Prayer is the means by which men communicate with God. Revelation is the means by which God communicates with men.

My soul has made its greatest growth as I have been driven to my knees by adversity and affliction.

It has always seemed somewhat paradoxical to me that we must constantly have the Lord command us to do those things which are for our own good.

Whenever I have a serious problem or some assignment of a creative nature...I always receive more assistance in the early morning hours than at any other time of the day.

The principle of self-reliance grows out of a fundamental doctrine of the Church, that of agency. Just as each individual is accountable for his choices and actions in spiritual matters, so also is he accountable in temporal matters. It is through our own efforts and decisions that we earn our way in this life. While the Lord will magnify us in both subtle and dramatic ways, he can only guide our footsteps when we move our feet. Ultimately, our own actions determine our blessings or lack of them. It is a direct consequence of both agency and accountability.

Not only does inspiration from the Lord compensate for want of facts; it also induces men by self-discipline, to conform in their personal conduct and in their dealings one with another to the highest standards they know. In other words, it gives men the capacity which distinguishes wisdom from knowledge.

We will see the day when we live on what we produce.