In a world where wickedness is more prevalent than at any other time in human history, God needs a powerful, covenant people to further his work for righteousness. The sacrifice you are making to gain an education will be of great benefit to you and also prepare you for greater service to Him if you remember that “To be learned is good, if [you] hearken unto the counsels of God.”[1]
Our Father in Heaven begins early to educate His children in the things of greatest importance. Essential Gospel truths are communicated so clearly in many of the Primary songs. They are simple enough for the smallest children in Primary to understand and profound enough to inspire the most mature gospel scholars.
By way of example I will use the case of my 85-year old father. He has lived a long life of faithful, dedicated Church and family service. He also is very knowledgeable about Gospel matters. Today, besides serving as an ordinance worker in the temple, he serves as “The Cookie Grandpa” in his ward that has three Primary nurseries. When little children sing, “I Am a Child of God,” they are declaring certainties of which his 83 plus years of added experience bear witness. And as they belt out the words:
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
I know who I am.
I know God’s plan
I’ll follow Him in faith…[2]
They can develop a great foundation to live a successful life and return to God’s presence.
How blessed we are to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and how remarkably successful our lives will be if we come to understand and act upon the doctrines of these three governing declarations:
I know who I am. I know God’s plan. I’ll follow Him in faith.
I Know Who I Am
Many spend their entire life in an elusive search for self worth. Often their quest takes them further away from the true source. Through gospel light, we know we are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven with divine inherited attributes. Our worth is certain. We have had the opportunity to receive a physical body and throughout our lives, through the proper use of agency, subjugate it to our spirit. We shouted for joy when our Father’s Plan was presented because it would allow us to “gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.” [3]
William Wordsworth beautifully expressed mortality when he penned the words:
“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere it’s setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home"[4]
Similarly the French Philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, born 51 years after the Gospel was restored, but without the blessings of it in his life, exhibited remarkable understanding when he wrote, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience.” [5]
We read in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses chapter 1, that after Moses had spent time in the presence of God who repeatedly affirmed his status as [His] son,[6] Satan’s first frontal attack to diminish Moses’ self-worth was to call him “son of man”[7] thus emphasizing his fallen state. And so he does with each of us. There is power in knowing that we are sons and daughters of God and heirs of His kingdom. Sadly, many who know better are still searching for self-worth from worldly sources. They are then very vulnerable to unrighteous influences, and Satan delights. He would have an impotent people so that he can make us ineffective in fulfilling our earthly missions and ultimately “captivate, to bring [us] down to hell, that he may reign over [us] in his own kingdom.”[8] Years ago in a stake conference, Elder Loren C. Dunn warned, “If you live like the world, you will suffer like the world.”
Satan didn’t immediately leave Moses even with repeated stern rebukes to “depart”[9] and he won’t leave us either until we, like Moses, have proven that “this one God only will I worship.”[10] Until then he will continually appeal to our “son of man” or “natural man” tendencies to tempt us to devalue, diminish and belittle our own worth.
King Benjamin taught that there are innumerable ways to sin.[11] For reference, I have used the three temptations of the Savior as recorded in Matthew chapter 4 as a pattern of three types of mortal weakness that Satan preys upon in an attempt to captivate us.[12] I refer to these as:
Passion, an appeal to the bodily appetites.
Position, a longing for the praise of, or power over, man.
Prosperity, the desire for the treasures of the earth.
Through the gift of agency we choose whether we yield to the natural man or rise to the divine within each of us as sons and daughters of God. We receive the blessings or consequences of our choices. Every righteous choice we make strengthens our spirit and ability to continue making right choices. Likewise when we fall prey to the enticements of the natural man, that pull becomes stronger. To use farm philosophy, we feed the cat we want to stay.
“Passion” may include such things as overindulgence in pursuing bodily appetites, entertaining immoral thoughts and behavior, or engaging in degrading or excessive recreation. These could lead to indolence, addictions, loss of virtue, and certainly self-loathing. Those who lack true self worth are at risk at finding comfort in things of the flesh. Addictions to food, pornography, or harmful substances are a poor substitute for the self-respect that discipline and a submission to God’s will brings. By overcoming the natural man, we will receive greater power, enjoyment, and feelings of self worth, and we will enjoy the blessing of the enabling power of the atonement.
Entertaining unrighteous thoughts whether through unwholesome fantasizing or pornography may create a chemical reaction in our bodies that will gradually but drastically alter the course of what we become.[13]
We get a sense of the seriousness of the very real affects of this as we read Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s definition of the “Book of Life,” in Mormon Doctrine:
“In a real though figurative sense, the book of life is the record of the acts of men as such record is written in their own bodies. It is the record engraven on the very bones, sinews, and flesh of the mortal body. That is, every thought, word, and deed has an affect on the human body; all these leave their marks, marks which can be read by Him who is Eternal as easily as the words in a book can be read.
“By obedience to telestial law men obtain telestial bodies; terrestrial law leads to terrestrial bodies; and conformity to celestial law – because this law includes the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost – results in the creation of a body which is clean, pure, and spotless, a celestial body. (D&C 88: 16-32.) When the book of life is opened in the day of judgment (Rev. 20:12-15), men’s bodies will show what law they have lived. The great Judge will then read the record of the book of their lives; the account of their obedience or disobedience will be written in their bodies…” [14]
“Position” which is based on Pride and is only good enough if we’re better than others, includes seeking for power, status, fame, and the world’s approval for physical appearance.
As you look at people that you truly admire I’m sure you will find, as I have, that you do not have to be famous to be great (and you certainly don’t have to be great to be famous!).
One example of falling prey to our desire for position is seeking the world’s approval for physical appearance. It is almost comical how the worlds “standard” of handsome/beauty changes through the years. Today, an unrealistic expectation has been created to fit into a superficial mold. So much, that one supermodel said that in real life, without makeup and lights, “even I don’t look like [the supermodel I’m portrayed to be]”.[15] Often the body, as well as the spirit, is starved in a misguided attempt to gain recognition or approval. We now have “extreme makeovers” and fashion trends that would have us make a mockery of modesty and the sacredness of the human body.
Have you read the tag on some clothing articles that say something like “the irregularities are meant to be here and are what gives it its value?” Our differences are also meant to be, and are part of what gives us value. We show gratitude for the wonderful gift that our body is by proper diet, rest and exercise. Good grooming and modesty show respect for our body. Most importantly, there is a very real beauty that emanates from a righteous person. I’d like to suggest that if we want an “extreme makeover” that will bring real self worth we will live our life to be worthy of having the Spirit as our companion. When Moses overcame Satan, we read in Moses 1: 24 that he was “filled with the Holy Ghost.” These words from Parley P. Pratt show the power that we gain by living worthy of its companionship:
“The Holy Ghost …quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-tuned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our natures. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and feature. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, so it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears and life to the whole being.”[16]
When self worth is dependant on “prosperity” there is often a compromise in the things of eternal value. In a desperate attempt to obtain wealth some have resorted to dishonesty, others have put themselves into debt in the accumulation of possessions to give an appearance of prosperity. All too often families are given a lower priority as wealth is accumulated.
My mother-in-law has often said, “Those who say money doesn’t buy happiness just don’t know where to shop!” It takes money to build temples, to go on missions, to raise a family, and many other good things. It’s the love of money that leads to sin. The Book of Mormon continuously repeats the lesson that when prosperity leads to pride it inevitably leads to sin which leads to destruction. Ultimately it brought down both the Nephite and Jaredite nations.
We can’t sin enough, be famous enough, or be rich enough to increase our self-worth. It comes only from knowing who we really are and living accordingly. In the greatest discourse I know on pride, President Ezra Taft Benson said,
“The Proud depend upon the world to tell them whether they have value or not. Their self-esteem is determined by where they are judged to be on the ladders of worldly success…They feel worthwhile as individuals if the numbers beneath them in achievement, talent, beauty, or intellect are large enough. Pride is ugly. It says, ‘If you succeed, I am a failure.’
“If we love God, do His will, and fear His judgment more then men’s, we will have self-esteem.”[17]
I Know God’s Plan
What great contrast exists in the stated purposes of our Heavenly Father who declared to Moses: “For behold, this is my work and glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”18 And Satan’s, “for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.”[19]
The Plan of Salvation, also called the Plan of Happiness, is God’s charted course to take us back to Him. The all-encompassing Plan, including the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement, make it possible “to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.”
Because Satan’s plan was not accepted in our pre-mortal existence, his efforts are focused on undermining God’s Plan. After the “presence of God withdrew from Moses”[20] he realized that man, when left to himself, is nothing (see vs. 10) and even though he showed great strength in withstanding Satan’s encounters, vs. 20 says that after a particularly vicious attack “…Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God, he received strength…” Although we must exercise great discipline to overcome the temptations and trials that come to us, we must recognize that our strength comes from the Lord. Satan would have us believe that we need rely only on our own strength because without the strength of the Lord to sustain us, we are more susceptible to Satan’s power. The Lord told Moroni, as recorded in Ether 12:27, he gives “men weakness that they may be humble.” If we turn to the Lord in humility, He will give us strength to overcome all things.
There are two beautiful poems that, when recited together, illustrate this. The first is very well known and has been quoted by both the famous and infamous. It was written by William E. Henley from a hospital bed following the amputation of his foot due to tuberculosis he’d suffered as a child. It is entitled Invictus. (Invictus means unconquerable.)
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.[21]
The second poem was written by Elder Orson F. Whitney, a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve, in response to Henley’s poem.
The Soul’s Captain
(The Answer)
Art thou in truth?
Then what of Him who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but Him could bear—
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share.
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul! Forsooth!
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine - - free agency,
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that “head unbowed,”
Small part of life’s great whole!
And see in Him, and Him alone,
The captain of thy soul.[22]
When we submit our will to God’s and walk in humble obedience to His ways, we will discover a power unlike that of any worldly position. These words from Isaiah describe such ability. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”[23]
Nowhere is such humble obedience, and power needed today as it is in building strong families. Because the “Family is central to the creators plan for the eternal destiny of His children,”[24] it is no wonder that Satan has pulled all stops in an effort to destroy it.
Growing trends which include: postponing marriage to pursue careers, cohabitation, gay and lesbian lifestyles, and divorce have all contributed to the current state of our nation in which a recent news story reported that single adult households now outnumber married adult households in the United States.[25]
Reports that the U.S. population reached 300 million on October 17, 2006[26] gives added ammunition to those who feel it is irresponsible to bring children into an overpopulated world. Children, previously considered a burden by many are now considered a menace to society. Some feel that children are a threat to career, self-fulfillment, and/or personal appearance. Others delay having children until they have attained a predetermined financial portfolio. And even then, some abdicate their divine role as parents to day care.
In many homes eating meals together as a family has been exchanged for a fast-food-on-the-run lifestyle thus trading nutritional and psychological benefits for activities of far less value. One study showed that “kids who reported eating more family meals per week reported significantly less substance use and significantly better academic and mental health than those eating fewer meals with family.”[27]
In a quest for a higher quality of life, many actually trade it a “mess of pottage,” a cheap imitation. In the process they risk eternal life for themselves and their posterity. We can easily see how Satan’s focus of Passion, Position and Prosperity are a threat to the family.
Certainly we live in the time foretold by President Spencer W. Kimball 26 years ago when he said,
“…The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.”[28]
Latter day prophets have made it clear that God’s standard set forth in the Garden of Eden has not changed. In light of the current U.S. trends I have just mentioned, consider these declarations from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”:
“Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God;” and “…God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”[29]
In addition, President Kimball reminded us that God’s standard for “complete chastity before marriage and total fidelity in marriage”[30] has remained unchanged throughout human history.
As God’s covenant people we must put families in the forefront of our priorities. President Hinckley has said, “The greatest measure of your success will be the quality of your marriage.”[31] If married, do all you can to improve the quality of your relationship; if you are not married, prepare yourself to be a good catch.
Brethren, some single sisters on campus would like me to tell you that they’d like to date and not just hang out. If you need encouragement review Elder Dallin H. Oaks talk “Dating versus Hanging Out.” Dating does not need to be expensive but, he said, according to his 18-year old granddaughter, "A ‘date’ needs to pass the test of three p's: (1) planned ahead, (2) paid for, and (3) paired off.”[32]
I’ve heard more than one young man say, “It’s so much easier when the girls do the asking and if I don’t, they will.” I fear that the aggressiveness of some young women has made wimps out of the guys. Sisters, that is not honoring the priesthood! So three suggestions for you: A good potential date (meaning the person, not the event) needs to pass the test of the three b’s (1) be patient, (2) be kind, and (3) be realistic in your expectations.
Brethren, if you are preparing for a mission, be assured that it is the single most important thing you can do right now to prepare for a good marriage because it will teach you, among other things, selfless service – a rare quality, but so essential for successful family life.
In preparation for the responsibilities of life, President Hinckley has continuously told both the brethren and sisters how important it is to get a good education. Brethren, you need to prepare for a career that will support your family and allow your wife to fulfill her most important role as a full-time mother. Sisters, I hope you will never feel that your education is wasted when you choose to put motherhood over professional career. Let me give you five reasons why I believe education is so important regardless of the direction your life may take:
- Although it is the ideal for every woman to give full-time status to motherhood, there are challenges that force women into the workplace. The Proclamation says that “disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation”[33] to the ideal. Education can then provide the opportunity for a mother to be with her children more than would otherwise be the case. For instance, if you are compelled to work to provide the necessities of life for your family, it would be much better to work 10 hours a week at $40.00 an hour than 40 hours a week at $10.00 an hour.
- Education has much more value than merely preparing for a career. Knowledge brings freedom. It provides purpose, perspective, and a richness of life that makes the discipline required to study, and the financial sacrifice involved a small price to pay. Sister Camilla Kimball, wife of President Spencer W. Kimball said,“What we must be concerned with is preparation for life, and that preparation is continuing education. Whether it is to earn a living or to rear a family, men and women both need to have the knowledge that enhances their natural talents.” [34]
- Intelligence is one of the few things we can take with us after this life.[35]
- Education enriches our families. Sister Kimball further said, “The parents' aliveness to the world of ideas and art and science opens new vistas for children.”[36] Education trains us to think outside our own narrow parameters and there is nothing that will challenge your creative thought process like dealing with a determined two-year old, or a stubborn seven-year old, or a mixed up thirteen-year old.
- Education elevates your decision to postpone or interrupt a professional career until your children are raised becuase there is additional sacrifice.
I’ll Follow Him In Faith
Consistently making correct choices takes a lot of faith. As members of the church we each have a legacy of faith by those who have sacrificed much to prove that “this one God only will I worship.” Many of you have personal family legacies. Let me share one of mine:
Simon Baker, an early convert to the Church, remained faithful through much persecution and sacrifice as the saints were driven to the West. He was then called on several colonizing missions. One particular incident illustrates his character.
“During the spring of 1856 [he] was called to go and assist in the colonization of Carson City and valley. He had just completed a house on his lot at the corner of First North and West Temple streets [in Salt Lake City, Utah – approximately where the Conference Center now stands]. Before starting on this mission, one of the leaders of the church came and said; ‘Brother Baker, before going on this mission we want you to do something for us to help pay off the church debt.’ Simon replied, ‘whatever is expected of me, I am willing to do.’ The request was: ‘We want fifty head of your best cattle, and we also want you to turn over to the Perpetual Emigration Fund your house and lot.’ Simon did this, and with his wife and sons …started on this mission.”[37]
I thank my great-great grandfather for his unwavering devotion. If his faith had wavered and he had refused to give up such valuable property and assuming his estate were still intact and could have been sold, his descendents would now each have a mere few dollars. Instead, each of his posterity, now numbering in the thousands, has received a priceless legacy of faith.
“Whatever is expected of me, I am willing to do.”
This was the faith of the widow of Zerephath who being asked to give her last handful of meal and last drops of oil, “went and did according to the saying of Elijah…and the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail according to the word of the Lord…”[38]
This was the faith of Job who admidst great loss, suffering, pain, loneliness, betrayal and depression, said of God, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him…”[39]
This was the faith of Nephi who said, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”[40] And he records, “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth.”[41]
This was the faith of the King of the Lamanites, Lamoni’s father, who after seeing the example of Ammon and hearing the words of Aaron, prayed, “if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee…”[42]
This is the faith of the 2,000 stripling warriors who went into battle saying, “behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall…”[43] Later, after horrendous battles, Helaman, their righteous leader, gave this account:
“And they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them, and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them…and to our great astonishment… there was not one soul of them who did perish… And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe – that there was a just god, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.”[44]
This is the faith of the young boy, Joseph Smith, who, recognizing that he lacked the wisdom to know which church was true, went into the grove of trees and knelt down to ask God which of them he should join. [45]
This is the faith of many others recorded in the scriptures and evidenced in countless righteous lives today. And it is the faith that each of us need because we like the young boy Joseph often lack wisdom; like the 2,000 stripling warriors we are engaged in a battle, often the greatest being within the chambers of our own soul; like the King of the Lamanites we have sins, or mistakes and certainly weaknesses that we need to give up in order to know God; like Nephi we will be asked to do seemingly impossible tasks that can be accomplished neither by our wit nor our riches but only by the power of the Lord; like Job we will have many trials which exhaust our abilities and break our hearts, and like the widow of Zarephath we have need of great miracles in our lives.
This life will present many occasions to be tested to see if “whatever is asked of [us], we are willing to do.” It takes great faith to:
- leave all that is comfortable and go on a mission
- stand for marriage and family values in a world of declining morality
- bring children in to this world or to accept the Lord’s will when we are denied having children
- put covenant over comfort, convenience, and current craze to dress modestly and to wear the temple garment as instructed
- pay tithing when we have little or no money and many pressing financial needs
- accept callings and assignments that are beyond our own ability to fulfill
- maintain peace in our lives when someone betrays us
- hope for a better day when our bodies are ravaged with disease and pain
- trust in God’s plan at the death of a loved one
- trust that good and prevail over evil and that “all that was promised, the saints will be given”[46]
Brothers and Sisters, the Lord needs a powerful people to carry on His work in these very wicked, frightening latter days. When we know who we are; know God’s plan and follow Him in faith, we will have His power that will bring security,[47] strength[48] hope[49] and exaltation.[50]
To this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] 2 Nephi 9:29
[2] Janice Kapp Perry, “The Church of Jesus Christ” Children’s Songbook ©IRI 1989, 77
[3] The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 3.
[4] William Wordsworth. 1770–1850 536. Ode “Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood” Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. Available online at http://www.bartleby.com
[5] Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) A French Jesuit, paleontologist, biologist, and philosopher, spent most of his life trying to integrate religious experience with natural science. Available online at http://en.thinkexist.com/quotation
[6] Moses 1: 4,6,7
[7] Moses 1:12
[8] 2 Nephi 2:29
[9] Moses 1:16, 18, 20
[10] Moses 1:20
[11] Mosiah 4:29
[12] Moses 4:4
[13] Judith A. Reisman “Anti-Pornography Group Looking for Medical Proof” May. 12, 2004. Available online at http://tv.ksl.com/index
[14] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine [BookCraft 1966 ] p 97
[15] Cindy Crawford as quoted in Reader’s Digest, Aug. 2001, p. 87
[16] Parley P. Pratt Key to the Science of Theology, 9th ed. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1965] 101
[17] President Ezra Taft Benson “Beware of Pride” Ensign, November 1989
[18] Moses 1:39
[19] 2 Nephi 2:27
[20] Moses 1:9
[21] "Invictus. In Mem. R.T.H.B.," as quoted in Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 332. Quoted by President James E. Faust “The Power of Self-Mastery” Ensign, May 2000, 45
[22] Orson F. Whitney "The Soul's Captain: The Answer" Improvement Era, May 1926, opposite inside front cover. Quoted by Boyd K. Packer “The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord,” Brigham Young University address, February 1, 1976. Available online at http://speeches.byu.edu
[23] Isaiah 40:31
[24] The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 1
[25] NBC Today Show, October 16, 2006
[26] “Here we come — 300M strong” Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press, Deseret Morning News, June 26, 2006
[27] Maria Eisenberg ScD MPH, “Benefits of Family Meals Findings from Project EAT,” University of Minnesota, available online at http://www.apa.org/pi/cyf/fam4.html
[28] Spencer W. Kimball, “Families Can Be Eternal,” Ensign, November 1980, 4
[29] The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraphs 1 and 4
[30] Spencer W. Kimball, “The Time to Labor is Now,”, Ensign, November 1975, 7
[31] Gordon B. Hinckley “Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry,” Ensign, May 1998, 49
[32] Dallin H. Oaks, “Dating versus Hanging Out,” July 2006 Ensign, 10-116
[33] The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 8
[34] Camilla Kimball spoken at a dedication assembly for the Kimball Tower at Brigham Young University March 9, 1982. Available online at http://speeches.byu.edu
[35] D&C 130:18 & 19
[36] Camilla Kimball, Ibid
[37] Moses 1:16, 18, 20
[38] 1 Kings 17: 9-16
[39] Job 13:15
[40] 1 Nephi 3:7
[41] 1 Nephi 4:6, 7
[42] Alma 22:18
[43] Alma 56:46
[44] Alma 57:21-27
[45] Joseph Smith - History 1:11-20
[46] “Now Let Us Rejoice,” Hymns (1985) no. 3, text by Parley P. Pratt
[47] President Spencer W. Kimball said, “Security is not born of inexhaustible wealth but of unquenchable faith” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft 1982] 72-73 as quoted by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1994, 100
[48] At another time, Spencer W. Kimball wrote that we need what he called “reservoirs of faith” to stand firm and strong against all the temptation and adversities of life (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972, pp 110-11 as quoted by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1994, 100)
[49] “And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise, for without faith there cannot be any hope…(Moroni 7:41)
[50] “For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name” (Moroni 7:38)