Dale G. Renlund Quotes - 37 quotes

 When we start with an inclination to believe, observation leads to faith. As faith grows, reason facilitates the transformation of faith into revelatory knowledge, and revelatory knowledge produces added faith.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 Personal revelation requires humility to corroborate and not concoct impressions. Observation, reason, and faith propel us to corroborate spiritual impressions. As we pray for inspiration, we compare our spiritual impressions with the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets. Impressions from the Spirit will align with these sources. We rely on personal revelation only within our own purview and not within the prerogative of others. When we seek revelation that is rightly the prerogative of others, it is easy to be deceived.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 Years ago, three acquaintances separately mentioned to me that they felt inspired that they were going to marry the same woman. None of the three had even gone on a date with her. I believe all three misinterpreted physical attraction and raging hormones as spiritual promptings. None of the three ended up marrying her. Heavenly Father respects agency and is unlikely to send promptings that violate the agency of someone else. He may prompt us to further action, but coercion will never be part of His plan.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 We shouldn’t try to force spiritual things. If we try to, we may rely on emotions that mimic spiritual promptings but are not. These emotions may include sentimentality, awe, empathy, excitement—or raging hormones.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 These disciples were to observe what was happening, use their reason to answer their own question, and come to the realization that Jesus was the Messiah. In this example, the Savior encouraged observation and reason to activate faith.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 To evaluate metaphorical fruit, one needs to observe and discern whether it is good or not. Again, the Savior asks us to discern truth by observation and reasoning.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 Faith will only grow by observation and reasoning, coupled with other spiritual work. In addition, observation, reason, and faith are often prerequisites not only to receive personal revelation but to understanding that revelation.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 His parables were simple stories comparing ordinary objects or events to illustrate a spiritual truth. He then asks us to reason our way to discern the underlying meaning.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 Those disinclined toward faith in God often over-rely on reasoning and look to explain away the hand of God. That is what happened on the day of Pentecost. Inclinations away from faith caused some to misinterpret this remarkable spiritual outpouring.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 Now today, I feel grateful to add my testimony to those other testimonies—to be one more apostolic voice in support of this temple challenge. I extend the promise of protection that’s been offered in the past. Brothers and sisters, I promise you protection for you and your family as you take this challenge, to “find as many names to take to the temple as ordinances you perform in the temple, and teach others to do the same.”...And if you accept this challenge, blessings will begin to flow to you and your family like the power of the river spoken of by Ezekiel. And the river will grow as you continue to perform this work and teach others to do the same. You’ll find not only protection from the temptation and ills of this world, but you’ll also find personal power—power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family together and heal that which needs healing.
- Dale G. Renlund
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 With our own advantages and disadvantages in mind, reflection is healthy. For John to understand why Anna got the bike was revealing. For Ruth to view Merla’s need for shoes through her mother’s eyes was enlightening. To try to see things with an eternal perspective can be clarifying. As we become more like the Savior, we develop more empathy, understanding, and charity.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Loving mercy means that we do not just love the mercy God extends to us; we delight that God extends the same mercy to others.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Am I doing enough? What else should I be doing? The action we take in response to these questions is central to our happiness in this life and in the eternities. The Savior does not want us to take salvation for granted. Even after we have made sacred covenants, there is a possibility that we may “fall from grace and depart from the living God.” So we should “take heed and pray always” to avoid falling “into temptation.”

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Increase your appreciation for and reliance on the Savior. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 And if you accept this challenge, blessings will begin to flow to you and your family like the power of the river spoken of by Ezekiel. And the river will grow as you continue to perform this work and teach others to do the same. You’ll find not only protection from the temptation and ills of this world, but you’ll also find personal power—power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family together and heal that which needs healing.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Our Heavenly Father’s goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 The consistency of pleas from prophets to reflect on the goodness of God is striking.4 Our Heavenly Father wants us to recall His and His Beloved Son’s goodness, not for Their own gratification but for the influence such remembrance has on us. By considering Their kindness, our perspective and understanding are enlarged. By reflecting on Their compassion, we become more humble, prayerful, and steadfast.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 How we deal with advantages and disadvantages is part of life’s test. We will be judged not so much by what we say but by how we treat the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 If we let Him, Jesus Christ will consecrate the unfairness for our gain.11 He will not just console us and restore what was lost;12 He will use the unfairness for our benefit. When it comes to how and when, we need to recognize and accept, as did Alma, that “it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case.”13 We can try to hold our questions about how and when for later and focus on developing faith in Jesus Christ, that He has both the power to make everything right and yearns to do so.14 For us to insist on knowing how or when is unproductive and, after all, myopic.15

- Dale G. Renlund

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 The greater the distance between the giver and the receiver, the more the receiver develops a sense of entitlement.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 One remarkable transformation was that of Alma the Younger. As Alma was “going about rebelling against God,”6 an angel appeared. With “a voice of thunder,”7 the angel chastised Alma for persecuting the Church and “stealing away the hearts of the people.”8 The angel added this admonition: “Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers … ; and remember how great things [God] has done for them.”9 Of all possible exhortations, that was what the angel emphasized. Alma repented and remembered. He later shared the angel’s admonition with his son Helaman. Alma counseled, “I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, … Isaac, and … Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.”10 Alma said simply, “I do put my trust in him.”11 Alma understood that by remembering deliverance from bondage and support during “trials and troubles of every kind,” we come to know God and the surety of His promises.12

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Do not let unfairness harden you or corrode your faith in God. Instead, ask God for help. Increase your appreciation for and reliance on the Savior. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better.26 Allow Him to help you persevere, to let your afflictions be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”27 Join Him in His mission “to heal the brokenhearted,”28 strive to mitigate unfairness, and become a stonecatcher.29

- Dale G. Renlund

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 When we consider the goodness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our trust in Them increases. Our prayers change because we know God is our Father and we are His children. We seek not to change His will but to align our will with His and secure for ourselves blessings that He wants to grant, conditioned on our asking for them.24 We yearn to be more meek, more pure, more steadfast, more Christlike.25 These changes qualify us for additional heavenly blessings. By acknowledging that every good thing comes from Jesus Christ, we will communicate our faith more effectively to others.26 We will have courage when confronted with seemingly impossible tasks and circumstances.27 We will strengthen our resolve to keep the covenants we have made to follow the Savior.28 We will be filled with the love of God, want to help those in need without being judgmental, love our children and raise them in righteousness, retain a remission of our sins, and always rejoice.29 These are the remarkable fruits of remembering God’s goodness and mercy.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 “The greater the distance between the giver and the receiver, the more the receiver develops a sense of entitlement.”

- Dale G. Renlund

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 In the exuberance of knowing that we can be saved and exalted, we need to remember that salvation and exaltation came at a great cost.21 We can be reverently joyful as we realize that without Jesus Christ, we are doomed, but with Him, we can receive the greatest gift Heavenly Father can give.22 Indeed, this reverence allows us to enjoy the promise “of eternal life in this world” and eventually receive “eternal life … even immortal glory” in the world to come.23

- Dale G. Renlund

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 In contrast, the Savior warned, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”30 I do not think that God is insulted when we forget Him. Rather, I think He is deeply disappointed. He knows that we have deprived ourselves of the opportunity to draw closer to Him by remembering Him and His goodness. We then miss out on Him drawing nearer to us and the specific blessings He has promised.31

- Dale G. Renlund

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 President Boyd K. Packer famously said: “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior” (Oct. 1986 general conference). As you evaluate your own behavior, have you ever asked yourself, “What specific doctrine, correctly understood, would motivate me to accept and make necessary changes in my life?” Once you have identified that doctrine, then you have a clear indicator of where your personal scripture study should effectively focus. Then your increased understanding can lead you to necessary behavior modifications. For missionaries or any of us who want to see a loved one make necessary changes in their lives, the added step to this process is once you correctly understand the doctrine, then you carefully, clearly, and lovingly teach that doctrine.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Good deeds are not sufficient. Salvation is not earned.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Always dealing honorably with others is part of loving mercy.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 A just person turns away from sin and toward God, makes covenants with Him, and keeps those covenants. A just person chooses to obey the commandments of God, repents when falling short, and keeps on trying.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Even when we have received revelation, it often takes acting in faith to understand how best to apply that information

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Rarely does revelation come with clear explanations of why we should do something. Rarely does revelation come with clear explanations of why we should do something.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Principle 1 Personal revelation requires work, including learning how the Holy Ghost communicates individually with us Principle 2 Personal revelation is facilitated by understanding and formulating questions from multiple angles. Principle 3 Personal revelation usually requires depending on and acting on incomplete understanding Principle 4 Personal revelation is iterative Principle 5 Personal revelation requires humility to corroborate and not concoct impressions.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 A third element of the framework is that personal revelation will be in harmony with the commandments of God and the covenants we have made with Him. Consider a prayer that goes something like this: 'Heavenly Father, Church services are boring. May I worship Thee on the Sabbath in the mountains or on the beach? May I be excused from going to church and partaking of the sacrament but still have the promised blessings of keeping the Sabbath day holy?' In response to such a prayer, we can anticipate God’s response: 'My child, I have already revealed my will regarding the Sabbath day.'"

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Would you seek financial advice from someone who is broke and in debt? Would you ask for medical advice from a charlatan snake oil salesman?… So why would you entrust your eternal welfare to those who are spiritually bankrupt because they have ripped up in doubt what they once planted in faith? Or who as Jeremiah said have forsaken Christ, the fountain of living waters and hewed them out broken cisterns that can hold no water. These individuals have walked away from that fountain of living waters and want you to trust in something that doesn’t hold water.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 Faith can atrophy in at least three ways: 1. Faith atrophies if we stop actively building our faith. This happens when we harden our hearts or we become self-satisfied with our status quo. This is doing the opposite of what President Nelson encouraged us to do: we stop studying, stop choosing to believe, stop acting in faith, stop participating in ordinances, and stop asking God for help. 2. Faith atrophies when we actively choose to go back down the faith curve. This happens when we become disobedient and stop repenting. 3. Faith atrophies when we shift our inclination away from faith toward skepticism and doubt. Recall those individuals in Lehi’s vision who made it to the tree of life, partook of the fruit, and then looked around “as if they were ashamed.”41 In that vision the fruit represents the blessings Jesus Christ can bestow because He accomplished His atoning sacrifice. The ashamed people represent those of us who pay attention to those who demean, ridicule, or scoff at our faith. Lehi noted, “For as many as heeded them, had fallen away.”42 If we shift our inclination away from faith and pay attention to distracting voices, we will fall away. In all three ways, faith atrophies and we receive less and less until we lose all that we had previously received. We lose the companionship of the Holy Ghost and ultimately “know nothing concerning” the mysteries of God.

- Dale G. Renlund

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 President Russell M. Nelson taught that we gain faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement by (1) studying about Jesus Christ, (2) choosing to believe in Him, (3) acting in faith, (4) partaking of sacred ordinances worthily, and (5) asking our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.37 As we do so, something remarkable happens: faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement not only grows but can be transformed into the spiritual gift of knowing “that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world”38—for your sins and for mine. This transformation occurs when we keep the commandments of God, remain faithful, and continue to be willing to receive more and more. We will then come “to know the mysteries of God . . . in full”39 and know all things.

- Dale G. Renlund

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