(4/16/01)
"This is a time of sifting, a time when, more than ever in the history of the modern world, the adversary and his followers have shown themselves to be enemies of God. Yet as we heard our prophet and president say this morning, we need not fear the fiery darts of the adversary, because each of us has the power to avoid becoming entangled in sin more definitely than ever before. The time has come for each member of the Church to keep close to the Lord, to be steadfast by sustaining and upholding and following the counsel of his divinely appointed servants, avoiding, as the Book of Mormon says, the vainness, the frailties, and the foolishness of men. We must purify our lives and sanctify our homes." — ElRay L. Christiansen, "The Sifting," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 60

(11/30/03)
"Let us remember that even though God had a foreknowledge of what 'would be' under certain conditions, it is not his will nor his desire that vice, injustice, and crime, disobedience and intolerance and bloodshed and war exist in the world. His purposes are to provide a way where men may find happiness and joy, peace, now and forever. Nevertheless, he will not interfere with the agency of men! But fortunately, according to Mormon's teaching: '...the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;' and have a 'perfect knowledge,' whether it is of God or of the devil. (See Moroni 7:16.)" - ElRay L. Christiansen, "General Conference Reports," April 1957, p. 64

(1/2/05)
"Frustrations often offer us the means of progression, for by overcoming them harmoniously, we grow and become more Christlike. As with most all strong emotions, anger is manifest both in righteousness and in unrighteousness. Righteous anger is an attribute of Deity, whose anger is everlastingly kindled against wickedness. Likewise, an inspired man might be led to speak or act in righteous anger, as did Moses when he broke the tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written by the Lord. But to lose our temper, to explode, to become ugly, punitive, and hateful when faced with frustrations is inexcusable! Why is it inexcusable to explode with anger and become vindictive? Simply because the power has been given us to control and to overcome such tendencies. If not curbed, such tendencies soon lose for us the respect and love of others." - ElRay L. Christiansen, "Be Slow to Anger," Ensign, June 1971, p. 38