Ezra Taft Benson: Since man created government to help secure and safe...

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

home father children

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?

Ezra Taft Benson

motive brother trying

I began to realize that when you are at peace with your Maker you can, if not ignore human criticism, at least rise above it.

Ezra Taft Benson

realizing criticism peace

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's needs. That decision can be most shortsighted.

Ezra Taft Benson

mother father children

We have many responsibilities, and one cannot expect the full blessings of a kind Providence if he neglects any major duty. A man has duties to his church, his home, his country, and his profession or job.

Ezra Taft Benson

home jobs country

Strong families cultivate an attribute of effective communication. They talk out their problems, make plans together, and cooperate toward common objectives.

Ezra Taft Benson

communication strong together

Mothers, take time to be a real friend to your children. Listen to your children, really listen. Talk with them, laugh and joke with them, sing with them, cry with them, hug them, honestly praise them. Yes, regularly spend unused one-on-one time with each child. Be a real friend to your children.

Ezra Taft Benson

real mother children

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. The scriptures tell us that "Only by pride cometh contention".

Ezra Taft Benson

scripture pride spirit

Every Latter-day Saint should love the inspired Constitution of the United States - a nation with a spiritual foundation and a prophetic history - which nation the Lord has declared to be his base of operations in these latter days.

Ezra Taft Benson

foundation united-states spiritual

Adequate early rest is best...."Early to bed and early to rise" is still good counsel.

Ezra Taft Benson

adequate bed stills

I would rather say whoa to a leader than gittie up.

Ezra Taft Benson

leader enthusiasm

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.

Ezra Taft Benson

zest exercise giving

There are times when you simply have to righteous hang on and outlast the devil.

Ezra Taft Benson

righteous devil

Fidelity to one's marriage vows is absolutely essential for love, trust and peace

Ezra Taft Benson

trust-love marriage essentials

A missionary should never permit himself to see a movie or (read) cheap literature, or hear music that tends to interfere with or which dampens the spirit of missionary work. There is ample evidence that rock music is offensive to the Spirit and affects adversely the spirituality of the missionaries and thus the success of the proselyting work.

Ezra Taft Benson

rocks literature missionary

"On my honor" - what an ennobling phrase! Three short words, nine letters, but the summation of all we call character. From the Boy Scout's Oath.

Ezra Taft Benson

honor character boys

We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement, . . . by forgiving those who have offended us, . . . by rendering selfless service. . . .

Ezra Taft Benson

receiving forgiving humble

Above all else, children need to know and feel they are loved, wanted, and appreciated. They need to be assured of that often. Obviously, this is a role parents should fill, and most often the mother can do it best.

Ezra Taft Benson

parent mother children

Woman was given to man as an helpmeet. That complementary association is ideally portrayed in the eternal marriage of our first parents—Adam and Eve. They labored together; they had children together; they prayed together; and they taught their children the gospel together. This is the pattern God would have all righteous men and women imitate.

Ezra Taft Benson

righteous-man men children

You must not allow yourselves to become discouraged. Missionary work brings joy, optimism, and happiness. Don't give Satan an opportunity to discourage you. Here again, work is the answer. The Lord has given us a key by which we can overcome discouragement: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Ezra Taft Benson

work heart happiness

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.