More than 3,500 LDS Scouts and their leaders recently gathered for the 2010 National Boy Scout Jamboree at Virginia's Ft. A.P. Hill. Amid the event's fun and adventure, many of the Mormon Scouts — faithful holders of the Aaronic Priesthood — adhered to the Scout Law's charge to be reverent and sought opportunities to harden their spiritual muscles.

Part of that experience at the Jamboree meant earning the George Albert Smith Award — a handsome medal celebrating the example and teachings of President Smith, the Church's eighth president and a devoted Scouter. To claim the award, the LDS Scouts were asked to read and discuss the charming account of a 12-year-old boy's hike with a newfound friend and his 76-year-old grandfather. The grandfather, according to the account, "was tall and thin and wore a wide-brimmed Scout hat, a heavy Scouting jacket, a neckerchief around his collar, knee-length pants and laced-up hiking boots; he looked like he had just walked off the cover of my 'Scouting' magazine."

After a strenuous day of hiking and outdoor learning at the gentle hands of the robust elderly man, the boy learned from his mother that his friend's grandfather was "someone important" in the Church. The boy decided to walk to his friend's cabin and ask the man for his autograph on a piece of whittled kindling wood. The grandfather kindly obliged, signing his name to the wood, then scribbling a short message on a piece of paper.

The boy waited until he left the cabin before looking at the wood and the paper. "On the wood was written, 'George Albert Smith — Scouter.' The message on the paper, dated 3 August 1946, read, 'The pathway to righteousness is the highway of happiness. Don't lose your way.' "

President Smith's simple yet eternally rich counsel to a 12-year-old boy still resonates as we navigate the pitfalls and mists of darkness envisioned by an earlier prophet, Lehi. In our day, the pathway to righteousness remains the highway of happiness. It's vital that we, too, follow President Smith's charge and "don't lose [our] way."

It's also essential that we live worthy of the Holy Ghost's clear-eyed companionship and direction. Such divine guidance provides a spiritual GPS system every bit as potent, reliable and true as the Liahona compass that helped Lehi and his family as they sojourned through the wilderness.

"Just as Lehi was blessed in ancient times, each of us in this day has been given a spiritual compass that can direct and instruct us during our mortal journey," said Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve at the April 2006 general conference. "The Holy Ghost was conferred upon you and me as we came out of the world and into the Savior's Church through baptism and confirmation. By the authority of the holy priesthood we were confirmed as members of the Church and admonished to seek for the constant companionship of 'the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you' (John 14:17).

"As we each press forward along the pathway of life, we receive direction from the Holy Ghost just as Lehi was directed through the Liahona. … The Holy Ghost operates in our lives precisely as the Liahona did for Lehi and his family, according to our faith and diligence and heed."

As we traverse the pathway of righteousness, we will find ourselves simultaneously walking the pathway of Christ. We become His fellow travelers and disciples. The pathway of discipleship, declared President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, is open to all.

"The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact place where we stand. We do not have to prequalify to take the first step. It doesn't matter if we are rich or poor. There is no requirement to be educated, eloquent or intellectual. We do not have to be perfect or well-spoken or even well-mannered.

"You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. Let us be humble; let us pray to our Father in Heaven with all our heart and express our desire to draw close to Him and learn of Him.

"Have faith. Seek and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened. Serve the Lord by serving others. Become an active participant in your ward or branch. Strengthen your family by committing to live the principles of the gospel. Be of one heart and of one mind in your marriage and in your family."

Some travelers, President Uchtdorf acknowledged, might find themselves moving outside the path of discipleship. "I invite you to start where you are and come to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Walk again in the way of the Lord. I testify that the Lord will bless your life, endow you with knowledge and joy beyond comprehension, and distill upon you the supernal gifts of the Spirit. It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late." (April 2009 general conference.)