"...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

"Negativity reinforces itself until we see ourselves as sorry creatures with few abilities or gifts. But understanding that there will be problems throughout life diminishes pressure and allows us growing room as we work our way toward our goals...to dwell on our problems is to restrict our growth and guarantee more stumbling than necessary. When we are busy juggling all the “should be’s,” we don’t have time or energy to get on with the doing."

--Mildred Barthel, “Happiness along the Way,” Ensign, Apr 1987, 42

"None of us will escape tragedy and suffering.  Each of us will probably react differently.  However, if we can recall the Lord's promise, 'for I the Lord am with you,' we will be able to face our problems with dignity and courage.  We will find the strength to be of good cheer instead of becoming resentful, critical, or defeated.  We will be able to meet life's unpleasant happenings with clear vision, strength, and power...

"What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer, who, when others because of an unpleasant happening or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust, meets the situation with cheerful endurance and good spirits."

--Elder Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, May 1986, 66

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh...They are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil."

2Nephi 2:27

"We stand at the crossroads, each minute, each hour, each day, making choices.  We choose the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, the passions we allow ourselves to feel, and the actions we allow ourselves to perform.  Each choice is made in the context of whatever value system we've selected to govern our lives.  In selecting the value system, we are, in a very real way, making the most important choice we will ever make...

"...Since the foundation of  all happiness is thinking rightly, and since correct action is dependent on correct opinion, we cannot be too careful in choosing the value system we allow to govern our thoughts and actions.  

"And to know that God governs in the affairs of men, that he hears and answers prayers, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, is indeed, a powerful regulator of human conduct."  --Benjamin Franklin

Quoted by Elder Ballard, Ensign, March 2009, pg. 54