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Famous Neal A. Maxwell Quotes

“There are also flat periods in life which may well be the periods during which-before new lessons come- the past lessons of life are allowed to seep, quietly and deeply, into the marrow of the soul. These outwardly flat periods, when enduring well may not seem very purposeful,, are probably the times when needed attitudinal alignments are quietly occurring.”

WellsMaySoulSeemsPastNeededPeriodsLessonsEndureFlatsLife LessonAlignmentMarrow
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“Time Management Tips: One can make a radar-like sweep of the horizon to identify time and task challenges while these are still manageable and while we still have a choice. The organizational adage, "the more parts, the more trouble," also applies to words. Multiplying words may actually multiply the probability of being misunderstood; economies in expression (without being taciturn or aloof) not only save time, but usually are more honest and more clear.”

MayStillsChoicesChallengesEconomyClearTroubleHonestExpressionTasksManagementHorizonTime ManagementProbabilityMisunderstoodAdagesRadarOrganizationalAloofManageableMultiplyingBeing MisunderstoodTaciturn
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“We can be of so much service to others in many thou-shalt ways. Of course, the problem is that rendering such service takes time, and we are all so busy. Some situations may call for service that somehow seems to be beneath us. Besides, we have other things to do. The thou shalts are so convenient to put off. Who will notice the procrastination anyway? After all, we are not robbing a bank. Or are there forms of withholding that constitute stealing?”

WayMayProblemSeemsFormCoursesSituationBusyStealingThings To DoProcrastinationTake TimeConvenientService To OthersRenderingRobbingWithholding
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“Sir Thomas More was a victim of injustice and irony. Generously and meekly, just as he was about to be martyred, he said: Paul . . . was present, and consented to the death of St. Stephen, and kept their clothes that stoned him to death, and yet be they [Stephen and Paul] now both twain Holy Saints in heaven, and shall continue there friends for ever, so I verily trust and . . . pray, that though your lordships have now here in earth been judges to my condemnation, we may yet hereafter in heaven merrily all meet together, to our everlasting salvation.”

MaySaidEarthTogetherHeavenJudgingPrayingHolyClothesVictimSalvationInjusticeSaintIronyEverlastingHereafterCondemnationMeeknessLordshipMartyred
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“Some mothers in today's world feel "cumbered" by home duties and are thus attracted by other more "romantic" challenges. Such women could make the same error of perspective that Martha made. The woman, for instance, who deserts the cradle in order to help defend civilization against the barbarians may well later meet, among the barbarians, her own neglected child.”

WorldFeelsWellsMayChildrenMadeHelpingHomeTodayMotherOrderChallengesDutyPerspectiveCivilizationErrorsInstanceDesertNeglectedCradleBarbariansToday's WorldNeglected Child
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“Having faith in the plan of salvation includes steadfastly refusing to be diverted from our true identities and responsibilities. In the brief season of our existence on earth we may serve as a plumber, professor, farmer, physician, mechanic, bookkeeper, or teacher. These are useful activities and honorable designations; but a temporary vocation is not reflective of our true identities. Matthew was a tax collector, Luke a physician, and Peter a fisherman. In a salvational sense, 'so what!'”

MayEarthExistenceResponsibilityTeacherPlansSelf EsteemIdentityActivityTaxesSeasonsSalvationEsteemTemporaryProfessorsFarmersHave FaithPeterPhysiciansHonorableMechanicVocationCollectorsLukeFishermanMatthewPlumberDesignationTrue IdentityPlan Of SalvationBookkeepers
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“During our mortal schooling in submissiveness, we will see the visible crosses that some carry, but other crosses will go unseen. A few individuals may appear to have no trials at all, which, if it were so, would be a trial in itself. Indeed, if, as do trees, our souls had rings to measure the years of greatest personal growth, the wide rings would likely reflect the years of greatest moisture-but from tears, not rainfall.”

IfsYearsMaySoulWould BeIndividualGrowthTreeTearsCrossesAdversityPersonal GrowthWideRingsTrialsMortalsVisibleUnseenSchoolingMoistureRainfall
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“Our God is a God of love. He waits with open arms, and the unfolding of His merciful plan of salvation is not only therefore the mark of divine power but also the mark of God's relentless, redeeming love. It is a point well worth pondering because, among other reasons, it will help us to understand better why God, through the prophets, denounces sin and corruption in such scalding terms. He loves all of us, His spirit sons and daughters, but hates our vices. His denunciation of those vices may, if we are not careful, seem to obscure the enormous and perfect love He has for us.”

IfsLoveWellsMayReasonHelpingSeemsSpiritHateWaitingTermSinPerfectPlansDivineSonArmsDaughterMarkSalvationVicesCarefulCorruptionEnormousProphetObscureRelentlessMercifulPonderingUnfoldingDivine PowerPerfect LoveRedeemingSon And DaughterOpen ArmsRedeeming LovePlan Of Salvation
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“A good friend, who knows whereof he speaks, has observed of trials, ‘If it’s fair, it is not a true trial!’ That is, without the added presence of some inexplicableness and some irony and injustice, the experience may not stretch us or lift us sufficiently. The crucifixion of Christ was clearly the greatest injustice in human history, but the Savior bore up under it with majesty and indescribable valor.”

IfsKnowsHumansMaySpeakChristFairsAdversityInjusticeTrialsLiftsIronySaviorBoresGood FriendHuman HistoryMajestyValorCrucifixionIndescribableCrucifixion Of Christ
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“Like Jesus, we can decide, daily or instantly, to give no heed to temptation (see D&C 20:22). We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.”

WayGivingMayLittlesTurnsJesusUnderstandingPraiseWarmTemptationIndifferenceHeedContagiousIrritationMeeknessIcyRudenessPatience Love
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“When, as President Joseph F. Smith said, we "catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, "let us be quietly grateful. When of great truths we can say "I know," that powerful spiritual witness may also carry with it the sense of our having known before. With rediscovery, we are really saying "I know - again!"”

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“Time Management Tips: The perpetual processing of the same temptation is both dangerous and time-wasting. Cycling and recycling the same temptation (instead of rejecting such blandishment out of hand) is not only to risk one's soul, again and again, but is to bring on fatigue, so that the Adversary may be able to do indirectly what we will not let him do directly. A lack of decisiveness in dealing with temptation ties up our thought processes and prevents us from doing good with the time allotted to us.”

MaySoulHandsAbleProcessRiskDangerousManagementTemptationTiesTime ManagementWasting TimePerpetualAgain And AgainOur ThoughtsFatigueAdversariesDoing GoodCyclingRejectingRecyclingProcessingThought ProcessDecisiveness
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“Some find it easier to bend their knees than their minds. Exciting exploration is preferred to plodding implementation; speculation seems more fun than consecration, and so is trying to soften the hard doctrines instead of submitting to them. Worse still, by not obeying, these . . . lack real knowing. Lacking real knowing, they cannot defend their faith and may become critics instead of defenders!”

TryingMindMayStillsRealHardSeemsFaithFunKnowingEasierExcitingCriticsDoctrineKneesExplorationLackingSpeculationDefendersObeyingImplementationConsecration
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“A father who finds it difficult to express his love vocally for his children may need, at first, to be humbly obedient in holding family home evenings in order to help him to discover, or to increase, his appreciation for his children. Next can come to him the courage to say I love you to each one.”

LoveNeedsFirstsMayChildrenHelpingHomeOrderNextFatherDifficultLove YouIncreaseAppreciationEveningHis LoveOne LoveObedientSay I Love YouFamily Home
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