Weekly Entries for Week of April 6-12, 2009

Introduction to this week's theme:

We have intentionally avoided themes on Fridge for Thought so that the submissions can be driven by the unique interests and insights of the roommates and by the response of our adoring public. However, on occasion, we may choose a theme that seems appropriate for the current week. This week’s theme is inspired by the upcoming General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (this Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5). President Thomas S. Monson is beloved for telling personal stories from his life; he also frequently quotes favorite poems, songs, and other quotations from literature or the stage. So this week, each submission will come from President Monson’s cultural reference library. Feel free to comment on our submissions or suggest your own favorites (but alas, we will still only let you vote on ours). We hope you enjoy the submissions, that you will have pleasant recollections of hearing these references from the mouth of President Monson, and that you will get excited about learning from the inspired counsel we will hear from President Monson and the other church leaders in the upcoming Conference.

Entry 1

"They do not love that do not show their love"

President Monson quoting William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 1, scene 2, line 31.

Entry 2

President Monson quoting the song "Bring Him Home" from the musical "Les Miserables"

God on high, hear my prayer;
In my need you have always been there.
He is young, he's afraid;
Let him rest, Heaven blessed.
Bring him home.

"Brethren, as we go forward as bearers of the priesthood of God, learning our duty and then reaching out to our brethren who stand in need of our help, let us look upward to our Heavenly Father. And within our hearts we will recognize His unspoken plea, Bring him home."

Entry 3

“You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”

President Monson quoting "The Music Man"

Entry 4

The first quote is my entry, but I will include the surrounding paragraphs for context and for further demonstration of President Monson’s references to classic musicals.

Eliza Doolittle, the pupil of Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, observes of Colonel Pickering her philosophy: “The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated. I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins because he always treats me as a flower girl and always will. But I know that I shall always be a lady to Colonel Pickering because he always treats me as a lady, and always will.”

Here are the surrounding paragraphs:

"To merit this blessing, it is necessary for each of us to recall who is the Giver of every gift and the Provider of every blessing. “The worth of souls is great in the sight of God” is not an idle phrase but a heaven-sent declaration for our enlightenment and guidance. We must ever remember who we are and what God expects us to become. This pearl of philosophy is hidden away in the delightful musical Fiddler on the Roof, as the peasant father Tevye counsels his growing daughters. Other contemporary plays carry thoughts worthy of our consideration as we prepare for service.

"From the production Camelot comes the observation, “Violence is not strength, and compassion is not weakness.” From Shenandoah, “If we don’t try, we don’t do; and if we don’t do, then why are we here?” Eliza Doolittle, the pupil of Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, observes of Colonel Pickering her philosophy: “The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated. I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins because he always treats me as a flower girl and always will. But I know that I shall always be a lady to Colonel Pickering because he always treats me as a lady, and always will.” Again from Camelot, King Arthur pleaded with Guinevere, “We must not let our passions destroy our dreams.” The list continues. In reality, each magnificent observation is but a paraphrase of the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is our exemplar and our guide. It is in His footsteps we must walk to be successful in our priesthood callings."

Thomas S. Monson, “The Priesthood—A Sacred Trust,” Ensign, May 1994, 49