"...the measure of our offering to bless the poor is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "The Law of the Fast," General Conference, Apr 2001
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/the-law-of-the-fast?lang=eng

Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions

"Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "The Law of the Fast," Ensign, May 2001, p. 73
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/the-law-of-the-fast?lang=eng

"Our faith is the foundation upon which all our spiritual lives rest. It should be the most important resource of our lives. Faith is not so much something we believe; faith is something we live."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Shall He Find Faith on the Earth?," Ensign, Nov 2002, p. 83
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/11/shall-he-find-faith-on-the-earth?lang=eng

"Faith is absolute confidence in that which is in absolute conformity to the will of heaven. When we combine that confidence with absolute action on our part, we have faith."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Improving Our Prayers," Ensign, Mar 2004, p. 27
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/03/improving-our-prayers?lang=eng

He paid a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we can never pay

"How can we ever repay the debt we owe to the Savior? He paid a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we can never pay."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts," Ensign, May 2004, p. 43
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/05/earthly-debts-heavenly-debts?lang=eng

Debt is a form of bondage

"Remember this: debt is a form of bondage....

"Some debt—such as for a modest home, expenses for education, perhaps for a needed first car—may be necessary. But never should we enter into financial bondage through consumer debt without carefully weighing the costs."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts," Ensign, May 2004
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/05/earthly-debts-heavenly-debts?lang=eng

Our attempt to be like Him makes us better

“Even though we could never in this life measure up completely to His standard of excellence, our attempt to do so will lead us to do far better than otherwise.”

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony,” General Conference, Oct 1992
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/spiritual-bonfires-of-testimony?lang=eng