Tag Archives: Harold B. Lee

Thoughts, Words, Deeds

I have an old recording of a Harold B. Lee address entitled “Do the Right Things for the Right Reasons”.  As his title suggests, he labors the point that more important than our actions, our motives are key to who we are and the purposes of this life. He makes the simple statement that stood out to me. He said, “Virtue isn’t chastity, it includes it.”

I found this doodle I had done a couple of years ago to illustrate the idea. I use the term ‘modesty’ with ‘say’ both in the context of what words we use as well as how we send messages through choices like the clothing we wear, the materials we surround ourselves with and so on.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall standin his holy place?

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Psalms 24:3-4

Only One Place for Safety

President Harold B. Lee taught,

“Where else can you go for guidance? Where is there safety in the world today? Safety can’t be won by tanks and guns and the airplanes and atomic bombs. There is only one place of safety and that is within the realm of the power of Almighty God that he gives to those who keep his commandments and listen to his voice, as he speaks through the channels that he has ordained for that purpose.”

Closing Remarks
General Conference October 1973

The Will of The Lord for the Next Six Months

At the end of General Conference in 1973, President Harold B. Lee said,

“Now, you Latter-day Saints, I think you have never attended a conference where … you have heard more inspired declarations on most every subject and problem about which you have been worrying. If you want to know what the Lord would have the Saints know and to have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of the proceedings of this conference, and you will have the latest word of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned.”

Closing Remarks
October 1973 General Conference

Spirit of Elijah Applies to this Side of the Veil Too

Harold B. Lee taught,

“Now keep in mind this: that when the full measure of Elijah’s mission is understood, that the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children. It applies just as much on this side of the veil as it does on the other side of the veil. If we neglect our families here in having family home night and we fail in our responsibilities here, how could we feel that we are doing our full duty in turning the hearts of our children to their fathers.

“How would heaven be if we lost some of those we love through our own neglect? The blessings in heaven won’t be ours until we have done everything we can to save those whom the Lord has sent through our lineage. So, the hearts of you fathers and mothers must be turned to your children right now, if you have the true spirit of Elijah, and not think that it applies merely to those who are beyond the veil. Let your hearts be turned to your children, and teach your children; but you must do it when they are young enough to be properly schooled. If you are neglecting your family home evening, you are neglecting the beginning of the mission of Elijah just as certainly as if you were neglecting your genealogy research work.” 

Harold B. Lee, Priesthood Genealogy Seminar, 1973

Safety in Following Prophet

Harold B. Lee taught,

“The only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, “As he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me… as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.” (D&C 21:4-5) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.”

The Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, p. 126

The Most Important Commandment

When asked, ‘what is the most important commandment?,’ Harold B. Lee responded,

“The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you’re having the most difficulty keeping today. If it’s one of dishonesty, if it’s one of unchastity, if it’s one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you’ve been able to conquer that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s most difficult for you to keep.” 


Church News, May 5, 1973, p. 3