(1/12/03)
"With these privileges comes great responsibility, for 'unto whom much is given much is required' (D&C 82:3), and at times the demands of discipleship are heavy. But shouldn't we expect the journey towards eternal glory to stretch us? We sometimes rationalize our preoccupation with this world and our casual attempts to grow spiritually by trying to console each other with the notion that living the gospel really shouldn't require all that much of us. The Lord's standard of behavior will always be more demanding than the world's, but then the Lord's rewards are infinitely more glorious-including true joy, peace, and salvation." — Sheri L. Dew, "We Are Women of God," "Ensign," Nov. 1999, p. 98

(1/13/03)
"Our Father in Heaven also waits and coaxes and literally gives us hope-and something about the perspective of hope maintains in our vision an optimal distance between the ideal and the real. When our capacities are small, God's expectations are not very demanding-as with some commandments that are 'adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.' (D&C 89:3.) But just as we master these elementary demands, we discover greater expectations that we didn't quite see before. Gradually our capacity grows, but so does our understanding of what more we must become. 'For of him unto whom much is given much is required.' (D&C 82:3.) The Lord would have us stretch-but not out of shape. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell has said, the soul is like a violin string-it makes music only when it is being stretched." — Bruce C. Hafen, "The Broken Heart: Applying the Atonement to Life's Experiences," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1989], p. 187

(1/14/03)
"The Lord expects us to live lives of integrity and to be obedient to his commandments. He said, 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?' (Luke 6:46), and 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven' (Matthew 7:21). A little lying, a little cheating, or taking a little unfair advantage are not acceptable to the Lord. These are Satan's ways to lead us 'carefully down to [destruction].' (2 Nephi 28:8, 21.) To Saints of the Restoration, the Savior said, 'Of him unto whom much is given much is required.' (D&C 82:3.) Latter-day Saints have been given much indeed: the gospel of Jesus Christ. That blessing carries a risk. We have been warned, 'To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.' (James 4:17.)" — Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding Peace in Our Lives," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], p. 191

(1/15/03)
"I had carefully prepared my remarks. But something happened which made it advisable to take only a minute or two. So I slipped the carefully prepared talk into my briefcase in favor of a few off-the-cuff words of parting counsel. I mentioned opportunity and obligation, and I quoted a scripture. Actually, I misquoted it. The following week I received a most interesting letter from a woman who pointed out my error and told of an incident wherein she had misquoted the same verse. What I had said was, 'where much is given, much is expected.' As she pointed out, the scripture, which is in both the Doctrine and Covenants and the New Testament, states: 'Of him unto whom much is given much is required' (D&C 82:3; see also Luke 12:48). There is a big difference, a very big difference indeed, between something that is expected and something that is required." — Boyd K. Packer, "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled," [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991], p. 27