Follow the Savior- Work diligently

The words of Amulek in Alma 34:31-32, that "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God," are as applicable today as when expressed centuries ago, Elder George I. Cannon of the Seventy said at the Saturday morning session.He quoted a story from a newspaper column by Dr. Roy Pearson in which an elevator boy was whistling a tune in the elevator one morning and a scowling rider asked him why he was so happy.

"I've never lived this day before," the boy replied.

"The writer of the article comments: `This boy was wiser than his years. The only life we can live is today. Yesterday is behind us. However golden the hours, they cannot be lived again, but only remembered. Tomorrow is before us, and however sweet its expectations, the clock must take its patient course before we can test our hope against reality. We can live no more than one day at a time.' "

Elder Cannon also quoted from the late Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council of the Twelve, who gave the "Spoken Word" for several years for Tabernacle Choir broadcasts: "It sometimes seems that we live as if we wonder when life is going to begin. It isn't always clear just what we are waiting for, but some of us sometimes persist in waiting so long that life slips by - finding us still waiting for something that has been going on all the time. . . . This is life and it is passing."

Elder Cannon said, "Today is a day of eternity. I hope we will have a desire and a determination to make each day a good day. . . .

"Each day let us nourish our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ," he said, adding that nourishing such faith includes reading the Book of Mormon, holding individual and family prayer, and attending Sabbath day meetings and partaking of the sacrament.

"Let us live daily the great saving principle of repentance. We will become more humble and teachable."

Making the Savior the center of one's life will help make each day a good day, he suggested. He told of Julius, a 12-year-old boy in the Philippines who had gone to school without eating breakfast and during recess purchased food at a nearby barbecue stand.

When he returned, he discovered he had not given the pesos for the food, and returned to pay for it. His teacher was angry with him for not asking permission to leave, but commended him for his honesty when she heard his explanation.

"Julius is making each day a good day by being honest," Elder Cannon commented.

He said following the Savior will help one be morally clean, respect one's body and not tamper with drugs, alcohol, pornography, "or in any way destroy the great miracle of life which the Lord has given to each of us.

"Let us make each day a good day," Elder Cannon said, "by nourishing faith, growing through repentance, following the Savior, serving in the kingdom, being happy with ourselves, not worrying [about things we cannot changeT, working diligently."