PROVO, Utah — As young people pursue righteous desires and keep the commandments, the Lord will be with them and will make their journey through life a pleasant one, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Nov. 7.

"He wants you to be happy and successful," said Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve. "He wants you to come unto Him."

Speaking at a Church Educational System fireside, Elder Wirthlin addressed more than 12,000 college-age young adults gathered in the BYU Marriott Center. Thousands more heard the fireside address live, via satellite, throughout North, Central and South America — the first CES broadcast to reach such a large audience. The broadcast, which was translated into 22 languages, will be seen throughout Europe Nov. 14 and will be made available on videotape to institute students around the world.

During his address, Elder Wirthlin reminisced about his own college life, a time when he loved learning, camaraderie and, especially, football.

"When I was your age, the world tottered on the brink of chaos," he said, speaking about the devastating effects of World War II. He recalled that just after the 1936 football season his father came to him and asked if he had considered going on a mission.

Back then, Elder Wirthlin wanted to pursue his dream to play football and to graduate from college. He worried that accepting a mission call might jeopardize those dreams.

Nevertheless, he went to his bishop and told him "now was the time" to enter the mission field.

Elder Wirthlin recalled being called to the German/Austrian Mission where he served in Salzburg, Austria. "The mission was a difficult one. No one seemed to have time for me or the message that I hoped to bring to them. I wondered if there would ever be enough members in that city to make a ward."

Then on Christmas Eve, Elder Wirthlin and his companion visited Oberndorf, a little village nestled in the Bavarian Alps that inspired Joseph Mohr to write the lyrics for "Silent Night" in 1818.

"As we walked, my companion and I talked of our hopes and dreams. We talked of our goals and what we wanted to accomplish in our lives. The more we talked, the more serious we became about achieving the things that were most important in life."

That night Elder Wirthlin committed to not waste his time. He renewed his efforts to serve the Lord and to magnify any Church callings that would come to him. He even made up his mind about the kind of girl he would marry.

"Six decades have gone by since that Christmas Eve in Oberndorf when I made those resolutions," Elder Wirthlin told the college-age young adults. "Much has happened in the intervening years. My premonitions about playing football were certainly true. I never played again. But I did graduate from the university. Even so, I've never regretted serving a mission and committing myself to serving the Lord. By doing so, my life has been filled with adventure, spiritual experiences and joy that surpasses understanding."

Elder Wirthlin added that some of the young adults in attendance may be at a time in their lives when things seem difficult. To those young adults he gave five keys to happiness, success and fulfilment:

• Have faith in Heavenly Father. "He knows who you are. He listens to you when you pray. He loves you. He is mindful of you. He wants the best for you," Elder Wirthlin said. Quoting President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency, he added, " 'There is a guiding hand above all things. Often when things happen, it's not by accident. One day, when we look back at seeming coincidences of our lives, we will realize that perhaps they weren't so coincidental after all.'"

• Set righteous goals. Elder Wirthlin told the young adults that many things will compete for their time and attention as they pursue their course through life. "Put Heavenly Father first in your life. Commit to follow Him and obey His commandments and strive every day to become more Christlike. Focus your efforts on obtaining Heavenly Father's riches. To do otherwise will ultimately end in disappointment and sorrow."

• Work with might to accomplish righteous goals that have been established. "Remember the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley: 'The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner.'"

• Magnify callings and be faithful members of the Church. "When we go to Church, we surround ourselves with others who share our commitment to obey the commandments and follow the Savior's teachings," Elder Wirthlin said. "Some mistake the Church for a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, think perfect thoughts and feel perfect feelings. "May I quickly dispel that thought? The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to help and strengthen each other as we strive to return to our Heavenly Father." Elder Wirthlin told the young people that, as they faithfully serve, the Lord will be with them and they will feel His spirit.

• Enjoy the journey. Elder Wirthlin said, "The people of God are a joyful people. We understand there are times for sobriety, reverence and devotion; but we also understand that we posses the joyful principles of eternal life. We have so much to smile about."

He counseled the young adults to not wait to be happy. "Don't wait for the right job, the right house, the right salary, the right dress size. Be happy today. Be happy now. Make up your mind to be happy. Even when you don't have money, even when you don't have a car or a clear complexion."

Elder Wirthlin added, "Do not procrastinate a minute longer. Every moment is sacred and precious. Determine tonight that you will make of yourself something remarkable."

He concluded by noting that not long ago he and his wife had the opportunity to return to the place where he began his mission. There he organized the Salzburg Austria Stake. Elder Wirthlin called the time a homecoming — an opportunity to again remember his missionary days when he wondered if there would ever be enough members to form a small ward.

Looking back, he said, he now knows that those times of trial and loneliness were instrumental in strengthening his character and heightening his desire to succeed.

"The resolutions I made on that holy night in Oberndorf, Austria, have been a guiding force throughout my life. Although I still have much to learn and to accomplish, I've done my best [to] have faith in God. I've done my best to focus on the things that are important in life. I've done my best to work hard at righteous tasks and endeavors. I've done my best to magnify the callings I've received in the Church. And I've done my best to enjoy the journey."