Criticism and pessimism destroy families, undermine institutions of all kinds, defeat nearly everyone, and spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations.

Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women.

Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.

Criticism and pessimism destroy families, undermine institutions of all kinds, defeat nearly everyone, and spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations.

Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith.

A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes.

A tattoo is graffiti on the temple of the body.

Any investigator worthy of baptism becomes a convert worthy of saving.

Anything so precious as the gospel of Jesus Christ is worthy of all the effort and sacrifice of time and means employed to teach it.

As we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving.

At the end of our lives, we step across the threshold or death and enter into a new and better world. I believe that. It's just that simple.

Be virtuous in thought and in deed. God has planted in you, for a purpose, a divine urge which may be easily subverted to evil and destructive ends.

Children can be disciplined with love.

Choose your friends carefully. It is they who will lead you in one direction or the other.

Conflict grows out of ignorance and suspicion.

Determine that there will never be anything that will come between you that will disrupt your marriage. Make it work. Resolve to make it work.

Did you ever think that your body is holy? You are a child of God. Your body is His creation.

Dishonesty of any kind will create a blemish.

Do you feel gloomy? Lift your eyes. Stand on your feet. Say a few words of appreciation and love to the Lord. Be positive.

Eligibility for a temple recommend is not based on financial worth. That has nothing whatever to do with it. It is based on consistent personal behavior, on the goodness of one's life. It is not concerned with money matters, but rather with things of eternity.

Encourage your children to read more and watch television less.

Eternal vigilance is the price of eternal development.

Every convert is a son or daughter of God.

Every good citizen adds to the strength of a nation.

Every individual in the church is free to think as he pleases.

Every righteous man or woman is entitled to revelation concerning his own affairs.

Every sacrament meeting ought to be a spiritual feast.

God gave us our agency. He taught us a way. He showed us what to do. But he gave us our agency and left us free to act as we choose to do.

How grateful I am for the law of tithing. It is the Lord's law of finance.

I almost stand in awe when I think of Joseph Smith. The angel appeared to him in 1823 - he said to this simple little boy, 'Your name should be known for good and evil throughout the entire world.'

I am satisfied that every man or woman who goes to the temple in a spirit of sincerity and faith leaves the house of the Lord a better man or woman.

I am suggesting that as we go through life, we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.

I cannot understand why any young man - or young woman, for that matter - would wish to undergo the painful process of disfiguring the skin with various multicolored representations of people, animals, and various symbols.

I do not concern myself much with reading long commentary volumes designed to enlarge at length upon that which is found in the scriptures. Rather, I prefer to dwell with the source, tasting of the unadulterated waters of the fountain of truth - the word of God as he gave it and as it has been recorded in the books we accept as scripture.

I do not fear truth. I welcome it. But I wish all of my facts to be in their proper context.

I don't think that the Internet has contributed greatly to immorality.

I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know.

I have many friends of other religions, and I am satisfied that they are very conscientious, good people who are trying to do good. I appreciate that.

I have yet to find a faithful tithe payer who cannot testify that in a very literal and wonderful way the windows of Heaven have been opened and blessings have been poured out upon him or her.

I hope that if you are employed full-time, you are doing it to ensure that basic needs are met and not simply to indulge a taste for an elaborate home, fancy cars, and other luxuries.

I promise you that the time will come, if you have tattoos, that you will regret your actions. They cannot be washed off. They are permanent. Only by an expensive and painful process can they be removed. If you are tattooed, then probably for the remainder of your life you will carry it with you.

I spent one night in the hospital in my life. I was past 75 when that occurred.

I submit that in the few minutes that Joseph Smith was with the Father and the Son, he learned more of the nature of God the Eternal Father and the risen Lord than all the learned minds in all their discussions through all centuries of time.

I thank the Lord for the great principle of repentance and forgiveness.

I think that the churches do a better job in many respects than the government does in various kinds of things. Extending aid, the helpfulness, and so on, yes.

I think the world would be much poorer without religion, speaking generally.

I would enjoy sitting in a rocker... listening to soft music and contemplating the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution.

I've been blessed so abundantly that I can never get over it. I just feel so richly blessed that I want to extend that to others wherever I can.

I've never been a believer in the physical punishment of children. I don't think it is necessary.