Ezra Taft Benson

There is, however, a far more common ailment among us__nd that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, and murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous.

If we do not feel like praying, then we should pray until we do feel like praying.

It is a fundamental truth that the responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters. We become enamored with men__ theories such as the idea of preschool training outside the home for young children. Not only does this put added pressure on the budget, but it places young children in an environment away from mother__ influence. Too often the pressure for popularity, on children and teens, places an economic burden on the income of the father, so mother feels she must go to work to satisfy her children__ needs. That decision can be most shortsighted. It is mother__ influence during the crucial formative years that forms a child__ basic character. Home is the place where a child learns faith, feels love, and thereby learns from mother__ loving example to choose righteousness. How vital are mother__ influence and teaching in the home__nd how apparent when neglected!

The central feature of pride is enmity__nmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means __atred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition._ It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts.

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

Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?

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.

Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their soals, and pour out peace.

It is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read.

Go on daddy-daughter dates and father-and-sons' outings with your children. As a family, go on campouts and picnics, to ball games and recitals, to school programs, and so forth. Having Dad there makes all the difference.

The false prophets of Communism predict a utopian society.

The proud do not change to improve, but defend their position by rationalizing. Repentance means change, and it takes a humble person to change.

In the beginning, Adam was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow - not Eve. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother's place is in the home!

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

Blessed are they who seek to learn wisdom.

With pride, there are many curses. With humility, there come many blessings.

If a man does not control his temper, it is a sad admission that he is not in control of his thoughts.