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No matter how difficult the trial... we can take comfort in knowing that others before us have borne life's most grievous trials and tragedies by looking to heaven.
M. Russell Ballard
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The central activity of leadership is teaching - first by example, second by precept.
M. Russell Ballard
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Friends and family are vitally important for an individual who is struggling to return to the gospel path. Those around such a person must refrain from judging. They must do all they can to show love.
M. Russell Ballard
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The love that exists between people who share religious values and experiences can be the most satisfying and unifying force this side of the solid, happy family.
M. Russell Ballard
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We must never ignore or pass by the prompting of the Spirit to render service to one another.
M. Russell Ballard
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Those who yearn for true spiritual light and knowledge can only find it through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit enlightens and gives understanding of the eternal purpose of life. By the Spirit, Church members know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true.
M. Russell Ballard
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Free and open expression coupled with visionary leadership generally encourages good decision-making.
M. Russell Ballard
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Be involved; be informed. Try to be understanding and tolerant and to appreciate diversity.
M. Russell Ballard
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The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations, but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never loose hope!
M. Russell Ballard
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Trust the Lord. He is the good shepherd. He knows His sheep. And His sheep know His voice.
M. Russell Ballard
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Focus on fruitful relationships that bring you closer to Jesus Christ.
M. Russell Ballard
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If we are one in purpose, spirit, principle and faith, then it doesn't really matter if we are always of the same opinion. Opinions change and can be easily altered by time, experience, and circumstance. But principles, purposes, spirituality, and faith are enduring values that can bind us as one despite disagreement or dispute.
M. Russell Ballard
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Remember, you can be exalted without a college degree. You can be exalted without being slender and beautiful. You can be exalted without having a successful career. You can be exalted if you are not rich and famous. So focus the best that you can on those things in life that will lead you back to the presence of God - keeping all things in their proper balance.
M. Russell Ballard
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Let us remember that the Savior is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and there can be no greater promise than to know that if we are faithful and true, we will one day be safely encircled in the arms of His love (see D&C 6:20). He is always there to give encouragement, to forgive, and to rescue. Therefore, as we exercise faith and are diligent in keeping the commandments, we have nothing to fear from the journey.
M. Russell Ballard
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Simply stated, testimony-real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost-changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make.
M. Russell Ballard
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It is the parents duty to intervene when they see wrong choices being made.
M. Russell Ballard
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We have taken a giant step forward in correcting some of the misconceptions people have about the church. I think that we've made a lot of friends.
M. Russell Ballard
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Because the eternal principle of agency gives us the freedom to choose and think for ourselves, we should become increasingly able to solve problems. We may make the occasional mistake, but as long as we are following gospel principles and guidelines, we can learn from those mistakes and become more understanding of others and more effective in serving them.
M. Russell Ballard
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There is no one perfect way to be a good mother... Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.
M. Russell Ballard
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Crisis or transition of any kind reminds us of what matters most. In the routine of life, we often take our families-our parents and children and siblings-for granted. But in times of danger and need and change, there is no question that what we care about most is our families! It will be even more so when we leave this life and enter into the spirit world. Surely the first people we will seek to find there will be father, mother, spouse, children, and siblings.
M. Russell Ballard
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Do not shift your focus from serving others to focusing exclusively on school, work, or social activities.
M. Russell Ballard
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In both the Holy Land of the New Testament and the promised land of the Book of Mormon, [our Savior] spent considerable time teaching and instructing and training His councils and council leaders, and then He sent them forth to share what they had learned with others.
M. Russell Ballard
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The Savior’s words are simple, yet their meaning is profound and deeply significant. We are to love God and to love and care for our neighbors as ourselves. Imagine what good we can do in the world if we all join together, united as followers of Christ, anxiously and busily responding to the needs of others and serving those around us — our families, our friends, our neighbors, our fellow citizens.
M. Russell Ballard
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All of us must come to an honest, open self-examination, an awareness within as to who and what we want to be.
M. Russell Ballard
