- Excerpts from recent addresses by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

FAITH

The greatest thing we can do for the safety of our nation and to strengthen it is to cultivate within the membership of this Church stronger, ever stronger faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that our people might walk in righteousness and become an example to all and be as the leaven to leaven the lump, as it were. Let us walk in faith and faithfulness. - From priesthood leadership meeting, Vacaville/Santa Rosa Regional Conference, May 20, 1995.

FAMILIES

We have wonderful people, but we have too many whose families are falling apart. It is a matter of serious concern. I think it is my most serious concern. I wish to see our people walk in the light of the Lord. That's where they will find their happiness, that's where they will find their progress, that's where they will find their prosperity, in walking the paths which the Lord has laid out for us. - From Church News interview, June 7, 1995.

KNOWLEDGE

No force on earth can stop the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints if we will live in righteousness, obey the principles of the gospel, do what we ought to do as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and walk in obedience to the commandments of God. We will then receive enlightenment and knowledge and understanding and faith, and our lives will be enriched and be made more happy and more fruitful. - From combined sacrament meeting, Jackson (Wyo.) 1st, 2nd and 3rd wards, July 16, 1995.

MARRIAGE

The most important step you have made or will make in your life is marriage. Its consequences are many, so important and so everlasting. No other decision will have such tremendous consequences for the future. Look to the establishment of a home in which there will be peace and happiness and love. Welcome the children who will come to that home, and rear them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. - From BYU commencement, Marriott Center, April 27, 1995.

MISSIONARIES

You will be remembered in prayer this morning in hundreds of homes. People are praying for you, you know that. You can't do less than your best when people are praying for you. Of course the work is not easy. It's hard. God has not given us the spirit of fear. That comes from the adversary. But He has given us the power, the power of our message, the power of our call, the power of our priesthood and of love for the people. - From missionary meeting, Boston (Mass.) Regional Conference, April 23, 1995.

MOTHERS

It's been the mothers who have been the great carriers and purveyors of faith throughout the history of this Church. I believe that will all my heart. - From general session, Heber City/Springville (Utah) Regional Conference, May 14, 1995.

PIONEERS

There have been many movements of epic proportions in the history of mankind that are worthy of remembrance and which we cannot afford to forget. But the migration to this [Salt Lake] valley before the coming of the railroad is of so vast a scope, involving so many people, and entailing so much of human suffering and sacrifice, that it must ever occupy a unique place in the annals of human history. - From Days of '47 pioneer luncheon, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Salt Lake City, July 24, 1995.

PRIESTHOOD

I hope every man in this congregation is trying a little harder to live worthy of the marvelous gift which he has in holding the Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God, the holy Melchizedek Priesthood which carries with it the power to bless and the power to govern in the affairs of the kingdom of God. - From general session, Boston (Mass.) Regional Conference, April 23, 1995.

SCHOOLING

As you move forward with your lives, I challenge you never to forget that the schooling of the Spirit is as important, if not more so, that the schooling of the mind. - From BYU commencement address, Marriott Center, April 27, 1995.

TEMPLE

All the work that is done within the walls of the temple is concerned with things of immortality. We marry there for time and eternity. The endowment is a course of instruction concerning the things of eternity. All that takes place there concerns matters that are everlasting in their nature and consequences. - From general session, Boston (Mass.) Regional Conference, April 23, 1995.

Whether you can get to the temple or not, you can qualify for a temple recommend. Holding a temple recommend will be of value to you. You must go before your bishop and declare yourself concerning certain fundamentals and that very declaration will become as a lode star in your life. - From general session, Anchorage (Alaska) Regional Conference, June 18, 1995.

WORK OF THE LORD

You can't stop the work of the Lord from going forward. You can stop yourself from enjoying its blessings, but you cannot stop the work of the Lord from going forward. This is His work and regardless of what we do individually, He will find a way to accomplish His eternal purpose. - From priesthood leadership meeting, Vacaville/Santa Rosa (Calif.) Regional Conference, May 20, 1995.

YOUTH

You can determine the kind of life you will have in your 30s and 40s by what you do in your teens. - From Skyline High School (Utah) Seminary fireside, Salt Lake City, April 30, 1995.