Accomplishing the Impossible Quotes

“Differences of opinion may occur between husband and wife. But one's objective in marriage is never to win an argument, but to build an eternal relationship of love.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“A strong human spirit with control over appetites of the flesh is master over emotions and passions and not a slave to them. That kind of freedom is as vital to the spirit as oxygen is to the body! Freedom from self-slavery is true liberation!”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“[A] beautiful young mother of five had full faith in her Heavenly Father, in His plan, and in the eternal welfare of her family. She was securely tied back to God. She was totally faithful to covenants made with the Lord and with her husband. She loved her children but was at peace, despite her impending separation from them. She had faith in her future, and theirs too, because she had faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Latter-Day Saints proclaim that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." We also know that "gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Marriage between a man and a woman is fundamental to the Lord's doctrine and crucial to God's eternal plan. Marriage between a man and a woman is God's pattern for a fullness of life on earth and in heaven. God's marriage pattern cannot be abused, misunderstood, or misconstrued.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Not pursuing your “own pleasure” on the Sabbath requires self-discipline. You may have to deny yourself of something you might like. If you choose to delight yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any other day. Routine and recreational activities can be done some other time. Think of this: In paying tithing, we return one-tenth of our increase to the Lord. In keeping the Sabbath holy, we reserve one day in seven as His. So it is our privilege to consecrate both money and time to Him who lends us life each day.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Make the Sabbath a delight by rendering service to others, especially those who are not feeling well or those who are lonely or in need. Lifting their spirits will lift yours as well.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“In Hebrew, the word Sabbath means “rest.” The purpose of the Sabbath dates back to the Creation of the world, when after six days of labor the Lord rested from the work of creation. When He later revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses, God commanded that we “remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Later, the Sabbath was observed as a reminder of the deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. Perhaps most important, the Sabbath was given as a perpetual covenant, a constant reminder that the Lord may sanctify His people.
In addition, we now partake of the sacrament on the Sabbath day in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Again, we covenant that we are willing to take upon us His holy name.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Your choices will not all be between good and evil. Many will be choices between two good options. Not all truths are created equal, so you will need to establish priorities.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Don’t be afraid to pursue your goals—even your dreams! But know that there is no shortcut to excellence and competence. Education is the difference between wishing you could help other people and being able to help them.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“We should “liken all scriptures unto us … for our profit and learning.” Danger lurks when we try to divide ourselves with expressions such as “my private life” or even “my best behavior.” If one tries to segment his or her life into such separate compartments, one will never rise to the full stature of one’s personal integrity—never to become all that his or her true self could be.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“...[S]o many people look only to their bank balance for peace or to fellow human beings for models to follow. Clinicians, academicians, and politicians are often put to a test of faith. In pursuit of their goals, will their religion show or will it be hidden? Are they tied back to God or to man? I had such a test decades ago when one of my medical faculty colleagues chastised me for failing to separate my professional knowledge from my religious convictions. He demanded that I not combine the two. How could I do that? Truth is truth! It is not divisible, and any part of it cannot be set aside. Whether truth emerges from a scientific laboratory or through revelation, all truth emanates from God.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“The word religion literally means “to ligate again” or “to tie back” to God. The question we might ask ourselves is, are we securely tied to God so that our faith shows, or are we actually tied to something else? For example, I have overheard conversations on Monday mornings about professional athletic games that took place on the preceding Sunday. For some of these avid fans, I have wondered if their “religion” would “tie them back” only to some kind of a bouncing ball... There is only One in whom your faith is always safe, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. And you need to let your faith show!”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“In our day civil governments have a vested interest in protecting marriage because strong families constitute the best way of providing for the health, education, welfare, and prosperity of rising generations. But civil governments are heavily influenced by social trends and secular philosophies as they write, rewrite, and enforce laws. Regardless of what civil legislation may be enacted, the doctrine of the Lord regarding marriage and morality cannot be changed. Remember: sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God!”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“purpose: to kidnap her, and to kill me. After they maliciously molested us in those evil objectives, they became totally foiled. A gun to my head failed to fire. And my wife was suddenly released from their hideous grasp. Then they disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. We were mercifully rescued from potential disaster.39 We know we were protected by angels round about us. Yes, the Lord’s precious promise had been invoked in our behalf.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible

“In addition to time with family, you can experience true delight on the Sabbath from family history work. Searching for and finding family members who have preceded you on earth—those who did not have an opportunity to accept the gospel while here—can bring immense joy.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“As you teach more, you will learn more. This is the Lord's way of helping you to comprehend His gospel.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Parents have such wonderful resources available to help them make family time more meaningful, on the Sabbath and other days as well. They have LDS.org, Mormon.org, the Bible videos, the Mormon Channel, the Media Library, the Friend, the New Era, the Ensign, the Liahona, and more—much more. These resources are so very helpful to parents in discharging their sacred duty to teach their children. No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting!”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“As you move along life’s journey, you will also become acquainted with people who do not believe in God. Many of them have not yet found divine truth and don’t know where to look for it. You could be of help to them there. But as you mingle with nonbelievers, be aware that a few may not have your best interest at heart. As soon as you discern that, flee from them quickly and permanently.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Wickedness never was happiness.” Many have tried to challenge that truth and have failed every time!”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Education is yours to obtain. No one else can gain it for you. Wherever you are, develop a deep desire to learn. For us as Latter-day Saints, gaining an education is not just a privilege; it is a religious responsibility. “The glory of God is intelligence.” Indeed, our education is for the eternities.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Teach of faith to keep all the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless His children and bring them joy.4 Warn them that they will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments. It takes faith to obey them, and keeping His commandments will strengthen that faith.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“...President Thomas S. Monson said: “Of course we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. … Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with [faith] have courage as well.” President Monson’s counsel is timeless! So I plead with you, my dear brothers and sisters: Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“The temptation to be popular may prioritize public opinion above the word of God. Political campaigns and marketing strategies widely employ public opinion polls to shape their plans. Results of those polls are informative. But they could hardly be used as grounds to justify disobedience to God’s commandments! Even if “everyone is doing it,” wrong is never right. Evil, error, and darkness will never be truth, even if popular. A scriptural warning so declares: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” After World War I, a rather risqué song became popular. In promoting immorality, it vowed that 50 million people cannot be wrong. But in fact, 50 million people can be wrong—totally wrong. Immorality is still immorality in the eyes of God, who one day will judge all of our deeds and desires.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“In all professional endeavors, rigorous standards of accuracy are required. Scholars cherish their freedom of expression. But full freedom cannot be experienced if part of one’s knowledge is ruled “out-of-bounds” by edicts of men. Spiritual truth cannot be ignored—especially divine commandments.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery—the strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations. Fasting helps your spirit to develop dominance over your physical appetites. Fasting also increases your access to heaven’s help, as it intensifies your prayers. Why the need for self-mastery? God implanted strong appetites within us for nourishment and love, vital for the human family to be perpetuated.16 When we master our appetites within the bounds of God’s laws, we can enjoy longer life, greater love, and consummate joy.17”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible

“Personal revelation can be honed to become spiritual discernment. To discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish.7 The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift.8 It allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible. Bishops are entitled to that gift as they face the task of seeking out the poor and caring for the needy. With that gift, sisters and brothers may view trends in the world and detect those that, however popular, are shallow or even dangerous. Members can discern between schemes that are flashy and fleeting and those refinements that are uplifting and enduring.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible

“Your challenges in life are best understood in the light of divine perspective. Trials and tests are necessary for your education and refinement. This doctrine is stated in the 101st section of Doctrine and Covenants. Speaking of those who will be gathered into the fold of Christ. Jesus said, "Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“At stake is our ability to transmit to the next generation the life-giving and inseparable culture of marriage and the free exercise of religion. The theistic marriage of a man and a woman allows for the most holy of all human relationships-the begetting of childen-through the sacred marital embrace, enabled by the divine design of Almighty God.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do

“Without an acknowledgment of God and God’s law in one’s life, momentary pleasures will be continually contaminated by gnawing guilt. Momentary pleasures would become meaningless as each raw experience would be stripped of deep meaning and sweet memory, Each day’s work would become sheer drudgery, beauties of nature would become boring, and children would be deemed nuisances to be endured. Without God’s moral underpinnings, political behavior would be skewed toward short-term expediency, lurching nervously from crisis to crisis.”
― Russell M. Nelson, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do