The Ruling Principle

This morning I had the pleasure of providing some orientation to the new stake presidency in Chico as part of my calling. Here are some of the quotes we discussed, some of my favorites:

"He that sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly, so that if the brethren want a plentiful harvest, they will do well to be at the place of labor in good season in the morning, bringing all necessary tools." (Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 4:517)

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people. And then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing the environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1985, 5)

“God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other . . . In the Doctrine and Covenants, we read about how important it is to ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.’ (81:5) So often our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks – but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec 1974, 5)

“Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle in the lives of Church members.” (First Presidency, Conference Report, Oct. 1936, p. 3)