The greatest service we can provide to others in this life, beginning with those of our own family, is to bring them to Christ. D. Todd Christofferson More Quotes by D. Todd Christofferson More Quotes From D. Todd Christofferson Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness. D. Todd Christofferson repentance cost joy True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny. D. Todd Christofferson destiny choices purpose Hard-earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires. D. Todd Christofferson self-worth character order There could never be enough rules so finely crafted as to anticipate and cover every situation, and even if there were, enforcement would be impossibly expensive and burdensome. This approach leads to diminished freedom for everyone...In the end, it is only an internal moral compass in each individual that can effectively deal with the root causes as well as the symptoms of societal decay. Societies will struggle in vain to establish the common good until sin is denounced as sin and moral discipline takes its place in the pantheon of civic virtues. D. Todd Christofferson discipline struggle roots We do not need to achieve some minimum level or capacity or goodness before God will help - divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. D. Todd Christofferson levels spiritual needs We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism. What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. D. Todd Christofferson spiritual christian jesus Policemen and laws can never replace customs, traditions and moral values as a means for regulating human behavior. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defense for a civilized society. Our increased reliance on laws to regulate behavior is a measure of how uncivilized we’ve become. D. Todd Christofferson law justice mean We do not diminish the value of what women or men achieve in any worthy endeavor or career -- we all benefit from their achievements -- but still recognize that there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage. There is no superior career, and no amount of money, authority or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family. D. Todd Christofferson motherhood careers men Any pain entailed in repentance will always be far less than the suffering required to satisfy justice for unresolved transgression. D. Todd Christofferson pain suffering justice The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ. D. Todd Christofferson father son jesus Many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential. D. Todd Christofferson good-man essentials important Keep going and the Lord will help you. D. Todd Christofferson spiritual helping inspirational Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. D. Todd Christofferson consecrated-life instruments character As days lengthen into weeks and months and even years of adversity, the hurt grows deeper. The Church cannot hope to save a man on Sunday if during the week it is a complacent witness to the crucifixion of his soul. D. Todd Christofferson adversity sunday hurt As men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church. But we must be men that women can trust, that children can trust, and that God can trust. D. Todd Christofferson home men children A mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship. D. Todd Christofferson influence persons mother Freedom comes not from resisting truth, but from applying it. D. Todd Christofferson resisting spiritual The Savior's suffering in Gethsemane and His agony on the cross redeem us from sin by satisfying the demands that justice has upon us. He extends mercy and pardons those who repent. The Atonement also satisfies the debt justice owes to us by healing and compensating us for any suffering we innocently endure. D. Todd Christofferson agony healing justice What does God want me to do with the resources, time, and talents He has given me? D. Todd Christofferson talent doe want Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands ofa better life. D. Todd Christofferson pain real suffering
