Quote Journal: FAMILY

1) "The family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father’s plan here on earth and through the eternities. After Adam and Eve were joined in marriage, the scripture reads, ‘And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.’ In our day prophets and apostles have declared, ‘The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.’” (Neil L. Andersen, Children, October 2011 General Conference, http://www.lds.org)

2) "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.” (L. Tom Perry, The Importance of the Family, May 2003 Ensign, http://ww.lds.org)

3) "With the Lord, families are essential. He created the earth that we could gain physical bodies and form families. He established His Church to exalt families. He provides temples so that families can be together forever.” (Russell M. Nelson, Set in Order Thy House, January 2002 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

4) "The family unit is fundamental not only to society and to the Church but also to our hope for eternal life.” (Henry B. Eyring, The Family, October 1998 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

5) "So fundamental is the family unit to the plan of salvation that God has declared a warning that those ‘individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God [their maker]. … The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets’ (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).” (Robert D. Hales, The Eternal Family, November 1996 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

6) "Strengthening families is our sacred duty as parents, children, extended family members, leaders, teachers, and individual members of the Church.” (Robert D. Hales, Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty, April 1999 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

7) "World leaders and court judges agree that the family must endure if we are to survive. At the same time, they use the words freedom and choice as tools to pry apart the safeguards of the past and loosen up the laws on marriage, abortion, and gender. In so doing, they promote the very things which threaten the family.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Father and the Family, April 1994 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

8) "Strong family relationships don’t just happen. It takes time. It takes commitment, it takes prayer, and it takes work.” (W. Eugene Hansen, Children and the Family, April 1998 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

9) "Family love is wonderful. Nothing is as specific as the love of a baby for its mother. Nothing is as predictable as the love of children for their parents or the love of parents for their children.” (Russell M. Nelson, A New Harvest Time, April 1998 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

10) "Today we are reaping a harvest of family love from seeds sown years ago. Preparations to strengthen family ties came in 1823, when the angel Moroni first appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Moroni announced the coming of Elijah, who would cause the hearts of children to be turned to their fathers.” (Russell M. Nelson, A New Harvest Time, April 1998 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

Quote Journal: Modesty

1) "The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet is very clear in its call for young women to avoid clothing that is too tight, too short, or improperly revealing in any manner, including bare midriffs. Parents, please review this booklet with your children. Second only to your love, they need your limits. Young women, choose your clothing the way you would choose your friends—in both cases choose that which improves you and would give you confidence standing in the presence of God.  Good friends would never embarrass you, demean you, or exploit you. Neither should your clothing.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, To Young Women, October 2005 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


2) "President N. Eldon Tanner once cautioned us with these words: ‘Modesty in dress is a quality of mind and heart, born of respect for oneself, one’s fellowmen, and the Creator of us all. Modesty reflects an attitude of humility, decency, and propriety. Consistent with these principles and guided by the Holy Spirit, let parents, teachers, and youth discuss the particulars of dress, grooming, and personal appearance, and with free agency accept responsibility and choose the right’ (“Friend to Friend,” Friend, June 1971, 3).” (L. Tom Perry, Let Him Do It with Simplicity, October 2008 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


3) "For example, they need to understand that when they wear clothing that is too tight, too short, or too low cut, they not only can send the wrong message to young men with whom they associate, but they also perpetuate in their own minds the fallacy that a woman’s value is dependent solely upon her sensual appeal. This never has been nor will it ever be within the righteous definition of a faithful daughter of God. They need to hear this—clearly and repeatedly—from your lips, and they need to see it modeled correctly and consistently in your own personal standards of dress, grooming, and modest living.” (M. Russell Ballard, Mothers and Daughters, April 2010 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


4) "Modesty is not a matter of being “hip.” It is a matter of the heart and being holy. It is not about being fashionable. It is about being faithful. It is not about being cool. It is about being chaste and keeping covenants. It is not about being popular, but about being pure. Modesty has everything to do with keeping our footing securely on the path of chastity and virtue.” (Elaine S. Dalton, Stay on the Path, April 2007 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


5) "Modesty is more than a matter of avoiding revealing attire. It describes not only the altitude of hemlines and necklines but the attitude of our hearts. The word modesty means “measured.” It is related to moderate. It implies ‘decency, and propriety … in thought, language, dress, and behavior’ (in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 2:932).” (Susan W. Tanner, The Sanctity of the Body, October 2005 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


6) "I know some young women who had questions about modest clothing. To find answers to their questions, they followed this exact pattern: they prayed to Heavenly Father, they studied the scriptures and the words of our latter-day prophets, and they were obedient in living the standard of modesty. As they received answers to their questions, their faith increased and their testimonies were strengthened. I would invite each of you to follow this pattern.” (Mary N. Cook, Anchors of Testimony, April 2008 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


7) "You are your daughter’s guardian in more than the legal sense. Be present in your daughter’s life. Let her know your standards, your expectations, your hopes and dreams for her success and happiness. Interview her, get to know her friends and, when the time comes, her boyfriends. Help her understand the importance of education. Help her understand that the principle of modesty is a protection.” (Elaine S. Dalton, Love Her Mother, October 2011 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


8) "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father. He loves us, and we love Him. I am humbled and grateful to be in your presence. The Lord has blessed me with a very clear understanding of who you are and why you are here on the earth at this time. The Lord loves you, and I know you love Him. It shows in your countenance, in your modesty, in your desire to choose the right, and in your commitment to remain virtuous and pure.” (Elaine S. Dalton, Remember Who You Are! April 2010 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


9) "Jacob taught that the Lord delights ‘in the chastity of women’ (Jacob 2:28). I delight in the chastity and purity of all women and men. How it must grieve the Lord to see virtue violated and modesty mocked on every side in this wicked world.” (Susan W. Tanner, My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the World, April 2008 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


10) "The kind of young woman who can be a terrific torchbearer has high standards all the time, not just in her prom dress, but every, ordinary day. There are so many of you who are like that, and I salute you tonight. You have made modesty your way of life. It is more than how you dress. It includes at least six things that I can think of: (1) your behavior is decent and modest, and yet you are very fun to be with; (2) your language is never crude but happy and interesting; (3) you are well groomed, and that is appealing; (4) you are focused on developing your talents and achieving your goals, not piercing and tattooing and flaunting your body; (5) you play sports with gusto but never lose control; (6) you don’t seem to care about what the latest pop star wears or does because you have a certain style of your own. In summary, you do not imitate the world’s standards because you know a higher standard. You know who you are, and that puts you at a real advantage. You know that you really are a daughter of Heavenly Father. You know that He knows you and that He loves you; you want to please Him and honor His love for you. You know that even if you make foolish mistakes, He will help you if you turn to Him.” (Margaret D. Nadauld, Hold High the Torch, April 2002 Ensign, http://lds.org)

Quote Journal: Word of Wisdom

1)"Some have even used as an alibi the fact that drugs are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. What a miserable excuse. There is likewise no mention of the hazards of diving into an empty swimming pool or of jumping from an overpass onto the freeway. But who doubts the deadly consequences of such? Common sense would dictate against such behavior. Regardless of the Word of Wisdom, there is a divinely given reason for avoiding these illegal substances.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, A Plague on the World, 1990 July Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


2)"The Word of Wisdom put restrictions on members of the Church. To this day those regulations apply to every member and to everyone who seeks to join the Church. They are so compelling that no one is to be baptized into the Church without first agreeing to live by them. No one will be called to teach or to lead unless they accept them. When you want to go to the temple, you will be asked if you keep the Word of Wisdom. If you do not, you cannot go to the house of the Lord until you are fully worthy.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises, 1996 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


3)"The Word of Wisdom contains some very positive aspects. It encourages us to use grains, particularly wheat, and to use fruits and vegetables and the sparing use of meat. It is also noted for its prohibition—absolute prohibition—against the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. Added to this has been the counsel of the Church leaders to abstain from the use of such drugs as marijuana, cocaine, etc., and the abusive use of prescription drugs.” (L. Tom Perry, Run and Not Be Weary, 1996 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


4)"Today the curse of drink and drugs is becoming a national nightmare. It is the cause of most of our crime, accidents, loss of employment, and the breakup of our homes. You great young men of the Aaronic Priesthood will be required to pay the social costs for this dreaded disease as you move forward into your adult lives. Surely something must be done to stop this destructive force. I challenge you to stand up to your peers as an example of righteous living. I know the Lord will fulfill his promise to you by blessing you with health, with knowledge, with wisdom that will set you apart from the rest of the world. Your righteous example will also bless the lives of many, many others.” (L. Tom Perry, Run and Not Be Weary, 1996 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


5)"From an initial experiment thought to be trivial, a vicious cycle may follow. From trial comes a habit. From habit comes dependence. From dependence comes addiction. Its grasp is so gradual. Enslaving shackles of habit are too small to be sensed until they are too strong to be broken. Indeed, drugs are the modern “mess of pottage” for which souls are sold. No families are free from risk.” (Russell M. Nelson, Addiction or Freedom, 1988 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


6)"Obeying the Word of Wisdom gave our members, especially our youth, a preventive inoculation against drug use and the resulting health problems and moral hazards. Unfortunately, there appears to be a resurgence of drug use in our own day. Living the Word of Wisdom today will free you from some of the most serious dangers you can face in this life.” (Quentin L. Cook, Give Heed unto the Prophets’ Words, 2008 April Conference, http://www.lds.org)


7)"Your body is the instrument of your mind. In your emotions, the spirit and the body come closest to being one. What you learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your body. That is why the Word of Wisdom is so important. The habit-forming substances prohibited by that revelation—tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco—interfere with the delicate feelings of spiritual communication, just as other addictive drugs will do. Do not ignore the Word of Wisdom, for that may cost you the “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” promised to those who keep it. And good health is an added blessing.”(Boyd K. Packer, Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise, 1994 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


8)"Honor the principle of the Word of Wisdom and you will receive the promised blessings. ‘All saints,’ the revelation promises, ‘who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments,’ are promised that they ‘shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones’ and “shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint” (D&C 89:18, 20). The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises, 1996 April Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


9)"We will be careful about which counsel we heed. Many so-called experts give advice for the body—without thought for the spirit. Anyone who accepts direction contrary to the Word of Wisdom, for example, forsakes a law revealed to bring both physical and spiritual blessings.  Some recommendations regarding use of our reproductive organs are based solely—and inadequately—upon physical considerations. Beware of such one-sided views! Paul taught that ‘if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.’” (Russell M. Nelson, We Are Children of God, 1998 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


10)"Is observance of the Word of Wisdom necessary? The Brethren have long felt that it certainly must be. Observance of the Word of Wisdom is concerned with the care of one’s body, which, the Lord has assured, is of itself a temple, a tabernacle of the spirit. He has said, ‘Yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple’ (D&C 93:35).” (Gordon B. Hinckley, The Body Is Sacred, 2006 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

Quote Journal: Atonement

1) “He lives, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind, whose Atonement came as an act of grace for the entire world… He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life… God be thanked for the gift of His Son, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the Prince of Life and Peace, the Holy One.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, A Testimony of the Son of God, 2002 December Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

2) “God, our loving Father in Heaven, has said that it is His work and glory ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39). God the Father is the author of the gospel, it is a key part of God’s plan of salvation, or plan of redemption. It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes redemption and salvation possible. Through the Atonement all men, women, and children are unconditionally redeemed from physical death, and all will be redeemed from their own sins on the condition of accepting and obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?, 2007 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

3) “[Jesus Christ’s] 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, 1996 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

4) “[Jesus Christ] is the Light of the Atonement fulfilled in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Golgotha, who took upon Himself the sins of the world, that all mankind may obtain eternal salvation. He is the Light of the empty tomb… His my Light, my Redeemer, my Savior-and yours.” (Robert D. Hales, Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light, 2002 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

5) “The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. Repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness are spiritually necessary, and we must always do so. But remission of sin is not the only or even the ultimate purpose of the gospel. To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that ‘we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually’ (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin’s people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin, both the taint and the tyranny of sin.” (David A. Bednar, Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, 2007 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

6) “The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the healing it offers do much more than provide the opportunity for repentance from sins. The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,’ because our Savior also took upon Him ‘the pains and the sicknesses of his people’ (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden.” (Dallin H. Oaks, He Heals the Heavy Laden, 2006 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

7) “How incomplete and empty sacrament meetings would be without hymns of worship. Sacred among all hymns are those that capture the sacrifice and the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. My earliest memories of the healing power of the Savior are associated with sacrament hymns. This sentence is real to me: ‘I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me’ (“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193). My understanding of the doctrines of the Atonement is connected to the hymns.” (Jay E. Jensen, The Nourishing Power of Hymns, 2007 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

8) “As the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, Jesus inherited divine attributes. He was the only person ever born into mortality who could perform this most significant and supernal act. As the only sinless Man who ever lived on this earth, He was not subject to spiritual death. Because of His godhood, He also possessed power over physical death. Thus He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves.” (James E. Faust, The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope, 2001 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org.)

9) “From the beginning of the Father has promised each of His spirit sons and daughters that through the atonement and Resurrection of His Beloved Son, we all might return to God’s presence and inherit the blessings of eternal life in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. Each of us knew that the journey to exaltation would be long, strenuous, and sometimes lonely, but we also knew that we would not travel alone. Heavenly Father provides all who fulfill the prerequisites of faith, repentance, and baptism with a companion and guide, the Holy Ghost.” (Keith K. Hilbig, Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man, 2007 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

10) “I am filled with wonder at the love my Savior Jesus Christ showed by descending from the heavenly mansions and coming to a world where the majority rejected His message, and even though they did not have the power to take His life, they condemned Him to death. Christ paid for my sins, for my illnesses, afflictions, and sorrows. His pain was indescribable; Luke only makes mention that ‘his sweat was as it was great drops of blood’ (Luke 22:44). Above all else, this is the reason for my membership in the Church: because the Holy Spirit has penetrated my heart and has made it known to me that Christ lives, that He is my Savior, that He paid for my sins, and that He has prepared the way so that if I live according to His precepts, I can enjoy all other promised blessings.” (Enrique R. Falabella, Why Are We Members of the Only True Church?, 2007 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)