Noble birthright

"I testify to you today that turning away from God brings broken covenants, shattered dreams and crushed hopes. Such a quagmire of quicksand I plead with you to avoid. You are of a noble birthright. Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal. Such a goal is not achieved in one glorious attempt, but rather is the result of a lifetime of righteousness, an accumulation of wise choices, even a constancy of purpose and lofty ideals. As we look heavenward, we will receive divine direction." — BYU-Idaho devotional Nov. 6, 2005

Learn from the past

"A review of the past can be helpful — that is, if we learn from the mistakes and follies of those who have gone before, and if we do not repeat them." — BYU devotional, Nov. 13, 2007

The thief of time

"Someone has said that procrastination is the thief of time. Actually, procrastination is much more. It is the thief of our self-respect. It nags at us and spoils our fun. It deprives us of the fullest realization of our ambitions and our hopes." — BYU Devotional, Nov. 14, 2006

Thoughts heavenward

"The Atonement wrought by Thy Son gives purpose to our being and turns our thoughts heavenward." — From the Curitiba Brazil Temple's dedicatory prayer, June 1, 2007

Serve where called

"I've always followed the philosophy, 'Serve where you're called, not where you've been or where you might be. Serve where you're called.'" — Church News, April 5, 2008

A prophet's witness

"With the birth of the babe of Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment — a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God." — Ensign, December 1990

Pray with faith

"Those with whom I've met feel kindly toward the Church and our members, and they have been cooperative and accommodating. There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely.

"As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel. As we prayed then in response to President Kimball's pleadings, we saw miracles unfold as country after country, formerly closed to the Church, was opened. Such will transpire again as we pray with faith." — October 2008 general conference

Temple attendance

"The best way to appreciate this temple is to use it." — Rededication of the Mexico City Mexico Temple, Nov. 16, 2008

Mindful of our needs

"Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us and our needs. … Some of you are new to the Church. We welcome you. Some of you are struggling with problems, with challenges, with disappointments, with losses. We love you and pray for you." — Opening session, October 2008 general conference

Photo by Greg Hill

Things that matter most: "May we fill our days — as much as we can — with those things which matter most."

Things that matter most

"Despite the changes which come into our lives, and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days — as much as we can — with those things which matter most." — October 2008 general conference

Forging friendships

"Choose good friends. Friends help to determine your future. You will tend to be like them and to be found where they choose to go. Remember, the path we follow in this life leads to the path we follow in the next.

"In a survey made in selected wards and stakes of the Church, we learned a most significant fact: Those persons whose friends married in the temple usually married in the temple, while those persons whose friends did not marry in the temple usually did not marry in the temple. This same fact pertained also to full-time missionary service. The influence of one's friends appeared to be a highly dominant factor — even equal to parental urging, classroom instruction, or proximity to a temple.

"The friends you choose will either help or hinder your success." — Priesthood session, April 1998 general conference