Wondering how Drops of Awesome is informed by my faith? You’ve come to the right place!
I recognize that most of my readers are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many do not share my belief in God. This is why I created the Drops of Awesome Journal with a broad focus to reach a wider audience. The book really zones in on what each of us can do personally to shift our focus and recognize the good we are doing in the world.
However, I also find great joy in my belief that I am not doing this alone, that there is someone far greater than myself contributing to my Bucket of Awesome.
So, after several requests for LDS resources to accompany lessons and activities about Drops of Awesome, I’ve been slowly gathering scriptures and conference talks that will work as a supplement to the book, coming out in September from Familius. I will continue to update this page as I find material. Feel free to leave me a comment with a talk or scripture reference that helps you remember to keep trying and that our small efforts matter.
Scriptures
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
God created the earth one step, one drop at a time, in stages.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
Even God rested and He is the most awesome of all.
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Sometimes all we can do is believe. It counts!
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Matthew 5:48
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
“And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.”
2 Nephi 2:25
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ.”
“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.”
“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.”
“thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.”
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
This is a long section of scripture that talks about what the Savior requires of us. Christ is the judge and expects us to be as he is, which includes loving ourselves and being kind and patient. It also means relying on him and repenting. Do we truly take his hand and keep trying. Is that possible if were so discouraged that we’ve given up?
“For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
“Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins; Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.”
The image of Christ gathering us as a hen would gather her chickens shows me the tender love with which he would like us to treat ourselves. (Also 3 Nephi 10:5)
That which is of God is light ; and he that receiveth light , and continueth in God, receiveth more light ; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
D&C 64:33
“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
“Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected.”
Even the Savior grew “grace for grace until he received a fullness.”
General Authority and Auxiliary Presidency Talks and Quotes
Your Four Minutes – October 2014 General Conference – Gary L. Stevenson
“Now, you may be thinking to yourself, ‘I already blew it. My four minutes are already a disaster. I may as well give up.’ If so, stop thinking that, and never think it again. The miracle of the Atonement can make up for imperfections in our performance. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught:
‘To those of you … who may still be hanging back, … I testify of the renewing power of God’s love and the miracle of His grace. …
… It is never too late so long as the Master … says there is time. … Don’t delay.'”
“Whenever the adversary cannot persuade imperfect yet striving Saints such as you to abandon your belief in a personal and loving God, he employs a vicious campaign to put as much distance as possible between you and God. The adversary knows that faith in Christ—the kind of faith that produces a steady stream of tender mercies and even mighty miracles—goes hand in hand with a personal confidence that you are striving to choose the right. For that reason he will seek access to your heart to tell you lies—lies that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you, that the Atonement is beyond your reach, that there is no point in even trying, that everyone else is better than you, that you are unworthy, and a thousand variations of that same.”
“While presiding over the Ukraine Kyiv Mission, I once asked one of my most faithful sisters why she was always so hard on herself, why she was always beating herself up over the smallest things. Her answer was a classic example of someone listening to the wrong voice as she replied, ‘So no one can beat me to it.’
Brothers and sisters, my counsel to this sister missionary is my counsel to you: acknowledge and face your weaknesses, but don’t be immobilized by them, because some of them will be your companions until you depart this earth life. No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior’s Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, wherever you go.”
“Yours is the privilege, if you want it, to come to know for yourself, today or soon, that you are pleasing God in spite of your shortcomings.”
The Sacrament – A Renewal for the Soul – October 2014 General Conference – Cheryl A. Esplin
With this in mind, she reflected again on the previous week. She said: ‘A feeling of joy broke through my melancholy as I noted that He had given me many opportunities and abilities. I noted with gratitude the ability I had to recognize my child’s need when it wasn’t obvious. I noted that on a day when I felt I could not pack in one more thing to do, I was able to offer strengthening words to a friend. I had shown patience in a circumstance that usually elicited the opposite from me.’
She concluded: ‘As I thanked God for the Savior’s enabling power in my life, I felt so much more optimistic toward the repentance process I was working through and I looked to the next week with renewed hope.'”
Becoming Perfect in Christ – July 2014 Liahona – Elder Gerrit W. Gong
“The word perfection, however, is sometimes misunderstood to mean never making a mistake. Perhaps you or someone you know is trying hard to be perfect in this way. Because such perfection always seems out of reach, even our best efforts can leave us anxious, discouraged, or exhausted. We unsuccessfully try to control our circumstances and the people around us. We fret over weaknesses and mistakes. In fact, the harder we try, the further we may feel from the perfection we seek…
A misunderstanding of what it means to be perfect can result in perfectionism—an attitude or behavior that takes an admirable desire to be good and turns it into an unrealistic expectation to be perfect now. Perfectionism sometimes arises from the feeling that only those who are perfect deserve to be loved or that we do not deserve to be happy unless we are perfect.
Perfectionism can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, procrastination, discouragement, self-justification, and depression. These feelings can crowd out the peace, joy, and assurance our Savior wants us to have…
For those prone to see their own weaknesses or shortcomings, celebrate with gratitude the things you do well, however large or small.”
Sisterhood: Oh How We Need Each Other – April 2014 General Conference – Bonnie L. Oscarson
“We as women can be particularly hard on ourselves. When we compare ourselves to one another, we will always feel inadequate or resentful of others. Sister Patricia T. Holland once said, ‘The point is, we simply cannot call ourselves Christian and continue to judge one another—or ourselves—so harshly.'”
Becoming Perfect in Christ – April 2014 General Conference – Linda K. Burton
“The word perfection, however, is sometimes misunderstood to mean never making a mistake. Perhaps you or someone you know is trying hard to be perfect in this way. Because such perfection always seems out of reach, even our best efforts can leave us anxious, discouraged, or exhausted. We unsuccessfully try to control our circumstances and the people around us. We fret over weaknesses and mistakes. In fact, the harder we try, the further we may feel from the perfection we seek.
In what follows, I seek to deepen our appreciation for the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and for the love and mercy the Savior freely gives us. I invite you to apply your understanding of the doctrine of the Atonement to help yourself and others, including missionaries, students, young single adults, fathers, mothers, single heads of households, and others who may feel pressure to find perfection or to be perfect.”
You Can Do It Now! – October 2013 General Conference – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“When I was young, falling and getting up seemed to be one and the same motion. Over the years, however, I have come to the unsettling conclusion that the laws of physics have changed—and not to my advantage.”
“That does not mean that we should be comfortable with our weaknesses, mistakes, or sins. But there is an important difference between the sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair.”
“You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it now!”
“[O]ur destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.”
Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants – October 2013 General Conference – Linda S. Reeves
“We sometimes, as women, have a tendency to be very critical of ourselves. During these times we need to seek the Spirit and ask, ‘Is this what the Lord wants me to think about myself, or is Satan trying to beat me down?’”
Look Ahead and Believe – October 2013 General Conference – Edward Dube
“In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go.”
Be Meek and Lowly of Heart – October 2013 General Conference – Ulisses Soares
“President Lorenzo Snow, the fifth prophet of our dispensation, taught, ‘It is our duty to try to be perfect, … to improve each day, and look upon our course last week and do things better this week; do things better today than we did them yesterday.’ So the first step to becoming meek is to improve day by day. Each day we need to try to be better than the previous as we move forward through this process.
Called of Him to Declare His Word – October 2013 General Conference – Randy D. Funk
“We obey the commandments of the Lord and serve His children unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from God—power to do more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights, our talents, our abilities are expanded because we receive strength and power from the Lord.”
For Peace at Home – April 2013 General Conference – Richard G. Scott
“We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time.”
The Hope of God’s Light – April 2013 General Conference – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“First, start where you are.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to be perfect to experience the blessings and gifts of our Heavenly Father? We don’t have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God’s blessings. In fact, the heavens begin to part and the blessings of heaven begin to distill upon us with the very first steps we take toward the light.
The perfect place to begin is exactly where you are right now. It doesn’t matter how unqualified you may think you are or how far behind others you may feel. The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come.”
Four Titles – April 2013 General Conference – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“It can be discouraging at times to know what it means to be a son of God and yet come up short. The adversary likes to take advantage of these feelings. Satan would rather that you define yourself by your sins instead of your divine potential. Brethren, don’t listen to him.
We have all seen a toddler learn to walk. He takes a small step and totters. He falls. Do we scold such an attempt? Of course not. What father would punish a toddler for stumbling? We encourage, we applaud, and we praise because with every small step, the child is becoming more like his parents.
Now, brethren, compared to the perfection of God, we mortals are scarcely more than awkward, faltering toddlers. But our loving Heavenly Father wants us to become more like Him, and, dear brethren, that should be our eternal goal too. God understands that we get there not in an instant but by taking one step at a time.
I do not believe in a God who would set up rules and commandments only to wait for us to fail so He could punish us. I believe in a Heavenly Father who is loving and caring and who rejoices in our every effort to stand tall and walk toward Him. Even when we stumble, He urges us not to be discouraged—never to give up or flee our allotted field of service—but to take courage, find our faith, and keep trying.
Our Father in Heaven mentors His children and often sends unseen heavenly help to those who desire to follow the Savior.”
We Believe in Being Chaste – April 2013 General Conference – David A. Bednar
“Lucifer wants us ultimately to be alone in the dark and without hope.”
“Come Unto Me” – April 2013 General Conference – Henry B. Eyring
“I experienced the joy of coming closer to the Savior and of His coming closer to me most often through simple acts of obedience to the commandments.”
Being Accepted of the Lord – April 2013 General Conference – Erich W. Kopischke
“The ultimate source of empowerment and lasting acceptance is our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They know us. They love us. They do not accept us because of our title or position. They do not look at our status. They look into our hearts. They accept us for who we are and what we are striving to become. Seeking and receiving acceptance from Them will always lift and encourage us.”
Of Regrets and Resolutions – October 2012 General Conference – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,’ the Psalmist wrote. ‘Rejoice and be glad in it.’”
Consider the Blessings – October 2012 General Conference – Thomas S. Monson
“We live in a unique time in the world’s history. We are blessed with so very much. And yet it is sometimes difficult to view the problems and permissiveness around us and not become discouraged. I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness.”
What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul? – October 2012 General Conference – Robert C. Gay
“Brothers and sisters, remember that this charge is more than just not doing bad things. With an engaged enemy we must also act and not sit in ‘thoughtless stupor.’ (Alma 60:7)”
Do we sit in a “thoughtless stupor” when we are paralyzed by our imperfections?
The Merciful Obtain Mercy – April 2012 General Conference – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“May I add a footnote here? When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive—as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness—is the person looking back at us in the mirror.”
As We Gather Once Again – April 2012 General Conference – Thomas S. Monson
“There is much that is difficult and challenging in the world today, my brothers and sisters, but there is also much that is good and uplifting. As we declare in our thirteenth article of faith, ‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.’ May we ever continue to do so.”
The Race of Life – April 2012 General Conference – President Thomas S. Monson
“In our zeal, let us not overlook the sage counsel from Ecclesiastes: ‘The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.’ Actually, the prize belongs to him or her who endures to the end.”
The Laborers in the Vineyard – April 2012 General Conference – Jeffrey R. Holland
“I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.
Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing in either case that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized. Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning. ‘Come boldly [to] the throne of grace,’ 3 and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and feast ‘without money and without price’ 4 at the table of the Lord.”
“Our Heavenly Father did not put us on the earth to fail but to succeed gloriously.”
The Transforming Power of Faith and Character – October 2010 General Conference – Richard G. Scott
“If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments. May the Holy Ghost prompt you to always make decisions that fortify your character and yield much joy and happiness.”
Be of Good Cheer – April 2009 General Conference – Thomas S. Monson
“The future is as bright as your faith.”
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – April 2009 General Conference – Kevin W. Pearson
“Doubt leads to discouragement. Discouragement comes from missed expectations. Chronic discouragement leads to lower expectations, decreased effort, weakened desire, and greater difficulty feeling and following the Spirit (see Preach My Gospel [2004], 10). Discouragement and despair are the very antithesis of faith.”
Remember Lot’s Wife – BYU Devotional Jan 13 2009 – Jeffrey R. Holland
“Dismiss the destructive and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family and your friends and your neighbors. God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go.”
Daughters of God – April 2008 General Conference – M. Russell Ballard
“What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?
First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.”
Oh Remember, Remember – October 2007 General Conference – President Henry B. Eyring
He talks about recording and remembering the ways small and large we have seen “the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or family today?”
Closing Remarks – April 2007 General Conference – President Gordon B. Hinckley
As he so often did, President Hinckley encouraged members to “stand a little taller and be a little better.”
Voice of the Spirit – June 2006 Ensign – James E. Faust
“We need to learn how to ponder the things of the Spirit and to respond to its promptings—to filter out the static generated by Satan.”
Thanks to the Lord for His Blessings – April 1999 General Conference – President Gordon B. Hinckley
“We can all be a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more thoughtful of one another.”
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow – Chapter 6: Becoming Perfect Before the Lord: “A Little Better Day by Day”
“Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today.”
“When we comply with a requirement from the Lord, we are perfect in that sphere.”
“My young friends, there is an opportunity for you to become great—just as great as you wish to be. In starting out in life you may set your hearts upon things very difficult to attain to, but possibly within your reach. In your first efforts to gratify your desires you may fail, and your continued efforts may not prove what may be termed a success. But inasmuch as your efforts were honest efforts, and inasmuch as your desires were founded in righteousness, the experience you obtain while pursuing your hearts’ desires must necessarily be profitable to you, and even your mistakes, if mistakes you make, will be turned to your advantage.”
“Abraham was called to leave his kindred and country [see Abraham 2:1–6 ]. Had he not complied with this requirement, he would not have been approved of the Lord. But he did comply; and while he was leaving his home he no doubt was living in obedience to this divine law of perfection. Had he failed in this he certainly could not have obeyed the requirements of the Almighty. And while he was leaving his father’s house, while he was subjecting himself to this trial he was doing that which his own conscience and the Spirit of God justified him in doing, and nobody could have done better, providing he was doing no wrong when he was performing this labor.”
“If the husband can live with his wife one day without quarrelling or without treating anyone unkindly or without grieving the Spirit of God in any way, that is well so far; he is so far perfect. Then let him try to be the same the next day. But supposing he should fail in this his next day’s attempt, that is no reason why he should not succeed in doing so the third day. “
Other
His Grace is Sufficient – BYU Devotional July 12, 2011 – Brad Wilcox
This whole talk is amazing. I especially love his analogy about the piano lessons.
“Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the piano teacher. How many know what I am talking about? Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice! Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.
If the child sees Mom’s requirement of practice as being too overbearing (“Gosh, Mom, why do I need to practice? None of the other kids have to practice! I’m just going to be a professional baseball player anyway!”), perhaps it is because he doesn’t yet see with mom’s eyes. He doesn’t see how much better his life could be if he would choose to live on a higher plane.
In the same way, because Jesus has paid justice, He can now turn to us and say, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19), “Keep my commandments” (John 14:15). If we see His requirements as being way too much to ask (“Gosh! None of the other Christians have to pay tithing! None of the other Christians have to go on missions, serve in callings, and do temple work!”), maybe it is because we do not yet see through Christ’s eyes. We have not yet comprehended what He is trying to make of us.”
What a great compilation! I can’t wait to dive into these references – thanks for sharing them. I especially can’t wait for your book!!!
Perfect!!! Love these!
Kathryn, somewhere in here I read the example of teaching about the atonement with a dropper and a pitcher of water with the showing how the atonement makes up the difference. Can you tell me where I found that? I want to use that in a lesson!
Cheryl- you probably already found it, but if not, here is the link:
http://www.daringyoungmom.com/2012/12/19/drops-of-awesome/
Thanks, Heidi!
I really appreciate your original drops of awesome post. These scriptures and quotes are fabulous too. Thank you!