Quotes from James L. Ferrell

Being Mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends on how we view those who mistreat us.

Righteousness is simply a humble understanding of how unrighteous one is coupled with a deep commitment to become better.

As Michael pondered how shallow he had been, he was struck by another thought. It wasn't simply that he hadn't gone deep enough. It was rather that he had grown accustomed to wading in pools that had no depth to begin with. A turn toward holiness would be a turn toward a different life altogether - to a life where different things mattered than had mattered in the past. Did he desire such a life? He knew that of all the questions, this was the most important.

I believe that the scriptures, the Sabbath, and the temple [are] mediums of holiness extended into this unholy world.

Anything that makes me feel better (or worse) than another is darkness; anything that makes me feel one with others is divine. So the natural instinct to try to lift others by helping them to feel good about themselves relative to others is exactly the wrong way to help. True happiness is found not in a belief that I am better but in the obliteration of any need to be.

Remember three things. First, Christ took upon His own head the sins of those who have wronged us. Second, because of this, He stands between us and those whom we think have wronged us, asking us to realize that the Atonement is sufficient for those sins and to therefore repent of our grudges and give up our enmity. And finally, if we forgive, the Atonement fills us with what we have lacked and either washes away our pain, or sustains us in it.

Then the destruction of agency would be complete, and mankind would be left without a way for their hearts to be purified and cleansed. There would therefore be no way for any of us to return to the Father, where only the clean and pure can dwell. 'Is it any wonder, Ricky, that Satan looked up and laughed when he held the entire earth in his chains? On this night in Gethsemane, Satan is only one sin away from holding all creation in his hand.