The LDS Daily WOOL© Home Page
8/18/98
"My testimony today is that through Jesus Christ we can be born
again. We can change. We can change completely. And we can stay
changed." — J. Richard Clarke, "The
Lord
of Life," Ensign, May 1993, p. 9
1/15/99
"I believe that our conduct reflects our depth of understanding
and appreciation for our Savior and his atonement. As your
scriptural theme for Book of Mormon week states: 'If ye have
experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song
of redeeming love, . . . can ye feel so now?' (Alma
5:26). Our love for the Lord should be our greatest motivation
to live righteously When we have a knowledge of and feeling for his
suffering, how can we consciously contribute to that suffering
through choosing to commit sin? — J. Richard Clarke, "Choice - The
Crucible of Character," BYU Speeches of the Year, 14 February 1989
7/1/05
"As we learn to be loving,
caring families in mortality, our hearts will naturally turn to
members of our kindred family in the spirit world. As they
continue to live beyond the veil, they wait—they wait for us,
their family, to share the blessings of the ordinances of the
priesthood. They yearn to belong to the eternal family circle.
They are anxious for us to make this possible. Are we not
compelled to do so?" - J. Richard Clarke, "Our
Kindred
Family—Expression of Eternal Love," Ensign, May 1989, 61
11/20/05
"I believe there are three elements which characterize
successful stewardship—agency, diligence, and accountability. We are
free to accept or reject the invitation to serve, but once we
accept, we assume full responsibility for the results. In section 4
of the Doctrine and Covenants, we read, O ye that embark in the
service of God [I see this as the invitation], see that ye serve him
with all your heart, might, mind and strength (D&C
4:2). And then, in section 72: 'It is required of the Lord, at
the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship,
both in time and in eternity (D&C
72:3).' While we are ultimately accountable to the Lord, we
are also accountable to his mortal priesthood administrators." - J.
Richard Clarke, "Successful
Welfare
Stewardship," Ensign (CR), November 1978, p.81
6/3/06
"The restored gospel of Jesus Christ provides the solution to all
the hungers of life. Jesus said: 'I am the bread of life: he that
cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall
never thirst.' (John
6:35.) We would all like to have the Savior's capacity to
assuage the hungers of the world; but let us not forget that there
are many simple ways by which we can walk in His steps. Let us
remember that in giving of ourselves, it is less a question of
giving a lot than of giving at the right moment." - J. Richard
Clarke, "Love
Extends
beyond Convenience," Ensign (CR), November 1981, p.79
6/13/08
"The practice of truth, the acid
test of our commitment, is known by many terms—for example,
honesty, integrity, uprightness, and probity.
I especially like probity. It is taken from the Latin probus,
meaning good, and probare—to prove, signifying tried and
confirmed integrity. A person who has mastered probity by
discipline, until it has become part of his very nature, is like a
moral compass which automatically points 'true
north' under all
circumstances. This individual strives for instinctive honesty,
acting on impulse toward the right, without having to weigh the
merits of advantage or disadvantage."
- J. Richard Clarke, "The
Practice
of Truth," Ensign (CR), May 1984, p.62
5/7/10
"If we are to walk in the steps of the Savior, we cannot do it without
personal sacrifice and sincere involvement. It is rarely convenient, but
love extends beyond convenience for those who have conditioned
themselves to look for opportunities to serve. I believe that the Savior
was equipped to accomplish his mission not only through his parentage,
but because of his thirty years of preparation in developing an
awareness of and a sensitivity to the needs of his fellowmen." - J.
Richard Clarke, "Love," p. 59
6/15/11
"I fear there are far too
many Latter-day Saints who do not have a testimony of the gospel from
their own diligent efforts. Is it possible that you are living on the
reflected light of others who have prayed and pondered the revelations
of God? A testimony comes from personal endeavor. The Lord has
provided us the means of salvation, but our success is dependent upon
individual effort." - J.
Richard Clarke, "My
Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures," Ensign (CR) October 1982
9/16/11
As Latter-day Saints, we
are committed to the principles of truth. We seek the truth; we believe
the truth; and we know the “truth will make us free.” (See John 8:32.)
To be genuine disciples, we must have harmony between the principles
that we profess and the truths we practice. - J.
Richard Clarke, "The
Practice of Truth," Ensign (CR) April 1984
3/12/12
There is so much we can
learn from the example of the young Prophet Joseph Smith, whose
persistent, prayerful study of the Holy Bible compelled him to seek the
God of Heaven for divine guidance. This brought him to the threshold of
the greatest revelation ever given to man since the mortal ministry of
the Savior Himself. Throughout the Prophet's life, he continued to probe
and ponder until he gained a mastery of the scriptures. - J.
Richard Clarke, "My
Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures", Ensign (CR), November 1982,
p.13
5/12/12
There is so much we can learn from the example of the young Prophet
Joseph Smith, whose persistent, prayerful study of the Holy Bible
compelled him to seek the God of Heaven for divine guidance. This
brought him to the threshold of the greatest revelation ever given to
man since the mortal ministry of the Savior Himself. Throughout the
Prophet’s life, he continued to probe and ponder until he gained a
mastery of the scriptures. - J. Richard Clarke, "My Soul Delighteth
in the Scriptures," Ensign (CR) November 1982
6/15/12
All of our sacred records
have come to us at high cost. When we consider the fiery furnace of
conquest and persecution through which the Bible has passed, the
great wonder is not whether it is complete or translated correctly,
but a miracle that it has survived at all! Surely the Lord has
preserved it for the salvation of his children. - J. Richard
Clarke, "My
Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures," Ensign (CR) November
1982
8/4/13
Salvation
comes to us on an individual basis—each must climb the ladder
independently to ascend to the level of the Master. If we are to
achieve perfection, we must emulate the works of Jesus as well as
his words. The Apostle Peter instructed those who would be disciples
of Christ to be “partakers of the divine nature.” (2
Pet. 1:4–7.) He told them, “For even hereunto were ye called:
… that ye should follow his steps.” (1
Pet. 2:21.) - J. Richard
Clarke, "Love
Extends beyond Convenience," Ensign (CR) November 1981
8/26/14
We
have a moral obligation to exercise our personal capabilities of
mind, muscle, and spirit in a way that will return to the Lord, our
families, and our society the fruits of our best efforts. To do less
is to live our lives unfulfilled. It is to deny ourselves and those
dependent upon us opportunity and advantage. We work to earn a
living, it is true; but as we toil, let us also remember that we are
building a life. Our work determines what that life will be. - J.
Richard Clarke, “The
Value of Work,” Ensign (CR) May 1982
1/18/17
May I share with you a personal experience to illustrate how
humbling this can be? I was employed by a major corporation for
almost twenty-five years. During those years I developed a personal
friendship with a fine business associate from Texas. Our careers
paralleled each other very closely. A few years ago, he presented me
with a most unusual gift, which I shall always cherish. It was a
large, molded bronze, personalized coat of arms. He said, “I have
been observing you for many years and have created an original coat
of arms using symbols which I believe represent the four most
important values to which you have committed your life, namely, your
church, your family, your profession, and your quest for personal
development.”
Naturally, I was surprised, deeply impressed, and flattered. As the
significance of this gift settled upon my mind, the thought of
someone quietly taking mental notes of my actions, attitudes, and
values fired my imagination. I realized the weighty responsibility
each of us has to demonstrate accurately the principles and
priorities to which we are committed. It was like a mini-foretaste
of Judgment Day!
I thought of the scripture in Revelation in which John saw the books
opened, “and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works.” (Rev.
20:12.) It was a most sobering experience. – J.
Richard Clarke, “Hold
Up Your Light,” Ensign (CR) May 1985