Mormon Musings

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/the-falcon-and-the-falconer/

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/the-decline-of-moral-values-in-society/

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As, to be hated, needs but to be seen; Yet seen to oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace. Alexander Pope (An Essay on Man, epistle i, I. 217)

We are justified in being of good cheer for ultimate reasons---reasons to be distinguished, however, from proximate circumstances.  If, for instance, our attitude towards life depends upon the praise of men, the level of interest rates, the outcome of a particular election or athletic event, we are too much at the mercy of men and circumstances. Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, November 1982, p. 66

Brother Kimball referred to Zion's Camp going to Missouri.  When I returned from that mission to Kirkland, a brother said to me, "Brother Brigham, what have you gained by this journey?"  I replied, "Just what we went for; but I would not exchange the knowledge I have received this season for the whole of the Geauga County; for property and mines of wealth are not to be compared to the worth of knowledge."  Ask those brethren and sisters who have passed through scenes of affliction and suffering for years in the Church what they would take in exchange for their experience, and be placed back where they were, were it possible.  I presume they would tell you that all the wealth, honors and riches of the world could not buy the knowledge they had obtained, could they barter it away.  Let the brethren be contented, if you have trials and must have hard times, learn to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in it all.  He directs the affairs of this world... Brigham Young

I will offer a word to all, whether they are mechanics or common laborers.  No matter what calling you may follow in life, you have need, at this juncture of your existence, to observe and treasure up one thing carefully and faithfully in your minds, namely, if you live a proper life before the Lord, you know that you have the fellowship of His Spirit, so that you know your prayers are heard and answered, because you receive the things you ask for.  If you live so as to always have the witness of the good Spirit, you will be saved today and every day, and thus it will be well with you.  But if you are heedless of this day, and calculate on tomorrow, you have no assurance that you will realize your hopes tomorrow.  The only certain stepping stone is...that you be faithful to your covenants with God and secure thereby the fellowship of the Spirit, and walk in the counsels of it today; if you do this, you will have the good that is for you tomorrow. Franklin D. Richards, Journal of Dis

This we believe, by Elder Richard L. Evans, April 1962