Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances (Elder Richard G. Scott, Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, General Conference, October 1993). I believe that we often leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not record and respond to the first promptings that come to us when we are in need or when impressions come in response to urgent prayer (Richard G. Scott - 1985 Sperry Symposium, Principles of the Gospel in Practice, pp. 7-8). The prompting that goes unresponded to may not be repeated. Writing down what we have been prompted with is vital. A special thought can also be lost later in the day in the rough and tumble of life. God should not, and may not, choose to repeat the prompting if we assign what was given such a low priority as to set it aside (Neal A. Maxwell: Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward, p. 122). It is through the repeated process of feeling impressions, recording them, and obeying them that one learns to depend on the direction of the Spirit more than on communication through the five senses (Richard G. Scott: "Helping Others to be Spiritually Led," Address to Religious Educators, 11 August 1998, p. 3). Some people say, I don t have anything to record. Nothing spiritual happens to me. I say, Start recording, and spiritual things will happen. They are there all the time, but we become more sensitive to them as we write" (John H. Groberg, Writing Your Personal and Family History, Ensign, May 1980, 48). If the Lord was meek and lowly and HUMBLE, then to become humble one must do what He did in BOLDLY denouncing evil, BRAVELY advancing righteous works, COURAGEOUSLY meeting every problem, becoming the master of himself and the situations about him and being NEAR OBLIVIOUS TO PERSONAL CREDIT (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pg. 232, emphasis added). The command to be one embraces all other commands... (George Q. Cannon - The Seer, pg. 289, 1854) A GREAT DAY OF UNITY IS COMING (President Henry B. Eyring, Our Hearts Knit as One, General Conference, October 2008, emphasis added). President David O. McKay said, The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother (quoted from Theodore Hesburgh, Reader s Digest, Jan. 1963, 25; in Richard Evans Quote Book [1971], 11). We will become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives and follow those he has commissioned to lead us (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Come to Zion, General Conference, October 2008). There are few things teachers (parents) can do that will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of their students (children) than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them on a daily basis. (Gospel Teaching and Learning: A Handbook for Teachers and Leaders in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, pg. 20) Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls... (Elder David A. Bednar, More Diligent and Concerned at Home, General Conference, October 2009). You have agency, and you are free to choose. But there is actually no free agency. Agency has its price. You have to pay the consequences of your choices (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Wind Beneath Your Wings, Brigham Young University devotional, November 11, 2003; also published July 2006 Ensign as On the Wings of Eagles ).
I have heard a few parents state that they don t want to impose the gospel on their children but want them to make up their own minds about what they will believe and follow.... What they forget is that the intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth, of things as they really are (see D&C 93:24). Without that, young people can hardly be expected to understand and evaluate the alternatives that come before them. Parents should consider how the adversary approaches their children. He and his followers are not promoting objectivity but are vigorous, multimedia advocates of sin and selfishness (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Moral Discipline, General Conference, October 2009). Responsibility for teaching the doctrines rests upon parents. If you want your children to grow spiritually, teach them the doctrines of the gospel.... when they are away from both teacher and parent... how free will they be, and how safe? It will depend on how much truth they have received! (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Agency and Control, General Conference, April 1983). True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Little Children, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17). The youth are responsible for their own choices. But as faithful parents, teachers, leaders, and friends, we shore up the faith of the young people. And we must raise our sights.... (President Henry B. Eyring, We Must Raise Our Sights, Ensign, Sept. 2004, 14, 16). Some think that they should be spared from any adversity if they keep God s commandments, but it is in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Nephi 20:10) that we are chosen.... (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Moral Agency, Ensign, June 2009). It was Satan s proposal that Father s children be forced to obey, that there be no moral agency and therefore no personal growth (Elder Richard G. Scott, To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse, General Conference, April 2008). One business executive, in championing the free enterprise system, had this advice for young business managers: Work [diligently]. Be at the right place at the right time... Develop an inner drive and a competitive desire to excel rather than just get along. Develop your common sense. Your obedience will make for success and happiness. (President N. Eldon Tanner, Obeying the Right Voice, Ensign, November 1977).... Owning a Smartphone Does Not Make You Smart, but Using It Wisely Can... (Randall L. Ridd, The Choice Generation, Ensign, May 2014). It is not enough simply to try to resist evil or empty our lives of sin. We must also fill our lives with righteousness. We must engage in activities that bring spiritual power... We must do more than simply remove the negative influences from our lives. We must replace them with righteous activities that fill us with the strength and determination to live as we should (President Ezra Taft Benson, The Law of Chastity, New Era, Jan 1988, 4) Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven (President Boyd K. Packer, To Young Women and Young Men, Ensign, May 1989). No wonder we are told to bridle all [our] passions... Otherwise, oozing passions fill the available soul space, and double occupancy is not possible (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Seventh Commandment: A Shield, Ensign, Nov. 2001). As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough (Elder Henry B. Eyring, Always, Ensign, Oct. 1999, 9).
The spiritual strength sufficient for our youth to stand firm just a few years ago will soon not be enough (Elder Henry B. Eyring, Address to Religious Educators at a conference on the Book of Mormon, BYU, Aug 14, 2001; see also We Must Raise Our Sights, Ensign, Sept 2004). Your fathers and grandfathers never faced the temptations that you face on a regular basis. You are living in the last days. If your father wanted to get in trouble, he had to go searching for it. Not anymore! Today temptation finds you! Please remember that! (Elder Robert D. Hales, Stand Strong in Holy Places, General Conference, April 2013). All are free to choose, of course, and we would not have it otherwise. Unfortunately, however when some choose slackness, they are choosing not only for themselves, but for the next generation and the next. Small equivocations in parents can produce large deviations in their children.... (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Settle This in Your Hearts, Ensign, Nov 1992). It was Satan s proposal that Father s children be forced to obey, that there be no moral agency and therefore no personal growth (Elder Richard G. Scott, To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse, General Conference, April 2008). The submission of one s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God s altar... (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father, General Conference, 1995) The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, The Challenge to Become, Ensign, Nov 2002). In our customary Church vocabulary, we often speak of going to church, going to the temple, and going on a mission. Let me be so bold as to suggest that our rather routine emphasis on going misses the mark... (Elder David A. Bednar, Becoming a Missionary, Ensign, Nov. 2005, 44). I attended a seminary graduation in Omaha, Nebraska. The speaker, again a young man, described this experience.... (President Packer: Boyd K. Packer, Agency and Control, Ensign, May 1983, 67). [To parents:] If you want your children to grow spiritually, teach them the doctrines of the gospel.... The Church can help parents because this kind of learning is effectively given in a classroom setting.... When one understands the gospel, it becomes very clear that the best control is self-control. It may seem unusual at first to foster self-control by centering on freedom of choice, but it is a very sound doctrinal approach.... (Boyd K. Packer, Agency and Control, Ensign, May 1983, 67). We are surrounded even at times bombarded by the messages of the adversary. Listen to some of them; they are no doubt familiar to you: Just this once won t matter. Don t worry; no one will know. You can stop smoking or drinking or taking drugs any time you want. Everybody s doing it, so it can t be that bad. The lies are endless (President Thomas S. Monson, The Three Rs of Choice, Ensign, Nov 2010). Keep your covenants and you will be safe, break them and you will not.... Life is meant to be a test to see if we will keep the commandments of God. We are free to obey or to ignore the spirit and the letter of the law. But the agency granted unto man is moral agency. (D&C 101:78) We are not free to break our covenants and escape the consequences (President Boyd K. Packer, Covenants, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 84). The commandments are not a burden or a restriction. Every commandment of the Lord is given for our development, progress, and growth. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: God has designed our happiness.... He never will institute an
ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He as designed (Elder Robert D. Hales, If Thou Wilt Enter in to Life, Keep the Commandments, Ensign, May 1996, 35). It is exciting to realize that we can expand our freedom by perfecting our obedience. In the words of President Boyd K. Packer, We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see. Our choice in this life is not whether we will or will not be subject to any power. Our choice is to which authority we will yield obedience: God s or Satan s! (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, You Are Free, Ensign, March 2013). The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a religion of mourning and gloom. The faith of our fathers is one of hope and joy. It is not a gospel of chains but a gospel of wings. The abundant life is a spiritual life. Too many sit at the banquet table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at the feast placed before them (Joseph B. Wirthlin, The Abundant Life, Ensign, May 2006, 99). Some Christians carry their religion on their backs.... (Harry Emerson Fosdick: Twelve Tests of Character, [1923] 87-88; Quoted by Elder L. Tom Perry, A Year of Jubilee, General Conference, Oct 1999). I meet so many people who constantly complain about the burden of their responsibilities. Of course the pressures are great. There is much, too much to do Turn your thinking around, the Gospel is good news! Man is that he might have joy. Be Happy! Let that happiness shine through your faces and speak through your testimonies (President Gordon B. Hinckley - Four Imperatives for Religious Educators, address to religious educators, 15, Sept. 1978, 4). Be happy in that which you do. Cultivate a spirit of gladness in your homes. Subdue and overcome all elements of anger, impatience, and unbecoming talk one to another. Let the light of the gospel shine in your faces wherever you go and in whatever you do (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Live the Gospel, General Conference, October 1984). The Brethren are happy while they cope with serious and somber problems. Someone said it s too bad we don t preserve the small talk of great men; so too, the humor of holy man who serve as special witnesses... the living prophets I ve known have all had a sense of humor (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Deposition of a Disciple, pp. 19, 52). We ve got to have a little humor in our lives. You d better take seriously that which should be taken seriously but, at the same time, we can bring a touch of humor now and again (Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 432). Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church. Eternal life will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven. They must be led, and that means teaching (President Gordon B. Hinckley, General Authority Board Meeting, 5 Feb 1969; see Ensign Jan. 1999, 18). You must begin by teaching at the cradle-side (Elder L. Tom Perry, Becoming Goodly Parents, General Conference, Oct 2012). Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them.... (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Point of Safe Return, Ensign, May 2007). Letters come from those who have made tragic mistakes. They ask, Can I ever be forgiven? the answer is Yes!... (President Boyd K. Packer, The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness, Ensign, Nov. 1995, 18). The Lord has given [a] signal, clear and powerful. It is that we can expect more, not less, of youth... (Elder Henry B. Eyring, CES Satellite Training Broadcast, Aug 2004).
Sometimes, we do not expect enough of these young people. They really are the young people that have been reserved for these latter days. Well let s quit telling them that and start treating them like that (A Discussion with Elder David A. Bednar, May 2012). The Savior wants to forgive... (Elder Craig A. Cardon, The Savior Wants to Forgive, General Conference, April 2013). Choose to believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Accept the Savior s forgiveness, and then forgive yourself. Because of His sacrifice for you, He has the power to remember [your sins] no more. You must do likewise... (Elder Robert D. Hales, To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency, General Conference, April 2006). I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, I have so many problems, such real concerns. I m overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do? I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day and then one more and then one more after that until we ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness (President Thomas S. Monson, Believe, Obey, and Endure, General Young Women s Broadcast, March 2012). I share with you a statement of President Benson made to a gathering of youth in Southern California after he became President of the Church: God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God Make no mistake about it- you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain- the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight- and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission? (Elder Marvin J. Ashton, Stalwart and Brave We Stand, Ensign, Nov. 1989, 35).