LAIE, Hawaii — Addressing the winter commencement at BYU-Hawaii Dec. 12, Elder M. Russell Ballard called on graduates to live a balanced life, think straight and use common sense.

Speaking to 129 graduates from more than 28 countries and seven states, Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve recalled the story of the Greek mythological figure, Icarus, and his tragic end after he ignored his father's warnings and flew too close to the sun.

"I think this story relates to some of you," said Elder Ballard, "who may now find yourself wanting to fly so high and so fast in pursuit of your vocation that you may not hear your Father in Heaven calling to you, telling you to be careful that you do not lose your balance.

"A profession may become so exhilarating that you may want to fly higher and higher, not recognizing the danger you may be bringing to yourself and your loved ones. Be careful as you now join the work force, that you do not find your profession running you rather than you running your profession."

Elder Ballard was accompanied to the graduation ceremony, held in the Cannon Activities Center on the BYU-Hawaii campus, by his wife, Barbara.

During his remarks, he related to the graduates the last words of his grandfather, Apostle Melvin J. Ballard: "Above all else, brethren, let us think straight."

Elder Ballard said, "I would suggest that straight thinking begins with straight and careful listening. The most important thing you should learn to listen to is the prompting of the Spirit, which is always a companion to the righteous good listener. Those with whom I have associated, who are most successful in life, are straight thinkers and also good listeners."

He spoke of the attributes of successful people and quoted the counsel of President Harold B. Lee regarding keeping focused on eternal goals.

" 'If all our selfish motives and all our personal desires and expediency would be subordinated to the desire to know the will of the Lord, one could have the companionship of heavenly vision.

" 'If our problems be too great for human intelligence or too much for human strength, we too, if we are faithful and appeal rightly unto the source of divine power, might have standing by us in our hour of peril or great need an angel of God. One who lives thus worthy of his testimony that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ, and who is willing to reach out to Him in constant inquiry to know if his course is approved, is the one who is living life to its full abundance here and is preparing for the celestial world, which is to live eternally with his Heavenly Father.' "

Elder Ballard said common sense has to be added to the mix as well. He noted, "The men and women whom I admire, who are successful in their lives, are generally those who, along with straight thinking and balance, have good judgment and common sense."

Elder Ballard closed his remarks by counseling the graduates to remember that acquiring spiritual knowledge is more important than acquiring the things of the world, and status doesn't mean much when compared to service.

He explained, "When our time comes to return to our Heavenly Father to give Him an accounting of our stewardship while here on the earth, what do you suppose the Lord will be most interested in? I believe He will be pleased with all of our honorable accomplishments, but will have a special interest in the service — including sharing the gospel — that we have rendered to others along the way."