Some favorite sayings of the Presidents of the Church

 

                          Prophet                         Favorite adage

 

                       Joseph Smith             "Seek knowledge by study and by faith."

 

                       Hyrum Smith              "Say what God says and no more."

 

                       Brigham Young            "Help people to help themselves."

 

                       John Taylor              "Leave your enemies to the Lord."

 

                       Wilford Woodruff         "Avoid confessing other people's sins."

 

                       Lorenzo Snow             "Aim to become creative."

 

                       Joseph F Smith           "Do the best you can and leave the rest to the Lord."

 

                       Heber J Grant            "Live the Gospel!"  “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to

                                                 do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but our capacity to

                                                 do has increased.”

 

                       George Albert Smith      "I would not be an enemy to any living soul."  “There’s a great tug-o-war

                                                 going on between the Lord and the adversary.  Stay safely on the Lord’s

                                                 side of the line.”

 

                       David O McKay            "Every member a missionary."

                                                "The greatest work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own

                                                 home.”

                                                “True Christianity is love in action.”

 

                       Joseph Fielding Smith    "There is no cure for the ills of the world except the Gospel."

                                                “Wickedness never was happiness.”

 

                       Harold B Lee             "Be true to the faith; just live the Gospel."

                                                “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”

 

                       Spencer W Kimball        "Do it!"

                                                "We must lengthen our stride."

 

                       Ezra Taft Benson         "Cleanse the inner vessel by conquering pride."

                                                "The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ."

                                                “What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am.”

 

                       Howard W Hunter          "Treat each other with more kindness, more courtesy, more humility, and

                                                 patience and forgiveness."

                                                “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own lips.”

 

                       Gordon B Hinckley        "Keep trying. Keep believing. Be happy. Don't get discouraged.  Things

                                                 will work out."

                                                “Do your best.” 

 

 

(from the files of Elder Glen L. Rudd)

 

 

Other “favorites” of some of the Church presidents

 

                     Heber J Grant           Song - “Do What Is Right”, Food - bread and milk, trait - persistence

 

                       George Albert Smith      Song - “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words”, food - apple pie with a little

                                                warm milk on it, trait - compassion

 

                       David O McKay            Song - “O Say, What Is Truth?”, food - Cummings chocolates, trait -

                                                consideration

 

                       Joseph Fielding Smith    Song - “Prayer Is The Soul’s Sincere Desire”, food - sweet pickles,

                                                trait - gospel scholarship

 

                       Harold B Lee             Song - “Praise To The Man”, food - bread and milk, trait - be in tune

                                                with the whisperings of the Holy Spirit

 

                       Spencer W Kimball        Song - “I Need Thee Every Hour”, food - datenut bread crumbled into a

                                                cold glass of milk, trait - dedication

 

                       Ezra Taft Benson         Song - “How Great Thou Art”, food - fresh raspberries, trait - love

 

                       Howard W Hunter          Song - “Have I Done Any Good In The World Today?”, food - Alaskan crab,

                                                trait - always look for the best in people

 

                       Gordon B Hinckley        Song - “God Of Our Fathers”, food - pie and ice cream, trait - do your

                                                best

 

(from a talk given by President Thomas S. Monson at the BYU on September 15, 2009)

 

 

 

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