Liberal in Our Contributions

 “I am a firm believer that you cannot give to the Church and to the building up of the kingdom of God and be any poorer financially. … A person could not give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return. That’s been my experience. If the members of the Church would double their fast-offering contributions, the spirituality in the Church would double. We need to keep that in mind and be liberal in our contributions.”

Marion G. Romney, Welfare Agricultural Meeting, Apr. 3, 1971, 1.

The Spirit will Permeate

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.”

Marion G. Romney, “The Book of Mormon,” Ensign, May 1980, 67.

Go to bed early and get up early

As a new General Authority, Elder Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) felt inadequate in fulfilling his important calling, so he sought advice from his friend Elder Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The counsel offered that day both surprised and motivated Elder Romney. Elder Lee said: “If you are to be successful as a General Authority, you will need to be inspired. You will need to receive revelation. I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early. If you do, your body and mind will become rested and then in the quiet of those early morning hours, you will receive more flashes of inspiration and insight than at any other time of the day.”

Years later, reflecting back on that experience, then-President Romney said: “From that day on, I put that counsel into practice, and I know it works. Whenever I have a serious problem, or some assignment of a creative nature with which I hope to receive the influence of the Spirit, I always receive more assistance in the early morning hours than at any other time of the day.”

See Joe J. Christensen, To Grow in Spirit: A Ten-Point Plan for Becoming More Spiritual (1989), 27–28.

A Generous Fast Offering

 “Be liberal in your giving, that you yourselves may grow. … I promise every one of you who will do it that you will increase your own prosperity, both spiritually and temporally.”

Marion G. Romney, “The Blessings of the Fast,”Ensign, July 1982, 4.

Families - Read the Book of Mormon

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, [families] will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, … mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. … Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives.”

President Marion G. Romney (1897–1988), First Counselor in the First Presidency, “The Book of Mormon,” Ensign, May 1980, 67.

The Book of Mormon in our Homes

"I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity--the pure love of Christ--will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness."

President Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 90; or Ensign, May 1980, 67.