President Thomas S. Monson on living with an attitude of gratitude

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley and then became Church president in 2008. He led the Church for almost a decade until his passing in January 2018.

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

- Thomas S. Monson, "An Attitude of Gratitude," General Conference April 1992
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Monson was always the consummate optimist. This is one of the keys to his attitude: "While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right...." He seemed always able to identify the blessings, the positive things that happen around us. It's a great characteristic to develop.

This was his vision of our possibilities, our mission:

Learning to have that "attitude of gratitude" makes all the difference. In this talk, President Monson mentions specific aspects where our gratitude has focus:

1. Mothers
2. Fathers
3. Teachers
4. Friends
5. Country
6. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

This is a good list to start with; we might each consider our level of gratitude in those areas, and then look for additional areas that might be personally applicable.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
November 23, 2017

President Gordon B. Hinckley on accentuating the positive

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course. 

"What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say: 'Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.'" 

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Continuing Pursuit of Truth," Ensign, April 1986, p. 2
Click here to read the full article

Storms are a part of life. They come from time to time, and in spite of the challenges they bring, they also bring benefits. That's true in the physical world. But symbolically, President Hinckley warns about the tendency to "seek out" storms, or to focus only on the challenges to be found in our lives:

Each of us can try harder to compliment the good we encounter and overlook the negative. As we seek virtues and strengths instead of shortcomings, our interactions will improve and our whole outlook on life will be blessed.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
March 2, 2015

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on facing life's challenges with humor

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91.

"I remember when one of our daughters went on a blind date. She was all dressed up and waiting for her date to arrive when the doorbell rang. In walked a man who seemed a little old, but she tried to be polite. She introduced him to me and my wife and the other children; then she put on her coat and went out the door. We watched as she got into the car, but the car didn’t move. Eventually our daughter got out of the car and, red faced, ran back into the house. The man that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our daughters who had agreed to be a babysitter for him and his wife.

"We all had a good laugh over that. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing. Later, when our daughter’s real blind date showed up, I couldn’t come out to meet him because I was still in the kitchen laughing. Now, I realize that our daughter could have felt humiliated and embarrassed. But she laughed with us, and as a result, we still laugh about it today.

"The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It," General Conference October 2008
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Wirthlin shared a personal story with a great moral. Sometimes particularly difficult events occur in our lives, and we're faced with the challenge of how to respond. In Elder Wirthlin's story it was a choice between either succumbing to embarrassment and humiliation, or responding with good humor. In our lives sometimes the alternatives are more serious or challenging, as we confront discouragement, suffering, pain, or any of a whole range of challenges and difficulties that could lead us to "groan."

Approaching life with humor and a positive attitude is a great asset for successful living.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Gordon B. Hinckley on a positive outlook in life

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"I come this evening with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.

"I am not asking that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism.

"Let our faith replace our fears. When I was a boy, my father often said to us, 'Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.'"

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Lord Is at the Helm," BYU Devotional, Mar. 6, 1994
Click here to read the full talk

This is a theme that President Hinckley loved, and spoke of a number of times during his ministry. We cannot always choose the circumstances around us, but we can always choose how we react to them and how we act in the midst of them. On another occasion he described people who always respond negatively and critically as "pickle suckers." He suggests there is a better way—seeking and dwelling on good things instead of the negative aspects:

President Hinckley does acknowledge that there is a proper place for criticism, pointing out of mistakes and errors, etc. But the spirit in which what is done (both given and received) makes all the difference. And one of the great keys is that when we "speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults" it becomes easier to receive helpful suggestions about those faults.

Not only should "optimism replace pessimism," but at the same time, in the Lord's hands, we will find that "our faith [will] replace our fears."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on forgiveness of others and of ourselves

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"Our Savior has spoken so clearly on this subject [forgiveness] that there is little room for private interpretation. 'I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive,' but then He said, '...of you it is required to forgive all men' (D&C 64:10 emphasis added).

"May I add a footnote here? When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive—as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness—is the person looking back at us in the mirror."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy," General Conference April 2012
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Sometimes it's easy to forgive others; sometimes it is more difficult. The depth of the injury inflicted against us might be part of the difference; or the perceived attitude of the person who gave the offense. But I think it's also clear that we get better at forgiving others as we make more efforts to do so. It's a skill, a talent, maybe even a spiritual gift that can be developed. In any case, there is no question that forgiving others is the right thing to do, in the Gospel plan of love and unity.

President Uchtdorf gave an additional insight when he suggested that sometimes our greater challenge is to forgive ourselves:

In other words, we tend to hold on to our mistakes and our occasions of stumbling. We remind ourselves for too long that we've fallen short, we're inadequate, we're unworthy, we're not as good as someone else, or we've failed at some task or goal. President Uchtdorf's suggestion is that when the Lord forgives us, we need to forgive ourselves and move on from the problem.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Thomas S. Monson on developing an attitude of gratitude

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley and then became Church president in 2008. He led the Church for almost a decade until his passing in January 2018.

"Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.

"This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways.

"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

- Thomas S. Monson, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," General Conference October 2010
Click here to read or listen to the full address

President Monson was the master of cheerful optimism. It seemed the sun was always shining in his life. And if it wasn't, he knew it would soon return! In this message he emphasized that we all have much to be grateful for, in spite of any circumstances that might have us discouraged or concerned. President Monson encouraged us to find the things that are right in our world:

President Monson truly believed that we have the ability to "refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought" if we learn to develop and expand that "attitude of gratitude." It would be good for us each to evaluate which direction our attitude causes us to lean!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President M. Russell Ballard on the influence of our attitudes

President M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985. He became acting president of the Twelve in January 2018.

"Attitude is an important part of the foundation upon which we build a productive life. In appraising our present attitude, we might ask: 'Am I working to become my best self? Do I set worthy and attainable goals? Do I look toward the positive in life? Am I alert to ways that I can render more and better service? Am I doing more than is required of me?'

"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude. George Bernard Shaw wrote: 'People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.' (Mrs. Warren’s Profession, in Plays by George Bernard Shaw, New York: New American Library, 1960, p. 82.)"

- M. Russell Ballard, "Providing for Our Needs," General Conference April 1981
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Seeking "a productive life" is a worthy and important goal. It doesn't happen by coincidence or chance; it comes, as President Ballard indicates, through our personal efforts, working towards worthy goals, serving faithfully, going the extra mile:

President Ballard believes that we have the ability to shape our lives by the selection of our attitudes. We are not merely the victims of circumstances; on the contrary, we have the ability to shape our circumstances. It is good for us each to consider how well we are doing in setting the goals, choosing the attitudes, and controlling the direction of our life!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Richard L. Evans on dealing with overwhelming burdens

Elder Richard L. Evans (1906-1971) served as a Seventy from 1938-1953, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He died in 1971 at age 65.  He was known as "the voice of the Tabernacle Choir" from the beginning of its broadcasts in 1929 until his passing.

"There are times when all of us feel overburdened, with debts, with obligations, so many things undone, so many undone things to do—worries, problems, and sometimes our share, it seems, of sorrows. And we wonder how we can be everywhere we ought to be, do all we ought to do, meet the obligations, and carry the weight of our worries, as we seem to divide ourselves in too many different directions, too many ways at once—not feeling that we are completing or disposing of or quite in control of anything—just a reshuffling of papers, a reshuffling of problems.

"To all of this, some gentle advice from an unnamed source proposes the 'one-at-a-time' approach: 'Mountains viewed from a distance,' it says, 'seem to be unscalable, but they can be climbed, and the way to begin is to take the first upward step. From that moment the mountains are less high. The slopes that seem so steep from a distance seem to level off as we near them.'

"Any task in life is easier if we approach it with the one-at-a-time attitude. One step—a beginning—doing something about something, beginning to see something get going—gives assurance that we are on our way and that the solving of problems is possible. To cite a whimsical saying: 'If you chase two rabbits, both of them will escape.' No one is adequate to everything all at once. We have to select what is important, what is possible, and begin where we are, with what we have. And if we begin—and if we keep going—the weight, the worry, the doubt, the depression will begin to lift, will begin to lighten.

"We can't do everything always, but we can do something now, and doing something will help to lift the weight and lessen the worry. 'The beginning,' said Plato, 'is the most important part.'"

- Richard L. Evans, "The Spoken Word," January 26, 1969; see Improvement Era April 1969 p. 68, or Thoughts for One Hundred Days, 4:88-90

Elder Evans reflects on the challenge we often face of being overwhelmed by life and its challenges; those times when "we wonder how we can be everywhere we ought to be, do all we ought to do, meet the obligations, and carry the weight of our worries." He advocates a simple response to those situations: just deal with things one at a time:

The great key to life is, "We can't do everything always, but we can do something now, and doing something will help to lift the weight and lessen the worry." Just finding something to do, something to accomplish, somewhere to begin on the first task—those simple first steps provide the momentum to continue and conquer.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the power of being of good cheer

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"We should honor the Savior’s declaration to 'be of good cheer.' (Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 16:33.) (Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other!) Speak hopefully. Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly. As someone once said, 'Even in the golden age of civilization someone undoubtedly grumbled that everything looked too yellow.'

"I have often thought that Nephi’s being bound with cords and beaten by rods must have been more tolerable to him than listening to Laman and Lemuel’s constant murmuring. (See 1 Nephi 3:28–31; 18:11–15.) Surely he must have said at least once, 'Hit me one more time. I can still hear you.' Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse....

"So, brothers and sisters, in this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try to be 'perfect' men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Tongue of Angels," General Conference April 2007
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Holland seems to be a determined optimist. He echoes the invitation of the Savior as he encourages us all to "be of good cheer"—and to express that cheerfulness in our language and attitudes as well as actions.

Elder Holland is realistic in acknowledging that there are challenges in life; but he warns that we can make them worse through the way we respond to them:

I love that frankness. Our complaining and "whining" only make dealing with challenges more difficult; if we approach life with realism but also faith and hope, we'll do much better in confronting and overcoming obstacles. And one of the most important things to help us in that endeavor is to make sure our words are "filled with faith and hope and charity."

The profound and powerful impact of positive language means more than we might expect. When we can "speak with the tongue of angels" in speaking to others with hope and love, our ability to bless and support those around us is enhanced and magnified.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Thomas S. Monson on living with an attitude of gratitude

President Thomas S. Monson (b. August 21, 1927) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley until becoming Church president in 2008.

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

- Thomas S. Monson, "An Attitude of Gratitude," General Conference April 1992
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Monson has always been the consummate optimist. This is one of the keys to his attitude: "While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right...." He seems always able to identify the blessings, the positive things that happen around us. It's a great characteristic to develop.

Learning to have that "attitude of gratitude" makes all the difference. In this talk, President Monson mentions specific aspects where our gratitude has focus:

1. Mothers
2. Fathers
3. Teachers
4. Friends
5. Country
6. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

This is a good list to start with; we might each consider our level of gratitude in those areas, and then look for additional areas that might be personally applicable.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Gordon B. Hinckley on being willing and obedient

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"Isaiah declared to ancient Israel: 'If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

"'But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.' (Isa. 1:19-20.)

"I recall sitting in this Tabernacle when I was fourteen or fifteen—up in the balcony right behind the clock—and hearing President Heber J. Grant tell of his experience in reading the Book of Mormon when he was a boy. He spoke of Nephi and of the great influence he had upon his life. And then, with a voice ringing with a conviction that I shall never forget, he quoted those great words of Nephi: 'I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.' (1 Ne. 3:7.)

"There came into my young heart on that occasion a resolution to try to do what the Lord has commanded. I would that I might have the power, through the Spirit of the Lord, similarly to touch someone in this congregation today.

"What marvelous things happen when men walk with faith in obedience to that which is required of them!"

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "If Ye Be Willing and Obedient," Ensign, Dec 1971, p. 125
Click here to read the full article

"If ye be willing and obedient"—I love that invitation. It defines two important aspects of our interaction with God: attitude and behavior. We start with willingness: the desire, the heart-felt trust and faith in Him; but it must be followed by obedience: the actions that demonstrate the depth and sincerity of the feelings. When those both are present, we are promised blessings and divine help. But if not—"if ye refuse and rebel"—we have no promise.

President Hinckley learned at a young age, developing a deep desire to be willing and obedient, when a prophetic testimony touched his heart. He longed to do the same for some other youth or adult listening to his words. So should we all; what a precious gift it is when we are an instrument in God's hands to touch the heart of another as spirit reaches out to spirit!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

Elder Robert D. Hales on showing our faith in spite of troublesome times

Elder Robert D. Hales (b. August 24, 1932) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1985, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

"As we look into the eyes of our children and grandchildren, we see the doubt and fear of our times. Wherever these precious ones go in the world, they hear about unemployment, poverty, war, immorality, and crime. They wonder, 'How can we cope with these problems?'

"To find answers, they look back into our eyes and listen to our words. Do they hear us speaking faithfully and hopefully, despite the tribulations of our times?

"They need to see us continuing to pray and study the scriptures together, to hold family home evening and family councils, to serve faithfully in our Church callings, to attend the temple regularly, and to be obedient to our covenants. When they see our steadfastness in keeping the commandments, their fears will subside and their confidence in the Lord will increase.

"By showing our faith through tribulation, we assure them that the fury of the adversary is not fatal."

- Robert D. Hales, "Faith through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy," Ensign, May 2003, pp. 15-18
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Hales shares a valuable reminder and caution. It's easy to be discouraged in the midst of "the doubt and fear of our times." We may have concerns for our nation, our economy, our schools, the safety of our neighborhoods, our international relations—so many things. And those perils are increasing, and will continue to increase, in our day.

But what do we teach our little ones, who look to us, by how we respond? And not just the little children, but perhaps those who don't share our faith and understanding of God's plan? When we talk in overly worried and fearful tones, we demonstrate a lack of faith in God and in His ability to carry us to safety. And so Elder Hales counsels us, as the Lord has always counseled, "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5:36) and let that belief shine in our words and in our actions.

Truly, the example we show in our words and actions will help to bless and strengthen those around us more than we ever realize. There are always others watching, actively or passively; and one person's faith not only blesses that person, but when it is visible and demonstrated, it does more good than he or she can ever anticipate.

Marvin J. Ashton having patience with yourself

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915-1994) served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1971 until his death in 1994 at age 78.

"Have more patience with yourself—more self-understanding. I would plead that we understand it is not our role to be self-condemning. I like to think when we are taught 'Judge not, that ye be not judged,' that it has direct reference to us and our relationship with ourselves. We should not judge ourselves. We should teach ourselves patience—patience to believe in ourselves, patience to motivate ourselves, patience to believe that God and I can do it. When necessary, lean on the truth 'I am a child of God.' God and I, with patience on my part, can do it.

"I remind you we do not have to worry about the patience of God, because he is the personification of patience, no matter where we have been, what we have done, or what we, to this moment, have allowed ourselves to think of ourselves. Two of Satan's greatest tools today are spreading impatience and discouragement. Drugs, moral misconduct, violent protest are merely evidences of internal impatience on our part....

"I share with you this morning, my young friends, this fact. When you have hours and days of a feeling of inadequacy, when you are inclined to say, 'I don't have much going for me; no one cares about me,' I bear witness to you that an eternal truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the value of the individual. God will not forsake you."

- Marvin J. Ashton, "Patience Is a Great Power," BYU devotional, February 13, 1973
Click here to read the full article

Are we sometimes too "self-condemning"? Elder Ashton warns that we may have the tendency to judge ourselves too harshly, focusing on our shortcomings and struggles and letting our impatience block our progress. But he reminds us that we never need to be alone in the struggles we face:

It was interesting that Elder Ashton identified two major tools used by Satan as "spreading impatience and discouragement." We want results fast, and get annoyed when we have to wait; or we lose hope.

Elder Ashton's strong witness was of the "eternal truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ" that each individual has great value to God, and will never be left alone in the midst of trials. We need only remember that and turn to Him for help!

Gordon B. Hinckley on accentuating the positive

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course.
"What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say: 'Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.'"
- Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Continuing Pursuit of Truth," Ensign, April 1986, p. 2
Click here to read the full article

Storms are a part of life. They come from time to time, and in spite of the challenges they bring, they also bring benefits. That's true in the physical world. But symbolically, President Hinckley warns about the tendency to "seek out" storms, or to focus only on the challenges to be found in our lives:

Each of us can try harder to compliment the good we encounter and overlook the negative. As we seek virtues and strengths instead of shortcomings, our interactions will improve and our whole outlook on life will be blessed.