Ezra Taft Benson famous quotes

With pride, there are many curses. With humility, there come many blessings.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Humility #Pride #Blessing

The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing today. Those people never had the book. It was meant for us.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Book #Blessing #Men

Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Music #Moving #Soul

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Fall #Order #Priorities

I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened as never before in our history. I further witness that this land-the Americas-must be protected, its Constitution upheld, for this is a land foreordained to be the Zion of our God. He expects us as members of the Church and bearers of His priesthood to do all we can to preserve our liberty.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Destiny #Zion #Hands

Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Communication #Kids #Humility

It is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Men #Mark #Educated

Today the devil as a wolf in supposedly a new suit of sheep’s clothing is enticing some men to parrot his line by advocating planned government guaranteed security at the expense of our liberties.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Men #Sheep #Liberty

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Spiritual #Fall #Firsts

A father's calling is eternal and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Father #Calling #Eternity

Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Men #World #Shapes

There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food even if it is only a garden in your yard and a fruit tree or two. Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Blessing #Garden #Two

Thoughts lead to acts, acts lead to habits, habits lead to character - and our character will determine our eternal destiny.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Character #Destiny #Eternity

When you are tempted to look elsewhere for greener pastures, just remember someone else is probably looking at yours. And if another pasture looks greener, perhaps it is getting better care and attention. Grass is always greener . . . where it is watered.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Temptation #Get Better #Looks

I promise you that, with increased attendance in the temples of our God, you shall receive increased personal revelation to bless your life as you bless those who have died
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Promise #Attendance #Temples

A good name is still to be preferred over great riches. Especially it is to be preferred to the appearance of riches, aquired with nothing down and nothing to pay for 2 months.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Names #Down And #Pay

Now, brethren, do not expect perfection in your choice of a mate. Do not be so particular that you overlook her most important qualities of having a strong testimony, living the principles of the gospel, loving home, wanting to be a mother in Zion, and supporting you in your priesthood responsibilities. Of course, she should be attractive to you.... And one good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Mother #Strong #Home

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Faith #Men #People

My young sisters, we have such hope for you. We have such great expectations for you. Don't settle for less than what the Lord wants you to be... Give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon... Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Book #Home #Giving

I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations ***** for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Country #Land #America

The world today speaks a great deal about love, and it is sought by many. But the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. Charity never seeks selfish gratification. The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal growth and joy of others.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Selfish #Thinking #Joy

Could many of our ills today have resulted from our failure to train a strong citizenry from the only source we have - the boys and girls of each community? Have they grown up to believe in politics without principle, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without effort, wealth without work, business without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice?
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Girl #Strong #Integrity

Youth is the spirit of adventure and awakening. It is a time of physical emerging when the body attains the vigor and good health that may ignore the caution of temperance. Youth is a period of timelessness when the horizons of age seem too distant to be noticed.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Adventure #Age #Horizon

Are you honest with the Lord in the payment of your tithes? Living this divine law will bring both spiritual and material blessings.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Spiritual #Blessing #Law

Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Children #Memories #Vacation

Mothers play an important role as the heart of the home, but this in no way lessens the equally important role fathers should play, as head of the home, in nurturing, training, and loving their children.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Mother #Children #Father

The so-called civil rights movement as it exists today is used as a Communist program for revolution in America.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Rights #America #Movement

You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible!
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Impossible #Righteousness #Feels Right

There are some who apparently feel that the fight for freedom is separate from the Gospel. They express it in several ways, but it generally boils down to this: Just live the gospel; there's no need to get involved in trying to save freedom and the Constitution or stop communism.... Should we counsel the people, 'Just live your religion - there's no need to get involved in the fight for freedom?' No we should not, because our stand for freedom is a most basic part of our religion.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Fighting #People #Trying

Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Father #Godly #Agony

Be right, and then be easy to live with, if possible, but in that order.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Order #Easy

If we love God, do His will, and fear His judgment more than men's, we will have self-esteem.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Self Esteem #Men #God Love

Some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Life #Hard Times #Soul

God loves us; the devil hates us. God wants us to have a fulness of joy as He has. The devil wants us to be miserable as he is. God gives us commandments to bless us. The devil would have us break these commandments to curse us.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Hate #Giving #Joy

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Meaningful #Jesus #Foundation

When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Inspirational #Spiritual #Quests

Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through home production and storage, but others as well.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Home #Survival #Able

If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers - normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free, Americans who have been lulled away into a false security.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Country #Strong #Cheer

Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Spiritual #Book #Giving

Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his church meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and has earned the Duty of God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a Seminary graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me such a young man, and I will give you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Book #Men #Awards

You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Decision #Consequence

The more we express our gratitude to God for our blessings, the more he will bring to our mind other blessings. The more we are aware of to be grateful for, the happier we become.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Happiness #Gratitude #Grateful

There is no place for fear among men and women who Almighty, who do not hesitate to humble themselves in seeking divine guidance through prayer. Though persecutions arise, though reverses come, in prayer we can find reassurance, for God will speak peace to the soul. That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life's greatest blessing. .
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Prayer #Fear #Humble

The proud wish God would agree with them. They are not interested in changing their opinions to agree with God's.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Pride #Wish #Proud

Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they can be denied by government.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Rights #Government #Political

Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earth quake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Religious #War #Believe

The Book of Mormon is the 'keystone' of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the 'capstone,' with continuing latter day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Book #Doctrine #Covenant

The greatest test of life is obedience to God.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Tests #Life Is #Obedience

We must share the gospel with others. That is our responsibility-every member a missionary. That is the call of prophets of God. ...Member-missionary work is one of the great keys to the individual growth of our members. It is my conviction that member-missionary work will raise the spirituality in any ward where applied
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Responsibility #Keys #Growth

Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one's family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Determination #Fatherhood #Desire

The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#People #May #Today

Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the [Book of Mormon] to expose and combat the falsehoods in socialism, organic evolution, rationalism, humanism, and so forth.…And our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and quit building up and upholding the secret combinations which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of both previous American civilizations.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Jesus #Book #Teaching

If we do not feel like praying, then we should pray until we do feel like praying.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Praying #Should #Feels

That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the all too common philosophy that the government should protect and support one from the cradle to the grave. The policy of the Founding Fathers has made our people and our nation strong. The opposite leads inevitably to moral decay.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Strong #Father #Philosophy

Was it not through pride that the devil became the devil? Christ wanted to serve. The devil wanted to rule. Christ wanted to bring men to where He was. The devil wanted to be above men.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Pride #Men #Devil

Any Christian constitutionalist who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so heavily; but our numbers are increasing, and we who have been warned have a responsibility to warn our neighbor.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Christian #Responsibility #Numbers

We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men. Satan would have us cast away that anchor. In this way he can bring discouragement and surrender. But we must not lose hope. The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Giving Up #Men #Anchors

Be guided by the Spirit. I have said so many times to my Brethren that the Spirit is the most important single element in this work. With the Spirit, and by magnifying your call, you can do miracles for the Lord in the mission field. Without the Spirit you will never succeed regardless of your talent and ability.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Miracle #Important #Elements

To be a successful missionary one must have the Spirit of the Lord. We are also taught that the Spirit will not dwell in unclean tabernacles. Therefore, one of the first things a missionary must do to gain spirituality is to make sure his own personal life is in order.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Successful #Order #Gains

The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development. Paradoxically, the more we serve one another, the greater is our spiritual and emotional growth.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Spiritual #Emotional #Self

Humility responds to God's will-to the fear of His judgments and to the needs of those around us. To the proud, the applause of the world rings in their ears; to the humble, the applause of heaven warms their hearts. Someone has said, "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man."
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Fear #Heart #Humble

Pride is characterized by "What do I want out of life?" rather than by "What would God have me do with my life?" It is self-will as opposed to God's will. It is the fear of man over the fear of God.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Fear #Pride #Men

For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. . . . God has saved for the finalinning some of His strongest and most valiant children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. That is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God. . . .
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Children #Years #Bears

And so today, the undermining of the home and family is on the increase, with the devil anxiously working to displace the father as the head of the home and create rebellion among the children. [Isaiah] describes the condition when [he] states, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them." and then these words follow-and consider these words seriously when you think of those political leaders who are promoting birth control and abortion: "O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths."
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Children #Father #Home

We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. . . .
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Sister #Brother #Humble

Young people, you need the wisdom of age, just as some of us older ones need your enthusiasm for life.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#People #Age #Needs

"Thou shalt not bear false witness" Exodus 20:16. When we speak of morality, we imply that a man is true to his word-true to his signature on a contract. The violations of God's laws are evidence that lying and misrepresentation are not absent from us.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Lying #Men #Law

Beloved youth, you will have your trials and temptations through which you must pass, but there are great moments of eternity which lie ahead. You have our love and our confidence. We pray that you will be prepared for the reins of leadership. We say to you, "Arise and shine forth" and be a light unto the world, a standard to others.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Lying #Light #Shining

We are recipients of God's choicest blessings. We enjoy an abundance of material things beyond that enjoyed by any other nation in the history of the world; but unless we keep alive a realization that all these blessings come from God and are a part of our great spiritual heritage, they may crumble as ashes in our hands. "In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not his commandments."
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Spiritual #Blessing #Men

I speak of honor-your honor to God-your honor to country-your honor to self. I sincerely believe it to be the cure to most of our ills, both on a national or individual basis.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Country #Believe #Self

Each day the forces of evil and the forces of good enlist new recruits. Each day we personally make many decisions showing the cause we support. The final outcome is certain---the forces of righteousness will win. But what remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this battle---and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last days and fulfill our foreordained missions?
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Winning #Evil #Support

Prepare yourselves mentally. A mission requires a great deal of mental preparation. You must memorize missionary discussions, memorize scriptures, and oftentimes learn a new language. The discipline to do this is learned in your early years. Establish now the daily practice of reading the scriptures ten to fifteen minutes each day. If you do so, by the time you reach the mission field, you will have read all four of the standard works. I urge you to read particularly the Book of Mormon so that you can testify of its truthfulness as the Lord has directed.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Book #Reading #Years

If you want to get the spirit of the gospel in your home, support the missionary program. Prepare your sons and daughters through your home evenings; through setting the proper example in your homes. Prepare to send them into the mission field. These young sons and daughters will bless your names forever if you help to make it possible through your training and your example and your willingness to sacrifice just a little, if you can call it sacrifice, to see them go into the mission field.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Daughter #Home #Son

As members of the Lord's Church, we must take missionary work more seriously. The Lord's commission to 'preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark 16:15) will never change in our dispensation. We have been greatly blessed with the material means, the technology, and an inspired message to bring the gospel to all men. More is expected of us than any previous generation. Where 'much is given much is required.' (D&C 82:3.)
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Blessed #Mean #Technology

The secret to missionary work is work. Work, work, work!
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Secret #Missionary #Missionary Work

We have a sacred responsibility to fulfill the threefold mission of the Church—first, to teach the gospel to the world; second, to strengthen the membership of the Church wherever they may be; third, to move forward the work of salvation for the dead.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Moving Forward #Responsibility #Church

The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord has given. In this age of electronic media and mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Moving #Book #Media

What would God have me do with my life?
-- Ezra Taft Benson

You must keep your honor! You can't speak for the country; you can do little about the national economy or actions of moral weaklings who excuse themselves with the expression, "That is politics; nor can you be responsible for deception in others. But you are responsible for yourself! There are no collective panaceas - only individual ones."
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Country #Expression #Honor

Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Inspire #Age #Records

One of the cardinal sins in our country is profanity -- the taking of the name of the Lord in vain.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Country #Names #Sin

When we set goals we are in command. If we know where we are going, we can judge more accurately where we are now and make effective plans to reach our destination.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Generosity #Goal #Judging

We cannot do everything at once, but we can do a great deal if we choose our goals well and work diligently to attain them.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Generosity #Goal #Deals

If you turn your life over to the Lord he can do so much more with it than we can.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Generosity #Lord #Turns

Have good associates or don't associate at all. Be careful in the selection of your friends. If in the presence of certain persons you are lifted to nobler heights, you are in good company. But if your friends or associates encourage base thoughts, then you had best leave them.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Friendship #Height #Good Company

Physical well-being is not only a priceless asset to oneself-it is a heritage to be passed on. With good health, all other activities of life are greatly enhanced. A clean mind in a healthy body enables one to render far more effective service to others. It helps one provide more vigorous leadership. It gives our every experience in life more zest and more meaning. Robust health is a noble and worthwhile attainment.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Exercise #Zest #Giving

Take care of yourselves physically. Guard your health carefully. It is one of our greatest blessings. I especially encourage some type of exercise program so you can stay physically fit and physically capable in proportion to the demands on your body.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Exercise #Blessing #Body

The body needs the rejuvenation that comes from exercise. Walking in the fresh air can be exhilarating and refreshing. Properly directed running can also have some beneficial effects. Simple sit-ups or sports activities can also be helpful.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Sports #Running #Exercise

Have a good physical outlet of some sport or exercise. Overcome evil with good. You can overcome many evil inclinations through good physical exertion and healthful activities. A healthy soul...is in better condition to overthrow the devil.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Sports #Exercise #Evil

With good health all the activities of life are greatly enhanced... It gives our every experience in life more zest and more meaning.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Exercise #Zest #Giving

It is not unusual to hear a religious leader, a philosopher, or a poet refer to man as having a divine spark within him. Such characterizations infer that man possesses great abilities and potentials. We are frequently admonished to develop our capabilities, reach out, and set high goals for ourselves.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Religious #Men #Generosity

If we keep a goal firmly in mind, we will know when we have reached it. This gives us a sense of accomplishment and the challenge of establishing fresh, new goals - always keeping the long-range objective in mind. If we can state our goals clearly, we will gain a purpose and meaning in all our actions.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Long #Generosity #Giving

Those who are heavy-laden with despair should come unto the Lord.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Prayer #Despair #Lord

Since man created government to help secure and safeguard [inalienable] rights [from God], it follows that man is superior to government and should remain master over it, not the other way around.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Men #Helping #Over It

Encourage your children to come to you for counsel with their problems and questions by listening to them every day. Discuss with them such important matters as dating, sex, and other matters affecting their growth and development, and do it early enough so they will not obtain information from questionable sources.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Sex #Children #Dating

Be cheerful in all that you do. Live joyfully. Live happily.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Cheerful

One who is kind is sympathetic and gentle with others. He is considerate of others feelings and courteous in his behavior. He has a helpful nature. Kindness pardons others? weaknesses and fault. Kindness is extended to all--to the aged and the young, to animals, to those low of stations as well as the high.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Kindness #Animal #Feelings

There can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from the home.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Home #Genuine Happiness #Genuine

We should confess His hand in all things. Ingratitude is one of our great sins.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Gratitude #Hands #Sin

The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation.
-- Ezra Taft Benson

#Jesus #Children #Book