O so wise words.

"In our day, many children grow up with 

distorted values because

 we as parents overindulge them. 

Whether you are well-to-do or, 

like most of us, of more modest means, 

we as parents often attempt to provide 

children with almost everything they want 

thus taking away from them

 the blessing of anticipating, 

of longing for something they do not have.

 One of the most important things

 we can teach our children is to deny themselves.

 Instant gratification generally makes for weak people. 

How many truly great individuals do you know 

who never had to struggle?"

-Elder Joe J. Christensen, 1999

"Giving really is at the 

heart of our faith.

At this Easter time, we again commemorate that "God [our Heavenly Father] so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son," who came to the earth and could have possessed any material thing but rather chose to give to all of us an example of a simple life free from any shade of greed, selfishness, or overindulgence. May we strive daily to live more like He lived, the ultimate example of a life of depth and meaning."

-Elder Joe J. Christensen, 1999