The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men's candles of commitment, only fan the fires of faith of others.

While most of our suffering is self- inflicted, some is caused by or permitted by God. This sobering reality calls for deep submissiveness, especially when God does not remove the cup from us. In such circumstances, when reminded about the premortal shouting for joy as this life's plan was unfolded (Job 38:7), we can perhaps be pardoned if, in some moments, we wonder what all the shouting was about.

God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability.

Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord calls coveting "the drop," while neglecting the "more weighty matters." (D&C 117:8) Myopic selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage and makes thirty pieces of silver look like a treasure trove. In our intense acquisitiveness, we forget Him who once said, "What is property unto me?"

Of all the errors one could make, God's gospel plan is the wrong thing to be wrong about.

In a very real sense, all we need to know is that God knows all.

God’s grace will cover us like a cloak-enough to provide for survival but too thin to keep out all the cold.