Marion G. Romney Quotes & Sayings

Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made. — Marion G. Romney

Lehi, in counseling his son Jacob, makes a very challenging statement: "All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." (2 Ne. 2:24.) If I interpret this statement correctly, it means that one's wisdom is proportionate to his knowledge. This being so, how insignificant is the wisdom of man, which is based upon his limited mortal experience, when compared with the wisdom of God, which is based upon his knowledge of all things. — Marion G. Romney

Not only does inspiration from the Lord compensate for want of facts; it also induces men by self-discipline, to conform in their personal conduct and in their dealings one with another to the highest standards they know. In other words, it gives men the capacity which distinguishes wisdom from knowledge. — Marion G. Romney

I believe in study. I believe that men learn much through study. As a matter of fact, it has been my observation
that they learn little concerning things as they are, as they were, or as they are to come without study. I also
believe, however, and know, that learning by study is greatly accelerated by faith. — Marion G. Romney

No, the Lord doesn't really need us to take care of the poor, but we need this experience; for it is only through our learning how to take care of each other that we develop within us the Christlike love and disposition necessary to qualify us to return to his presence. — Marion G. Romney

How can we give if there is nothing there? ... Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak. — Marion G. Romney

Now, we have the Holy Ghost. Each one of us who is a member of the Church has had hands laid upon his head and has been given, as far as an ordinance can give it, the gift of the Holy Ghost. But, as I remember, when I was confirmed, the Holy Ghost was not directed to come to me; I was directed to "receive the Holy Ghost." If I receive the Holy Ghost and follow his guidance, I will be among those who are protected and carried through these troubled times. And so will you, and so will every other soul who lives under his direction. If ye are prepared, ye need not fear. — Marion G. Romney

In this modern world plagued with counterfeits for the Lord's plan, we must not be misled into supposing that we can discharge our obligations to the poor and the needy by shifting the responsibility to some governmental or other public agency. Only by voluntarily giving out of an abundant love for our neighbors can we develop that charity characterized by Mormon as "the pure love of Christ." (Moro.7:47) This we must develop if we would obtain eternal life. — Marion G. Romney

The only motive strong enough to induce men to exercise the self control required by the religion of Jesus is love. — Marion G. Romney

The efficacy of our prayers depends on how much we care for one another. — Marion G. Romney

Forgiveness is as wide as repentance. — Marion G. Romney

When we resist the counsel of the Lord, we manifest stubbornness and rejection of his inspired guidance. — Marion G. Romney

The key to happiness is to get the spirit and keep it. — Marion G. Romney

We lose our life by serving and lifting others. By so doing we experience the only true and lasting happiness. Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made. Oh, for the glorious day when these things all come naturally because of the purity of our hearts ... We are truly happy only when we are engaged in unselfish service. Service is what godhood is all about. — Marion G. Romney

The truth is that we are saved by grace only after all we ourselves can do. (See 2 Ne. 25:23.) There will be no government dole which can get us through the pearly gates. Nor will anybody go into the celestial kingdom who wants to go there on the works of someone else. Every man must go through on his own merits. We might just as well learn this here and now. — Marion G. Romney

The possession of a true testimony is the most valuable possession that one could have. It gives one knowledge, the hope and assurance that one, through obedience, can be a partaker of all the promised blessings. — Marion G. Romney

It is perfectly evident ... that to thank the Lord in all things is not merely a courtesy, it is a commandment as binding upon us as any other commandment — Marion G. Romney

Prayer is the means by which men communicate with God. Revelation is the means by which God communicates with men. — Marion G. Romney

There is an interdependence between those who have and those who have not. The process of giving exalts the poor and humbles the rich. In the process, both are sanctified. — Marion G. Romney

We must live so that men seeing us will know that we are living by the principles of eternal life. — Marion G. Romney

The Holy Ghost converts [us] from carnality to spirituality. It cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul ... Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and water baptism are all preliminary and prerequisite to it, but [the baptism of fire] is the consummation. To receive [this baptism of fire] is to have one's garments washed in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. — Marion G. Romney

Living the gospel of Jesus Christ is the price of-and the only way to-peace. — Marion G. Romney

Prayer is the instrument of miracles. — Marion G. Romney

The whole problem is spirituality-not finances. Spiritually strong = welfare strong. — Marion G. Romney

We will see the day when we live on what we produce. — Marion G. Romney

Many people correctly make the point that our only hope is to turn to God. For example, Charles Lindbergh, who said that in his young manhood he thought "science was more important than either man or God," and that "without a highly developed science modern man lacks the power to survive," ... went to Germany after the war to see what Allied bombing had done to the Germans, who had been leaders in science. There, he says, "I learned that if his civilization is to continue, modern man must direct the material power of his science by the spiritual truths of his God." — Marion G. Romney

Receiving the Holy Ghost is the therapy which effects forgiveness and heals the sin-sick soul. — Marion G. Romney

Pondering is, in my feeling, a form of prayer. — Marion G. Romney

My soul has made its greatest growth as I have been driven to my knees by adversity and affliction. — Marion G. Romney

The principle of self-reliance grows out of a fundamental doctrine of the Church, that of agency. Just as each individual is accountable for his choices and actions in spiritual matters, so also is he accountable in temporal matters. It is through our own efforts and decisions that we earn our way in this life. While the Lord will magnify us in both subtle and dramatic ways, he can only guide our footsteps when we move our feet. Ultimately, our own actions determine our blessings or lack of them. It is a direct consequence of both agency and accountability. — Marion G. Romney

Peace has been variously defined, but perhaps we might think of it as 'harmony within one's self, and with God and man.' — Marion G. Romney

Self-Reliance is a prerequisite to the complete freedom to act. — Marion G. Romney

When earth life is over and things appear in their true perspective, we shall more clearly see and realize what the Lord and his prophets have repeatedly told us, that the fruits of the gospel are the only objectives worthy of life's full efforts. Their possessor obtains true wealth - wealth in the Lord's view of values. We need constantly to deepen our understandings and sharpen our realization of what the fruits of the gospel are. The Lord has defined them as ... peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. — Marion G. Romney

It has always seemed somewhat paradoxical to me that we must constantly have the Lord command us to do those things which are for our own good. — Marion G. Romney

While the Lord will magnify us in both subtle and dramatic ways, he can only guide our footsteps when we move our feet. — Marion G. Romney

Whenever I have a serious problem or some assignment of a creative nature ... I always receive more assistance in the early morning hours than at any other time of the day. — Marion G. Romney

Every choice one makes either expands or contracts the area in which he can make and implement future decisions. When one makes a choice, he irrevocably binds himself to the consequences of that choice. — Marion G. Romney

Now there are those among us who are trying to serve the Lord without offending the devil. — Marion G. Romney