A father recently sat down with a young son who would soon become a deacon. The boy's fast-approaching 12th birthday and subsequent Aaronic Priesthood ordination offered an apt moment for the two to talk about goals, about preparing for life's important matters.

"You're becoming a young man — you're old enough to consider your future," the father said. "So, what do you want to do with your life?"

The son's reply was both quick and thoughtful. It was evident he had asked himself that same question.

"First, I want to go on a mission," he said. The boy then listed what he knew he had to do to prepare for that important, two-year calling: He had to be a regular at church. He needed to learn more about the gospel and read his scriptures. He said that he could not swear or watch the wrong sorts of movies — even if his friends did.

The boy then went on to say he planned to become an Eagle Scout and earn good grades so he could attend a university. He was also determined to practice hard and stay fit so he could realize his future goal to play sports in high school and maybe even in college.

(No, there was little mention of preparing for a temple marriage — perhaps expected from an 11-year-old who still had to be reminded to comb his hair each morning.)

The father applauded his son's earnest ambitions. He encouraged him to write down his goals and post them in his bedroom so he could be reminded each day of what he wanted to accomplish in life. Then the father added simple counsel: Pursue your goals — but also enjoy the pursuit.

Latter-day Saints are goal-driven people. We've been taught to plan wisely for future success. Hundreds of thousands of young members are, like the young son, preparing for mission calls. Husbands and wives across the globe are saving and preparing to be sealed in the temple. Many others work hard and live lean so they can one day achieve their goals to, say, earn a college degree, open a business, lose a few pounds, pay off their mortgage or learn a foreign language.

And countless people of faith, of course, prepare each day for those ultimate rewards realized only in eternity.

But as we correctly focus on our future goals, it's equally vital to enjoy our todays. Find pleasure in the pursuit. As the psalmist wrote: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

More than a century ago, President John Taylor wrote of the importance of finding pleasure in day-to-day living:

"God designs that we should enjoy ourselves. I do not believe in a religion that makes people gloomy, melancholy, miserable and ascetic" (Deseret News, Jan. 15, 1873).

Church leaders such as President Taylor and his contemporary counterparts are not naive. They recognize life's daily challenges, disappointments, setbacks and struggles. They know well that goals of true substance are typically achieved following periods of patience and hard, hard work.

Still, "preparing for life" and "enjoying life" need not be diametrically opposed pursuits.

"The people of God are a joyful people," said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve at a Nov. 7, 1999, Church Educational fireside. "We understand that there are times for sobriety, reverence and devotion; we also understand that we possess the joyful principles of eternal life.

"We have so much to smile about, to be happy about, yes, even to laugh about.

"So many of us are always waiting to be happy. 'If only I could graduate, if only I could afford a car, if only I could get married.' For too many, happiness is just over the horizon, never reachable. Every time we climb one hill, happiness beckons just beyond the next.

"It is a terrible thing always to be waiting for tomorrow, always depending on tomorrow, always excusing our todays because we are sure that only in the future will we possess the things that will fulfill us."

As we journey toward distant goals, the Lord will be with us and will direct our paths. As Elder Wirthlin declared: "He wants [us] to be happy and successful."