Transcript of this talk

PROVO, Utah — The things of greatest worth are things that money cannot buy, said Sister Mary Ellen Smoot Feb. 3.

Speaking to college-age young adults worldwide, the Church's Relief Society general president said that periodically circumstances force people to think about what they need to be happy.

Photo by Kevin Lee

Mary Ellen Smoot

"As we set worldly concerns aside and focus on eternal needs, we will come to know the will of God in our individual lives," she said. "We will come to appreciate those things that cannot be bought or sold."

Sister Smoot addressed more than 20,000 gathered in the BYU Marriott Center for the Church Educational System fireside. An estimated 150,000 more heard the address live, via satellite, throughout North, Central and South America. The fireside, translated into 22 languages, was broadcast on a delayed basis throughout Europe, rebroadcast on KBYU-TV in Utah and will be made available on videotape to institute students around the world.

Sister Smoot focused her remarks on a quote from President Harold B. Lee, who once said of his childhood: "We had everything money could not buy."

"That is my prayer for each of you," she said, "that you, like President Lee, might have the most important things, the most enduring things, those things of greatest worth that cannot be purchased with money."

One of the most valuable qualities is love — such as that created in eternal family ties, she said.

"Everything that you take with you into the next life is everything that money cannot buy. Covenants that seal husbands and wives, parents and children, are of inestimable worth. Love that spans the generations and binds hearts together is nothing less than divine."

However, she added, "if your family of origin is not ideal, please do not despair. You can set in motion a new pattern of behavior. You can be a transitional figure whose love and light will ripple through the generations. Hold onto gospel truths and begin a transformation in your own life and then in your family when you marry and raise your children."

Another thing that money cannot buy is knowledge, Sister Smoot continued.

"Yes, it usually takes money to pay for an education, but it also takes desire and diligence to acquire knowledge. And I speak here not only of formal education, but of a lifelong quest to live and learn. You have to read and study. You have to put forth the effort if you want to learn. . . . Learning is a lifelong process that neither begins nor ends in the classroom."

Sister Smoot then encouraged the young adults to study the gospel and enroll in institute. "Learn the gospel, study the history of the restored Church, and know its doctrines and teachings. Take time for religion classes; take time for eternity."

Do not let that which is most valuable slip away "because you have not made a conscious choice to safeguard it," she said. "The Savior will not force us to seek for everything that money cannot buy. But He will lovingly guide."

Money cannot buy love, health or happiness or even what it did last year, she continued.

Then she shared four strategies for obtaining a life of lasting worth.

Determine plans for spiritual growth. "Remember to say your prayers — morning and night. . . . Also do not forget to read your scriptures."

Serve others. "Service to others is the very essence of the gospel. Service brings joy as nothing else can. It develops our inner strength and helps us feel more grateful. Service brings us closer to our Father in Heaven."

Cultivate humility. "Remember your indebtedness to the Lord and never become indebted to the things of the world. No person can fully and completely discharge his debt to our Savior for what He has done for us, but we can make regular payments. As we give our will to Him and do what He would have us do, we are showing appreciation for His gift of the Atonement."

Sister Smoot said sin can be compared to debt: like quicksand, it is hard to get out of.

Photo by Kevin Lee

Students listen to address of Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, who emphasized the importance of eternal family ties.

"Repentance is a priceless gift, bought with our Savior's sinless blood. No amount of money can buy the sweet peace that forgiveness brings or the hope that we can change. We can overcome. Our lives can be rich and purposeful and happy and hopeful."

Evaluate priorities. "Examine your life's portfolio," she said. "What kind of returns are you receiving on your investments? Have you invested in that which you value most?"

Sister Smoot concluded by asking the young adults to be grateful for each day — one more day to prepare in every way to meet God.

"I believe that each of us can be renewed in mind and spirit as we sincerely seek for those things that money cannot buy. We must want to do His will and gain the knowledge necessary to act accordingly. In other words, we need to put Him first in all the decisions we make. [We need] to ask ourselves, 'Are we ready? Are we ready to have the kind of experiences that are life-changing and exhilarating? Are our hearts and minds pure? The way we choose to spend each day of our lives will dictate the direction we will go and the joys that will fulfill our lives now and for all eternity. . . .

"My dear brothers and sisters, 'lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life.' (Helaman 5:8.) No other gift is greater."

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