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Ezra Taft Benson Quotes

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Famous Ezra Taft Benson Quotes

“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.”

ThinkingWorldTodayJoySpeakGrowthChristDealsPureEternalEternityCharitySelfishSelfishnessGratificationWorld TodayPure Love
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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“Have you ever asked yourself why one person is honorable and another dishonorable; why one is honest, another dishonest; why one is moral, another immoral? Most individuals do not intend to be dishonest, dishonorable, or immoral. They seem to allow their characters to erode by a series of rationalizations, lies, and compromises. Then when grave temptation presents itself, they haven't the strength of character to do what they know to be right.”

KnowsPersonsCharacterSeemsLyingIndividualMoralHonestHavensHonestySeriesGravesTemptationCompromiseDeceitHonorableImmoralStrength Of CharacterErodeDishonorable
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body in which He performed His mission in the flesh was sired by that some Holy Being we worship as God, our Eternal Father. Jesus was not the son of Joseph, nor was He begotten by the Holy Ghost.”

BodyFatherJesusChristChurchSonHolyEternalWorshipJesus ChristSaintMissionsFleshGhostLatterLiteralHoly GhostLatter DaysLatter Day Saints
Book:Come unto Christ
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“Could many of our ills today have resulted from our failure to train a strong citizenry from the only source we have - the boys and girls of each community? Have they grown up to believe in politics without principle, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without effort, wealth without work, business without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice?”

BelieveTodayHumanityGirlStrongCommunityWealthPleasureEffortBoysPrinciplesSacrificeSourceMoralityIntegrityWorshipConscienceTrainPatrioticBoy And GirlCitizenryWithout Sacrifice
Book:An enemy hath done this
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“Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life - and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Preparing for life means building personal integrity, developing a sound sense of values, increasing the capacity and willingness to serve. Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain.”

IfsMeanFactsLife IsValuesLostSoundLosesMoralPrinciplesKnowingLandBuildingIntegrityMoonGainsCapacityRootsSightEducationalDevelopingPreparationWillingnessPreparingEducational SystemLife MeansMoral PrinciplesPersonal IntegrityWillingness To Serve
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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“The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, 'Peace, peace,' but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way.”

MenWayHeartMaySoulCharacterIndividualNationsPrinciplesDevelopmentIntegrityPurityRighteousnessNurtureIntegrity And Character
Book:So shall ye reap: selected addresses
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“The Holy Ghost causes our feelings to be more tender. We feel more charitable and compassionate with each other. We are more calm in our relationships. We have a greater capacity to love each other. People want to be around us because our very countenances radiate the influence of the Spirit. We are more godly in our character. As a result, we become increasingly more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and thus able to comprehend spiritual things more clearly.”

PeopleWantFeelsCharacterFeelingsAbleSpiritualSpiritCausesResultsGreaterInfluenceHolyCapacityCalmGhostSensitiveCompassionateOur RelationshipGodlyLove Each OtherHoly GhostCharitableCountenanceCapacity To Love
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“One sure way we can determine whether we are on the strait and narrow path is that we will possess the Spirit of the Lord in our lives. Having the Holy Ghost brings forth certain fruits. . . . The most important thing in our lives is the Spirit. I have always felt that. We must remain open and sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost in all aspects of our lives.”

WayImportantLife IsSpiritCertainFeltLordPathOur LivesHolyAspectImportant ThingsFruitDetermineGhostSensitiveHoly GhostNarrow Path
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers - normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free, Americans who have been lulled away into a false security.”

IfsMayHas BeensCountryAmericaStrongFailingSecurityDestroyedOur CountryNationalismMarchPatrioticCheerFlagsFourthSpeakersJulyParadesSaluteAnthemNational Anthem
Book:An enemy hath done this
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“Beloved youth, you will have your trials and temptations through which you must pass, but there are great moments of eternity which lie ahead. You have our love and our confidence. We pray that you will be prepared for the reins of leadership. We say to you, "Arise and shine forth" and be a light unto the world, a standard to others.”

WorldMomentsLightLyingLeadershipYouthPrayingStandardsEternityShiningPreparedTrialsAriseTemptationPreparationBelovedBe PreparedOur LoveReinsGreat MomentsTrials And Temptations
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the all too common philosophy that the government should protect and support one from the cradle to the grave. The policy of the Founding Fathers has made our people and our nation strong. The opposite leads inevitably to moral decay.”

PeopleShouldMadePhilosophyGovernmentFatherStrongNationsSimpleCommonMoralSupportCouragePolicyTaughtProtectOppositesGravesCourageousDecayFoundersDeclarationFoundingCradleMoral Decay
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“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."”

PeopleThinkingWayChildrenStatesHomeTodayPoliticalFatherPoliticsCausesLeaderPathConditionsBirthDevilIncreaseTheeAbortionRebellionPromotingOppressorsBirth ControlPolitical LeadersUnderminingHome And Family
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“There is no place for fear among men and women who Almighty, who do not hesitate to humble themselves in seeking divine guidance through prayer. Though persecutions arise, though reverses come, in prayer we can find reassurance, for God will speak peace to the soul. That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life's greatest blessing. .”

MenSoulSpiritSpeakFearPrayerDivineBlessingMen And WomenSeekingHumbleAriseGods WillGuidanceSerenityReverseAlmightyPersecutionReassuranceGreatest BlessingsDivine Guidance
Book:Come unto Christ
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“Humility responds to God's will-to the fear of His judgments and to the needs of those around us. To the proud, the applause of the world rings in their ears; to the humble, the applause of heaven warms their hearts. Someone has said, "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man."”

MenWorldNeedsHeartSaidNextHeavenFearPleasureHumilityPrideProudJudgmentEarsHumbleRingsGods WillApplause
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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“We are recipients of God's choicest blessings. We enjoy an abundance of material things beyond that enjoyed by any other nation in the history of the world; but unless we keep alive a realization that all these blessings come from God and are a part of our great spiritual heritage, they may crumble as ashes in our hands. "In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not his commandments."”

MenWorldMayHandsSpiritualNationsEnjoyAliveMaterialsBlessingAll ThingsHistoricalRealizationEnjoyedAbundanceHeritageAshesCommandmentsWrathWorld HistoryMaterial ThingsGreat Spiritual
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“You must keep your honor! You can't speak for the country; you can do little about the national economy or actions of moral weaklings who excuse themselves with the expression, "That is politics; nor can you be responsible for deception in others. But you are responsible for yourself! There are no collective panaceas - only individual ones."”

LittlesCountryActionIndividualSpeakCan DoMoralEconomyExpressionHonorResponsibleIndividualityExcuseDeceptionCollectivesBeing ResponsiblePanaceaYour HonorNational Economy
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“As members of the Lord's Church, we must take missionary work more seriously. The Lord's commission to 'preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark 16:15) will never change in our dispensation. We have been greatly blessed with the material means, the technology, and an inspired message to bring the gospel to all men. More is expected of us than any previous generation. Where 'much is given much is required.' (D&C 82:3.)”

MenMeanHas BeensGivenChurchLordTechnologyGenerationsMaterialsCreaturesMembersMessagesMarkBlessedInspiredExpectedMissionaryNever ChangeMissionary WorkPrevious Generations
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“If you want to get the spirit of the gospel in your home, support the missionary program. Prepare your sons and daughters through your home evenings; through setting the proper example in your homes. Prepare to send them into the mission field. These young sons and daughters will bless your names forever if you help to make it possible through your training and your example and your willingness to sacrifice just a little, if you can call it sacrifice, to see them go into the mission field.”

IfsWantLittlesHelpingHomeYoungSpiritNamesSupportForeverSacrificeExampleFieldsSonTrainingDaughterProgramMissionsSettingSettingsEveningWillingnessBlessMissionaryYour SonSon And DaughterWillingness To SacrificeYoung Sons
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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“Prepare yourselves mentally. A mission requires a great deal of mental preparation. You must memorize missionary discussions, memorize scriptures, and oftentimes learn a new language. The discipline to do this is learned in your early years. Establish now the daily practice of reading the scriptures ten to fifteen minutes each day. If you do so, by the time you reach the mission field, you will have read all four of the standard works. I urge you to read particularly the Book of Mormon so that you can testify of its truthfulness as the Lord has directed.”

IfsYearsBookReadingLanguageDealsLordPracticeFourMinutesFieldsDisciplineTenStandardsMissionsScripturePreparationDiscussionEach DayUrgesMissionaryFifteenTruthfulnessReading The Scriptures
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his church meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and has earned the Duty of God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a Seminary graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me such a young man, and I will give you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life.”

MenGivingBookYoungChurchLordFieldsDutyMiracleGive MeCleanMeetingsMissionsBurningYoung ManAwardsHave FaithGraduatesTestimonyEaglesPriesthoodSeminaryEagle Scout
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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“Be guided by the Spirit. I have said so many times to my Brethren that the Spirit is the most important single element in this work. With the Spirit, and by magnifying your call, you can do miracles for the Lord in the mission field. Without the Spirit you will never succeed regardless of your talent and ability.”

SaidImportantSpiritCan DoAbilityLordTalentFieldsSucceedElementsMiracleMissionsMissionaryBrethrenMagnifyingTalents And Abilities
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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“Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the [Book of Mormon] to expose and combat the falsehoods in socialism, organic evolution, rationalism, humanism, and so forth.…And our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and quit building up and upholding the secret combinations which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of both previous American civilizations.”

KnowsMayBookUseJesusNationsChristSecretKnow HowTeachingLandBuildingEvolutionCivilizationJesus ChristHumanismQuittingSocialismCombinationOur FamilyTrendsCombatFalsehoodWorldlyHeedDegeneratesDownfallRationalismBuilding Up
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world.”

WorldCountryAmericaEvilNationsSecretInfluenceLandGloryGainsLustCombinationOrganizedOur SocietyWickednessExpandingFlourishing
Author:Ezra Taft Benson
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“We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men. Satan would have us cast away that anchor. In this way he can bring discouragement and surrender. But we must not lose hope. The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope.”

MenWayGivingMaySoulLosesEffortLordGoes OnGiving UpPerfectionStriveCastsTinySurrenderSatanNot Giving UpAnchorsDiscouragementCast Away
Book:The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
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