Refer your friends to join The LDS Daily WOOL (Words Of Our Leaders)
12/16/08
"And what is the crowning glory
of man in this earth so far as his individual achievement is concerned?
It is character—character
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