Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters – Sister Dickson and I are delighted to be with you on this lovely campus today. We bring greetings from the Brethren and are honored to be so well received by President and Sister Clark, and all of you.
We acknowledge your good judgment in choosing this university for continuing your education and recognize your efforts to conform to the standards you keep as students here that make you unique in the world of higher education. Thank you.
I have a testimony of our loving Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ and Their plan for our eternal happiness. I testify that They know each of us personally and They want us to return to Their presence. Knowing that I am with a highly qualified group of young adults, possessing testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and hungry for light and truth, I have prayed for the wisdom and inspiration to help us better recognize our potential and encourage each of us to move with confidence toward eternal objectives. I have titled my talk “Our Celestial Journey.”
Let us, blessed with enlarged understanding because of the restoration, mentally continue a journey that we began during premortal life. That journey’s ultimate destination is the Celestial Kingdom of God. Hopefully this mental journey will help us have a sincere appreciation for our opportunities, obtain a greater desire for righteous living, and unwaveringly commit to secure our glorious, eternal destiny.
I testify of something you already know: that we lived before we came to planet earth. In the premortal stage of our journey we excitedly anticipated coming here to receive a mortal body and prove ourselves worthy of much more than what we find here, even an eternal, celestial existence. This type of existence is not some abstract concept regarding an uncertain future opportunity, but an exalted existence and lifestyle, the pursuit of which we commenced long before coming to earth.
To remind ourselves of the eternal nature of time and space, let us consider a powerful scripture found in the Book of Moses, chapter 1, verses 33 and 35: “And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.
“But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.”
Then, in Moses, chapter 7, verse 30, we read: “And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations;….”
With these scriptures in mind, let us take an elementary look at space and distance by traveling away from the earth for one light year, which would be the distance light travels in a vacuum in one year’s time at about 186,000 miles per second. At the speed of light one would cover the distance from here to the sun in about 8 minutes and 20 seconds, so we can just imagine the distance covered in a one year’s journey. Now that we have traveled one light year, let us travel that distance to the thousandth power, and then that distance to the millionth power and that to the billionth power, and that to the trillionth power and then continue to mentally repeat and traverse those incomprehensible distances for the rest of our days. Very early in this journey we would have traveled beyond the farthest reaches of the Hubble telescope and some might say, “But there has to be an end.” One might answer, “and then what, a wall? Or a bold sign saying, ‘the end of space?’” No, in terms of time and space, there is no end; time and space are truly infinite. That knowledge should help us understand that mortal life here on earth, comparatively is very, very short, even for those who live to an advanced age. President Kimball once said that (quote) “today is just a grain of sand in the Sahara of eternity.” (unquote) Yet, my brothers and sisters, I know that how we live that mortal life will have a tremendous impact on our future, eternal destiny. President Kimball continues: “We have also a hope in Christ for the eternity that lies ahead; otherwise, as Paul said, we would be ‘of all men most miserable.’”[1]
Let us each now consider our present situation in our celestial journey, whether we are single or married, young or old.
Sister Dickson and I, along with many others here, have been blessed with children and grandchildren. That precious blessing and responsibility, in due course, and according to Father’s plan, awaits you. These children excitedly wait in their premortal condition for their opportunity in mortality as you and I did a few short years ago. Your understanding of the plan of life and your response to this knowledge will have a tremendous impact on the little ones that will soon bless your homes. Our love for them should be so great that we already begin to concern ourselves with the effect our decisions, lives and attitudes will have on them and their celestial journey. Such an interest and mature thinking is not a normal occupation for young adults.
Your faithfulness, optimism and commitment will invite the greatest blessings of the sealing power and eternal relationships, while disinterest and lack of commitment would jeopardize and put these eternal opportunities at great risk. We must be careful to ensure that we live in such a way that our generations are eternally linked, blessed and ultimately exalted. We must help our children understand the reality of their celestial journey.
This means we would live in a manner that is distinct from the lifestyle of the world around us. You see, when people do not know who they are, including their eternal destiny and the Plan of Happiness, the keeping of commandments to help them become more like God means very little to them. If living by a certain pattern with elevated standards is to be meaningful to people, they need to know they are sons and daughters of God and have a vision of their eternal potential and destiny. Alma illustrated in Alma, chapter 12, verse 32, an important sequence in teaching others when he said, “Therefore God gave unto them commandments after having made known unto them the plan of redemption.…”
Do you see the sequence? First, we help people, including ourselves and our children, understand the plan of salvation so they know who they are, how they fit in, who the Savior is and what He has done. Then, with that understanding, the commandments can be taught, understood, and greatly appreciated. Brothers and sisters, we know who we are as children of the covenant with an eternal destiny. I pray that we will absolutely refuse to pattern our lives after those who do not know these things. Our observation of the world around us demonstrates that those who do not know who they are set very dangerous, unrighteous standards and patterns for today’s lifestyle. I believe if we get this concept of who we truly are and the journey we have embarked on, it will help tremendously in our pursuit of happiness and in raising and saving our children.
Restoration scriptures help us have great appreciation and excitement for life beyond mortality. Great comfort should come to each one of us in knowing that, although there are worlds without end and endless creations, God’s greatest joy doesn’t come from having so many things, but rather His work and His glory result in our physical and spiritual progress. He defines this progress in Moses 1:39, as our becoming immortal beings and being capable of returning to His presence. It is almost incomprehensible to realize what He wants for us. Understanding these things should cause us to repent, change our habits, long for, plan for, and enthusiastically live so as to qualify for our Father’s greatest eternal blessings.
This understanding should also inspire us to make righteous choices and help us avoid procrastinating our own repentance or delaying important events such as receiving sacred, saving ordinances, marriage and family. To do so could be a critical, eternal mistake.
Although a high percentage of our earthly associates just live and die here, our heavenly parents want us to become something nobler and more exalted as we move through this mortal experience. I invite each of you to seriously ask yourselves? “What am I becoming as a result of my mortal probation? Am I becoming stronger, wiser, more patient and kind, developing the attributes of the Savior, or am I slipping or at a stalemate?” If what we are doing does not move us closer to a celestial life, I suggest we make the needed adjustments that will lead to the outcome we desire.
The Lord knew our test would not be easy during this mortal experience, and after offering us all that He has in the oath and covenant of the priesthood, he strives to help us secure our worthiness with a special commandment. Section 84, verse 43, of the Doctrine and Covenants says: “And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.”
To “beware concerning ourselves” is a commandment and not a mere suggestion. I can hardly read that scripture without inserting my name and I invite you to insert your own. It is as if He were saying, “Elder Dickson, I love you, and I have sent you here to this beautiful and radiant planet with opportunities for personal growth and development on all sides. But, I warn you that there is great danger here, great danger to your very soul, and hence I command you to ‘beware concerning yourself.’” Be careful where you take your priesthood, be careful with your thoughts, with what you read and see, as well as the media and entertainment you seek. Please give “diligent heed to the words of eternal life” found in the holy scriptures and the prophets, and they will guide you on a path leading to everlasting peace and happiness.
You know, Brothers and Sisters, it would be one thing to live a celestial life in celestial surroundings, but it is required of us here on earth to demonstrate our ability to adhere to celestial principles while living in a telestial environment. Both the effort and the rewards of such an undertaking are incredible. We should feel grateful for the Savior’s love and perfect example as He led the way in such a challenging endeavor.
In spite of the danger, the Lord has allowed us to choose for ourselves and make our own personal decisions. Our use of moral agency is one of God’s greatest gifts while on our celestial journey. The adversary would force us, if he could, but he cannot; he has been given no such power. God could force us if he chose to, but He never will. There is great comfort in knowing that we are truly free to decide and to act for ourselves, yet we must know that we are responsible for those choices and they, combined with repentance and endurance, help determine what we will become. I believe that optimum development of the great gift of agency requires our following the promptings of the Spirit, keeping commitments and constantly adhering to principles of righteousness. Our proper and wise use of agency is the essence of the purposes which brought us to mortality.
We have only a few years of mortal probation, so I hope we continually ask what we can best do with this time-sensitive opportunity. At about age 19 it appeared, for a while, that my life might be very, very short. It became very clear to me that if not then, the day would come to leave this life, and continue the journey elsewhere. As such, one always needs to be prepared. This personal experience, over forty years ago, caused me, at about your age, to begin to think more about what I could take with me when I leave this life, and what would have to remain here. It was like thinking of packing a suitcase regarding things I could take and things I could not.
I brought a suitcase with me today. Let’s consider items that can go on a celestial journey and others that cannot. There is a thought-provoking scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 117, verse 8, that asks why it is that men “covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?” This scripture on priorities helps us recognize that the things the Lord knows to be best for us are not generally those things that mankind pursues, especially in today’s world. Rewording the question a little, we might ask: “Why is it that men tend to covet and pursue that which is temporary, trivial or unimportant, while neglecting weighty, important and eternal things?” A good axiom for us might be the following that has been expressed in various ways by different individuals: “Never give up that which matters most in pursuit of that which matters least.”
With this lesson in mind, let’s look at packing the suitcase. When I think of the weightier matters, things that must be packed for a celestial journey, my mind goes first to the Savior and everything associated with Him, including the priesthood and its ordinances that eternally bless our families. It would include the covenants we make and the blessings of the atonement, such as the resurrection and the effects of true repentance. When packing, then, we will want to make sure that our faith in the Savior and our testimonies of Him are absolute and that we are willingly following Him and effectively leading our families to Him. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ literally becomes a ticket to ultimately enjoy a celestial style of living and must be the primary element in our luggage.
Next, my mind goes to those to whom I am eternally sealed—my eternal companion, Sister Dickson, our children, our grandchildren, as well as our extended family, leading both into the future and into the past and our responsibility for them, including family history and temple work. Let’s make sure the “eternal family” is in place.
Next, reflecting on what matters most and what can be packed, it isn’t a matter of what we have accumulated, but what we have become. In His Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6:20, the Lord said, “Lay up not for yourselves treasures upon earth…But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
As much as Sister Dickson and I have enjoyed our modest home, we both know that when we leave this life, the house will not go with us, nor will any of the physical acquisitions we have made. What will go with us, however, is what we have become as a result of what was practiced, taught and pursued within the walls of our home and in our private and public lives. We quickly see that having our lives centered in Christ, while living prudently and within our budgets, will help us enjoy peace and righteous fulfillment rather than a frustrating existence centered mainly in the accumulation of wealth. Let us continue to examine ourselves to ensure that what we are becoming will properly fit a celestial journey.
Another weighty matter includes the appropriate relationships we develop with our fellowman. They become an important part of who we are and what we have become and can be safely packed to go.
Next, knowledge of true principles that we have worked for and gained will go with us and will comfortably fit in the suitcase. Remember: “The Glory of God is intelligence”[2] and that “whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.”[3] Knowledge, light and truth are essential.
Let us now consider some of the things that cannot go with us on a celestial journey. It is not just a matter of loading our suitcase, but we all must work to discard anything that does not properly belong in our celestial luggage. Sins will not fit. If we insist on transgressions being a part of our earthly journey and will not repent and forsake them, then the ultimate destination of our luggage and ourselves will have to change. Again, we must make sure we know who we are; we must be courageous and decisive about what we will become; and we must not be derailed by the influences of the world.
Oh! Oh! Here I find some sins that must be discarded. Please excuse me while I throw them out. Brothers and sisters, none of us are perfect and we all should be working on personal improvement. We remove sin through true repentance and by forsaking mistakes while continuing to worthily partake of the sacrament, thus enjoying the cleansing power of the atonement in our lives. For sins that would affect our standing or membership in the Church, confession to our local bishop is an important component.
Excuse me, but I believe I have found a sin that seems to be really stuck. You see, they become habits and then full blown addictions, unless we quickly discard them. They may be sins of using bad language, failure to keep the Word of Wisdom, vanity, lying, cheating, gossiping, pornography, other moral issues or a myriad of other things. I’m sorry but it really seems to be stuck. Maybe nobody knows about this problem but oneself, but he knows that the Lord knows and he cannot find peace until it is taken care of.
If you feel you have been especially tempted and are starting down the wrong road, or feel trapped because of a habit or an addiction, but have a desire to pack for a celestial journey and destiny, I invite you to do the following:
- Make sure that you want for yourself that which the Lord wants for you and humbly ask for His help and forgiveness.
- Have total faith in Jesus Christ, knowing, as explained in Alma, chapter 7, verses 11 and 12, that He has felt everything that you feel, including temptations as you feel them in the flesh, and that He can and will help you if you truly seek His assistance.
- With confidence openly discuss your situation with your bishop and understanding parents. Trust them.
- Although complete repentance may not be easy, do not let the adversary or anyone else, including yourself, tell you that your case is hopeless or that you cannot be clean. That is simply not true. With faith and trust in the Lord we can be clean.
As we move decisively and with great faith to overcome a challenge, we find tremendous joy and satisfaction—for so it is with those who earnestly strive to become sons and daughters of God.
As we pack our suitcases and prepare for the next phase of our celestial journey, I remind you of an incident in the New Testament regarding a rich young man that came seeking counsel from the Savior, then chose poorly. From Mark, chapter 10, verse 17, we read:
“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Then the Savior replied, starting in verse 19:
“Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
“And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”[4]
Over the years I have thought many times about this good, young man and as near as I can tell, nearly 2000 years ago he left this life and when he left, he took nothing with him other than what he had become. I truly feel that given the chance to re-prioritize, repack his suitcase if you will, with the vision and understanding that he now has, that he would do so without hesitation and with a wiser heart.
The feelings of the rich young man harmonize with the words of John Greenleaf Whittier when he said, “For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, ‘it might have been.’”
Well, my friends, unlike the rich young man, we are still here and we have additional time to examine and even repack our luggage as necessary. We never know how much time, but let’s give it our best effort during whatever time we have. As we do our best I know that the Savior can and will make up the rest, but we must do our best.
I know that the Lord knows each of you from beginning to end and wants you to excel and succeed. I pray that all of us will have the faith, courage, vision and desire to endure until we take our last breath. Jesus is the Christ; His Church and kingdom have been restored for the benefit of man. In our quest to righteously continue our journey and fulfill a celestial destiny, He has not left us alone. “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you”,[5] He said. I testify that He is there and has accomplished all that the Father sent Him to do and that He will do for you all He said He would do.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] 1 Corinthians 15:19
[2] D&C 93:36
[3] D&C 130:18
[4] Mark 10:19-22
[5] D&C 88:63