Attention Quote by Howard W. Hunter
“To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to look back to see where he has been, his chances of straying are increased. The results are crooked and irregular furrows...Fix your attention on your...goals and never look back on your earlier problems…If our energies are focused not behind us but ahead of us--on eternal life and the joy of salvation--we assuredly will obtain it.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: "The Power of Focus", General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, 1975
Maintaining forward‑looking focus prevents distraction and keeps one’s path straight, leading to consistent progress toward spiritual and personal goals.
In simple terms: Stay focused on future goals, not past problems.
Key Takeaway
Keep eyes forward, avoid looking back.
Themes
focus
discipline
spiritual growth
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
motivational
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal development
- career planning
- spiritual practice
- overcoming setbacks
Key Concepts
goal‑setting
attention control
faith
Questions to Reflect On
- What current goal requires your undivided attention?
- How can you prevent past failures from influencing present actions?
A Different Perspective
Looking back can cause doubt and loss of momentum.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
