Ezra Taft Benson

Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible.  The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were...  Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.  But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples.  Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule.  For every Paul, for every Enos, for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds of thousands of people who find the process of [changing] much more subtle, much more imperceptible.  Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life.  They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment… The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope.

Ezra Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart,” Ensign, Oct 1989, 2

M. Russell Ballard

Working together, these three eternal principles will help give us the broad eternal perspective we need to face life’s toughest challenges, including the prophesied ordeals of the last days. Real faith fosters hope for the future; it allows us to look beyond ourselves and our present cares. Fortified by hope, we are moved to demonstrate the pure love of Christ through daily acts of obedience and Christian service.
I assure you, my brothers and sisters, that our Heavenly Father is aware of us, individually and collectively. He understands the spiritual, physical, and emotional difficulties we face in the world today. In fact, they are all part of His plan for our eternal growth and development. And His promise to us is sure: “He that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome."



M. Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov 1992, 31

Merrill J. Bateman

Few mortals share with Alma the Younger or Paul the Apostle the dramatic experiences that resulted in their spiritual rebirths over short periods of time. In fact, I believe those experiences are recorded in the scriptures not to define the time frame during which one may be reborn but to provide a vivid picture of what the accumulated, subtle changes are that take place in a faithful person over a lifetime.  For most of us, trying to be Christlike is a lifelong process and comes “line upon line, precept upon precept”. Most of us, if faithful, are baptized “with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites … were baptized … and they knew it not”. In other words, spiritual rebirth is a gradual process for most individuals. At any point in time the changes are almost imperceptible; indeed, many of us worry we are not becoming more Christlike even though we are.

Merrill J. Bateman, “Living a Christ-Centered Life,” Liahona, Dec 1999, 13

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Developing Christlike attributes can be a painful process. … Developing [these] attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim. The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives—as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter, in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually increase our capacity to “act in all holiness before [Him]”. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Christlike Attributes—the Wind beneath Our Wings,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 100

Rebecca Gwyn Stradling

In reaching for the promises we have been given we must look beyond weaknesses, sins, and fears, believing that all is possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that our honest efforts will bear fruit. It is necessary to separate the sin from the self. We must hope even as we fail, and repent—and then strive not to fail again. … Hope grows out of our faith that we are the sons and daughters of God and that we can be like him. What great expectations that hope will build in us! What motivation and power it will give us to do the things we know are right. As Paul said, “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’Hope gives us the ability to expect that, when we see as we are seen and know as we are known, what we are will be good. Hope of this eventual perfection gives us strength to repent of small and serious weaknesses alike. … Only by hope founded in faith in Jesus Christ can we develop the capacity to love.” 

Rebecca Gwynn Stradling, “Between Faith and Charity: Some Thoughts on Hope,” Ensign, Jul 1981, 27

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk, one step at a time. As we study the scriptures, speak with our Heavenly Father daily, commit to keep the commandments of God, like the Word of Wisdom, and to pay a full tithing, we attain hope. We grow in our ability to “abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost,” as we more perfectly live the gospel.


Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 21–24

James E Faust

Women today are encouraged by some to have it all: money, travel, marriage, motherhood, and separate careers in the world. For women, the important ingredients for happiness are to forge an identity, serve the Lord, get an education, develop your talents, serve your family, and if possible to have a family of your own.

However, you cannot do all these things well at the same time. You cannot eat all of the pastries in the baking shop at once. You will get a tummyache. You cannot be a 100-percent wife, a 100-percent mother, a 100-percent Church worker, a 100-percent career person, and a 100-percent public-service person at the same time. How can all of these roles be coordinated? I suggest that you can have it sequentially. ... I would encourage you sisters to develop all of your gifts and talents to move forward the work of righteousness in the earth.

James E. Faust, “How Near to the Angels,” Ensign, May 1998, 95

Kahlil Gibran

Work is love made visible.

Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet (1973), 28.

Spencer W. Kimball

...there is no tragedy in death, but only in sin.


Spencer W. Kimball, “Friend to Friend: Tragedy or Destiny?,” Friend, Apr 1974, 6

Benjamin Franklin

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

source unknown

Gordon B. Hinckley

You have not failed as long as you have tried.


Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Living Prophet,” Liahona, May 1998, 26

C. S. Lewis

A housewife's work... is the one for which all others exist.

C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis (1966), 262. as quoted by James E. Faust in the April 1998 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in a talk entitled How Near to the Angels

Neal A. Maxwell

Moments are the molecules that make up eternity!


Neal A. Maxwell, “The Tugs and Pulls of the World,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 35–37

Russell M. Nelson

Real love is not measured in terms of moonlight and roses, but in terms of who will care for you when you are old.

Russell M. Nelson, “Identity, Priority, and Blessings,” Ensign, Aug 2001, 6

Jules Renard

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.

Source Unknown

Joyce Audrey Evans

You either live in hope or you live in despair.  Without hope, you cannot endure to the end.

Joyce Audrey Evans, “To Live in Hope,” Ensign, Sep 1995, 70

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 55–58

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope. In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is ‘the substance of things hoped for.’  Hope is critical to both faith and charity. When disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith, hope is there to uphold our faith. When frustration and impatience challenge charity, hope braces our resolve and urges us to care for our fellowmen even without expectation of reward. The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the purer our charity.” 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 21–24

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk, one step at a time. As we study the scriptures, speak with our Heavenly Father daily, commit to keep the commandments of God, like the Word of Wisdom, and to pay a full tithing, we attain hope. We grow in our ability to “abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost,” as we more perfectly live the gospel.” 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 21–24

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The things we hope in sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials, temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed, there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in can uphold us and carry us until, once again, we walk in the light.  We hope in Jesus the Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future. In times of distress, we can hold tightly to the hope that things will “work together for [our] good” as we follow the counsel of God’s prophets. This type of hope in God, His goodness, and His power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges and gives strength to those who feel threatened by enclosing walls of fear, doubt, and despair.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 21–24