Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most widespread of Christ’s modern miracles. If it hasn't happened to you—it should. Ezra Taft Benson More Quotes by Ezra Taft Benson More Quotes From Ezra Taft Benson The man [who] is greatest and most blessed and joyful [is one] whose life most closely approaches the pattern of Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close can a life come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life. Ezra Taft Benson greatness blessed jesus Beware of those who would pit the dead prophets against the living prophets, for the living prophets always take precedence. Ezra Taft Benson precedence pits prophet Be cheerful in all that you do. Live joyfully. Live happily. Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love. Ezra Taft Benson light happiness love 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 father children 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 political government rights Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. Ezra Taft Benson shapes men world 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 media book moving 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 pride fear men Now we not only need to say more about the Book of Mormon, but we need to do more with it. Ezra Taft Benson book needs 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 devil pride men We need missionaries to match our message. Ezra Taft Benson messages needs 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 records age inspire Christ wants to lift us to where He is. Do we desire to do the same for others? Ezra Taft Benson want desire christ Someone has said it is better to appreciate the things you don't own than to own things you don't appreciate. I hope we will have with us a spirit of appreciation for all of the good things we enjoy, all the blessings that we have, many of which have come so easy to us, with very little effort on our part, and yet they are very real and very choice and are truly rich blessings. Ezra Taft Benson real hope appreciation Some prideful people are not so concerned as to whether their wages meet their needs as they are that their wages are more than someone else’s. Their reward is being a cut above the rest. This is the enmity of pride. Ezra Taft Benson cutting pride people Be a light unto the world, a standard to others. You can live in the world and not partake of the sins of the world. You can live life joyously, beautifully, unmarred by the ugliness of sin. This is our confidence in you. Ezra Taft Benson light life world We do not find the Savior using force or coercion to accomplish His purposes. Ezra Taft Benson force purpose coercion It is not enough simply to try to resist evil or empty our lives of sin. We must also fill our lives with righteousness Ezra Taft Benson sin evil trying Pride is the great stumbling block of Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block of Zion. Ezra Taft Benson zion block pride 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 joy thinking
