Quotes by David A. Bednar

Elder David A. Bednar has been a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 2004 . An educator by profession, he was also president of Brigham Young University-Idaho from 1997 to 2004.  Many have come to love the wise and comforting messages in his words. 

Here are some good quotes from a good man:

Becoming people of integrity and honesty does not occur quickly or all at once, nor is it merely a matter of greater personal discipline. It is a change of disposition, a change of heart. And this gradual change of heart is one that the Lord accomplishes within us, through the power of His Spirit, in a line-upon-line fashion.

I believe the best test of our integrity and honesty is when we personally enforce in our own lives that which ultimately cannot be enforced.

Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help our children learn ‘to fish’ and to become spiritually steadfast.

The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we really are becoming.

The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any, requests.

It frankly does not make sense to occasionally 'fill up' with water, with long periods of dehydration in between. The same thing is true spiritually. Spiritual thirst is a need for living water. A constant flow of living water is far superior to sporadic sipping.

It ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.

The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live.

Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear. Such love is the desire of every human soul. We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we express love—and consistently show it.

Both clean hands and a pure heart are required to ascend into the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place.

With faith... we must walk to the edge of the light and into the darkness. As we so walk I testify and promise that the light will move.