Former Seventy teaches BYU-Idaho students about building an eternal life

Elder Robert J. Whetten, a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to Brigham Young University-Idaho students about building pillars that anchor our souls to eternal life in a devotional address given Tuesday, November 27.

Elder Whetten began by relating an experience from the Mexico City earthquake of 1985. At that time, he was an executive of a large bank that had just been built near a major fault line. Shortly after the building's completion, the earthquake rattled the city, destroying many buildings near the bank. However, the bank was preserved thanks to pillars that anchored the building to solid ground.

He compared the bank to the lives of students, explaining that if they were to anchor their lives in solid ground, their lives would be preserved. He then listed the major pillars to a life anchored for eternity.

The first is a basic understanding of the eternal truth that God lives and is our loving Father. "He lives. You are His precious son or daughter. He knows you by name; He loves you and wants you to return to Him with your eternal family," Elder Whetten said.

The second anchor to our souls is the reality that Jesus is the Christ. "He is the author of our salvation. He has purchased us through his atoning sacrifice; He is the way, the truth and the life. He is our advocate with the Father," he said. 

Elder Whetten taught the third great pillar of eternal truth is that the Holy Ghost can be our companion, our tutor, and our teacher of the truth of all things.  Elder Whetten urged students to learn and live by the promptings the Holy Ghost will bring. "The Holy Ghost will never inspire us to do something contrary to the will of the Father concerning us, or to break one of His commandments. The adversary, however, will seek to mislead us and will try to use the same channels of communication - our emotions and feelings - as well as wrong thoughts that come into our mind," he said.

Regarding anchor four, the importance of eternal families, Elder Whetten reminded students that now is the time to begin a family. He encouraged students not to put off getting married and having children, reminding them of the great privilege to rear a family. 

Elder Whetten concluded with the final anchor. "To inherit eternal life you must have love in your souls; love for God your Eternal Father, love for your eternal family, and love for your fellowmen... Every unselfish act of kindness and service increases your spirituality. God would use you to bless others," he said.

Next week's devotional speaker will be Elder Richard E. Cook, managing director of the Perpetual Education Fund. 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.