Moral Discipline

“Policemen and laws can never replace customs, traditions and moral values as a means for regulating human behavior. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defense for a civilized society. Our increased reliance on laws to regulate behavior is a measure of how uncivilized we’ve become.”2....We would not accept the yoke of Christ; so now we must tremble at the yoke of Caesar.”4....Speaking some years ago to members of the legal profession, President James E. Faust cautioned: “There is a great risk in justifying what we do individually and professionally on the basis of what is ‘legal’ rather than what is ‘right.’ In so doing, we put our very souls at risk. The philosophy that what is legal is also right will rob us of what is highest and best in our nature. What conduct is actually legal is, in many instances, way below the standards of a civilized society and light years below the teachings of the Christ. If you accept what is legal as your standard of personal or professional conduct, you will deny yourself of that which is truly noble in your personal dignity and worth” (“Be Healers,” Clark Memorandum, spring 2003, 3).

Author: D. Todd Christofferson

Title: Moral Discipline

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 105–8

If He or She Leaves This Church, It Must Be Done By Crawling Over or Under or Around the Book of Mormon to Make That Exit

If anyone is foolish enough or misled enough to reject 531 pages of a heretofore unknown text teeming with literary and Semitic complexity without honestly attempting to account for the origin of those pages—especially without accounting for their powerful witness of Jesus Christ and the profound spiritual impact that witness has had on what is now tens of millions of readers—if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this Church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit.

Author: Jeffrey R. Holland

Title: Safety for the Soul

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 88–90

We Can Do It the Lord's Way or Go at It Alone!

We can choose to follow Heavenly Father’s eternal plan of salvation (see Jarom 1:2; Alma 42:5; Moses 6:62) and redemption (see Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:25;42:11), or we can try to find our own way.

Author: Ann M. Dibb

Title: Hold On

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 79–81

If We So choose, We Lose Our Temper

“Anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.”2....No one can make us angry. It is our choice. If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry.....We experience displeasure or irritation or antagonism, and if we so choose, we lose our temper and become angry with others. Ironically, those others are often members of our own families—the people we really love the most....May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say.

Author: Thomas S. Monson

Title: School Thy Feelings, O My Brother

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 62, 67–69

Built In the Steady Performance of Obedient Service

Wherever I am in the day or night, there is nearby a small container of olive oil. This is the one which I keep in the middle drawer of the desk where I work. There is one in my pocket when I am working outdoors or traveling. There is also one in the kitchen cabinet in my home.

The one I hold now has a date on it. It is the day when someone exercised the power of the priesthood to consecrate the pure oil for the healing of the sick. The young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and even their fathers might think that I am a little extreme in my preparation.

But the call during the day or the knock at the door at night always comes as a surprise. Someone will say, “Please, could you come quickly?” Once, years ago, it was a father calling from a hospital. His three-year-old daughter had been thrown 50 feet (15 m) by a speeding car as she ran across the street to join her mother. When I arrived at the hospital, the father pled that the power of the priesthood would preserve her life. The doctors and the nurses only reluctantly let us reach through a plastic barrier to place a drop of oil on the one opening in the heavy bandages which covered her head. A doctor said to me, with irritation in his voice, “Hurry with whatever you are going to do. She is dying.”

He was wrong. She lived, and contrary to what the doctor had said, she not only lived, but she learned to walk again.

When the call came, I was ready. The preparation was far more than having consecrated oil close at hand. It must begin long before the crisis which requires priesthood power. Those who are prepared will be ready to answer.

The preparation begins in families, in Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and mostly in the private lives of young men. The quorums and the families must help, but the preparation that counts will be made by the young men making choices to rise to their great destiny as priesthood servants for God.

The destiny of the rising generation of priesthood holders is far more than to be ready to bring God’s power down to heal the sick. The preparation is to be ready to go and do whatever the Lord wants done as the world is preparing for His coming. None of us knows exactly what those errands will be. But we know what it will take to be ready, so each of us can prepare.....What you will need in the dramatic moment will be built in the steady performance of obedient service

Author: Henry B. Eyring

Title: Be Ready

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 59–62

They Fall Into the Trap of Losing Faith in the Many Things They Do Know Because of a Few Things They Do Not Know.

Yet sorrowfully, on occasion, some are willing to set aside the precious gospel truths restored by Joseph Smith because they get diverted on some historical issue or some scientific hypothesis not central to their exaltation, and in so doing they trade their spiritual birthright for a mess of pottage. They exchange the absolute certainty of the Restoration for a doubt, and in that process they fall into the trap of losing faith in the many things they do know because of a few things they do not know....If someone turns from these restored doctrines, where will he go to learn the true nature of God as taught in the grove of trees? Where will he go to find the doctrines of the premortal existence, baptism for the dead, and eternal marriage? And where will he go to find the sealing powers that can bind husbands and wives and children beyond the grave?

Author: Tad R. Callister

Title: Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 35–37

The Love of God Does Not Supersede His Laws and His Commandments.

The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commandments, and the effect of God’s laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love. The same should be true of parental love and rules.

Author: Dallin H. Oaks

Title: Love and Law

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 26–29

Brushstrokes on the Canvas of Our Souls

In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.

Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.

Author: David A. Bednar

Title: More Diligent and Concerned at Home

Where: Ensign, Nov 2009, 17–20

Fertile Soil Wherein Repentance Can Flower

A feeling of remorse after a mistake is a fertile soil wherein repentance can flower.

Author: Richard G. Scott

Title: To Acquire Spiritual Guidance

Where:Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9

Spirituality Yields Two Fruits

Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it.

Author: Richard G. Scott

Title: To Acquire Spiritual Guidance

Where:Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9

Pearl Of Great Price

There is in the Church a central core of power deeper than programs or meetings or associations. It does not change. It cannot erode. It is constant and certain. It never recedes or fades....Everywhere in the world, humble members draw inspiration from the scriptures to guide them through life, not fully understanding that they have found that “pearl of great price” (Matt. 13:46) about which the Lord spoke to His disciples.

Author: Boyd K. Packer

Title: On Zion’s Hill

Where: Ensign, Nov 2005, 70

I Do Not Fear the Future...and Safe of Zion's Hill

I do not fear the future, why I have such positive feelings of confidence.

Every soul who willingly affiliates with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and seeks to abide by its principles and ordinances is standing “on Zion’s hill.”

Author: Boyd K. Packer

Title: On Zion’s Hill

Where: Ensign, Nov 2005, 70

Long Before the Moment of Temptation Comes

It is important that we make up our minds early in life as to what we will do and what we will not do. Long before the moment of temptation comes we should have determined that we will resist ....anything that will keep us from enjoying the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord.

Author: N. Eldon Tanner

Title: Put on the Whole Armor of God

Where: Ensign, May 1979, 43

Ponography Has the Power to Addict, Dull, & Destroy the Human Spirit

Children and youth need to know from parents that pornography of any kind is a tool of the devil; and if anyone flirts with it, it has the power to addict, dull, and even destroy the human spirit.


Author: M. Russell Ballard
Title: Like a Flame Unquenchable
Where: Ensign, May 1999, 85

There Is No Spiritual Power in Living by Convenience

Sometimes we are tempted to let our lives be governed more by convenience than by covenant. It is not always convenient to live gospel standards and stand up for truth and testify of the Restoration. It usually is not convenient to share the gospel with others. It isn’t always convenient to respond to a calling in the Church, especially one that stretches our abilities. Opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways, as we have covenanted to do, rarely come at convenient times. But there is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants

Author: M. Russell Ballard
Title: Like a Flame Unquenchable
Where: Ensign, May 1999, 85