“The power to lead is the power to mislead, and the power to mislead is the power to destroy.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Some are young people who don’t know who they are, what they can be or even want to be. They are afraid, but they don’t know of what. They are angry, but they don’t know at whom. They are rejected and they don’t know why. All they want is to be somebody.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“All men have their FEARS. But those who face their fears with FAITH have COURAGE as well.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Man has made remarkable strides in conquering outer space, but how futile have been his efforts in conquering inner space- the space in our hearts and minds of men.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal”
— Thomas S. Monson
“We need learn what we need to learn, know what we need to know, and do what we need to do.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. Be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“The storm stops at the door. Love reigns, peace dwells.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Joseph saw God our Eternal Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“May each of us remember this truth; ‘one cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God.’ Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“I think one of the sweetest lessons taught by the Prophet, and yet one of the saddest, occurred close to the time of his death. He was required to leave his plan and vision of the Rocky Mountains and give himself up to face a court of supposed justice.These are his words: ‘I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men’ (D&C 135:4). That statement of the Prophet teaches us obedience to law and the importance of having a clear conscience toward God and toward our fellowmen. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught these principles–by example.There was to be one great final lesson before his mortal life ended. He was incarcerated in Carthage Jail with his brother Hyrum, with John Taylor, and with Willard Richards. The angry mob stormed the jail; they came up the stairway, blasphemous in their cursing, heavily armed, and began to fire at will. Hyrum was hit and died. John Taylor took several balls of fire within his bosom. The Prophet Joseph, with his pistol in hand, was attempting to defend his life and that of his brethren, and yet he could tell from the pounding on the door that this mob would storm that door and would kill John Taylor and Willard Richards in an attempt to kill him.And so his last great act here upon the earth was to leave the door and lead Willard Richards to safety, throw the gun on the floor, and go to the window, that they might see him, that the attention of this ruthless mob might be focused upon him rather than the others. Joseph Smith gave his life. Willard Richards was spared, and John Taylor recovered from his wounds.’Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’ (John 15:13). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us love–by example.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Men take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.As we remember that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God,” (Mosiah 2:17) we will not find ourselves in the unenviable position of Jacob Marley’s ghost, who spoke to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s immortal “Christmas Carol.” Marley spoke sadly of opportunities lost. Said he: ‘Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness. Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused! Yet such was I! Oh! such was I!’Marley added: ‘Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!’Fortunately, as we know, Ebenezer Scrooge changed his life for the better. I love his line, ‘I am not the man I was.’Why is Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” so popular? Why is it ever new? I personally feel it is inspired of God. It brings out the best within human nature. It gives hope. It motivates change. We can turn from the paths which would lead us down and, with a song in our hearts, follow a star and walk toward the light. We can quicken our step, bolster our courage, and bask in the sunlight of truth. We can hear more clearly the laughter of little children. We can dry the tear of the weeping. We can comfort the dying by sharing the promise of eternal life. If we lift one weary hand which hangs down, if we bring peace to one struggling soul, if we give as did the Master, we can—by showing the way—become a guiding star for some lost mariner.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Never let a problem to be solved, become more important than a person to be loved.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“May I share with you a formula that in my judgment will help you and help me to journey well through mortality… First, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Choose your love. Love your choice.”
— Thomas S. Monson
“Work will win when wishy washy wishing won t.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“Choose a field that will supply sufficient remuneration to provide adequately for your companion and your children. I bear testimony that these criteria are very important in choosing your life’s work.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“I wasn’t with Joseph, but I believe him. My faith did not come to me through science, and I will not permit so-called science to destroy it.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“Perhaps the surest test of an individual’s integrity is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“Choose your love, Love your choice.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“I hope that you will learn to take responsibility for your decisions. don’t take counsel of your fears.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“The way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“I wasn’t with Joseph, but I believe him. My faith did not come to me through science, and I will not permit so-called science to destroy it.”
– Thomas S. Monson