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John Andreas Widtsoe

John Andreas Widtsoe Biography

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“The essential thought must ever be that a man does not, except in his spiritual infancy, accept a statement merely because the Church or someone in authority declares it correct, but because, under mature examination, it is found to be true and right and worthwhile.”

MenDoeSpiritualFoundChurchAcceptingEssentialsAuthorityStatementsBeing TrueMatureWorthwhileExaminationInfancy
Book:Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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“A life without an objective is much like a ship at sea with no port in mind. It drifts with the waves or storms, or with the whim of the captain. They are tempted to ask, amidst the battles of life, "Is the struggle worth-while?" That attitude lessens the joy of living. They who say that there is no purpose in life are not unhappy, but become dangerous to themselves and others, for they have no safe guide for their actions. Indeed, life has not objective save physical satisfactions, it is empty and valueless.”

MindActionLife IsJoyPurposeAsksAttitudeStruggleSeaDangerousBattleSafeEmptyWaveSatisfactionStormGuidesUnhappyObjectivesShipsPurpose Of LifeCaptainsTemptedPortWhimJoy Of LivingShips At SeaValuelessBattle Of Life
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“Spiritual power is generated within temple walls, and sent out to bless the world ... Every home penetrated by the temple spirit enlightens, cheers, and comforts every member of the household. The peace we covet is found in such homes. Indeed, when temples are on earth, the whole world shares measurably in the issuing light; when absent, the hearts of men become heavy, as if they said, with the people of Enoch's day, 'Zion is fled'" (See Moses 7:69).”

PeopleIfsMenWorldHeartSaidWholeHomeLightEarthSpiritualSpiritFoundShareWallComfortMembersHeavyWhole WorldTemplesBlessCheerHouseholdThey SaidAbsentEnlighteningMosesSpiritual PowerZion
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“God must have been engaged from the beginning, and must now be engaged in progressive development, and infinite as God is, he must have been less powerful in the past than he is today.... We may be certain that, through self-effort, the inherent and innate powers of God have been developed to a God-like degree. Thus he has become God.”

MayHas BeensSelfTodayPastCertainPowerfulEffortDevelopmentDegreesInfiniteEngagedProgressiveInherentInnatePower Of God
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“As I view it, in every family a record should be kept...that record should be the first stone, if you choose, in the family altar. It should be a book known and used in the family circle; and when the child reaches maturity and goes out to make another household, one of the first things that the young couple should take along should be the records of their families, to be extended by them as life goes on...each one of us carries, individually, the responsibility of record keeping, and we should assume it.”

IfsShouldFirstsChildrenBookYoungUsedViewsResponsibilityKnownRecordsGoes OnCoupleStonesAssumingCirclesMaturityCarrieYou ChooseHouseholdAltarsLife Goes OnYoung Couples
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“Officers in the Church of Jesus Christ are called for two distinct purposes: First and foremost, to serve the people; and, secondly, to gain the development and enlarged understanding which always follow earnest service in a responsible position. It is an honorable privilege and a personal benefit to be allowed to serve in an official position in the Church; and an office, whatever it may be, should be accepted in a spirit of grateful appreciation.”

PeopleShouldFirstsMayTwoSpiritPurposeJesusUnderstandingChristChurchPositionDevelopmentOfficeBenefitsGainsJesus ChristResponsibleGratefulPrivilegeAppreciationAcceptedOfficialsOfficersHonorableEarnest
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“How can we give to the Lord? What shall we give to him? Every kind word to our own, every help given them, is as a gift to God, whose chief concern is the welfare of his children. Every gentle deed to our neighbor, every kindness to the poor and suffering, is a gift to the Lord, before whom all mankind are equal. Every conformity to the Lord's plan of salvation-and this is of first importance-is a direct gift to God, for thereby we fit ourselves more nearly for our divinely planned destiny.”

GivingFirstsKindChildrenHelpingSufferingGivenPoorLordDestinyKindnessPlansMankindFitEqualConcernDirectImportanceSalvationDeedsNeighborChiefsGentleWelfareConformityKind WordsPlan Of Salvation
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“The universe exists under a reign of eternal law, surpassing the imperfect laws of human government. Such orderliness, such domination by law, imply intelligent planning and purpose. Nothing happens of itself. Nowhere, in the age-old experience of man, has continued order been found except as the product of intelligent direction.”

MenHumansGovernmentHappensAgeLawPurposeOrderUniverseFoundProductsEternalEternityIntelligentPlanningThings HappenImperfectionImperfectReignDominationSurpassingOrderliness
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“We are aware that the order of God requires the exercise of humility, but not of servility of slaves; but a humility that can be associated with undoubted courage and unflinching integrity; at the same time there is no room for pride, self-sufficient pride, that rests solely upon its own capabilities, and refuses to look for the support and countenance of others.--MS 7:91 [MS is the Millenial Star]”

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Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“... since birth control roots in a species of selfishness, the spiritual life of the user of contraceptives is also weakened. Women seem to become more masculine in thought and action; men more callous and reserved; both husband and wife become more careless of each other, and increasingly indifferent to the higher duties and joys of living.”

MenSeemsActionSpiritualJoyWifeDutyBirthHigherHusbandRootsSpeciesSelfishnessSpiritual LifeUsersIndifferentMasculineCarelessReservedHusband And WifeBirth ControlThoughts And ActionsCallousJoy Of LivingContraceptives
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“An acquaintanceship with the literature of the world may be won by any person who will devote half an hour a day to the careful reading of the best books. The habit of reading good books is one that gives great comfort in all the stages and among all the vicissitudes of life. The man who has learned to love good reading is never alone. His friends are the great ones of human history, and to them he may always go for stimulating and helpful communion. -GQ 71”

MenWorldLoveGivingHumansMayPersonsBookAgeReadingLiteratureHoursHalfStageHe ManHabitComfortCarefulHelpfulCommunionHuman HistoryGood BookGreat OnesVicissitudesReading Good BooksGood Reading
Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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“A beginning must be made somewhere and corner by corner, department by department, space by space, all will be known and conquered. In the end, all must be explored, and whether one begins in the east or the west cannot matter much. The big concern is the extent to which a man offers himself, mind and body, to his worthwhile work. Upon that will growth depend.”

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Author:John Andreas Widtsoe
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