(5/1/04)
"Spring is a time for the rebirth of living things from their wintry cover. It typifies and reminds us of the literalness of the resurrection of all living things. Significant to me is the fact that our Lord emerged from the tomb in the springtime!... Spring also with 'her bursting buds, variegated colors and manifestation of teeming life inspires new hope and gives promise of happy days.' (David O. McKay, Treasures of Life, Deseret Book Co., p. 146.) Indeed, this time of nature's rebirth should give us pause for reflection, assessment, and commitment to life's higher priorities." - Paul H. Dunn, "A Time for Every Purpose," Ensign, May 1975, p. 61

(8/1/04)
"If, in your case, the physical tends to dominate, all the more reason to bridle it and find the other dimensions. Bridle is the word that wise father Alma used in counseling his son Shiblon, and the promise he attached is the key to understanding: 'Bridle... your passions, that ye may be filled with love.' (Alma 38:12.) Bridling increases strength, increases power, increases love. There are absolutely two ways you can control a horse. (We learned a little bit about horses last night.) One is to kill it; one is to bridle it. Alma never said kill your passions. The implication is not that passions are evil, that we shouldn't have them. On the contrary, we bridle something we love, something whose power we respect." - Paul H. Dunn, "Teach 'the Why,'" Ensign, November 1981, p. 72

(1/27/05)
"As with the bud, so with the blossom. A boy is the only thing known from which a man can be made. I hope that we as parents are teaching our children that they are the sons and daughters of God, and that they have the capacity to become like him. It was the old Edinburgh weaver who prayed, 'O God, help me to hold a high opinion of myself.' Likewise I would counsel young people to hold a high opinion of themselves, to remember who they really are, and to put their faith in their Heavenly Father." - Paul H. Dunn, "Young People-Learn Wisdom in Thy Youth," Ensign, June 1971, p. 103

(2/23/05)
"I used to wonder, as a teacher so-called, why the Savior would spend time citing three parables about things that get lost. And then one day it dawned. People do get lost in various ways, and here in this great chapter of Luke [Luke 15] we find the Savior counseling how to recover them.

"Permit me this observation: The Savior might say to us today, if he were to teach this parable again, that sheep (or people who get lost) are not basically sinners by nature or even choice, but people, like sheep, get confused in what's important. In other words, they have misplaced values. And I am sure the Savior would say to the teacher in the classroom, to the adviser, 'If you want to retrieve this kind of person, put a higher value in place of the one he now elects.' Family, service, brotherhood are all greener pastures for today's sheep. Feeding here brings them home." - Paul H. Dunn, "What Is a Teacher?" Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 119

(3/6/05)
"I'm reminded of something I read just the other day. Let me share it with you. It seems that a small boy was trying to lift a heavy stone, but couldn't budge it. His father, watching very interestedly, said, 'Are you sure you're using all of your strength?'

"'Yes, I am!' the boy cried.

"'No, you're not,' said the father. 'You haven't asked me to help you.'

"Well, let me just tell you that however tight the game seems at the moment, I know the coach and I know that He can help. There is a personal and loving God who knows all of the plays. He understands the game of life. He understands you and me. And he understands what you and I need now to help in our lives. Talking to him is an easy thing, really. All you have to do is call time-out. Say to yourself, 'I've had it. I need help.' And be prepared to listen. Say to him, 'I can't take any more of this running without seeing clearly where the bases are or the direction I'm headed.'" - Paul H. Dunn, "Time-Out!" Ensign, May 1980, p. 38