"Selecting the Higher Road"
Elder W. Craig Zwick
February 13, 2001
It is both a privilege and an honor to speak to you on this occasion. Every time my wife and I visit this campus, we marvel at the enormous force for good you represent. You are indeed the future leaders who will shape this world. You will do that by building your own families and applying all you learn while you are here.
Representing your parents, we hope you know how much we love you and how happy we are because of the good choices you are making. Our feelings are similar to the apostle John when he said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 1:4).
I am grateful to be here on the eve of Valentine's Day with my best friend, my eternal sweetheart. We both have such a genuine love for the single adults of the world, that this is a very nice way to enjoy Valentine's together. Like each of you, we feel deep admiration for President and Sister Bednar. He is highly qualified academically to lead you, but even more importantly, has been called by the Lord to be here at Ricks College right now for you. Listen to him and apply his teachings in your life. Watch how he treats his wife and let their example be a model for you in all you will become. This will be as important as anything you are taught here at Ricks College.
I thank you individually for the quiet prayers you have offered in your hearts in preparation to be taught today. I know that if our combined faith is sufficient, we will be taught from on high. Because of your faithfulness, you will hear and feel things which Heavenly Father wants you to hear and feel. He loves you.
His companionship through the Holy Spirit will be the source of our instruction today.
Last week, my wife and I rented a car and drove from Boston to New Hampshire. We were to meet President and Sister Hunter of the New Hampshire, Manchester Mission. The President had given us instructions to get to the mission home. We also had a map of the area. Our rental car was equipped with a sophisticated instrument called the "Magellan, never lost" system. It is the most advanced on-board system ever engineered by experts in satellite navigation technology. It gives clear turn-by-turn voice prompts as well as visual directions. With the car in a parked position, we entered the city and street address of the mission home and started our journey. The instructions were precise and accurate.... "in one mile you will make a right hand turn" then in a moment, "get into the right lane and exit in two-tenths of a mile."
We were instructed to exit the turnpike at the first toll booth. We became confused because there were different toll booths for different destinations, and we weren’t sure which was the correct one. We chose the one that we thought was the correct exit, but we made a mistake. We actually got off the turnpike one exit too soon. It required us to stop the vehicle and then to reprogram the system based upon our new location. With the help of our navigation system, we knew precisely where we were. We then got back onto the Everett Turnpike so we could take the correct exit. We learned to depend upon our on-board navigational instrument. Without it, we would have been lost and confused. We also would not have made a timely connection with the mission president. As it turned out, we arrived on time and were grateful for the help we received.
We each have our own on-board navigation system to give us turn-by-turn instructions. However, it has nothing to do with finding a certain street or a specific location. It has everything to do with our eternal destination. Our destination is clearly defined, and a good navigation system will help us achieve exaltation and eternal life.
We all want to be on the right road. We all desire to move effectively down that highway of life with the least amount of detours, delays and rough road. We frequently find ourselves caught in the gridlock of life with the pressures of everything around us causing us to just flow at the same speed as everyone else. Just like my wife and I experienced, we all have moments when we get slightly confused and need additional help in making correct choices. We are frequently at a crossroads where we must choose one of two highways, the lower road leading to spiritual delays and sorrow or the higher road leading to spiritual progress and happiness. It is very important for us to always choose the higher road.
It is an eternal truth that through the choices we make, we shape our own destiny. Our success or failure, peace or discontent, happiness or misery, depend upon the choices we make each day. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a built-in navigation system. We have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost to direct us in all things. "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart" (D&C 8:2).
This navigation system is quiet, peaceful, and subtle compared to a world that demands instant gratification and is too often captivated by that which is loud, flashy, and crude. Listen to the words of the hymn "Let the Holy Spirit Guide" which beautifully describe the function of the Holy Spirit:
Let the Holy Spirit guide;
Let him teach us what is true
He will testify of Christ,
Light our minds with Heaven’s view.
Let the Holy Spirit guard;
Let his whisper govern choice.
He will lead us safely home,
If we listen to his voice.
Let the Spirit heal our hearts,
Thru his quiet, gentle power.
May we purify our lives,
To receive him hour by hour.
For our navigation system to work effectively, we must have an understanding of where we are and where we are going. This gives us the point of reference and the tracking system to move us along identified routes to our destination. For example, it would be very difficult for the navigation system to work if we were in the Brazilian rain forest and there were no identifiable points of reference. This would present a challenge even for the sophisticated global positioning system.
You have the benefit of knowing precisely where you are. You are here at Ricks College, you have already mapped your environment and understand where you are. You each got here by making some very good choices. You might be in a new environment which requires you to do some exploring to establish your precise location, but you came from a background which was familiar to you and allowed you to move from that point of reference to where you are today.
In order for an on-board navigation system to work, you must stop, allowing the system to identify exactly where you are by its global positioning system. Then you can program in your desired destination. It will then suggest the best routing for you.
That is exactly what you must do here at college. You must stop and take time to evaluate precisely where you are. It is not an imaginary place. You are right here. Look around. This is your true point of beginning. This is your precise location. The part that is slightly more complicated, goes beyond your physical location. It has to do with where you are on your spiritual highway. That is the part which requires some honest introspection and personal prayer to determine your exact position. The Lord knows your precise spiritual location. He has said, "I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers..." (Doctrine and Covenants 112:11).
I assure you that He knows you and loves you. He is aware of your precise physical and spiritual location. He knows if you are well positioned and he knows if you are in need of some course correction. He knows your heart and He knows your desires to seek and remain on the higher road.
Often you can be on the right road, but will be assaulted from all sides with offers to take other roads or more attractive travel itineraries. The adversary will be doing his best to lead you off your desired course. He is relentless in catching your attention, and then, ever so craftily, he will lead you into dangerous blind canyons and dead ends.
The other day, my wife and I were in the grocery store to do a little shopping. While we were waiting in line at the check-out counter I glanced at the magazines. I saw portrayed on the covers of many magazines, the idols of the movie screen, the heroes of the athletic field; those faces and bodies that many young people try to emulate as defying the laws of God and rationalizing away sinful practices, seemingly with no ill effect. Don’t you believe it for a minute. They are destroying their futures.
Satan doesn’t want you to reach your ultimate destination, he doesn’t want you to fulfill your divine roles, so he tries to lead you astray. He makes things that are wrong appear right and even exciting. He wants to destroy your bodies and he encourages you to break the commandments. He makes the road look smooth and enticing.
With permission, I share with you an excerpt from a letter I received from a father who is concerned with the welfare of his daughter.
I have four beautiful daughters aged from 19-26. All of them have suffered to some extent from eating disorders. They all relate this destructive tendency to pressures from the outside world to conform to its image of women. This has been reinforced with unfortunate comments by young men. Three of my daughters seem to have controlled the problem but my youngest daughter is in trouble. She is now consuming 300-500 calories per day and shows no sign of overcoming her self-destructive habits. We are at the threshold of placing her in an institution for help. We have no where else to turn.
"Fifteen percent of young women with full blown anorexia die from this disorder. I am currently grasping for understanding of this disorder which I think is one manifestation of women’s low self-esteem imposed by our society. It is Satan at work. At the moment her body image, imposed by the world, has control. Does she understand that the most important image she should have of herself is that of a holy temple endowed with the power and love of God? Does she understand that she should do nothing to desecrate her temple? I have not taught her this truth with enough consistency and clarity. Would it make a difference if I had?"
I pondered the anguish and heartbreak of this father. He loves his precious daughter. This is happening to many of our young women. You must not let Satan reduce your self-esteem. Don’t let the world pull you off course. Our Heavenly Father loves each of you and wants you to return home, but He will not remove your agency. You must do your part and be steady in making correct choices.
Satan’s desire is for you to not know where you are and to not check in to confirm your location. He is the father of lies and will do all possible to lure you into his cunning snare. His desire is to throw enough immediate pleasure your way that you never even worry about where you are. He even causes you to have moments of discouragement or lack of faith. There may be moments when you are driven off-course or have unexpected detours.
I would like to share a true story with you which involved a close friend of mine.
Cody Parmer and his friend were coming home from fishing almost two years ago. They lost control of their pick-up truck, resulting in an end-over-end roll over. Both boys were ejected from the truck. Cody’s friend was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was in very critical condition. Cody’s injuries were much more severe so he was life-flighted to a hospital in Idaho Falls. He was not given any hope of survival and was then air lifted to the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.
It was determined that he had a broken neck, a broken arm, a pelvis broken in four places, sixteen fractures in his face, and a severely fractured skull. Due to the pressure in his head, he lost vision in his left eye. His parents were told that he was not expected to live and they became very discouraged. Even with such negative prognosis for Cody’s future, his parents did not lose hope. They asked the doctors to continue to do all they could for their son, which included a steel plate and 2 screws in his neck, a plate with 7 screws in his arm, and a pelvic brace drilled and attached to his right hip. While at home recovering, he started leaking spinal fluid out his nose, resulting in another surgery. His family was encouraged that he was making some progress, then Cody started to have major head aches, resulting in a return to the LDS Hospital. Tests discovered a leaking artery in the brain. After an unsuccessful surgery, he was rescheduled for another operation ten days later. Following that surgery, he had a massive brain hemorrhage, causing him to be totally comatose again. During the 8-hour brain surgery, Cody’s parents were told that he would be paralyzed on the left side if he was even able to survive the surgery. He struggled following the surgery, and was once again life-flighted back to the LDS hospital for the third time. Additional lengthy brain surgery was successful in repairing his original leaking artery. His parents were then told that Cody’s brain scan was not good and that there was very little chance of him surviving. They were told that if by some slight chance he did live, he would assuredly be a vegetable.
It was right at this stage that I first met Cody and his family. I was introduced to them by a Stake President in Idaho Falls, following an assignment in their stake. Sister Zwick and I were pleased to visit Cody in the LDS Hospital and to there give him a Priesthood blessing. We sensed the family’s frustrations and discouragement, however, we were overwhelmed by their steadiness, faith and courage.
Cody was in a deep coma when we first met him. While still in his coma, doctors replaced his bone plate. Soon after this his body rejected the plate and it had to be removed. After 45 days in the hospital, his parents took him home rather than following the doctor’s advice to institutionalize him. This required 24-hour care. His parents were taught how to change his tracheotomy tube and how to provide nourishment through a feeding tube that went directly into his stomach. They frequently sucked fluid from his lungs to avoid pneumonia. Cody could not yet speak or even respond to the loving care of his parents and other family members.
His parents were steady and faithful throughout this entire trial. They truly are among the most valiant people we have ever known. With great faith in the Lord, strengthened by their love for Cody, they dressed him daily, placed him in his wheelchair, read scriptures together, and prayed with Cody. They learned that one finger meant yes and two fingers meant no. Finally, on the fourth surgery, his body accepted a titanium plate connected with 27 screws. Still struggling with pressure and leakage, a shunt was surgically implanted.
Six months later, following sixteen major surgeries, Cody is progressing steadily. His five weeks at the LDS Hospital re-habilitation unit, his continual therapy, and even more importantly, his abiding faith and positive outlook, have helped him to talk, to smile, to stand holding 70% of his body, to swallow ten spoonfuls of water, to hold a pencil, to balance so he could sit for 17 seconds, to sit in his wheelchair, to walk with a brace and now with a cane.
I remember very well the day he set a record with 16 steps on his own. Truly Cody Parmer is a walking miracle. In fact he will graduate from Skyline High School this spring with a letter in walking.
He was also recently voted the Homecoming King by his peers at his High School. Sister Zwick and I are proud to know Cody and his family. We consider them eternal friends, and thank them for the many lessons on faith and courage they have taught to our family since the time we first met them. We are grateful to have been in their home where we have seen the support of so many close friends and family at Cody’s side. We are particularly warmed by their deep sense of gratitude for each little incremental step of improvement which Cody has made along this very long and difficult road of improvement.
Cody as well as his family went through struggle, pain, and setbacks. They experienced their own personal Gethsemane. But they never lost faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Cody had every reason to let discouragement drag him down but he knows what his ultimate destination is. Instead of being consumed by his trials and tests, he was refined by them. Instead of losing his way, he found his way. My friend Cody is here today with his wonderful parents. We wanted you to get personally acquainted with one of life’s true heros.
Cody....come join me for a few moments.
You are observing one of life's great miracles.
Cody, how do you continue to overcome discouragement and cope with the challenges you face everyday?
"Well, I guess, one of the biggest thing that helps me is friends and family. My family is one of the greatest families in the world. My mom and dad are here today with me and I just want to thank my mom for all of her patience and everything that she has done for me. And my dad and some of my other family. . .like my grandma and grandpa as well. I can't thank these guys for their support enough. If it were not for my families support, I would not be where I am at today.
Friends are also extremely important. You got to pick good friends. Choose friends that are gonna stay on the right path. They are gonna go out on Friday night and do the right thing. They are not going out drinking and stuff. You can go out and have a good, fun time, but you can also do good things. Friends are have been important. I have some great friends."
Tell us how you feel about the power of the Priesthood and of God’s love for you.
"The Savior is a very great man. I went through a lot of pain myself. I rolled the truck. I was in a coma. I went through all of that pain, but that is nothing compared to what the Savior did for us. He was hung on a cross. He had nails put through in his hands and feet. He went through a lot more pain than I did. He went through his pain willingly. He didn't have an accident. He chose to go through his pain. I didn't choose to go through mine. He still did it for us. We owe him a lot you guys. I love you guys."
We have learned valuable principles from Cody.
Don’t allow yourselves to be discouraged by events which you cannot control. Overcome discouragement by trusting in the Lord and losing yourselves serving others. When your service is pure, you will be able to make adjustments in your own behavior which will result in happiness and in you knowing of your own self worth. This will also qualify you to receive more responsibility and to have added light and understanding. Cody learned the importance of prayer and exercising his faith in the Savior.
Thank you, Cody for joining us today.
There are times when it is hard, very hard. You may be worrying about finances, health, grades or who you should marry. Relationships are sometimes difficult and family problems are real and sometimes it seems that no one understands. Immorality, dishonesty, immodesty, pornography, discouragement and all kinds of evil influences are flaunted on every side. Self-discipline is a lifetime process. It requires you to trust and act upon the promptings of the Spirit. If you will pray and study the scriptures, you will know what direction to take and you will be blessed in making correct choices.
Just because we have challenges and trials, or difficult decisions to make. Just because sometimes it seems like it is two steps forward and one step back, we must never allow Satan to pull us off course. When we begin to make incorrect choices we move further and further away from our true source of happiness. The Lord has made it clear to us that sin never was happiness. Too many try to serve two masters -- the Lord and their own selfish interests.
I have thought recently of one of the finest missionary companions I was ever privileged to work with. He had singular gifts and was an inspirational leader in our mission. He had such unusual skills that everyone wanted to learn from him.
He returned from his mission and made some excellent choices which resulted in him marrying a wonderful girl for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple. They were blessed with four outstanding children.
Part of his law enforcement and legal work included some close contact with drug enforcement and other promiscuous behavior. He was caught in Satan’s subtle snare. One bad decision lead to another and then another. Within a short period of time he was caught in a spiritual free fall. He lost his fine wife and children in the process. Today he lives without the benefit of the Priesthood or his temple blessings. His life has been one of sadness, of anger and frustration. These seemingly small decisions which resulted in the spirit being doused have now caused him to be bitter toward the very things which were at one time his powerful strengths.
My heart is troubled because of his present condition without the blessings of the Gospel in his life.
History repeats itself as spiritual laws are violated.
"Oh ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. Behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return."
- S. Lewis wisely observed, "It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out in to the nothing. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one. The gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."
I believe that my friend is saddened with all he has lost by taking this unmarked trail of destruction. I marvel that one of the very elect of God with a spiritual destiny of excellence has now fallen prey to the wicked influence of the adversary. It makes me sad to think that his wife to whom he was once sealed, and those beautiful children born under sacred covenant will not be his eternally. Oh, how I mourn his loss.
My trusted friends, be so very cautious to not allow even a slight deviation from your course of happiness. If you think you can procrastinate repentance or if you are of the opinion that personal prayer and daily scripture study are not important, just remember what happened to my finest missionary companion. I assure you that there is no happiness in what he is now going without.
The navigation system has a detailed set of instructions with specific directions which must be followed in order for it to function properly. These instructions in our personal lives are the Holy scriptures. They are the "voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation" (D&C 68:4). There are so many blessings promised to those who know the scriptures. One of these blessings is that the scriptures, like the iron rod, can help us pass safely through the mist of darkness which surrounds us in this world.
If we catch hold of the scriptures and cling to them, if we increase our study and application, and if we pray for understanding and live so the spirit can teach us, the scriptures will save us from temptations. The scriptures can help you make good decisions. The scriptures can keep you safe and lead you unto salvation. When we read the scriptures we invite and make ourselves accessible to the communications of the Holy Ghost.
Learn to ponder the things of the Spirit and to respond to its promptings; filter out the static generated by Satan. As you become attuned to the Spirit, "thine eyes shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isaiah 3:21).
We must each decide which of all the outside voices we will listen to and believe. Throughout our lives we must be steady in choosing that which comes from the Lord and to avoid that which comes from Satan. Our daily choices shape our character.
The Spirit’s voice is calm and peaceful. "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isaiah 32:17).
To have joy in this life we are told to "give ear to the voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you" (Doctrine and Covenants 50:1).
As we earnestly seek the spirit in our lives by daily scripture study and by quiet moments where we connect with our divine source, we position ourselves to receive clear spiritual direction in our lives.
I remember clearly the very place I was at the University of Utah when I made a decision not to pursue Architecture as a professional career and to focus my attention on a different course of study. It came in subtle suggestions at first which motivated me to pray with the intent to know. After prayerful consideration, it was perfectly clear to me that I was not to be an architect.
Since that time, over thirty years ago, I have worked with many architects, and although I have great respect and admiration for their noble profession, it became ever clear to me that the satisfaction I received from actually building the structure was more satisfying for me than designing it. My own career as a builder was a direct result of listening to the spirit and following its whisperings.
Hearkening to the voice of living Prophets is another navigational tool which gives us "Peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come" (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23).
President Harold B. Lee reminded us, "the most important thing you can do is to learn to talk to God. Talk to Him as you would talk to your father, for He is your father, and He wants you to talk to Him. He wants you to cultivate ears to listen, when He gives you the impressions of the spirit to tell you what to do. If you learn to give heed to the sudden ideas which come to your mind, you will find those things coming through in the very hour of your need. If you will cultivate an ear to hear these promptings you will have learned to walk by the spirit of revelation."
President Gordon B. Hinckley has warned us: "You must find a place to commune with the Lord and feel of His Spirit. This must happen in our lives not occasionally but constantly. The need is so great. We can be so much more effective. In the rush of our lives, we do not take enough time to ponder and meditate and go to the Lord. We need the Lord’s help if we are to do His work."
President Hinckley has also taught, "The adversary will tempt us and do all he can to destroy and deceive us. It is strenuous and difficult to get the Spirit of the Lord. We are not expected to fast 40 days and nights, but we are expected to fast at appropriate times and plead with the Lord for His Spirit. We are prone to making decisions too rashly, out of our own wisdom."
Our lives become extremely busy. We can all relate to this. We run from one class to another. We wear ourselves out in thoughtless pursuit of goals which are highly ephemeral. We are entitled to spend some quiet time alone, in introspection, in spiritual development. Blessings from Priesthood leaders, fathers and husbands are additional tools which allow us to stay on the higher road. Frequently review your Patriarchal blessing for guidance. It will give you additional light and understanding. Be honest with your Priesthood leaders. It is your opportunity for introspection and progress review. It is a safety precaution which will prevent a costly detour along the critical path of reaching exaltation and eternal life.
The Lord himself has said, "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up."
It is not possible for me to describe to you what a powerful force for good you are in the entire world. Genuine thanks to you for all you have taught me while we have been together. Seated together like we are here today, we gain strength and added light from each other. You are powerful and will make a positive difference in the lives of thousands you touch while you are here on this beautiful campus and well after you leave here. You must always know precisely where you are, even when all that surrounds you is a background of darkness and confusion. Your responsibility is to continue to generate a bright light and to even co-generate light and knowledge as you link up with the Holy Ghost as your source of inspiration. You are on a well-marked path that leads to our eternal home.
Please know that we trust you, we believe in you, we love you and oh how we pray for your happiness. I testify that the higher road, consistent with God’s great plan for happiness, will lead us to eternal happiness. In fact, I believe that if we aren’t diligent in pursuing this high road, and actually stay on it, it won’t matter too much which other road we are on.
Please know of our abiding love and of our devotion to each of you, our trusted friends.
I testify that Gordon B. Hinckley is our living Prophet and that he seeks and receives divine guidance from God.
I testify that the Book of Mormon is a perfect witness of Jesus Christ. It is a powerful testament of truth, sealed with the blood of its translator. May you individually study its contents and gain your own witness that it is true.
I testify that God, our Heavenly Father lives. With that same certainty, I testify that Jesus Christ lives and that His infinite atonement for my sins and for the sins of all men, provide hope and eternal destiny for all of us.
We leave you with our love, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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