We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."
--Dallin H. Oaks, "Good, Better, Best", Ensign, Nov 2007, 104–8

Impressions of the Spirit

"Impressions of the Spirit can come in response to urgent prayer or unsolicited when needed. Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily."
--Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9

Path to Eternal Live

"The path to eternal life is not on a plateau. Rather, it is an incline, ever onward and upward. Hence, ever-increasing spiritual understanding and energy are required to reach our destination. Because the pernicious opposition by Satan continues, the continuous enlightened guidance of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential."

--Elder Keith K. Hilbig, "Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man", October 2007 General Conference

Jesus the Christ

"So as I conceive it, we must stand adamant for the doctrine of the atonement of Jesus the Christ, for the divinity of his conception, for his sinless life, and for, shall I say, the divinity of his death, his voluntary surrender of life. He was not killed, he gave up his life. It is our mission, perhaps the most fundamental purpose of our work, to bear constant testimony of Jesus the Christ. We must never permit to enter into our thoughts and certainly not into our teachings, the idea that he was merely a great teacher, a great philosopher, the builder of a great system of ethics. It is our duty, day after day, year in and year out, always to declare that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ who brought redemption to the world and to all the inhabitants thereof"
--Clark, in Conference Report, Oct. 1955, 23

Pattern of Love

"At the heart of the message of the Savior of the world is a single, glorious, wonderful, still largely untried concept. In its simplest terms the message is that we should seek to overcome the selfishness we all seem to be born with, that we should overcome human nature and think of others before self."

--James E. Faust, "A Pattern of Love," Ensign, Dec. 1999, 2

Progress and Change

“Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
~ George Santayana

Memoriam

Elden Grant Hurst



May 17, 1922 – May 23, 2009


To our compassionate, loving husband, father, grandfather & great-grandfather,


we love you and miss you.

Goals, Dreams, Love

When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing -- then we truly live life."
--Greg Anderson

Faith

"True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "faith is the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness" and that it is also "the principle of action in all intelligent beings". Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, faith without works is dead."
--David A. Bednar, "Ask in Faith", Ensign, May 2008, 94–97

Exaltation

In God's eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter."
--Russell M. Nelson, "Salvation and Exaltation", Ensign, May 2008, 7–10

Attitude

"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude."
--M. Russell Ballard, "Providing for Our Needs", Ensign May 1981, 85

Do it now

"Procrastination may seem the easy way, as it momentarily removes the effort required to accomplish something of value. Ironically, in time, procrastination produces a heavy burden laced with guilt and a hollow lack of satisfaction. Temporal and, even more importantly, spiritual goals will not be achieved by procrastination."
--Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, "Do It Now", General Priesthood Meeting October 2007

Jump In

"To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in, and scramble through as well as we can."
Sydney Smith

Self-defeat -- enemy of achievement

"At times many of us let that enemy of achievement--even the culprit 'self-defeat'--dwarf our aspirations, smother our dreams, cloud our vision, and impair our lives. The enemy's voice whispers in our ears, 'You can't do it.' 'You're too young.' 'You're too old.' 'You're nobody.' This is when we remember that we are created in the image of God. Reflection on this truth provides a profound sense of strength and power."
--President Thomas S. Monson, "Choose You This Day," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 68

No Limitations

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make."
- Les Brown

Journeys

When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who has never left home. ~ Rumi

Faith

"We're not going to survive in this world, temporally or spiritually, without increased faith in the Lord-and I don't mean a positive mental attitude-I mean downright solid faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the one thing that gives vitality and power to otherwise rather weak individuals."
--A. Theodore Tuttle, "Developing Faith", Ensign, Nov. 1986, 72

Gratitude

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort-at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don't get around to it. Someone has said that "feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
--Thomas S. Monson, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude", Ensign, Nov 2010, 87–90

Home

Church activities must be replaced by family activities." Only when parents and children work together for the same high objective-to put home and family first-can the home be preserved as God intended. Following President McKay's well-known statement "No other success can compensate for failure in the home," he went on to say: "The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles."
--Rex D. Pinegar, "Home First", Ensign, May 1990, 9

Repentance

"The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to "re-turn" toward God.14 It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments. Being disciples of Christ, we rejoice in the blessing of repenting and the joy of being forgiven. They become part of us, shaping the way we think and feel."
--Neil L. Andersen, "Repent That I May Heal You", Ensign, Nov 2009, 40–43

Faith

Remember that faith and obedience are still the answers, even when things go wrong, perhaps especially when things go wrong."
--Elder David E Sorensen, "Faith Is the Answer", May 2005 Ensign pg. 72

Fathers

"There is no higher authority in matters relating to the family organization, and especially when that organization is presided over by one holding the higher priesthood, than that of the father. The patriarchal order is of divine origin and will continue throughout time and eternity. There is then a particular reason why men, women, and children should understand this order and this authority in the households of the people of God, and seek to make it what God intended it to be, a qualification and preparation for the highest exaltation of His children."
--L. Tom Perry, ""Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling", Liahona, May 2004, 69-72

Peace

"The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, 'Peace, peace,' but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way."
---Ezra Taft Benson ,Quoted By Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Peace", Ensign, March 2004

Standards

The Lord's standards have come from Him. Some of them may appear a little out-of-date in our society, but this does not detract from their validity nor diminish the virtue of their application. The subtle reasoning of men, no matter how clever, no matter how plausible it may sound, cannot abridge the declared wisdom of God."
--President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Pursue the Steady Course", Ensign, Jan. 2005, 5

Challenges

" I have always grown from my problems and challenges; from the things that don't work out, that's when I've really learned."
- Rita Singhal

Do your best

Please don't nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort."
--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 94

Salvation is an individual matter

The development of faith in the Lord is an individual matter. Repentance is also an individual matter. Only as an individual can one be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Each of us is born individually; likewise, each of us is "born again" individually. Salvation is an individual matter."
--Russell M. Nelson, "Salvation and Exaltation", Ensign May 2008, 7–10

The Book of Mormon

Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life."
--President Ezra Taft Benson, May 1988

Perseverance

"Perseverance means to continue in a given course until we have reached a goal or objective, regardless of obstacles, opposition, and other counter influences...Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic...It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Never Give Up", Ensign, Nov. 1987, 8

Independence and Security

If money is your only hope for independence,
you will never have it. The only real security in
this world is a reserve of
knowledge, experience and ability.
~ Henry Ford

Book of Mormon

"And Joseph Smith, the Prophet, the instrument whom God used to translate this record, testified that 'the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.' (History of the Church, 4:461.)"
--President Ezra Taft Benson, May 1988

Plant Apple Trees

• “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would still go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Dr. King uttered those words decades ago, and I live by them. What about you? It's time to show up people! Are you with me? Go!

Value of a Soul

"If we truly understood the Atonement and the eternal value of each soul, we would seek out the wayward boy and girl and every other wayward child of God. We would help them to know of the love Christ has for them. We would do all that we can to help prepare them to receive the saving ordinances of the gospel."
--M. Russell Ballard, "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul," Ensign, May 2004, 86

High Mountain

"Over every high mountain there is a path, though it may not be visible from the valley."
-- Author Unknown

Family Trees

No One comes from the earth like grass,

We come like trees ~

We all have roots.

-Maya Angelou

Choices

Tomorrow's blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today."
--President James E Faust, "Choices", May 2004 Ensign pg.51

Parenting and Policing

"As parenting declines, the need for policing increases. There will always be a shortage of police if there is a shortage of effective parents! Likewise, there will not be enough prisons if there are not enough good homes."
--Neal A. Maxwell, "Take Especial Care of Your Family," Ensign, May 1994, 88

Opportunity

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
- Albert Einstein

Thoughts

"Thoughts mold your features. Thoughts lift your soul heavenward or drag you toward hell. … As nothing reveals character like the company we like and keep, so nothing foretells futurity like the thoughts over which we brood. … To have the approval of your conscience when you are alone with your thoughts is like being in the company of true and loving friends. To merit your own self-respect gives strength to character. Conscience is the link that binds your soul to the spirit of God."
-President David O. McKay, "Developing Character", Ensign, Oct. 2001, 22

Forgiveness & Healing

"Receiving the Holy Ghost is the therapy which effects forgiveness and heals the sin-sick soul."
--Marion G. Romney, "The Holy Ghost", Ensign, May 1974, 90

Staying on Course

The more we treasure the words of the prophets and apply them the better we will recognize when we are drifting off course-even if only by a matter of a few degrees."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Matter of a Few Degrees", Ensign May 2008, 57–60

Excellence

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”
-Michelagniolodi Lodovico di Lionardo di Buonarroti Simone (Michelangelo)

Excellence

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit".
Aristotle

Optimism

"Optimism is not seeing the world through rose-colored lenses, or practicing positive mental attitude. These are distortions, not reflections, of a real worldview. Optimism is a recognition that the greater the problem, the greater the learning, and it's up to us to uncover the learning."
Matt Baldwin in Snow Rising

Leadership

A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.
-Arnold H. Glasgow

Masters of our Fate

"We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls."
- Winston Churchill

Jesus Christ

So as I conceive it, we must stand adamant for the doctrine of the atonement of Jesus the Christ, for the divinity of his conception, for his sinless life, and for, shall I say, the divinity of his death, his voluntary surrender of life. He was not killed, he gave up his life. It is our mission, perhaps the most fundamental purpose of our work, to bear constant testimony of Jesus the Christ. We must never permit to enter into our thoughts and certainly not into our teachings, the idea that he was merely a great teacher, a great philosopher, the builder of a great system of ethics. It is our duty, day after day, year in and year out, always to declare that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ who brought redemption to the world and to all the inhabitants thereof"
--Clark, in Conference Report, Oct. 1955, 23

Ye Simple Souls Who Stray

"May I offer counsel of a general nature, first with comments about General Authorities. We recognize them as instruments in the hand of the Lord, yet realize that they are ordinary human beings. They require haircuts, laundry services, and occasional reminders just like anyone else. President Benson once shared with us a story to illustrate. He said:
" 'Orson F. Whitney . . . was a great man to concentrate. One day when he was traveling by train, he was so preoccupied that he did not notice the train pass the station where he was to get off. So he had to [be driven] back to where he should have been. Meanwhile the stake president waited and waited. . . . Finally when he decided that something had more than likely happened to Brother Whitney and he was not going to make it, they commenced the meeting. As Elder Whitney approached, he was greeted by the opening hymn, which was "Ye Simple Souls Who Stray." '
"We honor such a man because of his extraordinary calling. His official acts are valid on earth and in heaven."
--Russell M. Nelson, "Honoring the Priesthood," Ensign, May 1993, 40

Prayer

"Prayer is a privilege and the soul's sincere desire. We can move beyond routine and "checklist" prayers and engage in meaningful prayer as we appropriately ask in faith and act, as we patiently persevere through the trial of our faith, and as we humbly acknowledge and accept "not my will, but Thine, be done."
--David A. Bednar, "Ask in Faith", Ensign, May 2008, 94–97

Faith

"Increased faith is as vital and necessary today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Our modern world struggles with insufficient faith. President Gordon B. Hinckley said in a conference talk: "This is my prayer for all of us. … Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. … Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. … Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequences follow."

--James O. Mason, "Faith in Jesus Christ", April 2001 Ensign pg 22

Atonement

"If we truly understood the Atonement and the eternal value of each soul, we would seek out the wayward boy and girl and every other wayward child of God. We would help them to know of the love Christ has for them. We would do all that we can to help prepare them to receive the saving ordinances of the gospel."
--M. Russell Ballard, "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul," Ensign, May 2004, 86

Selflessness

"Selflessness is a key to happiness and effectiveness; it is precious and must be preserved as a virtue which guarantees so many other virtues."
--Spencer W. Kimball, "Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters", Ensign, Nov 1978, 101