Cybersecurity and Spiritual Safety
Today I am going to speak about some ways to improve our computer-security behavior, and I am going to offer some spiritual-behavior tips to keep us safe spiritually.
Righteousness
“The Lord Looketh on the Heart”
Just as a reliable physical heart is needed to provide nourishment to our physical bodies, a reliable spiritual heart is needed to provide nourishment to our spirits.
Holy Places
If you make and keep sacred covenants, if you prepare yourself daily for spiritual experiences through scripture study and prayer, if you align and bind yourselves with God, a light will emanate from you.
The Lord's Country and Kingdom--Your Passport
One aspect of just being nice is appreciating the dignity of every human soul—even those you don’t know, but especially those you do, and even more especially the hard to love among you.
Beware the Dragons
The paths your lives take today have areas that could be marked by the phrase “Here Be Dragons” as a warning that you should and must avoid them. A firm testimony of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so necessary to maintain the proper perspectives and withstand the buffetings of the adversary that can and often will bombard you from all directions.
The Simpleness of the Way
We can learn a lesson from the Israelites in the wilderness. If a prophet of God tells us we can look upon the brazen serpent and be healed, then we can look upon the brazen serpent and be healed. If an apostle of God tells us we can obtain and keep the Spirit of the Lord by following four simple points, then we should believe it!
To Live Well
God has given you the capacity to exercise faith so that you may find peace, joy, and purpose in life. However, to employ its power, that faith must be rooted in something secure. There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the willingness and power of Jesus Christ to fulfill all of His promises.
How Do You Open Your Heart to Heaven?
When you hold a personal morning devotional every day, I promise you again that your life will be changed. Joseph Smith also promised us: “If you will obey the Gospel with honest hearts, I promise you in the name of the Lord, that the gifts as promised by our Saviour will follow you.”
A Disposition to Do Good Continually
I invoke the blessings of heaven upon each and every one of you of the rising generation and pray that your righteous thoughts and deeds will overcome any susceptible disposition to do evil and that the Holy Spirit will be your constant companion in helping you to develop a disposition to do good continually.
Hold Tight to the Iron Rod
Hold tight to that rod of iron! Be true to everything that you are and everything you can become. It is so worth it. It will bring you joy and happiness now and forever. It will bring you full circle back to Him.
The Iron Rod—The Word of God
In order to live with God once again, you cannot deviate from the strait and narrow path or lose your firm grip on the iron rod or you will be as those who were lost in Lehi’s vision.
Your Future
There is significant truth in the notion that much of what happens to us is unexpected and not in our control. However—and this is most vital and critical to understand—the things of greatest ultimate importance to us are largely in our control and are within the scope of our agency.
What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
I pray that we will always endeavor in our lives to focus on matters of most importance. I testify that we are on the Lord’s errand. We are blessed to be led by living prophets.
“Come Ye, and Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord”
My goal this morning is to help us better appreciate the blessings of this greater light and knowledge in our lives and to better understand the methods by which it has been, and continues to be, obtained. Specifically, I will discuss the methods and roles of two complementary sources of truth: revealed knowledge—or what Saint Thomas Aquinas called “God’s words”—and discovered knowledge—or the truths that can be and have been derived from intensive study of God’s works.
To Establish a Secure Foundation for Life
I energetically encourage you to establish a personal plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of the perfect fulfillment by Jesus Christ of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer. Profound personal pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer will fortify your understanding of and appreciation for the Atonement.
Our Book of Life
...it is important to recognize that we are all, day by day, moment by moment, writing our book of life. Although not written on paper, the entries in this book are just as real and will have an eternal impact.
The Simple Truths from Heaven—The Lord’s Pattern
I know that my counsel to you tonight is very weighty. For some, it would appear impossible to obtain. But please have faith, and join that faith with works. The Lord is aware of you as individuals and of your particular circumstances. He will bless you. He will assist you in bringing to pass that which is right and which you righteously desire. Please have faith.
“Gladly, Gladly We’ll Walk in the Light”
National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones described the difference between being the best in the world and being the best for the world. To be the best in the world, all of the attention is focused on the individual. To be the best for the world, the attention is focused on others.
To Act in Holiness Before the Lord
I believe we are placed on this earth to be sanctified. The Lord has declared that His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." May we focus more consciously on acting in holiness and make it a habit of practice while becoming more mindful of the moments and opportunities in our lives.
A Good Name - A Priceless Possession
There is another name by which we should all be known besides the one we received from our earthly fathers. That is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Moral Dilemma of Doing Good
What do we have that we can offer in return for all the good gifts of our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ? We can offer our hearts and our free will—our obedience. We can sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Anxiously Engaged
We cannot be slackers in our commitment to the Lord . . . Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and our gratitude for His sacrifice for us compels us to serve by bearing testimony of Him, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
Spiritual Cataracts
Daily prayer, daily scripture study, and daily service are three important spiritual antioxidants that help guarantee we will retain our spiritual vision and have the Spirit to guide us in our day-to-day activities.
Living on the Lord’s Side of the Line
The Lord needs faithful, articulate, committed men and women who are undaunted by what lies ahead and who are willing to stand up for what is right again and again...
Keep the Chain Unbroken
You young men and you young women, most of you will marry and have children. Your children will have children, as will the children who come after them. Life is a great chain of generations that we in the Church believe must be linked together.
“Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
In section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord tells us that it should not be necessary for him to “command in all things.” He then said: Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.[D&C 58:26–28] As dean of Admissions and…
Being Righteous in Our Hearts
Being righteous and true to the principles of the gospel leads to outward action that shows that we understand sacred covenants in our hearts.
Be Ye Men and Women of Valour
In these trying latter days, the Lord needs men and women of valour to step up, through integrity, courage, and perseverance, to prepare the world for Him.
When Shall These Things Be?
Although no one knows the time of the Second Coming, we do know what to expect in these last days - and we have the tools to thrive.
“It Might Have Been”
It is said that some of the saddest words ever said are "it might have been." Don't let life and its opportunities to improve yourself pass you by.
To Fulfill All Righteousness
To "fulfill all righteousness," we need to be concerned not only with avoiding major sins, but also with diligence in small acts that can have big results.
Trying to Serve the Lord Without Offending the Devil
When we share the gospel, love our neighbor, and worship the Lord, we are offending the devil. But we don't need to be afraid of offending him.
“Choose the Right”
The decision is ours to either choose the right or disobey God. We must decide every single day to choose the right by listening to the Spirit and following Christ.
Stones, Serpents, Swords, Seeds, and Tears
Stories from scriptures and other faithful Saints worldwide teach us how we can build the kingdom of God by faith, repentance, service, and compassion.
“The Lord’s Side”
We must choose each day to be on the Lord’s side in thought, word, and action. Choosing the Lord’s side will lead to happiness, honesty, and exaltation.
Choose to Be Good
Just as we choose quality in the products we manufacture and consume, we must choose quality in our actions and lives, and we must choose it early.
“In Him All Things Hold Together”
Everything about the gospel is held together by the Savior Jesus Christ. His Atonement exemplifies all of the divine attributes we are seeking.
Coming Home
Sister Lee shares how she feels coming back to BYU—like coming home. Similarly, we can look forward to the day we arrive at our heavenly home.
Your Inheritance: Secure or in Jeopardy?
The choices we make in this life determine our eternal inheritance. To become heirs of God, we must choose to obey the commandments He has given us.
Building Bricks Without Straw
In making bricks, the children of Israel needed straw to hold together and strengthen the building material. Here are some examples of spiritual straw.
The Christ-Focused Beatitudes
In a description of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, Robert E. Wells explains how the Christ-focused beatitudes are the map that we must follow every day.
Follow the King
Live pure, speak true, right wrong. Follow Christ the King and you will be prepared to live the kind of life that He lives.
Choose to Serve
Though we live in a morally conflicted world, we can choose to serve the Lord. We are promised the help revelation, a sure witness, and an anchor of faith.
A Message to Our Granddaughters
With an eternal perspective, God will help you—our granddaughters, and all women—fulfill your divine missions in the family, the Church, and the world.
What Have You to Declare?
As we go through mortality, we must keep “valiant values” so that when we return to Heavenly Father, we can declare that we used our agency righteously.
“A Faithful Friend Is a Strong Defense”
At BYU, we are part of a community of mutual responsibility. We have a duty to look after one another, to be a friend, and to protect honor and integrity.
Investing for Eternity
Never will our time or efforts be better rewarded than when they are spent in service and kindness. This kind of investing for eternity should be our aim.
The Hope of Tomorrow
My brothers and sisters, I feel almost as if I should look in the coffin to see if I am there. I am grateful for Brother Haycock’s kindness. I assure you it was overdone. I congratulate you young students who have the good fortune to be students at this great university. I am grateful that several of our grandchildren are with you. It is sixty-eight years this month since I…
A Word to You: Generation of Destiny!
Time is a resource and gift given to us from God. In our mission to use time wisely, we must remember that it is never too late to make important decisions. These decisions are how we we enter into life—eternal life.
Be and Not Seem
Avoid the trap of vanity and hypocrisy. Instead of worrying about how you seem to others, be the kind of person you know you can and should be.
Prophecies, Visions, and Dreams
As we pause tonight to contemplate another new year, I would hope that for a few minutes we could catch the spirit of Joel or of Peter as we reflect on prophecy, vision, and dreams.
Living Flames, Not Dead Ashes
Learning to listen to the promptings of the Spirit brings safety. Every worthy individual is entitled to the companionship of the Spirit. If you listen, you will find he is often more eager to help than we are to obey.
I Am a Saint if I Live Right
Calling ourselves Latter-day Saints should fill us with responsibility to act like a saint. God expects us to be noble representatives of His cause.
A Glimpse of Glory
If we pray sincerely, study the scriptures, serve, and make righteous choices, we will get a glimpse of the glory God has in store for us.
Let Your Light Shine
As you let your light shine by exemplifying and sharing the gospel, you will be amazed by the lives you touch—and how those lives touch yours in return.
Your Four Great Days
Elder Sill discusses the significance of our choices in preparing for significant times in our lives: birth, marriage, choosing our calling, and death.
Corrupt Not Thyself
"Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Each of us must choose for ourselves whether our highest priority is to serve the Lord.
Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons
It isn't enough to be doing the right things; we need to make sure we are doing them for the right reasons. Ask yourself, "Are my motives pure?"
Are You Doing the Best You Can?
When evaluating our personal righteousness, we must be willing to ask ourselves whether we are truly doing our best or just trying to skate by.
Seeking Salvation in the Kingdom of God
For those seeking salvation in God's kingdom, the principles of the gospel and the commandments of the Lord offer a sure path to Him.
The Kingdom of God is Righteousness
The kingdom of God is a place of righteousness. Each of us came to this earth with our own body and we must keep it from sin to enter the kingdom of God. The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Qualify Yourselves
Antoine R. Ivins encourages students to live their standards with integrity. Through righteousness, he promises, you will qualify yourselves for blessings.
Eye Hath Not Seen
"Eye hath not seen" the blessings promised for the righteous or the torment that comes to the wicked. Prepare yourself to be on the Lord's side.
We Believe in Being Honest
Honesty is more than not lying, stealing, or cheating. Being honest with ourselves, with God, and with others entails doing what we know is right.
Testimony: A Moral Compass
A testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ will prompt you to repent when you sin. It will also give you the conviction to stand up for your beliefs.
Hold Fast to That Which Is Good
We are a long way from perfection, but there are some commandments we can master now to prepare ourselves for salvation. Hold fast to those worthy goals.
Commencement, August 1952
George Q. Morris counsels graduates at the August 1952 commencement ceremony to be aware of the state of their nation as well as their souls.