Faith fulfilled

We each can learn much from our early pioneer ancestors, whose struggles and heartaches were met with resolute courage and an abiding faith in a living God. ... Youth and children were among the thousands who pulled and pushed handcarts or walked along that pioneer trail, just as they are among the Saints today who are pioneering in their own areas throughout the world. I think that there is not a member of this Church today who has not been touched by the accounts of the early pioneers. Those who did so much for the good of all surely had as their objective to inspire faith. They met the goal in a magnificent manner.

Steve Fidel, Deseret News

"We each can learn much from our early pioneer ancestors, whose struggles and heartaches were met with resolute courage ..."

— "Teaching Our Children," Ensign, October 2004

Divine truth

Several years ago, the Salt Lake City newspapers published an obituary notice of a close friend of mine — a mother and wife taken by death in the prime of her life. I visited the mortuary and joined a host of persons gathered to express condolences to the distraught husband and motherless children. Suddenly the smallest child, Kelly, recognized me and took my hand in hers. "Come with me," she said; and she led me to the casket in which rested the body of her beloved mother. "I'm not crying, Brother Monson, and neither must you. My mommy told me many times about death and life with Heavenly Father. I belong to my mommy and my daddy. We'll all be together again."

Through tear-moistened eyes, I recognized a beautiful and faith-filled smile. To my young friend, whose tiny hand clasped mine, there would never be a hopeless dawn. Sustained by her unfailing testimony, knowing that life continues beyond the grave, she, her father, her brothers, her sisters, and indeed all who share this knowledge of divine truth, can declare to the world: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

— "An Invitation to Exaltation," satellite broadcast, March 1, 1984

Do what is right

Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, knew something about boys, for he left us the legacy of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Twain declared, "When you are confronted with a difficult decision, do what is right. You will please a few, and you will amaze the rest."

And doing what's right is the easiest thing to judge of all. Whenever you're about to do something and that little voice in your head stops you and asks the question, "Should I?" the chances are you shouldn't. We all have a conscience, and it's there for a purpose. We should always be guided by it, rather than running from it.

— "Duty, Honor, Country," Boy Scouts of America Duty to God Breakfast, May 29, 2003

The Holy Temple

Some degree of sacrifice has ever been associated with temple building and with temple attendance. Countless are those who have labored and struggled in order to obtain for themselves and for their families the blessings which are found in the temples of God.

Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.

— "The Holy Temple — a Beacon to the World," April 2011 general conference