Amazing journey awaits young adults
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PROVO, Utah — Latter-day Saint young adults stand "at the threshold of an amazing and wonderful journey" and can find their way to eternal life with the aid of two guiding lights, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Feb. 1.
"As one who has gone before you I offer these two words of counsel — two sources of light that will provide light for you throughout your life's journey: love the Lord with all your hearts, might, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.
"This is the essence of who we are as disciples of Jesus Christ," said Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Speaking at a Church Educational System fireside, Elder Wirthlin addressed principles which he said have given him "guidance and purpose through his life."
Thousands of college-age young adults gathered in the BYU Marriott Center for the fireside, which was broadcast live via satellite to an estimated 150,000 others in 77 countries. The address, translated into 29 languages, will also be made available on videotape to institute students around the world.
"Today I look at the youth of our Church and see nearly limitless anticipation," Elder Wirthlin said during the address. "You stand at the very threshold of life. Who is to say what your lives will hold? What discoveries you will make? What remarkable events you will witness?"
Elder Wirthlin said lately he has been thinking of the brother of Jared, who lived during the confounding of the languages at Babel. The brother of Jared built eight barges, each received light from two stones touched by the hand of the Lord.
Like the brother of Jared, "it is only natural that you feel a bit apprehensive about the voyage you are about to undertake," said Elder Wirthlin. "You probably know that there will be tempests along the way. Furious winds may crack and blow. Mountainous waves may crash against you. Monsters of the sea may try to destroy you. Sometimes it may seem as though you are surrounded in darkness without even a glimmer of light."
Elder Wirthlin told the college-age young adults that they can face these challenges as they "love the Lord" and "love your fellow man."
"These lights will shine ever in the darkness and provide guidance during the storms of life," he said.
Heavenly Father, he added, in His love for His children, revealed the path they must walk in order to reach the ultimate goal of eternal life. "You and I understand this path as the commandments. We can look upon these commandments as oppressive rules that limit our enjoyment of life, or we can look upon them as the way — the path that leads to a glorious and incomprehensible future."
Speaking of the first light, Elder Wirthlin said when members love the Lord with all their heart, might, mind and strength they will follow Him joyfully.
"When we love our Heavenly Father, we leave behind the grudging 'have to' and embrace the enthusiastic 'can't wait to' attitude. In thanksgiving, we joyfully walk the path of the Lord — the path of discipleship — that leads to Him."
Speaking of the second light, Elder Wirthlin said loving one's neighbor is not just a good idea, "it is the identifying characteristic of what has distinguished the followers of Christ in every age since the beginning of time."
Elder Wirthlin said the great missionary work of the Church is a testimony of Latter-day Saints' love of their fellow man.
"Because of love of our fellow man, we enter holy temples to perform vicarious ordinances for those who have departed from this mortality without the blessings of the everlasting gospel. This act of compassion is selfless. It is an act of love for those who wait upon us, praying continually for our assistance."
Elder Wirthlin retold a Church News story of a small ward in Ecuador in which members performed service for a man who once hated the Church and often opposed it. When an earthquake hit the man's city and destroyed his home, he asked Church members for help. Knowing all the man had done to hurt them, the members still responded, building their former enemy a sturdy home with supplies they donated.
"Brothers and sisters, if only we could develop that same spirit of compassion, our lives would be filled with greater meaning and abundant joy," Elder Wirthlin said. "We live in an age of industry. Our lives are filled to capacity with lists of tasks we need to accomplish. If you are like many, you place on the list things such as prayer, reading the scriptures, visiting the sick, and helping those in need.
"These two lights we have spoken of — loving the Lord and loving our neighbor — are not merely things we should include on our lists. They are the essence of the list. For upon these two commandments 'hang all the law and the prophets' (Matthew 22:40).
"How much more meaningful would our lives be if our thoughts, hearts and actions were guided by these two great lights. How much more vibrant and filled with love would our families, quorums, Relief Societies, wards, and stakes be if we kept these two great lights ever at the forefront of our agendas, our discussions, our plans and our lives.
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