My goodness! If you want sermons that beat around the bushes, or are milktoast, the Oct. 1961 General Conference is NOT the conference for you! It starts off with David O. McKay coming out swinging on the importance of fighting for freedom, specifically property rights. Then Elder Delbert L. Stapley warned of men in America conspiring to take away those freedoms McKay has just spoken of. It was then Spencer W. Kimball turn. He gave the most prophetic warning I have EVER heard (Click HERE to listen to it, or click HERE to read it). Elder Mark E. Petersen then gave a string talk about who we are following in life, Christ or Khrushchev. And then Ezra Taft Benson hits a home run with his talk by issuing a Warning to the United States (Click HERE to listen to it, or click HERE to read it). In addition, Howard W. Hunter gave a POWERFUL talk on the everyday nature of our religion, and Hugh B. Brown gave one of the best doctrinal sermons on the nature of revelation! Overall, 10/10 would recommend this conference to a friend!
I hope you enjoy this nineteenth installment of quotes from my studies of the General Conference Archives (If you want to read prior installments click HERE). For the first installment and an explanation of the Conference Archives see “55+ Powerful Quotes From My Study of the Oct. 1970 General Conference” To read this conference report PDF from the Church History Catalog (click HERE), for the Archive.org PDF (with speech-to-text, click here) I hope you enjoy these quotes from my studies. But more than enjoy them, I hope they serve as a starting point for your own study of the Oct. 1961 General Conference! Use the page number and the above links to access the full talks. Enjoy!
75+ Bold Quotes From My Study of the Oct. 1961 General Conference
“Freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of action within boundaries that do not infringe upon the liberty of others are man’s inherent right, granted him by his Creator — divine gifts ‘essential to human dignity and human happiness.’”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 7
“The opposite of freedom is bondage, servility, restraint—conditions that inhibit mentality, stifle the spirit, and crush manhood. To coerce, to compel, to bring into servitude is Satan’s plan for the human family.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 7
“Throughout the history of the world man has contended even to death to free himself from bondage and usurpation, or to retain the freedom he already possessed. This is particularly true in regard to the right to worship.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 7
“Attempts to control the consciences of men have always resulted in conflict. To decide one’s own relationship to the Creator and to his creations is the natural and inalienable right of all.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 7
“Equally fundamental and important to man’s happiness and progress is the right of personal security, the right of personal liberty, and the right of private property.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 7
“The right of property consists in the free use, enjoyment, and disposal of all acquisitions, without control or diminution save by the laws of the land. The right of private property is sacred and inviolable. If any part of these inalienable individual possessions should be required by the State, they should be given only with the consent of the people.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 7
“Merely an appreciation of the social ethics of Jesus, however, is not sufficient. Men’s hearts must be changed. Instead of selfishness, men must be willing to dedicate their ability, their possessions—if necessary, their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for the alleviation of the ills of mankind. Hate must be supplanted by sympathy and forbearance.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 pp. 7-8
“Force and compulsion will never establish the ideal society. This can come only by a transformation within the individual soul — a life brought into harmony with the divine will. We must be ‘born again.’”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 8
“I am confident that truth will yet prevail, and in that confidence, say again with the Psalmist: ‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord’ (Ps. 31:24).”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 8
“The principles of the restored gospel as revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, are the surest, safest guide to mortal man. Christ is the light to humanity. In that light man sees his way clearly. When it is rejected, the soul of man stumbles in darkness. No person, no group, no nation can achieve true success without following him who said: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life’ John 8:12).”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 8
“To the Church in all the world the message of the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the other General Authorities is: Be true and loyal to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 9
“True religion is the activated love of God and of neighbor. It is based on good deeds, not good intentions, not merely good words.”
ElRay L. Christiansen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 10
“Religion without morality, professions of godliness without charity, Church membership without adequate responsibility as to honorable individual conduct in daily life, are but as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals (1 Cor. 13:1) noise without music, the words [of a prayer] without the spirit of prayer.”
James E. Talmage as quoted by ElRay L. Christiansen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 10
“One does not truly love the Lord unless he lives according to the moral principles that He has given us.”
ElRay L. Christiansen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 10
“If I wish to help make this a better world, I should begin by improving myself. As someone said, ‘Oh, Lord, reform the world, beginning with me.’ If this principle were practised in our homes—love, respect, unselfishness would abound. If this principle were practised in our communities—robberies, assaults, and even many traffic accidents would be avoided. If this principle were practised by mankind generally, the dangers threatening us would vanish; wickedness would ultimately cease, waste of public funds would be eliminated, strikes would be unnecessary; peace would prevail.”
ElRay L. Christiansen
CR, Oct. 1961 pp. 10-11
“Even though revolutionary changes are taking place all over the world, even in our own land, we must remember that God has not changed. Virtue, honesty, trust, a desire to do good, a desire to be helpful are still basic and indispensable principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
ElRay L. Christiansen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 11
“If we are to have faith and turn away fear, we must learn and live, and I would add, share and serve the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Marion D. Hanks
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 13
“Youth must have its recreation, we will all admit, but the right kind of recreation is going to be that which is under the direction of the priesthood. We have these wonderful buildings, these recreation halls, where the right kind of recreation is available.”
Joseph L. Wirthlin
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 16
“Return home by at least twelve o’clock. After twelve o’clock is when the power of the evil one overtakes youth and others.”
Joseph L. Wirthlin
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 16
“In every Latter-day Saint home care should be taken when a father criticizes a son or a son is critical of a father or when a mother is critical of her daughter or a daughter is critical of her mother; it brings into the home the power of the evil one, and the Spirit of the Lord will not dwell there. Faultfinding should be eliminated in the family relationship.”
Joseph L. Wirthlin
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 16
“No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon.”
Joseph Fielding Smith
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 18
“We have false teachers among us. We have apostates among us who are endeavoring to tear down and destroy the kingdom of God, and they are disturbing a great many members of the Church. Why? Because they haven’t the faith nor the background in knowledge to resist these false teachers and their false doctrines.”
Joseph Fielding Smith
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 20
“Let me plead with the membership of this Church for humility, for faith, for more prayer, more study, more love in their hearts for God their Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Joseph Fielding Smith
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 20
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed. We, the people of the Lord, cannot afford to be lulled into peaceful security and complacency. The dangers of our day are real and knocking constantly and unrelentingly at our doors. How ably will we meet the challenge of these evil influences and designs of wicked men?”
Delbert L. Stapley
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 21
“The test of true Church membership is here. Can we stand firm and true to the principles, ideals, and standards of the gospel, or will we be so naive and unsuspecting as to fall into the traps of evil so cunningly planned and promoted by designing and conspiring men?”
Delbert L. Stapley
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 21
“Teachers in educational fields promoting wrong ideas and theories, also personal views which undermine the ethical, moral, and spiritual values which youth should freely receive in the classroom. In the field of philosophy are found the deceptive sophistries of men. Also the modern intellectual and free thinker who attempts to modify, change, or improve upon the glorious truths, principles, and standards revealed of God to his chosen prophets who speak authoritatively by his divine power and wisdom.”
Delbert L. Stapley
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 23
“Our peace, our safety, our happiness is in listening to and following the teachings and instructions of the Lord’s anointed.”
Delbert L. Stapley
CR, Oct. 1961 pp. 23-24
“This is a gospel of salvation—salvation from the clutches of Satan, salvation from the powers of men, salvation which gives us strength to live by here, and a goal to work toward.”
John Longden
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 25
“I ask—whom do you worship? Whom do I worship? I worship my God who is my Father in heaven, the Father of my spirit, a resurrected, glorified, perfected man, not resurrected from this earth, no, but from some previous earth in the long distant past.”
Eldred G. Smith
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 27
“As sure as Jesus Christ is resurrected, so may I have a hope in a resurrection. If men may be resurrected and God is not, then man will have accomplished what God has not and thus become greater than God. This we know is impossible. Hence what men may accomplish, God has accomplished ahead of him.”
Eldred G. Smith
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 27
“Whom do you worship? I worship the Living God, my Father in heaven, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of this world. I invite all honest in heart every where to join with the faithful Latter-day Saints in worshipping our Father in heaven. I know that God lives and Jesus Christ is his Son, begotten of the Father in the flesh. It is he who stands at the head of this Church”
Eldred G. Smith
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 27
“All of the blessings that are promised to us throughout the Church are dependent upon our efforts to help them come to pass.”
Antoine R. Ivins
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 28
“O that men would listen! Why should there be spiritual blindness in the day of brightest material vision? Why must men rely on fortifications and armaments when the God of heaven yearns to bless them? One stroke of his omnipotent hand could make powerless all nations who oppose and save a world even in its death throes.
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 31 (To read the full talk click HERE)
“Jesus Christ our Lord is under no obligation to save this world. The people have ignored him, disbelieved him, failed to follow him. They stand at his mercy which will be extended only if they repent.”
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 31 (To read the full talk click HERE)
“Men have rationalized themselves into thinking that they are ‘not so bad.’ Are they fully ripe? Has the rot of age and flabbiness set in? Can they change? They see evil in their enemies, but none in themselves. Even in the true Church numerous of its people fail to attend their meetings, to tithe their incomes, to have their regular prayers, to keep all the commandments. We can transform, but will we?”
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 31 (To read the full talk click HERE)
“It seems that we would rather tax ourselves into slavery than to pay our tithes; rather build protections and walls than drop to our knees with our families in solemn prayers night and morning.”
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 31
“While enemies filter into our nation to subvert us and intimidate us and soften us, we continue with our destructive thinking: ‘It can’t happen here.’”
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 32 (To read the full talk click HERE)
“The outlook is bleak, but the impending tragedy can be averted. But it can be only through a great repentance and transformation….The cause is not lost. If race tracks were closed on the Sabbath, if gambling ceased, drinking eliminated, work and play confined to week days; if stores were closed and all people went to their sanctuaries truly to worship even as best they know; if taverns never opened, and transgressors all repented, and broken homes were mended, and children were trained in uprightness; if families all knelt in prayer night and morning, if tithes were paid and integrity and worship reigned in the lives of men, the era of total peace would be ushered in. Fear would vanish, and enemies would be subdued.”
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 PP. 33-34 (To read the full talk click HERE)
“I plead with men everywhere to ‘Come, listen to a prophet’s voice’ and hear the word of God from our living prophet who sits with us here today. I know he is God’s recognized prophet. I beg of you to listen and act, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Spencer W. Kimball
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 34 (To read the full talk click HERE)
“We are supposed to be a Christian nation. Then why don’t we act as Christians should? Why do so many act more like Khrushchev than they do like Christ?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“If we profess to believe in the teachings of Jesus, why don’t we obey them? Do we think professions are enough? Must we only pretend to be Christians? Are the works of Christianity no longer important?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“Is an evil dictator any worse in a nation than in a family, so far as the affected people are concerned?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“Can we suppose that any of us can do the work of Christ if we have the spirit of contention in our hearts or in our homes? Can we do the work of God by the spirit of the devil?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“We should not invite into our homes the spirit of Satan himself by engaging in family quarrels, contention, and arguments.”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“No one needs to be grouchy. No one needs to be unpleasant. Everyone can control his emotions if he wants to, just as he can control his appetites.”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“People can be kind if they want to be kind. They can be considerate if they want to be. They can be peaceful if they would but try. They can be thoughtful and considerate of others if they but have the desire. Why even Khrushchev can smile and polish apples when he wants to.”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“If we expect to do the work of Christ, let us follow the Savior’s teachings.
He is the Prince of Peace. Then should we not be peacemakers?
He is the Author of mercy. Then should we not be merciful?
He is the personification of love. Then should we not practice the principles of love which he gave us?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 49
“Isn’t there room for courtesy and consideration in our homes? Should not a man be as courteous to his wife after marriage — ten years, twenty years after marriage — as he was during his courting days?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 50
“Should we not learn to love our neighbor as ourselves, and is not wife or husband our closest neighbor?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 50
“Should not the spirit of prayer, the Spirit of God, pervade our homes instead of the spirit of bitterness and strife? Ask yourself what spirit is in your home, and ask yourself whose path you wish to follow. Will it be that of Khrushchev, or of Christ?”
Mark E. Petersen
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 50
“Every one of us who are members of the Church has had hands laid upon our heads, and we have been given, as far as ordinance can give it, the gift of the Holy Ghost. But, as I remember, when I was confirmed, the Holy Ghost was not directed to come to me; I was directed to “Receive the Holy Ghost.” If I receive the Holy Ghost and follow his guidance, I will be among those who are protected and carried through these troubled times. And so will you, and so will every other soul who lives under his direction.”
Marion G. Romney
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 60
“Every Latter-day Saint ought to go on his knees night and morning in secret prayer. This is in addition to family prayer, which we should also have night and morning. I grew up in a home where we had family prayers every night and morning.”
Marion G. Romney
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 61
“The path from man to God is prayer. Do as the Book of Mormon prophets advise: ‘Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart’ (Moro. 7:48) The answer to such prayer is the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
Marion G. Romney
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 61
“The key to happiness is to get the Spirit and keep it. The right to get it we were given when we were confirmed members of this Church. Walk by it back into the presence of God. So doing we will not need to be put to flight by our troubles.”
Marion G. Romney
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 61
“We are not Catholics, and we are not Protestants. We believe in a restoration of the gospel.”
LeGrand Richards
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 66
“The Master himself emphasized this important ability when he said to his disciples, ‘. . . if ye are not one ye are not mine’ (D&C 38:27) Then the greatest intelligence of heaven gave the most important success formula ever given, saying, ‘Follow me’ (Matt. 4:19) And every human soul must finally be judged by how well he obeys that single command.”
Sterling W. Sill
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 68
“Concerning the United States, the Lord revealed to his prophets that its greatest threat would be a vast, worldwide “secret combination” which would not only threaten the United States but also seek to “overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries.” (Ether 8:25.)”
Ezra Taft Benson
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 69 (To read this full talk click HERE)
“Today the devil as a wolf in a supposedly new suit of sheep’s clothing is enticing some men, both in and out of the Church, to parrot his line by advocating planned government guaranteed security programs at the expense of our liberties. Latter-day Saints should be reminded how and why they voted as they did in heaven. If some have decided to change their vote they should repent — throw their support on the side of freedom — and cease promoting this subversion.”
Ezra Taft Benson
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 71 (To read this full talk click HERE)
“Unfortunately our nation has not treated the socialistic-communist conspiracy as ‘treasonable to our free institutions,’ as the First Presidency pointed out in a signed 1936 statement. If we continue to uphold communism by not making it treasonable, our land shall be destroyed.”
Ezra Taft Benson
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 72 (To read this full talk click HERE)
“The gospel enters into everything.”
Richard L. Evans
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 83
“If you do not like what you see as you look at yourself, then do something about it because God will not hold any man guiltless who simply confesses his sin and doesn’t abandon it, or who admits his weakness and doesn’t work for strength.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 85
“The Lord is not going to pay much attention to any label one may have on his chest. I don’t think the Lord is much interested in labels. He knows as we do that labels do not always tell the truth.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 85
“No position in this Church that is not bigger than the man that holds it as there is room for growth in every position or calling.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 86
“There is a war now being waged, the most dangerous and devastating — I am not only speaking of a war with arms — I am speaking of an ideological war, a spiritual war, a war in which the enemy is endeavoring to enslave the bodies and minds and souls of men, and for this we must be prepared.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 86
“Lucifer, declared then that he would never rest until he enslaved the souls of men, and Christ declared he would never rest until all were free to “choose their lives and what they’d be.” We, then, are enlisted in an army with Christ at the head and a living prophet through whom he directs his work.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 86
“Let us not forget that the priesthood we bear is not in us as individuals, but the power of it comes through us. Let us keep ourselves in such condition that that power can be transmitted.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 86
“Though there are many fundamental differences between this Church and others, we must today be content to mention—and that only briefly—just one of them. We refer to our faith in continued revelation from God to men. It seems somewhat paradoxical that this fundamental doctrine of the Church should make it unique or distinguish it from others, inasmuch as in all dispensations of the gospel current revelation has been the sustaining power, the vivifying spirit of the divine Church.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 93
“History proves that when the spirit or gift of revelation is withdrawn from the Church there is nothing but a dead form left and men are prone to worship God with their lips and honor him with their mouths, but, because there is no communication and therefore no understanding, their hearts are far from him (Isa. 29:13) … Divine revelation has always been a characteristic of the living Church—it is absolutely essential to its continued existence in an organized state on the earth.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 93
“The Apostle Paul said, ‘And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron’ (Heb. 5:4) And Aaron was called by direct revelation through Moses. When revelation ceases, people dwindle in unbelief, and not only the people but also the Church apostatizes in the absence of inspired leadership.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 94
“Without continued revelation there can be no authorized ministry on the earth, and without authorized officers there can be no Church of Christ. If some say there is no revelation and will not be further revelation from God, we ask, “Why not? Has God lost the power to reveal his mind and will to men?” Of course, to so state is tantamount to blasphemy. Do we not need revelation or word from God? I ask you to consider the condition of the world and note the dire need of the world for some divine guidance and direction.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 94
“Is it possible, our friends, that religion is the one department of human interest, investigation, and research where progress is impossible? Would any professor say to his class in chemistry, astronomy, physics, or geology, that no further discovery or revelation of scientific truth is possible? Is religion the only human interest which is static and quiescent? Did Christ leave his Church leaderless and intend it to continue so to be?”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 94
“This Church, our friends is not committed to any formal or inflexible creed, but its members are taught to believe in and live by the revelations of the past and present and thus prepare themselves for the revelations yet to come. Our concepts and even our faith must be held subject to new light. The present and urgent need for continued revelation in this age of communism, atheism, godlessness, the spirit of the anti-Christ becomes more apparent when we realize that revelation gives us our most conclusive proof that there is a Divine Being—and how the world needs to know of him!”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 95
“We do not say that God is immaterial and incomprehensible and without a body. Rather we say he is approachable as our Father.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 95
“The whole message of Mormonism centers around the life and mission of Jesus the Christ, and we proclaim to the world in contradiction to the hellish doctrine of communism, God does live. He still speaks to men. There are prophets on the earth.”
Hugh B. Brown
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 97
“Frequently we hear the admonition: “Keep the commandments and you will be blessed,” but there is more to it than that. Specifically, what are these commandments, the observance of which will bring us promised blessings? While the list would be impressively lengthy, a few essential ones we mention:
First: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, might, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37) Love is one of the great attributes of God and is the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Love is a virtue that every person should earnestly strive to develop.
Second: Next to loving God, we should love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 27:39) This anticipates that we will be honest in our dealings with our fellow man and not take unfair advantage but help him in every way possible.
Third: In order to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, we should go to the house of prayer on the Sabbath day, partake of the Sacrament, renew our covenants with the Lord, and remember our promise always to keep his commandments (D&C 59:9)
Fourth: Prayerfully choose a suitable mate, go to the temple, the house of the Lord, to be married and sealed, not only for time, but also for all eternity.
Fifth: Establish a home, multiply and replenish the earth (Gen. 1:28) rear a righteous family, set a proper example for a worthy posterity and the whole world.
Sixth: All members of the Church should live righteously. By so doing every male member will make himself worthy to receive the priesthood and should then magnify it by gratefully accepting responsibilities that come, which callings he neither covets nor rejects, and in all his responsibilities he should be supported by his wife and family, standing loyally by his side.
Seventh: Search out the names of departed kinsman. As a proxy perform ordinances in the house of the Lord for their salvation and exaltation.
Eighth: Recognize that “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (Ps. 24:1) Pay tithes and offerings as a token of appreciation for the good things of the earth and for all other blessings we receive.
Ninth: Share the gospel and teach all who will hearken to its message. In this way every member will become a missionary.
Tenth: Provide for our own economic independence. Remember the poor and needy and show concern for their welfare.
Eleventh: Keep the body a sacred temple for the Spirit of the Lord by being clean chaste, and virtuous, realizing that his spirit will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle (Mosiah 2:37) Also keep the body strong by observing the Lord’s law of health, known as the Word of Wisdom.
To this list, brothers and sisters, you will want to add others.”
Henry D. Taylor
CR, Oct. 1961 pp. 102-103
“Satan is at work, my brethren and sisters. Our freedom is at stake. It is the responsibility of everyone who calls himself a Christian, and particularly for every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and more particularly for every holder of the priesthood of God, to take a firm stand and a determined stand against evil.”
N. Eldon Tanner
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 107
“It is my testimony to you, my brothers and sisters, wherever you may be, that God has given us the solution to our problems, the plan by which we can enjoy peace in the world and peace in our lives.”
N. Eldon Tanner
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 107
“Living one’s religion must apply to temporal affairs as much as it does to those things which we think of as spiritual.”
Howard W. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 108
“There are some who ask why the Church is concerned with temporal affairs. The Church is interested in the welfare of each of its members. This interest therefore cannot be limited to man’s spiritual needs alone but extends to every phase of his life. Social and economic needs are important to everyone. Man also has need for physical, mental, and moral guidance. Our lives cannot be one-sided, nor can we separate the spiritual from the temporal.”
Howard W. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 108
“The Lord makes no distinction between temporal and spiritual commandments, for he has said that all of his commandments are spiritual. When we understand the plan of life and salvation, this becomes evident to us. Mortality is just one part of our eternal life.”
Howard W. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 109
“We know where we came from. Holy writ tells us that we were born the spiritual children of our Heavenly Father, that we dwelt with him in a spiritual existence before our birth into mortality. The divine object of our coming to earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones, to learn by the experiences which come to us in this mortal life the difference between good and evil, and to accomplish those things which the Lord commanded (Abr. 3:25) Thus this life is the schoolroom of our journey through eternity. There is work to do and lessons to learn that we might prepare and qualify ourselves to go into the spiritual existence to follow.”
Howard W. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 109
“Righteous living must start in the lives of individuals. Each of us has the duty. It must be incorporated into family living. Parents have the responsibility to live these principles and teach them to their children. Religion must be part of our living. The gospel of Jesus Christ must become the motivating influence in all that we do. There must be more striving within in order to follow the great example set by the Savior if we are to become more like him. This becomes our great challenge.”
Howard W. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 109
“It seems that many in the Church do not appreciate the gospel. They do not realize that if they attain the greatest amount of joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come (D&C 59:23) they must prove faithful now. This life is our opportunity. Yes, our chance to serve God is now! Today is the day for us to prepare to meet God. We cannot put it off until the next world.”
Milton R. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 111
“Many Latter-day Saints think that they can reject temple marriage, fail to pay their tithes and offering, commit various sins here in mortality and that they will have another chance to make all of this up in the life to come. I desire to emphasize the point that now is the time for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to render obedience to all of the Master’s laws and ordinances.”
Milton R. Hunter
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 111
“Every member a missionary.” The challenge is for each of us to be a missionary. This means for each of us to bring a convert into the Church this year. Let us make this our goal and may the Lord make us equal to the task, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.”
Franklin D. Richards
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 120
“The Lord will never let his prophet, the seer, lead his people astray. Men in all ranks on this earth and in the Church have fallen from grace, but the Lord will never permit the great prophet, our seer, and revelator, to fall or to lead the people astray. Before this could happen God must of necessity remove that man from the earth. There must be someone to whom the people can turn and trust, who can speak for God. God must have someone on earth who can point the way and say, ‘This is true.’”
Theodore M. Burton
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 122
“You and I and all the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the responsibility to declare that truth to the world, and the world is full of honest men and women waiting to hear that truth. Let us not condemn them. Condemn the evil men who would blind them with their sophistry and with false reasoning.”
David O. McKay
CR, Oct. 1961 p. 124
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