The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(9/7/02)
"Unfortunately, the frustration, discouragement, and
disappointments we face in life are often brought about by our own
lack of preparation. Then, having no one to blame but ourselves, we
add further injury by becoming critical and unforgiving of ourselves.
But if we can train ourselves to think ahead and to prepare
accordingly, we will eliminate much of the fear we face in life. We
will also find that positive results generally occur, and this
significantly influences our mood and outlook and gives reason for our
hopes." — Jack H Goaslind, "Look
to
the Future with Optimism," "Ensign," Apr. 1997, p. 27
(1/2/04)
"Ordinary men-including, and perhaps especially, young men-blessed
with the privilege of holding the priesthood of God may be called upon
to do extraordinary tasks. Holders of the holy priesthood can
accomplish mighty feats of heroism, bravery, and service through faith
in that sacred power." - Jack H. Goaslind, "In
His
Strength I Can Do All Things," General Conference, April 1997
(6/11/04)
"Most Latter-day Saints are genuinely motivated to acquire the
qualities of our Savior. We should be pleased to discover that much of
this growth and refinement comes to us as a natural consequence of
simply living the gospel. For example, as we love and serve others in
Christlike ways, we too are blessed by the Lord with increased love,
spiritual capacity, and an overall refinement of our own gifts,
graces, and abilities. Indeed, much is added unto us by the Lord if we
use our time here on earth wisely, above all preparing to meet God and
seeking first his kingdom (see Alma
12:24; Matt.
6:33)." - Jack H Goaslind, "Look
to
the Future with Optimism," Ensign, April 1997, p. 27
(7/7/04)
"One of my Book of Mormon heroes, Ammon, the great son of Mosiah,
explains how much two people can accomplish when one of them is the
Lord: 'Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak;
therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for
in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles
we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name
forever' (Alma 26:12)."
- Jack H Goaslind, "In
His
Strength I Can Do All Things," Ensign, May 1997, p. 40
(8/30/04)
"When you are pure in your heart, when you desire that which is
good, true, and beautiful, then you can avoid the pitfalls of life. If
you build your foundation upon the 'rock of our Redeemer, who is
Christ,' then the devil 'shall have no power over you.' (Hel.
5:12.)" - Jack H. Goaslind, "Yagottawanna,"
Ensign,
May 1991, p. 47
(6/17/05)
"The Lord has often used
mountaintops as sanctuaries. In Old Testament times, when temples
were not available the Lord used mountaintops as sacred places in
which to reveal truths to his prophets. Likewise, the New Testament
and the Book of Mormon describe sacred mountaintops where God
revealed truths to his servants. Joseph Smith, kneeling in the
Sacred Grove, was figuratively kneeling at the top of a great
spiritual mountain.
"Today the Lord provides us with ample space which, in a personal
way, becomes our own spiritual mountaintop where we receive truth
and inspiration. Searching the scriptures, for example, can answer
many of the questions of our day by lifting our spirits to
clarifying heights. Further, the world is dotted with holy temples
which we may enter to receive instruction and inspiration and to
perform sacred ordinances. Conferences such as this one, reports of
the prophetic utterances of our beloved leaders, our own sacrament
meetings and stake conferences—all provide rich, fulfilling
opportunities to hear the truth and allow it to sink deep into our
souls." - Jack H Goaslind, "Spiritual
Mountaintops," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 9
(8/15/05)
"Sometimes I think that we fear
too much to link all of our teaching to the foundation of gospel
truths. Too often, perhaps, we teach children to obey a law or a
principle because our family expects that obedience. They might
observe another truth in order to please a neighbor or a bishop, and
another for yet some other reason. When we teach an eternal truth to
our children and don't explain it in the context of a firm testimony
of the Savior, we miss the power of the example of the greatest
teacher the world has ever known." - Jack H Goaslind, "Spiritual
Mountaintops," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 10
12/5/05
"In our own lives, in our daily workaday world, we can create
our own 'mountaintop experience' so unique and personal that I wonder
why more of us do not readily do so. The spiritual mountaintop of which
I speak is the development and refining of a testimony of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. Just as we can stand on the top of any great
mountain and experience an awe-inspiring panorama, I believe we can
stand in our own places and experience overwhelming awe in knowing that
the Savior, in an act of love which defies mortal understanding, gave
his life in taking upon himself our pain and suffering." - Jack H
Goaslind, "Spiritual
Mountaintops," Ensign (CR), November 1995, p.9
8/3/06
The life of God—the eternal, exalted life we all seek—is inherently
concerned with the salvation of souls. It is the 'work and ... glory' of
God to bring 'to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' (Moses
1:39.) It is by bringing about the conditions necessary for the
salvation of his children that God glorifies himself, progresses, and
expands his dominions. (See
D&C 132:31.)
"Paul said that God 'will have all men to be saved.' (1
Tim. 2:4.) To our Father in Heaven, 'the worth of souls is great'
(D&C
18:10), and 'the redemption of their soul is precious.' (Ps.
49:8.) Therefore, God sent his Son, the Savior and Redeemer, to
loose the bands of death and atone for the sins of carnal, fallen men.
The Lord suffered the pain of all men that all men might come unto him
on condition of repentance. (See
D&C 18:11-12.)" - Jack H Goaslind, Jr., "Our
Responsibility to Take the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth,"
Ensign (CR), November 1983, p.32
2/22/07
"Striving for happiness is a long, hard journey with many challenges. It
requires eternal vigilance to win the victory. You cannot succeed with
sporadic little flashes of effort. Constant and valiant living is
necessary. That is why patience and faith are so often associated in the
scriptures. You must 'withstand every temptation of the devil, with
[your] faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.' (Alma
37:33.) But remember, faith is not a magical formula. It requires
that you make a deliberate decision to do good and then carry out your
decision. Do it. Simply do it, and do it long enough that you experience
success, no matter how hard it may seem. Your victory over self brings
communion with God and results in happiness—lasting and eternal
happiness." - Jack H. Goaslind, "Happiness,"
Ensign (CR), May 1986, p.52
3/28/07
"Desires change during our lives, sometimes dramatically and quickly,
and sometimes gradually. Elder Boyd K. Packer once quoted Lady Astor: 'I
always dreaded growing old, because then you can't do all of the things
you want to. But it isn't so bad—you don't want to!' (Ensign,
Nov. 1974, p. 89.) Be aware that things that seem all-important to
you now will not matter in years to come. But you can choose now to want
things that are in harmony with eternity. For example, you can choose to
be righteous rather than waste your time on perishable things; you can
choose to serve willingly rather than selfishly. Elder Marion D. Hanks
has often quoted the wise saying that 'the things that matter most must
not be at the mercy of the things that matter least.' The choices we
make in this life have a very important influence on our eternity." - Jack
H Goaslind, "Yagottawanna,"
Ensign (CR), May 1991, p.45
3/13/09
"Satan wants us to fail to reach
that mountaintop that will allow us to develop a testimony so powerful
that he will be unable to influence us. His work is to thwart our
efforts, but the Lord has counseled us, 'Fear
not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for
if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail'
(D&C 6:34).
"We have
every confidence that earth and hell will not overtake you, but it
will require that you move from your current plateaus and climb to
higher ground."
- Jack H Goaslind, "Spiritual
Mountaintops," Ensign (CR), November 1995, p.9
9/3/11
Our call to cry repentance to all people is a direct consequence of
the infinite and eternal Atonement. (See D&C 18:10–14.) It is by
teaching the gospel and administering the ordinances that the
Atonement becomes effective in a person’s life. As Paul said, “How
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14.) - Jack
H. Goaslind, Jr., "Our Responsibility to Take the Gospel to the
Ends of the Earth," Ensign (CR) October 1983
12/4/11
Our wise and
loving Father in Heaven is concerned for the welfare of his children. He
desires to see us happy. The very purpose of our lives can be defined in
terms of happiness. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the
object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we
pursue the path that leads to it.” (History of the Church, 5:134.) - Jack
H. Goaslind, "Happiness,"
Ensign (CR) April 1986
2/3/12
Scripture study strengthens us in
several ways. First, information contained in the scriptures deepens and
reinforces our knowledge and commitment to truth. Regular scripture
study is as beneficial to our spiritual strength as regular exercise is
to our physical strength. It is similar to “spiritual jogging.” - Jack
H. Goaslind, "Look
to the Future with Optimism," Ensign, April 1997
5/19/12
Satan wants us to fail to reach that mountaintop that will allow us to
develop a testimony so powerful that he will be unable to influence us.
His work is to thwart our efforts, but the Lord has counseled us, “Fear
not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for
if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail” (D&C 6:34). -
Jack H. Goaslind, "Spiritual Mountaintops," Ensign (CR) November 1995
9/24/14
It seems to me that the
power of a testimony of Jesus Christ is one of the great, untapped
sources of direction in our lives today. I am convinced that each of
us, however good, loyal, or dedicated we try to be in the gospel and
in the Church, could do so much more if we did it with the power and
influence of an unwavering faith in the Lord. - Jack
H. Goaslind, “Spiritual
Mountaintops,” Ensign (CR) November 1995
8/9/16
How many of you have heard an inspiring thought, hymn, or story, and
then had a desire to go do something good? This is not unusual; it
is a healthy, spiritual feeling that is essential to our progress.
But how often have you followed through on those feelings? ... When
God takes it into his heart to do something, whatever it is, he does
it. He simply does it. - Jack H
Goaslind, “Yagottawanna,”
Ensign (CR), May 1991, p.45