or a hug, through laughter and unspoken demon-
strations of love. It comes in the quiet, reverent
moments of soft conversation, and in listening. It
comes from a still, small voice reminding us that we
are brothers and sisters, the children of a Heavenly
Father” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 91–92;
or Ensign,Nov. 1987, 75–76).
Achieving Unity through Loyalty
President J. Reuben Clark Jr.
“An essential part of unity is loyalty. There can be
no union where loyalty does not exist. Loyalty is
a pretty difficult quality to possess. It requires the
ability to put away selfishness, greed, ambition and
all of the baser qualities of the human mind. You
cannot be loyal unless you are willing to surrender.
There is no growth, mental, physical or spiritual,
unless there be some curtailment, some sacrifice
may I say, on the part of him who would be loyal.
His own preferences and desires must be put away,
and he must see only the great purpose which lies
out ahead” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 180).
Achieving Unity through Effective
Communication
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
“May our gracious and kind Heavenly Father help
us in our needs and desires for more effective family
communication. Communication can help build
family unity if we will work at it and sacrifice for it.
For this goal, I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 82;
or Ensign,May 1976, 54).
Elder LeGrand R. Curtis
“To have a time when the family meets at the
kitchen table may take considerable adjustment
and careful planning, but what could be of more
importance to the unity of the family, the spiritual
growth of the family, the bridges built between
members of a family as they talk, listen, and respond,
surrounded by love? Our major success is simply
trying—over and over” (in Conference Report, Apr.
1995, 110; or Ensign,May 1995, 83).
Blessings of Unity
President David O. McKay
“A child has a right to feel that in his home he has
a place of refuge, a place of protection from the
dangers and evils of the outside world. Family unity
and integrity are necessary to supply this need” (in
Conference Report, Apr. 1965, 7).President Gordon B. Hinckley
“I sense the great strength that can come of our
unity. There is little we cannot accomplish if we
will go forward with united hearts to do so” (in
Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 59; or Ensign,Nov.
1988, 48).Elder Richard G. Scott
“Marriage allows these different characteristics to
come together in oneness—in unity—to bless a
husband and wife, their children and grandchildren.
For the greatest happiness and productivity in life,
both husband and wife are needed. Their efforts
interlock and are complementary. Each has
individual traits that best fit the role the Lord has
defined for happiness as a man or woman. When
used as the Lord intends, those capacities allow a
married couple to think, act, and rejoice as one—to
face challenges together and overcome them as one,
to grow in love and understanding, and through
temple ordinances to be bound together as one
whole, eternally. That is the plan” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1996, 101; or Ensign,Nov. 1996, 74).Elder Henry B. Eyring
“The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, said of those
who would be part of His Church: ‘Be one; and if ye
are not one ye are not mine’ (D&C 38:27). And at
the creation of man and woman, unity for them in
marriage was not given as hope; it was a command!
‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall
be one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24). Our Heavenly Father
wants our hearts to be knit together. That union in
love is not simply an ideal. It is a necessity....
“The Savior of the world spoke of that unity and
how we will have our natures changed to make it
possible. He taught it clearly in the prayer He gave
in His last meeting with His Apostles before His
death. That supernally beautiful prayer is recorded
in the book of John. He was about to face the terribleUNITY 345