Elder Robert K. Dellenbach, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught Brigham Young University-Idaho students about the importance making good decisions in a devotional address given Tuesday, October 17.

"It has been said the gates of history turn on very small hinges," Elder Dellenbach said. "Often a small decision leads to great consequences."

Throughout his address, Elder Dellenbach gave numerous examples of small decisions that produced great consequences, such as President Hinckley's first sketch of a smaller temple for Church members in northern Mexico, the decision two converts made to be baptized, and Elder Dellenbach's refusal of alcohol at a toast with prominent members of the Soviet Union.

"It is those one-by-one, day-by-day, hour-by-hour decisions we make which will set the course of our lives," Elder Dellenbach said.  Punishing destruction can take place in our lives by making one bad decision, he added.

"Growing up on the farm we had a saying:  ‘If you pick up one end of the stick, you pick up the other.' Why do not the purveyors of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and pornography show you the other end of the stick? Why don't they portray the broken homes, deaths, the maiming, the incredible devastating consequences of these substances which destroy mind and body?" Elder Dellenbach said.

Satan and his legions are watching for those who falter. "They never rest nor sleep; they stay at it all the time and in all conditions," Elder Dellenbach said. "Although one good decision may deter them, they will return, and they will try even more subtle ways to wound your Achilles heel-I guarantee it!" 

Sometimes it can be difficult to see the long-term effects of our decisions. "You can see the seeds in an apple, but can you see the apples in a seed?" Elder Dellenbach said, praising his wife and the decision he made years ago to marry her in the Manti Utah Temple.

"My admonition to each of you is to seek out your eternal companion and work very hard to be sure your companionship is a fulfilling and rewarding experience for both of you every day," Elder Dellenbach said.  One word that can help us make good decisions is ‘never' - to decide never to participate in immoral acts, take illicit drugs or do other destructive activities that will damage our bodies and spirits.  "There is power in the word ‘never'. Use it. Stand by it," Elder Dellenbach said.

Elder Dellenbach concluded by describing the millennial generation of Church members who will become leaders and the point of the spear of the gospel.

"Behind you in the shaft of that spear stands all of the authority, priesthood, doctrine, ordinances, covenants, testimonies and sacrifices of those who have gone before," Elder Dellenbach said. "You will minister the healing balm to those who are in spiritual agony. You will reach out and ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees.' Upon your shoulders rests the salvation of literally millions of God's children.  Your ministering will bring living waters to those in a parched spiritual desert, and your testimony will feed the spiritually starving masses."

Next week's devotional speaker will be Sister Christine Christensen, a mother and educator. Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel and Kirkham Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.