Richard L. Evans
Richard L. Evans
Richard Louis Evanswas a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the president of Rotary International; and the writer, producer, and announcer of Music and the Spoken Word for forty-one years...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth23 March 1906
CountryUnited States of America
bitterness realizing judgment
The ever-present expectancy of death is never far removed from any of us - whether we realize it or not. None of us can avoid it. It comes alike to the great and to the unknown; to the righteous and to the unrighteous. Wherein we differ is not in our ability to avert it, but in the preparedness with which we meet it. At such times some question the judgments of God. Some find bitterness because of the circumstances and because of the seeming untimeliness of death.
honesty real sacrifice
Freedom cannot always continue in comfort and convenience, cannot be assured without sacrifice, without truth and decency, without willingness to work, without downright honesty and honor, and readiness to keep the commandments and live within the law...there is no liberty without a real respect for law; no liberty if we forget God, or fail to remember the principles on which freedom is founded.
real teaching heart
It is possible for two people who have wide differences of preference and opinion, of habits, of teaching, of training, of background and belief to enjoy the company of each other in many ways. Indeed, a diversity of friendships is one of life's real enrichments. To learn of the goodness of those who are unlike-their worth, their sincerity, their good hearts, their good minds, their good company-is rich and rewarding. It is wonderful to have a wide range of choice friends who can be counted on, friends who can be enjoyed and loved and trusted. Such is the meaning of friendship.
action
The undertaking of a new action brings new strength.
men safe action
Any man who can't control his thoughts can't control his actions, and any man who can't control his actions isn't safe in society.
work done
Someone has to do everything that is done.
two giving optimism
May I make two citations from the words of a discerning editorial writer, not one of my faith, but one of much faith: "If we neglect the divine . . . and give ourselves over wholly to the human," he said, "we may certainly count upon nothing but the triumph of pessimism. . . . True optimism must rest upon a calm, unshakable faith in eternal life and in the unlimited goodness of him who gives it."
temptation want ifs
If we don't want temptation to follow us, we shouldn't act as if we are interested. No one ever fell over a precipice who never went near one.
wise respect humility
Marriage requires the giving and keeping of confidences, the sharing of thoughts and feelings, respect and understanding always, marriage requires humility - the humility to repent, the humility to forgive. Marriage requires flexibility (to give and take) and firmness: not to compromise principles. And a wise and moderate sense of humor. Both need to be pulling together in the same direction.
children giving parent
What better can parents and children give to each other than respectful, understanding attention.
mistake men perspective
Too much pessimism has led too many men into making serious mistakes. And perhaps part of our pessimism comes because we are too close to ourselves to see in proper perspective.
listening important may
The interruption we now impatiently put off may be the most important thing we could be doing at this particular time?
temptation want ifs
If you don't want temptation to follow you, don't act as if you are interested.
life father grateful
But fortunately for us and for all men, it has not been given unto us to judge, nor to execute, nor to measure out the days and the years of men. We may be most grateful that such matters belong to the Lord God our Father, who sees things past and things to come. And, we may be grateful for the assurance that there is plan and purpose in this world, and in our own lives.