Diligence

“If prayer is only a spasmodic cry at the time of crisis, then it is utterly selfish, and we come to think of God as a repairman or a service agency to help us only in our emergencies. We should remember the Most High day and night – always – not only at times when all other assistance has failed and we desperately need help. If there is any element in human life on which we have a record of miraculous success and inestimable worth to the human soul, it is prayerful, reverential, devout communication with our Heavenly Father.”

Howard W. Hunter  |  “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” Ensign, November 1977, p. 52

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“When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him–when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life–you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do. When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you.”

Russell M. Nelson  |  "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives"

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“Perseverance means to continue in a given course until we have reached a goal or objective, regardless of obstacles, opposition, and other counter influences…Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic…It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin  |  "Never Give Up", Ensign, Nov. 1987, 8

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“At times all of us are called upon to stretch ourselves and do more than we think we can. I’m reminded of President Theodore Roosevelt’s quip, “I am only an average man but, by George, I work harder at it than the average man.”

James E. Faust  |  “I Believe I Can, I Knew I Could,” Ensign, November 2002, p. 50

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“Neutrality is a nonexistent condition in this life. We are always choosing, always taking sides. That is part of the human experience – facing temptations on a daily, almost moment-by-moment basis – facing them not only in good days but on days we are down, the days we are tired, rejected, discouraged, or sick.”

Tad R. Callister  |  The Infinite Atonement

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Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the LDS church

“First of all, if in the days ahead you not only see limitations in those around you but also find elements in your own life that don’t yet measure up to the messages you have heard this weekend, please don’t be cast down in spirit and don’t give up. The gospel, the Church, and these wonderful semiannual gatherings are intended to give hope and inspiration. They are not intended to discourage you. Only the adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined in general conference are depressing and unrealistic, that people don’t really improve, that no one really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he knows he can’t improve, he can’t progress, that worlds without end he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too. Well, don’t fall for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland  |  “Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You”

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“The companionship of the spirit of the Lord is an antidote for weariness, . . . for fear and all those things that sometimes overtake us in life.”

George Albert Smith  |  Teachings of Presidents of the Church, George Albert Smith, p. 119

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“All of us, young and old, will do well to realize that attitude is more important than the score. Desire is more important than the score. Momentum is more important than the score.”

Marvin J. Ashton  |  "Who's Losing?" General Conference, October 1974

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