--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our failure to be a \"peculiar\" people in…" description: "\"“Our failure to be a \"peculiar\" people in maintaining our standards, despite the jeers and the criticisms of the crowd, will be our failure to be chose..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/harold-b-lee-7452_church-members_our-failure-to-be-a-peculiar-people-in-m_610733.jpg" --- # Our failure to be a "peculiar" people in maintaining our… ![“Our failure to be a "peculiar" people in maintaining our standards, despite the jeers and the criticisms of the crowd, will be our failure to be chosen for that calling to which we are called. The Lord has told us, "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen" (D&C 121:34), and then in the…” quote by Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/harold-b-lee-7452_church-members_our-failure-to-be-a-peculiar-people-in-m_610733.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/harold-b-lee-7452_church-members_our-failure-to-be-a-peculiar-people-in-m_610733.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/harold-b-lee-7452_church-members_our-failure-to-be-a-peculiar-people-in-m_610733.jpg) > ““Our failure to be a "peculiar" people in maintaining our standards, despite the jeers and the criticisms of the crowd, will be our failure to be chosen for that calling to which we are called. The Lord has told us, "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen" (D&C 121:34), and then in the same revelation points out two reasons why men fail of their blessings. The first reason he gives is that their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and the second is that they aspire so much to the honors of men. So then as Church members let us beware lest we set our hearts upon the things of this world and lest we aspire so much to the honors of men that we compromise our standards. If we do so, we will be cut off in the Day of Judgment and will lose our blessings. Our reward for daring to live the gospel despite the oppositions from the outside world will be to have blessings added upon our heads forever and forever.”” [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that focusing on worldly desires and seeking human approval leads to spiritual failure and loss of divine blessings. **In simple terms:** Worldly focus and pride can ruin spiritual destiny. Key Takeaway Prioritize divine standards over worldly praise. Themes faith humility spiritual integrity obedience Mood solemn reflective inspirational Type scriptural admonitory motivational When to use this quote - church leadership - personal decision‑making - teaching - missionary work Key Concepts LDS doctrine self‑control eternal perspective Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure success? - What standards guide your choices? A Different Perspective Worldly pressures and desire for approval can be hard to resist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Outside world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outside-world/) ## Related quotes > [Don't blame everyone else from how you became a failure because it was you who chosen that path to walk along](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-hayward/don-t-blame-everyone-else-from-how-you-became-a-failure-because-it/) [Courtney Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-hayward/) > [The people who misuse the Sabbath lose the blessings of spiritual food and growth promised to those who keep this commandment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-people-who-misuse-the-sabbath-lose-the-blessings-of-spiritual/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-lose-count-while-naming-your-blessings-than-to-lose-your-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.” Maltbie D. Babcock (1858–1901) WRITER AND CLERGYMAN”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/better-to-lose-count-while-naming-your-blessings-than-to-lose-your/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [As I say, it never ceases to amaze me how gullible some of our Church members are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/as-i-say-it-never-ceases-to-amaze-me-how-gullible-some-of-our-church-2/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“As I say, it never ceases to amaze me how gullible some of our Church members are..." Admonitions for the Priesthood of God", Ensign,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/as-i-say-it-never-ceases-to-amaze-me-how-gullible-some-of-our-church/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [Missionary work is but home teaching to those who are not now members of the Church, and home teaching is nothing more or less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/missionary-work-is-but-home-teaching-to-those-who-are-not-now-members/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“There are many who profess to be religious and speak of themselves as Christians, and, according to one such, “as accepting the scriptures only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/there-are-many-who-profess-to-be-religious-and-speak-of-themselves-as-2/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“The Scriptures explicitly distinguish between the two calls. Of the subjects of the one it is said, "Many are called, but few are chosen."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-alexander-hodge/the-scriptures-explicitly-distinguish-between-the-two-calls-of-the/) [Archibald Alexander Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-alexander-hodge/) > [“Many are called, but few chosen “ (Matt. xx. 16). This external call is insufficient to salvation, yet sufficient to leave men without excuse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/many-are-called-but-few-chosen-matt-xx-16-this-external-call-is/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“The difference between the called and chosen is the chosen choose what God called them to, no matter where the choice takes them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-d-blackwell/the-difference-between-the-called-and-chosen-is-the-chosen-choose/) [Hope D. Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-d-blackwell/) > [Many are called but few are chosen. There are sayings of Christ which suggest that the Church he came to establish will always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norman/many-are-called-but-few-are-chosen-there-are-sayings-of-christ-which/) Edward Norman > [“Many are called, few are chosen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hoffman/many-are-called-few-are-chosen/) [Paul Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hoffman/) > [Many have called but the chosen is you. Whatever you want shawty I'll give it to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/many-have-called-but-the-chosen-is-you-whatever-you-want-shawty-i-ll/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) > [“Everyone cannot elevate or even revelate at the same time and/or season; an appointment to elevation can result from being specially chosen...like fruit that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-bond/everyone-cannot-elevate-or-even-revelate-at-the-same-time-and-or/) [Tracey Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-bond/) ## More by Harold B. Lee > [“It was to accomplish this lofty purpose basic to all liberty that God “established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/it-was-to-accomplish-this-lofty-purpose-basic-to-all-liberty-that-god/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [It's all right to pull the cow out of the mud on Sunday, provided that you don't push him in on Saturday night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/it-s-all-right-to-pull-the-cow-out-of-the-mud-on-sunday-provided-that/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [ \[W\]e declare it is a grievous sin before God to adopt restrictive measures in disobedience to God's divine command from the beginning of time… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/w-e-declare-it-is-a-grievous-sin-before-god-to-adopt-restrictive/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/you-must-learn-to-walk-to-the-edge-of-the-light-and-then-a-few-steps/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“It is good to be faithful. It is better to be faithful and competent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/it-is-good-to-be-faithful-it-is-better-to-be-faithful-and-competent/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [Just as a flood-lighted temple is more beautiful in a severe storm or in a heavy fog, so the gospel of Jesus Christ is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/just-as-a-flood-lighted-temple-is-more-beautiful-in-a-severe-storm-or/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [We can be the best taught people on the face of the earth but the trouble is we don't live as well as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/we-can-be-the-best-taught-people-on-the-face-of-the-earth-but-the/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“Whether at home or in church, your thoughts and your conduct should be always in harmony with the spirit and purpose of the Sabbath.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/whether-at-home-or-in-church-your-thoughts-and-your-conduct-should-be/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [The heaviest burden that one has to bear in this life is the burden of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/the-heaviest-burden-that-one-has-to-bear-in-this-life-is-the-burden/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“Unless every member of this church gains for himself an unshakable testimony of the divinity of this church, he will be among those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/unless-every-member-of-this-church-gains-for-himself-an-unshakable/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [I only ask to go where the Lord would have me go, and only to receive what the Lord would have me receive, knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/i-only-ask-to-go-where-the-lord-would-have-me-go-and-only-to-receive/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you, but what happens inside of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/happiness-does-not-depend-on-what-happens-outside-of-you-but-what/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [“Marriage is a partnership. Someone has observed that in the Bible account of the creation woman was not formed from a part of man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/marriage-is-a-partnership-someone-has-observed-that-in-the-bible/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [Remember that, brethren. You cannot destroy the appointments of the prophets of God. The Lord knows whom He wants to preside in His Church,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/remember-that-brethren-you-cannot-destroy-the-appointments-of-the/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [The most important message that I can give to you and to all the world is to keep the commandments of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/the-most-important-message-that-i-can-give-to-you-and-to-all-the/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) [Explore all 91 Harold B. Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) ## More Church members quotes > [“Don’t waste your time trying to explain yourself to people that are committed to misunderstanding you. Instead, commit your time to explaining who they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/don-t-waste-your-time-trying-to-explain-yourself-to-people-that-are/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Plenty of church members are shaky about what they believe, while not many are shaken by what they believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/plenty-of-church-members-are-shaky-about-what-they-believe-while-not/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord's Church, the members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the Savior,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-saint-in-the-lord-s-church-the-members-are/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [To a large extent, the American church has become merged with the world. It has adopted so many of the world's ideals and standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-a-large-extent-the-american-church-has-become-merged-with-the/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There are ten church members by inheritance for every one by conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-ten-church-members-by-inheritance-for-every-one-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like my parents, I have never been a regular church member or churchgoer. It doesn't seem plausible to me that there is the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/like-my-parents-i-have-never-been-a-regular-church-member-or/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The same church members who yell like Comanche Indians at a ball game on Saturday sit like wooden Indians in church on Sunday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-same-church-members-who-yell-like-comanche-indians-at-a-ball-game/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [“The practical consequence of both of the teachings noted is to encourage homosexual promiscuity. Church members can engage in many short-term liaisons without raising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-wink/the-practical-consequence-of-both-of-the-teachings-noted-is-to/) [Walter Wink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-wink/) > [“What are you doing personally to make your church family more warm and loving? There are many people in your community who are looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/what-are-you-doing-personally-to-make-your-church-family-more-warm/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Churches must extend their influence beyond the lives of church members to impact the broader community that they serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/churches-must-extend-their-influence-beyond-the-lives-of-church/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) > [We made four feature films with Sherwood Baptist. The wonderful thing was the church (members) volunteered. It was an awesome atmosphere of attitudes. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kendrick/we-made-four-feature-films-with-sherwood-baptist-the-wonderful-thing/) [Alex Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kendrick/) > [Jim Jones used highly-edited videos and photos of Jonestown, showing what a supposed Eden it was. 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They don’t let all their dirty laundry hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-knight/the-superior-types-he-points-out-are-also-sinners-of-course-they-are/) [George R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-knight/) Browse all 88 Church members quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Our failure to be a \"peculiar\" people in maintaining our standards, despite the jeers and the criticisms of the crowd, will be our failure to be chosen for that calling to which we are called. The Lord has told us, \"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen\" (D&C 121:34), and then in the same revelation points out two reasons why men fail of their blessings. The first reason he gives is that their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and the second is that they aspire so much to the honors of men. So then as Church members let us beware lest we set our hearts upon the things of this world and lest we aspire so much to the honors of men that we compromise our standards. If we do so, we will be cut off in the Day of Judgment and will lose our blessings. Our reward for daring to live the gospel despite the oppositions from the outside world will be to have blessings added upon our heads forever and forever.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harold B. 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