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(10/30/99)
"Our unconquered appetites and consuming drive for material
possessions appear to be leading us on a course so often repeated in
history. Greed, lust, and desire historically have only led mankind to
waste, destruction, and suffering.... Isn't this the time and isn't
this the hour to follow the admonition of the Lord to 'consider your
ways'?" - "Consider Your Ways," General Conference, April 1973
(10/31/99)
"The spheres of influence we can radiate from our associations can
make worthwhile contributions in the world. A righteous example can
attract others to living a standard which has been established by the
Lord, for the conduct of His children here in mortality. It can be a
source of bringing souls to the light of the gospel, causing some to
join the Church, while others do not. Embracing the gospel is a
personal decision, and we always respect and understand the rights of
individuals, but how can we ever expect the world to embrace the
righteous principles the Lord has declared to govern His children here
if we do not extend our influence outward?" - "In the World," General
Conference, April 1988
(11/1/99)
"It is so satisfying to know that God is mindful of us and ready
to respond when we place our trust in Him. There is no place for fear
among men and women who place their trust in the Almighty, who do not
hesitate to humble themselves in seeking divine guidance through
prayer. Though difficulties may arise and reverses may come, in our
prayers we can find reassurance as the Lord speaks peace to our
souls." - "Back To Gospel Basics," General Conference, April 1993
(11/2/99)
"Reverent behaviors without reverent attitudes are empty of
meaning because they are performed for the praises of men, not God. It
is not enough to behave reverently; we must feel in our hearts
reverence for our Heavenly Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Reverence flows from our admiration and respect for Deity." - General
Conference, October 1990
(11/3/99)
"Gifts have only limited value unless they are used. The Holy
Ghost will be our constant companion if we submit ourselves to the
will of our Father in Heaven, always remembering Him and keeping His
commandments." - "That Spirit Which Leadeth To Do Good," General
Conference, April 1997
(11/4/99)
"I think one of the best ways to control Sabbath-day activities is
to dress the part. We always seem to act according to the way we are
dressed. If we go around in jeans and dungarees, I think the level of
our Sabbath-day observance will depreciate to the level of the way we
dress. But if we dress properly--and that doesn't mean having to wear
a tie or your Sunday suit all day, but be presentable it seems to
control our activities and causes us to stay in the right frame of
mind." - "Choose You This Day Whom You Will Serve," "BYU Speeches of
the Year," 27 October 1985
(11/5/99)
"I wonder in this age if it is enough to have the courage to just
say 'no,' or do we have a further responsibility to be of service to
others in helping them overcome the great curse that is now plaguing
our society.... Today the curse of drink and drugs is becoming a
national nightmare." - "Run and Not Be Weary," General Conference,
October 1996
(2/10/01)
"The central figure in his plan of salvation is our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice for all mankind is the
centerpiece of the history of our Father in Heaven's children here on
earth. Each of us who accepts the divine plan must accept the role of
our Savior and covenant to keep his laws that our Father has developed
for us. As we accept Christ in spirit and in deed, we may win our
salvation." - L. Tom Perry, "Sacrament
of
the Lord’s Supper," Ensign, May 1996, p. 53
(2/15/02)
"Building on the foundation established in the first five articles
of faith, the sixth article tells us that an organization is
necessary, and the same organization that existed in the primitive
Church has been restored. The restored Church exists on the earth
today, with the sacred power received through the restoration of the
holy priesthood." - L. Tom Perry, "The
Articles
of Faith," Ensign, May 1998, p. 24
(2/26/02)
"The eighth article states our belief in the Bible as the 'word of
God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of
Mormon to be the word of God.' The Book of Mormon gives to us that
second witness of the authenticity of the scriptures as recorded in
the Bible. The Lord, in His divine plan for the restoration of the
gospel in the latter days, brought forth the Book of Mormon as that
additional witness to the mission of our Lord and Savior. It also
provides a religious history that is profoundly important to our
Father in Heaven's children." - L. Tom Perry, "The
Articles
of Faith," Ensign, May 1998, p. 24
(4/3/02)
"All members of the Church should be committed to obeying and
honoring the laws of the land in which they live. We should be
exemplary in our obedience to the governments that govern us. The
Church, to be of service to the nations of the world, must be a
wholesome influence in the lives of individuals who embrace it, in
temporal as well as spiritual affairs." - L. Tom Perry, "A
Meaningful Celebration," Ensign, Nov. 1987, p. 71
(11/8/03)
"Repeatedly the scriptures declare that the Lord gives His
commandments to the children of men through living prophets. No
committee, assembly, or any other authority has the right to dictate
to Him doctrine that is contrary to His law. God's eternal blessings
are contingent upon our obedience and adherence to the word of the
Lord that is revealed to us through His holy prophets." - L. Tom
Perry, "We
Believe
All That God Has Revealed," General Conference, 5 October 2003
(1/10/04)
"Gifts have only limited value unless they are used. The Holy
Ghost will be our constant companion if we submit ourselves to the
will of our Father in Heaven, always remembering Him and keeping His
commandments." - L. Tom Perry, "That
Spirit
Which Leadeth to Do Good," General Conference, April 1997
(5/30/04)
"In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than
ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our
priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father's
plan.... We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm,
which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest
openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the
very walls of our homes." - L. Tom Perry, "The
Importance
of the Family," General Conference, April 2003
(10/21/04)
"The first article anchors our belief in God, our Eternal Father,
in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. How grateful we are
for a knowledge of Supreme Beings that rule and govern this world. Our
belief does not come from the speculations of men about the existence
and nature of God, but from firsthand experience from the Prophet
Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. His experience clarified for mankind
the existence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
Thus to the world came the vision that three personages comprise this
great presiding council of the universe and have revealed themselves
to mankind as three separate beings, physically distinct from each
other as demonstrated by the accepted records of their divine dealings
with mankind. We know the occasions where they have been in evidence
to mankind as three distinct personages. It is clear that the Father
is a personal being possessing a definite form of body, parts, and
spiritual passions, that Jesus Christ was with the Father in spirit
before coming to dwell in the flesh, and through whom worlds were
made. He lived among men as a man, with all of the physical
characteristics of a human being. After His Resurrection He appeared
in that same form. The Holy Ghost, also called Spirit or Spirit of the
Lord, Spirit of God, Comforter, or the Spirit of the Truth, is not
tabernacled in a body of flesh and bones but is a personage of spirit.
The Holy Ghost is a witness of the Father and of the Son declaring to
man their attributes, bearing record of the other personages of the
Godhead." - L. Tom Perry, "The Articles of Faith," Ensign, May 1998,
p. 23-24
(4/28/05)
"Developed nations of the world are becoming so secular in their
beliefs and actions that they reason that a human being has total
autonomy. An individual does not have to give an account to anyone or
anything except to himself and, to a limited extent, to the society in
which he lives.
"Societies in which this secular lifestyle takes root have a deep
spiritual and moral price to pay. The pursuit of so-called individual
freedoms, without regard to laws the Lord has established to govern
His children on earth, will result in the curse of extreme worldliness
and selfishness, the decline of public and private morality, and the
defiance of authority.
"Such secular societies are described in Doctrine
and
Covenants 1:16: "They seek not the Lord to establish his
righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the
image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world."
"For this reason, the Lord's Church was instructed to follow the
prophet and seek something different from what the world is seeking."
- L. Tom Perry, "What
Seek
Ye?" General Conference, April 2005
(5/15/05)
"How blessed we are for our
understanding of who He is. How blessed we are as a people for the
gift of the gospel. I marvel at what He has created for our use and
benefit and for the privilege of enjoying this earthly experience.
My heart is especially filled with gratitude at this season of the
harvest when I go out to dig a hill of potatoes and there find
manyfold over the small piece I planted a few months before, or pull
off an ear of corn and see how those two or three kernels placed in
the earth now yield a hundredfold. As I travel and see the beauty of
His creations-the mountains, the fertile plains, the sparkling
streams, or the mighty oceans-how grateful I am for His blessings to
me. When we kneel in family prayer, let us teach our children to
express gratitude unto the Lord for His many blessings to us." - L.
Tom Perry, "Our
Father Which Art in Heaven," Ensign, Nov. 1983, p. 13
(6/25/05)
"In the Lord's instructions to
His children, we find sublime consistency. What the Lord has declared
to be right will always be right. What He has declared to be true will
always be true. What He has declared to be sinful will always be
sinful. Rest assured that when the so-called 'enlightened' doctrines
of men contradict the holy scriptures, they will only bring heartache,
disappointment, and destruction to the souls of mankind." - L. Tom
Perry, "Back
to Gospel Basics," Ensign, May 1993, 92
(8/6/05)
"Family home evenings are for
everyone, whether it be in a two-parent home, a single-parent home, or
in a single-member family unit. Home teachers, we call upon you in
your regular visits to encourage and revitalize the holding of family
home evenings." - L. Tom Perry, "Therefore
I Was Taught," Ensign, May 1994, 38
12/15/05
"Have you ever thought of yourself as a junior angel crowned
with glory and honor? Every one of our Father in Heaven's children is
great in His sight. If the Lord sees greatness in you, how then should
you see yourself? We have all been blessed with many talents and
abilities. Some have been blessed with the talent to sing, some to
paint, some to speak, some to dance, some to create beautiful things
with their hands, and others to render compassionate service. Some may
possess many, others only a few. It matters not the size or the quantity
but the effort we put forth to develop the talents and abilities we have
received. You are not competing with anyone else. You are only competing
with yourself to do the best with whatever you have received. Each
talent that is developed will be greatly needed and will give you
tremendous fulfillment and satisfaction during your life." - L. Tom
Perry, "Youth
of the Noble Birthright," Ensign (CR), November 1998, p.73
3/6/06
"Isn't a prophet someone who teaches us to open doors we could not open
ourselves-doors to greater light and truth? Isn't a prophet like a pair
of hands clasped together in front of the body of the Church, helping
members navigate through the dark corridors of the world? Isn't a
prophet someone who watches and waits for us patiently while we get to
where we need to be?
"Never has there been a time when the written and spoken word can
descend upon us from so many different sources. Through the media we
find analysts analyzing the analysts, almost overwhelming us with
opinions and different views.
"What a comfort it is to know that the Lord keeps a channel of
communication open to His children through the prophet. What a blessing
it is to know we have a voice we can trust to declare the will of the
Lord. As the prophet Amos taught, 'Surely the Lord God will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets' (Amos
3:7)." - L. Tom Perry, "Heed
the Prophet's Voice," Ensign (CR), November 1994, p.17
8/17/06
"'There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations
of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-
"'And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that
law upon which it is predicated. (D&C
130:20-21.)'
"The Lord has clearly charted a course for us to obtain his blessings.
He is bound by his divine law to bless us for our righteousness. The
overwhelming question in each age is why each generation must test his
law, when the Lords performance from generation to generation has been
absolutely consistent. Is this not the time to again reexamine our
position? Is that which we are building in our personal lives, our
families, our communities, and our nations firmly anchored to a
foundation based on divine law?" - L. Tom Perry, "As
a Man Soweth," Ensign (CR), May 1976, p.63
10/28/06
"Many people wonder, 'Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are
we going?' Our Eternal Father did not send us to earth on an aimless,
meaningless journey. He provided for us a plan to follow. He is the
author of that plan. It is designed for man's progress and ultimate
salvation and exaltation....
"Yet many people in the world today continue to struggle to find answers
to life's most basic questions. The cries of 'Lo, here' and 'Lo, there'
only grow louder and many, many times more confusing. Technology has
multiplied the confusion by spreading these messages throughout the
airwaves and across the massive amounts of cable lines that now cover
the earth. There are so many avenues to broadcast more and more
different messages, I guess it should not be surprising that people are
confused....
"We need not be confused. The answers to the puzzling questions
regarding the purpose of life have again been given to mankind for our
guidance." - L. Tom Perry, "The
Plan of Salvation," Ensign, November 2006
11/24/06
"How blessed we are to have the words of the holy prophets preserved
through the many dispensations of time. Because the Lord commanded His
prophets to make a record of His teachings, the Old and New Testaments
give us a continuity of gospel teaching from the very beginning of time.
Then the miracle of the Book of Mormon was brought forth as another
witness of the mission of our Lord and Savior. Added to this we have the
revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants and the teachings
and revelations contained in the Pearl of Great Price.
"Because teaching is such a universal assignment, it is requisite of
every member of the Church to prepare himself or herself through study
of the holy scriptures." - L. Tom Perry, "Teach
Them the Word of God with All Diligence," Ensign (CR), May 1999,
p.6
11/27/06
"What the members of the Church possess is a pearl of great price, yet
sometimes this priceless gem is so familiar to us that we do not
appreciate its true value. While it is true that we should not cast our
pearls before swine, this does not mean we should not share them with
people who will appreciate their value. One of the greatest side
benefits of missionary work is watching the great value that others who
have not previously heard about our beliefs attach to them. There is a
great benefit in seeing ones treasures through someone else's eyes. My
concern is that we often take for granted the unique and valuable
blessings that we have of membership in the Lords Church, and in such a
state of under appreciation we are more likely to be complacent about
our Church membership and are less valiant contributors to building a
community of Saints." - L. Tom Perry, "Building
a Community of Saints," Ensign (CR), May 2001, p.35
4/27/07
"Our message is unique. We declare to the world that the fulness of the
gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. We declare with
boldness that the keys of the priesthood have been restored to man, with
the power to seal on earth and in the heavens. The saving ordinances
pronounced by the Lord as requirements for entering into eternal life
with Him can now be performed with binding authority by those who
worthily exercise the power of His holy priesthood. We declare to the
world that this is the day referred to by biblical prophets as the
latter days. It is the final time, before the coming of Jesus Christ to
rule and reign over the earth.
"We invite all to listen to the message of the restored gospel of Jesus
Christ from us. Then you can compare the glorious message with what you
may hear from others, and you can determine which is from God and which
is from man." - L. Tom Perry, "The
Message of the Restoration," General Conference, April 2007
4/26/08
"In many cookbooks there are
pictures of the perfect dishes that recipes make-the fulness of the joy
of cooking. These pictures are important because they help us envision
the outcome if we strictly follow the directions as given in the recipe.
It is important to begin with the end in mind, but the end represented
by pictures in cookbooks is an end that is only possible if everything
is done right. If directions are not followed or an ingredient is left
out or miscalculated, the desired taste and appearance are seldom
attained. The picture of a perfect dish, however, can serve as
motivation to try again to create something that is both delicious and
beautiful.
"When we think of eternal life, what is the picture that comes to mind? I believe that if we could create in our minds a clear and true picture of eternal life, we would start behaving differently. We would not need to be prodded to do the many things involved with enduring to the end, like doing our home teaching or visiting teaching, attending our meetings, going to the temple, living moral lives, saying our prayers, or reading the scriptures. We would want to do all these things and more because we realize they will prepare us to go somewhere we yearn to go." - L. Tom Perry, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ," General Conference, April 2008
9/29/08
"When
one follows the course marked by the road signs of the gospel of Jesus
Christ and places his trust in the Lord, its influence is such that it
is manifest not only in action and deed but by a marked and visible
change in his very being. There is a special light and a spirit which
radiates from his eternal soul. It can be described in words like
brightness, light, joy, happiness, peace, purity, contentment, spirit,
enthusiasm, etc." - L. Tom Perry, "Trust in the Lord", Ensign (CR), May
1978, p. 51
9/30/08
"When we look at all the Lord
asks of us, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Of course, where much
has been given, much is expected. I believe it is helpful when faced
with an enormous challenge to view it as a step-by-step process. We
begin by taking the first step, then continue by taking one step at a
time. I am certain that the Lord is pleased even with our small
beginnings, because in His infinite wisdom He knows that small things
often become great things." - L. Tom Perry, "United in Building the
Kingdom of God," Ensign (CR), May 1987, p.33
10/14/08
"The
Lord has given us a beautiful plan about how we can return to Him, but
the completion of our mortal journey requires spiritual fuel. We want
to emulate the five wise virgins, who had stored sufficient fuel to
accompany the bridegroom when he came (see
Matthew 25:6-10).
What is required to maintain a sufficient store of spiritual fuel? We
must acquire knowledge of God's eternal plan and our role in it, and
then by living righteously, surrendering our will to the will of the
Lord, we receive the promised blessings."
- L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It With Simplicity," General
Conference, October 2008
11/28/09
“Every child, of course, is different, and what works for one may
not elicit the correct response from another. However, I believe that
second only to ensuring that every child receives an understanding of
the gospel of our Lord and Savior is teaching them the joy of honest
labor.” - L. Tom Perry, “The Joy of
Honest Labor,” Ensign (CR), November 1986, p. 62
12/26/09
“Embedded in the gospel of Jesus Christ there are eternal principles
and truths that will last far longer than the principles of building
ships and roofs. You and I, as members of the Lord’s true Church,
have special access and insight into these eternal principles and
truths, especially when we listen to the Spirit for individual
guidance and hear the prophet’s voice as he declares the will of God
to the members of the Church. You and I both know how important these
eternal principles and truths are in our lives. I’m not sure those
early pioneers could have faced the perils and uncertainties of the
future without them, and neither can we. They are the only true and
eternal way to face the future, especially in these increasingly
perilous and uncertain times in which we now live.” – L.
Tom Perry, “The Past Way of Facing the Future,” Ensign, November
2009
6/4/10
"Embedded in the
gospel of Jesus Christ there are eternal principles and truths that will
last far longer than the principles of building ships and roofs. You and
I, as members of the Lord’s true Church, have special access and
insight into these eternal principles and truths, especially when we
listen to the Spirit for individual guidance and hear the prophet’s
voice as he declares the will of God to the members of the Church. You
and I both know how important these eternal principles and truths are in
our lives. I’m not sure those early pioneers could have faced the
perils and uncertainties of the future without them, and neither can we.
They are the only true and eternal way to face the future, especially in
these increasingly perilous and uncertain times in which we now live." -
L. Tom Perry, “The Past Way of
Facing the Future,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 73–76
7/14/10
"Over the many, many years as I have had the privilege of attending
sacrament meetings, whether in times of peace or conflict, periods of
joy or sorrow, periods of stress or relative ease, partaking of the
sacrament has been a time of thoughtful reflection on the blessings the
Lord has given to me and a time to covenant with him to live closer to
his law and his gospel." - L. Tom
Perry, "Sacrament of the Lord's Supper," Ensign (CR), May 1996, p. 53
8/11/10
"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s
world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is
attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our
society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home
is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions,
such as church and school, can assist parents to 'train up a child in
the way he [or she] should go' (Proverbs 22:6), ultimately this
responsibility rests with parents. According to the great plan of
happiness, it is parents who are entrusted with the care and development
of our Heavenly Father’s children." - L.
Tom Perry, "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home," Ensign (CR) May
2010
7/31/11
The Lord has given us the comforting
assurance that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” (
8/30/11
At the time I was a new parent,
President David O. McKay presided over the Church. His counsel was clear
and direct regarding our responsibilities to our children. He taught us
the most precious gift a man and woman can receive is a child of God,
and that the raising of a child is basically, fundamentally, and most
exclusively a spiritual process.
He directed us to basic principles we
need to teach our children. The first and most important inner quality
you can instill in a child is faith in God. The first and most important
action a child can learn is obedience. And the most powerful tool you
have with which to teach a child is love. (See Instructor, Vol. 84, Dec.
1949, p. 620.) - L. Tom Perry, "Train Up A Child," Ensign (CR) April
1983
9/26/11
The gospel is so very
simple when we understand it properly. It is always right, it is always
good, it is always uplifting. Obedience to gospel principles brings
forth joy and happiness. Disobedience has a day of reckoning and will
only bring forth heartache, misery, strife, and unhappiness. - L.
Tom Perry, "And
Why Call Ye Me, Lord, Lord, and Do Not the Things Which I Say?"
Ensign (CR) October 1984
10/20/11
Our lives should be examples of goodness and virtue as we try to emulate
His example to the world. Good works by each of us can do credit both to
the Savior and His Church. As you are engaged in doing good, being
honorable and upright men and women, the Light of Christ will be
reflected by your lives. - L. Tom Perry, "Perfect
Love Casteth Out Fear," Ensign (CR) October 2011
12/1/11
Let us have the faith to
bind the Lord to bless this people because we are following His order to
care for the poor and the needy among us by being generous in our
fast-offering contributions. - L. Tom
Perry, "The
Law of the Fast," Ensign (CR) April 1986
4/26/11
Neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon in and of themselves is
sufficient. Both are necessary for us to teach and learn about the full
and complete doctrine of Christ. The need for the other does not
diminish either one of them. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are
necessary for our salvation and exaltation. As President Ezra Taft
Benson so powerfully taught, “When used together, the Bible and the
Book of Mormon confound false doctrines” (“A New Witness for
Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, 8). - L. Tom Perry, "The Power of
Deliverance," Ensign (CR) May 2012
9/6/12
Our prophets have
admonished us repeatedly to make family prayer a regular part of our
daily worship. President John Taylor asked the Saints:
“Do you have prayers in your family? …
“And when you do, do you go through the operation like the guiding
of a piece of machinery, or do you bow in meekness and with a sincere
desire to seek the blessing of God upon you and your household? That
is the way that we ought to do, and cultivate a spirit of devotion and
trust in God, dedicating ourselves to him, and seeking his
blessings.” (Journal of Discourses, 21:118.) - L. Tom Perry, "Our
Father Which Art In Heaven," Ensign (CR) November 1983
10/15/12
The onslaught
of wickedness against our children is more subtle and brazen than it
has ever been. Building a strong family culture adds another layer of
protection for our children, insulating them from worldly influences.
- L. Tom Perry, "Becoming
Goodly Parents," Ensign (CR) November 2012
11/14/12
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, for
it defines the way we can partake of the fruits of the gospel,
experience the "exceedingly great joy" (1
Nephi 8:12) that only it can bring, and endure to the end
through all of the challenges of mortal life. The gospel teaches us
all we need to know to return to live with our Father in Heaven as
resurrected and glorified beings. May all of us maintain in our minds
the vision of eternal life. May we be diligent in following the recipe
for eternal life that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. May we endure to
the end. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. - L. Tom Perry,
"The
Gospel of Jesus Christ," Ensign (CR) May 2008
12/4/12
As you prepare for the future, you
must be certain that what you are putting into this mortal experience
will enable you to finish strong and gain your eternal reward. - L.
Tom Perry, "The
Tradition of a Balanced, Righteous Life," Ensign, August 2011
5/6/14
Even with the slightest tug from the Master, we must be willing to
completely alter our course. To succeed in life, we must teach our
spirit and body to work together in obedience to God’s commandments.
If we heed the gentle promptings of the Holy Ghost, it can unite our
spirits and bodies in a purpose that will guide us back to our
eternal home to live with our eternal Father in Heaven. - L.
Tom Perry, “Obedience
through Our Faithfulness,” Ensign (CR) May 2014
5/19/14
I guess one of the greatest
mysteries of human history is why people fail to learn from the
past. In the case of the Church, why do those who profess to be true
followers of Christ repeatedly become victims of the enticements of
the world? The evidence is strong regarding the blessings that
accrue to those who trust in and follow the ways prescribed by the
Lord, yet so many members of the Church fail to heed the evidence. -
L. Tom Perry, "Living with
Enthusiasm," p.65
6/30/13
I hope and pray that you great
young people of the Church will have the courage to consistently
choose the right! Moreover, I suggest that each of you find or
create reminders to help you and your loved ones choose the right
when a choice is placed before you. There is power in a tie tack, a
CTR ring, or a white dress hanging in the closet if we associate
them with our desires for purity and righteousness. Even more
important than physical reminders is to have the conviction deep
down in our hearts to live the kind of life that will cause us to
make the right choices, not only for peace and happiness in the
world right now, but also for peace and happiness eternally. - L.
Tom Perry, “Choose
the Right,” Ensign (CR) November 1993
10/19/14
Men and women are shaped partly
by those among whom they choose to live. Those to whom they look up
and try to emulate also shape them. Jesus is the great Exemplar. The
only way to find lasting peace is to look to Him and live. - L.
Tom Perry, “Finding
Lasting Peace and Building Eternal Families,” Ensign (CR)
November 2014
1/12/15
I promise you that if you will
respond to the invitation to share your beliefs and feelings about
the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit
of courage will be your constant companion, for “perfect love
casteth out fear” (1
John 4:18). - L. Tom Perry,
“Perfect
Love Casteth Our Fear,” Ensign (CR) October 2011
2/11/15
My general counsel to you is that
we must create regimens that foster spiritual housecleaning—ongoing
and continual processes that draw us closer to the Lord our Savior
so that we can be numbered among His disciples. - L.
Tom Perry, “Discipleship,”
October 2000
4/12/15
Despite what much of media and
entertainment outlets may suggest, however, and despite the very
real decline in the marriage and family orientation of some, the
solid majority of mankind still believes that marriage should be
between one man and one woman. They believe in fidelity within
marriage, and they believe in the marriage vows of “in sickness and
in health” and “till death do us part.” - L.
Tom Perry, “Why
Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World,” Ensign
(CR) April 2015
5/26/15
Before God created woman, He knew that man should not be alone.
Following the creation of Eve, the first woman, the Lord instituted
the union of marriage, then instructed the first man, Adam,
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Gen.
2:24). - L. Tom Perry, "An
Elect Lady," Ensign (CR), May 1995, p. 72
6/18/15
Surely only the standard of excellence is the goal we should be
attempting to achieve in the assignment we have been given in Church
service. I challenge you to enthusiastically accept Church calls and
with diligence make every effort to achieve the highest level of
performance. - L. Tom Perry, "But
Be Ye Doers of the Word," Ensign (CR), May 1977, p. 59
8/16/15
It is "in the world" where we
have the privilege of coming and enjoying a mortal experience. It is
"in the world" where we are tested and tried. It is "in the world"
where we have opportunities to participate in sacred, saving
ordinances which will determine our postmortal life. It is "in the
world" where we have opportunity to serve and make our contribution
to mankind. It is to this world the Savior must come. - L.
Tom Perry, "In
the World," Ensign (CR), May 1988, p. 13
6/8/16
I reaffirm before you here today of my faith that the Lord God
continues to govern the affairs of his children. His law must be the
foundation on which all law is based. We must be willing to support,
defend, and live in harmony with his divine law. - L.
Tom Perry, “For
the Time Will Come When They Will Not Endure Sound Doctrine,”
Ensign (CR), November 1975, p.85
10/2/16
It is wonderful to be in this beautiful new facility and to
have new technology which carries conference sessions throughout the
world. But it is the message we receive which, if we study and
practice, will bring us the light of the gospel as further preparation
in our great quest for eternal life. - L.
Tom Perry, “Thou
Shalt
Give Heed unto All His Words,” Ensign (CR), May 2000, p.23
10/31/16
Could I offer this little suggestion to you? In the
elevators in the Church Office Building we place scriptures and
sayings of the prophets to make the time that people spend in the
elevators productive as they ride up and down. This is an idea we
could carry into our homes. We have an appliance we use all too
frequently in our homes—the refrigerator. We need to place a sign on
our refrigerators to elevate our thoughts. And by so doing, we could
remind ourselves of the scriptures as we go about our daily duties—of
who we are and what we represent. – L.
Tom Perry, “The
Peaceable
Followers of Christ,” Ensign (CR) November 1989
11/15/16
We learn a great lesson from Joseph. When he was presented with a
temptation, he immediately separated himself from even the appearance of
evil. All of us have events in our lives which find us in challenging
situations.
When we are confronted with that which is evil and degrading—whether it be the wrong kind of music, a television program, or the Internet which places us in the wrong environment—how strengthening it is to remember the story of Joseph: “And [he] fled, and got him out” (Gen. 39:12). He removed himself from the temptation. – L. Tom Perry, “Becoming Men in Whom the Spirit of God Is,” Ensign (CR) May 2002
11/25/16
“And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if
ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe
the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and
administer relief to the sick and the afflicted” (Jacob
2:18–19).
So often it is the order of things that is fundamental in the Lord’s instructions to us. The Lord is not telling us that we should not be prosperous. This would be inconsistent with the many records we have of Him blessing His people with prosperity. But He is telling us that we should seek prosperity only after we have sought and found Him. Then, because our hearts are right, because we love Him first and foremost, we will choose to invest the riches we obtain in building His kingdom. – L. Tom Perry, “United in Building the Kingdom of God,” Ensign (CR) May 1987
2/13/17
The Lord has used the heart as a way of describing the innermost nature
of His children. The scriptures are filled with references to the heart,
such as the pure in heart, an abundant heart, a cheerful heart, and so
forth. In 1 Samuel, we read, “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for
man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the
heart” (1
Sam. 16:7).
In our hearts do we feel a sense of gratitude and devotion to the
Father? Are we of one heart with Him to whom we owe everything? The test
of our devotion to the Lord seems to be the way we serve Him. – L.
Tom Perry, “Youth
of the Noble Birthright,” Ensign (CR) November 1998
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