A few months ago I awoke to a beautiful day of full sun.
For the previous three days El Nino had sent snow storms to the
mountains east of my home, so the sun was a welcome sight. In
fact, this looked to me like a perfect ski day, no doubt one of
the few remaining in the season.
Our family has enjoyed skiing most of our lives, and there's
few things as enjoyable to us as a day on the slopes, so mey son
and I grabbed our gear and headed to a local resort.
As the lift took us to the top of the mountain for our first
run, I could see the powder below us sitting fluffy and deep on
the mountain side. The sky was a brilliant blue, lit by a warm,
bright sun. Once on top of the mountain, I could see hills and
valleys stretching in all directions. Winter still held a strong
grip on the country, but you could sense spring was near. Birds
flew and sang, glad for the sunshine; a slight breeze made the
trees sing a quiet song and the wonderful scent of pine filled
the air. (Kind of makes you wish you were there right now, doesn't
it.)
My first run down the hill perfectly matched the day, and as
I rode the lift back to the top I found myself thinking that this
was the great life; that it didn't get much better than this;
that I had worked all my life and now here I was enjoying the
fruits of my labors. I found myself caught up in the day and
in the beauty of the Lord's creations.
My second, third and fourth runs down the hill were as enjoyable
and I reveled in the day. But, as often happens in life, experience
gave me a new perspective. By late afternoon, I had skied down
the hill several times. The day was still beautiful and the birds
still sang, but by now my knees hurt, my feet were tired, and
I was getting a headache. It made me realize that I am not as
young as I once was. At the end of my last run I was not remembering
the beauty of the day or the blue of the sky or the sweet scent
of pine; instead, it occurred to me that my skiing days were numbered.
And in a moment I realized that what I had thought of earlier
as "the good life" was enjoyable, to be sure, but only
fleeting.
We live in an interesting time of the world's history. This
spring, many of your peers across the nation have sat in meetings
like this to symbolize the end of their educational preparation
and the beginning of their march into the world. You, like your
peers, have great visions of what you will accomplish and how
you will build for yourself "the good life". That is
right and proper, but today I would like to warn you to be careful,
be careful that you don't establish as the standard for the good
life something that is temporary and fleeting.
The Lord, in the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants,
says of people in our day:
"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness,
but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his
own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose
substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish
in Babylon, even Babylon the great which shall fall." (D&C
1:16)
While you have studied with us you have worked hard to learn
accounting or entrepreneurship or computers or design or any of
the many subjects taught here. You have also studied the Book
of Mormon and the Bible and other topics. You have attended devotionals
and forums, firesides and service projects. You have participated
in College-sponsored activities and events designed to help you
have fun and create friendships.
And in a great part, your learning and activities have been paid
for by sacred tithing dollars. Have you ever wondered why the
Church would spend those funds for your education when there are
pressing needs for more chapels, temples, missions, genealogical
research and other things. Why does the Church help you get an
education in this fashion while many youth in the Church will
never have the chance to attend a Church school? Why does the
Lord provide all this for you? The answer is simple: The Lord
is investing in you now in hopes you will use your talents and
knowledge to bless your family and to build the kingdom. He expects
great things of you.
Now you may wonder what you can contribute to the kingdom,
what you can do to make a difference? The Lord gave this answer:
"Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my
commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause
of Zion; Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the
mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you
be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
(D&C 6:6-7)
Now poverty is not required, and you should work hard to do well
and prosper in whatever profession you choose, but do not replace
permanent, eternal goals with those of a temporal nature. Don't
create for yourself idols after the fashion of the world.
I know young men and women who try to compartmentalize their
obedience. They say: "I'll focus on making money now and
once that's done, I'll take care of my church duties." That
kind of wrong thinking will lead you to unhappiness. If you follow
that path, some day you will discover that your goal is as temporary
as the April snow that melts and seeps away when the light of
truth shines fully on it.
And so, as you leave us for work or further education or missions
or to become mothers and homemakers, we urge you to use the skills
you have developed here to more fully follow God and build His
kingdom. As faculty, staff and administration we feel as did
Jacob, the brother of Nephi, our "anxiety is great for you;
and ye yourselves know that it ever has been." (2Ne 6:3)
We pray for your success and wish you God speed. May you be willing
to serve in whatever capacity you are able and may you live lives
of personal integrity and virtue.
We expect great things of you. We expect you to continue to
learn, to be a blessing to your family, your profession and the
Church, but most of all, we expect you to remain true and faithful
in your testimony of the Savior and of His restored gospel. We
love you and pray for your success.
May the Lord bless you with prosperity, peace and righteousness,
and may He give you a determination to remain true and faithful.