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(1/14/04)
"The command 'Be ye... perfect' (Matt. 5:48) is not one that
can be executed overnight, or even by the end of mortality. It takes much, much
longer to overcome all our mortal weaknesses, doing 'all we can do,' so that by
grace we may be saved and attain (see 2 Ne. 25:23) godhood.
Christ's resurrection, which assures our own immortality, provides us time to at
least seriously attempt to pursue the goal of perfection. Had he not been
resurrected, or if the Resurrection had applied to him only and not to the rest
of God's offspring, there would be no hope for us mere mortals. Even if we
subscribed to the possibility of becoming perfect in mortality, there would be
nothing we could do about it. The pathway to perfection is just too long, the
time to walk it exceeding whatever our allotted years in mortality may be."
- Alexander B. Morrison, "I
Am the Resurrection and the Life," Ensign, Apr. 1995, p. 42
(4/27/04)
"The great struggle of life is to overcome the natural man, with his
carnality and selfishness, and to become a Saint of God through the Atonement of
Christ. It is not a struggle once won forever finished, but a battle that must
be engaged every day that we live. As Nephi said, '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.' (2 Nephi 31:20; italics
added.) - Alexander B. Morrison, "Visions of Zion" [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1993], p. 20
(5/31/04)
"In the final analysis, then, we show our devotion to Christ, and best
express our discipleship, by the way in which we live and serve Him. The symbol
of Jesus and His place in our hearts must be a life given fully to His service,
to loving and caring; to an unstinting commitment to Christ and His cause; to a
spiritual rebirth that produces a 'mighty change' in our hearts and prepares us
to receive 'his image in [our] countenances' (Alma 5:13-14)." -
Alexander B. Morrison, "For
This Cause Came I into the World," Ensign, November 1999, p. 27
(6/30/04)
"The fire of faith and testimony soon falters if it is not fed. Few who
have drifted far away have experienced the frequent referral to gospel
principles that is needed to drive essential truths into the soul to the extent
that behavior begins to change. Few are familiar with the scriptures, those
powerful witnesses of Christ. (See John 5:39.) Their knowledge of
the saving and redeeming truths found in the Book of Mormon is especially
deficient. In a word, most require conversion. We have found that without
conversion, activation is fleeting and superficial. These perceptive words from Alma 23:6 say it best: 'As many
as believed, or... were brought to the knowledge of the truth... and were
converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.'" - Alexander B. Morrison,
"Fire
Where Once Were Ashes," Ensign, August 1990, p. 10
(7/9/04)
"In summary, then, finding, bringing back, and caring for lost sheep and
lambs are tasks of supernal significance assigned by the Good Shepherd to
faithful under-shepherds. In the accomplishment of these tasks is found some of
the richest joy of work in the Master's cause. How thrilling it is to assist in
brushing away the ashes of apathy, indifference, even antagonism, to reveal and
revive the still-flickering flame of faith. Those so involved can exult with
Ammon: 'Yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.' (Alma 26:11.)" -
Alexander B. Morrison, "Fire
Where Once Were Ashes," Ensign, August 1990, p. 11
9/6/06
"Perhaps those who call themselves Christian and harp on what they claim are
inconsistencies in our history and doctrine need to be reminded that
Christianity itself rests upon very meager historic evidence. The miracles of
Christ, including His resurrection and atonement, the details of His life and
preachings, simply are not recorded in the secular histories available to
Christian and non-Christian alike. Similarly, all Christians must wrestle with
the fact that the teachings and records found in the New Testament (which, by
the way, display their own internal minor inconsistencies) were written by
friends and followers of Jesus, not by objective historians. None of this should
be of inordinate concern to any of us, Mormon or non- Mormon. The validity of
the Christian message rests on spiritual, rather than secular, foundations.
"Yet we must not dwell too long on those who are our professional detractors,
who make a living (often a very good living!) by criticizing the Mormons. They
will always be with us and will be dealt with in the Lord's good time and in His
way. They will not have any appreciable impact on the work, 'for the eternal
purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.'
(Mormon 8:22.) Elder
Marvin J. Ashton has wisely reminded us that 'no religion, group, or individual
can prosper over an extended period of time with fault-finding as their
foundation.' (Ensign,
November 1982, p. 63.)" - Alexander B. Morrison, "Feed My Sheep: Leadership
Ideas for Latter-day Shepherds," p.133
10/4/07
"At the end of the day, our belief in Christ will best
be reflected to others by the extent to which we practice what we preach. Elder
Neal A. Maxwell has reminded us: 'Overall, the perception of us as a
Church and people will improve in direct proportion to the degree to which
we mirror the Master in our lives. No media effort can do as much
good—over the sweep of time—as can believing, behaving, and serving
members of the Church! The eloquence of such examples will be felt
and seen in any culture or community.' (Address to Area Office Public
Communications Directors, April 9, 1985.) " - Alexander B. Morrison, "Feed My
Sheep: Leadership Ideas for Latter-day Shepherds," p.134-135