(4/16/04)
"When temptation besets us, we experience pain of conscience. A sensitive conscience is the evidence of a healthy spirit. The pain or guilt we feel is the spirit's reaction to temptation, imperfection, or sin. Conscience is the companion of every traveler (see Moro. 7:16-19); it can also make the trip very uncomfortable, since 'all have sinned' and 'the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance' (Rom. 3:23; D&C 1:31). Thanks be to God for this supernal gift, for it can lead us to repentance and peace of conscience (see Mosiah 4:1-3)." - Keith B. McMullin, "Welcome Home," Ensign, May 1999, p. 80

(5/27/04)
"As the sun gives life and light to the earth, a spiritual light gives nourishment to our spirits. We call this the Light of Christ. The scriptures teach us that it 'lighteth every man that cometh into the world.' (John 1:9; see also Moroni 7:16; D&C 84:46.) Thus, all mankind can enjoy its blessings. The Light of Christ is the divine influence that allows every man, woman, and child to distinguish between good and evil. It encourages all to choose the right, to seek eternal truth, and to learn again the truths that we knew in our premortal existence but have forgotten in mortality." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Unspeakable Gift," General Conference, April 2003

(6/21/04)
"To prepare men to receive revelation from the Holy Ghost, the Lord sends forth his Spirit-meaning the Light of Christ, the omnipresent Spirit that quickens the mind and enlightens the intellect, that leads and guides into paths of righteousness, and that entices men to come to the covenant of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (D&C 84:45-58.) Thus the record says of the Nephites in about 78 B.C.: 'The Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming-That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God.' (Alma 16:16-17.) Those who followed the promptings of this Spirit received the gospel, were baptized, gained the gift of the Holy Ghost, and became the recipients of personal revelation concerning Christ and his coming." - Bruce R. McConkie, "The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978], p. 75

(4/8/05)
"Now, my dear young friends, I understand the struggles you face every day in keeping the commandments of the Lord. The battle for your souls is increasingly fierce. The adversary is strong and cunning. However, you have within your physical body the powerful spirit of a son or daughter of God. Because He loves you and wants you to come home to Him, our Father in Heaven has given you a conscience that tells your spirit when you are keeping the Lord's commandments and when you are not. If you will pay more attention to your spiritual self, which is eternal, than to your mortal self, which is temporary, you can always resist the temptations of Satan and conquer his efforts to take you into his power." - M. Russell Ballard, "Keeping Covenants," Ensign, May 1993, 7

5/2/06
"There is a flame of desire for good deep within each of us. When that flame is fed and nurtured with the eternal truths of the gospel and the testimony of the Spirit, it will respond and grow stronger and brighter until it leads us to the fulness of truth. The flame must be kindled by love and tender care, then followed by constant nourishing. It is like the gardener who raises beautiful flowers. The constant, tender care and nourishment over time brings beautiful blossoms that are enjoyed by all who see them." - Ned B. Rouech, "Feed My Sheep," Ensign (CR), November 2004, p.30

11/19/06
"There is a defense mechanism to discern between good and evil. It is called conscience. It is our spirits natural response to the pain of sin, just like pain in our flesh is our body's natural response to a wound—even a small sliver. Conscience strengthens through use. Paul told the Hebrews, 'But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.' (Heb. 5:14.) Those who have not exercised their conscience have their conscience 'seared with a hot iron.' (1 Tim. 4:2.) A sensitive conscience is a sign of a healthy spirit." - James E. Faust, "A Crown of Thorns, a Crown of Glory," Ensign (CR), May 1991, p.68

1/18/09
"Conscience permits the Lord to be there, whether in early warnings or final warnings. He gives us a flash of insight or a twinge of remembrance, pulling us back from a precipice or prompting us to do good. Conscience can warn that we are only falling further behind by insisting on getting even. Conscience warns us not to sink our cleats too deeply in mortal turf, which is so dangerously artificial." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Yet Thou Art There," Ensign (CR), November 1987, p.30

7/28/09
“Many modern professors of human behavior advocate as a cure to an afflicted conscience that we simply ignore the unwanted messages. They suggest that we change the standard to fit the circumstances so that there is no longer a conflict, thus easing the conscience. The followers of the divine Christ cannot subscribe to this evil and perverse philosophy with impunity. For the troubled conscience in conflict with right and wrong, the only permanent help is to change the behavior and follow a repentant path.” - James E. Faust, “Unwanted Messages,” Ensign (CR), November 1986, p. 8

4/12/12
The Light of Christ together with the companionship of the Holy Ghost must help us determine if our manner of living is placing us in the Lord’s territory or not. If our attitudes are good, they are inspired of God, for every good thing comes from God. However, if our attitudes are bad, we are being influenced by the enemy because he persuades men to do evil. - Ulisses Soares, "Abide In the Lord's Territory," Ensign (CR) May 2012

9/21/13
Some seek to brush aside conscience, refusing to hear its voice. But that deflection is, in itself, an act of choice, because we so desired. Even when the light of Christ flickers only faintly in the darkness, it flickers nevertheless. If one averts his gaze therefrom, it is because he so desires. - Neal A. Maxwell, "According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts," Ensign (CR) November 1996

6/25/14
Every individual born to earth is given a detecting capability, a divinely appointed gift to distinguish truth from error. We call it our conscience. God calls it the Spirit of Christ. When we properly use this gift, we are naturally drawn to truth and repelled from error.

Satan does not want us to use that divine gift. He camouflages his true purpose behind appealing temptations. His program is to turn our interest to self. He wants us to become so engrossed in the attempt to satisfy personal appetites and desires that we lose the ability to distinguish truth from error. Such a course of life does not, cannot, will not ever bring happiness. - Richard G. Scott, “Happiness Now and Forever,” Ensign (CR) November 1979

3/16/16
We all have a conscience, and a conscience is the root of moral courage. A truly brave person will always obey his conscience. To know what is right and not do it is cowardice. - Marion G. Romney, "We Need Men of Courage," Ensign (CR), May 1975, p.72