The Master Teacher

In the home, the school, or the house of God, there is one teacher whose life overshadows all others. He taught of life and death, of duty and destiny. He lived not to be served, but to serve; not to receive, but to give; not to save his life, but to sacrifice it for others. He described a love more beautiful than lust, a poverty richer than treasure. It was said of this teacher that he taught with authority and not as did the scribes. I speak of the Master Teacher, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

When dedicated teachers respond to His gentle invitation "Come learn of me," they become partakers of His divine power.

It was my experience as a small boy to come under the influence of such a teacher. In our Sunday School class she taught us concerning the Creation of the world, the Fall of Adam, and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. She brought to her classroom as honored guests Moses, Joshua, Peter, Thomas, Paul and even Christ. Though we did not see them, we learned to love, honor and emulate them.

— "Only a Teacher," First Presidency Message, Ensign, January 1990

Finding Peace

Life is a school of experience, a time of probation. We learn as we bear our afflictions and live through our heartaches.

As we ponder the events that can befall all of us — even sickness, accident, death, and a host of other challenges — we can learn with Job of old, "Man is born unto trouble." Job was a "perfect and upright" man who "feared God, and eschewed evil." Pious in his conduct, prosperous in his fortune, Job was to face a test which could have destroyed anyone. Shorn of his possessions, scorned by his friends, afflicted by his suffering, shattered by the loss of his family, he was urged to "curse God, and die." He resisted this temptation and declared from the depths of his noble soul: "Behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high" (Job 16:19). "I know that my redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25). Job kept the faith.

It may safely be assumed that no person has ever lived entirely free of suffering and tribulation, nor has there ever been a period in human history that did not have its full share of turmoil, ruin and misery. …

To all who so despair, may I offer the assurance found in the psalm: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome.

— "Peace in Our Savior," First Presidency Message, Ensign, June 2005

Highway of life

Perhaps the renowned author Charles Dickens best described our day when he spoke of a period over two centuries ago. His classic "A Tale of Two Cities" begins:

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us."

This is your world. The future is in your hands. The outcome is up to you. The way to exaltation is not a freeway featuring unlimited vision, unrestricted speeds, and untested skills. Rather, it is known by many forks and turnings, sharp curves, and controlled speeds. Your driving skill will be put to the test. Are you ready? You are driving. You haven't passed this way before. Fortunately, the Master Highway Builder, even our Heavenly Father, has provided a road map showing the route to follow. He has placed markers along the way to guide you to your destination. Perhaps you may recognize some of His signs:

"Honour thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12).

"Search the scriptures; for ... they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

"Be ye clean" (3 Nephi 20:41).

— "Decisions Determine Destiny," CES Fireside, Brigham Young University, Nov. 6, 2005