Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Patience", Ensign, Oct. 1980
“Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best-better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Continue in Patience", Ensign, May 2010
“Patience-the ability to put our desires on hold for a time-is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter. Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.”
Thomas S. Monson, “Patience, a Heavenly Virtue,” Ensign, Sept. 2002
“Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Continue in Patience,” Ensign, May 2010
“Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?”, October 2007 General Conference
“Enduring to the end implies “patient continuance in well doing” ( Romans 2:7), striving to keep the commandments (see 2 Nephi 31:10), and doing the works of righteousness (see D&C 59:23). It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in Heaven and make wise choices, including paying our tithes and offerings, honoring our temple covenants, and serving the Lord and one another willingly and faithfully in our Church callings and responsibilities. It means strength of character, selflessness, and humility; it means integrity and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means making our homes strong places of defense and a refuge against worldly evils; it means loving and honoring our spouses and children.”
Neal A. Maxwell, “Plow in Hope”, April 2001 General Conference
“Since the Lord wants a people “tried in all things” ( D&C 136:31), how specifically will we be tried? He tells us, I will try the faith and the patience of my people (see Mosiah 23:21). Since faith in the timing of the Lord may be tried, let us learn to say not only, “Thy will be done,” but patiently also, “Thy timing be done.””
Russell M. Nelson, “These … Were Our Examples”, November 1991 Ensign
“Patience is a divine attribute. The Book of Mormon invites us to “come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men.” ( Mosiah 4:6.) Although choir members are not perfect, each one seemed to epitomize scriptural counsel to “continue in patience until ye are perfected.” ( D&C 67:13.) If they can do it, each of us can also develop that precious talent of patience.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope”, October 2008 General Conference
“In the language of the gospel, this hope is sure, unwavering, and active. The prophets of old speak of a “firm hope” [ Alma 34:41] and a “lively hope.” [ 1 Peter 1:3] It is a hope glorifying God through good works. With hope comes joy and happiness. [See Psalm 146:5] With hope, we can “have patience, and bear … [our] afflictions.” 22 [ Alma 34:41]”
Neal A. Maxwell, “Endure It Well”, April 1990 General Conference
“Paul wrote of how, even after faithful disciples had “done the will of God,” they “[had] need of patience.” ( Heb. 10:36.) How many times have good individuals done the right thing initially only to break under subsequent stress? Sustaining correct conduct for a difficult moment under extraordinary stress is very commendable, but so is coping with sustained stress subtly present in seeming routineness. Either way, however, we are to “run with patience the race that is set before us” ( Heb. 12:1), and it is a marathon, not a dash.”
Franklin D. Richards, “Patience—An Essential Virtue”, April 1968 General Conference
“Our need for continual patience is greatest with our loved ones, our family. Here is where we may be the most impatient, but here is where patience pays the greatest dividends. Nothing is sweeter than to watch a loving parent patiently teach his child the right way. A father stood by his small son in a swimming pool. The boy wanted so much to learn to swim. The father patiently showed him how. Day after day they returned to the pool, the father always evidencing patience and appreciation for the boy's efforts. This same method is used by truly successful parents in teaching their children the lessons of life—social, moral, intellectual, and spiritual as well as physical: telling, showing, over and over, until the lesson is learned, always with patience, love, and appreciation of every evidence of progress, no matter how small.”
Personal Statement:
Patience is an attribute that I will be working on for every day for the rest of my life. Patience is a need with and for all people. This is so because Heavenly Father is always patient with us. Every time we do wrong and commit sin, He is willing to forgive us. When others do wrong, do we have that same attitude in that we are willing to forgive them. I know that as we are patient with others, we will be able to feel more presence of the Spirit with us. Heavenly Father will be pleased with us because we are showing love to His children. The other person who all of us should have patience with is ourselves. I know that I get mad at myself a lot. If I were to have patience with myself, I know that I could get a lot more done more effectively. When we pray to have patience, don’t expect the next day to have patience but opportunities that will help you to develop patience.
