Each day we need to take time to commune with the Holy Spirit and prepare ourselves for challenges by restocking our spiritual reserves. For some, this might involve a period of prayer, meditation, scripture study and the like. For others, the period devoted to such activities might involve much more effort or persistence.

Those who regularly partake of spiritual activities — including temple attendance, missionary service or charitable acts — find life's temporal frustrations easier to cope with than those left who wander without spiritual guidance. Remaining focused on eternal values rather than on the bumps that lie ahead gives our lives richer meaning and purpose. Surely we must endure the journey in order to reach our ultimate destination. But knowing we aren't alone in our quest — that there is purpose to our existence — makes the journey, no matter how hard it may seem at times, easier to accomplish.

The Savior invites us to come unto Him, to find joy and peace in His gospel and His work. By magnifying our callings we are able to partake in those things He has prepared for us.

For some, the message to follow Christ is lost on them. They see no advantage in submitting their will to his will.

The "what's-in-it-for-me" attitude is not easily subdued. If we cannot submit our lives to His work, we won't share in the blessings He offers to those who will obey and keep His commandments.

"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11:19-20.)

Today's Church leaders advise young people: "Be humble and willing to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit. Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own. When you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel their love for you." (From pamphlet, "For the Strength of the Youth," pp. 40-42.)

This instruction is good advice for all people of all ages. Each of us can find meaning and purpose if we will but look heavenward and not backward.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18.)

President David O. McKay said, "Spirituality, our true aim, is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength.

"To feel one's faculties unfolding, and truth expanding in the soul, is one of life's sublimest experiences." (Conference Report, April 1958.)

He continues, "So live, then, that each day will find you conscious of having willfully made no person unhappy. No one who has lived a well-spent day will have a sleepless night because of a stricken conscience."

In an address at Brigham Young University on Feb. 10, 1987, President Howard W. Hunter said, "Let us remember that doing the things that have been ordained by God to be important and needful and necessary, even though the world may view them as unimportant and insignificant, will eventually lead to true greatness."

If we follow this wise counsel from our leaders, we can achieve the scriptural promise: "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion. . . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46.)