A dedicated house of God

With us there is no building as sacred as a dedicated house of God. Only in Latter-day Saint temples are preserved in an indissoluble union for all eternity the precious associations of mortality. Among many things of a doctrinal nature that distinguish this Church from all others is the work that occurs in the house of the Lord under divine priesthood authority.

Every temple throughout the world stands as a visible monument to the faith of this people in the certainty of immortality and the continuation of sacred bonds in that immortal realm. — From temple groundbreaking, Sacramento California Temple, Aug. 22, 2004

Be good women

Be good women. . . . We do not expect perfection in you. You are not likely to have it in this life; but just do the best that you can to be wonderful women.

Take advantage of the great program of the Relief Society. There is no other women's organization on the face of the earth to compare with it. . . . If (these sisters) were united at all times and in all circumstances, there is not anything they could not accomplish — nearly 5 million women united under the banners of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. — From regional conference, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Jan. 19, 2003

Good without measure

I know that God, my Eternal Father, lives. I know that Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, lives and loves us. I know that we are sons and daughters of God placed on this earth in a state of probation to prove what we will do.

I know that this Church is true, that the priesthood is here with all of its powers and keys and authority. I know the Book of Mormon to be true, the only book in the world that carries with it the promise of the knowledge of its truthfulness to those who will read it with faith. I know that you and I can accomplish good without measure if we will walk in obedience to the commandments of God. — From regional conference, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Jan. 19, 2003

Live honestly and carefully

I don't want our people to live in poverty. . . . But I would hope that we would encourage them to live honestly and carefully and wisely and look to the future. — From leadership meeting, Spanish Fork Utah Regional Conference, Feb. 15, 2003

One of the great miracles

You are part of this great miracle which we call The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I never get over it, the wonder of it, the sheer wonder of it. It has spread across the earth. We are now in more than 160 nations. We are now some 12 million strong. We speak various languages and are found almost everywhere. It has been one of the great miracles of the history of the earth. . . . And this is but the beginning. . . . It will go on and grow until it fills the whole earth. — From regional conference, 14 Salt Lake City area stakes, May 4, 2003

Stand above evil

My dear young friends, never let anything stand in the way of your worthiness to enter the house of the Lord, and there engage in a great and marvelous service in behalf of those who have gone beyond.

You face so much of evil. Stand above it. . . . I do not know that there was ever a time in the history of the world when there was greater evil in the world than there is today. I want to salute you, you young men and women of this Church, who have stood strong in the face of evil. God bless you and give you strength to resist. — From member meeting, S�o Paulo, Brazil, Feb. 21, 2004

The Aaronic Priesthood

"You who have been ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood have something magnificent to live up to. . . .

You live in a world where there is terrible evil. You are constantly confronted by those who use filthy language and indulge in filthy ways. Let the world do what it will. But you must never forget that you have something which the world does not have. — From priesthood meeting, 175th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Priesthood, May 16, 2004

We all want to do a little better

I am satisfied that all of us want to do a little better. I do not think we rise in the morning and get on our knees without asking the Lord to give us strength and capacity to do that which is expected of us. And I believe with all my heart that when we retire at night, with very few exceptions, we get on our knees and pray the Lord will help us and give us the power and capacity and the strength and the time to do that which is expected of us. — From leadership training meeting, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Jan. 18, 2003