This is an exciting day for me and my wife. It is one we have looked forward to. We knew we would be with some forward looking youth in a wonderful setting. President Clark, Administrators, Faculty, Staff, and Students, I am honored to be with you. I express sincere thanks for the invitation to come to this very special university.
In planning to be with you, I have reflected on some of the beautiful thoughts others have expressed about gospel concepts. Some have purposely sought inspiration to be able to say in words what many of us feel in our hearts but don't always know how to express. Many of these thoughts and feelings have been put to music and we sing them as our hymns.
That may be why Elder Russell M. Nelson said:
"Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning and inspire us to endure to the end."[1]
Hymns are an important part of our worship services. But too often, we just sing the words and do not digest their meaning. Today I thought I would look a little more deeply at one such hymn. It is one that is easily learned and can be used to fill your mind with virtuous thoughts when needed. Elder Nelson also said: "We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them. Then if unworthy thoughts enter your mind, sing a hymn to yourself crowding out eh evil with the good."[2]
The hymn I talk about today contains some inspired words written by Sister Naomi Randall. They were slightly edited by a prophet and then put to music composed by Sister Mildred Pettit. This is found as hymn number 301 in our hymn book. My wife and I have had the privilege of hearing this lovely hymn sung in many different languages, but whatever the language, a sweet, peaceful feeling comes with it.
It begins with the remarkable realization that "I am a child of God." That he is the Father of my spirit - and your spirit as well. And what a unique and wonderful father we have. What is special for us is that we know what he looks like and what his purposes and intentions are. He knows everything. He has all knowledge. He is tremendously powerful because of his knowledge and goodness. But he knows and loves each one of us, as his child, in a way beyond what we can even imagine. He knows our name and what we think about and do. He has even said everything he does is to try and help us become like him. He also said:
"And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."[3]
What a wonderful offer!
He knows precisely how to obtain such a gift. In addition, he has told us how it can be ours, and then he lovingly encourages us to seek for it in all diligence. He sent his only begotten son to teach and show us what we need to do. We have learned we cannot earn this great blessing for others nor can anyone else earn it for us, even if they dearly want to. We each determine our own future.
There are not many in the world that have the knowledge we do about our Heavenly Father. That understanding should be a reason for us to live differently than the rest of the world. I have observed that it is easy to recognize those who know they are a child of God and who see life as a purposeful gift from Him. They understand this is part of a great plan developed before the earth was even organized. They realize their best choice is to accept whatever role Father has for them as part of that marvelous plan. It is obvious how much more contented and peaceful people are who live with such an understanding of Father and his great work, no matter what comes into their lives.
We should talk to our Father often in prayer. He hears us and wants to be close to us and help in our personal challenges. But when serious problems come and I desperately need help beyond my own abilities, I can only turn to Father. I don't want Him to think then that my voice is one He has not heard very often and that I only come to Him when I am desperate. There are countless blessings which should be acknowledged and given deserved words of gratitude. If we ever wonder what we should pray for, just begin by saying "Father, I want to thank you for..." and then there will be many things come to your mind you can talk about.
Jesus taught us the best way to really get to know our Father in Heaven. He said:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also..."[4]
The more we know about Father and His only begotten son, the more we will love them.
It is also good to remember the words given to us:
"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not his commandments."[5]
I have learned what it feels like to be a Father. My understanding greatly enlarged when we had children of our own. They brought a significant broadening to my concept of what love can be. I sincerely appreciate when my children come to me to talk about what they are doing, to share ideas and maybe even ask for counsel or help. I want to help them even though they must use their own agency in making decisions. I desperately want them to find happiness and contentment. I am pleased when I see they have learned true happiness comes to us only when we give it away to others.
The next part of this wonderful hymn acknowledges - "And he has sent me here." Since the beginning of mankind on the earth, the question has been asked - If God is so kind and loves me so much, why would he send me to a place where there is disease and dirt and earthquakes and terror and anger and hurricanes and sickness of all kinds and on and on?
Over 2000 years ago, a father named Lehi, gave the simple answer to that question to his son, Jacob.
"For it must needs be, that there is opposition in all things. If not so...righteousness could not be brought to pass..."[6]
There is no way to become like Father unless we learn what comes with mortality including how to face trials, and temptations properly. Each challenge of our life is an opportunity for a choice to be made and the summary of our choices determines our future.
Mother Eve learned that without a mortal body, our spirit could not understand the difference between health and sickness or between pleasure and pain or any other basic feelings. It is absolutely necessary for a spirit to be enveloped in a mortal body to learn and develop more fully. Mortal life is an important opportunity to experience, to overcome, to learn and to understand many things that could not be learned in any other way. Of great importance is that we see the challenges that come to us are for polishing and refining in the way we each need.
I think we live at a most unique and wonderful time. It has been talked about and looked forward to for many centuries. It is a blessing to be here and have the experiences that come to each of us, including those that we really do not want.
I believe we will all look back someday and realize that mortality was the perfect experience for us to grow and develop. The good times and the challenges will take on new perspective and will be seen as a loving effort to teach us what we couldn't learn any other way. It becomes very obvious as we get older that we become the result of the decisions we have made along the way, especially those we chose when challenges came to us.
We continue on with "Has given me an earthly home." We can't even imagine how to organize a world that will sustain many billions of people over thousands of years. When Jehovah and Michael completed their part of organizing the world, they stopped and looked and stated what a glorious and beautiful result had been achieved.
From the grandeur of Milford Sound in New Zealand to the pristine beauty of Sauniatu in Samoa, the Black Forest of Germany, the national parks of the U.S., beautiful waterfalls, the snow-capped Rockies, and many other features of this glorious and beautiful world have given me cause to truly marvel. We can't help but be in awe at the artistry, the beauty and imagination found in the animal world and in the fruits of the field. Sunrises and sunsets can be breathtaking. The formation of a rosebud with its pleasant aroma is one of a plethora of miracles. And it was all prepared just for us that we might experience mortality. And old counsel has been given that we should stop more often and smell the roses. Never be so caught up in the routine of life that you don't look around at a masterful creation and consider its purpose.
When we do that, we can understand the words he gave us:
"And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual...all things bear record of me."[7]
Life is lived best when we keep a vision of who we are and where we are and see God's hand in everything around us. When we do that we are not so focused on the hardships and distractions that will come.
What an ingenious concept family life is. We come into the world into arms of love because we have been given "Parents, kind and dear." They nurture us the best they can and before long, we become the parents. Then we have the responsibility to nurture others. If we ever felt mother and father could have done better for us, we have the opportunity to try and do better when it is our turn. But generally, we will gain greater appreciation for what father and mother did.
It is most important to Father in Heaven that his spirit children all have opportunity at mortality. And they should come as part of an organized, loving family with its inherent ancestry. That is the core and heart of life. It is recorded that Elohim, himself stated three times during the creative process that multiplying and replenishing this earth with his spirit children was a primary objective. Anyone who doesn't understand that doesn't really comprehend one of the major purposes for this earth and our being here.
Therefore, Satan puts great effort into thwarting that work. Our own fears of personal responsibility, abortions, relationships instead of marriage, or delaying marriage for worldly pursuits are results of his influence. Some insist on finding a perfect companion when they are not perfect themselves. Others are intent on seeking comforts, careers and gadgets before having children. Just hanging out without personal courting, and many other common practices are more evidence of Satan's influences. Anyone with an understanding of life and its purposes would never get caught up in such erroneous thinking.
There is beautiful sanctity about bringing other spirits into this world. We take part in providing them with a mortal body so they can benefit from this great gift called life. I shall never forget the feelings I had while being with my wife as a new life, we had helped create, joined us. There is nothing to compare with the sound of that first cry or the feel of a newly born baby. And that is only the beginning of the joy that can come with a loving family when they are helping each other live the ways of the true gospel. And as years go on, we begin to understand the meaning of joy in our posterity.
We have always appreciated that we had children even when we had very little to offer them except our love. That gave us a chance to see how the Lord helps those trying to do what is right, and he certainly did bless us. Our memories are full of the ways we were so richly blessed during some very financially lean years. And those children we were so concerned about have grown into healthy, happy and remarkable adults. They didn't have a lot of worldly things but they survived, appreciate life and we offer words of gratitude for each one of them every day.
We can see that the request to "Lead Me, Guide Me," can be answered in many ways. We have scriptures and Priesthood leaders to help understand the lessons of most value to learn. This is truly an age of information but we are very wise if we carefully seek knowledge that has eternal value. I have appreciated many teachers, with good friends and parents included among them. A very special and most valued teacher has been my dear wife and companion of more than 56 years. Her example and views of life have greatly added to my understanding of what is good and how I could make better decisions.
One thing we do know is that no matter how many sources or how much material is available, it is up to us personally to find how to benefit from them. And when we do,
"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."[8]
We also come to understand we never fully comprehend the joy and power of gospel principles until we actually live them.
In this wonderful hymn we are reviewing is a plea for help - "Walk beside me." There comes periods in every life when we seek comfort or understanding or forgiveness. That's when we yearn for the feeling that we are not alone and it can come when we seek for it. It may be in the darkness of night or the anguish of a terribly hard ordeal, but we are never alone. Peace will come whenever and wherever we may be if we turn in the right direction.
I cannot tell you how many times I have been visited by angels in the form of friends or family members who did or said just what I needed at that time. They proved conclusively that I am not alone. I think of Abraham at the altar of Elkenah or Joseph Smith in the sacred grove, both in moments of anguish crying out to Father and then having this wonderful response and help. We are also heard when moments of trial come to us and we seek for help. In the Lord's way He will assure us that we are not alone. That's when we come to understand the meaning of tender mercies. It is also interesting that such experiences help us to be that certain someone who understands when someone else needs comfort or assurance.
There is a reminder in the second verse of our hymn that we need to understand and do some very important things "Before it grows too late." Yes, there is a time when every knee will bow and we will confess who the Savior is. I imagine it to be a time of feeling love and understanding beyond anything we have even known or felt. But we will also see fairness and justice based on everything we have said or done or even thought with allowance for our repentance of wrongdoings. Every day we are preparing for that time.
Let us move on to the third verse of hymn #301. I would like to have all of you join with me as we sing this verse. As a reminder, it begins with "I am a child of God, rich blessings are in store." I trust you know the melody. So let us begin with that verse and please join in singing with me -
"I am a child of God. Rich blessings are in store
If I but learn to do His will, I'll live with Him once more.
Lead me, Guide me, walk beside me. Help me find the way
Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday."
How do we describe the rich blessings that are in store? Even God doesn't describe them in much detail. I assume that is because we don't have the vocabulary nor the experience nor the understanding to be able to comprehend what he has awaiting the faithful.
Here is what he says about the rich blessings in store for those who really want them.
"For thus saith the Lord - I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
"Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory, and to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
"Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
"And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven: and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
"For by my spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will - yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man."[9]
All of this can be ours; blessings beyond our comprehension and we will live with him once more - "If I but learn to do his will." Where can we learn his will? We begin by reading the scriptures, attending and listening carefully in our meetings and classes, and meditating on what we see and hear while the spirit teaches us.
But of all the people, you should be ones to understand you don't go from first grade directly into university-level studies. You don't become successful in significant professional roles by just wanting to be there. Nor do we become ready for exaltation and the rich blessings in store by just hoping for them. The only place on earth, you can gain all you need to know to return to Father properly, is through the temple ordinances.
There we will find instructions which have been given to us through revelation and can be received and understood only through personal revelation. This means we must develop lives where we have trust in the Lord and have learned to listen to his spirit and we have carefully prepared ourselves in every way to enter into this great house of learning. If this is truly our desire, then it can serve as the best motivation for how we live each day so we can enter the temple when the time is right.
The temple ordinances are all special experiences where you can have new thoughts and gain more understanding every time you witness one of them. You learn everything you need to know in the endowment about how to live in mortality in the most worthwhile way. You can even learn how to pass by guardian angels so you can successfully walk back to Father when the time is right.
Many of the overwhelming challenges and problems or mortality become much less important and more manageable when we reflect on what we are taught in the temple. It expands our vision of life. The peace and spirit found there is becoming more and more in contrast to the world around us and give pleasant relief from a troubled world.
The most significant blessings of the Priesthood can only be obtained in the temple. In fact the earth and all that has gone before is utterly wasted if the sealing covenant is not received by worthy couples and eventually sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Many set a goal of being married in the temple. I suggest it be the intent of everyone here to be sealed to a worthy mate in the temple and then let that covenant be the anchor and basis for everything you do the rest of your life. Being married in the temple is an important step but in itself, it is only part of the narrow path the Savior said leads to eternal life.
Perhaps, as we are confronted every single day with the overwhelming influences of Satan in our world, we would do well to let hymn number 301 run through our minds often. It will help us remember who we are and why we are here.
If we have not been to the temple yet, it will remind us that ultra rich blessings await us if we but learn and od God's will as taught there. If we ever think we are about as good as we can be, a few minutes reflecting on the Savior's experience in the Garden of Gethsemane will help us realize there are ways we can live much better to be more like him.
There are other hymns that stir our minds in reflection of wonderful truths of the gospel. I am grateful for poets and composers who express these concepts so beautifully. Truly the restored gospel defines the way of life that brings understanding and happiness. I know with all my heart it is God's words, given in love to help us. In addition, he has given us prophets so we can understand better and have true teachings to follow each day. A temple is truly the House of the Lord and another remarkable gift for those who seek for truth.
I have a deep sense of gratitude for the restored gospel. It helps me understand so much of what happens in my life, why it happens, and it gives a glimpse of an unimaginably wonderful future that is possible to have. It is for those who enter the strait gate and follow the narrow path which in our day has been clearly defined.
I know there are many prayers offered for you. Many times I have even heard prayers in the temple asking Father to give special watchful care over the youth of the church. We know you are facing some of the most difficult and subtle temptations that Satan has ever thrown at mankind. It seems possible your generation is facing the most devious and powerful efforts the adversary has ever put forward. We know that some will not resist them if they do not live with exactness and honor those truths taught by the gospel and especially those taught in the temple. We also know the tremendous responsibility given to latter-day saints. We are to carry the gospel message to the world and to assure temple blessings are made available to every soul who has been or will be on this earth. We pray that you can realize what it means to be a Latter-Day Saint.
May I join my prayer this day with those many other prayers for you. I pray that you will continually seek and follow the spirit in discerning the clear line between good and evil. I testify that God lives, we are his children, he has organized a beautiful world and sent us here to learn how to be more like him. He deeply wants us to return to Him. There is a clearly defined way to return to His presence. But it is up to each one of us to find and follow it and that requires sincere determination.
We can all say with honor and gratitude - I am truly a child of God, and if I but learn to do his will, I'll live with Him once more. We should remember that possibility is only there because of the resurrection, redemption and atonement given so freely to us from our Father through our Savior. We are truly blessed beyond our imaginations but we are wise if we sometimes stop and think about what it all means. This I humbly and gratefully testify.
Notes
[1] Russell M. Nelson, "The Power and Protection of Worthy Music," ensign, Dec, 2009, 13-17
[2] Russell M. Nelson, "The Power and Protection of Worthy Music," ensign, Dec, 2009, 13-17
[3] D&C 14:7
[4] John 14:6-7
[5] D&C 59:21
[6] 2 Nephi 2:11
[7] Moses 6:63
[8] D&C 130:18-19
[9] D&C 76:5-10