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(11/18/99)
"Do we appreciate the joy of a blind person as his nimble fingers pass
quickly over the pages of the Braille edition of the New Testament? He
pauses at the twelfth chapter of John and contemplates the depth of
meaning in the promise of the Prince of Peace: 'I am come a light into
the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in
darkness.' (John
12:46.)" — "Lost Battalions," General Conference, April 1971
(11/19/99)
"Let us make of our homes sanctuaries of righteousness, places of
prayer, and abodes of love, that we might merit the blessings that can
come only from our Heavenly Father. We need His guidance in our daily
lives." — "To Learn, To Do, To Be," General Conference, April 1992
(11/20/99)
"Pray always in the performance of your priesthood responsibilities,
and you will never be in the position of Alice in Wonderland. As Lewis
Carroll tells us, Alice was following a path through a forest in
Wonderland when it divided into two directions. Standing irresolute,
she inquired of the Cheshire Cat, which had suddenly appeared in a
nearby tree, which path she should take. 'Where do you want to go?'
asked the cat. 'I don't know,' said Alice. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it
really doesn't matter, does it?'" — "Who Honors God, God Honors,"
General Conference, October 1995
(11/21/99)
"You see, our Heavenly Father knows who we are, His sons and His
daughters. He wants to bring into our lives the blessings for which we
qualify, and He can do it. He can accomplish anything." — "They Will
Come," General Conference, April 1997
(11/22/99)
"Are there Pied Pipers even today? Are they playing alluring music to
lead, to their own destruction, those who listen and follow? These
'pipers' pipe the tunes of pride and pleasure, of selfishness and
greed and leave in their wake confused minds, troubled hearts, empty
lives, and destroyed dreams." — "That All May Hear," General
Conference, April 1995
(11/23/99)
"As years come and then go and life's challenges become more
difficult, the visits of home teachers to those who have absented
themselves from Church activity can be the key which will eventually
open the doors to their return." — "Home Teaching—A Divine Service,"
General Conference, October 1997
(2/13/01)
"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me and the love Jesus
offers you. I think of the love he provided in Gethsemane. I think of
the love he provided in the wilderness. I think of the love he
provided at the tomb of Lazarus; of the love he demonstrated on
Golgotha's hill, at the open tomb, and, yes, when he appeared in that
sacred grove with his Father and spoke those memorable words to Joseph
Smith. I thank God for his love in sharing his Only Begotten Son in
the flesh, even Jesus Christ, for you and me. I thank the Lord for the
love he demonstrated by providing his life, that we might have life
eternal." — Thomas S. Monson, "Formula
for
Success," Ensign, Mar. 1996, p. 6
(2/12/02)
"Every bishop can testify to the promptings that attend calls to serve
in the Church. Frequently the call seems to be for the benefit not so
much of those to be taught or led as for the person who is to teach or
lead." — Thomas S. Monson, "The
Spirit
Giveth Life," Ensign, June 1997, p. 4
(4/1/02)
"In our time, when otherwise honorable men bend the law, twist the
law, and wink at violations of the law, when crime goes unpunished,
legally imposed sentences go unserved, and irresponsible and illegal
conduct soars beyond previously recorded heights, there is a very real
need to return to the basic justice that the laws provide when honest
men sustain them." — Thomas S. Monson, "In
Quest
of the Abundant Life," Ensign, Mar. 1988, p. 3
(6/01/03)
"So I would plead with all to rid from our lives any spirit of
contention, any spirit wherein we might vie one with another for the
spoils of life, but rather that we might cooperatively work with our
brethren and with our sisters for the fruits of the gospel of Jesus
Christ." — Thomas S. Monson, "Be Your Best Self," [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1979], p. 187
8/08/03
"True, we live in a world where moral character ofttimes is relegated
to a position secondary to facial beauty or personal charm. We read
and hear of local, national, and international beauty contests.
Throngs pay tribute to Miss America, Miss World, and Miss Universe.
Athletic prowess, too, has its following. The winter games, the world
Olympics, the tournaments of international scope bring forth the
adoring applause of the enthralled crowd. Such are the ways of men!
But what are the inspired words of God? From a time of long ago, the
counsel of Samuel the prophet echoes in our ears: '... the Lord seeth
not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the
Lord looketh on the heart." (1
Samuel 16:7)" — Thomas S. Monson, "Pathways to Perfection,"
[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 82
(10/4/03)
"Do we need a prophet today? Does God regard his children today as
dearly as he did when Amos, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were on the earth?
One of the foremost educators in America, Dr. Robert Gordon Sproul,
described the need in these words: 'We have the peculiar spectacle of
a nation, which to a limited extent, practices Christianity without
actively believing in Christianity. We are asked to turn to the church
for enlightenment, but when we do we find that the voice of the church
is not inspired. The voice of the church today is the echo of our own
voices. And the result of this experience already manifest is
disillusionment. The way out is the sound of a voice, not our voice,
but a voice coming from somewhere not ourselves in the existence of
which we cannot disbelieve. It is the task of the pastors to hear this
voice, cause us to hear it and tell us what it says. If they cannot
hear it or if they fail to tell us what it says, we as laymen are
wholly lost. Without it we are no more capable of saving the earth
than we were capable of creating it in the first place.'" - Thomas S.
Monson, "General Conference Reports," October 1964, p. 18
(10/31/03)
"Brethren, ours is the responsibility, yes, even the solemn duty, to
reach out to those who have slipped into inactivity or strayed from
the family circle." - Thomas S. Monson, "Bring
Him
Home," General Conference, 4 October 2003
(11/2/03)
"Jesus, the Bridge Builder, spanned that vast chasm we call death.
'For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.' (1
Cor. 15:22.) He did for us what we could not do for ourselves;
hence, mankind can cross the bridges He built-into life eternal." -
Thomas S. Monson, "The
Bridge
Builder," General Conference, 5 October 2003
(11/26/03)
"Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to change the onward-
and downward-moving course of his life, or should there be those who
fail to resolve to do better because of that greatest of fears, the
fear of failure, there is no more comforting assurance to be had than
the words of the Lord: 'My grace is sufficient for all men that humble
themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and
have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto
them.' (Ether 12:27.)"
- Thomas S. Monson, "The Precious Gift of Sight," Ensign, Sept. 1989,
p. 5
(1/4/04)
"The decision to change one's life and come unto Christ is, perhaps,
the most important decision of mortality. Such a dramatic change is
taking place daily throughout the world." - Thomas S. Monson, "They
Will
Come," General Conference, April 1997
(1/6/04)
"Our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Brother, our Advocate with the Father
died for our sins and the sins of all mankind. The Atonement of Jesus
Christ is the foreordained but voluntary act of the Only Begotten Son
of God. He offered His life as a redeeming ransom for us all." -
Thomas S. Monson, "They
Showed
the Way," General Conference, April 1997
(2/15/04)
"Of Him who delivered each of us from endless death, even Jesus
Christ, I testify that He is a teacher of truth-but He is more than a
teacher. He is the Exemplar of the perfect life-but He is more than an
exemplar. He is the Great Physician-but He is more than a physician.
He who rescued the 'lost battalion' of mankind is the literal Savior
of the world, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of
Israel-even the risen Lord-who declared, 'I am the first and the last;
I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the
Father.' (D&C 110:4.)
" - Thomas S. Monson, "Today
Determines
Tomorrow," Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 51
(3/8/04)
"Do we remember the question posed by one Pontius Pilate as he spoke
to those who would shed the blood of Jesus and thus end His mortal
life? 'What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They
all say unto him, Let him be crucified.' (Matt.
27:22.) And so He was. The question each of us must answer is
the same: What shall I do with Jesus? He Himself has provided us the
answer: 'Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.' (2
Ne. 31:12.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Christ
at
Bethesda's Pool," Ensign, Nov. 1996, p. 17
(3/13/04)
"Home should be a haven of love. Honor, courtesy, and respect
symbolize love and characterize the righteous family. Fathers in such
homes will not hear the denunciation of the Lord as recorded in the
book of Jacob from the Book of Mormon: 'Ye have broken the hearts of
your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because
of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts
ascend up to God against you' (Jacob
2:35)." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Doorway
of Love," Ensign, Oct. 1996, p. 4
(5/5/04)
"He calls you and me to serve Him here below and sets us to the task
He would have us fulfill. The commitment is total. There is no
conflict of conscience. As we follow that Man of Galilee-even the Lord
Jesus Christ-our personal influence will be felt for good wherever we
are, whatever our callings." - Thomas S. Monson, "Your
Personal
Influence," General Conference, April 2004
(5/15/04)
"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles,
pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and
turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely,
courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say,
'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Call
for Courage," General Conference, April 2004
(5/26/04)
"It is necessary to prepare and to plan so that we don't fritter away
our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success. One of the
best definitions of success I have ever heard goes something like
this: Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.
Someone has said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can
spend your life running up and down the field and never crossing the
goal line." - Thomas S. Monson, "In
Search
of Treasure," General Conference, April 2003
(6/20/04)
"The holy scriptures are for children, to fill their eager minds with
sacred truth. They are for youth, to prepare them for the challenges
of our fast-moving world. They are for the sisters, remembering
President Spencer W. Kimball's advice: 'We want our sisters to be
scholars of the scriptures as well as our men.' (Ensign,
Nov.
1978, p. 102.) They are for the brethren of the priesthood, that
each may qualify for the description given in the Book of Mormon to
the sons of Mosiah: 'They were men of a sound understanding and they
had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word
of God.' (Alma 17:2.)"
- Thomas S. Monson, "Come,
Learn
of Me," Ensign, December 1985, p. 48
(6/23/04)
"President David O. McKay, in his opening message to the membership of
the Church at a general conference in April 1957, stated very simply
and yet so powerfully, 'Keep the commandments of God.' His successors
have urged the same compliance. Such was the burden of our Savior's
message, when He declared: 'For all who will have a blessing at my
hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and
the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation
of the world.' (D&C
132:5.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Be Your Best Self," [Salt Lake
City: Deseret Book Co., 1979], p. 102
(8/23/04)
"Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious
nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and
all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to
such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of
patience is required." - Thomas S. Monson, "Patience-A
Heavenly
Virtue," Ensign, November 1995, p. 59
(10/26/04)
"Elder Delbert L. Stapley, who served as a member of the Council of
the Twelve a number of years ago, quoted Paul in his epistle to the
Romans: 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation.' Then Elder Stapley added: 'If we are not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ, then we should not be ashamed to live
it. And if we are not ashamed to live it, then we should not be
ashamed to share it.'" - Thomas S. Monson, "That All May Hear,"
Ensign, May 1995, p. 49
11/4/04
"'By man came death,' the scripture says, 'For as in Adam all die.' (1
Cor. 15:21-22.) Each of us is a partaker of the experience called
death. None escapes. Were we to remain unrescued, lost would be
paradise. Lost would be family. Lost would be friends. Realizing this
truth, we begin to appreciate the supreme joy that accompanied the
birth of the Savior of the world. How glorious the pronouncement of
the angel: Behold a virgin 'shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt
call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.'
(Matt. 1:21.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Lost
Battalions," Ensign, April 1987, p. 6
(1/25/05)
"For us our Heavenly Father gave his Son. For us our Elder Brother
gave his life.
"At the last moment the Master could have turned back. But he did not.
He passed beneath all things that he might save all things-the human
race, the earth, and all the life that ever inhabited it.
"No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the
angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they
approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord: 'Why seek ye
the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.' (Luke
24:5-6.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Lost
Battalions," Ensign, June 1971, p. 97
(2/27/05)
"Some point the accusing finger at the sinner or the unfortunate and
in derision say, 'He has brought his condition upon himself.' Others
exclaim, 'Oh, he will never change. He has always been a bad one.' A
few see beyond the outward appearance and recognize the true worth of
a human soul. When they do, miracles occur. The downtrodden, the
discouraged, the helpless become 'no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.' (Eph.
2:19.) True love can alter human lives and change human nature."
- Thomas S. Monson, "With
Hand
and Heart," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 132
(3/26/05)
"I like the thought, 'Before Easter, there must be a cross.' And many
have heavy crosses to bear. With the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem,
there emerged a great endowment-a power stronger than weapons, a
wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. He may come to us as one
unknown, without a name, as by the lakeside He came to those men who
knew Him not. He speaks to us the same words, 'Follow thou me,' and
sets us to the task which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands,
and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will
reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings that they
shall pass through in His fellowship; and they shall learn in their
own experience who He is." - Thomas S. Monson, "What
He
Would Have Us Do," Ensign, May 1994, p. 91
(4/15/05)
"I like this thought: 'Your mind is a cupboard, and you stock the
shelves.' Let us make certain that our cupboard shelves, and those of
our family members, are stocked with the things which will provide
safety to our souls and enable us to return to our Father in Heaven.
Such shelves could well be stocked with gospel scholarship, faith,
prayer, love, service, obedience, example, and kindness." - Thomas S.
Monson, "Constant
Truths
for Changing Times," General Conference, April 2005
(4/23/05)
"What does it mean to magnify a calling? It means to build it up in
dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the
eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of
heaven shine through it to the view of other men.
And how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service
that pertains to it." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Sacred
Call of Service," General Conference, April 2005
(5/2/05)
"The Prophet Joseph Smith faced temptation. Can you imagine the
ridicule, the scorn, the mocking that must have been heaped upon him
as he declared that he had seen a vision? I suppose it became almost
unbearable for the boy. He no doubt knew that it would be easier to
retract his statements concerning the vision and just get on with a
normal life. He did not, however, give in. These are his words: 'I had
actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two
Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was
hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was
true.... I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it,
and I could not deny it.' (Joseph
Smith-History 1:25.) Joseph Smith taught courage by example. He
faced temptation and withstood it." - Thomas S. Monson, "Be
Thou
an Example," General Young Women's Meeting, March 2005
(5/6/05)
"Heartwarming is the example of the
mother in America who prayed for her son's well-being as the ship on
which he served sailed into the bloody cauldron known as the Pacific
theater of war. Each morning she would arise from kneeling in prayer
and serve as a volunteer on those production lines which became
lifelines to men in battle. Could it he that a mother's own
handiwork might somehow directly affect the life of a loved one? All
who knew her and her family cherished the actual account of her
sailor son, Elgin Staples, whose ship went down off Guadalcanal.
Staples was swept over the side; but he survived, thanks to a life
belt that proved, on later examination, to have been inspected,
packed, and stamped back home in Akron, Ohio, by his own mother!" -
Thomas S. Monson, "The
Prayer
of Faith," Ensign, May 1978, p. 21
(5/14/05)
"Love is the catalyst that causes change. Love is the balm that
brings healing to the soul. But love doesn’t grow like weeds or fall
like rain. Love has its price. 'God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life' (John
3:16). That Son, even the Lord Jesus Christ, gave His life
that we might have eternal life, so great was His love for His
Father and for us." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Doorway
of Love," Ensign, Oct. 1996, p. 2
(7/9/05)
"In this world in which we live, there is a tendency for us to
describe needed change, required help, and desired relief with the
familiar phrase, 'They ought to do something about this.' We fail to
define the word they. I love the message, 'Let there be peace on
earth, and let it begin with me.' Tears came to my eyes when I read
of a young boy who noticed a vagrant asleep on a sidewalk and who
then went to his own bedroom, retrieved his pillow, and placed it
beneath the head of that one whom he knew not. Perhaps there came
from the past these welcome words: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matt.
25:40)." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Doorway
of Love," Ensign, Oct. 1996, 4–5
(8/19/05)
"For those of us who hold the
Melchizedek Priesthood, our privilege to magnify our callings is ever
present. We are shepherds watching over Israel. The hungry sheep look
up, ready to be fed the bread of life. Are we prepared to feed the
flock of God? It is imperative that we recognize the worth of a human
soul, that we never give up on one of His precious sons." - Thomas S.
Monson, "Priesthood
Power," Ensign, Nov. 1999, 50
(9/6/05)
"Before we can successfully undertake a personal search for Jesus, we
must first prepare time for him in our lives and room for him in our
hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf, time
for shopping, time for work, time for play, but no time for Christ.
"Lovely homes dot the land and provide rooms for eating, rooms for
sleeping, playrooms, sewing rooms, television rooms, but no room for
Christ.
"Do we get a pang of conscience as we recall his own words, '...foxes
have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man
hath not where to lay his head'? (Matt.
8:20.) Or do we flush with embarrassment when we remember, 'And
she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them
in the inn'? (Luke 2:7.)
No room. No room. No room. Ever has it been.
"As we undertake our personal search for Jesus, aided and guided by
the principle of prayer, it is fundamental that we have a clear
concept of him whom we seek. The shepherds of old did seek Jesus the
child. But we seek Jesus the Christ, our older Brother, our Mediator
with the Father, our Redeemer, the Author of our salvation him who was
in the beginning with the Father, him who took upon himself the sins
of the world and so willingly died that we might forever live. This is
the Jesus whom we seek." - Thomas S. Monson, "Conference Report,"
October 1965, Afternoon Meeting 143
12/23/05
"The birth of the babe in Bethlehem was transcendent in its
beauty and singular in its significance. Jesus of Nazareth brought
prophecy to fulfillment. He cleansed lepers, He restored sight, He
opened ears, He renewed life, He taught truth, He saved all. In so
doing, He honored His Father and provided you and me with an example
worthy of emulation." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Prayer
of Faith," Ensign (CR), May 1978, p.20
3/31/06
"We remember His counsel: 'When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in
the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
"'But thou, when thou prayest,... pray to thy Father which is in secret;
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matt.
6:5-6.)
"This guiding instruction has helped troubled souls discover the peace
for which they fervently yearn and earnestly hope.
"Unfortunately, prosperity, abundance, honor, and praise lead some men
to the false security of haughty self-assurance and the abandonment of
the inclination to pray. Conversely, trial, tribulation, sickness, and
death crumble the castles of men's pride and bring them to their knees
to petition for power from on high." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Prayer
of Faith," Ensign (CR), May 1978, p.20
4/10/06
"A popular song includes the words, 'There are angels among us.' These
angels are quite frequently the precious little ones God, our Father,
has entrusted to our earthly care. To them may we teach prayer, inspire
faith, live truth, and honor God. Then we shall have heavenly homes and
forever families. For what higher gift could we wish? For what greater
blessing could we pray? None!" - Thomas S. Monson, "Teach
the
Children," Ensign (CR), November 1997, p.17
4/13/06
"When the pathway of life takes a cruel turn, there is the temptation to
ask the question 'Why me?' Self-incrimination is a common practice, even
when we may have had no control over our difficulty. At times there
appears to be no light at the tunnel's end, no dawn to break the night's
darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the
disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes.
We join in uttering the biblical plea 'Is there no balm in Gilead?' (Jer.
8:22.) We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone.
"To all who so despair, may I offer the assurance found in the psalm
'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' (Ps.
30:5.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Look
to
God and Live," Ensign (CR), May 1998, p.52
4/14/06
"Yes, the Lord [has] indeed risen. He appeared to Mary; He was seen by
Cephas, or Peter, then by His brethren of the Twelve. He was seen by
Joseph Smith, who declared: 'This is the testimony, last of all, which
we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of
God.' (D&C
76:22-23.)
"Our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Brother, our Advocate with the Father
died for our sins and the sins of all mankind. The Atonement of Jesus
Christ is the foreordained but voluntary act of the Only Begotten Son of
God. He offered His life as a redeeming ransom for us all.
"His mission, His ministry among men, His teachings of truth, His acts
of mercy, His unwavering love for us prompts our gratitude and warms our
hearts." - Thomas S. Monson, "They
Showed
the Way," Ensign (CR), May 1997, p.50
5/11/06
"The Lord counseled, 'Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom;
seek learning, even by study and also by faith.' (D&C
88:118.)
"We can find truth in the scriptures, the teachings of the prophets, the
instructions from our parents, and the inspiration that comes to us as
we bend our knees and seek the help of God.
"We must be true to our ideals, for ideals are like the stars: you cant
touch them with your hands, but by following them you reach your
destination. (See Carl Schurz, 1859, in John Bartlett, comp., 'Familiar
Quotations,' 15th ed. (1980), 602.) - Thomas S. Monson, "Pathways
to
Perfection," Ensign (CR), May 2002, p.99
6/12/06
"In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland,
Ohio, December 27, 1832, the Master counseled, 'Organize yourselves;
prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of
prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a
house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.' (D&C
88:119.)
"Where could any of us locate a more suitable blueprint whereby he or
she could wisely and properly build a house to personally occupy
throughout eternity?
"In a very real sense, we are builders of eternal houses. We are
apprentices to the trade—not skilled craftsmen. We need divine help if
we are to build successfully. The words of instruction provided by the
Apostle Paul give the assurance we need: 'Know ye not that ye are the
temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?' (1
Cor. 3:16.)
"When we remember that each of us is literally a spirit son or daughter
of God, we will not find it difficult to approach our Heavenly Father in
prayer. He appreciates the value of this raw material which we call
life. 'Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.' (D&C
18:10.) His pronouncement finds lodgment in our souls and inspires
purpose in our lives." - Thomas S. Monson, "Your
Eternal
Home," Ensign (CR), May 2000, p.52
10/4/06
"Take the Lord as your guide. Do not lend a listening ear to the
persuasive voice of that evil one who would entice you to depart from
your standards, your home-inspired teachings, and your philosophy of
life. Rather, remember that gentle and ever genuine invitation from the
Redeemer, 'Come, follow me.' (Luke
18:22.) Follow Him, and you will be acting wisely and will be
blessed eternally.
"Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only
traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady,
hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to
save." - Thomas S. Monson, "A
Time to Choose," Ensign (CR), May 1995, p.97
10/25/06
"Time marches on. Duty keeps cadence with that march. Duty does not dim
nor diminish. Catastrophic conflicts come and go, but the war waged for
the souls of men continues without abatement. Like a clarion call comes
the word of the Lord to you and to me,.... I reiterate that word:
'Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office
in which he is appointed, in all diligence' (D&C
107:99)." - Thomas S. Monson, "True
to
Our Priesthood Trust," Ensign, November 2006
10/27/06
"At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel's end, no dawn to
break the night's darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken
hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of
vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea, 'Is there no balm
in Gilead?' (Jeremiah
8:22). We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes
through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned,
heartbroken, alone.
"How can we build a foundation strong enough to withstand such
vicissitudes of life? How can we maintain the faith and testimony which
will be required, that we might experience the joy promised to the
faithful? Constant, steady effort is necessary. Most of us have
experienced inspiration so strong that it brings tears to our eyes and a
determination to ever remain faithful. I have heard the statement, 'If I
could just keep these feelings with me always, I would never have
trouble doing what I should.' Such feelings, however, can be fleeting.
The inspiration we feel during these conference sessions may diminish
and fade as Monday comes and we face the routines of work, of school, of
managing our homes and families. Such can easily take our minds from the
holy to the mundane, from that which uplifts to that which, if we allow
it, will chip away at our testimonies, our strong foundations.
"May I offer three guidelines to help us in our quest.
"First, fortify your foundation through prayer....
"My second guideline: Let us study the scriptures and 'meditate therein
day and night,...'
"My third guideline for building a strong foundation of faith and
testimony involves service." - Thomas S. Monson, "How
Firm
a Foundation," Ensign, November 2006
12/24/06
"We remember that during the meridian of time a bright, particular star
shone in the heavens. Wise men followed it and found the Christ child.
Today wise men still look heavenward and again see a bright, particular
star. It will guide you and me to our opportunities. The burden of the
downtrodden will be lifted, the cry of the hungry stilled, the lonely
heart comforted. And souls will be saved—yours, theirs, and mine." -
Thomas S. Monson, "The
Long
Line of the Lonely," Ensign (CR), May 1981, p.47
1/21/07
"Today in our hurried and hectic lives, we could well go back to an
earlier time for the lesson taught us regarding crossing dangerous
streets. 'Stop, look, and listen' were the watchwords. Could we not
apply them now? Stop from a reckless road to ruin. Look upward for
heavenly help. Listen for His invitation: 'Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' (Matt.
11:28.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Patience
—
A Heavenly Virtue," Ensign (CR), November 1995, p.59
3/29/07
"My brothers and sisters, may we resolve from this day forward to fill
our hearts with love. May we go the extra mile to include in our lives
any who are lonely or downhearted or who are suffering in any way. May
we '[cheer] up the sad and [make] someone feel glad.' (Hymns,
no.
223.) May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may
have no serious regrets, no unfinished business, but will be able to say
with the Apostle Paul, 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith.' (2
Tim 4:7)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Now
Is
the Time," Ensign (CR), November 2001, p.59
4/11/07
"My brothers and sisters, we laugh, we cry, we work, we play, we love,
we live. And then we die. Death is our universal heritage. All must pass
its portals. Death claims the aged, the weary and worn. It visits the
youth in the bloom of hope and the glory of expectation. Nor are little
children kept beyond its grasp. In the words of the Apostle Paul, 'It is
appointed unto men once to die.' (Hebrews
9:27)
"And dead we would remain but for one Man and His mission, even Jesus of
Nazareth. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, His birth fulfilled the
inspired pronouncements of many prophets. He was taught from on high. He
provided the life, the light, and the way. Multitudes followed Him.
Children adored Him. The haughty rejected Him. He spoke in parables. He
taught by example. He lived a perfect life." - Thomas S. Monson, "I
Know That My Redeemer Lives," General Conference, April 2007
4/18/07
"My brethren of the priesthood—from the youngest to the oldest—are you
living your life in accordance with that which the Lord requires? Are
you worthy to bear the priesthood of God? If you are not, make the
decision here and now, muster the courage it will take, and institute
whatever changes are necessary so that your life is what it should be.
To sail safely the seas of mortality, we need the guidance of that
eternal mariner—even the great Jehovah. If we are on the Lord's errand,
we are entitled to the Lord's help." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Priesthood—a
Sacred Gift," General Conference, April 2007
5/20/07
"Each of us should remember that he or she is a son or daughter of God,
endowed with faith, gifted with courage, and guided by prayer. Our
eternal destiny is before us. The Apostle Paul speaks to us today as he
spoke to Timothy long years ago: 'Neglect not the gift that is in thee.'
'O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust.' (1
Tim. 4:14; 1
Tim. 6:20.)
"At times many of us let that enemy of achievement—even the culprit
'self-defeat'—dwarf our aspirations, smother our dreams, cloud our
vision, and impair our lives. The enemy's voice whispers in our ears,
'You can't do it.' 'You're too young.' 'You're too old.' 'You're
nobody.' This is when we remember that we are created in the image of
God. Reflection on this truth provides a profound sense of strength and
power." - Thomas S. Monson, "Choose
You
This Day," Ensign (CR), November 2004, p.67
7/5/07
"A happy home is but an earlier heaven. President George Albert Smith
asked, 'Do we want our homes to be happy? If we do, let them be the
abiding place of prayer, thanksgiving and gratitude.' (In Conference
Report, Apr. 1944, p. 32.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Precious
Children—A Gift from God," Ensign (CR),
November 1991, p.67
9/15/07
"We really don't know how much good we can do until we put forth the
effort. Our testimonies can penetrate the hearts of others and can
bring to them the blessings which will prevail in this troubled world
and which will guide them to exaltation." - Thomas S. Monson, "Pioneers
All," Ensign (CR), May 1997, p.93
10/28/07
"Times may change, circumstances may alter, but the marks of a true
holder of the priesthood of God remain constant.... the mark of
vision... the mark of effort... the mark of faith... the mark of
virtue... the mark of prayer." - Thomas S. Monson, "A
Royal Priesthood," General Conference, 6
October 2007
12/3/07
"Make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does it do
to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize
not, 'What will others think?' but rather, 'What will I think of
myself?' Be influenced by that still, small voice. Remember that one
with authority placed his hands on your head at the time of your
confirmation and said, 'Receive the Holy Ghost.' Open your hearts,
even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice which
testifies of truth. As the prophet Isaiah promised, 'Thine ears shall
hear a word... saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.' (Isaiah
30:21.)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Be
Thou an Example," Ensign (CR), April 2005
2/20/08
"My brothers and sisters, in
this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, as we journey
through mortality and face the trials and challenges of the future, may
we remember the examples of these models to follow which I have referred
to this morning. May we have the unfeigned humility of John the Baptist,
the unquestioning obedience of Abraham, the unlimited patience of Job,
the unwavering faith of Noah, the undeviating loyalty of Ruth, the
unflagging determination of Nephi, the undaunted courage of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, and the unfailing optimism of President Hinckley. Such
will be as a fortress of strength to us throughout our lives."
- Thomas S. Monson, "Models
to
Follow," Ensign (CR),
November 2002, p.60
3/1/08
"This precious Son, our Lord and Savior, atoned for our sins and the
sins of all. That memorable night in Gethsemane His suffering was so
great, His anguish so consuming that He pleaded, 'Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as
thou wilt.' (Matt.
26:39) Later, on the cruel cross, He died that we might
live, and live everlastingly. Resurrection morning was preceded by pain,
by suffering in accordance with the divine plan of God. Before Easter
there had to be a cross. The world has witnessed no greater gift, nor
has it known more lasting love." - Thomas S. Monson, "Gifts,"
Ensign
(CR), May 1993, p.59
3/6/08
"Fathers, grandfathers, are we
reading to our sons and grandsons the word of the Lord? Returned
missionaries, do your messages and your lives inspire others to stand up
and serve? Brethren, are we sufficiently in tune with the Spirit that
when the Lord calls, we can hear, as did Samuel, and declare, 'Here
am I?' Do we have the fortitude
and the faith, whatever our callings, to serve with unflinching courage
and unshakable resolve? When we do, the Lord can work His mighty
miracles through us." - Thomas
S. Monson, "The
Priesthood
in Action," Ensign (CR),
November 1992, p.47
4/28/08
"Ours is the task to be fitting
examples. We are strengthened by the truth that the greatest force in
the world today is the power of God as it works through man. If we are
on the Lord's errand, ...
we are entitled to the Lord's help. Never forget that truth. That divine
help, of course, is predicated upon our worthiness. Each must ask: Are
my hands clean? Is my heart pure? Am I a worthy servant of the Lord?"
- Thomas S. Monson, "Examples
of
Righteousness," General Conference, April 2008
5/2/08
"It was said of the Savior that
He 'went about doing
good . . . for God was with him.' (Acts
10:38) May we follow that perfect example. In this
sometimes precarious journey through mortality, may we also follow that
advice from the Apostle Paul which will help to keep us safe and on
course: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.'
(Philippians 4:8)"
- Thomas S. Monson, "Looking
Back
and Moving Forward," General Conference, April 2008
9/21/08
"I
believe the most valuable thing a mother can teach her child is belief,
confidence, and faith in a loving God—to
reach outward and upward beyond himself for strength and courage—and
to instill in that child the simple faith that he or she is a child of
God with a purposeful life ahead. Life is filled with the unexpected:
accidents, deaths, hazards, fears. Mother, father, the light switch,
water in the tap may not always be there. But resource to God is always
available." - "Favorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S.
Monson," p.39
10/13/08
"Now, my brothers and sisters,
we have come here to be instructed and inspired. Some of you are new in
the Church. We welcome you. Some of you are struggling with problems,
with challenges, with disappointments, with losses. We love you and pray
for you. Many messages will be shared during the next two days. I can
assure you that those men and women who will speak to you have prayed
about what they should say. They have been inspired and impressed as
they have sought heaven’s help and direction." - Thomas S. Monson,
"Welcome to Conference," October 2008
11/2/08
"We urge all Latter-day Saints
to be prudent in their planning, to be conservative in their living, and
to avoid excessive or unnecessary debt. The financial affairs of the
Church are being managed in this manner, for we are aware that your
tithing and other contributions have not come without sacrifice and are
sacred funds.
"Let us make our homes sanctuaries of righteousness, places of prayer, and abodes of love that we might merit the blessings that can come only from our Heavenly Father. We need His guidance in our daily lives." - Thomas S. Monson, "To Learn, to Do, to Be," General Conference, October 2008
11/7/08
"Who was this Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief? Who is the King of
glory, this Lord of hosts? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the
Son of God. He is the Author of our Salvation. He beckons, 'Follow
me.' He instructs, 'Go,
and do thou likewise.' He
pleads, 'Keep my
commandments.'
"Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude." - Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Joy in the Journey," General Conference, October 2008
11/14/08
"In
one of Christopher Marlowe's
plays, The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, there is portrayed
an individual, Dr. Faustus, who chose to ignore God and follow the
pathway of Satan. At the end of his wicked life, and facing the
frustration of opportunities lost and punishment certain to come, he
lamented, '[There is] more
searing anguish than [flaming] fire—eternal exile from God.'
"My brothers and sisters, just as eternal exile from God may be the most searing anguish, so eternal life in the presence of God is our most precious goal.
"With all my heart and soul I pray that we might continue to persevere in the pursuit of this most precious prize." - Thomas S. Monson, "Until We Meet Again," General Conference, October 2008
2/27/09
"Don't
be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change
a radio station if what's being presented does not meet your Heavenly
Father's standards. In short, if you have any question about whether a
particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate,
don't see it, don't read it, don't participate."
- Thomas S. Monson, "That We May Touch
Heaven," Ensign (CR), November 1990, p.45
4/9/09
"We
know that when we serve our fellowmen, we are only in the service of our
God. (See Mosiah 2:17.) We have the responsibility to serve as though
the entire future of the Church depended upon you or upon me."
- Thomas S. Monson, Area Conference Report, Copenhagen,
1976, p. 31
6/1/09
“Jesus,
the Bridge Builder, spanned that vast chasm we call death. "For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor.
15:22. ) He did for us what we could not do for ourselves; hence,
mankind can cross the bridges He built—into life eternal.” - Thomas
S. Monson, “The Bridge Builder,” Ensign (CR), November 2003, p. 67
6/23/09
“There
are those among us who torture themselves through their inability to
show mercy and to forgive others some supposed offense or slight,
however small it may be. At times the statement is made, ‘I never can
forgive [this person or that person].’ Such an attitude is destructive
to an individual's well-being. It can canker the soul and ruin one's
life. In other instances, an individual can forgive another but cannot
forgive himself. Such a situation is even more destructive.” - Thomas
S. Monson, “Mercy- The Divine Gift,” Ensign (CR), May 1995, p. 54
7/2/09
“The
passage of time has not altered the capacity of the Redeemer to change
men’s lives-our lives and the lives of those with whom we labor. As He
said to the dead Lazarus, so He says today: ‘Come forth.’ Come forth
from the despair of doubt. Come forth from the sorrow of sin. Come
forth from the death of disbelief. Come forth to a newness of life.
Come forth.
“We will discover that those whom we serve, who have felt through our labors the touch of the Master’s hand, somehow cannot explain the change which comes into their lives. There is a desire to serve faithfully, to walk humbly, and to live more like the Savior. Having received their spiritual eyesight and glimpsed the promises of eternity, they echo the words of the blind man to whom Jesus restored sight, who said, ‘One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.’” - Thomas S. Monson, “To the Rescue,” Ensign (CR), May 2001, p. 48
8/5/09
“To
an alarming extent, our children today are being educated by the
media, including the Internet. In the United States, it is reported
that the average child watches approximately four hours of television
daily, much of the programming being filled with violence, alcohol and
drug use, and sexual content. Watching movies and playing video games
is in addition to the four hours. And the statistics are much the same
for other developed countries. The messages portrayed on television,
in movies, and in other media are very often in direct opposition to
that which we want our children to embrace and hold dear. It is our
responsibility not only to teach them to be sound in spirit and
doctrine but also to help them stay that way, regardless of the
outside forces they may encounter. This will require much time and
effort on our part-and in order to help others, we ourselves need the
spiritual and moral courage to withstand the evil we see on every
side.” - Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to
Guide You,” CR October 2007
8/10/09
“My
brethren of the priesthood, the task is ours. Let us remember and
never forget, however, that such an undertaking is not insurmountable.
Miracles are everywhere to be seen when priesthood callings are
magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates
selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. We are
on the Lord's errand. We are entitled to the Lord's help. But we must
try. From the play Shenandoah comes the spoken line which
inspires: ‘If we don't try, then we don't do; and if we don't do, then
why are we here?’” - Thomas S. Monson,
“Anxiously Engaged,” Ensign (CR), November 2004, p. 56
8/13/09
“When
firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of
our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout your
life. It will help to determine how you spend your time and with whom
you choose to associate. It will affect the way you treat your family,
how you interact with others. It will bring love, peace, and joy into
your life. It should help you determine to be modest in your dress and
in your speech. In the past year or so we have noticed a dramatic
change in the way some of our young women are dressing. Styles in
clothing change; fads come and go; but if the dress styles are
immodest, it is important that our young women avoid them. When you
dress modestly, you show respect for your Heavenly Father and for
yourself. At this time, when dress fashions are styled after the
skimpy clothing some of the current movie and music idols are wearing,
it may be difficult to find modest apparel in clothing stores.
However, it is possible, and it is important. The Apostle Paul
declared: ‘Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you? . . . The temple of God is holy, which
temple ye are.’ You know the truth; live it.” - Thomas
S. Monson, “Be Thou an Example,” Ensign (CR), April 2005
10/28/09
“It
is necessary to prepare and to plan so that we don’t fritter away our
lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success. One of the best
definitions of success I have ever heard goes something like this:
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Someone has
said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your
life running up and down the field and never crossing the goal line.”
- Thomas S. Monson, “In Search of Treasure,”
Ensign (CR), May 2003, p. 19
11/21/09
“Each
of us has opportunities for Church assignments. This opportunity of
serving in the Church enables us to demonstrate a love of God and a
love of our neighbor. It was King Benjamin who said: ‘When ye are in
the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your
God.’ (Mosiah 2:17.) There is no finer way to demonstrate love of God
than by serving Him in the positions to which we may be called.
Occasionally, the reward for that service will be prompt, and we’ll
see the light in the eyes of the person whom we have helped. Other
times, however, the Lord will let us wait a little while and let our
reward come another way. Many are in the process of helping less
active people. It is important to never give up, but forever press on
in our efforts to help them. The best way to help people to become
fully active in the Church is to love them into that activity.” - Thomas
S. Monson, “Live the Good Life,” p. 112
12/7/09
“None
of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and
sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are
here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that
there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we
will be saddened. However, we are told, ‘Adam fell that men might be;
and men are, that they might have joy’
(2
Nephi 2:25).
“How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: ‘Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you’ (D&C 68:6).” - Thomas S. Monson, “Be of Good Cheer,” Ensign, May 2009, 89–92
12/24/09
“There
are times when we can become upset at imagined hurts or perceived
injustices. President Heber J. Grant, seventh President of the Church,
told of a time as a young adult when he did some work for a man who
then sent him a check for $500 with a letter apologizing for not being
able to pay him more. Then President Grant did some work for another
man—work which he said was 10 times more difficult, involving 10 times
more labor and a great deal more time. This second man sent him a
check for $150. Young Heber felt he had been treated most unfairly. He
was at first insulted and then incensed.
“He recounted the experience to an older friend, who asked, ‘Did that man intend to insult you?’
“President Grant replied, ‘No. He told my friends he had rewarded me handsomely.’
“To this the older friend replied, ‘A man’s a fool who takes an insult that isn’t intended.’” – Thomas S. Monson, “School Thy Feelings, O My Brother,” Ensign, November 2009
12/29/09
“The
Apostle Paul admonished, ‘By love serve one another.’ Recall with me
the familiar words of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon: ‘When ye
are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of
your God.’
“The Savior taught His disciples, ‘For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.’
“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” – Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, November 2009
2/7/10
“Let
us reach out to rescue those who need our help and lift them to the
higher road and the better way. Let us focus our thinking on the needs
of priesthood holders and their wives and children who have slipped
from the path of activity. May we listen to the unspoken message from
their hearts. You will find it to be familiar: ‘Lead me, guide me,
walk beside me, / Help me find the way. / Teach me all that I must do
/ To live with him someday.’” - Thomas S.
Monson, The Sacred Call of Service, Ensign (CR), April 2005
2/8/10
“I
truly believe that those who have the ability to reach out and to lift
up have found the formula descriptive of Brother Walter Stover—a man
who spent his entire life in service to others. At Brother Stover’s
funeral, his son-in-law paid tribute to him in these words: ‘Walter
Stover had the ability to see Christ in every face he encountered, and
he treated each person accordingly.’ Legendary are his acts of
compassionate help and his talent to lift heavenward every person whom
he met. His guiding light was the Master’s voice speaking, ‘Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it
unto me.’” - Thomas S. Monson, “To the
Rescue,” Ensign (CR), May 2001, p. 48
2/11/10
“In
the performance of our responsibilities, I have learned that when we
heed a silent prompting and act upon it without delay, our Heavenly
Father will guide our footsteps and bless our lives and the lives of
others. I know of no experience more sweet or feeling more precious
than to heed a prompting only to discover that the Lord has answered
another person's prayer through you.” - Thomas
S. Monson, “Peace, Be Still,” Ensign (CR), November 2002, p. 53
3/8/10
“The
critical step in handling any challenging occurrence is making the
decision about what to do. No one can be successful in business or
private life unless he is able to make decisions backed by resolution.
The important thing is to do what your good judgment tells you offers
some probability of success, even though you know that if you were
given time to think and to plan, you might come up with a better
scheme.” – “Favorite Quotations from the
Collection of Thomas S. Monson,” p. 148
3/10/10
“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a
child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a
right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the
universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and
aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a
beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” –
“Favorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S. Monson,” p.
273
3/13/10
“The
unsatisfied yearnings of the soul will not be met by a never-ending
quest for joy midst the thrills of sensation and vice. Vice never
leads to virtue. Hate never points to love. Cowardice never reflects
courage. Doubt never inspires faith.” - Thomas
S. Monson, “Conference Report,” April 1967, Second Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 57
4/16/10
"Home teaching is part of today's plan to rescue. When it was
introduced by President David O. McKay to all of the General
Authorities, he counseled: 'Home teaching is one of our most urgent
and most rewarding opportunities to nurture and inspire, to counsel
and direct our Father's children. ... [It] is a divine service, a
divine call. It is our duty as Home Teachers to carry the divine
spirit into every home and heart." - Thomas
S. Monson, "Stand in Your Appointed Place," Ensign (CR), May 2003,
p. 54
8/20/10
"Be careful to go to places where there is a good
environment, where you won’t be faced with temptation.
"A wise father said to his son, 'If you ever find yourself in a place
where you shouldn’t ought to be, get out!' Good advice for all of us." -
Thomas S. Monson, Preparation
Brings Blessings," Ensign (CR) May 2010
8/26/10
"No words in
Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the
weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the
week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke
the angel:
"'Why seek ye the living among the dead?
"'He is not here, but is risen.'" - Thomas
S. Monson, "He Is Risen," Ensign (CR) May 2010
9/3/10
"My brothers and
sisters, today, as we look at the world around us, we are faced with
problems which are serious and of great concern to us. The world seems
to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor
of peace.
"Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, dishonesty, and a host of
other ills cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on
the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and
shattered dreams.
"My counsel for all of us is to look to the lighthouse of the Lord.
There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no
mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through
the storms of life. The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals
readily recognized and never failing." - Thomas
S. Monson, "A Word at Closing," Ensign (CR) May 2010
9/25/10
"When faced with significant choices, how do we decide? Do we
succumb to the promise of momentary pleasure? To our urges and
passions? To the pressure of our peers?
"Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis
Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will
remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her,
each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted
by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, 'Which path shall I
follow?’
"The cat answers, 'That depends where you want to go. If you do not
know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.’
"Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter
which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our
destination.” - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Three Rs of Choice,” Ensign (CR) October 2010
1/13/11
I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure.
Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down
upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly
Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to
our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will
be nothing in this world that can defeat us. - Thomas S. Monson,
"Be of Good Cheer," Ensign (CR) April 2009
6/3/11
"Like the vital
rudder of a ship, we have been provided a way to determine the direction
we travel. The lighthouse of the Lord beckons to all as we sail the seas
of life. Our home port is the celestial kingdom of God. Our purpose is
to steer an undeviating course in that direction. A man without a
purpose is like a ship without a rudder—never likely to reach home port.
To us comes the signal: Chart your course, set your sail, position your
rudder, and proceed." - Thomas S.
Monson, "Sailing
Safely the Seas of Life," Ensign (CR) April 1982
7/25/11
We know each one
lived in the spirit world with Heavenly Father. We understand we have
come to earth to learn, to live, to progress in our eternal journey
toward perfection. Some remain on earth but for a moment, while others
live long upon the land. The measure is not how long we live, but
rather how well we live. Then come death and the beginning of a new
chapter of life. Where does that chapter lead? -
The sands flow through the hourglass, the clock of history moves
on; yet the divine truth prevails undiminished, undiluted,
unchanged. - Thomas
S. Monson, "Anonymous," Ensign (CR) April 1983
Through
tears
and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and
loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is
everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is
so. – Thomas S. Monson, “I
Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Ensign (CR) May 2007
2/15/17
Whenever temptation comes, remember the wise counsel of the Apostle
Paul, who declared, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as
is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
When you were confirmed a member of the Church, you received the
right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost. He can help you make
good choices. When challenged or tempted, you do not need to feel
alone. Remember that prayer is the passport to spiritual power. – Thomas
S. Monson, “Preparation
Brings Blessings,” Ensign (CR) May 2010