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.

What people think and believe and plan are all very important, but what they do is the thing that counts most.

Sin leads to wickedness and to hearts that become hardened to things of the Spirit.

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

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.

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

Though our trials are diverse, there is one thing the Lord expects of us no matter our difficulties and sorrows: He expects us to press on.

Yes, education is the catalyst that will hone and sharpen our talents, skills, and abilities and cause them to blossom.

For me, the Lord has opened the windows of heaven and showered blessings upon my family beyond my ability to express.

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

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 substitute for kindness in the home. This lesson I learned from my father. He always listened to my mother's advice. As a result, he was a better, wiser, and kinder man.

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

The consequences of ignoring the Lord and His prophets are certain and often accompanied by great sorrow and regret.

Valued companionships begin with a personal commitment to be an exemplary companion.

The gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, is obtained only upon condition of faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands by authorized servants endowed with the Melchizedek Priesthood.

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.

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.

Wayward, disobedient children cause their parents grief and anxiety.

Mortality is very brief but immeasurably important.

Though we live in the world, we must not be of the world.

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

I don't know whether we Church members fully appreciate the Book of Mormon, one of our sacred scriptures, as we really should.

The Resurrection is at the core of our beliefs as Christians. Without it, our faith is meaningless.

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

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

Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles.

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

We think we own things, but the reality is, our things own us.

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

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.

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.

Home teaching is an excellent preparation for missionary service.

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

To beguile is to deceive or lead astray, as Lucifer beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Experience teaches that when the will and imagination are in conflict, the imagination usually wins. What we imagine may defeat our reason and make us slaves to what we taste, see, hear, smell, and feel in the mind's eye. The body is indeed the servant of the mind.

Charity can be the outward expression of faith and hope.

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.

Our families should gather for family prayer morning and night.

Telescopes and microscopes bring to our view the otherwise unseen and unknown.

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.

Every day carries with it a responsibility.

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

Pride and vanity, the opposites of humility, can destroy our spiritual health as surely as a debilitating disease can destroy our physical health.

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.

We are all busy. It's easy to find excuses for not reaching out to others, but I imagine they will sound as hollow to our Heavenly Father as the elementary school boy who gave his teacher a note asking that he be excused from school March 30th through the 34th.

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

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

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