Small Kindnesses

"In the meridian of time, among other things, the Savior gave a touch here, a kind word there, food (both real and spiritual) to the hungry, advice and counsel to those in need. He gave prayers with the frightened, kindness to the passed-over, respect and affection for the children, loving care for those who are burdened. “And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."
--Stephen A. West, "Out of Small Things", Ensign, May 1999, 28

Choices

"It requires courage to make good choices, even when others around us choose differently. As we make righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times."
--W. Craig Zwick, "We Will Not Yield, We Cannot Yield", Ensign, May 2008, 97–99

Ignorance is Bliss???

Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies.
Thought would destroy their paradise.
No more, where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise.
Thomas Gray "On a Distant Prospect of Eton College" 1742

Hard Work

I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near. ~ Margaret Thatcher

Nothing Shall Be Impossible

"With celestial sight, trials impossible to change become possible to endure."
--Russell M. Nelson, "With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible", Ensign, May 1988, p. 35

Your Future

"No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future."
--Hugh B Brown, Conference April 1969

Endurance

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It", Ensign, Nov 2008, 26–28

Contention in the Home

"It is in the home that our behavior is most significant. It is the place where our actions have the greatest impact, for good or ill. Sometimes we are so much at home that we no longer guard our words. We forget simple civility. If we are not on guard, we can fall into the habit of criticizing one another, losing our tempers, or behaving selfishly. Because they love us, our spouses and children may be quick to forgive, but they often carry away in silence unseen injuries and unspoken heartache... When we feel anger or contention in our homes, we should immediately recognize what power has taken control of our lives and what Satan is endeavoring to accomplish. Solomon provided us this wise formula: 'A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger' (Prov. 15:1). Our home should ideally be a refuge where each member feels safe, secure, loved, and insulated from harsh criticism and contention that we so often encounter in the world."
--Elder Wayne S. Peterson, "Our Actions Determine Our Character," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 84

Your Jericho Road

"The road signs of life enticingly invite every traveler: This way to fame; this way to affluence; this way to popularity; this way to luxury. Pause at the crossroads before you continue your journey. Listen for that still, small voice which ever so gently beckons, "Come, follow me. This way to Jericho."
--Thomas S. Monson, "Your Jericho Road", Ensign, May 1977

Gratitude

"Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace—a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don't have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others."
--Robert D. Hales, "Gratitude for the Goodness of God", Ensign, May 1992, 63

Hope

"Daily hope is vital, since the "Winter Quarters" of our lives are not immediately adjacent to our promised land... Those with true hope often see their personal circumstances shaken, like kaleidoscopes, again and again. Yet with the "eye of faith," they still see divine pattern and purpose."
--Neal A. Maxwell, "Brightness of Hope", Ensign, Nov. 1994

Improve Behavior

"The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than talking about behavior."
--President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 1997, 9

Teach the Children

"If children are to be brought up in the way they should go, to be good citizens here and happy hereafter, they must be taught. It is idle to suppose that children will grow up good, while surrounded with wickedness, without cultivation. It is folly to suppose that they can become learned without education."
--Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 273

Death

"If we are well prepared, death brings no terror. From an eternal perspective, death is premature only for those who are not prepared to meet God."
--Elder Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 2005, 18

Be Steady

"An eternal principle is revealed in holy writ: “It is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize.” (Mosiah 4:27) We don’t have to be fast; we simply have to be steady and move in the right direction. We have to do the best we can, one step after another."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "One Step after Another", Ensign, Nov. 2001, 25

Liberty

How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ~Thomas Jefferson


Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. ~Louis D. Brandeis

Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government. ~Mitt Romney