouraged because of negative attitude of other missionaries

suffered partial paralysis

went home on medical leave

prayed daily to be able to serve again

healed completely

disappointed to be returning to same mission and missionaries

went to the temple for comfort and confirmation he could still be successful

parents pray for him to receive needed comfort at the temple

endowment and celestial room

prayed for guidance

another young man is prompted to speak to him

he decides to not interrupt

could postpone the prompting no longer

interrupts his prayer

talk together

pours out his heart and his desire to receive comfort and encouragement

young man shares his own mission experiences, challenges and concerns and how he turned to the Lord for help and the blessings received

he is comforted and reassured

his enthusiasm for his mission was contagious

fear subsides

peace comes

gratitude for answered prayer

pray together

realizes he had served in the same mission

faith he would be blessed was amplified by the way his prayer was answered

knows all will be well

his humble prayer from his sincere heart was heard and answered

GENERAL CONFERENCE CHALLENGE:

PRAY:

• to express gratitude for the priceless blessings of the temple
• express gratitude for the Atonement

ACTION:

• Truly worship in the temple and seek promised blessings
• Ponder the story

Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?

Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?
Henry B. Eyring

(link to talk)

(remember I am using the "language of faith" meaning I am wording the counsel and teaching "as if" I already believe or am already doing it. All bold type is my insertion.)

• I feel joy when I am able to extend the love of the Savior to others in His way.
• When I offer succor to anyone, the Savior feels it as if I reached out to succor Him.
• When I see the Savior after I die, with all my heart I want Him to say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thristy, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
• The Fast is a simple commandment 
• to loose the bands of wickedness
• to undo the heavy burdens
• to let the oppressed go free
• to break every yoke
• to draw out my soul and deal my bread to the hungry
• to bring the poor that are cast out to thy house
• to cover the naked
• to not hide from my own flesh
• to satisfy the afflicted soul
  
  with a wonderful, marvelous promise for those in need and for me.
  
• My light shall break forth as the morning
• my health shall spring forth speedily
• my righteousness shall go before me
• the glory of the Lord shall be my rearward (behind me)
• I will call, and the Lord shall answer
• I will cry, and he shall say, Here I am
• my light shall rise in obscurity (being unknown)
• my darkness shall be as the noonday
• the Lord shall guide me continually
• the Lord shall satisfy my soul in drought
• he will make fat my bones
• I will be like a watered garden
• I will be like a spring of water, whose waters fail not
• spiritual power to receive inspiration
• greater capacity to resist temptation 
• no more desire to do evil
• My righteousness and closeness to Heavenly Father brings inspiration and spiritual guidance.
• I do all I reasonably can to pray, to fast, and to donate for those in need.
• Failing to fast is a sin of omission with a heavy cost.
• When I fast on days other than Fast Sunday, I still pray to know how to care for the poor and needy.
• My fast offering can heal and change hearts as the recipient of my free-will offering is also moved to reach out to others in need and their hearts are changed.
• I teach the principle of the fast and respect the choice of others to observe it when they have the principle in their heart.
• I claim the great, everlasting blessings of the Fast for myself and my family.
• I also contribute at least monthly to the missionary fund and humanitarian funds.
• The Bishop prays and fast for revelation to know who to help and what help to give; any extra funds go to bless other Church members across the world who are in need.
• The Church of Jesus Christ will continue to grow, even in great tragedy.
• My scriptures are treasured, well-marked with notes, with worn pages from great used. 
• Christ understands my needs, pains, and hopes.
  
  GENERAL CONFERENCE CHALLENGE:
• Extend the love of the Savior to others in His way – through prayer, fasting and offerings as often as I reasonably can.
• Claim the marvelous blessings of the Fast.
• Study and mark from my paper scriptures.

Priesthood and Personal Prayer

Priesthood and Personal Prayer
Henry B. Eyring

(link to talk)

(remember I am using the "language of faith" meaning I am wording the counsel and teaching "as if" I already believe or am already doing it. All bold type is my insertion.)

• The Lord has placed His trust in the holders of the priesthood of God in all the earth to speak and act in His name, which requires inspiration and revelation from God.
• The day has already come where we all must know what God would say and what He would do.
• I pray, in faith, as I begin my day, to speak and act as God directs. When I listen and act, I feel peace, love, and his approval, even if I offend or irritate others.
• In moments when I don't have time to prepare, my unaided judgment is replaced by the inspiration of God.
• To have revelation, I make the effort to pray and work in faith for the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
• I go before the Lord often, to witness that I 
• remember him 
• am willing to take upon me his name 
• keep his commandments 
• am willing to work righteousness 
• desire his Spirit to help me.
  
  and I pray and plead that God may:
• recognize me
• in my calling to serve him
• visiting teaching/home teaching
• ward/stake calling
• parent, friend, neighbor, citizen
• hear my prayers and reveal more for me to know about my call
• about the hearts of those I serve
• what things are amiss in their lives
• about people who don't want me to know them
• what God would have me do to help them
• to serve feeling God's love for them
• bless me with his Spirit as my constant companion, 
• because my human judgment and good intentions are never enough
• protect me daily to survive spiritually, through the mists of evil.
• warn and protect me from evil through prophets, apostles, stake presidents, bishops and missionaries who warn how to escape calamity through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and making and keeping sacred covenants.
• that He will lead me into all truth and show me the right way.
• I take this approach with my Heavenly Father with the intent to be recognized by Him personally.
• I patiently and with faith pursue this pattern of prayer.
• I recognize that He is God above all, and Father of all and express that recognition as I pray.
• I kneel and bow my head with a proper feeling of reverence.
• When I can't kneel, I shut out the distractions of the moment and connect with God.
• With the help of the Holy Ghost my home teachers:
• visit me each month
• remind me to pray vocally and in secret
• encourage me to attend to all family duties
• watch over me 
• are with me to strengthen me
• are aware of iniquity, harness, lying, backbiting and evil speaking and seek to eliminate it
• encourage me to attend church and do my duty
  - all impossible without the help of the Holy Ghost.
• I rise to my potential because I have the Spirit with me. 
• I heed the warning voice of God's servants
• The Spirit guides me as He reveals truth when I study the words of prophets.
• I am not casual when I listen or read. I pray and work in faith to put the words of truth down into my heart.
• The Lord strengthens me in my power to serve,through General Conference. 
• I prepare myself for General Conference with prayer.
• I join my faith with those who pray in conference 
• for many blessings on many people
• for the Spirit to come upon the prophet as the Lord's mouthpiece
• for the Apostles and all of the servants called by God 
• Through my faith and diligence, the most joyful benediction to my life will be to hear the Savior say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
• It is not where I serve that counts, but HOW I serve.
• The Spirit can help me to feel the burden's of others, even when my own burdens may be crushing me.
• With a prayer of faith, God grants me power for whatever circumstance I may be in as I ask in humility for the Spirit to show me what God would have me say and do, do it, and continually live worthy of that gift.
• God hears my every prayer.
• I am purified through the Atonement of Christ so I am worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
  
  GENERAL CONFERENCE CHALLENGE:
  
  PRAY:
•  For courage to speak and act as God directs, no matter how others respond
• For the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
•  For revelation
• Often and tell Him that I remember Him, and am willing to take upon me his name, keep his commandments, and work righteousness
• And plead for God to recognize me
•  For him to reveal more to me about my call; about those I serve and what I can do to serve them
• For daily protection through the mists of evil
• To be warned and protected by the Lord’s servants
• To know how to escape calamity through faith in Christ, repentance, and keeping my covenants
• That He will lead me into all truth and show me the right way
•  And express my recognition of who God really is
• To be prepared for General Conference
• For the Spirit to come upon the prophet as the Lord’s mouthpiece and the Apostles and others servants as they speak
• For the power to do and say as the Lord directs and to remain worthy of the Gift of the Spirit.
  
  
  ACTIONS:

• Work to know what God would say
• Work in faith for the companionship of the Holy Ghost 
• Work in prayer to be recognized personally by God
• Keep a proper reverence for God; kneel to pray 
• Rise to my potential
• Heed the warning voices of God’s servants 
• Study the words of the prophets for revealed truth
• Work in faith to get the truth deep in my heart  as I read and listen
• Prepare for General Conferences with prayer
• Focus on HOW I serve, not where I serve
• Feel the burdens of others, especially when my burdens are heavy
• Allow the Atonement to purify me