Nobody talks that way who has the Spirit of the Lord

Every once in a while we hear somebody say, “Oh, I wouldn’t be so particular. The Lord is not going to be very severe with us if we just go part way.” The one who is talking that way is already on the devil’s side of the line, and you do not want to listen to him because if you do, you may be misled. Nobody talks that way who has the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord himself has said that we must keep his commandments: “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated.” (D&C 130:20.) The gospel of Jesus Christ is to teach us how to earn that blessing.⁴

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010

Why I liked it:  How often do we rationalize our choices in Media with "Oh it wasn't that bad. Or there was only one bad part."  When we say this I think we can say that we are not speaking under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord!

How Many of Us...Are Doing It?

How many of us, learning the will of the Father, are doing it? How many of us day by day are laying a foundation and building a structure that shall conform to the dignity of the stature of our Master?


Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010; Chapter 1: Living What We Believe; p.5

If You Do It To The Best Of Your Ability, Your Position Is Just As Important As Mine

In his first general conference address as President of the Church, [George Albert Smith] said to the Saints who had just sustained him, “I wonder if anyone else here feels as weak and humble as the man who stands before you.” He expressed similar feelings to members of his family: “I have not wanted this position. I have not felt equal to it. But it has come to me, and I will fill it to the best of my ability. I want you all to know that, whatever you are doing in the church, from [home] teaching to presiding over a stake, if you do it to the best of your ability, your position is just as important as mine.”

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010, p. xxxii