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(6/29/99)
"We have been assured that in this last dispensation of the fulness of
times there will be no universal apostasy. When the Lo rd appears again in
his glory, he will find a people who will have remained faithful and who
will be ready to receive him and join with him in the completion of his
work. But the fact that there will not be a complete apostasy in this last
dispensation does not mean all who have received the gospel and become
members of the Church will remain faithful. Prophetic references to our
own day, in fact, seem to indicate that there will be many who have known
the truth and have tasted of the Lord's goodness who will then allow
themselves to be tempted away from the course the Lord has marked out for
them." — Dean L. Larson, "Likening The Scriptures Unto
Us," BYU Speeches of the Year, 3 Feb 1991
(3/21/04)
"Prayer as a means of changing the hearts of national leaders? Of course!
We cannot underestimate the power that is opened to us when all of us-in
family prayers, in private prayers, in our meetings-combine our faith to
plead with the Lord to help bring about righteous purposes here on earth.
In fact, the Book of Mormon contains eloquent testimony of the power of
prayer to open wide the doors that seem irrevocably locked." - Dean L.
Larsen, "Prayer:
The
Missionary Tool in Everyone's Hands," Ensign, Oct. 1977, p. 38
(3/28/04)
"It seems, then, that the Lord uses the faith of his righteous children as
a vehicle by which he accomplishes much of his work. This principle cannot
be reduced to a simple equation; nevertheless, it is interesting to
observe how the Lord responds to faith and how miraculous powers are
brought to bear as the Lord's people exercise their faith in
righteousness." - Dean L. Larsen, "Prayer:
The
Missionary Tool in Everyone's Hands," Ensign, Oct. 1977, p. 38
(4/06/04)
"When we can look outside ourselves with the same intensity of concern and
desire that Enos did and offer up prayers of faith on behalf of brothers
and sisters in nations now closed to us, then perhaps the doors will be
opened-even by miraculous means, if necessary." - Dean L. Larsen, "Prayer:
The
Missionary Tool in Everyone's Hands," Ensign, October 1977, p. 38
11/22/04
As we contemplate the challenge of living faithful, happy, fulfilling
lives in the "perilous times" spoken of by the Apostle Paul (see 2
Tim. 3:1), we must draw upon all of the spiritual powers available
to us. The temple is a principal source for the renewal of these powers.
Heavenly Father will not fail in his promises to us if we do all that we
can do to keep open the conduit of spiritual strength that is available to
us. The temple will play an increasingly important role in this regard. -
Dean L. Larsen, "The Importance of the Temple for Living Members," Ensign,
Apr. 1993, p. 12
(3/13/05)
"If righteousness is judged primarily by the degree to which one responds
to programmed activity, then a condition develops within which
opportunities for progress decline. The resulting tragedy affects the
mortal potential of man and has a profound effect on his eternal
possibilities as well.
"Programmed behavior cannot produce the level of spiritual development
required to qualify one for eternal life. A necessary range of freedom and
self-determination is essential to one's spiritual development. With an
understanding of correct principles and an intrinsic desire to apply them,
one must be motivated within himself to do many good things of his own
free will; for, as the revelation says, the power is in him wherein he is
an agent unto himself (see D&C
58:27-28)." - Dean L. Larsen, "Self-Accountability
and
Human Progress," Ensign, May 1980, p. 77
(7/13/05)
"The Lord has made it clear that each of us has a responsibility to exert
an influence for good in the lives of those who share this mortal
experience with us. We cannot live in isolation from others and still
fulfill the purpose of our existence. Our actions, our words, our
thoughts, and our values will inevitably affect the souls of those whose
lives brush against ours. If fact, the Lord himself said that this
influence may continue to reverberate long after we have departed, even to
the ensuing generations. (See Mosiah
13:13.) This is an awesome prospect. When we contemplate the power
we have for perpetrating both good and evil in the lives of others, we
have good reason to search for careful understanding of this power." -
Dean L. Larsen, "Let
Your Light So Shine," Ensign, Sept. 1981, 21
(8/22/05)
"From a careful review of the Lord's own methods in teaching and
influencing others, it appears that he has always been greatly concerned
about helping people to become accountable. His teaching is designed to
give both knowledge and understanding. He has set a perfect example. And
he has always honored the agency of men. When it has been necessary for
him to reprove and correct, he has done so openly and directly, but always
with the intent to help and to lift—never to bring honor or attention to
himself, nor to bring lock-step, blind obedience to his will. The Lord
does not exercise unrighteous dominion.
"Following this pattern, it would seem that we must use every opportunity
that comes to us to share with others the truths we have about life and
its purpose. The Lord's charge to Ezekiel that we referred to earlier is
evidence of this. Additionally, we must continue to encourage and guide
and assist with patience and meekness, not to serve our own needs nor our
own objectives, but with an eye single to the glory of the Lord and the
blessing of his children." - Dean L. Larsen, "Let
Your Light So Shine," Ensign, Sept. 1981, 24
(11/12/05)
"It is not enough for us to know what is right and to believe it is good.
We must be willing to stand up and be counted. We must be willing to act
in accordance with what we believe under all circumstances. It is of
little value for us to believe one way if we behave contrary to that
belief in our private actions or in our public performance." - Dean L.
Larsen, "Faith,
Courage, and Making Choices," Ensign (CR), November 1978, p.34
5/29/09
You have come to the earth when the foundation has been laid for this
great work. The gospel has been restored for the last time. The Church has
been established in almost every part of the world. The stage is set for
the final dramatic scenes to be enacted. You will be the principal
players. You are among the last laborers in the vineyard. This is the yoke
that is set upon your necks. This is the service for which you are
chosen. - Dean L. Larsen, "A
Royal Generation," Ensign (CR), May 1983, p. 33
7/29/11
The Savior attempted to impress his questioners with the fact that the
real power in the kingdom of God is not represented in outwardly
observable things. Its strength is in the quality of the lives of its
members. It is in the depth of their purity, their charity, their faith,
their integrity, and their devotion to truth. This great lesson escaped
the perception of the Pharisees. It has significance for us today. - Dean
L. Larsen, "The
Strength of the Kingdom Is Within," Ensign (CR) October 1981
11/22/11
Those who receive the gospel are expected to manifest its fruits in their
lives, not only for their own benefit and blessing, but for the purpose of
drawing others to the truth. - Dean L. Larsen, "By
Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them," Ensign (CR) October 1985
6/23/12
In today's complicated world with its
diversity of demands and sometimes distracting voices, it is so
important for us to keep our eyes upon the basic things that matter
most and that will have the greatest eternal consequence for us. - Dean
L. Larson, "Looking
beyond the Mark," Ensign (CR) November 1987
2/15/13
In this time of impressive Church growth, it is well for us to look
within our own souls to assess our individual spiritual vital signs.
Too frequently Latter-day Saints of all ages yield to the temptation
to explore and sample forbidden things of the world. Often this is not
done with the intent to embrace these things permanently, but with the
knowing decision to indulge in them momentarily, as though they hold a
value of some kind too important or too exciting to pass by. While
some recover from these excursions, an increasingly large number of
tragedies occur that bring a blight and a despair into many lives. - Dean
L. Larsen, "The
Strength of the Kingdom Is Within," Ensign (CR), November
1981, p.25
1/31/15
In
this difficult environment we will be expected to steer our own
course in an upward direction. As President Kimball has warned
us, it will neither be acceptable nor safe to remain on the
plateaus where our present conduct has kept us. Abrupt downward
forces, represented by increasing wickedness in the world, can
only be offset by forces that move correspondingly upward. Our
lives must be better than they have ever been before. - Dean
L. Larson, “A
Royal Generation,” Ensign (CR) April 1983
2/18/15
When we
understand what is right and what is wrong, we are in a position to
exercise our freedom in making choices. In so doing, we must stand
accountable for our decisions, and we cannot escape the inevitable
consequences of these choices. Such freedom to exercise moral agency
is essential in an environment where people have the highest
prospects for progress and development. - Dean
L. Larson, “Self-Accountability
and Human Progress,” Ensign (CR) April 1980
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