Criticism is the forerunner of divorce

“Everywhere is heard the snide remark, the sarcastic gibe, the cutting down of associates. Sadly, these are too often the essence of our conversation. In our homes, wives weep and children finally give up under the barrage of criticism leveled by husbands and fathers. Criticism is the forerunner of divorce, the cultivator of rebellion, sometimes a catalyst that leads to failure. …

“I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Continuing Pursuit of Truth,” Ensign, Apr. 1986, 2, 4.

Christmas means Giving

“What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ?”

By President Gordon B. Hinckley

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Christmas means giving. The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship.

Live Closer to the Lord

Benediction

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Ensign, May 2003

Saints, I offer a plea that each of us will seek to live closer to the Lord and to commune with Him more frequently and with increased faith.

Fathers and mothers, pray over your children. Pray that they may be shielded from the evils of the world. Pray that they may grow in faith and knowledge. Pray that they may be directed toward lives that will be profitable and good. Husbands, pray for your wives. Express unto the Lord your gratitude for them and plead with Him in their behalf. Wives, pray for your husbands. Many of them walk a very difficult road with countless problems and great perplexities. Plead with the Almighty that they may be guided, blessed, protected, inspired in their righteous endeavors.....

Pray for wisdom and understanding as you walk the difficult paths of your lives. If you are determined to do foolish and imprudent things, I think the Lord will not prevent you. But if you seek His wisdom and follow the counsel of the impressions that come to you, I am confident that you will be blessed.

Involved in a Crime and is a Member of the Church

A City upon a Hill

By President Gordon B. Hinckley

First Counselor in the First Presidency

This entire people have become as a city upon a hill which cannot be hid. Sometimes we take offense when one who is a member of the Church is involved in a crime and the public press is quick to say that he is a Mormon. We comment among ourselves that if he had been a member of any other church, no mention would have been made of it.

Yet, is not this very practice an indirect compliment to our people? The world expects something better of us, and when one of our number falters, the press is quick to note it. We have, indeed, become as a city upon a hill for the world to see. If we are to be that which the Lord would have us be, we must indeed become “a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should shew forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (1 Pet. 2:9.)

Overcoming Fear

Who among us can say that he or she has not felt fear? I know of no one who has been entirely spared. Some, of course, experience fear to a greater degree than do others. Some are able to rise above it quickly, but others are trapped and pulled down by it and even driven to defeat. We suffer from the fear of ridicule, the fear of failure, the fear of loneliness, the fear of ignorance. Some fear the present, some the future. Some carry the burden of sin and would give almost anything to unshackle themselves from those burdens but fear to change their lives. Let us recognize that fear comes not of God, but rather that this gnawing, destructive element comes from the adversary of truth and righteousness. Fear is the antithesis of faith. It is corrosive in its effects, even deadly.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).

We need not fear as long as we have in our lives the power that comes from righteously living by the truth which is from God our Eternal Father.

Nor need we fear as long as we have the power of faith.

Gordon B. Hinckley, "God Will Make a Way," New Era, Jan. 2002, 6-7.

Modesty Helps Against Temptation

"Young women, modesty in dress and manner will assist in protecting against temptation. . . I do not hesitate to say that you can be attractive without being modest. You can be refreshing and buoyant and beautiful in your dress and behavior. Your appeal to others will come of your personality, which is the sum of your individual characteristics."

Gordon B. Hinckley

Who Your Mother Think You Are

"I've said to missionaries many times, in a rather joking way, as I have met with them, 'Are you the kind of missionary your mother thinks you are? Are you the kind of son or daughter your mother thinks you are?' You know, if we would be the boys and girls, sons and daughters, our mothers think we are, we'd all be pretty good."

Gordon B. Hinckley

Read the Scriptures to Children

Read the scriptures to your children. You may not think they understand. They won't understand. They won't understand everything you read. But they will develop within themselves a feelings, an attitude, a spirit that will be wonderful. And I don't hesitate to promise you that the day will come, if you nurture your children and love and teach in righteousness, you will get on your knees tears in your eyes and thank the Lord for His blessing you."

Gordon B. Hinckley

Reach Out

"My plea is - if we want joy in our hearts, if we want the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, let us forget ourselves and reach out. Let us put in the background our own personal, selfish interests and reach out in service to others."

Gordon B. Hinckley

A Better Woman

"I am satisfied that every man or woman who goes to the temple in a spirit of sincerity and faith leaves the house of the Lord a better man or woman. There is need for constant improvement in all our lives. There is need occasionally to leave the noise and the tumult of the world and step within the walls of a sacred house of God, there to feel His Spirit in an environment of holiness and peace."

Gordon B. Hinckley

Feelings of Confidence

"The Lord has given a commandment in our time that applies to each of us. He has said, 'Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.' And with this He has given a promise, 'Then shall they confidence wax strong in the presence of God' (D&C 121:45). I believe He is saying that if we are clean in mind and body, the time will come when we can stand confidently before the Lord.... There will be a feelings of confidence and there will  also be smiles of approval.

God bless us to walk with clean hands and pure hearts and be worthy of His smile of approbation."

Gordon B. Hinckley

Pay off Debt

“I urge you … to look to the conditions of your finances. I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage."

Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Boys and to the Men,” Ensign,Nov. 1998, 54.

A Happy Marriage

“A happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “What God Hath Joined Together,” Ensign,May 1991, 73.

Marriage and Selfishness

“Why all of these broken homes? What happens to marriages that begin with sincere love and a desire to be loyal and faithful and true one to another? … I find selfishness to be the root cause of most of it.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “What God Hath Joined Together,” Ensign,May 1991, 73.

Happiness of Your Companion

If every husband and every wife would constantly do whatever might be possible to ensure the comfort and happiness of his or her companion, there would be very little, if any, divorce. Argument would never be heard. Accusations would never be leveled. Angry explosions would not occur. Rather, love and concern would replace abuse and meanness. …

Gordon B. Hinckley

Do Your Best

 “If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us.”

Teachings: Gordon B. Hinckley, 339.

Don't Get Discouraged

‘Keep trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.’

Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Gordon B. Hinckley: Stalwart and Brave He Stands,” Ensign, June 1995, 4.

Responsibilities

“Each of us has a fourfold responsibility. First, we have a responsibility to our families. Second, we have a responsibility to our employers. Third, we have a responsibility to the Lord’s work. Fourth, we have a responsibility to ourselves.”

We must have a balance. President Hinckley suggested that we fulfill this fourfold responsibility through family prayer, family home evening, family scripture study, honesty and loyalty to our employer, fulfillment of our Church responsibilities, personal scripture study, rest, recreation, and exercise.

See Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rejoicing in the Privilege to Serve,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 21, 2003, 22, 23.

Teach With Effectiveness

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) spoke of the importance of good teaching: “Eternal life will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven. They must be led, and that means teaching” (quoted in Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Teacher Come from God,” Ensign, May 1998, 26).

The Savior’s freely given atoning love helps us become more forgiving and less judgmental of others and of ourselves. This love heals our relationships and gives us opportunities to love, understand, and serve as our Savior would.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, “Becoming Perfect in Christ,” Ensign, Jul 2014, 14.

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What Can the Book of Mormon Teach Us about Happiness?

By Hank R. Smith

Instructor of Religious Education, Brigham Young University

Maintaining Uplifting Associations

“The quantity and quality of a person’s social connections—friendships, relationships with family members, closeness to neighbors, etc.—is so closely related to well-being and personal happiness the two can practically be equated.”

Christine Carter, “Happiness Is Being Socially Connected,” Oct. 31, 2008, greatergood.berkeley.edu.

Aligning Actions with Beliefs

Accomplishing Hard Work

Focusing on the Temple

Sharing What We Have

Belonging to a Family

“Happiness in marriage and parenthood can exceed a thousand times any other happiness.”

James E. Faust, “The Enriching of Marriage,” Ensign, Nov. 1977, 11.

Being a Peacemaker

 We must be sure we make a great effort to not do or say anything that brings a spirit of contention into our workplaces, schools, and homes. Instead we must do all we can to foster a love of God in our own hearts.

“Impatience … is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all-too-prevalent condition called ‘center of the universe’ syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Continue in Patience,” Ensign, May 2010, 57.