Max Checketts, academic vice president at Brigham Young University-Idaho, taught students about walking the path of righteousness in a devotional address given Tuesday, April 1.

Checketts began by relating an experience of hiking through Yellowstone Park, explaining that hiking cross-country using GPS technology had taught him many lessons on how to navigate the paths of life. To successfully navigate, Checketts said, we must start at the right location, have essential guidance from overhead, and follow the path rather than make our own way.

"Most of us here have started our journey at the right location. By participating in the ordinance of baptism, we have started on the pathway that brings eternal happiness. In our lives, we must rely upon the spirit many times to help bolster our confidence to strengthen our faith, to remind us of what we already know. Following the path is much easier than making your own way. It's true when you're hiking in Yellowstone Park. It is eternally true as we journey through this mortal life," Checketts said.

At many points along the path, all are tempted to succumb to disappointment and pain and ask "why" instead of asking "how." Checketts illustrated this principle with the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "This verse [Alma 7] is the only place in Scriptures, to my knowledge, that it appears there seems to have been yet another purpose of the atonement, speaking again of the Savior and his suffering ... ‘and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy.' Have you ever thought that there was no way that Jesus could know the suffering which we undergo as result of our stupidity and because he was sinless except he bear those sins of ours in what I call the awful arithmetic of the atonement."

Checketts then related the story of W.W. Phelps, a close friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Phelps had left the Church and became very bitter and angry towards Joseph Smith. Later, realizing the error of his ways, Phelps wrote the Prophet in hopes of receiving forgiveness. The Prophet recognized the worth of Phelps' repentant soul and returned him to full fellowship. Phelps went on to write several hymns that are now much beloved in the Church.

"We recognize the tragedy that could have been W.W.'s lot had he not come back into the Church," Checketts said. "What a loss to the Saints if Brother Phelps had not written these beautiful hymns of praise and truth. Brother Phelps helps show how a struggling human, a son of God, can proceed along the path. He had great confidence in the Prophet Joseph Smith... Because of the relationship with Joseph, W.W. also developed a strong witness of the Savior."

Checketts concluded with his testimony of walking the path of righteousness. He encouraged all to walk the path and follow the life and example of those who have gone before. "W.W. Phelps is not the best example to follow. For me his story demonstrates the importance of repenting and getting back on the path.  Each time we sing one of the sacred hymns written by Brother Phelps, may we remember the path and be grateful for the way provided by the Savior," he said.

This was the concluding devotional address of Winter Semester 2008. The opening devotional of Summer Semester 2008 will be given by President Kim B. Clark and his wife, Sister Sue Clark, on Tuesday, April 22.

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.