“[James and John] knew that the God of Israel—the same Jesus in whose presence they then stood—had sent fire from heaven at Elijah’s word to consume the enemies of that ancient prophet. (2 Kings 1.) They knew also that the same merciful God would destroy the wicked by fire at his Second Coming. (Mal. 4:1.) What they had yet to learn was that for their dispensation, under the conditions which then existed … , the gospel message was to go forth with charity, patience, forbearance, and long-suffering. …
“… Though they were unaware of its source, James and John were here influenced in their proposal by a spirit from beneath rather than a Spirit from above” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary,3 vols. [1965–73], 1:440).
“To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation. …
“The Savior is the greatest example of how we should respond to potentially offensive events or situations” (“And Nothing Shall Offend Them,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 90).
“To dig a straight furrow [or trench], the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to look back to see where he has been, his chances of straying are increased. The results are crooked and irregular furrows. … If our energies are focused not behind us but ahead of us—on eternal life and the joy of salvation—we assuredly will obtain it” (“Am I a ‘Living’ Member?” Ensign, May 1987, 17).
“Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with ‘good things’ so there is no room for the essential ones” (“First Things First,” Ensign, May 2001, 7).
“Those who have entered the waters of baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost have set their feet on the path of discipleship and are charged to follow steadily and faithfully in the footsteps of our Savior” (“Saints for All Seasons,” Ensign or Liahona, Sept. 2013, 5).
“Our Savior, Jesus Christ, who sees from the beginning to the end, knew very well the road He would travel to Gethsemane and Golgotha when He proclaimed, ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’ (Luke 9:62). In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go” (“Look Ahead and Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 17).