Quotes and Thoughts and Notes

Quotes I found in my paper files and wanted to keep (but not on paper).


"We do not separate our beliefs from other parts of our life.  Our spirituality and beliefs permeate our entire existence."

---

" ... nothing really good happens after 11 o’clock at night."  Gordon B. Hinckley

---

Don't focus on who we aren't, focus on who we are.

---

A thought I had written down a while ago (not perfected, just written as I thought it) -
Kaa, the Python snake on Jungle Book, tries to get Mowgli to "trust in [him]" and says, as he is trying to convince Mowgli to believe in him and put all his trust and faith in him; "slowly and surely your senses will cease to exist."  (It might be "cease to resist", either way works)
This is what happens when little by little we forget the teachings of the Savior and begin yielding to the temptations of Satan (that great serpent).  We begin, more and more, to do that which Satan entices us to do.  We put more faith and trust in worldly things, temporal things, unrighteous things and our senses "cease to exist"  - we have a harder time sensing the spirit of Christ, the small still voice that helps us make correct choices. 
Later Mowgli tells Kaa; "I don't need you" and he goes off with out him.  This is what we must do.  We do not need Satan - We need Christ!

---

another something I put together for a lesson (after finding this math problem, I just made the comparison with it) -

(give each a pencil and paper to figure this out with their own info)

your age X 2 + 5 X 50 - 365
add the loose change in your pocket under one dollar
add 115

The first 2 figures in the answer are your age
The last 2 are the change in your pocket

Just as this equation works for everyone, no matter what the different numbers are, the gospel of Jesus Christ works for every person, no matter what their different circumstances are.  Following the steps of the gospel will work out for the good for each individual.

---

Quotes to Remember

Many things from past reading and studying - I'm kinda playing catch up with my posting, though I have been reading each day.  These quotes come from
Book of Mormon Student Manual of Religion 121 and 122 (Copyright 1989, 1996)


"To be trusted ..., is a greater compliment than to be loved, and you cannot violate that trust"
President David O. McKay
(p94, reference for Alma 39:1-4)

...

"... sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return.  Without repentance there can be no forgiveness, and wihout forgiveness all the blessings of eternity hang in jeopardy."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
(p94, reference for Alma 39:6)

...

"When one has wronged another in deep transgresson or in injuries of lesser magnitude, he, the aggressor, who gave the offense, regardless of the attitude of the other party, should immediatley make amends by confessing to the injured one and doing all in his power to clear up the matter and again establish good feelings between the two parties."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
(p95, reference for Alma 39:12-14)

...

"Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression..."

"When I do good I feel good, and when I do bad I feel bad"
Abraham Lincoln
 

"Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God's laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight.

"Those who are heavy laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light."

(See Matthew 11:28-30)

 President Ezra Taft Benson
(p96, reference for Alma 41:10)

 

 

"But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended.

"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 would 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, no Satanic controls.

"Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death; and if these were not, there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood"

 

From Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 121 and 122, p79 (1989, 1996 edition)

Quote by Spencer W. Kimball, "Tragedy or Destiny" 1966;

( When trying to find that manual online, I see that there is a 2009 edition of that manual and this quote is found on p196, and also in "Faith Precedes the Miracle" 

That newer manual is online, here, and looks great.  My old book has the last item listed in the Contents page, Subject Index on page 170 and the new book has that same item on page 417, so there must be much more added to the book.  I think I'll finish my study with my old manual but then buy the new manual and start over.  I love good study helps.)

 

 

Direction

Ponder this:

"If we don't change direction,

we will arrive at where we're going"

-Richard L. Evans
 

(found on p77 of Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 121 and 122) 

 

Craving Praise and Popularity

"... craving for praise and popularity too often controls actions, and as they succumb they find themselves bending their character when they think they are only taking a bow."

"If individuals are more concerned with pleasing men than pleasing God, then they suffer from the same virus Satan had, for there are many situations where seeking the praise of men will clearly result in their hurting, not helping, mankind for they will do expedient and temporary things instead of those which are lasting and beneficial.
"How much more satisfying it is when we receive the praise of God, knowing that it is fully justified and that his love and respect for us will persist, when usually the praise of men is fleeting and most disappointing."

(Quote by N. Eldon Tanner, found on p45 of the Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 121 and 122)

Helaman 5 (esp. vs 40-47) = Liken unto Depression

I love this promise!   Consider the "cloud of darkness" as ones inner feelings during times of depression.   I know this works - I have put it to the test more than once.

 

 

"What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from over-shadowing us?" (v40)

 

"You must repent, and cry unto the [Lord], even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you..., and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you." (v41)

 

"... they did ..." (v42)

 

"the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them ..." (v43)

 

"... and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory." (v44)

 

"And the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled ...." (v45)

 

"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in [Him]."  (v47)

Scripture Study and Triumph Over Evil Influences.

"I think that people who study the scriptures get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can't be gained in any way except by studying the scriptures.
There's an increase in faith and a desire to do what's right and feeling of inspiration and understanding that comes to people who study the gospel - meaning particularly the Standard Works - and who ponder the principles, that can't come in any other way".  Bruce R. McConkie



Image from HERE

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that we can triumph over evil influences in life by disciplining ourselves to avoid them.

From the Book of Momon Student Manual Religion 121 and 122, p27