In my younger days, I loved to run. Although it may be hard for you to believe it, I did. And I did win a few races.

Each minute is a little thing, and yet, with respect to our personal productivity, to manage the minute is the secret of success.

How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t – at least not in the moment.

For each human being, time is a necessary resource. It can neither be ignored nor changed.

I remember when I was young, there was an older boy who was physically and mentally disabled. He had a speech impediment and walked with difficulty. The boys used to make fun of him. They teased and taunted him until sometimes he would cry.

Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful.

We have no middle ground, no foggy gray area where we can sin a little without suffering spiritual decline. That is why we must repent and come to Christ daily on submissive knees so that we can prevent our bonfires of testimony from being snuffed out by sin.

Home teaching is an excellent preparation for missionary service.

Logic itself affirms that a loving Heavenly Father would not abandon His children without providing a way for them to learn of Him.

God wants us to serve willingly and obediently.

We do not know the precise time of the Second Coming of the Savior, but we do know that we are living in the latter days and are closer to the Second Coming than when the Savior lived his mortal life in the meridian of time.

The more sin is rationalized, the greater the possibility of destruction by Satan‘s wolves.

Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

The Gospels record that nearly everywhere the Savior went, He was surrounded by multitudes of people. Some hoped that He would heal them; others came to hear Him speak. Others came for practical advice. Toward the end of His mortal ministry, some came to mock and ridicule Him and to clamor for His crucifixion.

Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land.

At the final day, the Savior will not ask about the nature of our callings. He will not inquire about our material possessions or fame. He will ask if we ministered to the sick, gave food and drink to the hungry, visited those in prison, or gave succor to the weak.

Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

This I have observed: There are no language barriers in the Church. There is a mighty power that transcends the power of messages conveyed by words alone, and this is the power of messages communicated by the Spirit to our hearts.

We’ve all met those who seem to radiate happiness. They seem to smile more than others; they laugh more than others – just being around them makes us happier as well.

Life will continue on the other side of the veil.

Missionaries labor diligently to teach and baptize those who accept the gospel. In the process, their own testimonies become deeply rooted.

We can easily get our lives out of balance.

Some of the happiest people I know have none of the things the world insists are necessary for satisfaction and joy.

In spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser and happier as a result.

Kindness is the essence of greatness.

When the Savior Himself was born, there were troubled times.

Perhaps the best-known Old Testament example of perseverance is the story of Job.

You can get people to work by using threats or by promising rewards.

I give thanks to my Creator for this wonderful life where each of us has the opportunity to learn lessons we could not fully comprehend by any other means.

We have numerous examples of perseverance in the scriptures, in secular history, and in our own experiences.

At a very early age and continuing throughout my life, I have marveled at the beautiful story of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I loved my mission in Switzerland and Germany. As I left on the train from Basel, Switzerland, tears flowed down my cheeks because I knew then that my full-time service in the Church had ended.

If we become ill, modern medicine can work healing miracles.

My parents taught me to react quickly when temptation comes and to say ‘No!’ instantly and emphatically. I recommend that same counsel to you. Avoid temptations.

The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.

Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us – even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.

When we are baptized and confirmed, when brethren are ordained to the priesthood, when we go to the temple and receive our endowment, when we enter into the new and everlasting covenant of eternal marriage – in all these sacred ordinances, we make solemn commitments to keep God’s commandments.

In some respects, progressing through life is like running a marathon.

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

Many run primarily for the exercise, but others run to condition themselves for well-publicized races of various distances.

Without adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary.

Our friends should be companions who inspire us, who help us rise to our best.

When I was a deacon, the ominous signs of the Great Depression began to appear. Tens of thousands lost their jobs. Money was scarce. Families had to do without. Some young people did not ask their mothers, ‘What’s for dinner?’ because they knew all too well that their cupboards held very little.

Many today feel troubled and distressed; many feel that, at any moment, the ships of their lives could capsize or sink.

Mortal experiences give us the opportunity to assess what we are doing with our lives.

Often, parents feel overwhelmed. Many must accomplish the whole job single-handedly while bearing all of the emotional pain of divorce.

Lying, stealing, and cheating are commonplace.

Brothers and sisters, if only we had more compassion for those who are different from us, it would lighten many of the problems and sorrows in the world today. It would certainly make our families and the Church a more hallowed and heavenly place.

No matter our age, our circumstances, or abilities… Each one of us can create something remarkable with our lives.

I have known exceptional people who have endured severe trials while others, at least on the surface, seem to have lived charmed lives.

Fast offerings are used for one purpose only: to bless the lives of those in need.

The more often we see the things around us – even the beautiful and wonderful things – the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds – even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.

All evils to which so many become addicted begin in the mind and in the way one thinks.

Joseph Smith was true to his calling and fulfilled his duty even in the face of severe persecution and great personal sacrifice.

Our computers have become windows through which we can gaze upon a world that is virtually without horizons or boundaries.

The Lord has promised great rewards for those who reach out to strengthen their brothers and sisters.

Desire, burning desire, is basic to achieving anything beyond the ordinary.

Joining a new church and starting a new life is never easy and often frightening.

We don’t have to be perfect today. We don’t have to be better than someone else. All we have to do is to be the very best we can.

To me, integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences. It means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Great sculptors and artists spend countless hours perfecting their talents. They don’t pick up a chisel or a brush and palette, expecting immediate perfection. They understand that they will make many errors as they learn, but they start with the basics, the key fundamentals first.

Our prayers can and should be focused on the practical, everyday struggles of life.

The light from the sun breaks through space, bathing our planet as it encircles the sun with life-giving warmth and light. Without the sun, there could be no life on this planet; it would be forever barren, cold, and dark.

No matter our age, circumstances, or abilities, each one of us can create something remarkable of his life.

Prosperity often leads to pride, which leads to sin.

A testimony of the truth of the gospel does not come the same way to all people. Some receive it in a unique, life-changing experience. Others gain a testimony slowly, almost imperceptibly until, one day, they simply know.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper and advocate.

We are commanded to seek out those who are lost. We are to be our brother‘s keeper.

Indeed, the world is a better place because there was such a leader as President Gordon B. Hinckley.

The Prophet Joseph Smith lived in troubled times.

Expressions of solemn testimony have long been important to the children of God upon the earth.

Self-control is one mark of a mature person; it applies to control of language, physical treatment of others, and the appetites of the body.

You may feel singled out when adversity enters your life. You shake your head and wonder, ‘Why me?’

There has always been discouragement, negativism, and temptation in the world because of Lucifer.

‘Success’ is a seductive word. Thousands of books have been written on the subject. They promise money, freedom, leisure, and luxury.

As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people.

Building our homes as fortresses of righteousness for protection from the world takes constant labor and diligence.

Many years ago, large packs of wolves roamed the countryside in Ukraine, making travel in that part of the world very dangerous. These wolf packs were fearless. They were not intimidated by people nor by any of the weapons available at that time. The only thing that seemed to frighten them was fire.

Seeing life from an eternal perspective helps us focus our limited mortal energies on the things that matter most.

The most treasured and sacred moments of our lives are those filled with the spirit of love. The greater the measure of our love, the greater is our joy. In the end, the development of such love is the true measure of success in life.

Some feel as though the world is their oyster; others feel as though they were the oyster itself, plucked from the ocean, cracked open, and robbed of all that is precious to them.

The Lord is well aware of our mortality. He knows our weaknesses. He understands the challenges of our everyday lives. He has great empathy for the temptations of earthly appetites and passions.

Wayward, disobedient children cause their parents grief and anxiety.

When we reach out to assist the least of Heavenly Father’s children, we do it unto Him. That is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead.

Dates that come around every year help us measure progress in our lives. One annual event, New Year‘s Day, is a time of reflection and resolution.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bears His name. He stands at its head and directs it through His chosen prophets.

The Savior encouraged brotherhood. He was not a long-distance leader. He walked and worked with those whom he led. He was not afraid of close friendships. He spent many hours with his disciples, and his relationships with them were intimate.

The Savior was selfless. He viewed himself and his own needs as secondary, and he ministered to others tirelessly, lovingly, effectively.

Inordinate desire for material possessions can become an obsession that consumes our thoughts, drains our resources, and leads to unhappiness.

President Benson’s mighty influence is felt in many ways. His timely and inspired counsel to read the precious Book of Mormon brought an added appreciation of this sacred scripture to all who followed his direction.

Some of the choicest blessings of my life have been the close friendships I have experienced over the years. Often, these friendships have been forged in the fires of shared experience.

The sweet companionship of eternal marriage is one of the greatest blessings God has granted to His children.

We have at our fingertips information that 500 years ago would have made the poorest man a prince.

The Holy Ghost will warn us of danger, and it will inspire us to help others in need.

Relatively mild gusts of wind blow some trees down. Graceful palm trees, for example, are lovely to look at but will not stand up in a heavy wind because they are not well anchored.

We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever.

I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with many wonderful people from many walks of life. I have known rich and poor, famous and modest, wise and otherwise.

We are ever on the threshold of new journeys and new discoveries. Can you imagine the excitement of the Wright brothers on the morning of that first flight? The anticipation of Jonas Salk as he analyzed the data that demonstrated a way to prevent polio?

Pondering, which means to weigh mentally, to deliberate, to meditate, can achieve the opening of the spiritual eyes of one’s understanding.

Too often today, we do not rely on faith so much as on our own ability to reason and solve problems.

To be without guile is to be free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in thought or action.

Charity must become a fundamental state of mind and heart that guides us in all we do.

Often what passes for faith in this world is little more than gullibility.

Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known.

God’s commandments are not given to limit or punish us.

Many of us enjoy going to ball games and watching them on television. I am no exception. I love to watch a good athletic contest. If we spend excessive time with sporting events, however, we may neglect things that are much more important.

Anything that does not draw us closer to God takes us away from Him.

My mother was a very positive thinker; she was always active, always doing something good.

The most cherished and sacred moments of our lives are those filled with the spirit of love.

Too many sit at the banquet table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at the feast placed before them. They go through the motions – attending their meetings perhaps, glancing at scriptures, repeating familiar prayers – but their hearts are far away.

Modern medicine uses imaging ‘windows’ such as magnetic resonance imaging scanners to bring into view otherwise unseen vital information that skilled physicians can use for the benefit of their patients.

Duty is too often what one expects from others and not what one does.

We cannot have the fruits of the gospel without its roots.

A sure indicator of true religion is a concern for the poor of the earth.

Sadly, many in our world today encourage idleness, especially in the form of mindless, inane entertainment that is on the Internet, on television, and in computer games.

The church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you.

Integrity, a firm adherence to the highest moral and ethical standards, is essential to the life of a true Latter-day Saint.

We know that we are often judged by the company we keep. We know how influential classmates, friends, and other peer groups can be. If any of our companions are prone to be unrighteous in their living, we are better off seeking new associations immediately.

Bookstore operators tell us that the books which head the bestseller list are books on peace and happiness.

As society has shifted from an agrarian to an urban structure, the joy and necessity of diligent, hard work have been neglected.

Those who make happiness the chief objective of life are bound to fail, for happiness is a by-product rather than an end in itself.

Imagine for a moment the result if everyone were to love one another as Jesus loves his disciples. We would have no bickering, quarreling, strife, or contention in our homes. We would not offend or insult one another either verbally or in any other way. We would not have unnecessary litigation over small matters.

Lucifer is a master at gradual deception.

As parents know, little children are, by their nature, without guile. They speak the thoughts of their minds without reservation or hesitance as we have learned as parents when they embarrass us at times. They do not deceive. They set an example of being without guile.

Young people should ponder over problems that might confront them and be prepared to cope with them in a way that their parents, their leaders, and their Heavenly Father would have them cope, that they might keep themselves clean and pure.

Parents should plant deeply the seed of the work ethic into the hearts and habits of their children.

Don’t be discouraged if the answer to your prayer does not come immediately. Study, ponder, and pray, sincerely having faith, and live the commandments.

Immorality, violence, and divorce, with their accompanying sorrows, plague society worldwide.

The birth of the Savior into mortality is an event of immeasurable significance that occurred almost 2,000 years ago. In much of the world, calendar years are numbered forward and backward from the entire time of His birth.

There is no limit to the potential of brethren working together in complete brotherhood and selflessness toward spiritual goals. The power of God working through such channels will bring unimaginable blessings to all concerned.

During my life I have heard many sermons on the Resurrection. I can recite the events of that first Easter Sunday. I have marked in my scriptures passages regarding the Resurrection.

The spiritual self of each of us is that part of us that will never grow old, or ill, or die, but it must be nurtured and invigorated!

Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one‘s voice.

The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit: a separate and distinct member of the Godhead.

Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!

Some pass their days as though suffering a deep sadness they cannot name. Others are unhappy because life didn’t turn out the way they thought it would.

As we progress and become more like the Savior, we can strengthen every group with whom we associate, including families and friends.

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

Each night before I go to bed, I take out a small card and write a list of the things I need to do the next day in order of their priority.

My father was truly a great man. I remember one day putting my feet in my father’s shoes. I was amazed at the size. Would I ever be big enough to fill his shoes? Could I ever grow into the man my father was? I wondered.

Jesus Christ is infinitely more than a great teacher and philosopher.

William McKinley Oswald was my high school football coach. He was a great coach and had a profound influence on my life. But I think he could have learned his method of motivating players from an army drill sergeant.

Nets are generally defined as devices for capturing something. In a more narrow but more important sense, we might define a net as anything that entices or prevents us from following the call of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Marathon runners set explicit goals.

Priesthood quorums teach and assist their members to attain good health, financial stability, and a year’s supply of food and clothing. They also teach their members to be self-reliant and to give their time, talents, and means in behalf of the Church, community, and needy.

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in his own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

Men and women who decide to flirt with adultery just once can become enmeshed in misery and unhappiness for themselves and their precious families.

Many in the world are searching, often intensely, for a source of refreshment that will quench their yearning for meaning and direction in their lives. They crave a cool, satisfying drink of insight and knowledge that will soothe their parched souls.

The Spirit is as operative today in communicating the gospel to all who seek the truth as it was on the day of Pentecost anciently.

My parents were hardworking. They made every penny stretch as far as possible. That was probably the major reason everything they gave me was always two or three sizes too large.

Born of a noble father and a saintly mother, President Hinckley learned as a young boy the truths of the restored gospel from his faithful parents. He came to respect deeply and value highly his pioneer heritage.

Many of the most important and life-changing moments of my life occurred when I was a young man. The lessons I learned then formed my character and shaped my destiny.

There are many reasons our prayers may lack power. Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that the words become more of a recitation than a communication.

We should always be learning. However, we must be careful not to set aside our faith in the process, because faith actually enhances our ability to learn.

The Godhead consists of three separate, distinct personages who are one in purpose. The Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone while the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit.

Not even death can take us from the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father.

Yes, the fullness of the gospel is a pearl of great price worth any effort.

We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.

President Eyring is a wise, learned, and spiritual man.

If Satan can weaken or destroy the loving relationships among members of families, he can cause more misery and more unhappiness for more people than he could in any other way.

Priesthood lessons are regularly devoted to topics of family leadership, and quorum leaders everywhere are feeling more and more their responsibility to teach and train their quorum members to be better husbands and fathers.

My beloved Elisa, my companion and wife, whom I love and revere, is one of the most noble of our Heavenly Father’s handmaidens.

There was never any doubt of Christ’s priorities.

Every person on the earth today lived at one time in heavenly realms. We walked with our Heavenly Father. We knew Him. We heard His voice. We loved Him.

Honesty is of God and dishonesty of the devil; the devil was a liar from the beginning.

Occasionally, family members treat each other with less courtesy and kindness than they do acquaintances or even strangers.

Sin may result from activities that begin innocently or that are perfectly legitimate in moderation, but in excess they can cause us to veer from the straight and narrow path to our destruction.

You are stronger than you think.

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I testify to you this day that the time will come when every one of us will look into the Savior’s loving eyes.

Wherever I go throughout the world – no matter the language, no matter the culture – I thrill to hear the testimonies of the Saints.

Think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross… It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.

It is not hard for me to remember when I was in college. I loved many things about college life: I loved learning. I loved the comradery. And I loved football.

Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for he sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming.

Husbands, be patient with your wives; and wives, be patient with your husbands. Don’t expect perfection. Find agreeable ways to work out the differences that arise.

As we come unto Christ and journey to higher ground, we will desire to spend more time in His temples, because the temples represent higher ground, sacred ground.

If we seek things that are virtuous and lovely, we surely will find them. Conversely, if we seek for evil, we will find that also.

There is something about prosperity that brings out the worst in some people.

In the lonely hours, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about eternal things. I have contemplated the comforting doctrines of eternal life.