What you say, says a lot about you

I am a firm believer in the importance of clean language. A lot of people don't seem to think of unclean language as a serious sin, but it really does say (no pun intended haha!) a lot about one's characters, morals, values, etc. When I talk (pun #2?) about "clean language", I'm not just talking about refraining from cussing, but staying away from dirty jokes, and especially GOSSIPING. A lot of people seem to think that if they are masking their gossip as "simply discussing someone's behavior, trying to genuinely help a friend out" it is completely okay, which a lot of times can be just as destructive to the person being spoken about. I think it is best to "speak only good", both in content as well as individual words.  

"It’s the same mouth you use to pray, to bear testimony, or to bless the sacrament. Be careful to keep it clean." Robert D. Kellenbach, "Profanity" Conference September 1996

"Coach, there are men in the making on the practice field. Haven’t you learned that when a boy wants so much to succeed and he hasn’t pleased you, silence is more powerful than profanity?"Boyd K. Packer, "the Clean Voice of Youth", Conference January 1976

"It is a terrible thing for any human being to use the names of Deity in disrespect. And this includes the use of the name of the Lord without authority, and there are many people who claim revelations and claim authority who do not have it directly from the Lord." Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball speaks out on Profanity", Conference February 1981

 "We can teach youth that power in language doesn’t depend on expressions that are vulgar or profane the names of deity." John S. Gholdston, "Words of Darkness, Words of Light", Conference January 1992

"The people of God have always been commanded to abstain from language that is profane or vulgar. Latter-day Saints should understand why." Dallin H. Oaks, "Reverent and Clean", Conference January 1986

 “A noble and Godlike character is … the natural result of continued effort in right thinking” (James Allen, As a Man Thinketh [New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, n.d.], pp. 7–8).

"We should be a people of profound learning pertaining to the things of the world. We should be familiar with the various languages, for we wish to send missionaries to the different nations and to the islands of the sea. We wish missionaries who may go to France to be able to speak the French language fluently, and those who may go to Germany, Italy, Spain, and so on to all nations, to be familiar with the languages of those nations.” Brigham Young

 “Language is the pedigree of nations.” Samuel Johnson, "Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley"

 “To our young men I would like to say, prepare yourselves, not only financially as you have been urged to do, but also intellectually and morally and spiritually. Study languages. This gospel is not for the people of America only. This gospel is for the people of the earth, and we have incumbent upon us the obligation to learn to speak their tongues. If you be called to a foreign language mission, you will be better equipped if you have studied the language. If called to an English-speaking mission, you will understand your own language better.” Gordon B. Hinckley, "Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley"

 “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.” Joseph Smith