"The Apostle Paul spent much of his life teaching and encouraging spirituality in the then far-flung missions of the world," said Elder Howard W. Hunter at the April 1979 general conference. Then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Hunter said that Paul frequently used terminology from sports, games and athletic contests of his day.

"He said that a Saint successfully keeping the commandments is like an athlete winning his contest; that comparable degrees of training, exertion, obedience to the rules, self-discipline and the will to win are involved," Elder Hunter said. "To the Corinthians he wrote words, which paraphrased, are to this effect: 'You know (do you not?) that at the sports all the runners run the race, though only one wins the prize. Like them, run to win! Now every athlete goes into strict training. They do it to win a perishable wreath, but our wreath will last forever. For my part I run with a clear goal before me.' (See 1 Cor. 9:24-26.)

"Along this same line he said to Timothy, his beloved young friend and missionary companion:

" 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only; but unto all them also that love his appearing.' " (2 Tim. 4:7-8.)

Elder Hunter added: "Part of our difficulty as we strive to acquire spirituality is the feeling that there is much to do and that we are falling far short. Perfection is something yet ahead for every one of us; but we can capitalize on our strengths, begin where we are, and seek after the happiness that can be found in pursuing the things of God. . . .

"None of us has attained perfection or the zenith of spiritual growth that is possible in mortality. Every person can and must make spiritual progress. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine plan for that spiritual growth eternally. It is more than a code of ethics. It is more than an ideal social order. It is more than positive thinking about self-improvement and determination. The gospel is the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ with His priesthood and sustenance and with the Holy Spirit. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to His gospel, a step at a time improving as we go, pleading for strength, improving our attitudes and our ambitions, we will find ourselves successfully in the fold of the Good Shepherd. That will require discipline and training and exertion and strength. But as the Apostle Paul said, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' " (Philip. 4:13.)