Do Nothing for the Triumph of Evil

 “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men [or women] do nothing.”

Statement often attributed to Edmund Burke.

Be Well Informed

President Gordon B. Hinckley encouraged all of us to be well informed: “Let there be good magazines about the house, those which are produced by the Church and by others, which will stimulate [your children’s] thoughts to ennobling concepts. Let them read a good family newspaper that they may know what is going on in the world without being exposed to the debasing advertising and writing so widely found.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “In Opposition to Evil,” Ensign, Sept. 2004, 4. 

To Succeed in Life (Short Version)

To Succeed in Life

1.       Establish principles to guide your life.

2.       Don’t make exceptions to your standards.

3.       Be loyal.

4.       Live so that the Lord can guide you.

5.       Serve others.

6.       Smile.

7.       Don’t complain.

8.       Always have a Church assignment.

9.       Worship in the temple.

10.   Follow the Savior’s example.

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu

10 Things to be Successful in Life

 “I would like to suggest 10 specific things to help you be successful in the plan  the Lord would have you follow in your life.

“First, establish a set of principles by which you will guide every aspect of your life—in your home, in your Church service, in your profession, in your community. Many people try to compartmentalize their life and have a standard for Church and another standard for what they do in business and in other aspects of their life. I very strongly counsel you not to do that. There really is only one set of standards that makes sense. Those are the teachings of Jesus Christ, which signal to us the importance of faith, service, obedience, and integrity.”

“Second, don’t make exceptions to your standards. Never compromise them. One of the ways the Lord protects us is to give us guidance in life. Once of the ways Satan tries to destroy us is to subtly lead us away from what we know is centrally important in our life.”

Third, by loyal. By loyal to your parents and loved ones. Above all, by loyal to Jesus Christ, the Savior. Success comes when your actions are consistent with the teachings of the Lord.”

“Fourth, live so that the Lord can guide you to where He wants you to be and to serve. He can do that if you live His commandments worthily and strive in every way to be obedient to His teachings.”

“Fifth, serve others. Sharing what you know with others will bring you happiness and bless their lives.”

“Sixth, smile. I don’t mean that you need to be cracking jokes every day, but a good joke now and then is an escape valve. Life is not all that bad. You will soon learn that everybody has problems and nobody wants to hear about yours. Put those things aside and smile. Have a good sense of humor, as the prophets do. I wish I could tell you some of the things that we talk about. Not flippant things, not things that are inappropriate—just a good sense of humor. I will tell you a secret of how to wake up in the morning with a smile on your face not matter how you feel: go to bed with a coat hanger in your mouth. Remember, a good sense of humor help you greatly.”

“Seventh, don’t complain. Life isn’t always fair. That’s a fact. But it’s always charged with marvelous opportunities if you know how to find them.”

“Eighth, always have a Church assignment. I don’t mean that you should ask for a specific calling, but wherever you go in the world, wherever the Lord takes you, always offer your service to the presiding authority. Leave it to that authority to decide where and how. Be connected with the things of God and the ways to serve Him.”

“The last two are the most important.”

“Ninth, go to the temple. Carry a current temple recommend. There may be a few young adults who will want to wait to go to the temple for their endowment when they go with their companion to be sealed. But virtually everyone can obtain and keep a temple recommend. It will keep you spiritually in tune, will allow you to remember the most important things of life. And will encourage you to give great service to others.”

“Tenth, use the Savior Jesus Christ as your example for life. Use His teachings as your handbook for life. Never make exceptions to them.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu

Growing Character

 “Neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu

Bedrock of Character is Integrity

“Your continuing exercise of faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of critical need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used.

“The bedrock of character is integrity. Worthy character will strengthen your capacity to recognize the direction of the Spirit and be obedient to it. Strong character is more important than what you own, what you have learned, or what goals you have accomplished.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu

Character = Yardstick

“Character is the manifestation of what you are becoming. Your character will be the yardstick that God will use to determine how well you have used your mortal life. Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu