"In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is cgullah, which means 'valued property,' or 'treasure.' …
"With that understanding, we can see that the scriptural term peculiar does not mean 'queer' or 'odd' at all. It signifies 'valued treasure,' 'made' or 'selected by God.' Thus, for us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order. …
"… These are [the] latter days. … We are the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are, in fact, the hope of Israel. We are God's treasure, reserved for our particular place and time."
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "A More Excellent Hope," Ensign, Feb. 1997, 62–63.