Some authority on matters of the soul

This will be one giant project divided into a few parts, but all in all, there will be 10 topics with 10 quotes from General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka: LDS, Mormon). Have you ever read the bible and thought, wow those people are stupid, someone is telling them exactly what's going to happen, or what they need to do to make everything better, yet they frustratingly ignore the wise words, shortly followed by a curse or pestilence or famine - to everyone's surprise every time? Well that cycle did not end with Malachi, it's still happening! And these are the men called by God, and sustained by the LDS people to be prophets, seers, and revelators, who know all truth, who know things are they are, were, and as they are surely to come. So sit back, and enjoy.

Education:

Your diligence in school now will qualify you to keep President Hinckley’s counsel in the future—to get all of the education you can. Decide now to do your best in school and at work. Then, when opportunities knock, you will be ready to open the door and take advantage of them. 

- Robert D Hales " To the Aaronic Priesthood: preparing for the decade of decision" April 2007 

 …You have an individual responsibility to seek learning

-Mary N Cook (First counselor in the Young Women General Presidency), Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do

Seek learning by studying diligently. Rarely will you be able to spend as much time dedicated to learning as you can now. 

-Mary N Cook (First counselor in the Young Women General Presidency), Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do

We encourage our youth in every country to get an education. Even if at times it seems hopeless. With determination and faith in the Lord, you will be blessed with success. It is a dream well worth pursuing.

-Boyd K Packer October 1992, “To Be Learned is Good If…”

Leaders of this Church have repeatedly emphasized the importance of education. It is a vital component of wisdom. Not long after the pioneers began construction of their temple in Illinois, they established the University of the City of Nauvoo. 

-Russell M Nelson October 1992, Where Is Wisdom?

Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility. Yet opportunities and abilities differ. I believe that in the pursuit of education, individual desire is more influential than institution, and personal faith more forceful than faculty.

-Russell M Nelson October 1992, Where Is Wisdom?

…We are concerned with teaching the fundaments of spiritual and secular knowledge and with bringing those teachings into harmony in the lives of men and women in order to prepare them for a balanced and full life of service to God and fellowman.

Dallin H Oaks, October 1971, Strive for Excellence

Rigorous standards and high achievement in any field of learning are not at odds with faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Strive for excellence, use the talents that the Lord has given you, meet and master the learning of men.

Dallin H Oaks, October 1971, Strive for Excellence

In those days I understood firsthand the words of an old saying: Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire… For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. 

-Dieter F Uchtdorf, October 2009, Two Principles for Any Economy

Brethren, you have a duty to learn as much as you can. Please encourage your families, your quorum members, everyone to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can.

-Dieter F Uchtdorf, October 2009, Two Principles for Any Economy

I am not a natural student, nor do I have a great internal drive to succeed. But when I pray for that motivation, and exercise faith in that prayer, the motivation usually comes. We don't take any of our possessions with us into the next life, but we do take our brains, and all the knowledge we gain in life. That is why education is important.

Fulfilling Potential:

When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and our power to act increase enormously.

-Dallin H Oaks April 2011 Word of Wisdom

These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. 

-Neil L Andersen, Oct 2012 Trial of Your Faith

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind."

-Richard G. Scott "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" Oct. 2010

“Great things are brought about and burdens are lightened through the efforts of many hands “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (D&C 58:27)"

- M Russell Ballard October 2012

For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. “Follow me,” He said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”As we follow Him, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible. 

-Robert D Hales October 2012, "Being a more Christian Christian"

True friends make it easier to live the gospel. They never make us choose between their ways and the Lord’s ways. They help us be the kind of person that attracts other true friends. And they help us become the kind of person a righteous companion can choose to be with forever.

- Robert D Hales To the Aaronic Priesthood: preparing for the decade of decision" April 2007 

As these examples highlight, the key characteristics associated with conversion are experiencing a mighty change in our hearts, having a disposition to do good continually, going forward in the path of duty, walking circumspectly before God, keeping the commandments, and serving with unwearied diligence. 

-David A Bednar October 2012 Converted Unto the Lord

The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions.

-D Todd Christofferson April 2011, As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten

Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.

- Neil L. Andersen October, 2012, Trial of Your Faith

In all of this, God’s purpose is that we, His children, may be able to experience ultimate joy, to be with Him eternally, and to become even as He is.

-D Todd Christofferson April 2011, As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten

Life is about more than just throwing parties and having a great time - whatever your judgement of that may be - it is a time of growth and learning. I am not a perfect person, contrary to popular belief, but one day, a trillion days from now, I can be. God knows me better than I know myself, He knows, as I am learning more and more, that I was created for greater things than I can comprehend, that I have the capacity to achieve greater things. The more I rely on Him, the better human being I become, and the better daughter of God I become.