Robert D. Hales Quotes & Sayings

All men and women
including young men and young women
should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low cut in the front or back or revealing in any other manner. Tight pants, tight shirts, excessively baggy clothing, wrinkled apparel, and unkempt hair are not appropriate. All should avoid extremes in clothing, hairstyle, and other aspects of appearance. We should always be neat and clean, avoiding sloppiness or inappropriate casualness. — Robert D. Hales

When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures. — Robert D. Hales

The temple is a sacred edifice, a holy place, where essential saving ceremonies and ordinances are performed to prepare us for exaltation. It is important that we gain a sure knowledge that our preparation to enter the holy house and that our participation in these ceremonies and covenants are some of the most significant events we will experience in our mortal lives. — Robert D. Hales

Gratitude is a divine principle: 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.' (D&C 59:7.) This scripture means that we express thankfulness for what happens, not only for the good things in life but also for the opposition and challenges of life that add to our experience and faith. We put our lives in His hands, realizing that all that transpires will be for our experience. When in prayer we say, 'Thy will be done,' we are really expressing faith and gratitude and acknowledging that we will accept whatever happens in our lives. — Robert D. Hales

How we live our religion is far more important than what we may say about our religion. — Robert D. Hales

Often we do not know what we can endure until after a trial of our faith. — Robert D. Hales

For the sacrament to be a spiritually cleansing experience each week, we need to prepare ourselves before coming to sacrament meeting. We do this by deliberately leaving behind our daily work and recreation and letting go of worldly thoughts and concerns. As we do, we make room in our minds and hearts for the Holy Ghost. — Robert D. Hales

We were not sent by Father in Heaven just to be born. We were sent to endure and return to Him with honor. — Robert D. Hales

None of us marry perfection; we marry potential. — Robert D. Hales

As disciples of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to work together with like-minded believers, to raise our voices for what is right. — Robert D. Hales

To the young members of the Church, I promise that if you will listen, you will feel the Spirit well up within you. The Lord will tell you what He wants you to do with your life. — Robert D. Hales

When young men prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament in worthiness and reverence, they literally follow the example of the Savior at the Last Supper and become like Him. — Robert D. Hales

Through the Savior's Atonement and by following these basic patterns of faithfulness, we receive "power from on high" to face the challenges of life. We need this divine power today more than ever. — Robert D. Hales

All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior's example to serve and bless others. — Robert D. Hales

Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others. — Robert D. Hales

When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most. — Robert D. Hales

Work together as a family, even if it may be faster and easier to do the job ourselves. Talk with our sons and daughters as we work together. — Robert D. Hales

What is the definition of a friend? Friends are people who make it easier to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. — Robert D. Hales

Preparing for the ups and downs of life. — Robert D. Hales

Without God, life would end at the grave and our mortal experiences would have no purpose. Growth and progress would be temporary, accomplishment without value, challenges without meaning. There would be no ultimate right and wrong and no moral responsibility to care for one another as fellow children of God. Indeed, without God, there would be no mortal or eternal life.
If you or someone you love is seeking purpose in life or a deeper conviction of God's presence in our lives, I offer, as a friend and as an Apostle, my witness. He lives! — Robert D. Hales

Pursue your goals with all your heart, might, mind and strength. You are doomed to failure if you pursue them in a vacillating manner — Robert D. Hales

Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. — Robert D. Hales

Suffering is universal; how we react to suffering is individual. Suffering can ... be a strengthening and purifying experience combined with faith, or it can be a destructive force in our lives if we do not have the faith in the Lord's atoning sacrifice. The purpose of suffering ... is to build and strengthen us. We learn ... obedience by the things we suffer. We should be humbled and drawn to the Lord. — Robert D. Hales

The more I live, the more I recognize that the teaching moments in my youth, especially those provided by my parents, have shaped my life and made me who I am. It is impossible to overestimate the influence of parents who understand the hearts of their children. — Robert D. Hales

I promise you in [Jesus] name that if you pray with a sincere desire to hear your Heavenly Father's voice in the messages of this conference, you will discover that He has spoken to you to help you, to strengthen you, and to lead you home into His presence. — Robert D. Hales

It is impossible to overestimate the influence of parents who understand the hearts of their children. Research shows that during the most important transitions of life - including those periods when youth are most likely to drift away from the Church - the greatest influence does not come from an interview with the bishop or some other leader but from the regular, warm, friendly, caring interaction with parents. — Robert D. Hales

Are there times in our lives when we think we have been forsaken by God, or by our fellow men, or by our families? Those are moments when we have to turn to Christ and endure. — Robert D. Hales

It has always touched my heart to sense so deeply how much the Father loved His eldest son. — Robert D. Hales

I learned respect for womanhood from my father's tender caring for my mother, my sister, and his sisters. Father was the first to arise from dinner to clear the table. My sister and I would wash and dry the dishes each night at Father's request. If we were not there, Father and Mother would clean the kitchen together. — Robert D. Hales

Most of us know someone who would say, 'If you want to be my friend, you'll have to accept my values.' A true friend doesn't ask us to choose between the gospel and his or her friendship ... A true friend strengthens us to stay on the strait and narrow path. — Robert D. Hales

Every one of us is more beloved than we can possibly understand or imagine. Let us therefore be kinder to one another and kinder to ourselves. — Robert D. Hales

Does this mean we will always understand our challenges? Won't all of us, sometime, have reason to ask, 'O God, where art thou?' Yes! When a spouse dies, a companion will wonder. When financial hardship befalls a family, a father will ask. When children wander from the path, a mother and father will cry out in sorrow. Yes, 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' Then, in the dawn of our increased faith and understanding, we arise and choose to wait upon the Lord, saying, 'Thy will be done.' — Robert D. Hales

To find the gifts we have been given, we must pray and fast. Often Patriarchal blessings tell us the gifts we have received and declare the promise of gifts we can receive if we seek after them. I urge you each to discover your gifts and to seek after those that will bring direction to your life's work and that will further the work of heaven. — Robert D. Hales

The events and prophecies of our time are preparing us for the Savior's Second Coming. — Robert D. Hales

Oh, how we need general conference! Through conferences our faith is fortified and our testimonies deepened. And when we are converted, we strengthen each other to stand strong amid the fiery darts of these last days. — Robert D. Hales

Whatever the needs of family members may be, we can strengthen our families as we follow the counsel given by prophets. — Robert D. Hales

We are learning, day by day, about the gift of agency that allows us to experience the consequences, good and bad, of our own choices. — Robert D. Hales

We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants-through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others. — Robert D. Hales

Too often we pray to have patience, but we want it right now! — Robert D. Hales

Whenever we choose to come unto Christ, take His name upon us, and follow His servants, we progress along the path to eternal life. In our mortal journey, it is helpful to remember that the opposite is also true: when we don't keep the commandments or follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, our opportunities are reduced; our abilities to act and progress are diminished. — Robert D. Hales

We learn to endure to the end by learning to finish our current responsibilities, and we simply continue doing it all of our lives. We cannot expect to learn endurance in our later years if we have developed the habit of quitting when things get difficult now. — Robert D. Hales

In addition to inviting us to hold personal and family scripture study, Heavenly Father wants us to regularly study and apply what we have learned in conference. I testify that those who put their trust in the Lord and heed this counsel in faith will gain great strength to bless themselves and their families for generations to come. — Robert D. Hales

There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. If we will be obedient and if we are diligent, our prayers will be answered, our problems will diminish, our fears will dissipate, light will come upon us, the darkness of despair will be dispersed, and we will be close to the Lord. — Robert D. Hales

As disciples of Christ, we have a sacred obligation to uphold His laws and commandments and the covenants which we take upon ourselves. — Robert D. Hales

We are all welcome to come into the waters of baptism. He was baptized to witness to His Father that He would be obedient in keeping His commandments. He was baptized to show us that we should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. — Robert D. Hales

The gift of the Holy Ghost, given to us when we are confirmed, gives us the ability to discern the difference between the giving ways of the kingdom of God and the taking practices of the world. — Robert D. Hales

Obedience makes us progressively stronger, capable of faithfully enduring tests and trials in the future. Obedience in Gethsemane prepared the Savior to obey and endure to the end on Golgotha. — Robert D. Hales

To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments and enduring to the end. — Robert D. Hales

Never make someone have to choose between your ways and the Lord's ways. And always make sure that you're making it easier to live God's commandments for those who are by your side and who are your friends. — Robert D. Hales

Agency used righteously allows light to dispel the darkness and enables us to live with joy and happiness. — Robert D. Hales

Come walk the path that leads to eternal happiness, joy, and everlasting life in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. — Robert D. Hales

If you are there for the Lord, He will be there for you. If you love Him and keep His commandments, you will have His Spirit to be with you and guide you. — Robert D. Hales

The greatest blessings of general conference come to us after the conference is over. Remember the pattern recorded frequently in scripture: we gather to hear the words of the Lord, and we return to our homes to live them. — Robert D. Hales

Sometimes we forget that our Heavenly Father desires that each of us have this joy. — Robert D. Hales

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil — Robert D. Hales

When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. — Robert D. Hales

The blessings we enjoy now are because we made the choice to follow the Savior before this life. To everyone hearing or reading these words, whoever you are and whatever your past may be, remember this: it is not too late to make that same choice again to follow him. — Robert D. Hales

Your Heavenly Father needs you. His work, under the direction of our Savior Jesus Christ, needs what you are uniquely prepared to give. — Robert D. Hales

In the Lord's service the path is not always easy ... But in serving Him, we discover that His hand is truly over us. — Robert D. Hales

He set the example for all of us to humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father. — Robert D. Hales

Be the kind of friend who makes it easier for others to obey the commandments when they are with you. — Robert D. Hales

As Latter-day Saints, we need not look like the world. We need not entertain like the world. Our personal habits should be different. Our recreation should be different. Our concern for family will be different. As we establish this distinctiveness firmly in our life's pattern, the blessings of heaven await to assist us. — Robert D. Hales

Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. — Robert D. Hales

Each of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life — Robert D. Hales

We have not been left alone. We have the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost to lead and guide us in an otherwise very dark and dreary world. — Robert D. Hales

In some quiet way, the expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing nature. Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike. Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace - a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don't have. — Robert D. Hales

How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities. — Robert D. Hales

As we follow [the Savior], He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we've never before thought possible. — Robert D. Hales

By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate - not isolate - ourselves from the world. — Robert D. Hales

Prayer is an essential part of conveying appreciation to our Heavenly Father. He awaits our expressions of gratefulness each morning and night in sincere, simple prayer from our hearts for our many blessings, gifts, and talents. Through expression of prayerful gratitude and thanksgiving, we show our dependence upon a higher source of wisdom and knowledge - God the Father and his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are taught to 'live in thanksgiving daily.' (Alma 34:38.) — Robert D. Hales

Study the scriptures; pray morning and night; keep a near, well-groomed appearance; follow a schedule; set and achieve goals; be honest in all your dealings; keep commandments; and always live the standards revealed by prophets. — Robert D. Hales

It is not how you start the race or where you are during the race-it is how you cross the finish line that will matter. — Robert D. Hales

We will not fall, we will not fail; for our homes will be founded on Jesus Christ. — Robert D. Hales

We may not know when or how the Lord's answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary. — Robert D. Hales

You and I were among those who used their agency to accept Heavenly Father's plan to come to earth, to have a mortal life, to progress. "We shouted for joy ... to have the opportunity of coming to the earth to receive bodies [for we knew] that we might become, through faithfulness, like unto our Father, God." Now we are here on earth, where opportunities to use our agency abound; for here "there is an opposition in all things." This opposition is essential to the purpose of our lives. — Robert D. Hales

Waiting upon the Lord gives us a priceless opportunity to discover that there are many who wait upon us. Our children wait upon us to show patience, love, and understanding toward them. Our parents wait upon us to show gratitude and compassion. Our brothers and sisters wait upon us to be tolerant, merciful, and forgiving. Our spouses wait upon us to love them as the Savior has loved each one of us. — Robert D. Hales

Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, all these things shall be for our experience, and our good. — Robert D. Hales

As I recognized the beauty of the earth, I knew that my Heavenly Father loved me. — Robert D. Hales

The Lord said, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.' (John 14:15.) Our obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments is the greatest expression of love and gratitude that we can bestow upon him. — Robert D. Hales

I want to help you "fly right" in the gathering storms of the last days. You are the pilots. You are responsible to think about the consequences of every choice you make. Your righteous choices will keep you from getting off course. — Robert D. Hales

What is said is not as important as what [you] hear and what [you] feel. — Robert D. Hales

As our understanding of obedience deepens, we recognize the essential role of agency. — Robert D. Hales

If ye love me keep my commandments — Robert D. Hales

True friends don't hold us back spiritually or pull us down when we're trying to rise and progress. True friends protect us. True friends help us be better than we would be on our own. — Robert D. Hales

Now is the time to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, which means accepting His invitation to 'come, follow me' (Luke 18:22). This is the decision we made in our premortal lives. Now we must make it again here in mortality, every day, in every situation by taking the Savior's name upon us, remembering His atoning sacrifice, and keeping His commandments. This we covenanted to do when we were baptized, and we have the opportunity to renew those covenants each week as we partake of the sacrament. — Robert D. Hales