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)

Quote Journal: Agency

1) “The way to exaltation is not a freeway featuring unlimited vision, unrestricted speeds, and untested skills. Rather, it is known by many forks and turnings, sharp curves, and controlled speeds. Our driving ability is being put to the test. Are we ready? We’re driving. We haven’t passed this way before. Fortunately, the Master Highway Builder, even our Heavenly Father, has provided a road map showing the route to follow. He has placed markers along the way to guide us to our destination.” (Thomas S. Monson, Crisis at the Crossroads, 2002 November New Era, http://www.lds.org)

2) “You are to do the choosing here and now during this exciting and wonderful time on earth. Moral agency, the freedom to choose, is certainly one of God’s greatest gifts next to the life itself. We have the honorable right to choose; therefore, we need to choose the right. This is not always easy.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Your Right to Choose the Right, 2005 August New Era, http://www.lds.org)

3) "To avoid being deceived, we much also follow the promptings of that Spirit [the Holy Ghost]. The Lord taught this principle in the 46^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: ‘That which is the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men…’ ‘ Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye the earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given’ (vv. 7-8).’” (Dallin H. Oaks, Be Not Deceived, 2004 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

4) “Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation.” (David A. Bednar, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, 2006 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

5) “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. The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has never been so, and so shall it ever be.” (Thomas S. Monson, The Call for Courage, 2004 Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

6) “As we learn in [the] scriptures, the fundamental purposes for the gift of agency were to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God’s chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God… The Father’s work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. Our work is to keep His commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength- and we thereby become chosen and, through the Holy Ghost, receive and recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives.” (David A. Bednar, The Tender Mercies of the Lord, 2005 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

7) “You live in a time of great challenges and opportunities. As spirit sons of heavenly parents, you are free to make the right choices. This requires hard work, self-discipline, and an optimistic outlook, which will bring joy and freedom into your life now and in the future.”(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, See the End from the Beginning, 2006 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

8) “Your Heavenly Father loves each of you and has sent you to earth with a purpose. He has revealed a plan of happiness that, if followed, will ultimately bring you home to His presence, having triumphed over the trials and challenges of this world. Committing yourself now to live by the pattern the lord has set will give you great strength in the proper use of your moral agency. The sincere commitments you make to yourself and to the Lord will be vital. We learn from the book of Psalms to ‘commit thy way unto the Lord;… and he shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5).” (John B. Dickson, Commitment to the Lord, 2007 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

9) “If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil-all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency… there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, and eternal life, and godhood.” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 1982, http://www.lds.org)

10) “When we came into this world, we brought with us from our heavenly home this God-given gift and privilege which we call our agency. It gives us the right and power to make decisions and to choose. Agency is an eternal law. President Brigham Young, speaking of our agency, taught: ‘This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice.’(Deseret News, Oct. 10, 1866).” (Wolfgang H. Paul, The Gift of Agency, 2006 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)