(1/25/00)
"And what is the Priesthood? It is nothing more nor less than the power
of
God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the
salvation of the
human family, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost,
and act
legitimately; not assuming that authority, not borrowing it from
generations
that are dead and gone, but authority that has been given in this day
in which
we live by ministering angels and spirits from above, direct from the
presence
of Almighty God, who have come to the earth in our day and restored the
Priesthood to the children of men, by which they may baptize for the
remission
of sins and lay on hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and by
which they
can remit sin, with the sanction and blessing of Almighty God." —
"Conference Report," October 1904,
p. 5
(1/26/00)
"While it may be said, and it is in a measure true, that we are but a
handful in comparison to our fellow men in the world, yet we may be
compared
with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, that will eventually leaven
the whole
world." — "Conference
Report," April 1909, p. 2
(1/27/00)
"When the Lord wants to reveal something new to us, He knows the
channel
through which to reveal it; He knows that He can do it, and He will do
it in His
own way and time, and through the proper channels of the Priesthood.
Don't
forget that!" — "Conference
Report," October 1909, p. 125
(1/28/00)
"I want to state here that which is in my heart. You may call it a
prophecy
if you will. Those who are and continue to be enrolled in the book of
the law of
the Lord--on the tithing records of the Church--will continue to
prosper, their
substance will increase, and they will have added unto them in greater
abundance
everything that they need;..." — "Conference
Report," April 1901, p. 70
(1/29/00)
"Let us guard ourselves so that there may not come into our souls a
single
drop of bitterness, by which our whole being might be corroded and
poisoned with
anger, with hatred, envy and malice, or any sort of evil. We should be
free from
all these evil things, that we may be filled with the love of God, the
love of
truth, the love of our fellow-men, that we may seek to do good unto all
men all
the days of our lives, and above all things be true to our covenants in
the
gospel of Jesus Christ." — "Conference
Report," April 1909, p. 6
(1/30/00)
"I desire to say that Mormonism, as it is called, is still, as always,
nothing more and nothing less than the power of God unto salvation,
unto every
soul that will receive it honestly and will obey it. I say to you, my
brethren,
sisters, and friends, that all Latter-day Saints, wherever you find
them,
provided they are true to their name, to their calling and to their
understanding of the Gospel, are people who stand for truth and for
honor, for
virtue and for purity of life, for honesty in business and in religion,
people
who stand for God and for His righteousness, for God's truth and His
work in the
earth, which aims for the salvation of the children of men, for their
salvation
from the evils of the world, from the pernicious habits of wicked men
and from
all those things that degrade, dishonor or destroy; or tend to lessen
the
vitality, and life, the honor, and godliness among the people of the
earth." — "Conference
Report," April 1910, p. 5
(1/18/01)
"The spirit of the gospel leads men to righteousness; to love their
fellowmen and to labor for their salvation and exaltation; it inspires
them to
do good and not evil, to avoid even the appearance of sin, much more to
avoid
sin itself. This is indeed the spirit of the gospel, which is the
spirit of this
latter-day work, and also the spirit that possesses those who have
embraced it;
and the aim and purpose of this work is the salvation, the exaltation,
and the
eternal happiness of man, both in this life and in the life to come."
Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," Apr. 1909, p. 4
3/25/03
"Amidst the greatest learning that the world has ever seen, we have
seen
the greatest perishing the world has ever seen, and our greatest
learning has
been utilized for the destruction of God's children. 'But to be learned
is good
if they hearken unto the counsels of God.' Again, no man receiveth the
fulness
of truth-no man may be truly educated-except he keep the commandments
of our
Father in heaven." — Joseph F. Smith,
"Conference Report," April 1946, p. 62
(8/18/03)
"What should we do before partaking of this sacrament? We should look
into
our souls and see whether we have any unforgiveness there toward any of
our
fellow creatures, especially toward any of the household of faith. Have
you any
bitterness in your heart toward your brother or your sister, or any of
mankind?
If you have, remove that bitterness and repent of the weakness by which
that
bitterness has found a resting place within you, and remove it from
your heart.
Harbor it not in your spirit; for it is evil. It corrupts us to allow
the spirit
of hatred or animosity to find a resting-place in our souls. Therefore
we should
not partake of this sacrament with such feelings in our souls. We
should forgive
those who trespass against us. We should make peace with our brother
and with
our sister and with all mankind, and establish peace in our hearts, so
that when
we come to the house of God to partake of the sacrament we may do it
with clean
hands and pure hearts before the Lord." — Joseph F. Smith, July
16, 1893,
"Collected Discourses, 1987-1992," 5 vols., Stuy, Brian H., ed.,
Burbank, California, and Woodland Hills, Utah: B.H.S. Publishing
(12/5/03)
"Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can
lend a
helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent
and in
sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is
our
mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it." -
Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," April, 1918, p. 4
(5/18/04)
"Brethren, there is too little religious devotion, love, and fear of
God,
in the home; too much worldliness, selfishness, indifference, and lack
of
reverence in the family, or it never would exist so abundantly on the
outside.
Then, the home is what needs reforming. Try today, and tomorrow, to
make a
change in your home." - Joseph F. Smith, "Worship in the Home,"
Improvement Era, December 1903, p. 138
(8/20/04)
"Jesus taught the doctrine that we should pray for those that
despitefully
use us; that we should love our enemies; that we should do good to them
that do
evil to us; that we should not return evil for evil, but good for evil.
There is
no particular credit due to any person who returns good for good. Even
the
publicans and sinners did this, but it is somewhat difficult to return
good for
evil. Nevertheless to do so was enjoined by the commandments of the
Lord Jesus.
We are to love our enemies; do good to them that hate and persecute us;
and when
we are persecuted, persecute not again; when we are derided, deride not
in
return; if we are injured, seek not to injure those who injure us; that
which is
required at our hands is to establish peace on earth and good will to
man.
Hence, when we forget the object of our calling and step out of the
path of duty
to return blow for blow, to inflict evil for evil, to persecute because
we may
be persecuted, we forget the injunction of the Lord and the covenants
we have
made with God, to keep His commandments." - Joseph F. Smith, "Journal
of Discourses, 26 vols." [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot,
1854-1886], 23:285-286
(10/6/05)
"So I come to the conclusion that the
principal thing about tithe paying is obedience to the law, and that
more good will come to us through that obedience than to anybody else.
We may be worth our tens of thousands, and pay an honest tithing on our
income, making our tithing a large amount; yet the good that will come
to ourselves by being obedient to the law of God will be far greater in
the end than the good which our substance may do to the poor. He is
more blessed who giveth alms than is he who receiveth them. The trouble
is, when a man becomes rich he at once begins to feel too poor to be
obedient to the laws of God. Riches make men poor when it comes to
dealing with the Almighty." - Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report,"
April 1899, Afternoon Session
(10/13/05)
"Will this time ever be? While
surrounded by so many imperfections, clothed in mortality, and subject
to the weakness and failings of the flesh, will the time ever be when
we as a people, with such glorious promises, privileges and rights, and
with such inestimable blessings, shall enjoy the Spirit of God to the
exclusion of every other influence that exists? Will we ever be able to
enjoy the Spirit of the Lord, while in mortality, to such a degree that
we can govern ourselves and not give way one moment to an evil thought
or passion. I do not know; but this I do know, that we now have all
that is necessary to enable us to attain to this perfection in the
truth and the knowledge of God. If we have it not now, I do not believe
we ever will. 'Why,' inquires one, 'what have we now?' We have the
promise of Almighty God that he will give his Spirit to guide,
strengthen and assist every individual to accomplish all the good in
his heart, if he will only come up to the standard he has established."
- Joseph F. Smith, "Journal of Discourses," 26 vols., 11:308
1/28/06
"It is an important duty resting upon the Saints who vote to
sustain the authorities of the Church, to do so not only by the lifting
of the hand, the mere form, but in deed and in truth. There never
should be a day pass but all the people composing the Church should
lift up their voices in prayer to the Lord to sustain His servants who
are placed to preside over them.... These men should have the faith of
the people to sustain them in the discharge of their duties, in order
that they may be strong in the Lord." - "Teachings
Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F. Smith," p.210
1/10/07
"The essence of true membership in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is this—that you
and I, independent of every other person in the world, will live our
religion and do our duty, no matter what other people do. As Joshua
expressed himself in olden times, 'As for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord.' (Joshua
24:15.) The true measure of our standing in this Church is
that we will do right, no matter who else does right or does wrong.
Therefore let us seek to get that spirit upon us and live by that
rule." - Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F. Smith,
p.416
3/26/07
"Fix in your minds noble thoughts, cultivate elevated themes, let your
aims and aspirations be high. Be in a certain degree independent; to
the degree of usefulness, helpfulness and self-reliance, though no
human beings can be said truly to be independent of their fellow
beings, and there is no one reckless enough to deny our utter
dependence on our heavenly Father. Seek to be educated in the highest
meaning of the term; get the most possible service out of your time,
your body and brains, and let all your efforts be directed into
honorable channels, that no effort shall be wasted, and no labor result
in loss or evil." - "Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F.
Smith," p.313
5/8/07
"I would not like to say one
thing, or express a thought that would grieve the heart of Joseph, or
of Brigham, or of John, or of Wilford, or Lorenzo, or any of their
faithful associates in the ministry. Sometimes the Lord expands our
vision from this point of view and this side of the veil, that we feel
and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which
separates us from that other sphere. If we can see by the enlightening
influence of the Spirit of God and through the words that have been
spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond the veil that separates us
from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can see
more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for
us to see to them from our sphere of action. I believe we move and have
our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly
beings. We are not separate from them. We begin to realize more and
more fully, as we become acquainted with the principles of the Gospel,
as they have been revealed anew in this dispensation, that we are
closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends and
associates and co-laborers who have preceded us into the spirit world.
We cannot forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold
them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to
them by ties that we can not break, that we can not dissolve or free
ourselves from. If this is the case with us in our finite condition,
surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, shortsightedness, lack of
inspiration and wisdom from time to time, how much more certain it is
and reasonable and consistent to believe that those who have been
faithful, who have gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for
the salvation of the souls of men, the opening of the prison doors to
them that are bound and proclaiming liberty to the captives who can see
us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know
them. They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have
grown; we are reaching the goal that they have attained unto; and
therefore, I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they
are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For
now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend better than
ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and
forbidden paths. They see the temptations and the evils that beset us
in life and the proneness of mortal beings to yield to temptation and
to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us and their love for us and
their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel
for ourselves." - Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," April 1916, p.3
6/30/07
"I believe that it is the intention of our
Heavenly Father to keep us mindful of Him and of His purposes, and that
one of His great designs towards us is that we shall not become proud
and lifted up in our own conceit and in our own strength and wisdom and
knowledge. I believe it is good for this people to learn to
acknowledge the hand of the Lord in everything, for He has said that He
is only displeased with those who are not willing to acknowledge His
hand in all things. It may sometimes seem difficult to discern
the hand of the Lord in the circumstances that transpire around us; but
if we will take a proper view of our situation, and of our calling and
of the nature of the work that we are engaged in I believe that it will
not be difficult for us while we possess the spirit of the Lord to
acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things. Surely He is
supreme. He is above us, and he is Almighty; he has all knowledge
and all wisdom and He knoweth the end from the beginning, and He has
set His hand to accomplish His purposes in this dispensation." - Joseph
F. Smith, "Perfection in the First Principles of the Gospel," Sunday,
November 1, 1891
7/4/08
"The only real danger that I foresee in the path of the
Latter-day Saints is in the results which naturally follow the
possession of wealth—pride
and vanity, self-indulgence and forgetfulness of God, and a disregard
of the sacred obligations and duties that we owe to Him and to one
another; and this because of the abundance of earthly blessings which
He in His goodness has bestowed upon us. It is said that in adversity
we are inclined to feel after the Lord, but that in prosperity we
remember Him not. It appears to me that in this lies the greatest
danger that threatens us to-day." - Joseph F.
Smith, "Journal of Discourses," 26 vols., 24:174-176
9/25/08
"Did you ever see anybody who
went in debt and mortgaged and bonded that which he possessed, as free,
as independent, as happy as the man who paid for what he had as he went
along? We should live according to our means, and lay a foundation upon
which we can build, and upon which our children can build after us,
without paying interest on bonded debts incurred by us. I am aware that
I am not preaching the financial gospel of the world. I suppose I am
laying myself open to the charge of being called a mossback,
non-progressive, and so on. All these epithets are hurled at the men
that dare to tell the people to live within their means. …
Sometimes we are put in a position where it is necessary to go into
debt. When it is necessary, so may it be. … But I have never yet
been convinced that it was essential for the welfare of the present or
future generation that my children should be brought in bondage by my
acts." - Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F.
Smith, p.163
8/12/09
“There are limits in our recreations beyond which we cannot
safely go. They should be guarded in character and curtailed in
frequency to avoid excess. They should not occupy all, nor even the
greater part of our time; indeed, they should be made incidental to the
duties and obligations of life, and never be made a controlling motive
or factor in our hopes and ambitions.” –
“Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F.
Smith,” p. 371
8/22/09
“It is frequently said that
order is the first law of heaven. I wish to put this in a
different light. Order in the Church is the result of obedience
to the laws of God and to the discipline which He has established among
men. My opinion is that obedience, which one of the ancient
prophets said was ‘better than sacrifice,’ is the first law
of heaven–if there can be any law called the first or above all
others. Without obedience there can be no order, no discipline,
no government. The will of God cannot be done, either in the
heavens or on the earth, except men will obey the will of the
Father. And when men obey the will of the Father, order is the
result. Confusion ceases, and peace is made to prevail, when men
yield obedience to the requirements of the Father, or to the laws of
God. Discipline is that practice which is necessary to bring men
and women into an understanding of the laws and requirements of God;
or, it is that condition which will exist when men understand the laws
of God and yield obedience to them.” –
Joseph F. Smith, Utah Stake Conference, Sunday, April
19, 1896
9/29/09
“There
are a great many things that we can do on the Sabbath day that would
entertain, interest, and instruct our children at home, between the
hours of service. ... Let them have amusements at the proper time, but
let them be taught better things on the Sabbath day.” – “Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F.
Smith,” p. 230
10/26/09
“We are seeking to build up and to establish
righteousness in the hearts of the people, and I want to see you, as
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, male and
female, so industrious, so active in the discharge of your duties as
Latter-day Saints, so humble, so submissive to the will of the Lord
that you will not have time to spend in magnifying the weaknesses, the
follies and the faults of your neighbors and of your fellow members of
the Church. The Lord knows there is evil enough said in the world
thoughtlessly; and without any particular intent to do wrong, but
merely through the weakness of men to talk, talk, talk and say
nothing–let us work and not talk.” -
Joseph F. Smith, “Conference Report,”
October 1911, p. 10
4/12/10
"The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to
familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly,
that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever
turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained. 'In the
footsteps of the Master,' the greatest of all the teachers that this
world has ever received, is the safest and surest course to pursue that
I know of in the world. We can absorb the precepts, the doctrines and
the divine word of the Master, without any fear that the exemplar will
fail of carrying out and executing his own precepts and fulfilling his
own doctrines and requirements." - "Teachings
Of Presidents Of The Church: Joseph F. Smith," p. 39
4/23/10
"I do not want this congregation, or any of
the congregations of the Latter-day Saints, to conceive the idea, or to
entertain it for one moment, that the true and living God—the Father of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—who so loved the world that he sent
his Only Begotten Son into the world, to bleed, to die, and to be
sacrificed for the sin of the world, the Father of our spirits, he who
loves his children, is in any degree responsible for the carnage, the
bloodshed, the crime and the infamy that is today being perpetrated
because of war, or any other cause, throughout the world. God is not
responsible for it. I want you to let this sink into your hearts and
remember it. God does not design wickedness or crime in the midst of
his children, neither is he the cause of it. One of the apostles said:
'Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot
be tempted with evil; neither tempteth he any man. But every man is
tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.' The Lord
God Almighty has no pleasure whatever in the nations of the earth
contending one with another and destroying themselves. All this is
contrary to the will of God, contrary to his purposes, and contrary to
his love, and to the very nature of the true and the living God. He
loveth his children; he desires them to have life everlasting and not
death. I pity the expressions that I have heard so many times in the
public print from ignorant preachers and some poor mothers whose sons
have been sacrificed at the front: 'Why does God permit it? Why has God
permitted my son to be slain? Why does God permit the war that is
existing today in all the nations of the earth?' The answer is: Because
the nations of the earth, together with their leaders, exercise their
freedom, the freedom of their agency, to pursue their wicked course,
which results in war and in the death and destruction that is being
perpetrated today throughout the nations of the earth. The Lord has no
pleasure in it, and I do not want the Latter-day Saints to conceive the
idea that God is responsible, or to charge him with the crime of
desiring the destruction of his children. It is not true!" - Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," April 1918,
Afternoon Session, p. 170
7/25/10
"Brethren
and sisters, Latter-day Saints, listen to the counsel of the Lord. What
matter if we be but few? If every man at this conference, if every
Latter-day Saint listening to this conference, would go out and see to
it that he made of himself a center from which went out the testimony
of the truth, we could accomplish miracles. Let no Latter-day Saint,
who has raised his hand to sustain the prophets of the Lord, permit
himself ever to depart from that instruction. Let him challenge any
faultfinding and let him champion the truth." - Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," April 1945, Afternoon Meeting, p. 159
