Quotes Concerning Abuse
Unfortunately, a few of you (sisters) may be married to men who are abusive. Some of them put on a fine face before the world during the day and come home in the evening, set aside their self-discipline, and on the slightest provocation fly into outbursts of anger.
No man who engages in such evil and unbecoming behavior is worthy of the priesthood of God. No man who so conducts himself is worthy of the privileges of the house of the Lord. I regret that there are some men undeserving of the love of their wives and children.
There are children who fear their fathers, and wives who fear their husbands. If there be any such men within the hearing of my voice, as a servant of the Lord I rebuke you and call you to repentance. Discipline yourselves. Master your temper. Most of the things that make you angry are of very small consequence. And what a terrible price you are paying for your anger. Ask the Lord to forgive you. Ask your wife to forgive you. Apologize to your children."
President Gordon B. Hinckley: Gen. Conf., Oct. 1996:
The families of Latter-day Saints ought to be "the best families under the heavens. "Brothers and sisters, there is much of trouble in the homes of our people. There is much of unkindness, of unkind words, of bitterness, of hatred even, in the homes of our people. We deal with it constantly. This is a day of repentance when you and I can turn around and face up to our responsibilities as husbands and wives, as fathers, as parents, and as children.
"The family is a creation of God. It is the basic unit of society. All else depends on it. If the family falls apart, the nation falls apart. There isn't the slightest question in my mind concerning that."
He said that Latter-day Saint families have more light and knowledge and understanding than is had by any other people on the face of the earth.
"Great are the blessings that are promised. Marvelous are the gifts of God, which are given us out of His love when we are so married. Take a good look at ourselves and see if we are the kind of husbands we ought to be. If we are the kinds of wives we ought to be. If we are the kinds of parents we ought to be. If we are the kind of children we ought to be."
"God didn't say that a woman was to be taken from a bone in the man's head that she should rule over him, nor from a bone in his foot that she should be trampled under his feet, but from the bone in his side, to be his companion, his equal, and his helpmeet in all their lives together."
President George Albert Smith
The best among you are those who are best to women folk.
Arabic Proverb
"If a man does not control his temper, it is a sad admission that he is not in control of his thoughts. He then becomes a victim of his own passions and emotions, which lead him to actions that are totally unfit for civilized behavior, let alone behavior for a priesthood holder."
--President Ezra Taft Benson-- CR, Oct. 1986:
"There appears to be a plague of child abuse spreading across the world. Perhaps it has always been with us but has not received the attention it presently receives. I am glad there is a hue and cry going up against this terrible evil, too much of which is found among our own. Fathers, you cannot abuse your little ones without offending God.
Any man involved in an incestuous relationship is unworthy to hold the priesthood. He is unworthy to hold membership in the Church and should be dealt with accordingly. Any man who beats or in other ways abuses his children will be held accountable before the great judge of us all. If there be any within the sound of my voice who are guilty of such practices, let them repent forthwith, make amends where possible, develop within themselves that discipline which can curb such evil practices, plead with the Lord for forgiveness, and resolve within their hearts henceforth to walk with clean hands."
Gordon B. Hinckley (From the Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley)