(9/27/02)
"Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go after this life? No longer need these universal questions remain unanswered. Our Heavenly Father rejoices for those who keep His commandments. He is concerned also for the lost child, the tardy teenager, the wayward youth, the delinquent parent. Tenderly the Master speaks to these, and indeed to all: 'Come back. Come up. Come in. Come home. Come unto me.' What eternal joy awaits when we accept His divine invitation to exaltation!" — Thomas S. Monson, "Invitation to Exaltation," "Ensign," June 1993, p. 6

(9/28/02)
"Too often, said Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve, we tend to look at wayward or inactive youth and 'label, classify, and ignore.' It's not enough to write down the young person's flaws and weaknesses, his reasons for being inactive. Instead, Elder Ashton said, 'Identify-and understand.' Find out what the young person is interested in, and then try to satisfy that interest within the Church." — Orson Scott Card, "News of the Church," "Ensign," Nov. 1977, p. 104

(9/29/02)
"Because of his rebellion, Lucifer was cast out and became Satan, the devil, 'the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice' (Moses 4:4). And so this personage who was an angel of God and in authority, even in the presence of God, was removed from the presence of God and his Son (see D&C 76:25). This caused great sadness in the heavens, 'for the heavens wept over him-he was Lucifer, a son of the morning' (D&C 76:26). Does this not place some responsibility on the followers of Christ to show concern for loved ones who have lost their way and 'are shut out from the presence of God' (see Moses 6:49)? I know of no better help than to show unconditional love and help lost souls seek another path." — James E. Faust, "The Great Imitator," "Ensign," Nov. 1987, p. 35

(9/30/02)
"My young friends, you don't have to reject your friends who are on the wrong path; you don't even have to give them up necessarily. You can be their caring friend, ready to help them when they are ready to be helped. You can talk to them and lift them and bear your testimony to them. Lead them by example." — Malcolm S. Jeppsen, "Who Is a True Friend?" "Ensign," May 1990, p. 45

(10/01/02)
"While we may despair when, after all we can do, some of our children stray from the path of righteousness, the words of Orson F. Whitney can comfort us: 'Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving [mother's and] father's heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for [our] careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with [our] faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God' (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110)." — Robert D. Hales, "Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty," "Ensign," May 1999, p. 34