A Single Voice

Hi - these are some quotes from a book called, A Single Voice, by Kristen M. Oaks. She married Elder Oaks when she was 52. I think any of these quotes can apply to anyone, no matter their marital status. I found them uplifting and inspirational, I hope you do too. She quotes many of the apostles and prophets in her book, so some of the quotes are from them - which I have indicated. The rest are direct quotes from her.

You have the capacity and the power within you to achieve almost anything if you ask the Lord to guide your decisions.

“When we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle promptings. These require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle at times, and to act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively important matter or complex problem come all at once. More often, it comes a piece at a time, without the end in sight.” Elder Richard G. Scott

Many times we are not even conscious that our lives may be deviating in a direction away from our eternal salvation.

The Lord knows how difficult it is for many of us to make the right decisions at our spiritual switch points. He is mindful of us. He will help us experience the great power of His Atonement almost instantaneously. In Alma 34:31, He promises us, “For behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.”

“Your life is carefully watched over, as was mine. The Lord knows both what He will need you to do and what you will need to know. He is kind and He is all-knowing. So you can with confidence expect that He has prepared opportunities for you to learn in preparation for the service you will give. You will not recognize those opportunities perfectly, as I did not. But when you put the spiritual things first in your life, you will be blessed to feel directed toward certain learning, and you will be motivated to work harder. You will recognize later that your power to serve was increased, and you will be grateful.” Elder Henry B. Eyring

“Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle.”
President Thomas S. Monson

It is true that a highly educated, articulate, and successful woman might scare away some men, but conversely, she will attract a confident man who will respect her for her accomplishments.

“We all have the right to inspiration and direction by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. We all live far below our privileges. Many of us are missing some spiritual opportunities and blessings by letting ‘the things that should matter most in life be at the mercy of the things that matter least.’” Elder Boyd K. Packer

“When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.” President Ezra Taft Benson


“The crucial test of life…does not center in the choice between fame and obscurity, nor between wealth and poverty. The greatest decision of life is between good and evil.”
Elder Boyd K. Packer

I began to understand that it was not the size of my house but the size of my heart that would bring me the most complete happiness. It was not personal achievements but my appreciation of the Atonement that would bring me peace and satisfaction. It was the quality of my contact with Him and His Spirit that became paramount in my life.

Answers to prayer and revelation can help us craft new courses and directions for ourselves. These new courses may have little or no correlation with those we dreamed would bring us happiness but everything to do with the vision the Lord has of our celestial potential.

The best thing is to set a course for yourself that will bring you closer to Heavenly Father and give you more personal satisfaction.

“Goals reflect the desires of our hearts and our vision of what we can accomplish. Through goals and plans, our hopes are transformed into action. Goal setting and planning are acts of faith.” Preach My Gospel

When we have an eternal perspective our use of time changes dramatically. We are constantly choosing between the temporal and the eternal. Our choices are of consequence. Should we spend an afternoon shopping or doing service, watching television or attending the temple, surfing the Internet or reading the scriptures? These daily choices seem insignificant, but cumulatively they define the depth and breadth of our spiritual fiber and commitment. Be careful with your time.

Maintain your spiritual integrity. You do not have to lower your standards to find the company you seek, although the blessings you desire may come after your commitment is tried. You may have to forego the company of those who would drag you down before you meet those who will lift you up, but that is consistent with the Lord’s law of sacrifice.