Quotes by General Authorities by Topic

Capstone Practicum Rel333-05

11.       Family

“What the restored gospel brings to the discussion on marriage and family is so large and so relevant that it cannot be overstated: we make the subject eternal! We take the commitment and the sanctity of marriage to a greater level because of our belief and understanding that families go back to before this earth was and that they can go forward into eternity.” L. Tom Perry, “Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive—the setting for the birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and eternal life in the world to come. A critical mass of families built on such marriages is vital for societies to survive and flourish. That is why communities and nations generally have encouraged and protected marriage and the family as privileged institutions. It has never been just about the love and happiness of adults.” Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Why Marriage, Why Family”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“Why should this matter so much to each of us—young or old, deacon or high priest, son or father? It is because our priesthood obligation is to put our families and the families of those around us at the center of our concern. Every major decision should be based on the effect it will have on a family to qualify for life with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There is nothing in our priesthood service as important as this.” President Henry B. Eyring, “Eternal Families”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“Families are not just meant to make things run more smoothly here on earth and to be cast off when we get to heaven. Rather, they are the order of heaven. They are an echo of a celestial pattern and an emulation of God’s eternal family.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “In Praise of Those Who Save”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“As parents we can hold life together … with love and faith, passed on to the next generation, one child at a time.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Prayer for the Children”, General Conference Address, April 2003.

“In this Church there is an enormous amount of room—and scriptural commandment—for studying and learning, for comparing and considering, for discussion and awaiting further revelation. We all learn “line upon line, precept upon precept,” with the goal being authentic religious faith informing genuine Christlike living. In this there is no place for coercion or manipulation, no place for intimidation or hypocrisy. But no child in this Church should be left with uncertainty about his or her parents’ devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Restoration of His Church, and the reality of living prophets and apostles who, now as in earlier days, lead that Church according to “the will of the Lord, … the mind of the Lord, … the word of the Lord, … and the power of God unto salvation.” In such basic matters of faith, prophets do not apologize for requesting unity, indeed conformity, in the eloquent sense that the Prophet Joseph Smith used that latter word.”  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Prayer for the Children”, General Conference Address, April 2003.

“We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.” Elder David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

“As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better. We should remember that saying “I love you” is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.” Elder David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

“The perfect, divine expression of fatherhood is our Heavenly Father. His character and attributes include abundant goodness and perfect love. His work and glory are the development, happiness, and eternal life of His children. Fathers in this fallen world can claim nothing comparable to the Majesty on High, but at their best, they are striving to emulate Him, and they indeed labor in His work. They are honored with a remarkable and sobering trust.” Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Fathers”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“God ordained that men and women should marry and give birth to children, thereby creating, in partnership with God, the physical bodies that are key to the test of mortality and essential to eternal glory with Him. He also ordained that parents should establish families and rear their children in light and truth, leading them to a hope in Christ.” Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Why Marriage, Why Family”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

Position Statement

                Family is where it is at. This is actually the title of my blog, but it is ever so true; I can tell simply by reading these few, short quotes. Family is what matters most and should be our main focus and drive from everything that we do. The greatest thing is that family is ordained of God and as we build our families, they should be and are modeled after our Heavenly Father’s family, which includes all of us. Building families is the work of the Lord. As we make family life our top priority we are building the kingdom of God and moving the work forward; aiding in bringing experiences to all of the souls of heaven, all of His children. Family is sacred and should be treated as such, with care and love. (136 words)

22.       Atonement

“Because of His Atonement, the Savior has the power to succor—to help—every mortal pain and affliction.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ” General Conference Address, October 2015.

“Because of His atoning experience in mortality, our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ” General Conference Address, October 2015.

“Every priesthood effort and every priesthood ordinance is intended to help Heavenly Father’s children be changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to become members of perfected family units. It follows that “the great work of every man is to believe the gospel, to keep the commandments, and to create and perfect an eternal family unit,” and to help others do the same.” President Henry B. Eyring, “Eternal Families”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity.” Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

 “Our Savior’s Atonement does more than assure us of immortality by a universal resurrection and give us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. His Atonement also provides the opportunity to call upon Him who has experienced all of our mortal infirmities to give us the strength to bear the burdens of mortality. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us.” Dallin H. Oaks, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“By the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.” Elder David A. Bednar, “Always Retain A Remission of Your Sins”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“We are imperfect human beings striving to live in mortality according to Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of eternal progression. The requirements of His plan are glorious, merciful, and rigorous. We may at times be filled with determination and at other times feel totally inadequate. We may wonder if we spiritually can ever fulfill the commandment to stand spotless before Him at the last day.” Elder David A. Bednar, “Always Retain A Remission of Your Sins”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back toward God. The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God.” Neil L. Andersen, “Repent…That I May Heal You”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

“For most, repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. It is not easy. To change is difficult. It requires running into the wind, swimming upstream. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Repentance is turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning toward other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality. It is “re-turning” toward God.” Neil L. Andersen, “Repent…That I May Heal You”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

“There is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement.” C. Scott Grow, “The Miracle of the Atonement”, General Conference Address, April 2011.

Position Statement: The atonement of Christ is so, totally complete and all encompassing. We can be perfected through the atonement and learn great lessons. The priesthood aids in the atonement. It is through the power of the priesthood that we gain strength to continue, to become better, and in which the needed ordinances are performed. We are worthy of the blessings that come with those ordinances as we seek repentance and turn toward God with a repentant heart. I don’t ever need to feel discouraged, because Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given me a way to stand blameless at the last day, I just have to give in or let go. Let go of the prideful ways of my heart that are holding me back from allowing the atonement to work in my life. (133 words)

33.       Agency

“May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” President Thomas S. Monson, “Choices” General Conference Address, April 2016.

“We know the commandments. He understands that when we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear, and we will receive His promised blessings. But while He gives us laws and commandments, He also allows us to choose whether to accept them or to reject them. Our decisions in this regard will determine our destiny.” President Thomas S. Monson, “Keep the Commandments”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“Sometimes, the truth may just seem too straightforward, too plain, and too simple for us to fully appreciate its great value. So we set aside what we have experienced and know to be true in pursuit of more mysterious or complicated information. Hopefully we will learn that when we chase after shadows, we are pursuing matters that have little substance and value.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “It Works Wonderfully”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Forget Me Not”, General Conference Address, October 2011.

“Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective. Sometimes, that may even mean nurturing small but beautiful forget-me-not flowers instead of a large garden of exotic blooms.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Forget Me Not”, General Conference Address, October 2011.

“I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world.” Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“As members of the Church, we may experience the companionship of the Holy Ghost continually. Through the restored priesthood of God, we are baptized by immersion for the remission of our sins and then confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this ordinance, we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of the holders of the priesthood. Thereafter, we can receive and retain the companionship of the Holy Ghost by always remembering the Savior, keeping His commandments, repenting of our sins, and worthily partaking of the sacrament on the Sabbath day.” Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Holy Ghost”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“The Holy Ghost provides personal revelation to help us make major life decisions about such things as education, missions, careers, marriage, children, where we will live with our families, and so on. In these matters, Heavenly Father expects us to use our agency, study the situation out in our minds according to gospel principles, and bring a decision to Him in prayer.” Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Holy Ghost”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“In addition, use your agency to develop yourself personally. As you discover your gifts and talents, remember that parents and mentors may assist you, but you must let the Spirit guide you. Choose and act for yourself. Be motivated from within. Make a plan for your life, including education or vocational training. Explore interests and skills. Work and become self-reliant. Set goals, overcome mistakes, gain experience, and finish what you begin.” Elder Robert D. Hales, “Stand Strong in Holy Places”, General Conference Address, April 2013.

“Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.” Elder David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

Position Statement

                God gave us the ability to choose what we will do in all things. We so often even are striving to do what is right and think that the right thing must be complex. It is simple; Heavenly Father wants us to focus on the small, important things. For me, as I keep things simple and uncluttered in my life I am better able to recognize the Spirit urging me to help someone in need or to improve in some area of my life.  A lot of little things will make the difference in our lives that will lead to great things; one of the greatest being a relationship with our Heavenly Father and with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am going to strive to be more in tune with the Spirit and be more intentional with my time so that I can choose the better or best thing, which is sometimes harder, but so worth it. (157 words)

44.       Addiction

“The use of artificial lures to fool and catch a fish is an example of the way Lucifer often tempts, deceives, and tries to ensnare us.   Like the fly fisherman who knows that trout are driven by hunger, Lucifer knows our “hunger,” or weaknesses, and tempts us with counterfeit lures which, if taken, can cause us to be yanked from the stream of life into his unmerciful influence. And unlike a fly fisherman who catches and releases the fish unharmed back into the water, Lucifer will not voluntarily let go. His goal is to make his victims as miserable as he is.” M. Russell Ballard, “O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One”, General Conference Address, October 2010.

“The battle over man’s God-given agency continues today. Satan and his minions have their lures all around us, hoping that we will falter and take his flies so he can reel us in with counterfeit means. He uses addiction to steal away agency. According to the dictionary, addiction of any kind means to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent on some life-destroying substance or behavior.” M. Russell Ballard, “O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One”, General Conference Address, October 2010.

“The greatest filter in the world … is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony.” Linda S. Reeves, “Protection from Pornography—A Christ-Focused Home”, General Conference Address, April 2014.

“For that reason alone, it is easy to see why the Lord’s servants have tried to increase our desire to worship God in our sacrament meetings. If we partake of the sacrament in faith, the Holy Ghost will then be able to protect us and those we love from the temptations that come with increasing intensity and frequency.” President Henry B. Eyring, “The Holy Ghost as your Companion”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“I have seen faith and courage come from a testimony that it is true that we are being prepared for eternal life. The Lord will rescue His faithful disciples. And the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle.” President Henry B. Eyring, “Adversity”, General Conference Address, April 2009.

“Few disabilities are more crippling to our temporal or spiritual lives than addictions. Some of these, like addictions to pornography or drugs, are likely to have been caused by sinful behavior. Even when that behavior has been repented of, the addiction may remain. That disabling grip can also be relieved by the decisive strength available from the Savior.” Dallin H. Oaks, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“Fortunately, the Lord has provided a way to counter the invasion of negative technology that can distract us from spending quality time with each other. He has done this by providing the council system to strengthen, protect, safeguard, and nurture our most precious relationships.” Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Family Councils”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it.” Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Faith is Not by Chance, but by Choice”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.” Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Faith is Not by Chance, but by Choice”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“In these perilous times, as our youth are faced with this increased adversity, we can learn from others. In the armed forces, particularly in all the navies throughout the world, every seaman understands one phrase that is a clarion call for immediate help, no matter what he is doing or where he is on the ship. The call is “All hands on deck.” Many a battle at sea has been won or lost by the response to this call.” Elder Ronald A. Rasband, “Our Rising Generation”, General Conference Address, April 2006.

Position Statement: We must strengthen our faith and continually seek that strength. Temptations are all around us and if we give in to temptation we are opening ourselves up more, more vulnerable to addiction. When addiction occurs, agency is lost. The Lord gives us so many opportunities for strength to combat sin and addiction. It is important to fill time with meaningful and serviceable activities. I always think about different quotes of idleness. The Lord wants His people to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause”. I think that addiction can happen to anyone, but much more easily if one is being idle with their time and in their pursuits. (108 words)

55.       Marriage

“If a couple are true to their covenants, they are entitled to the blessing of the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. These covenants today can only be entered into by going to the House of the Lord.” Ezra Taft Benson, “What I Would Hope You Would Teach Your Children About the Temple” First Presidency Message, Liahona, April 1986.

“When troubles come, the parties to a contractual marriage seek happiness by walking away. They marry to obtain benefits and will stay only as long as they’re receiving what they bargained for. But when troubles come to a covenant marriage, the husband and wife work them through. They marry to give and to grow, bound by covenants to each other, to the community, and to God. Contract companions each give 50 percent; covenant companions each give 100 percent.” Bruce C. Hafen, “Covenant Marriage,” Ensign, Nov 1996.

“In the premortal world, Lucifer rebelled against God and His plan, and his opposition only grows in intensity. He fights to discourage marriage and the formation of families, and where marriages and families are formed, he does what he can to disrupt them. He attacks everything that is sacred about human sexuality, tearing it from the context of marriage with a seemingly infinite array of immoral thoughts and acts. He seeks to convince men and women that marriage and family priorities can be ignored or abandoned, or at least made subservient to careers, other achievements, and the quest for self-fulfillment and individual autonomy. Certainly the adversary is pleased when parents neglect to teach and train their children to have faith in Christ and be spiritually born again. Brothers and sisters, many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential.” Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Why Marriage, Why Family”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“While there may be value in decluttering our lives of material things we no longer need, when it comes to things of eternal importance—our marriages, our families, and our values—a mind-set of replacing the original in favor of the modern can bring profound remorse.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “In Praise of Those Who Save”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ—to study earnestly in order to have more power? If you want to see your wife’s heart melt, let her find you on the Internet studying the doctrine of Christ or reading your scriptures!” Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we are more faithful in learning, living, and loving the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.” Elder David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

 “As covenant-keeping women and men, we need to lift each other and help each other become the people the Lord would have us become.” Linda K. Burton, “We’ll Ascend Together”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“I am convinced that a husband is never more attractive to his wife than when he is serving in his God-given roles as a worthy priesthood holder—most important in the home.” Linda K. Burton, “We’ll Ascend Together”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“First, I have observed that in the happiest marriages both the husband and wife consider their relationship to be a pearl beyond price, a treasure of infinite worth. They both leave their fathers and mothers and set out together to build a marriage that will prosper for eternity. They understand that they walk a divinely ordained path. They know that no other relationship of any kind can bring as much joy, generate as much good, or produce as much personal refinement. Watch and learn: the best marriage partners regard their marriages as priceless.” Elder L. Whitney Clayton, “Marriage: Watch and Learn”, General Conference Address, April 2013.

“I have learned that happy marriages rely on the gift of repentance. It is an essential element in every good marital relationship. Spouses who regularly conduct honest self-examination and promptly take needed steps to repent and improve experience a healing balm in their marriages. Repentance helps restore and maintain harmony and peace.” Elder L. Whitney Clayton, “Marriage: Watch and Learn”, General Conference Address, April 2013.

Position Statement:  Marriage can be full of so much joy and happiness and help us to return to God. Just because I am married in the temple to my husband, does not mean everything will be perfect, but we can remember that we have a covenant marriage and work together to be kinder and love more. We have a duty to join together and learn how to be good parents and better parents each day. Marriage is not about me and what I want, but through marriage I can learn how much God loves all of His children as I serve my husband the best I can. Keeping the Lord in marriage helps us to have happy, healthy homes. (117 words)

66.       Raising Children

“A family council that is patterned after the councils in heaven, filled with Christlike love, and guided by the Lord’s Spirit will help us to protect our family from distractions that can steal our precious time together and protect us from the evils of the world.” M. Russell Ballard, “Family Councils,” General Conference Address, April 2016.

“The temple is an ever-present reminder that God intends the family to be eternal. How fitting it is for mothers and fathers to point to the temple and say to their children, “That is the place where we were married for eternity.” By so doing, the ideal of temple marriage can be instilled within the minds and hearts of your children while very young.” Ezra Taft Benson, “What I Would Hope You Would Teach Your Children About the Temple”, First Presidency Message, Liahona, April 1986.

“A legal and lawful marriage sealed in the temple and in which the sealing covenants are honored gives parents and their children the opportunity for the best experience of love and preparation for a fruitful life. It offers them the ideal environment in which they can live their covenants made with God.” Elder Joseph W. Sitati, “Be Fruitful, Multiply, and Subdue the Earth”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Forget Me Not”, General Conference Address, October 2011.

“Giving up a little sleep to help a child who is having a nightmare is a good sacrifice. We all know this. Staying up all night, jeopardizing our own health, to make the perfect accessory for a daughter’s Sunday outfit may not be such a good sacrifice.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Forget Me Not”, General Conference Address, October 2011.

“You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach that faith with deep conviction. Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed.” Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith”, General Conference Address, April 2011.

“Making a child or youth feel worthless, unloved, or unwanted can inflict serious and long-lasting injury on his or her emotional well-being and development. Young people struggling with any exceptional condition, including same-gender attraction, are particularly vulnerable and need loving understanding—not bullying or ostracism.”  Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Protect the Children”, General Conference Address, October 2012.

“A family council, when conducted with love and with Christlike attributes, will counter the impact of modern technology that often distracts us from spending quality time with each other and also tends to bring evil right into our homes.” Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Family Councils”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“No matter what our particular family situation is, it is critical that we understand the unique circumstances of each family member. Though we may share DNA, there may be situations and circumstances among us that may make us vastly different from each other and which may require the compassionate collaboration of the family council.”  Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Family Councils”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“Let us, as parents and leaders, do likewise. Let us encourage our children and others to follow the direction of the Holy Ghost. In doing so, let us follow the example of the Holy Ghost ourselves, leading through gentleness, meekness, kindness, long-suffering, and love unfeigned.” Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Holy Ghost”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

Position Statement

                While raising children there seems to be countless important things to do. The thing is, there are a few essential things. We need to make sure that our children know that they are loved, that we have a testimony of the gospel, and that there is power in the temple ordinances. If I want to raise strong children I need to be sure to do these things, but also to know my children. I should be sure to know what is going on in their lives; I should know their favorite movies, sports, and other things. If that is the case, we can have more open communication and there will be trust in our relationships. By doing this they will recognize and trust more fully when I correct them or share my testimony. I want them to be sure that their mother (and their father) is a disciple of Christ and that they are loved. (155 words)

77.       Finances

“We all must deal with adversity. There may be periods, sometimes long ones, when our lives seem to flow with little difficulty. But it is in the nature of our being human that comfort gives way to distress, periods of good health come to an end, and misfortunes arrive. Particularly when the comfortable times have gone on for a while, the arrival of suffering or the loss of material security can bring fear and sometimes even anger.” President Henry B. Eyring, “Adversity”, General Conference Address, April 2009.

“Tragedy did not erode their faith; it tested it and strengthened it. And the feeling of peace the Lord has promised has already been delivered in the midst of the storm. Other miracles are sure to follow.” President Henry B. Eyring, “Adversity”, General Conference Address, April 2009.

“It wasn’t easy, but the work kept us from dwelling too much on the difficulties of our circumstances. Although our situation didn’t change overnight, it did change. That’s the thing about work. If we simply keep at it—steady and constant—things certainly will improve.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy”, General Conference Address, October 2009.

“Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. For, as sons of the Most High God, we were created to soar unto new horizons.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy”, General Conference address, October 2009.

“Perhaps one of those diverse places will be in our own homes, where emotional, financial, or spiritual “earthquakes” may occur. Priesthood power can calm the seas and heal fractures in the earth.” Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“Spiritual and temporal blessings come into our lives as we live the law of tithing.” Elder David A. Bednar, “The Windows of Heaven”, General Conference Address, October 2013.

“I testify that He fulfills His promises, and if we faithfully pay our tithing, we will not lack for the necessities of life, but He does not promise wealth. Money and bank accounts are not His richest blessings. He blesses us with wisdom to manage our limited material resources, wisdom that enables us to live better with 90 percent of our income than with 100 percent. Thus, faithful tithe payers understand provident living and tend to be more self-reliant.” Elder Carl B. Pratt, “The Lord’s Richest Blessings”, General Conference Address, April 2011.

“The natural man has a tendency to think only of himself—not only to place himself first, but rarely, if ever, to place anyone else second, including God. For the natural man, sacrifice does not come naturally. He has an insatiable appetite for more. His so-called needs seem to always outpace his income so that having “enough” is forever out of reach, just as it was for the miser Scrooge.” Elder Lynn G. Robbins, “Tithing---A Commandment Even for the Destitute”, General Conference Address, April 2005.

“Tithing develops and tests our faith. By sacrificing to the Lord what we may think we need or want for ourselves, we learn to rely on Him. Our faith in Him makes it possible to keep temple covenants and receive eternal temple blessings.” Elder Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings”, General Conference Address, October 2002.

“Tithing also teaches us to control our desires and passions for the things of this world. Payment of tithing encourages us to be honest in our dealings with our fellowmen. We learn to trust that what we have been given, through the blessings of the Lord and our own diligent efforts, is sufficient for our needs.” Elder Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings”, General Conference Address, October 2002.

Position Statement

                Money is not the most important thing. As we obey the commandments, one of which is paying tithing, then we will be blessed. We are to work hard and if we do all within our power, things will always workout. I think that it is interesting that the quotes seem to talk about financial struggle a lot. I did get a lot of these from talks that were from 2009, when there was a huge downturn in the economy, but I think it is definitely still relevant. I dwell a lot on what I don’t have and the things that I “need”. Very few things are actually needed. We need to care for our families, heed the word of the Lord, teach our children the gospel, and be giving/charitable people. I can learn to manage my finances well, always learn new ways to do well on less. As I do this I can be more ready to serve when called upon to do so. (164 words)

88.       Centering life on Christ

“If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. . . . If our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.”  Howard W. Hunter, “Fear Not, Little Flock”, BYU devotional address, 14 March 1989.

“As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice.” President Thomas S. Monson, “Choices”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“You may have received that blessing tonight. For instance, a name or a face of someone in need may have come to your mind during this meeting. It could have been only a fleeting thought, but because of what you heard tonight, you will pray about it, trusting that God will lead you to do the good He wants for them. As such prayers become a pattern in your life, you and others will be changed for the better.”  President Henry B. Eyring, “Trust in that Spirit which Leadeth to do Good”, General Conference Address, April, 2016.

“We can, if we live worthy of it, have the blessing of the Spirit to be with us, not only now and then but always.” President Henry B. Eyring, “The Holy Ghost as your Companion”, General Conference Address, October 2016.

“I pray that we will focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ” and allow His grace to lift and carry us.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “It Works Wonderfully”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

“Just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior of the world, He will find you.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home”, General Conference Address, April 2016.

“We are all needed to finish the work that was begun by those pioneering Saints over 175 years ago and carried out through the subsequent decades by faithful Saints of every generation. We need to believe as they believed. We need to work as they worked. We need to serve as they served. And we need to overcome as they overcame.” Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The Truth of God Shall Go Forth”, General Conference Address, October 2008.

“This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.” Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The Truth of God Shall Go Forth”, General Conference Address, October 2008.

“Like the young sunflower, when we follow the Savior of the world, the Son of God, we flourish and become glorious despite the many terrible circumstances that surround us. He truly is our light and life.” Elder Quentin L. Cook, “The Lord is My Light”, General Conference Address, April 2015.

“Prepare now so that you may qualify to receive all the blessings that await you in the Lord’s holy temples.” Elaine S. Dalton, “Guardians of Virtue”, General Conference Address, April 2011.

“I now realize that in the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes.” Elder Dale Renlund, “Through God’s Eyes”, General Conference Address, October 2015.

Position Statement: If you are in need of coming closer to Christ (if you are not perfect, you need to come closer to Christ) begin by serving. Service is a way in which we can begin to love our neighbor and strengthen the bond we have with our Savior. It is very easy to go through life just thinking of ourselves. Even if I am going to church and fulfilling my callings and trying to remember to say my prayers and study the scriptures—that is not enough. I need to speak of Christ, think of Christ, rejoice in Christ—Christ needs to be the center of my life and my home. (110 words)