The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(3/6/01)
"President Spencer W. Kimball taught us to 'make one-time decisions to
do right.' He made important decisions early in his life so that he
did not have to perpetually remake those decisions. He said, 'We can
push some things away from us once and have done with them without
having to brood and redecide a hundred times what it is we will do and
what we will not do.'" — James E. Faust, "We Seek After These Things,"
Ensign, May 1998, p. 44
(3/7/01)
"The Lord put us here on the earth to make decisions, some of them in
the face of considerable temptation and pressure. We must decide ahead
of time what principles we really believe in. It helps if we review
our thunderstorm penetration procedures before we get into the storm,
then decide whom we will listen to for advice. The Lord loves us and
wants to help us succeed. Though Neil Armstrong was desperately alone
in making decisions on the moon flight and was the only one with hands
on the controls, he really had a tremendous support team behind him
who were anxious to give encouragement, advice, and help. We too are
at the helm of our lives, making decisions alone, but there is a
caring support team to help us—family, friends, and Church leaders who
sincerely hope we make it. Let’s cheer each other on!" — Don Lind,
"The Armstrong Situation," New Era, Feb. 1988, p. 50
(3/8/01)
"A woman led by the Lord knows where to turn for answers and for
peace. She can make difficult decisions and face problems with
confidence because she takes her counsel from the Spirit, and from her
leaders who are also guided by the Spirit." — Sheri L. Dew, "We Are
Not Alone," Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 95–96
(3/9/01)
"There is good reason to make our decision now to serve the Lord. On
this Sunday morning, when the complications and temptations of life
are somewhat removed, and when we have the time and more of an
inclination to take an eternal perspective, we can more clearly
evaluate what will bring us the greatest happiness in life. We should
decide now, in the light of the morning, how we will act when the
darkness of night and when the storms of temptation arrive." — Howard
W. Hunter, "Commitment to God," Ensign, Nov. 1982, p. 58
(3/10/01)
"We all have many difficult choices to make each day. There are many
enticements that, if followed, will lead us away from Christ. The
movies and videos we choose to watch, the entertainment we seek, the
music we listen to, the styles we wear, and the language we speak are
all influenced by the strength of our desire to follow Christ. In
making these decisions, we may feel it is too hard to be left out or
to miss out on what the world thinks is okay. Yes, “it is difficult to
be a Christian and follow Christ in word and deed.” When we do follow
Him, however, we will feel the peace and assurance that come from
making right choices. He will provide the courage necessary for those
times when we have to stand alone." — Rex D. Pinegar, "Follow Christ
in Word and Deed," Ensign, Nov. 1991, p. 41
(5/15/04)
"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles,
pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and
turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely,
courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say,
'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Call
for Courage," General Conference, April 2004
(3/4/05)
"In our mortal existence there is no place for an uncertain, indifferent
awareness of our responsibility and obligation to decide whom we should
follow. Either we must attain a knowledge of our Creator and God, who
loves us, who wants to bring peace, dignity, light, and happiness into
our lives, or by and by we will forget our divine origin and remain in
the foggy mists of the deceiver-the adversary, who cannot stand the fact
that we, as living souls, did not accept his plan in our premortal
lives." - F. Enzio Busche, "Do
We
All Believe in the Same God?" Ensign, May 1980, p. 27
(4/5/05)
"We live in one of the most critical periods of all time. The powers of
evil are fighting against truth and righteousness, and the battle is
reaching a climax. Someday the war between good and evil will be won-a
permanent victory for good. But right now each one of you can fight for
the right on your own battlefield by making right choices about what you
will do and what you won't do as you learn to listen to the promptings
of the Spirit. Once you make your decision to do what is right, you
don't have to fight the battle with every temptation that presents
itself every day. You simply take a stand and say to yourself, 'I will
do this; I won't do that.' And Satan will have to turn elsewhere to find
his followers." - Ardeth G. Kapp, "Stand
for
Truth and Righteousness," Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 94
8/15/06
"Recently a young man was complaining about the many temptations that
he had to fight in this age of crime and sin. To him, the challenge
was very unpleasant, and he said that he was about to lose his mind
while fighting his temptations. But he was having difficulty with his
temptations because he was giving in to them instead of overcoming
them. The prophet said: 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.' (James 4:7.)
This young man was being driven out of his mind by the shame of
surrender and his weakness in the conflict, whereas he would have
received great strength from the glory of victory. He told of a number
of serious moral transgressions before which he had already fallen.
And ye"The
Lord's willingness to assist in our decisions will be based on the
same principles that led the Prophet to the grove and the Savior to
the garden. There are times when we wish that life could be a guided
tour where we have no responsibility for details or for our safe
arrival. I recently saw a gadget in a store called 'An Executive
Decision Maker.' You pressed a button and a flashing light pointed to
the answer, such as 'Definitely,' 'Never,' or 'Why Not?' Can we afford
to leave our future to chance when the Lord encourages us to ask,
seek, and knock? (see Matt.
7:7.)" - Gerald E. Melchin, "Decisions,"
Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.80t,
he couldn't make up his mind about what he was going to do in the
future. If he can't even make up his mind while he is seeking aid, how
can he possibly resist the evil when the temptation is upon him in
full force? If he can't win moral victories while the antagonist is
absent, how can he expect to win literal victories when he is being
slugged into surrender by his own fifth column? If one wants to get up
on time in the mor"The
Lord's willingness to assist in our decisions will be based on the
same principles that led the Prophet to the grove and the Savior to
the garden. There are times when we wish that life could be a guided
tour where we have no responsibility for details or for our safe
arrival. I recently saw a gadget in a store called 'An Executive
Decision Maker.' You pressed a button and a flashing light pointed to
the answer, such as 'Definitely,' 'Never,' or 'Why Not?' Can we afford
to leave our future to chance when the Lord encourages us to ask,
seek, and knock? (see Matt.
7:7.)" - Gerald E. Melchin, "Decisions,"
Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.80ning,
he had better make up his mind about it before he goes to bed, and his
determination had better be firmly set on a victory." - Sterling
W. Sill, "That Ye Might Have Life," p.92
1/16/07"The Lord's willingness to assist in our decisions will be based on the same principles that led the Prophet to the grove and the Savior to the garden. There are times when we wish that life could be a guided tour where we have no responsibility for details or for our safe arrival. I recently saw a gadget in a store called 'An Executive Decision Maker.' You pressed a button and a flashing light pointed to the answer, such as 'Definitely,' 'Never,' or 'Why Not?' Can we afford to leave our future to chance when the Lord encourages us to ask, seek, and knock? (see Matt. 7:7.)" - Gerald E. Melchin, "Decisions," Ensign (CR), May 1994, p.80
3/14/07
"Many today are as
indecisive about the evils emerging around us—are as reluctant to
renounce fully a wrong way of life—as was Lot's wife. Perhaps in this
respect, as well as in the indicators of corruption of which sexual
immorality is but one indicator, our present parallels are most poignant
and disturbing. It was Jesus himself who said, 'Remember Lot's wife.'
Indeed we should—and remember too all that the Savior implied with those
three powerful words." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Of One Heart/Look Back at
Sodom"
4/4/07
"This year is again a
most important year of decision for our day. Some have even said that
this is the most critical period in the history of this nation and of
the world.
"I believe it is an illusion to say that this is the most critical,
decisive time. Write it upon the hearts of all of us that every
dispensation has been just as decisive, and likewise that every year
has been the most decisive year and time for ourselves, for this
nation, and for the world. This is our day and time when honorable men
must be brought forward to meet the tremendous challenges before us."
- Harold B. Lee, "A
Time of Decision," Ensign (CR), July 1972, p.29
6/2/07
"Many individual spiritual and
physical blessings result from a monthly fast that is properly begun
with a prayer dedicating that fast to the Lord, and ended with a
prayer consecrating it to the Lord. Any important decision in one's
life should be made after due fasting and prayer. When I have faced
the biggest decisions of my life, such as choosing an eternal
companion and selecting a discipline to study for my life's
profession, I have postponed the making of those decisions until after
I have prayed and fasted, and the Lord has blessed me most generously.
Of course, I have presented my questions to the Lord, following the
pattern outlined in Doctrine
and Covenants 9, by studying them out in my mind, making my own
decision, and then presenting my request to the Lord for his approval
or rejection. Every time I have gone to him in this manner I have
received either a quiet, peaceful assurance or a clearly defined no."
- Robert E. Wells, "The Mount and the Master," p.145
6/10/07
"There comes to mind the recent
remark of a young man facing some current problems and pressures: It
was the utterance of one awakening to reality: 'There certainly are a
lot of decisions,' he said. This is an awareness we all come to. There
certainly are a lot of decisions. The very essence of life concerns
decisions—the matter of making choices. Some decisions should, of
course, take time; some should wait for matters to mature. But there
are some decisions that could take too much time—some that we could
wrestle with too long, and to no good purpose. There are some choices
we should decide swiftly—and then let them alone. And we could
simplify many decisions by separating them into two convenient
categories: decisions of principle and decisions of preference. As to
decisions of principle, we shouldn't really waste much time on
clear-cut questions of right and wrong. 'Thou shalt not steal,' for
example, is quite clear-cut. 'Thou shalt not bear false witness' is
quite clear-cut. 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' is quite clear-cut.
Many such decisions are clearly covered by the commandments, and we
could waste a whole lifetime wrestling with what ought to be more or
less automatic. (Being without standards in making such decisions
would be like trying to do business without standards of weight or
money or measure. Suppose we didn't have an inch or a foot or a
dollar—or a pint or a pound—and had to quibble about every length and
measure and amount!) The decisions of principle, we repeat, should be
more or less automatic. In this we are reminded of what Mencius said
in one strong, short sentence: 'Let men decide firmly what they will
not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.'
(Mencius, Discourses, iv; 300 B.C.) And now as to decisions of
preference—as to what suit we should select, or what course we should
study, what job we should take: For such decisions we have to consider
ourselves, our qualifications, our personal preferences, and those of
others also, and, in the more weighty matters, thoughtfully,
prayerfully, think things through. In the matter of making decisions,
there is no easy all-inclusive answer, but at least some of the
essential decisions can be somewhat simplified if we distinguish
between decisions of principle and decisions of preference, and then
have the courage and the character swiftly to settle the decisions of
principle, and not waste time wrestling with clear-cut matters of
right and wrong. 'Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and
they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.'" - Alma
Sonne, "Conference Report," October 1956, Afternoon Meeting, p.131
9/7/07
"Life's necessary defining moments come within our allotments, and we
make on the record choices within these allotments. Our responses are
what matter. Sufficient unto each life are the tests thereof! (see
Matt. 6:34)." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Content
with the Things Allotted unto Us," Ensign
(CR), May 2000, p.72
12/3/07
"Make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does it do
to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize
not, 'What will others think?' but rather, 'What will I think of
myself?' Be influenced by that still, small voice. Remember that one
with authority placed his hands on your head at the time of your
confirmation and said, 'Receive the Holy Ghost.' Open your hearts,
even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice which
testifies of truth. As the prophet Isaiah promised, 'Thine ears shall
hear a word... saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.' (Isaiah
30:21.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Be
Thou an Example," Ensign (CR), April
2005
12/15/08
"The cross is something we
cannot shoulder and then stand still with. Of the Savior we read the
following: 'And he bearing
his cross went forth'
(John 19:17). The cross is easier to carry if we keep moving.… We
must realize, finally, that we can only contemplate the cross just so
long; rhetoric will not raise it. It must soon either be taken up or
turned away from! ('Taking Up
the Cross,' pp. 259-60.)"
- Cory H. Maxwell, ed., "The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book," p.56
5/6/09
"In accepting life, we must relate to the world as it is—to the
struggle between good and evil. There are, of course, some who would
have us believe that there is no such thing as good or evil, but this
philosophy runs counter to the natural laws of opposites that exist,
such as heat and cold, light and dark, gravitation and vacuum, and
many others. We need to use our eyes that we may see, our ears that we
may hear, and our minds that we may be able to think and make our own
decisions as we sift out the chaff of all we see and hear, so that we
may know the truth of that which we feel in our hearts, as it is
affirmed by the Holy Spirit." - John H.
Vandenberg, "Turn Heavenward Our Eyes", Ensign (CR), December 1971,
p. 114
3/7/10
“I
would like to say something to you that I consider to be very
important. Throughout your life, you will be faced with many choices.
How well you select among the alternatives will determine your success
and happiness in life. Some of the decisions you will make will be
absolutely critical and can affect the entire course of your life.
Please measure those alternatives against the teachings of Jesus
Christ.” – “The Teachings of Howard W.
Hunter,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p. 78
3/8/10
“The
critical step in handling any challenging occurrence is making the
decision about what to do. No one can be successful in business or
private life unless he is able to make decisions backed by resolution.
The important thing is to do what your good judgment tells you offers
some probability of success, even though you know that if you were
given time to think and to plan, you might come up with a better
scheme.” – “Favorite Quotations from the
Collection of Thomas S. Monson,” p. 148
4/28/10
"Brothers
and sisters, thrusting in our sickles to help build the Lord's kingdom
should be the prime focus of our lives. It seems reasonable to suggest
that we each agreed to that in our premortal life. The key decisions
pertaining to education, career, marriage, the very use of our time,
talent, and means should prayerfully hinge on how best we serve the
Master, building His kingdom and becoming perfected in Him." - Dale
E. Miller, "The Kingdom's Perfecting Pathway," Ensign (CR), May 1998,
p. 29
6/7/12
Many think
that any problem will be answered by the Lord for us, either through
prayer or a priesthood blessing. Some young people want the Lord to
tell them what subjects they should study, which school they should
attend, which profession to follow, and which job offer they should
take. True, much help may be received through prayer or a blessing,
but the final decision is yours.
I have come to believe that the Lord is not so concerned about what we
study or what profession we follow as long as it is an honest living.
He is concerned about our immortality and eternal life—or exaltation.
- Eldred G. Smith, "Decision,"
Ensign (CR) May 1978
12/31/12
We become
masters of our lives in the same way--by focusing on first things
first. We all have a pretty good idea of the most important decisions
we need to make--decisions that will improve our lives and bring us
greater happiness and peace. That is where we should start. That is
where we should place our greatest effort. - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Three
Choices," Ensign (CR), November 2003, p.78
9/8/14
Elder Dallin Oaks
said: “Personal decision making is one of the sources of the growth
we are meant to experience in mortality. Persons who try to shift
all decision making to the Lord and plead for revelation in every
choice will soon find circumstances where they pray for guidance and
don’t receive it. For example, this is likely to occur in those
numerous circumstances where choices are trivial or where either
choice is acceptable. We should study things out in our minds, using
the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we
should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it, and upon
our own best judgment if we do not.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Our Strength
Can Become Our Downfall,” Fireside of BYU Stakes, 7 June 1992, pp.
3–4.) - Aileen H. Clyde, “Confidence
through Conversion,” Ensign (CR) November 1992
10/25/14
We do not need to see an angel to
obtain understanding. We have the scriptures, the temple, living
prophets, our patriarchal blessings, inspired leaders, and, above
all, the right to receive personal revelation to guide our
decisions. - Carlos A. Godoy, “The
Lord Has a Plan for Us!” Ensign (CR) November 2014
12/26/14
Seek to know God in the privacy
of your room, at the beginning of the day and as it draws to a
close; seek him in the classroom, in the laboratory, and as you walk
across the campus; seek him at the dance, on a date, while you are
with the crowd and while you are alone; ask the blessings of God
upon your decisions and all that you do, and he will give you
guidance and direction. - Howard
W. Hunter, October 15, 1963, BYU Speeches of the Year, 1963, p.6
5/31/15
We choose to accept or reject the gospel of Christ. Human life was
created on the basis of freedom of choice. God wants free people and
people who serve Him freely. It is therefore a challenge in
everyone's life to choose the straight and narrow path which avoids
a life which lacks eternal direction. There are probably times in
our lives when we wonder if there are other paths or shortcuts. The
gospel gives us the answer, together with the promise of divine
guidance. It is a path we can follow only one step at a time, with
patience, hope, and faith. Decisions we make today will influence
our future course, our future strengths and abilities. - Hans
B. Ringger, "What
Shall We Do?" Ensign (CR), May 1994, p. 86
8/15/15
I believe that the foundation and guiding light for all our
decisions is the gospel of Jesus Christ and His message to the
world. The teachings of Christ must be embedded in our desire to
choose the right and in our wish to find happiness. His righteous
life must be reflected in our own actions. The Lord not only teaches
love, He is love. He not only preached the importance of faith,
repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, He lived
accordingly. His life reflected the gospel that He preached. There
was and is total harmony between His thoughts and His actions. - Hans
B. Ringger, "Choose
You This Day," Ensign (CR), May 1990, p. 25
11/29/15
It must not be expected that the
road of life spreads itself in an unobstructed view before the
person starting her journey. You must anticipate coming upon forks
and turnings in the road. But you cannot hope to reach your desired
journey's end if you think aimlessly about whether to go east or
west. You must make your decisions purposefully. - Thomas
S. Monson, "Your
Celestial Journey," Ensign (CR), May 1999, p.96
2/13/16
President Spencer W. Kimball taught us to "make one-time decisions
to do right." He made important decisions early in his life so that
he did not have to perpetually remake those decisions. He said, "We
can push some things away from us once and have done with them …
without having to brood and redecide a hundred times what it is we
will do and what we will not do.” - James
E. Faust, "We
Seek After These Things," Ensign (CR), May 1998, p.43