Each must ask the questions:
Where am I going?
How do I intend to get there?
What is my divine destiny?
First, we must visualize our objective. What is our purpose? The Prophet Joseph Smith counseled: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 255–56.) In this one sentence we are provided not only a well-defined goal, but also the way we might achieve it.
Second, we must make continuous effort. Have you noticed that many of the most cherished of God’s dealings with His children have been when they were engaged in a proper activity? The visit of the Master to His disciples on the way to Emmaus, the good Samaritan on the road to Jericho, even Nephi on his return to Jerusalem, and Father Lehi en route to the precious land of promise. Let us not overlook Joseph Smith on the way to Carthage, and Brigham Young on the vast plains to the valley home of the Saints.
Third, we must not detour from our determined course. In our journey we will encounter forks and turnings in the road. There will be the inevitable trials of our faith and the temptations of our times. We simply cannot afford the luxury of a detour, for certain detours lead to destruction and spiritual death. Let us avoid the moral quicksands that threaten on every side, the whirlpools of sin, and the crosscurrents of uninspired philosophies.
Fourth, to gain the prize, we must be willing to pay the price. The apprentice does not become the master craftsman until he has qualified. The lawyer does not practice until he has passed the bar. The doctor does not attend our needs until internship has been completed.
One
who listened and who followed was Elder Randall Ellsworth. While
serving in Guatemala as a missionary, Randall Ellsworth survived a
devastating earthquake, which hurled a beam down on his back, paralyzing
his legs and severely damaging his kidneys. He was the only American
injured in the quake, which claimed the lives of some eighteen thousand
persons.
After
receiving emergency medical treatment, he was flown to a large hospital
near his home in Rockville, Maryland. While Randall was confined there,
a television newscaster conducted with him an interview that I
witnessed through the miracle of television. The reporter asked, “Can
you walk?”
The answer: “Not yet, but I will.”
“Do you think you will be able to complete your mission?”
Came the reply, “Others think not, but I will.”
With
microphone in hand, the reporter continued, “I understand you have
received a special letter containing a get-well message from none other
than the President of the United States.”
“Yes,”
replied Randall, “I am very grateful to the President for his
thoughtfulness; but I received another letter, not from the president of
my country, but from the president of my church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—President Spencer W. Kimball. This I cherish. With him praying for me, and the prayers of my family,
my friends, and my missionary companions, I will return to Guatemala.
The Lord wanted me to preach the gospel there for two years, and that’s
what I intend to do.”
I
turned to my wife and commented, “He surely must not know the extent of
his injuries. Our official medical reports would not permit us to
expect such a return to Guatemala.”
How grateful am I that the day of faith and the age of miracles are not past history but continue with us even now. The
newspapers and the television cameras turned their attention to more
immediate news as the days turned to weeks and the weeks to months. God did not forget him who possessed a humble and a contrite heart,
even Elder Randall Ellsworth. Little by little, the feeling began to
return. In his own words, Randall described the recovery: “The thing I
did was always to keep busy, always pushing myself. In the hospital I
asked to do therapy twice a day instead of just once. I wanted to walk
again on my own.” When the Missionary Department evaluated the medical
progress Randall Ellsworth had made, word was sent to him that his
return to Guatemala was authorized. Said he, “At first I was so happy I
didn’t know what to do. Then I went into my bedroom and I started to
cry. Then I dropped to my knees and thanked my Heavenly Father.” Randall
Ellsworth walked aboard the plane that carried him back to the mission
to which he was called and back to the people whom he loved. Behind he
left a trail of skeptics, a host of doubters, but also hundreds amazed
at the power of God, the miracle of faith, and the reward of
determination. Ahead lay thousands of honest, God-fearing, and earnestly
seeking sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. A modern-day Paul,
who had overcome his “thorn in the flesh,” had returned to teach them
the truth, to lead them to life eternal. From Elder Ellsworth, they
heard God’s word. They learned His truth. They accepted His ordinances. Like
Randall Ellsworth, may we know where we are going, be willing to make
the continuous effort required to get there, avoid any detour, and be
willing to pay the often very high price of faith and determination to
win life’s race.
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