PROVO, Utah — Suggesting "four guideposts to assist in your respective journeys through school and through life itself," President Thomas S. Monson addressed students at BYU during the weekly campus devotional on Nov. 13.

Photo by Stuart Johnson/Deseret Morning News

President Thomas S. Monson, with wife, Sister Frances Monson, are warmly greeted at BYU during weekly devotional. President Monson recalled his six decades of marriage to the former Frances Johnson.

"First, glance backward. Second, look heavenward. Third, reach outward. And fourth, press onward," President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, said during his address in a packed Marriott Center.

Then, speaking with warmth and humor, he considered each guideposts in its turn:

• "First, glance backward. A review of the past can be helpful — that is, if we learn from the mistakes and follies of those who have gone before. And if we do not repeat them."

Continuing, President Monson, who was accompanied to Provo by his wife, Frances Monson, emphasized that he was merely suggesting "a glance at the past, for it is not practical to think we can return." He then recounted scenes from "Our Town," a play by Thornton Wilder in which a young woman dies in childbirth but is allowed to relive her 12th birthday. Before returning to her resting place, she laments, "Do human beings ever realize life while they live it ... every minute?"

"May each of us learn to appreciate the gift of life that we have been given," President Monson said. "And in that context, at this time of year when we will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving, I would urge all of us to glance backward in order to recognize those things for which we are thankful — and then express appreciation to anyone to whom we owe a debt of gratitude."

• "Look heavenward. From the heavens came the gentle invitation, 'Look to God and live.' We have not been left to wander in darkness and in silence uninstructed, uninspired, without revelation.... From the scriptures, from the prophets, comes counsel for our time as we look heavenward."

Continuing, President Monson said: "Looking heavenward should be our lifelong endeavor. Some foolish persons turn their backs on the wisdom of God and follow the allurement of fickle fashion, the attraction of false popularity and the thrill of the moment. Their course resembles the disastrous experience of Esau, who exchanged his birthright for a mess of pottage.

"And what are the results of such action? I testify to you today that turning away from God brings broken covenants, shattered dreams and crushed hopes. Such a quagmire of quicksand I plead with you to avoid. You are of a noble birthright. Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal. Such a goal is not achieved in one glorious attempt, but rather is the result of a lifetime of righteousness, an accumulation of wise choices, even a constancy of purpose of lofty ideals."

President Monson then shared the tender account of a visit to Samoa many years ago with Sister Monson. While they met with some 200 Samoan children. At the conclusion of the meeting, then-Elder Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve felt compelled to greet each child personally. But glancing at his watch, he concluded they did not have time before their flight.

"Before the benediction was to be spoken, I again felt that I should shake the hand of each child. I made the desire known to the instructor, who displayed a broad and beautiful Samoan smile. In Samoan he announced this to the children. They beamed their approval."

The apostle learned the children had been praying and exerting their faith that he would be impressed to individually greet them and shake each hand. "Tears could not be restrained as the precious boys and girls walked shyly by and whispered softly to us the sweet Samoan greeting, 'Talofa lava.' A profound expression of faith had been evidenced."

• "Reach outward. To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy."

President Monson added: "Many have come into the Church — or at least have come to know and respect the Church — because someone made the effort to reach outward."

Then, sharing a "treasured family experience" after he was called in 1959 to preside over the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, President Monson related how his daughter, Ann, then 5 years old, wanted to be a missionary. "My wife demonstrated understanding by permitting Ann to take to class a few copies of the Children's Friend. That wasn't sufficient for Ann. She also wanted to take with her a copy of the Book of Mormon so that she might talk to her teacher, Miss Pepper, about the Church."

Years later, the family returned home to a note from Miss Pepper in the mailbox. The former teacher thanked Ann for the Children's Friend and said she was impressed with her dedication to the Book of Mormon. She said she had made a commitment to one day "come to Salt Lake City and see why you talked as you did and why you believed in the manner you believed."

The teacher did just that, visiting the visitors center on Temple Square the day she wrote the letter. "Thanks to a 5-year-old girl who had an understanding of that which she believed."

• "Press onward." Speaking of the increasing difficulty of living in the world, President Monson declared: "Anxiously we ask, 'Is there a way to safety? Can someone guide us? Is there an escape from threatened destruction?"'

"The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you: Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It calls. 'This way to safety; this way to home."'

After sharing the account of a runner with disabilities who endured to the end to finish a race to the cheers of spectators, President Monson said: "Let us shed any thought of failure. Let us discard any habit or trait that may hinder. Let us ever press onward. Let us seek; let us obtain the prize prepared for all — even exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom of God."

Offering the invocation during the devotional were Clark S. Monson, son of President and Sister Monson and a professor of geography at BYU; and Justin Flanagan, a student from Orem, Utah. The BYU Men's Chorus performed a musical number.

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