(4/19/99)
"I bear witness to you that those who hold the apostolic calling may,
and do, know of the reality of the mission of the Lord. To know is to
be born and quickened in the inner man." — Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye In
Holy Places," p.65
(7/22/99)
"Why does God, if He truly loves his children, permit Satan to tempt
us and thereby jeopardize our chances to gain the experiences of
mortality and return back to enjoy eternal life in His presence? The
answer is given by a great prophet-teacher: 'Wherefore, the Lord God
gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not
act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one
[which is evil] or the other [which is good]' (2
Nephi 2:16). You think about that for a moment. If there were no
opposition to good, would there be any chance to exercise your agency
or right to choose? To deny you that privilege would be to deny you
the opportunity to grow in knowledge, experience, and power. God has
given laws with penalties affixed so that man might be made afraid of
sin and guided into paths of truth and duty (see Alma
42:20)." — "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee"
(12/22/99)
"If you want to know what the Lord would have the Saints know and to
have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of
the proceedings of ... conference, and you will have the latest word
of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned." — "Closing Remarks,"
General Conference, October 1973
(12/23/99)
"If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and
frustration, when men and women and youth and young adults are
desperately seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind,
it is an 'iron rod' as a safe guide along the straight path on the way
to eternal life, amidst the strange and devious roadways that would
eventually lead to destruction and to the ruin of all that is
'virtuous, lovely, or of good report.'" — "The Iron Rod," General
Conference, April 1971
(12/24/99)
"When we become conscious of the fact that there is no time limit upon
the saving principles and powers of the Gospel but that they may be
drawn upon to meet the problems of today and tomorrow, as well as of
the Hereafter, we will then become the people who will be the light of
the world." — "Conference Report," October 1941, p. 110
(12/25/99)
"And so today there is no shadow of doubting in my mind that I know
the reality of the person who is presiding over this church, our Lord
and Master, Jesus Christ. I know that He is closer to us than many
times we have any idea. He and the Father are not an absentee Lord and
Father. They are concerned about us, helping to prepare us for the
advent of the Savior, whose coming certainly isn't too far away
because of the signs that are becoming apparent." — "Stand Ye In Holy
Places," p.189-190
(12/26/99)
"The ultimate decisions concerning our lives on this earth are not
ours but are His. God is not through with this earth and with us yet.
This earth and ourselves are not going to be wiped off in a moment
until God is ready and all His purposes have been realized. So we must
strive for a degree in the 'University of Spirituality,' as we seek
for advance degrees in secular fields." — "BYU Speeches," May 4, 1965,
p. 6
(12/27/99)
"May the Lord put within each of us the determination to put our lives
in order, to the end that we too may know with a 'certainty that
succeeds doubt' that God does live, and that through the glorious
mission of our Lord and Savior, we too can live again in that realm
where God and Christ dwell -- to obtain which is to attain eternal
life." — "Conference Report," April 1969, p. 133
(12/28/99)
"There are sure guides to truth if church members will use them. The
Church is a continuing revolution against any and all norms of society
that fall below the gospel standards. Within the gospel of Jesus
Christ may be found the solution to every problem confronting us that
will enable us to find happiness here and eternal life in the world to
come." — "Conference Report," April 1966, p. 64
(1/17/02)
"I realize that in the face of violence, immorality, uncleanliness,
war, and other evils of modern life, there may be a tendency to become
discouraged. I say to you, my young brothers and sisters, don't give
up! The gospel of Jesus Christ has answers to all these problems, and
you have the responsibility and charge to stand firm; so enjoy your
youth, but 'put on the whole armour of God' and resist those things of
the world that will destroy your testimony and your chance to
accomplish a great work here. " — Harold B. Lee,
"Message
from
the First Presidency," Ensign, Jan. 1971, p. 2
(10/20/02)
"But now may I call your attention to one significant fact concerning
the armor with which you now have been clothed. You have no armor
whatsoever to protect you from the rear. Does this suggest yet another
quality essential to this eternal conflict with 'spiritual wickedness
in high places'? Evidently no one can win this battle running from the
enemy. The contest must be face to face. There must be no retreat. So
came the clear-ringing counsel of the First Presidency to our boys
during the last World War: 'Boys, keep yourselves clean! Better die
clean than to come home unclean.' Courage and determination and
continual aggressiveness to the right are the essential qualities for
the battle of life, else all the armor in the world suggested for our
protection would be of no avail. Thus equipped within and without, we
are now ready." — Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye In Holy Places," pp.
332-333
3/9/03
"Great reservoirs of spiritual water, called scriptures, have been
provided in this day and have been safeguarded that all might partake
and be spiritually fed, and that they thirst not. That these
scriptures have been considered of great importance, is indicated by
the words of the Savior, 'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me' (John
5:39); and the experience of the Nephites being sent back to procure
the brass plates which contained the scriptures so vital to the
welfare of the people. The use of those scriptures was suggested in
the statement of Nephi when he said, '...for I did liken all
scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.' (1
Nephi 19:23)" — Harold B. Lee, "Conference Report," October
1943, p. 101
3/12/03
"So important in the Father's plan of salvation are the scriptures
that incidents are recorded wherein God commanded the taking of life
to obtain possession of precious writings without which His children
would stumble and be blinded by the darkness of the world, but with
which they could be likened to the people of the scriptures for their
profit and learning." — Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B.
Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996],
p. 152
3/23/03
"Next to life itself, free agency is God's greatest gift to mankind,
providing thereby the greatest opportunity for the children of God to
advance in this second estate of mortality." — Harold B. Lee,
"Stand Ye in Holy Places," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974],
p. 235
4/1/03
"The fact that you are here in this mortal existence is an evidence
that you accepted our Heavenly Father's plan and entered into covenant
with Him to keep His commandments in return for which you were to be
given a glorified place in His kingdom. One-third of all those in the
spirit world before you came to this earth were cast out because they
refused the gift of this education in the 'University of Mortality' on
the terms provided. They are the tempters who, like yourselves, have
their free agency and are endeavoring to persuade you to 'eat, drink,
and be merry, for tomorrow we die' (2
Nephi 28:7) and thus be miserable like themselves. Whatever may
be the ratio of evil spirits to every human soul one thing is certain,
that the power of temptation is great." — Harold B. Lee, "The
Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake
City: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 43
(5/12/03)
"Just as a university course is limited as to time,... so our days
here in mortal life are limited to an average normal span of years....
You are building today the castles you will live in throughout
eternity and deciding the place you will occupy in your Father's
business hereafter. There is joy in heaven when you who are failing
reform your ways and return to a standard of activity that assures
your success. There will be mourning in heaven if you fail in life's
education, but there is nothing your Heavenly Father can do about it
unless you open the door by prayer and the living of a good life and
invite him to counsel with you." — Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for
Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 86
(5/23/03)
"Opposed to God's plan of eternal happiness for every human soul is
Satan's plan that ends in remorse and awful remembrance of all our
guilt in that day of judgment." — Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for
Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p.
153-154
(7/6/03)
"Since the resurrection of the Savior on the first day of the week,
this day has been commemorated as the Lord's day, or the one day in
seven on which man should rest from his labors. But Sunday is more
than a day of rest from the ordinary occupations of the week. It is
not to be considered as merely a day of lazy indolence and idleness or
for physical pleasures and indulgences. It is a feastday for your
spirit bodies. The place of spiritual feasting is in the house of
worship. Here you find fellowship with those who like yourselves are
seeking spiritual nourishment. You are enjoined to sing and pray and
pay your devotions to the Most High, and partake of the holy sacrament
as a reminder of your obligations as a son or daughter of God here in
mortality and in remembrance of the atonement of the Savior and to
pledge again your loyalty to his name." -- Harold B. Lee, "Decisions
for Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p.
146
(7/25/03)
"If we fail to teach chastity, we will reduce the number of temple
marriages, and if we reduce the number of temple marriages, we will
reduce the number of truly Latter-day Saint homes. Of course, we
realize that simply going to the temple without proper preparation in
every way does not bring the blessings we seek. Eternal marriage rests
on a maturity and commitment that—with the endowment and
ordinances—can open the gates of heaven for many blessings to flow to
us.
"To help our youth abide by the principles involved in temple marriage, we must help them to understand that temple marriage is more than just a place where the ceremony occurs; it is a whole orientation to life and marriage and home. It is a culmination of building attitudes toward the Church, chastity, and about our personal relationship with God—and many other things. Thus, simply preaching temple marriage is not enough. Our family home evenings, seminaries, institutes, and auxiliaries must build toward this goal, not by exhortation alone but by showing that the beliefs and attitudes involved in temple marriage are those which can bring the kind of life here and in eternity that most humans really want for themselves. Properly done, we can show the difference between the 'holy and the profane' so that the powerful, natural instincts of motherhood are decisive in the young woman who wavers between those holy instincts and the path of pleasure-seeking. With real judgment and combined curricular effort, we can show the young man that the way of the world—however much it gets glamorized and regardless of how clever its Casanovas appear—is the way of sadness; it is the way which will finally frustrate those deep inner yearnings he has for hearth and home and the joys of fatherhood.
"We will need to show the way to temple marriage with enough honest and plain speaking so that when our youth are persuaded, they can outlast those circumstances they may be in, such as being away at college or in the military, which do not offer them eligible partners; they will know that temple marriage is worth waiting for!" — "Teachings of Harold B. Lee," p. 244
(8/16/03)
"I read something a while ago that started me thinking along this
line. It was that when a man leans to his own understanding and boasts
by his own strength—when he boasts of probing the mysteries of the
atom or the depth of the sea or the secrets of outer space—he forgets
God and claims he is his own master, [and] the result is untold
suffering. Even though one's position is maintained, even though
material wealth increases, a success quickly turns to failure when God
has been forgotten. There is no peace of mind, no personal
satisfaction of inward joy. To 'trust in the Lord with all thine
heart' (Proverbs 3:5) is a mark of strength and is the only path to
happiness, success, and true fulfillment." — "The Teachings of Harold
B. Lee," Edited by Clyde J. Williams, [Salt Lake City, Utah:
Bookcraft, 1996], p. 620
(9/30/03)
"In the Old Testament the Prophet Amos, you remember, said, 'Surely
the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his
servants the prophets.' (Amos
3:7.) I wish you would remember that. That is just as true today
as it was then, but it has been restated today. Keep your eye fixed
upon the prophet of your dispensation, for God is not going to do
anything except He reveals it through the prophet whom He appoints in
your day and mine." - Harold B. Lee, "Be Ye Not Deceived," "BYU
Speeches of the Year," 1965, p. 6
(10/12/03)
"When the full measure of Elijah's mission is understood-that the
hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers, and the fathers
to the children-it applies just as much on this side of the veil as
it does to the other side of the veil (see Malachi
4:5-6). If we neglect our families here in having family home
night and we fail in our responsibility here, how would heaven look if
we lost some of those through our own neglect? Heaven would not be
heaven until we have done everything we can to save those whom the
Lord has sent through our lineage. So, the hearts of you fathers and
mothers must be turned to your children right now, if you have the
true Spirit of Elijah, and not think that it applies merely to those
who are beyond the veil. Let your hearts be turned to your children,
and teach your children; but you must do it when they are young enough
to be schooled. And if you are neglecting your family home evening,
you are neglecting the beginning of the mission of Elijah just as
certainly as if you were neglecting your research work of genealogy."
- "Teachings of Harold B. Lee," p. 281
(11/29/03)
"You will note that this statement makes no distinction as to whether
it be labeled as religion, philosophy, science, or politics, or ugly
dress patterns of today, or of the world of so-called entertainment."
- Harold B. Lee, "General Conference Reports," October 1968, p. 60
(9/5/04)
"Ye are the light of the world; a city set upon a hill" (see Matt.
5:14). What does that mean? Well, a commentary on this scripture says:
'The disciples are to be the light of the world, being the
representatives of Him who is the world's true Light. They are to
enlighten it as its teachers, and also by the examples of their lives.
They are contemplated not as individuals but as a visible society, or
Church. The old city set on a hill was Jerusalem. This was shortly to
be trodden under the foot of men as having lost its savour.' (J. R.
Dummelow, ed., A Commentary on the Holy Bible [New York: Macmillan,
1936], p. 641.)
"Just so today, any Latter-day Saint in Church circles, in military service, in social life, or in the business community is looked upon not just as an individual, but as the visible Church today. Someone has said: 'Be careful how you act, because you may be the only standard Church work some people may ever read.'"
"The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 588
(10/3/04)
"It was the Master who replied in answer to the question as to how one
might know of him and his doctrine: 'If any man will do his will, he
shall know.' (John
7:17.) Would you think an authority on science to be one who had
never experimented in a laboratory? Would you give much heed to the
comments of a music critic who did not know music or an art critic who
didn't paint? Just so, one like yourself who would 'know God' must be
one who does his will and keeps his commandments and practices the
virtues Jesus lived?" - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful
Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 39-40
10/31/04
"Well might we ponder the source which could be ours if we keep
ourselves worthy. [The source of which I speak is] our Lord and Master
([He was] my consolation on a night over thirty years ago when I faced
the greatest challenge of my life). 'For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help [us] in [our] time of need.' (Hebrews
4:15-16.) Those timeless words should be written upon the
tablets of our hearts: to likewise give us courage to withstand in our
time of need." - Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee,"
edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], p.
190
11/10/04
"Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the only means by
which man can accept the gospel, as an earthly ordinance, and so in
the Plan of Salvation, our Father, with equal consideration for all
his children, has provided a way for all members of his Church and
Kingdom on the earth to be 'saviors on Mt. Zion' by performing a
vicarious work in behalf of those in the world of spirits, 'the prison
house,' that they could not perform for themselves. This work for the
dead performed in holy temples by members of the Church does in
reality make of them who do this work 'saviors' to those who have died
without a knowledge of the gospel, for thereby they may claim the
complete gift of the Savior promised to all mankind through his
atonement. Reference to that service that may be rendered for those in
the spirit world, as it was undoubtedly being performed by the saints
in the days of the Apostle Paul and which we can now perform for our
own dead, was given by him as an argument in proof of the
resurrection. Said he: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for
the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for
the dead?" (I
Corinthians 15:29.) Temples in this day have been built in which
this work so essential to the work of salvation might again be
performed." - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living"
[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 118-119
11/25/04
"In order that the young, vigorous and inquiring minds of youth in all
ages might have a standard and an unfailing guide by which to measure
all learning and thus be able to sift the golden kernels of truth from
the chaff of delusion and untruth, we have had the scriptures from the
beginning which were given 'by inspiration of God, and (are)
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.' (2
Tim. 3:16-17.) So the Master counseled us to search the
scriptures, for in them we would find the way to eternal life, for
they testify of the way men must travel to gain eternal life with him
and with 'the Father which hath sent (him).' (John
5:30.)" - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living"
[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], pp. 189-190
(12/27/04)
"If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and
frustration, when men and women and youth and young adults are
desperately seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind,
it is an 'iron rod' as a safe guide along the straight path on the way
to eternal life, amidst the strange and devious roadways that would
eventually lead to destruction and to the ruin of all that is
'virtuous, lovely, or of good report.'" - Harold B. Lee, "The
Iron
Rod," Ensign, June 1971, p. 7
(1/11/05)
"Brethren of the priesthood, in your own circle, in your own home, in
your own lives, you must do all you can of your own free will, and
bring to pass much righteousness. Our job and your job, my job, is to
look after the man behind the one in front of you. That is a little
difficult for some people to figure out. And when you find out that
one, and put him in line, then you are prepared to go out and search
for the other ones. I pray that the Lord may help you to find out that
one and put him in line, then you are prepared to go [for] others
round about you, and we will be on our way to a glorious future." -
Harold B. Lee, "Today's
Young
People," Ensign, June 1971, p. 62
(1/31/05)
"There comes back to us more clearly than ever before the application
of the words of the Master as he closed his Sermon on the Mount, that
only that person or that church (meaning a congregation of
individuals, of course) which will stand through these testing years,
will be that which is founded upon the rock, as the Master declared,
by hearing and obeying the fundamental and never-changing principles
upon which the true church is founded, when the winds of delusion
blow, or when the floods of filth and wickedness engulf us, or when
the rains of criticism or derision are rained down upon those who are
holding fast to the truth." - Harold B. Lee, "Watch,
That
Ye May Be Ready," Ensign, Dec. 1971, pp. 29-30
6/20/06
"But do not suppose that a strict observance of the law of the Sabbath
is alone sufficient to keep your spiritual bodies in good health.
Every day of the week must give nourishment to your spiritual selves.
Family and secret prayers, the reading of the scriptures, love in your
homes and unselfish daily service to others are manna from heaven to
feed your souls. Observance of the weekly Family Home Evening is
another strong force for righteousness in the home." - "Teachings Of
Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee," p.175
8/13/06
"Not many have seen the Savior face to face here in mortality, but
there is no one of us who has been blessed to receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost after baptism but that may have a perfect assurance of His
existence as though we had seen. Indeed, if we have faith in the
reality of His existence even though we have not seen, as the Master
implied in His statement to Thomas, even greater is the blessing to
those who 'have not seen, and yet have believed' (John
20:29), for 'we walk by faith, not by sight' (2
Corinthians 5:7). Although not seeing, yet believing, we rejoice
with joy unspeakable in receiving the end of our faith, even the
salvation of our souls (see 1
Peter 1:8-9)." - "Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Harold
B. Lee," p.37
9/29/06
"If you want to know what the Lord has for this people at the present
time, I would admonish you to get and read the discourses that have
been delivered at this conference; for what these brethren have spoken
by the power of the Holy Ghost is the mind of the Lord, the will of
the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
I am sure all who have listened, if they have been in tune, have felt
the sincerity and the deep conviction from those who have spoken so
appropriately and so effectively." - Harold B. Lee, "Stand
Ye
in Holy Places," Ensign (CR), July 1973, p.121
1/25/07
"The Lord has told us, 'Behold, there are many called, but few are
chosen' (D&C
121:34), and then in the same revelation points out two reasons
why men fail of their blessings. The first reason he gives is that
their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and the
second is that they aspire so much to the honors of men. So then as
Church members let us beware lest we set our hearts upon the things of
this world and lest we aspire so much to the honors of men that we
compromise our standards. If we do so, we will be cut off in the Day
of Judgment and will lose our blessings. Our reward for daring to live
the gospel despite the oppositions from the outside world will be to
have blessings added upon our heads forever and forever." - Harold B.
Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams,
p.167
1/30/07
"Lets face it. All of us have done something that we ought not to have
done, or we have neglected to do things we should have done. All of us
then have made mistakes, and every one of us needs to repent. The old
devil would have you believe that if you have made one mistake, why
don't you just keep on making mistakes? That is Satan trying to tell
you that there is no chance to come back. But you must turn your face
towards the rising sun, and through repentance turn from the thing you
have done that is wrong and never go back again thereto. The Lord
said, 'Go [thy way] and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth
[meaning again] shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God'
(D&C 82:7)." -
"Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee," p.27
2/5/07
"I bear you my witness in all humility that if your children and my
children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren remain
faithful to this church, it will be because you and I remained
steadfast in the testimony that these men [the First Presidency and
the Twelve] are the prophets of the living God and that we must follow
their counsel if we would be saved in the days of peril. Therefore,
'stand ye in holy places, and be not moved' (D&C
87:8), that we might abide the day of the coming of the Son of
Man and be caught up in the clouds of heaven to meet our Redeemer when
He comes on earth to reign, and reign with Him a thousand years with
our children and the redeemed of our Father's house. - Harold B. Lee,
"The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.521
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
7/16/07
"A few years ago a prominent university professor joined the Church.
When I asked him to speak before a group of New York businessmen and
to explain why he had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, he said to these men, 'I'll tell you why I joined this church.
I came to a time in my life when my heart told me things that my mind
did not know. Then it was that I knew the gospel was true.'
"When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we
understand with our hearts, then we know that the Spirit of the Lord
is working upon us." - Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy Places," p. 92
8/14/07
"This 'religion'—with its powers, with the keys, with the ordinances
and principles of salvation—has been on this earth from the very
beginning. Indeed, the plan was laid in the heavens before the
foundations of this earth were laid. It is an everlasting covenant. It
is the gospel which did not begin with the coming of the Savior upon
the earth, and we accept the challenge and ours is the proud and great
responsibility to teach this to the nations of the earth, that down
through time the priesthood—the power of God on earth—the saving
ordinances of the gospel have been on the earth. It is true that in
the past dispensations of the gospel, the organization of the Church
in the completeness with which we have it today has not been here upon
the earth. Today in the dispensation of the fulness of times we have
all that has been given in any other dispensation plus things which
have been hidden from all other dispensations, revealed to us in this,
the dispensation of the fulness of times." - "The Teachings of Harold
B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.374
5/18/09
“Now
there's one more way by which revelations may come, and that is by
dreams. Oh, I'm not going to tell you that every dream you have is a
direct revelation from the Lord. But I fear that in this age of
sophistication there are those of us who are prone to rule out all
dreams as of no purpose, and of no moment. And yet all through the
scriptures there were recorded incidents where the Lord, by dreams,
has directed His people.” – “Teachings Of
Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee,” p. 47
7/11/09
“A
child's heritage is his birthright and the privileges and possessions
with which he is born, and is his usually as the result of the labors
and sacrifices of the generations that have preceded him. Every soul
who is true to the uplifting ideals and standards of his progenitors,
honors his father and mother and inherits the blessings of a good name
and security on this earth, but he dishonors his father and mother who
thinks and acts below the spiritual and cultural standards marked out
and lived by them.” – “The Teachings of
Harold B. Lee,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p. 633
9/15/09
“We
must try to reach even those who are unconcerned. If we seek to follow
the adjuration of the Lord to an ancient priesthood leader to ‘teach
my people the difference between the holy and profane’ (Ezekiel
44:23), this will take leaders of both faith and skill. The definition
of the word profane means not only impure but a lack of concern with
spiritual things. Much of the world today is not explicitly hostile to
the things of God so much as they are simply ‘unconcerned.’ They are
like those John upbraided whose attitude was: ‘I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of nothing’ (Revelation 3:17). It
takes skill as well as testimony to reach people so unconcerned.” –
“The Teachings of Harold B. Lee,” edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p. 598
2/9/10
“During my lifetime I have learned much about reproving with
sharpness, ‘when moved upon by the Holy Ghost’ (D&C 121:43). And I
have learned something else: that the higher the position or duty of
the stewardship, there is the greater danger of wounding sensitive
souls. We must always reach out for the wounded soul whom we may have
offended, and unintentionally in some cases, lest he esteem us to be
his enemy. I have learned that sincere appreciation for accomplishment
should always precede any supposed criticism.” – “The
Teachings of Harold B. Lee,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p. 199
3/18/10
“One
fast day in my own ward I listened to a young university student who
declared his faith after the experiences he had been having at school.
He said something to the effect that when he had announced to some of
his friends that he was going to take some courses in philosophy at
the university, they had said, ‘Oh, don't you do it. Stay out of those
courses, because almost everyone who goes to those classes loses his
faith.’
“However, he said he didn't heed their warning. He was like many other young people: if you want them to take a course, tell them not to do it. Out of curiosity he wanted to see what it was that destroyed faith, and out of his experience, he made this rather interesting observation:
“‘I found that course in philosophy intensely interesting, but I found there was one danger-that it caused doubts, and when those doubts were aggravated by inactivity in the Church, they then resulted in loss of faith and a moving away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. My safety was in continuing to study the gospel of Jesus Christ.’” – “Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons and Writings of Harold B. Lee”
4/11/10
"A testimony must be renewed daily. Testimony is as elusive as a
moonbeam; it's as fragile as an orchid; you have to recapture it every
morning of your life. You have to hold on by study, and by faith, and
by prayer. If you allow yourself to be angry, if you allow yourself to
get into the wrong kind of company, you listen to the wrong kind of
stories, you are studying the wrong kind of subjects, you are engaging
in sinful practices, there is nothing that will be more deadening as
to take away the Spirit of the Lord from you until it will be as
though you had walked from a lighted room when you go out of this
building, as though you had gone out into a darkness."
- "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.
139
5/15/10
"While we are in
the world, we must not be of the world. Any attempts being made by the
schools or places of entertainment to flaunt sexual perversions, which
can do nothing but excite to experimentation, must find among the
priesthood in this church a vigorous and unrelenting defense through
every lawful means that can be employed." - Harold
B. Lee, "Admonitions for the Priesthood of God," Ensign (CR), January
1973, p. 104
5/25/10
"By involvement [in the Church] we not only contribute service, but we
accelerate our own spirituality by building a deepened and more direct
personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. We are matured
spiritually, so that even when some individuals in the Church fail or
disappoint us, we are not dismayed. We must not overlook the
significance of the Lord's revelation as contained in the Doctrine and
Covenants, section 4: 'Lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his
might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth
salvation to his soul' (D&C 4:4). No one ever sets out to save
someone else's soul without improving his own spiritual standing."
- Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p. 179
12/25/11
Fifty years ago or more,
when I was a missionary, our greatest responsibility was to defend the
great truth that the Prophet Joseph Smith was divinely called and
inspired and that the Book of Mormon was indeed the word of God. But
even at that time there were the unmistakable evidences that there was
coming into the religious world actually a question about the Bible and
about the divine calling of the Master, Himself. Now fifty years later,
our greatest responsibility and anxiety is to defend the divine mission
of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, for all about us, even among those
who claim to be professors of the Christian faith, [we find many who]
are not willing to stand squarely in defense of the great truth that our
Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, was indeed the Son of God. - Harold
B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams,
p.11
5/30/12
God grant that each of us here today may so live that all among us, and
with us, may see, not us, but that which is divine and comes from God.
With that vision of what those who have lost their way may become, my
prayer is that they may receive strength and resolution to climb higher
and higher and upward and onward to that great goal of eternal life and
also that I may do my part in seeking to show by example, as well as by
precept, that which will be the best of which I am capable of doing. - Harold
B. Lee, "Understanding
Who We Are Brings Self-Respect," Ensign (CR) November 1973
5/24/14
Do not underestimate
the important symbolic and actual effect of appearance. Persons who
are well groomed and modestly dressed invite the companionship of
the Spirit of our Father in Heaven and are able to exercise a
wholesome influence upon those around them. Persons who are unkempt
and careless about their appearance, or adopt the visual symbols of
those who often oppose our ideals, expose themselves and persons
around them to influences that are degrading and dissonant. Outward
appearance is often a reflection of inward tendencies. - Harold
B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p.220
8/11/14
…
you and I, having been spirits and now having bodies, were among
those who passed that first test and were given the privilege of
coming to earth as mortal individuals. If we hadn’t passed that
test, we wouldn’t be here with mortal bodies, but would have been
denied this privilege and would have followed Satan or Lucifer, as
he came to be known, as did one-third of the spirits created in that
premortal existence who were deprived of the privilege of having
mortal bodies. These are now among us, but only in their spiritual
form, to make a further attempt to thwart the plan of salvation by
which all who would obey would have the great glory of returning to
God our Father who gave us life. - Harold
B. Lee, “Understanding
Who We Are Brings Self-Respect,” Ensign (CR) November 1973
5/21/15
If our people want to be safely guided during these troublous times
of deceit and false rumors, they must follow their leaders and seek
for the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in order to avoid falling
prey to clever manipulators who, with cunning sophistry, seek to
draw attention and gain a following to serve their own notions and
sometimes sinister motives. - Harold
B. Lee, "Admonitions
for the Priesthood of God," Ensign (CR), January 1973, p.
104
8/26/15
Conversion
must mean more than just being a "card carrying" member of the
Church with a tithing receipt, a membership card, a temple
recommend, etc. It means to overcome the tendencies to criticize and
to strive continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely
the outward appearances. - Harold
B. Lee, "The
Iron Rod," Ensign (CR), June 1971, p. 5
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
10/5/15
Yes,
Jesus was "tempted as we are in all things" yet He was without sin
(see Hebrews
4:15). Although He was moved by human emotions throughout His
life, there was an essential difference between His expression of
them and ours. His emotions were always under control. Frequently
ours are uncontrolled and end in bitterness that endangers our own
souls. He could hate sin yet have compassion on the sinner. He was
angered at the narrowness and bigotry that closed men's minds to
truth, yet He was patient in His teachings. He loved all mankind and
jealously shepherded them against the evils of the day. - Harold
B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p. 8
2/8/16
If you'll learn to follow your impressions, you'll be amazed to see
how you'll walk daily by the spirit of revelation. Now, every one of
you is blessed to receive that. Draw heavily upon it, keep
yourselves in tune by living the gospel, keep free from criticism,
from bitterness, and from frictions that otherwise would make you
unfit for this service, and the Lord will bless you and you will be
amply rewarded. - Harold B. Lee,
"The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams,
p.424
3/25/16
A great psychologist, MacDougall, once said: "The first thing to be
done to help a man to moral regeneration is to restore if possible
his self-respect." Also I recall the prayer of the old English
weaver, "O God, help me to hold a high opinion of myself." That
should be the prayer of every soul; not an abnormally developed
self-esteem that becomes haughtiness, conceit, or arrogance, but a
righteous self-respect that might be defined as "belief in one's own
worth, worth to God, and worth to man.” - Harold
B. Lee, "Understanding
Who We Are Brings Self-Respect," Ensign (CR), January 1974,
p.2
3/27/16
The scriptures make it clear that while a resurrection will come to
all, only those who obey the Christ will receive the expanded
blessing of eternal salvation. Speaking of Jesus, Paul explained to
the Hebrews that "he became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey him." (Hebrews
5:9.) - "Teachings Of
Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee," p.18
7/17/16
Even in times of great danger, moral or physical, when, like the
Apostle Paul, you may be in danger of "shipwreck" either to your
body or your soul, there can be standing by you, as there was by
him, after fasting and prayer, an angel of God who whispered peace
to his soul. - Harold B. Lee,
“Conference Report,” October 1966, Third Day-Morning Meeting,
p.118
8/24/16
Not only must we avoid sin but we must avoid the very appearance of
evil. No person of high station ever fell in sin or into disrepute
without shattering the ideals or dream castles of some youth who had
faith in him. It was Phillips Brooks who said, “No man or woman of
the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle, pure and good
without the world being better for it, without someone being helped
and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.” - Harold
B. Lee, “Decisions for Successful Living,” p.37
1/1/17
Here
is a
prophet speaking: “… for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to
persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of
Christ; wherefore
ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
“But
whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ,
and deny him and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect
knowledge it is of the
devil; for after this manner doth the devil work; for he persuadeth no
man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels, neither do they who
subject
themselves unto him” (Moro.
7:16-17).
You will note that this statement makes no distinction as to whether it be labeled as religion, philosophy, science, or politics, or ugly dress patterns of today, or of the world of so-called entertainment. – Harold B. Lee, “Make Our Lord and Master Your Friend,” Ensign (CR) November 1968
