Refer your friends to join The LDS Daily WOOL (Words Of Our Leaders)
(3/7/98)
"Given the freedom to choose, we may, in fact, make wrong choices,
bad choices, hurtful choices. And sometimes we do just that, but that
is where the mission and mercy of Jesus Christ comes into full force
and glory. He has taken upon himself the burden of all the world's
risk. He has provided a mediating atonement for the wrong choices we
make. He is our advocate with the Father and has paid, in advance, for
the faults and foolishness we often see in the exercise of our
freedom. We must accept his gift, repent of those mistakes, and follow
his commandments in order to take full advantage of this redemption.
The offer is always there; the way is always open. We can always, even
in our darkest hour and most disastrous errors, look to the Son of God
and live." — Howard W. Hunter, "The
Golden
Thread of Choice," "Ensign," Nov. 1989 (October Conference) page
18
(4/18/99)
"The governance of the Church and the exercise of the prophetic
gifts will always be vested in those apostolic authorities who hold
and exercise all of the keys of the priesthood." — Howard W. Hunter, "Exceeding
Great
And Precious Promises," Ensign, November 1994
(7/22/99)
"We have a promise of divine assistance in times of need. All of
us face times in our lives when we need heavenly help in a special and
urgent way. We all have moments when we are overwhelmed by
circumstances or confused by the counsel we get from others, and we
feel a great need to receive spiritual guidance, a great need to find
the right path and do the right thing. In the scriptural preface to
this latter-day dispensation, the Lord promised that if we would be
humble in such times of need and turn to him for aid, we would 'be
made strong, and [be] blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from
time to time' (D&C
1:28). That help is ours if we will but seek it, trust in it,
and follow what King Benjamin, in the Book of Mormon, called 'the
enticings of the Holy Spirit' (Mosiah
3:19). Perhaps no promise in life is more reassuring than that
promise of divine assistance and spiritual guidance in times of need.
It is a gift freely given from heaven, a gift that we need from our
earliest youth through the very latest days of our lives." — "The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," p. 59
(11/30/99)
"Does it seem reasonable that persons who have lived upon the
earth and died without the opportunity of baptism should be deprived
throughout eternity? Is there anything unreasonable about the living
performing the baptisms for the dead? Perhaps the greatest example of
vicarious work for the dead is the Master himself. He gave his life as
a vicarious atonement, that all who die shall live again and have life
everlasting. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. In a
similar way we can perform ordinances for those who did not have the
opportunity to do them in lifetime." — "Elijah The Prophet," General
Conference, October 1971
(12/01/99)
"Do I stand firm against Satan's temptations? He is seeking to
cause us to lose our way in a storm of derision and a tide of
sophistry. We can have victory, however, by responding to that inner
voice calling 'stand firm!'" — "Am I A 'Living' Member?" General
Conference, April 1987
(12/02/99)
"As we search for the shore of safety and peace, whether we be
individual women and men, families, communities, or nations, Christ is
the only beacon on which we can ultimately rely. He is the one who
said of his mission, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John
14:6)." — "The Beacon In The Harbor Of Peace," General Conference,
October 1992
(12/04/99)
"Easter is the celebration of the free gift of immortality given
to all men, restoring life and healing all wounds. Though all will die
as part of the eternal plan of growth and development, nevertheless we
can all find comfort in the Psalmist's statement, 'Weeping may endure
for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' (Ps.
30:5.)" — "An Apostle's Witness of the Resurrection," General
Conference, April 1986
(12/05/99)
"Let us study the Master's every teaching and devote ourselves
more fully to his example. He has given us 'all things that pertain
unto life and godliness.' He has 'called us to glory and virtue' and
has 'given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these [we] might be partakers of the divine nature' (2
Pet. 1:3-4)." — "Exceeding Great And Precious Promises," General
Conference, October 1994
(12/07/99)
"If, after all of the cumulative evidence and all of these
testimonies, Christ should be eliminated from our belief, what would
be the result? This would not be his Church; the Bible would fall as
the word of God; there would be no hope of a literal resurrection;
there would be no assurance of eternal life. But Christ is not
eliminated from our belief. His divinity is a reality, and to all of
the testimonies that have been borne of him, we add our witness." —
"Conference Report," October 1968, p. 142
(5/18/03)
"Older people feel they are beset with problems, but I am inclined
to think that young people are faced with the greatest problems. They
have great decisions to make. They are in the process of determining
their course in life. They are earnestly seeking the way. Young people
should take council from Alma, in those beautiful words he spoke to
his son Helaman: 'O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth;
yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.'" — Howard W.
Hunter, "Pray Always," October 15, 1963, BYU Speeches of the Year, p.
5
(8/14/03)
"Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a
litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles--but
sayings and miracles with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate
triumph is in the ultimate miracle; for the first time in the history
of mankind, one who was dead raised himself into living immortality.
He was the Son of God, the Son of our immortal Father in Heaven, and
his triumph over physical and spiritual death is the good news every
Christian tongue should speak." — Howard W. Hunter, "An Apostle's
Witness of the Resurrection," General Conference, April 1986
(9/13/03)
"At various times in our lives, probably at repeated times in our
lives, we do have to acknowledge that God knows what we do not know
and sees what we do not see. If you have troubles at home with
children who stray, if you suffer financial reverses and emotional
strain that threaten your homes and your happiness, if you must face
the loss of life or health, may peace be unto your soul. We will not
be tempted beyond our ability to withstand. Our detours and
disappointments are the straight and narrow path to him..." — "The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," Edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake
City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1997], p. 85
(2/6/04)
"Many make their contributions in unsung ways. Ishmael traveled
with the family of Nephi at great personal sacrifice, suffering 'much
affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue.' (1
Ne. 16:35.) Then in the midst of all of these afflictions, he
perished in the wilderness. Few of us can even begin to understand the
sacrifice of such a man in those primitive times and conditions.
Perhaps if we were more perceptive and understanding, we too would
mourn, as his daughters did in the wilderness, for what a man like
this gave-and gave up!-so that we could have the Book of Mormon
today." - Howard W. Hunter, "No
Less
Serviceable," Ensign, Apr. 1992, 65
(3/1/04)
"The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women
everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind,
meek, and lowly. It is without envy or pride. It is selfless because
it seeks nothing in return. It does not countenance evil or ill will,
nor rejoice in iniquity; it has no place for bigotry, hatred, or
violence. It refuses to condone ridicule, vulgarity, abuse, or
ostracism. It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian
love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial
standing, education, or culture." - Howard W. Hunter, "A
More Excellent Way," Ensign, May 1992, pp. 61-62
(6/29/04)
"Contrition is costly-it costs us our pride and our insensitivity,
but it especially costs us our sins. For, as King Lamoni's father knew
twenty centuries ago, this is the price of true hope. 'O God,' he
cried, 'wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all
my sins to know thee... that I may be raised from the dead, and be
saved at the last day.' (Alma
22:18.) When we, too, are willing to give away all our sins to
know him and follow him, we, too, will be filled with the joy of
eternal life." - Howard W. Hunter, "Jesus,
the
Very Thought of Thee," Ensign, May 1993, p. 64
(9/15/04)
"The Lord's invitation to follow him is individual and personal,
and it is compelling. We cannot stand forever between two opinions.
Each of us must at some time face the crucial question: 'Whom say ye
that I am?' (Matt.
16:15.) Our personal salvation depends on our answer to that
question and our commitment to that answer. Peter's revealed answer
was 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matt.
16:16). Many, many witnesses can give an identical answer by the
same power, and I join with them in humble gratitude. But we must each
answer the question for ourselves-if not now, then later; for at the
last day, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that
Jesus is the Christ. Our challenge is to answer correctly and live
accordingly before it is everlastingly too late. Since Jesus is indeed
the Christ, what must we do?" - Howard W. Hunter, "He
Invites
Us to Follow Him," Ensign, September 1994, p. 2
(9/24/04)
"The answer of Jesus to the lawyer might be considered as the
Lord's touchstone. He said on another occasion, 'Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me' (Matt.
25:40). He will measure our devotion to him by how we love and
serve our fellowmen. What kind of mark are we leaving on the Lord's
touchstone? Are we truly good neighbors? Does the test show us to be
24-karat gold, or can the trace of fool's gold be detected?" - Howard
W. Hunter, "The Lord's Touchstone," Ensign, November 1986, p. 34
(10/25/04)
"Because of the temptation to intellectual pride, always remember
that the sun rises and shines on gentle and simple alike, so the light
of truth beams as directly upon the simplest and humblest of God's
children as upon you. Do not, therefore, be ashamed of spiritual
truths, Do not reject them or think you must amend them because they
are common to you and to those who have not had the advantage of
higher education. Be not ashamed of Jesus Christ because the poor
believe in him and some of the mighty of the world do not. Do not let
your scientific intellect discard truths merely because they are not
subject to demonstrable proof. Open your hearts and souls so that you
may have understanding of spiritual truth. Your natural associations
will be with persons of culture, but keep close to those who have warm
hearts, character, faith and testimony. Devote yourselves to the calls
that shall come to you in life to render service to others and service
to God." - Howard W. Hunter, BYU Speeches of the Year, 1960
(12/6/04)
"Sometimes we may feel that our spiritual edge has grown dull. On
some very trying days, we may even feel that God has forgotten us, has
left us alone in our confusion and concern. But that feeling is no
more justified for the older ones among us than it is for the younger
and less experienced. God knows and loves us all. We are, every one of
us, his daughters and his sons, and whatever life's lessons may have
brought us, the promise is still true: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.' (James
1:5.)" - Howard W. Hunter, "Blessed
from
on High," Ensign, November 1988, p. 60
(12/16/04)
"We testify to all the world that heavenly ministers have already
appeared in our age, bringing authority from heaven and restoring
truths lost through corrupted teachings and practices. God has spoken
anew and continues to provide guidance for all his children through a
living prophet today. We declare that he, as promised, is with his
servants always and directs the affairs of his Church throughout the
world. As in times past, revelation directs missionary labors, the
building of temples, the calling of priesthood officers, and warns
against the evils of society that may deny salvation to our Father's
children." - Howard W. Hunter, "No
Man
Shall Add to or Take Away," Ensign, May 1981, p. 65
(2/12/05)
"Does it seem reasonable that persons who have lived upon the
earth and died without the opportunity of baptism should be deprived
throughout eternity? Is there anything unreasonable about the living
performing the baptisms for the dead? Perhaps the greatest example of
vicarious work for the dead is the Master himself. He gave his life as
a vicarious atonement, that all who die shall live again and have life
everlasting. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. In a
similar way we can perform ordinances for those who did not have the
opportunity to do them in lifetime." - Howard W. Hunter, "Elijah
the
Prophet," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 71
(3/3/05)
"Friction, or resistance, is an interesting phenomenon. Without
this force, a person or vehicle could not move about, or if already in
motion, could not be stopped except by collision. Simple things like
nails, screws, and bolts would not stay in place; a cork would not
stay in a bottle; a light globe would drop from its socket; a lid
would not stay on a jar.
"The law of friction or resistance that we think of as only applying
to science seems to find application in our personal lives. This is
probably what Lehi was referring to when he spoke to his son Jacob. He
reminded Jacob of the afflictions and sorrows that had come to him
because of the rudeness of his brethren, and told him how these
afflictions would ultimately result in good. These are the words of
Jacob to his son: 'Thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall
consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain' (2
Ne. 2:2).
"In other words, the afflictions that had come to him in the form of
opposition or resistance would be for his good. Then Lehi added these
words that have become classic: 'For it must needs be, that there is
an opposition in all things. If not so,... righteousness could not be
brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery,
neither good nor bad' (2
Ne. 2:11).
"We came to mortal life to encounter resistance. It was part of the
plan for our eternal progress." - Howard W. Hunter, "God
Will
Have a Tried People," Ensign, May 1980, 25
(3/21/05)
"A successful life, the good life, the righteous Christian life
requires something more than a contribution, though every contribution
is valuable. Ultimately it requires commitment-whole souled, deeply
held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be
true in the commandments God has given. We need such loyalty to the
Church, but that must immediately be interpreted as a loyalty in our
personal habits and behavior, integrity in the wider community and
marketplace, and-for the future's sake-devotion and character in our
marriages and homes and families." - Howard W. Hunter, "Standing
As
Witnesses of God," Ensign, May 1990, p. 62
(5/11/05)
"Not all of us are going to be
like Moroni, catching the acclaim of our colleagues all day every
day. Most of us will be quiet, relatively unknown folks who come and
go and do our work without fanfare. To those of you who may find
that lonely or frightening or just unspectacular, I say, you are 'no
less serviceable' than the most spectacular of your associates. You,
too, are part of God’s army." - Howard W. Hunter, "No
Less Serviceable," Ensign, Apr. 1992, p. 64
(9/19/05)
"Sometimes we may feel that our
spiritual edge has grown dull. On some very trying days, we may even
feel that God has forgotten us, has left us alone in our confusion and
concern. But that feeling is no more justified for the older ones
among us than it is for the younger and less experienced. God knows
and loves us all. We are, every one of us, his daughters and his sons,
and whatever life's lessons may have brought us, the promise is still
true: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him' (James
1:5)." - Howard W. Hunter, "The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,"
edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], p. 85
(10/7/05)
"We need more understanding
in our relationships with one another, in business and in industry,
between management and labor, between government and the governed. We
need understanding in that most important of all social units the
family, understanding between children and parents and between husband
and wife. Marriage would bring happiness, and divorce would be unknown
if there were understanding hearts. Hatred tears down but
understanding builds up." - Howard W. Hunter, "Conference Report,"
April 1962, Afternoon Meeting, p.76
(10/9/05)
"Stepping out of a negative
world into such an atmosphere of love and a positive hope for the
future, not only in mortality but exaltation in eternity, is known
only by a small minority. How blessed we are for an understanding of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. His gospel of love encourages us to look
upward and not down, to look for the good in life and not the bad, to
seek the positive and not the negative.
"Negative thinking has ruined many lives. Persons who might otherwise
have been successful have been defeated because their thinking was
negative." - Howard W. Hunter, "The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,"
edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.75
11/29/05
"The news media, radio, television, newspapers, national
magazines, and many other things we hear and read, bring to us
depressing, negative thoughts. We are constantly reminded of crime, war,
riots, divorce, theft, murder, death, disease, vulgarity, pornography,
strikes, short skirts and long hair, marijuana, hunger, birth control,
LSD, corruption in government, and even questionable politics. A few
days ago, I examined every article on the first few pages of the
newspaper. Every article I read expressed a negative thought or a
depressing situation. There was nothing to add a cheerful note, a
positive or uplifting thought, or a hope for the future.
"Stepping out of a negative world into such an atmosphere of love and a
positive hope for the future, not only in mortality but exaltation in
eternity, is known only by a small minority. How blessed we are for an
understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His gospel of love
encourages us to look upward and not down, to look for the good in life
and not the bad, to seek the positive and not the negative.
"Negative thinking has ruined many lives. Persons who might otherwise
have been successful have been defeated because their thinking was
negative." - "The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p.75
12/1/05
"What a glorious thing is life, surrounded by the beauties of the
world in which we live. There is beauty in the mountains, the woods, and
the lakes. There is beauty in the sea with its never-ceasing tides;
beauty in the skies filled with fleecy clouds, in the sunshine and in
the rain; beauty in the morning, the day, and the night. As the seasons
come and go, we find beauty in the freshness of spring bringing new life
to all nature, and beauty in the glory of the summer. Autumn ushers in
an array of color before the silent winter brings its blanket of white.
There is beauty everywhere if we look for the beautiful." - Howard W.
Hunter, "Conference Report," April 1970, First Day—Morning Meeting, p.7
1/13/06
"Out of the abundance of his
heart, Jesus spoke to the poor, the downtrodden, the widows, the
little children; to farmers and fishermen, and those who tended goats
and sheep; to strangers and foreigners, the rich, the politically
powerful, as well as the unfriendly Pharisees and scribes. He
ministered to the poor, the hungry, the deprived, the sick. He blessed
the lame, the blind, the deaf, and other people with physical
disabilities. He drove out the demons and evil spirits that had caused
mental or emotional illness. He purified those who were burdened with
sin. He taught lessons of love and repeatedly demonstrated unselfish
service to others. All were recipients of his love. All were
'privileged the one like unto the other, and none [were] forbidden.' (2
Ne. 26:28.) These are all expressions and examples of his
unbounded charity.
"The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women
everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind,
meek, and lowly. It is without envy or pride. It is selfless because
it seeks nothing in return. It does not countenance evil or ill will,
nor rejoice in iniquity; it has no place for bigotry, hatred, or
violence. It refuses to condone ridicule, vulgarity, abuse, or
ostracism. It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian
love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial
standing, education, or culture." - Howard W. Hunter, "A
More Excellent Way," Ensign (CR), May 1992, p.61
11/26/06
"History tells us there is a God. Science confirms the fact there is a
Supreme Being. Human reasoning persuades us that there is a God. His
own revelations to man leave no doubt as to his existence. In order
for an individual to obtain unwavering knowledge of the reality of
God, he must live the commandments and the doctrines announced by the
Savior during his personal ministry. 'Jesus answered them, and said,
My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his
will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether
I speak of myself.' (John
7:16-17.) In other words, those who are willing to make the
search, apply themselves, and do God's will, will have the knowledge
come to them of the reality of God." - Howard W. Hunter, "Conference
Report," April 1970, p.10
4/2/07
"Living members give heed to the Spirit, which quickens the inner
life. They constantly seek its direction. They pray for strength and
overcome difficulties. Their hearts are not set upon the things of
this world but upon the infinite. Spiritual renewal is not sacrificed
for physical gratification.
"Living members put Christ first in their lives, knowing from what
source their lives and progress come. There is a tendency for man to
put himself in the center of the universe and expect others to conform
to his wants and needs and desires. Yet nature does not honor that
erroneous assumption. The central role in life belongs to God. Instead
of asking him to do our bidding, we should seek into bring ourselves
in harmony with his will, and thus continue our progress as a living
member." - Howard W. Hunter, "Am
I a Living Member?," Ensign (CR), May 1987, p.16
5/29/07
"It is most remarkable to witness one who is deaf made to hear again.
But surely that great blessing is no more startling than the wondrous
combination of bones and skin and nerves that lets our ears receive
the beautiful world of sound. Should we not stand in awe of the
blessing of hearing and give glory to God for that miracle, even as we
do when hearing is restored after it has been lost?
"Is it not the same for the return of ones sight or the utterance of
our speech, or even that greatest miracle of all—the restoration of
life? The original creations of the Father constitute a truly
wonder-filled world. Are not the greatest miracles the fact that we
have life and limb and sight and speech in the first place? Yes, there
will always be plenty of miracles if we have eyes to see and ears to
hear.
"Just one other reminder. Once we start to recognize the many
miraculous and blessed manifestations of God and Christ in our
lives—the everyday variety as well as restored sight to the blind and
restored hearing to the deaf—we may be truly bewildered at the
unexplainable principles and processes that bring about such wonders."
- Howard W. Hunter, "The
God That Doest Wonders," Ensign (CR), May 1989, p.15
3/17/08
"Every
day of our lives and in every season of the year (not just at Easter
time), Jesus asks each of us, as he did following his triumphant entry
into Jerusalem those many years ago, 'What
think ye of Christ? whose son is he?'
(Matt. 22:42.)
"We
declare that he is the Son of God, and the reality of that fact should
stir our souls more frequently. I pray that it will, this Easter
season and always."
- Howard W.
Hunter, "Jesus,
the Very Thought of Thee,"
Ensign (CR), May 1993, p.63
3/18/08
"In
the glorious dawn of Easter morning, when the thoughts of the Christian
world are turned to the resurrection of Jesus for a few fleeting
moments, let us express appreciation to our Heavenly Father for the
great plan of salvation that has been provided for us. We should turn
toward unselfishness and careful adherence to the principles of
righteousness. In doing so, let us remember that the time of preparation
is growing short, that soon the Savior will return. As the Apostle Paul
has said: 'For yet a little
while, and he that shall come will come.'
(Heb. 10:37.)"
- Howard W. Hunter, "Evidences
of the Resurrection,"
Ensign (CR), May 1983, p.15
3/20/08
"On
Palm Sunday and on Easter Sunday, our minds turn very naturally to
wonderful thoughts of Jesus. Indeed, Easter, along with perhaps
Christmas, may be the only time in the whole year when some of our
brothers and sisters in Christ's flock find their way to church. That is
admirable, but we wonder if thoughts of Jesus, which 'with
sweetness' fill our breast,
ought not to be far more frequent and much more constant in all times
and seasons of our lives. How often do we think of the Savior? How
deeply and how gratefully and how adoringly do we reflect on his life?
How central to our lives do we know him to be?"
- Howard W. Hunter, "That We Might Have Joy," p.7
8/27/08
"One
hundred fifty years of Church history provide us with a lesson that when
resistance and opposition are greatest, our faith, commitment, and
growth have the greatest opportunity for advancement; when opposition is
least, the tendency is to be complacent and lose faith. President
Brigham Young said: 'Let
any people enjoy peace and quietness, unmolested, undisturbed,—never be
persecuted for their religion, and they are very likely to neglect their
duty, to become cold and indifferent, and lose their faith'
(in Journal of Discourses, 7:42). This lesson, which applies to the
Church collectively, also applies to individuals."
- Howard W. Hunter, "God Will Have a Tried People," Ensign (CR),
May 1980, p.24
3/9/09
"There
is an exactness of order in the universe of which we become conscious.
The days come and the nights follow. The tides rise and fall with
regularity, the recurring lunar cycle of the moon is exact; the
seasons come and go in the sequence of nature. The stars in the sky
follow exact repeated orders; the planets and their satellites perform
precisely in their relation to their suns. The biologist sees the
wonders and the beauty of plant and animal life, and the chemist
discovers the mysteries of the elements of the earth; but with or
without scientific training, every person becomes aware of a vast
universe in which there is intricate exactness in all nature.
"When
we observe the phenomena of the heavens and the earth, we can come
to only one conclusion: these are the effects of some great cause.
There can be no design without a designer and nothing built without
a builder. For every effect there is a cause. There must be a
guiding hand to regulate the universe in its precise order. Are we
compelled to admit the reality of a Supreme Being? Millions of
people in the world have this deep and abiding conviction."
- Howard W. Hunter, "Conference Report," April 1970, First
Day—Morning Meeting, p.7
6/2/09
“No eternal blessings will be denied to worthy individuals. May I
hasten to add that no blessing, including that of eternal marriage
and an eternal family, will be denied to any worthy individual.
While it may take somewhat longer-perhaps even beyond this mortal
life-for some to achieve this blessing, it will not be denied.” – “The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.
140
6/10/09
“We who
live in this day are those whom God appointed before birth to be his
representatives on earth in this dispensation. We are of the house
of Israel. In our hands lie the sacred powers of being saviors on
Mount Zion in the latter days.” - “The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.
233
7/21/09
“’Thou shalt not kill.” (Ibid., 20:13.) This commandment is in
reference to the unlawful taking of a human life. Life is one of man's
most precious earthly possessions. Respect for human life has grown
over the many centuries which have passed since this law was
presented, and it probably outranks all of the other nine commandments
as the one which has been given the greatest concern by mankind.” - Howard
W. Hunter, “Conference Report,” April 1965, Second Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 57
8/25/09
“For
a family to be successful in the way acceptable to the Lord, there
must be dedicated leadership in the home and strong family
organization. The Lord has prescribed a patriarchal order for the
kingdom, and the family, being the basic unit of the kingdom, must,
therefore, be patriarchal in its organization. Under this order the
father becomes the head of the family, acting in the spirit of the
priesthood, and the mother has the obligation to support, sustain,
and be in harmony with that righteous leadership.” – “The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.
151
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
5/1/10
"To discipline
ourselves through fasting brings us in tune with God, and fast day
provides an occasion to set aside the temporal so that we might enjoy
the higher qualities of the spiritual. As we fast on that day we learn
and better understand the needs of those who are less fortunate." - Howard
W. Hunter, "Fast
Day," Ensign (CR), November 1985, p. 72
7/2/10
"In this world of confusion and rushing, temporal progress, we need to
return to the simplicity of Christ. We need to love, honor, and worship
him. To acquire spirituality and have its influence in our lives, we
cannot become confused and misdirected by the twisted teachings of the
modernist. We need to study the simple fundamentals of the truths taught
by the Master and eliminate the controversial. Our faith in God needs to
be real and not speculative. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ can be
a dynamic, moving influence, and true acceptance gives us a meaningful,
religious experience. One of the great strengths of the Mormon religion
is this translation of belief into daily thinking and conduct. This
replaces turmoil and confusion with peace and tranquility. - Howard
W. Hunter, "Conference Report," October 1970, Third Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 132
7/7/10
"To love one's neighbor
is noble and inspiring, whether the neighbor is one who lives close by,
or in a broader sense, a fellow being of the human race. It stimulates
the desire to promote happiness, comfort, interest, and the welfare of
others. It creates understanding. The ills of the world would be cured
by understanding. Wars would cease and crime disappear. The scientific
knowledge now being wasted in the world because of the distrust of men
and nations could be diverted to bless mankind." - Howard
W. Hunter, "The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p. 95
8/3/10
"The troubles of the world often expressed in screaming headlines should
remind us to seek for the peace that comes from living the simple
principles of the gospel of Christ. The vociferous minorities will not
unsettle our peace of soul if we love our fellowmen and have faith in
the atoning sacrifice of the Savior and the quiet assurance he gives of
life everlasting. Where do we find such faith in a troubled world? The
Lord said, 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'" - Howard
W. Hunter, "Conference Report," October 1969, Third Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 113
6/24/11
"Surely the Lord
loves, more than anything else, an unwavering determination to obey
his counsel. Surely the experiences of the great prophets of the Old
Testament have been recorded to help us understand the importance of
choosing the path of strict obedience. How pleased the Lord must have
been when Abraham, after receiving direction to sacrifice his only
son, Isaac, did as he was instructed, without question and without
wavering." - Howard
W. Hunter, "Commitment
to God," Ensign (CR) October
1982
12/19/11
Eternal life, God’s
life, the life we are seeking, is rooted in two commandments. The
scriptures say that “on these two commandments hang all the law and the
prophets” (Matt. 22:40). Love God and love your neighbor. The two work
together; they are inseparable. In the highest sense they may be
considered as synonymous. And they are commandments that each of us can
live. - Howard W. Hunter, "The
Lord's Touchstone," Ensign (CR) October 1986
1/3/12
We are at a time in the
history of the world and the growth of the Church when we must think
more of holy things and act more like the Savior would expect his
disciples to act. We should at every opportunity ask ourselves, "What
would Jesus do?" and then act more courageously upon the answer. We must
be about his work as he was about his Father's. We should make every
effort to become like Christ, the one perfect and sinless example this
world has ever seen. - Howard W.
Hunter, "Follow
the Son of God," Ensign (CR), November 1994, p.87
2/12/12
I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then
perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found
will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing.
Furthermore, the dead are anxiously waiting for the Latter-day Saints to
search out their names and then go into the temples to officiate in
their behalf, that they may be liberated from their prison house in the
spirit world. All of us should find joy in this magnificent labor of
love. - Howard W. Hunter, "A
Temple-Motivated People," Ensign, February 1995
5/21/12
The question for us now is—will
we succeed? Will we resist? Will we wear the victor’s crown? Satan may
have lost Jesus, but he does not believe he has lost us. He continues
to tempt, taunt, and plead for our loyalty. We should take strength
for this battle from the fact that Christ was victorious not as a God
but as a man. - Howard W. Hunter, "The
Temptations of Christ," Ensign (CR) November 1976
9/3/12
True greatness
is never a result of a chance occurrence or a one-time effort or
achievement. It requires the development of character. It requires a
multitude of correct decisions for the everyday choices between good
and evil that Elder Boyd K. Packer spoke about when he said, “Over the
years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly
what we value.” (Ensign,
Nov. 1980, p. 21.) Those choices will also show clearly what we
are. - Howard W. Hunter, "True
Greatness," Ensign (CR) May 1982
11/27/12
Part of our
difficulty as we strive to acquire spirituality is the feeling that
there is much to do and that we are falling far short. Perfection is
something yet ahead for every one of us; but we can capitalize on our
strengths, begin where we are, and seek after the happiness that can
be found in pursuing the things of God. - Howard W. Hunter, "Developing
Spirituality," Ensign (CR) May 1979
1/20/13
The
conclusion is this: Youth may be guided in this world of unrest and
confusion by strict adherence and obedience to the principles of
Christianity. It is youth that must survive the unrest of the
present day and the apparent breaking down of morals and democratic
principles. They will be the leaders of tomorrow, and upon them will
rest the burden of rebuilding a better world. - "The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.118
8/16/13
As
we search for the shore of safety and peace, whether we be
individual women and men, families, communities, or nations, Christ
is the only beacon on which we can ultimately rely. He is the one
who said of his mission, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John
14:6.) - Howard W. Hunter,
"The
Beacon in the Harbor of Peace," Ensign (CR) November 1992
8/29/13
“A new commandment I give unto you,” he said, “That ye love one
another; … By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if
ye have love one to another.” (John
13:34–35.) This love that we should have for our brothers and
sisters in the human family, and that Christ has for every one of
us, is called charity or “the pure love of Christ.” (Moro.
7:47.) It is the love that prompted the suffering and
sacrifice of Christ’s atonement. It is the highest pinnacle the
human soul can reach and the deepest expression of the human heart.
- Howard W. Hunter, "A
More Excellent Way," Ensign (CR) May 1992
2/15/14
From the earliest days of the Christian church, spurious gospels
have been taught—not really gospels, as Paul pointed out, for there
is only one gospel of Christ. Today is not different. We are
surrounded by frustrations and advances in thought and learning
which raise questions and doubts. These seem to drag men down and
destroy faith and morality. Where, then, is hope in this world of
frustration and moral decay? It lies in the knowledge and
understanding of the truths taught by the Master, which must be
taught by the Church of Christ without deviation and believed in and
lived by its membership. These are eternal truths and will be so in
perpetuity regardless of changing circumstances in society,
development of new scientific achievements, or increase of man’s
knowledge. - Howard W. Hunter, “Of
the World or of the Kingdom?” Ensign (CR) November 1973
2/23/14
It is my firm belief that if as
individual people, as families, communities, and nations, we could,
like Peter, fix our eyes on Jesus, we too might walk triumphantly
over “the swelling waves of disbelief” and remain “unterrified amid
the rising winds of doubt.” But if we turn away our eyes from him in
whom we must believe, as it is so easy to do and the world is so
much tempted to do, if we look to the power and fury of those
terrible and destructive elements around us rather than to him who
can help and save us, then we shall inevitably sink in a sea of
conflict and sorrow and despair. - Howard
W. Hunter, “The
Beacon in the Harbor of Peace,” Ensign (CR) November 1992
7/1/14
To fully understand this gift of agency and its inestimable worth,
it is imperative that we understand that God’s chief way of acting
is by persuasion and patience and long-suffering, not by coercion
and stark confrontation. He acts by gentle solicitation and by sweet
enticement. He always acts with unfailing respect for the freedom
and independence that we possess. He wants to help us and pleads for
the chance to assist us, but he will not do so in violation of our
agency. He loves us too much to do that, and doing so would run
counter to his divine character. - Howard
W. Hunter, “The
Golden Thread of Choice,” Ensign (CR) November 1989
12/4/14
We should never let Satan fool us
into thinking that all is lost. Let us take pride in the good and
right things we have done; reject and cast out of our lives those
things that are wrong; look to the Lord for forgiveness, strength,
and comfort; and then move onward. - Howard
W. Hunter, “Parents’
Concern for Children,” Ensign (CR) October 1983
12/25/14
If you desire to find the true
spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make
this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of
this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps
in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees--alone
or with loved ones--give thanks for the good things that have come
to you, and ask that his Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly
strive to serve him and keep his commandments. He will take you by
the hand and his promises will be kept. - "The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.271
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
2/9/15
Reading habits vary widely. There
are rapid readers and slow readers, some who read only small
snatches at a time and others who persist without stopping until the
book is finished. Those who delve into the scriptural library,
however, find that to understand requires more than casual reading
or perusal—there must be concentrated study. It is certain that one
who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one
who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by
before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there
should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without
interference. - Howard W. Hunter,
“Reading
the Scriptures,” Ensign (CR) October 1979
5/29/15
Think of it! When his body was taken from the cross and hastily
placed in a borrowed tomb, he, the sinless Son of God, had already
taken upon him not only the sins and temptations of every human soul
who will repent, but all of our sickness and grief and pain of every
kind. He suffered these afflictions as we suffer them, according to
the flesh. He suffered them all. He did this to perfect his mercy
and his ability to lift us above every earthly trial. - Howard
W. Hunter, "He
Is Risen," Ensign (CR), May 1988, p. 16
7/23/15
Today other biographies of faith are being written-Saints who, like
Job, suffer physical pain, emotional sorrow, and even disloyalty
from friends—yet remain faithful; Saints who, like Jacob, see sons
and daughters not so valiant as they should be, but who bless them
for their potential; Saints who, like Paul, endure great ridicule
and endure to the end; Saints who, like Nephi, must separate
themselves from family because of their commitment to the gospel.
There are those who know pain and sorrow because of loss of loved
ones; who know spiritual sorrow because children go astray; who
experience loss of health, financial reverses, and emotional
distress, and yet, like Job, resolve, "When he hath tried me, I
shall come forth as gold" (Job
23:10). - Howard W. Hunter,
"God
Will Have a Tried People," Ensign (CR), May 1980, p. 24
8/20/15
A man who holds the priesthood
leads his family in Church participation so they will know the
gospel and be under the protection of the covenants and ordinances.
If you are to enjoy the blessings of the Lord, you must set your own
homes in order. Together with your wife, you determine the spiritual
climate of your home. Your first obligation is to get your own
spiritual life in order through regular scriptural study and daily
prayer. Secure and honor your priesthood and temple covenants;
encourage your family to do the same. - Howard
W. Hunter, "Being
a Righteous Husband and Father," Ensign (CR), November 1994,
p. 49
11/22/15
And
what of the meek? In a world too preoccupied with winning through
intimidation and seeking to be number one, no large crowd of folk is
standing in line to buy books that call for mere meekness. But the
meek shall inherit the earth, a pretty impressive corporate
takeover-and done without intimidation! Sooner or later, and we pray
sooner than later, everyone will acknowledge that Christ's way is
not only the right way, but ultimately the only way to hope and joy.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that gentleness
is better than brutality, that kindness is greater than coercion,
that the soft voice turneth away wrath. In the end, and sooner than
that whenever possible, we must be more like him. - Howard
W. Hunter, "Jesus,
the Very Thought of Thee", Ensign (CR), May 1993, p.63
12/3/15
In this time of rapid change, we
can maintain an equilibrium if we preserve a belief in God and a
love for him, but we cannot love God unless we love his children
also. These are our neighbors, and true love of them knows no class
or culture, race, color, or creed. - Howard
W. Hunter, "Conference Report," October 1970, Third Day-Morning
Meeting, p.131
12/19/15
I am grateful today for my affiliation with a people who have a firm
conviction that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ; and I bear
witness to you that the story of the babe born in the manger at
Bethlehem is not a myth of the past, but that Jesus, the Son of God
was born of Mary into mortality; that he lived among men; that he
died upon the cross and was resurrected; that he actually and truly
lives today; and that he is a personal being and is the Savior of
the world. - Howard W. Hunter,
"The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," edited by Clyde J. Williams,
p.4
1/29/16
What about us? We live in a world
of temptation—temptation that seems more real and oppressively
rampant than any since the days of Noah. Are we remaining faithful
in such a world? Every individual in this church should ask himself,
"Am I living so that I am keeping unspotted from the evils of the
world?” - Howard W. Hunter, "The
Temptations of Christ," Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17
2/26/16
If
prayer is only a spasmodic cry at the time of crisis, then it is
utterly selfish, and we come to think of God as a repairman or a
service agency to help us only in our emergencies. We should
remember the Most High day and night—always—not only at times when
all other assistance has failed and we desperately need help. If
there is any element in human life on which we have a record of
miraculous success and inestimable worth to the human soul, it is
prayerful, reverential, devout communication with our Heavenly
Father. - Howard W. Hunter, "Hallowed
Be Thy Name," Ensign (CR), November 1977, p.52
6/19/16
In a short editorial written by President Joseph F. Smith in 1905,
he made this most profound statement about what true greatness
really is:
“Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual
may make history, but they do not make real life.
“After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the
common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness. To be a
successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a
successful general or a successful statesman.” (Juvenile Instructor,
15 Dec. 1905, p. 752.) - Howard
W. Hunter, “True
Greatness,” Ensign (CR), May 1982, p.19
7/10/16
Because we are being constantly exposed to the world's definition of
success and greatness, it is understandable that we might frequently
find ourselves making comparisons between what we are and what
others are, or seem to be, and also between what we have and what
others have. Although it is true that making comparisons can be
beneficial and may motivate us to accomplish much good and improve
our lives, yet we often allow unfair and improper comparisons to
destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or
inadequate or unsuccessful. Sometimes, because of these feelings, we
are led into error, and we dwell on our failures while ignoring
aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness. -
Howard W. Hunter, “True
Greatness,” Ensign (CR), May 1982, p.19
7/20/16
The ability to stand by one's principles, to live with integrity and
faith according to one's belief—that is what matters, that is the
difference between a contribution and a commitment. That devotion to
true principle—in our individual lives, in our homes and families,
and in all places where we meet and influence other people—that
devotion is what God is ultimately requesting of us. - Howard
W. Hunter, “Standing
As Witnesses of God,” Ensign (CR), May 1990, p.60
8/12/16
With regard to temple and family history work, I have one overriding
message: This work must hasten. The work waiting to be done is
staggering and escapes human comprehension. Last year [1995] we
performed proxy temple endowments for about five and a half million
persons, but during that year about fifty million persons died. This
might suggest futility in the work that lies before us, but we
cannot think of futility. Surely the Lord will support us if we use
our best efforts in carrying out the commandment to do family
history research and temple work. – “The
Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,” edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.234
8/20/16
If we will be true and faithful to our principles, committed to a
life of honesty and integrity, then no king or contest or fiery
furnace will be able to compromise us. For the success of the
kingdom of God on earth, may we stand as witnesses for him "at all
times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even
until death." (Mosiah
18:9.) - Howard W. Hunter,
“Standing
As Witnesses of God,” Ensign (CR), May 1990, p.60
3/27/17
The
world
in which we live, whether close to home or far away, needs the gospel
of Jesus Christ. It provides the only way the world will ever know
peace. We need to be
kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be
slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of
friendship and
resist the hand of retribution. In short, we need to love one another
with the pure love of Christ, with genuine charity and compassion and,
if necessary,
shared suffering, for that is the way God loves us. – Howard W. Hunter, “A
More Excellent Way,” Ensign (CR) May 1992
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