Changed Quote by Heber J. Grant
“President Heber J. Grant often quoted the following statement, which is sometimes attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson: “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do-not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased.'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: General Conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, 1970
Repeated practice strengthens ability, not by changing the task but by increasing personal capacity.
In simple terms: Practice makes tasks easier for you.
Key Takeaway
Persist to build skill.
Themes
growth
perseverance
skill development
Mood
inspirational
educational
Type
spiritual
motivational
When to use this quote
- learning new languages
- musical training
- athletic coaching
Key Concepts
neuroplasticity
habit formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits can you repeat to improve?
- How does persistence change your confidence?
A Different Perspective
Skill acquisition still requires varied practice.
![“It was the afternoon of the day and the afternoon of his life, and his course was now westward down all the mountains into the sunset. [speaking about Ralph Waldo Emerson]” quote by John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/543/john-muir-678_life_it-was-the-afternoon-of-the-day-and-the_294547.jpg)
![“We sing and have done so constantly, "We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet to guide us in these latter days." [Hymns, no. 19.] There are a great many who . . . put a postscript to that and say: "Provided he guides us to suit our own fancies and our own whims." The prophets of God, from Joseph Smith…” quote by Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7f0/heber-j-grant-4570_latter-days_we-sing-and-have-done-so-constantly-we-t_135665.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
