Refer your friends to join The LDS Daily WOOL (Words Of Our Leaders)
(7/9/01)
"Our accountability to God, as our Father and Creator, is one of the
most basic lessons of the gospel. Likewise, the assumption of
responsibility for our own actions is one of the strongest indicators
that we are becoming more like Him. We cannot develop ourselves
spiritually by blaming another for our condition. To do so would be to
deny the Atonement of Christ, which purchased our spiritual
independence from the effects of Adam’s transgression. In this light,
it is only through the Atonement that we can truly stand accountable
before God for our actions, thoughts, and deeds. Were it not for the
Atonement, as Jacob teaches, 'the first judgment which came upon man
must needs have remained to an endless duration' (2
Ne. 9:7)." — Dennis B. Neuenschwander, "The
Path
of Growth," "Ensign," Dec. 1999, p. 15
(7/10/01)
"All of us influence one another by doing good or evil. We can be a
good example or a poor one. Ultimately we must all answer to the
Lord." — Robert D. Hales, "Return
with
Honor," "Ensign," June 1999, p. 12–13
(7/11/01)
"So many of the poor decisions we make we want to blame on others.
Some of us come from backgrounds of difficult circumstances, but we
can do our utmost to learn from these experiences and determine not to
repeat them in our own families. We must strengthen ourselves so we
will not give in to impulsive behaviors and then blame others.
Ultimately, we must come to the conclusion that we are responsible for
our actions regardless of what circumstances we find ourselves in." —
Robert D. Hales, "Return
with
Honor," "Ensign," June 1999, p. 13
(7/12/01)
"No matter how many stocks and bonds or how much land and other
properties we possess, they are not wholly ours. They are the Lord’s.
He further says that he owns and gives to us all the blessings we have
and that he makes us stewards over them, responsible to him. He makes
it clear that it is his purpose to provide for his Saints, but he
requires that it be done in his way, which way, he explains, is for
those who have to contribute to those who have not. Having made us
stewards, he gives us our agency, however, and then lays down the
condition that if we accept these blessings and refuse to contribute
our share for the care of the poor, we shall go to—well, he tells us
where we shall go." — Marion G. Romney, "Fundamental
Welfare
Services," "Ensign," May 1979, p. 95–96
(7/13/01)
"Spiritual maturity is understanding that we cannot blame anybody else
for our actions. Some factors may make it harder for us to perform
according to God’s plan for us, but being accountable for how we use
our agency means being answerable for our own behavior." — Elaine
Cannon, "Agency
and
Accountability," "Ensign," Nov. 1983, p. 88–89
(6/19/04)
"Confession helps us take responsibility. Confession is a statement of
personal responsibility for our actions. The battle over
responsibility is a familiar one, and it reaches back far into the
past even before our mortal existence. To Moses, the Lord revealed
that Satan 'sought to destroy the agency of man' (Moses
4:3). What is the agency of man but the right to make choices
within a framework of opposition and the assumption of responsibility
for those choices? The Lord has made it clear that through the
Atonement of Christ, 'the children of men... have become free forever,
knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted
upon' (2 Ne. 2:26)."
- Dennis B. Neuenschwander, "The
Path
of Growth," Ensign, December 1999, p. 15
(3/13/05)
"If righteousness is judged primarily by the degree to which one
responds to programmed activity, then a condition develops within
which opportunities for progress decline. The resulting tragedy
affects the mortal potential of man and has a profound effect on his
eternal possibilities as well.
"Programmed behavior cannot produce the level of spiritual development
required to qualify one for eternal life. A necessary range of freedom
and self-determination is essential to one's spiritual development.
With an understanding of correct principles and an intrinsic desire to
apply them, one must be motivated within himself to do many good
things of his own free will; for, as the revelation says, the power is
in him wherein he is an agent unto himself (see D&C
58:27-28)." - Dean L. Larsen, "Self-Accountability
and
Human Progress," Ensign, May 1980, p. 77
(8/22/05)
"From a careful review of the Lord's
own methods in teaching and influencing others, it appears that he
has always been greatly concerned about helping people to become
accountable. His teaching is designed to give both knowledge and
understanding. He has set a perfect example. And he has always
honored the agency of men. When it has been necessary for him to
reprove and correct, he has done so openly and directly, but always
with the intent to help and to lift—never to bring honor or
attention to himself, nor to bring lock-step, blind obedience to his
will. The Lord does not exercise unrighteous dominion.
"Following this pattern, it would seem that we must use every
opportunity that comes to us to share with others the truths we have
about life and its purpose. The Lord's charge to Ezekiel that we
referred to earlier is evidence of this. Additionally, we must
continue to encourage and guide and assist with patience and
meekness, not to serve our own needs nor our own objectives, but
with an eye single to the glory of the Lord and the blessing of his
children." - Dean L. Larsen, "Let
Your Light So Shine," Ensign, Sept. 1981, 24
2/23/07
"Just as each individual is accountable for his choices and
actions in spiritual matters, so also is he accountable in temporal
matters. It is through our own efforts and decisions that we
earn our way in this life. While the Lord will magnify us in
both subtle and dramatic ways, he can only guide our footsteps when we
move our feet. Ultimately, our own actions determine our blessings or
lack of them. It is a direct consequence of both agency and
accountability." - Marion G. Romney, "The
Basic Principles of Church Welfare," Ensign (CR), May 1981, p.90
4/17/07
"We are all accountable for our actions. My experience as a lawyer
taught me that those who follow a life of crime frequently blame their
father or mother or society when they are imprisoned. Yet they
willfully chose to act 'contrary to the nature of God' and
consequently are 'in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.' (Alma
41:11.) Some of them even claim, 'The devil made me do it!' The
truth in that statement is that the devil entices us to do evil.(See Moroni
7:12.) The falsehood is because we have agency. The devil can't
make us do anything we choose not to do. (See James
1:12–15; 4:7.)
"Snares and pitfalls can come to all of us, whether in our youth,
middle age, or old age. As someone once observed, 'In youth we run
into difficulties; in old age difficulties run into us.' (Josh
Billings, in Evan Esar, ed., Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (1962),
36.) The increased permissiveness of our society will require us to
hold very tightly to the iron rod of righteousness in order to receive
the blessings and protection of the Lord. There is great danger in
trifling with Satan's temptations. We will need to guard against all
forms of evil all of the days of our lives." - James E. Faust, "Message
to My Grandsons," General Conference, April 2007
3/18/12
I have come to appreciate the
Prophet Joseph Smith more than ever before because of his monumental
accomplishments as the founding prophet of this dispensation.
Of all the things I’ve come to treasure, I think the most important is
the conviction that if we’re honest in heart and desire to know God, we
can come to know Him and feel accountable to Him. We have the example of
the Prophet Joseph Smith to thank for that. He modeled it, he taught it,
and he held out the promise that we can come to know Christ also. That’s
priceless to me. - Marlin K. Jensen,
"There
Shall Be a Record Kept among You," Liahona, December 2007
9/21/16
Whenever we willingly act with faith in Jesus Christ and take
another step, especially an uncomfortable step requiring change or
repentance, we are blessed with strength.
I testify that the Lord will guide us to—and through —our next
steps. He will more than match our efforts with His power if we are
willing to keep trying, repenting, and moving forward with faith in
our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. – Randall
K. Bennett, “Your
Next Step,” Ensign (CR) November 2015