A fountain of research

Of all the wonderful buildings we have on this [BYU] campus, none, I believe, is as important as the library. A library is the very heart and substance of a university. Without access to vast quantities of information, neither faculty nor students can do an adequate job. It is the fountain of research. It is the source of information both old and new. It is a place for the ever present challenge to dig for knowledge beyond that which is given in the classroom. — From BYU Harold B. Lee Library rededication, Nov. 15, 2000

Making good men better

Our desire everywhere is to make bad men good and good men better. We teach, we train, we build, we educate, we promote opportunity for growth and development. We give hope to those without hope, and there is nothing greater you can give a man or a woman than hope. — From National Press Club address, March 8, 2000

Ease the burden of others

It's just heartbreaking to see starving people in the midst of plenty, to see people who are the victims of unfortunate natural disasters. To see the people who are the victims of conflict and war is a terrible thing. We ought to be doing all that we can possibly do to ease the burdens of such people and help them and lift them and bring encouragement in their lives. — From Fox 13 News interview, June 27, 2000

Family home evening

(The Lord)] expects us to have family home evening. One night a week to gather our children together and teach them the gospel. Isaiah said, "And all thy children (shall be) taught of the LORD." That is the commandment. "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord." And the blessing, "and great," he said, "(shall be) the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13.) — From member meeting, Noumea, June 17, 2000

Love of missionaries

Everybody in this Church loves the missionaries. There never will be a time in your life when you have people praying for you the way they pray for you now. In homes all across the world, families get on their knees and pray for the missionaries who are out in the field, out across the world, doing the Lord's work. — From member meeting, Singapore, Jan. 30, 2000

Photo by Greg Hill

Relief Society: (To you women) the Relief Society is your dear and caring mother.... It will afford you opportunities for growth and development. It will provide you with the friendship of the best women in the world.

Make something of your lives

You young men and women, you wonderful boys and girls, you who have been born with a great and precious birthright, how important it is that you live the gospel, that you follow the path that your parents have laid out for you, that you go forward and make something of your lives. . . . Do your duty. Grow up in the Church. Go to seminary. Learn the gospel and all of its aspects. . . . We have an obligation as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to seek after learning. It will make such a difference in your lives. — From member meeting, Pago Pago, American Samoa, June 17, 2000

Relief Society

This remarkable [Relief Society] organization affords sociality, tremendous service opportunities, enlightenment and education, administering to the wants of those in need, and many other opportunities. [To you women] the Relief Society is your dear and caring mother. In sickness or in health it will bless your life. It will afford you opportunities for growth and development. It will provide you with the friendship of the best women in the world. It will comfort you in times of sorrow, bless you in times of distress, and give unto you the inimitable joy of association with those of your own kind. — From devotional address, BYU Alumni, Sept. 12, 2000

This is God's holy work

This is God's holy work, restored to earth in this the dispensation of the fulness of times to bless us because He loves us; to bring gifts to us, because He wishes to pour out that love upon us. Be faithful. Be true. Be upright. How wonderful it is to be a member of this Church. — From member meeting, Cairns, Australia, Jan. 26, 2000

Tithing

This law of tithing is a miraculous and wonderful thing. We give back to the Lord one-tenth of what He gives to us and He opens the windows of heaven and showers down blessings upon us. And it happens. It was He who made that promise. It is He who can keep that promise and it is He who will keep that promise. — From member meeting, Maracaibo, Venezuela, Aug. 3, 1999

Word of Wisdom

How grateful I am for the Word of Wisdom revealed by the God of heaven to bless this people. What a precious thing it is that He deigned to reach down in warning against those deleterious substances which will destroy us if we pursue them. Under our code the social drink is not acceptable. Our friends who know us have more respect for our friendship than to offer us alcoholic beverages. — From devotional address, BYU alumni, Sept. 12, 2000