The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(3/6/01)
"President Spencer W. Kimball taught us to 'make one-time decisions to do
right.' He made important decisions early in his life so that he did not have to
perpetually remake those decisions. He said, 'We can push some things away from
us once and have done with them without having to brood and redecide a hundred
times what it is we will do and what we will not do.'" — James E. Faust, "We Seek After These
Things," Ensign, May 1998, p. 44
(3/7/01)
"The Lord put us here on the earth to make decisions, some of them in the
face of considerable temptation and pressure. We must decide ahead of time what
principles we really believe in. It helps if we review our thunderstorm
penetration procedures before we get into the storm, then decide whom we will
listen to for advice. The Lord loves us and wants to help us succeed. Though
Neil Armstrong was desperately alone in making decisions on the moon flight and
was the only one with hands on the controls, he really had a tremendous support
team behind him who were anxious to give encouragement, advice, and help. We too
are at the helm of our lives, making decisions alone, but there is a caring
support team to help us—family, friends, and Church leaders who sincerely hope
we make it. Let’s cheer each other on!" — Don
Lind, "The Armstrong Situation," New Era, Feb. 1988, p. 50
(3/8/01)
"A woman led by the Lord knows where to turn for answers and for peace. She
can make difficult decisions and face problems with confidence because she takes
her counsel from the Spirit, and from her leaders who are also guided by the
Spirit." — Sheri L. Dew, "We Are
Not Alone," Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 95–96
(3/9/01)
"There is good reason to make our decision now to serve the Lord. On this
Sunday morning, when the complications and temptations of life are somewhat
removed, and when we have the time and more of an inclination to take an eternal
perspective, we can more clearly evaluate what will bring us the greatest
happiness in life. We should decide now, in the light of the morning, how we
will act when the darkness of night and when the storms of temptation
arrive." — Howard W. Hunter,
"Commitment to God," Ensign, Nov. 1982, p. 58
(3/10/01)
"We all have many difficult choices to make each day. There are many
enticements that, if followed, will lead us away from Christ. The movies and
videos we choose to watch, the entertainment we seek, the music we listen to,
the styles we wear, and the language we speak are all influenced by the strength
of our desire to follow Christ. In making these decisions, we may feel it is too
hard to be left out or to miss out on what the world thinks is okay. Yes, “it
is difficult to be a Christian and follow Christ in word and deed.” When we do
follow Him, however, we will feel the peace and assurance that come from making
right choices. He will provide the courage necessary for those times when we
have to stand alone." — Rex D.
Pinegar, "Follow Christ in Word and Deed," Ensign, Nov. 1991, p. 41
(5/15/04)
"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls,
and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are
constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to
say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny." -
Thomas S. Monson, "The
Call for Courage," General Conference, April 2004
(3/4/05)
"In our mortal existence there is no place for an uncertain, indifferent
awareness of our responsibility and obligation to decide whom we should follow.
Either we must attain a knowledge of our Creator and God, who loves us, who
wants to bring peace, dignity, light, and happiness into our lives, or by and by
we will forget our divine origin and remain in the foggy mists of the
deceiver-the adversary, who cannot stand the fact that we, as living souls, did
not accept his plan in our premortal lives." - F. Enzio Busche, "Do
We All Believe in the Same God?" Ensign, May 1980, p. 27
(4/5/05)
"We live in one of the most critical periods of all time. The powers of
evil are fighting against truth and righteousness, and the battle is reaching a
climax. Someday the war between good and evil will be won-a permanent victory
for good. But right now each one of you can fight for the right on your own
battlefield by making right choices about what you will do and what you won't do
as you learn to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Once you make your
decision to do what is right, you don't have to fight the battle with every
temptation that presents itself every day. You simply take a stand and say to
yourself, 'I will do this; I won't do that.' And Satan will have to turn
elsewhere to find his followers." - Ardeth G. Kapp, "Stand
for Truth and Righteousness," Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 94
8/15/06
"Recently a young man was complaining about the many temptations that he had to
fight in this age of crime and sin. To him, the challenge was very unpleasant,
and he said that he was about to lose his mind while fighting his temptations.
But he was having difficulty with his temptations because he was giving in to
them instead of overcoming them. The prophet said: 'Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you.' (James 4:7.)
This young man was being driven out of his mind by the shame of surrender and
his weakness in the conflict, whereas he would have received great strength from
the glory of victory. He told of a number of serious moral transgressions before
which he had already fallen. And ye"The Lord's willingness to assist in our decisions will be based on the same
principles that led the Prophet to the grove and the Savior to the garden. There
are times when we wish that life could be a guided tour where we have no
responsibility for details or for our safe arrival. I recently saw a gadget in a
store called 'An Executive Decision Maker.' You pressed a button and a flashing
light pointed to the answer, such as 'Definitely,' 'Never,' or 'Why Not?' Can we
afford to leave our future to chance when the Lord encourages us to ask, seek,
and knock? (see Matt. 7:7.)"
- Gerald E. Melchin, "Decisions,"
Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.80t, he couldn't make up his mind about what he
was going to do in the future. If he can't even make up his mind while he is
seeking aid, how can he possibly resist the evil when the temptation is upon him
in full force? If he can't win moral victories while the antagonist is absent,
how can he expect to win literal victories when he is being slugged into
surrender by his own fifth column? If one wants to get up on time in the
mor"The Lord's willingness to assist in our decisions will be based on the same
principles that led the Prophet to the grove and the Savior to the garden. There
are times when we wish that life could be a guided tour where we have no
responsibility for details or for our safe arrival. I recently saw a gadget in a
store called 'An Executive Decision Maker.' You pressed a button and a flashing
light pointed to the answer, such as 'Definitely,' 'Never,' or 'Why Not?' Can we
afford to leave our future to chance when the Lord encourages us to ask, seek,
and knock? (see Matt. 7:7.)"
- Gerald E. Melchin, "Decisions,"
Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.80ning, he had better make up his mind about it before he goes to bed, and his
determination had better be firmly set on a victory." - Sterling W. Sill, "That
Ye Might Have Life," p.92
1/16/07"The Lord's willingness to assist in our decisions will be based on the same principles that led the Prophet to the grove and the Savior to the garden. There are times when we wish that life could be a guided tour where we have no responsibility for details or for our safe arrival. I recently saw a gadget in a store called 'An Executive Decision Maker.' You pressed a button and a flashing light pointed to the answer, such as 'Definitely,' 'Never,' or 'Why Not?' Can we afford to leave our future to chance when the Lord encourages us to ask, seek, and knock? (see Matt. 7:7.)" - Gerald E. Melchin, "Decisions," Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.80
3/14/07
"Many today are as indecisive about
the evils emerging around us—are as reluctant to renounce fully a wrong way of
life—as was Lot's wife. Perhaps in this respect, as well as in the indicators of
corruption of which sexual immorality is but one indicator, our present
parallels are most poignant and disturbing. It was Jesus himself who said,
'Remember Lot's wife.' Indeed we should—and remember too all that the Savior
implied with those three powerful words." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Of One Heart/Look
Back at Sodom"
4/4/07
"This year is again a most
important year of decision for our day. Some have even said that this is the
most critical period in the history of this nation and of the world.
"I believe it is an illusion to say that this is the most critical, decisive
time. Write it upon the hearts of all of us that every dispensation has been
just as decisive, and likewise that every year has been the most decisive year
and time for ourselves, for this nation, and for the world. This is our day and
time when honorable men must be brought forward to meet the tremendous
challenges before us." - Harold B. Lee, "A
Time of Decision," Ensign (CR), July 1972, p.29
6/2/07
"Many individual spiritual and
physical blessings result from a monthly fast that is properly begun with a
prayer dedicating that fast to the Lord, and ended with a prayer consecrating it
to the Lord. Any important decision in one's life should be made after due
fasting and prayer. When I have faced the biggest decisions of my life, such as
choosing an eternal companion and selecting a discipline to study for my life's
profession, I have postponed the making of those decisions until after I have
prayed and fasted, and the Lord has blessed me most generously. Of course, I
have presented my questions to the Lord, following the pattern outlined in
Doctrine and Covenants 9, by
studying them out in my mind, making my own decision, and then presenting my
request to the Lord for his approval or rejection. Every time I have gone to him
in this manner I have received either a quiet, peaceful assurance or a clearly
defined no." - Robert E. Wells, "The Mount and the Master," p.145
6/10/07
"There comes to mind the recent
remark of a young man facing some current problems and pressures: It was the
utterance of one awakening to reality: 'There certainly are a lot of decisions,'
he said. This is an awareness we all come to. There certainly are a lot of
decisions. The very essence of life concerns decisions—the matter of making
choices. Some decisions should, of course, take time; some should wait for
matters to mature. But there are some decisions that could take too much
time—some that we could wrestle with too long, and to no good purpose. There are
some choices we should decide swiftly—and then let them alone. And we could
simplify many decisions by separating them into two convenient categories:
decisions of principle and decisions of preference. As to decisions of
principle, we shouldn't really waste much time on clear-cut questions of right
and wrong. 'Thou shalt not steal,' for example, is quite clear-cut. 'Thou shalt
not bear false witness' is quite clear-cut. 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' is
quite clear-cut. Many such decisions are clearly covered by the commandments,
and we could waste a whole lifetime wrestling with what ought to be more or less
automatic. (Being without standards in making such decisions would be like
trying to do business without standards of weight or money or measure. Suppose
we didn't have an inch or a foot or a dollar—or a pint or a pound—and had to
quibble about every length and measure and amount!) The decisions of principle,
we repeat, should be more or less automatic. In this we are reminded of what
Mencius said in one strong, short sentence: 'Let men decide firmly what they
will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.' (Mencius,
Discourses, iv; 300 B.C.) And now as to decisions of preference—as to what suit
we should select, or what course we should study, what job we should take: For
such decisions we have to consider ourselves, our qualifications, our personal
preferences, and those of others also, and, in the more weighty matters,
thoughtfully, prayerfully, think things through. In the matter of making
decisions, there is no easy all-inclusive answer, but at least some of the
essential decisions can be somewhat simplified if we distinguish between
decisions of principle and decisions of preference, and then have the courage
and the character swiftly to settle the decisions of principle, and not waste
time wrestling with clear-cut matters of right and wrong. 'Let men decide firmly
what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to
do.'" - Alma Sonne, "Conference Report," October 1956, Afternoon Meeting, p.131
9/7/07
"Life's necessary defining moments come within our allotments,
and we make on the record choices within these allotments. Our responses are
what matter. Sufficient unto each life are the tests thereof! (see Matt. 6:34)."
- Neal A. Maxwell, "Content with the Things Allotted unto Us," Ensign
(CR), May 2000, p.72
12/3/07
"Make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does
it do to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize not,
'What will others think?' but rather, 'What will I think of myself?' Be
influenced by that still, small voice. Remember that one with authority placed
his hands on your head at the time of your confirmation and said, 'Receive the
Holy Ghost.' Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound of that
special voice which testifies of truth. As the prophet Isaiah promised, 'Thine
ears shall hear a word... saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.' (Isaiah
30:21.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Be Thou an Example," Ensign (CR), April
2005