"The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" by Elder Richard G. Scott

Some of my favorite exerts from this General Conference talk:

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day."

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life."

"...God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage."

"It is nobility of character, that fabric of inner strength and conviction woven from countless righteous decisions, that gives life its direction." A consistent, righteous life produces an inner power and strength that can be permanently resistant to the eroding influence of sin and transgression."

"You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily."

"But a testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions."

"When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves."

-Sister Julie Beck, April 2010 Conference

11 Difference between Being Tall and Being Small

by Chalene Johnson on November 4, 2009 (http://chalenejohnson.blogspot.com)

1. A Tall person says, “I can see your point. I will work on that.” A small person says, “That’s your problem. I’m fine the way I am.

2. A Tall person doesn’t need drama and works to keep it at bay. A small person doesn’t realize how drama dependent they have become.

3. A Tall person gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. A Small person assumes the worst of people.

4. A Tall person works to be their best. A Small person just needs to be right and refuses to change.

5. A Tall person recognizes they grow stronger when they focus on self-improvement. A Small person sees admitting the need for improvement as weakness.

6. A Tall person conducts themselves with integrity, even when it’s not convenient. A Small person consistently places their own interest first.

7. A Tall person looks at where they’re going and who they can help along the way. A Small person looks at where they could be and blames others for
their circumstances.

8. A Tall person works to surround themselves with people who challenge them to be more. A Small person surrounds themselves with people who
will nod in agreement.

9. A Tall person can see both sides of the story. A Small person shares “their side” of the story with anyone who will listen, in order to feel better about themselves.

10. A Tall person looks to those who are more successful and learns from their experiences. A Small person resents those more successful and works to convince others of their faults.

11. A Tall person is able to see the positive side of even the most doomed situation. A Small person is blinded by only the negative and strains to see the positive.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

- Carl Jung

"The disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow

and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace admist the struggle."

Elder Eyring, April 2009 General Conference

The tree that never had to fight

For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out in the open rain

And always got its share of rain,

Never became a forest king

But lived and died a scrubby thing.

Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger wind, the stronger trees.

--Douglas Malloch

"...faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

-Ether 12:6