(12/12/02)
"We must resist the natural urge to take too seriously both the positive and the negative judgments others make about us. When those who love us choose not to condemn us, even though we're doing something wrong, we must be careful not to infer from this silence that our behavior is acceptable. Sometimes our loved ones, the Church, and even the Lord expect more than they require of us, which means they may tolerate conduct they would never encourage. This approach leaves upon our shoulders the heavy burden of agency-and the Lord expects us to self-correct. If we make corrections only when we're required to, or coerced, we are slothful servants who refuse to grow spiritually." — Bruce C. Hafen, "Principles and Preferences," "Clothed with Charity: Talks from the 1996 Women's Conference," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], p. 13

(12/13/02)
"Real hope keeps us 'anxiously engaged' in good causes even when these appear to be losing causes on the mortal scoreboard." — Neal A. Maxwell, "Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ," "Ensign," Nov. 1998, p. 61

(12/14/02)
"Instead of our being commanded in all things, we are given a pattern in all things. The choice to use these safe paths is ours." — Marvin J. Ashton, "A Pattern in All Things," "Ensign," Nov. 1990, p. 20

(12/15/02)
"Some challenge us to show where the scriptures specifically forbid abortion or a gay-lesbian or drug-centered life-style. 'If they are so wrong,' they ask, 'why don't the scriptures tell us so in 'letter of the law' plainness?' These issues are not ignored in the revelations. The scriptures are generally positive rather than negative in their themes, and it is a mistake to assume that anything not specifically prohibited in the 'letter of the law' is somehow approved of the Lord. All the Lord approves is not detailed in the scriptures, neither is all that is forbidden. The Word of Wisdom, for instance, makes no specific warning against taking arsenic. Surely we don't need a revelation to tell us that!" — Boyd K. Packer, "Covenants," "Ensign, Nov. 1990, p. 84