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The LDS Daily WOOL© Archive - Character


12/16/08
"And what is the crowning glory of man in this earth so far as his individual achievement is concerned? It is charactercharacter developed through obedience to the laws of life as revealed through the gospel of Jesus Christ, who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Man's chief concern in life should not be the acquiring of gold, or of fame, or of material possessions. It should not be the development of physical prowess, nor of intellectual strength, but his aim, the highest in life, should be the development of a Christ-like character. 'In the destiny of every mortal being,' says Phelps, 'there is an object more worthy of God than happiness. It is character, and the grand aim of man's creation is the development of a grand character. A grand character is by its very nature the product of a probationary discipline.'" - David O. McKay, "Conference Report," October 1926, Afternoon Session, p.111 - 112


4/13/09
"Fine gold might be described as gold that has been fully refined. It has been finished and brought to its perfection by being freed from its impurities. A fine man is also one who is refined, who is complete. He was formed in God's image. He is well fashioned and has a noble appearance. If he follows God's program, his impurities are removed, and fine personality and godly character traits develop within him. This gives him a fine tone, makes him fine spirited, and great beauty forms in his soul." - Sterling W. Sill, "Principles, Promises, and Powers," p.66


9/19/10
"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be evaluated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality." - Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character," Ensign (CR) October 2010


1/20/12
For what happens in cultural decline both leaders and followers are really accountable. Historically, of course, it is easy to criticize bad leaders, but we should not give followers a free pass. Otherwise, in their rationalization of their degeneration they may say they were just following orders, while the leader was just ordering followers! However, much more is required of followers in a democratic society wherein individual character matters so much in both leaders and followers. - Neal A. Maxwell, “Repent of [Our] Selfishness” (D&C 56:8), Ensign (CR) May 1999


2/5/13
Building on His firm foundation requires us to emulate Christ’s character. There is no joy nor is there any security in giving Him mere lip service. Emulating Him is the key, and our emerging character is the refined structure of our souls. After all the circumstantial scaffolding comes down, character is what is left. - Neal A. Maxwell, "The Precious Promise," Ensign, April 2004


12/14/14
Jesus Christ established the perfect behavior pattern by which we can build upon our attitudes to be able to fulfill these sacred covenants. The Savior banished from His life any influence that might take His focus away from His divine mission, especially when He was tempted by the enemy or by his followers while He ministered here on earth. Although He never sinned, He had a broken heart and a contrite spirit, full of love for our Heavenly Father and for all men. He humbled Himself before our Father in Heaven, denying His own will to fulfill what the Father had asked of Him in all things until the end. Even at that moment of extreme physical and spiritual pain, carrying the burden of the sins of all mankind on His shoulders and shedding blood through His pores, He told the Father, “Nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). - Ulisses Soares, “Abide in the Lord’s Territory!” Ensign (CR) April 2002


9/19/15
Many of you have seen the film version of "Johnny Lingo" in which true love erases the drab, plain-looking appearance of the wife. To each other there was nothing but beauty in their life together because of the enchantment of a great love. Well, even if that play was a bit unreal, yet in it is a great thought: Faults and failings and the superficiality of mere physical attractions are as nothing compared with the genuineness of good character that endures and grows more beautiful with the years. - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living," p. 178


8/1/16
We know well that character is an achievement, not a gift, yet all men to some measure, most of us to some considerable measure, and too many of us to a tragic measure live below our moral capacity, are willing to accept a plausible lower view of mankind and of ourselves than we should or need to, and fail to "make real the best that lies within" us. - Marion D. Hanks, “Conference Report,” April 1968, Second Day-Morning Meeting, p.55


 
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