It was intended that life be a challenge, not so that you would fail, but that you might succeed through overcoming.

You faces overwhelming challenges. Sometimes they are so concentrated, so unrelenting, that you may feel they are beyond your capacity to control.

Don’t face the world alone. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5.)....

It was intended that life be a challenge, not so that you would fail, but that you might succeed through overcoming.

Trust in the Lord, Richard G. Scott, April 1989 

As a brother, you can have a powerful, positive influence in your sister’s life.

 As a brother, you can have a powerful, positive influence in your sister’s life. Compliment her when she looks especially nice. She may listen to you more than to your parents when you suggest that she wear modest clothing. Simple courtesies like opening the door for her and building her self-esteem will encourage her to find her real worth.

Richard G. Scott, The Sanctity of Womanhood, April 2000

There are times, brethren, when you need to restrain those feelings. There are times when you need to allow their full expression

 Now I would speak of something that is most sacred. When we were created, Father in Heaven put in our body the capacity to stir powerful emotions. Within the covenant of marriage, when properly used in ways acceptable to both and to the Lord, those emotions open the doors for children to come to earth. Such sacred expressions of love are an essential part of the covenant of marriage. Within marriage, however, the stimulation of those emotions can either be used as an end unto itself or to allow a couple to draw closer in oneness through the beautiful, appropriate expression of these feelings between husband and wife. There are times, brethren, when you need to restrain those feelings. There are times when you need to allow their full expression. Let the Lord guide you in ways that will enrich your marriage.

There are men, and unfortunately some women, who experiment with stimulating those emotions by influences outside of the covenant of marriage. There is a great difference between love and lust. Pure love yields happiness and engenders trust. It is the foundation of eternal joy. Lust will destroy that which is enriching and beautiful. A husband must have no private, hidden agenda that is kept secret from his wife. Sharing everything about each other’s personal life is powerful spiritual insurance. When you travel, take along a picture of your wife. Set it before you. Remember how you are loved and trusted. You will not be tempted to contaminate your mind or violate your covenants.

The Sanctity of Womanhood, Richard G. Scott, General Conference April 2004

Express them Fully

Make your first allegiance your membership in the Church of Jesus Christ.

 I testify that you will remove barriers to happiness and find greater peace as you make your first allegiance your membership in the Church of Jesus Christ, and His teachings the foundation of your life. Where family or national traditions or customs conflict with the teachings of God, set them aside. Where traditions and customs are in harmony with His teachings, they should be cherished and followed to preserve your culture and heritage. There is one heritage that you need never change. It is that heritage that comes from your being a daughter or son of Father in Heaven.

Removing Barriers to Happiness, Richard G. Scott, April 1998 General Conference

When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased.

When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased.

Richard G. Scott, “He Lives,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 88.

Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media.

Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!

Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority, Elder Richard G. Scott, October 2014 General Conference

When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught how trials can shape us: “Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion [two very important gifts] which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.”

Where Am I?: How to Discover and Develop Your Spiritual Gifts and Talents Dec. 2014 New Era Mervyn B. Arnold

The Individual In No Way Qualified

Time and time again at funerals, statements are made that the deceased will inherit all blessings of celestial glory when that individual has in no way qualified by obtaining the necessary ordinances and by keeping the required covenants. That won’t happen. Such blessings can only be earned by meeting the Lord’s requirements. His mercy does not overcome the requirements of His law. They must be met.


Richard G. Scott, First Things First Ensign, May 2001, 6

What you get is the molding of character, the growth in capacity, the successful completion of your purpose here on earth—to be proven.

An axiom we all understand is that you get what you pay for. That is true for spiritual matters as well. You get what you pay for in obedience, in faith in Jesus Christ, in diligent application of the truths that are learned in your own life. What you get is the molding of character, the growth in capacity, the successful completion of your purpose here on earth—to be proven.

Richard G. Scott, First Things First Ensign, May 2001, 6

Remember Loving Them Is the Powerful Foundation For Influencing Those You Want to Help

Remember that the conversion of individuals is only part of the work....Remember, loving them is the powerful foundation for influencing those you want to help. The influence of my Grandmother Whittle and my wife, Jeanene, would have been negligible had I not first known that they loved me and wanted me to have the best in life.
“I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE” By Elder Richard G. ScottOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - April 2014

The Lord See Weakness Differently Than He Does Rebellion

The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment,¹⁶ when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy.¹⁷

 October 2013 General Conference - Personal Strength Through The Atonement Of Jesus Christ - Richard G. Scott

The Most Important Thing [the Youth] Should Be Doing In Their Lives Right Now

Recently I was blessed to meet with a most impressive group of youth from the state of Idaho. One virtuous young woman asked me what I feel is the most important thing they should be doing in their lives right now. I suggested they learn to recognize the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in their lives. 

 October 2013 General Conference - Personal Strength Through The Atonement Of Jesus Christ - Richard G. Scott

Become Friends with Your Children's Friends. Be a Worthy Example to Them.

Become friends with your children’s friends. Be a worthy example to them.

 April 2013 General Conference - For Peace At Home - Elder Richard G. Scott

Satan's Fate Is Decided. He Knows He Has Lost

However, Satan is no match for the Savior. Satan’s fate is decided. He knows he has lost, but he wants to take as many with him as he can. He will try to ruin your goodness and abilities by exploiting your weaknesses. Stay on the Lord’s side, and you will win every time.

 April 2013 General Conference - For Peace At Home - Elder Richard G. Scott

The Sandpoint 7 Are Weight-Bearing Beams in the Construction of a Gospel Centered Home

I’m sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much-needed peace and refuge from the world.... Remember: little things lead to big things. Seemingly insignificant indiscretions or neglect can lead to big problems. More importantly, simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings.

 April 2013 General Conference - For Peace At Home - Elder Richard G. Scott

Do You People Want A Sure Way to Eliminate the Influence of The Adversary in Your Life...I Can Think of no Greater Protection

Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life.

 October 2012 General Conference - The Joy Of Redeeming The Dead - Elder Richard G. Scott

Two Indicators That A Feeling Or Prompting Comes From God Are That It Produces Peace In Your Heart And A Quiet, Warm Feeling.

Two indicators that a feeling or prompting comes from God are that it produces peace in your heart and a quiet, warm feeling. 

 April 2012 General Conference -  How To Obtain Revelation And Inspiration For Your Personal Life   -  Elder Richard G. S

Sanctify Yourselves ie Keep My Commandments

The Lord has declared: “And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.”² The words sanctify yourselves may appear puzzling. President Harold B. Lee once explained that you can replace those words with the phrase “keep my commandments.” Read that way, the counsel may seem clearer.³

 April 2012 General Conference -  How To Obtain Revelation And Inspiration For Your Personal Life   -  Elder Richard G. Scott

Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness

Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire experience. The Lord uses individuals for whom we have great respect to teach us truths in a dream because we trust them and will listen to their counsel. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect.

 April 2012 General Conference -  How To Obtain Revelation And Inspiration For Your Personal Life   -  Elder Richard G. Scott

Great Power Can Come From Memorizing Scriptures

Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.

Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change....Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.

Richard G. Scott, "The Power Of Scripture",General Conference  October 2011