A GREAT CHURCH FAMILY
You are all a part of this great family which we call The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, . . . and the larger we grow, the greater becomes our obligation to live the gospel and be Latter-day Saints in word and deed, in practice, and in all we do. -- From Pago Pago, Samoa, member meeting, Oct. 3, 1997BE FAITHFUL
We ought to be the very best people that walk the earth anywhere. If we live the gospel we will be the best people on earth. If we don't live the gospel, we'll be traitors to the great and beautiful cause which we have embraced. I urge you to stand a little taller, to be a little more faithful, to be a little better, to be Latter-day Saints in every shade and meaning of that phrase. If we will be strong, if we will be faithful, if we will be true, the blessings of the Almighty will attend us wherever we go and whatever we do in righteousness. -- From Richmond, Va., member meeting, Nov. 14, 1998
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself as a child of God. Believe in your capacity to do good in the world, to spread light and truth and understanding; to reach out to those in distress and need to help and bless them. -- From Baltimore, Md., member meeting, Nov. 15, 1998
DO LORD'S WORK AND KNOW
If we do the work for the Lord, we shall know of Him. We should know God, our Eternal Father. How grateful I am for the knowledge which I carry in my heart through the gift of the Holy Ghost, and for the assurance that you carry that same knowledge in your hearts that God is our Eternal Father. -- From Burlington, Vt., member meeting, Oct. 14, 1998
FAITH IN THE FUTURE
I feel tremendously optimistic about the future. We are in a world of all kinds of problems, as we all know. We see it on all sides -- gangs, families gone, children killing children, single mothers, illegitimate births, drugs, the whole thing, but with all of that I believe there is a great residual of goodness in people. I believe that there are millions who are prayerful, faithful, strong people who are doing their best to rear their families in truth and righteousness, to live as citizens with honesty and integrity and to make a contribution of their lives. -- From Houston Chronicle interview, Sept. 15, 1998
HAVE I DONE ANY GOOD?
Brethren and sisters, don't miss the chance. Today will never come again. Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Ask yourself that question each night. May you be able to answer in a very positive way. -- From Atlanta, Ga., missionary meeting, May 16, 1998
JESUS CHRIST
We honor the Beloved Son of our Eternal Father. It was Jesus, His Firstborn, who left the glory of His Father's presence and condescended to come to earth as the promised Messiah. 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. He was and is the Son of God. -- From First Presidency's Christmas Devotional, The Testimony of Jesus, Dec. 6, 1998
PARENTS
To you parents, thank you for rearing your children in light and truth and understanding. I don't hesitate to promise you that if you will do that, the time will come when you will get on your knees and thank the Lord for the goodness of your sons and your daughters, that He has preserved and led and guided them in ways of righteousness, and that they are a credit to you, their fathers and their mothers. -- From Baltimore, Md., member meeting, Nov. 15, 1998
ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. The priesthood which we hold, brethren, is a royal priesthood. It comes from the King of heaven. It is His authority in whose name we act. It is the priesthood of the Son of God, the King of kings. It is a royal priesthood. It is something to be thought of and meditated upon and acted with in a spirit of gratitude and appreciation and thanksgiving. -- From North Ogden, Utah, regional conference, May 3, 1998
TEMPLE RECOMMEND
I think of all the things of which I may be proudest . . . is the fact that ever since I went on a mission I've had a temple recommend in my pocket. I have one in there now. It is my credit card with the Lord, and I am grateful for it. -- From Lowell, Mass., member meeting, Oct. 15, 1998
WE LIVE IN A COMPLEX TIME
We live in a very complex time in the history of the world. We are subjected to all kinds of influences that come into our living rooms and speak to us and beckon us to do things that we shouldn't do. It takes self-discipline, faith, courage and vision to go forward. And you do that. We love you for the strength and goodness of your lives. -- From Sydney, Australia, member fireside, May 14, 1997