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(10/28/02)
"May God bless you as a generation with a continuing sense of impending
rendezvous with tasks you know not of yet, but for which you must be prepared. I
see you as a generation fitted before you came here, measured for the challenges
to be given to you. I plead with you to determine to settle in spiritually, by
moving along in the pathway to becoming true believers in Christ." — Neal A. Maxwell, "True Believers,"
"New Era," Apr. 1994, p. 24
(10/29/02)
"During an informal fireside address held with a group of adult Latter-day
Saints, the leader directing the discussion invited participation by asking the
question: 'How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ?' For
forty-five minutes those in attendance made numerous suggestions in response to
this question, and the leader carefully wrote down each answer on a large
blackboard. All of the comments were thoughtful and appropriate. But after a
time, this great teacher erased everything he had written. Then, acknowledging
that all of the comments had been worthwhile and appreciated, he taught a vital
principle: 'The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing
spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.'" — Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a
Sharp Sword," "Ensign," May 1992, p. 20
(10/30/02)
"I have no doubt that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an
institution can meet the challenge of entering into the year 2000. Growth in
membership, the number of new temples, and the inspired organization are all in
place to move with strength into the next century. Having the images of
technology in our minds is commendable, but in order to move forward spiritually
we need to have the Savior's image in our countenances and in our hearts." — James E. Faust, "This Is Our Day,"
"Ensign," May 1999, p. 18
(10/31/02)
"The Lord does not want His church to become root bound and stagnant."
— Marvin J. Ashton, "Progress through
Change," "Ensign," Nov. 1979, p. 61
(11/01/02)
"Somehow, some of us get it in our heads that if we are not making great,
dramatic leaps forward spiritually, we are not progressing. Actually, for most
of us, the challenge of living the gospel is that progress comes in almost
imperceptible increments. It is very seldom that we can look back over one day
and see great progress. Becoming like God takes years and years of striving, and
trying again." — Gerald N. Lund,
"I Have A Question," "Ensign," Aug. 1986, p. 41
(3/2/04)
"Apathy, or the 'all is well' (2 Ne. 28:21) syndrome, is
another snare to be avoided. 'The peril of this century,' declared Elder David
O. McKay (later, President of the Church) when he was a member of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, 'is spiritual apathy.' (Conference Report, Oct. 1907, p.
62.) This spiritual apathy, complacency, and procrastination all lead to
spiritual weakness and leave us dangerously susceptible to the ravages of
temptation and sin. Failure to actively seek righteousness can cost us our
exaltation as surely as choosing wickedness." - Clyde J. Williams, "A
Shield against Evil," Ensign, Jan. 1996, pp. 30-31
(6/17/05)
"The Lord has often used mountaintops as sanctuaries.
In Old Testament times, when temples were not available the Lord used
mountaintops as sacred places in which to reveal truths to his prophets.
Likewise, the New Testament and the Book of Mormon describe sacred mountaintops
where God revealed truths to his servants. Joseph Smith, kneeling in the Sacred
Grove, was figuratively kneeling at the top of a great spiritual mountain.
"Today the Lord provides us with ample space which, in a personal way, becomes
our own spiritual mountaintop where we receive truth and inspiration. Searching
the scriptures, for example, can answer many of the questions of our day by
lifting our spirits to clarifying heights. Further, the world is dotted with
holy temples which we may enter to receive instruction and inspiration and to
perform sacred ordinances. Conferences such as this one, reports of the
prophetic utterances of our beloved leaders, our own sacrament meetings and
stake conferences—all provide rich, fulfilling opportunities to hear the truth
and allow it to sink deep into our souls." - Jack H Goaslind, "Spiritual
Mountaintops," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 9
(9/19/05)
"Sometimes we may feel that our spiritual edge has
grown dull. On some very trying days, we may even feel that God has forgotten
us, has left us alone in our confusion and concern. But that feeling is no more
justified for the older ones among us than it is for the younger and less
experienced. God knows and loves us all. We are, every one of us, his daughters
and his sons, and whatever life's lessons may have brought us, the promise is
still true: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him' (James
1:5)." - Howard W. Hunter, "The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," edited by
Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], p. 85
12/29/05
"It would seem of the utmost importance that
thinking people everywhere should conscientiously reflect upon their spiritual
assets. Man is a dual being, spiritual and physical. Whether it be an individual
or a nation, he or it cannot achieve permanent success or happiness without
spirituality. Paul said: 'For to be carnally minded is death; but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace.' (Rom.
8:6.)" - Joseph Anderson, "Strength
of the Spirit," Ensign (CR), May 1974, p.9
1/10/06
"The generation of spiritual light comes from daily spiritual pedaling.
It comes from praying, studying the scriptures, fasting, and serving—from living
the gospel and obeying the commandments. 'He that keepeth his commandments
receiveth truth and light,' (D&C
93:28) said the Lord, '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 50:24) My
brothers and sisters, that perfect day will be when we will stand in the
presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ." - Robert D. Hales, "Out
of Darkness into His Marvelous Light," Ensign (CR), May 2002, p.69
4/12/06
"The Lord, who knows all that through which we will pass, will help us to
overcome in our 'small moment' of time (D&C
122:4). If we are settled, we will 'endure it well' (D&C
121:8) and 'hold fast' (1
Thes. 5:21). Endured righteously, 'all these things shall give [us]
experience, and shall be for [our] good' (D&C
122:7). 'Think it not strange' when disciples are called upon to pass
through 'the fiery trial,' said Peter (1
Pet. 4:12).
"Even so, the Saints of God, as prophesied, will eventually 'cry unto the Lord
day and night until deliverance comes' (Prophetic Sayings of Heber C. Kimball,
n.p., n.d., p. 6).
"The spiritually settled will finally overcome, and the glorious promise is, 'To
him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also
overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne' (Rev.
3:21)." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Overcome...
Even As I Also Overcame," Ensign (CR), May 1987, p.70
4/27/06
"So let us look at ourselves. For the Church, the scriptures suggest both an
accelerated sifting and accelerated spiritual and numerical growth—with all this
preceding the time when the people of God will be 'armed with righteousness'—not
weapons—and when the Lord's glory will be poured out upon them (1
Ne. 14:14; see also 1 Pet.
4:17; D&C 112:25). The
Lord is determined to have a tried, pure, and proven people (see
D&C 100:16;
D&C 101:4;
D&C 136:31), and 'there is
nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do
it' (Abr. 3:17).
"How can we, as individual members of the Church, survive spiritually if we do
not honor our covenants? How can we survive spiritually if we break outright the
covenants made at the time of baptism or in the holy temples? How can we be on
the Lord's side during the 'great division' if we mirror the world's materialism
and selfishness (see 2 Ne.
30:10)?" - Neal A. Maxwell, "For
I Will Lead You Along," Ensign (CR), May 1988, p.7
8/9/06
"It matters not what position we may occupy in the Church or out of it. No man
is so safe that he may boast of his own strength, but only as God shall be our
strength and come to our rescue, and then shorten the days, will we be able to
overcome, and finally gain the victory; at least, that is the way I read the
holy scripture. And what is the equipment? Can, you, then, or can I, or can any
human soul in all the world, combat and overcome the temptations of the present
day in and of ourselves without being properly equipped for that great struggle?
I answer 'No, we cannot.' We need the help of God. We need the companionship of
His Holy Spirit. Without these we cannot succeed." - Rulon S. Wells, Conference
Report, April 1922, Third Day—Morning Session, p.142
10/25/06
"Our most important spiritual nutrient is a testimony that God is our Eternal
Father, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and that the Holy Ghost is our
Comforter. This testimony is confirmed to us by the gift of the Holy Ghost. From
this testimony we derive the spiritual nutrients of faith and trust in God,
which bring forth the blessings of heaven. Spiritual nutrients come to us from
various sources..." - James E. Faust, "Spiritual
Nutrients," Ensign, November 2006
1/26/07
"So, first of all, we believe in Christ. And the test as to whether we believe
in him is whether we believe his words and whether we believe those whom he hath
sent—the Apostles and prophets of all the ages (D&C
1:38; 84:36). And then,
having believed, we have the obligation of conforming to the truths that we have
thus learned (Mosiah 4:10;
Matt. 7:21). If we do
conform we begin to grow in spiritual graces. We add to our faith virtue, and to
our virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance and patience and godliness and
all of the other attributes and characteristics that are written in the
revelations (2 Pet. 1:5). So
step by step and degree by degree we begin to become like God our Heavenly
Father." - Bruce R. McConkie, "Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie," p.52
3/4/07
"Our thoughts, our words, our deeds make us what we are. King Benjamin, after
his important address to the people gathered at the temple, summarized his
concerns for them: 'If ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your
words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the
faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end
of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not' (Mosiah
4:30).
"I believe that to perish is to have the Spirit withdrawn, to bear the burden of
darkness and despair. If our whole bodies are to be filled with light (see
D&C 88:67), we must 'cast
away [our] idle thoughts' (D&C
88:69). The Lord counsels, 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear
not' (D&C 6:36). Our doubts
and our fears can imprison us and hold us hostage. We must exchange them for
messages that free us—messages of faith, not fear." - Ardeth Greene Kapp,
"Rejoice! His Promises Are Sure," p.101-102
5/21/07
"I never regard the message of Christ as being harsh. Sometimes it sounds a
little harsh and rigorous, but I never regard it as being harsh. I always regard
the message of Christ as being kindly, persuasive, forgiving and loving. I can't
picture our Lord and Savior in any atmosphere other than that of love and
kindness. I have always regarded the condemnations and penalties of which we
sometimes speak as being largely in the nature of deprivations and retardations
in our progress, for we are told, in what seems to me to be the very genius of
the Gospel according to modern revelation—in the vision of the glories—that
every one is to receive even more than he anticipates, but that the highest and
the most perfect and the lovely blessings of the future are in store for those
who live the Christly life upon which those blessings are predicated." - Stephen
L. Richards, "Conference Report," October 1935, Third Day—Morning Meeting, p.97
2/24/08
"Thirty years'
experience has taught me that every moment of my life must be holiness to
the Lord, resulting from equity, justice, mercy, and uprightness in all my
actions, which is the only course by which I can preserve the Spirit of the
Almighty to myself." - "Discourses
of Brigham Young," selected and
arranged by John A. Widtsoe, p.267
2/29/08
"A
person who has developed spirituality may suffer deeply and know frustration;
but yet he is able to continue in showing forth kindness and love because of a
power that rises up from his spiritual base that governs his actions and urges
him to speak with a new tongue (2
Ne. 31:14), as Nephi said, and to be his best despite obstacles and
setbacks." - David B. Haight, "Our
Lord and Savior," Ensign (CR), May
1988, p.21
10/14/08
"The
Lord has given us a beautiful plan about how we can return to Him, but the
completion of our mortal journey requires spiritual fuel. We want to emulate the
five wise virgins, who had stored sufficient fuel to accompany the bridegroom
when he came (see
Matthew 25:6–10).
What is required to maintain a sufficient store of spiritual fuel? We must
acquire knowledge of God’s eternal plan and our role in it, and then by living
righteously, surrendering our will to the will of the Lord, we receive the
promised blessings." -
L.
Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It With Simplicity," General Conference, October 2008
10/16/08
"Our
spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the
beginning or even along the way. Our conversion comes step-by-step, line upon
line. We first build a foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We treasure
the principles and ordinances of repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of
the Holy Ghost. We include a continuing commitment to prayer, a willingness to
be obedient, and an ongoing witness of the Book of Mormon. (The Book of Mormon
is powerful spiritual nourishment.)
"We then remain steady and patient as we progress through mortality. At times, the Lord’s answer will be, 'You don’t know everything, but you know enough'—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right." - Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough," General Conference, October 2008
2/24/09
"Spiritual
security will always depend upon how one lives, not where one lives. Saints in
every land have equal claim upon the blessings of the Lord."
- Russell M. Nelson, "The Gathering of Scattered
Israel," CR October 2006
2/26/09
"Looking at vegetable life, we see
plants that grow in darkness. They are pale; they possess not the beauty of
those that grow in open sunlight. When I was a youth, I remember being sent into
the cellar late in the spring to sprout some potatoes. Every sprout was reaching
out for that ray of sunlight that came through a little aperture! And yet we go
through life and see God's highest creation, man, turning his back on the light,
and not as the potato sprout struggling therefore. I wonder if we are magnifying
our calling and are growing toward the light in a desire to be warmed by
Christ's love? I wonder if we know just who we are? If we do, let us be obedient
unto every commandment of the Lord our Father."
- Walter P. Monson, "Conference Report," April 1917,
Outdoor Meeting, p.103
10/20/09
“In
the revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith, this matter is made very clear.
Man is engaged in an eternal journey. Life on earth is but an episode in
everlasting life. Therefore, all things that touch this eternal traveler belong
to the plan under which he is moving forward. The distinction between things
spiritual and temporal vanishes; they become merged, as the palm and back of the
hand, as the warp and woof of the cloth. Man’s physical concerns acquire a
spiritual value; and his spiritual activities have temporal counterparts.
‘Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not
at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal ... for my
commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal
nor sensual’ (D. & C. 29:34, 35). This makes the Word of Wisdom, tithing,
prayer, or temple work, principles alike of spiritual essence. In that sense,
the Church never departs from spiritual teachings.” -
John A. Widtsoe, “Evidences and Reconciliations,” p. 279
1/5/10
“Our most fundamental
doctrines impel us to improve, individually and collectively. We counsel one
with another. We pray together and in secret. We acknowledge our weaknesses,
search scriptures, and ponder course adjustments. We receive the righteous
benefits from heavenly-inspired gifts of science, technology, and art. We
correlate, correct, and realign, bringing all truth we are capable of receiving
to harmonize our lives and the leadership and organization of this work with the
teachings and perfect example of our leader, Jesus Christ.” - V. Dallas
Merrell, “Power of the Church Rooted in Christ,” Ensign (CR), May 1993, p. 28
2/10/10
“One of those small things, I have learned, is that I must find the time to fill
my own spiritual reservoir each day. It's tempting to make a massive list of my
failings and then to work at them, as a friend of mine says, as though I am
‘killing snakes.’ Self-improvement may seem a kind of work project, but it is—at
heart—a change of heart. When we women struggle to keep up with life-raising
children, providing necessities, attending school, dealing with issues of age or
ill health-our own spirituality often ends up at the bottom of our long ‘to do’
lists.” - Kathleen H. Hughes, “Out of Small Things,”
Ensign (CR), November 2004, p. 109
3/1/10
“I
have learned that where there is a prayerful heart, a hungering after
righteousness, a forsaking of sins, and obedience to the commandments of God,
the Lord pours out more and more light until one finally has power to pierce the
heavenly veil and to know more than man knows. Such a person has a priceless
promise that one day he will see the Lord's face and know that he is (see D&C
93:1).” – “The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball,” edited
by Edward L. Kimball, p. 73
4/3/10
“I
believe that men and women ought to prepare themselves—that they ought to know
something about the gospel of Christ, and why they are members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or ‘Mormons,’ as we are commonly called in
the world, we ought to take advantage of opportunities that are offered us from
time to time to learn more of the gospel and to become acquainted with the
truths contained therein. It is just as necessary for us to learn the words of
life that will bring us spiritual glory and exaltation as it is to labor hard
for temporal things. We need the temporal things of life as taught in this
Church, but we ought not to let the spiritual side of life go undeveloped. I
believe that men and women can be led and are led too much into the ways of
money-making and accumulating of means, to the expense, often, of their own
spiritual welfare.” - Samuel O. Bennion, “Conference
Report,” April 1918, Second Day—Morning Session, p. 43
5/24/10
"Where do we stand with the Lord? Are we happy with our own
spirituality? Do we like what we see? Is the Holy Ghost our companion
in life? Do we recognize the promptings of the Holy Spirit? The answers
to these and other similar self-examination questions may help us to
diagnose any spiritual illness which we may have." - Malcolm S. Jeppsen, "A Divine Prescription for Spiritual Healing," Ensign (CR), May 1994, p. 17
5/25/10
"By involvement [in the Church] we not only contribute service, but we
accelerate our own spirituality by building a deepened and more direct
personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. We are matured
spiritually, so that even when some individuals in the Church fail or
disappoint us, we are not dismayed. We must not overlook the
significance of the Lord's revelation as contained in the Doctrine and
Covenants, section 4: 'Lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his
might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth
salvation to his soul' (D&C 4:4). No one ever sets out to save
someone else's soul without improving his own spiritual standing." - Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p. 179
7/4/10
"There is a means by which we can measure our progress to meet
[the Second Coming]. If the breach is daily widening between ourselves
and the world, as it is between the community of the Saints and the
world, then we may be assured that our progress is certain, however
slow. On the opposite hand, if our feelings and affections, our
appetites and desires, are in unison with the world around us and
freely fraternize with them, if our faith and our actions are cold and
barren of good fruit, we should do well to examine ourselves. (Oct. 5,
1861, MS 23:645-46)." - George Q.
Cannon, "Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q.
Cannon," selected, arranged, and edited by Jerreld L. Newquist, p. 51
7/5/10
"As
we concentrate on pleasing the Lord rather than others and continue to
work hard, doing the things we don't know how to do yet, we will
experience personal growth. We will increase our confidence in Heavenly
Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. This faith assures us that in the
end, we will not only survive but we will know great joy and
happiness." - Virginia H. Pearce, "Fear," Ensign (CR), November 1992, p. 90
7/20/10
"To those who are within the sound of my voice this day and who
have already entered the wicker basket of their spiritual balloon
through baptism into the kingdom of God but who are just sitting there,
waiting inactively for things to happen, cut the cords that hold you
back from lift-off.
"To those who are quietly drifting at the same elevation with little
upward mobility, take a close look at the ballast that prevents you
from going to a higher level of performance. Make a decision and remove
the restraining weight from your spiritual flight.
"I give you a solemn promise that if you do this, you will enjoy a
feeling of spiritual euphoria because you will elevate yourself." - Jacob de Jager, "Climbing to Higher Spirituality," Ensign (CR), May 1983, p. 75
9/2/10
"Samuel the Lamanite prophet taught that 'whosoever repenteth not is
hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a
spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to
things pertaining to righteousness' (Helaman 14:18).
"The tragedy of dying as to things that are spiritual has a greater
impact for those who 'have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God,
and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and
then have fallen away into sin and transgression[;] they become more
hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never
known these things' (Alma 24:30).
"As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families,
helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to a
spiritual death. We also seek to rescue those who are now dead as to
the things that are spiritual and help them to 'be born again; yea,
born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of
righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters' (Mosiah 27:25)." - Francisco J. Viñas, "Things Pertaining to Righteousness," Ensign (CR) May 2010
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