My friends, aloha.
It’s a privilege to be here with you today.
My wife Kristen and I now serve in a Young Single Adult Ward at the University of Utah. Associating with young adults like yourselves has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives. We love your energy, your commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and honestly, it makes us feel young. Speaking of you, President Russell M. Nelson said: “…you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation!” [1] I can testify that this is true. Thank you for your example.
Our family company, Okland Construction, has had the honor of helping build several projects on this campus over the past ten years. Through that work we’ve grown to love this University. One of those projects is the new David O. McKay Complex that is now underway. President McKay envisioned “[students of BYU–Hawaii being] men and women whose influence will be felt for the good towards the establishment of peace internationally.” This vision along with President Marion G. Romney’s comments about BYU–Hawaii being a living laboratory to learn and teach peace across cultures is being fulfilled on campus. What a visionary idea for our day! Furthermore, the mission of BYU–Hawaii is “to prepare students of Oceania and the Asian Rim to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in their families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God.” [2]
These are important responsibilities, and wonderful opportunities. Have you thought about how you will become peacebuilding disciples and leaders in your communities? How will you navigate your life’s journey? It may be long, winding, sometimes rocky, and often unmarked. Yet, I’ve discovered that following a few spiritual principles can make the path easier, even joyful and fulfilling. Here are four spiritual rules to guide you.
Rule Number 1: The journey is meant to be enjoyed.
Rule Number 2: Know that you are on your own unique path.
Rule Number 3: Keep pressing forward.
Rule Number 4: There is safety in your covenants.
Thirty-five years ago, I was called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and assigned to labor in the Norway Oslo Mission. While serving there I saw much of the beautiful landscape and architecture of that country. My Norwegian heritage made it even more exciting and meaningful to me. As missionaries we loved hiking and exploring Norway’s majestic fjords and forests. But there was one climb we weren’t allowed to make: the ascent to Preikestolen, or pulpit rock. It was deemed to be too dangerous by our mission president.
Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most famous natural landmarks. It features a flat-topped cliff 604 meters above the Lysefjord. The breathtaking location has appeared in several major Hollywood movies, including Mission Impossible.
Fast-forward 35 years. Last summer while traveling in Norway with our family, we decided to hike to the top of Preikestolen. We were traveling with my parents, who had been to Norway many times but had never visited Preikestolen. My almost 80-year-old mother was determined to make the trek with us to the top of “pulpit rock”.
Even though the trail was well marked, it included steep and rocky sections. The uneven, slippery paths demanded careful footing. If you wandered off the trail or got distracted, the results could be disastrous—possibly fatal. We were surprised to see so many cliffs without guardrails, with some people sitting dangerously close to the edge, feet dangling over the fjord below.
The hike pushed us to our physical and mental limits. At times, we doubted our ability to reach the summit.
As novices to hiking, we supported each other and enjoyed our time together as a family. We shared many laughs amid our struggles, often questioning why we found ourselves on such an adventure. Despite moments of exhaustion, we paused to appreciate the breathtaking beauty surrounding us. We discovered that there is pure joy in sharing the journey together.
This experience teaches us spiritual rule number one.
Spiritual Rule #1: The journey is meant to be enjoyed
God doesn’t just want us to survive life; He desires us to return to Him joyful, refined, and seasoned with experience. True joy is found through Jesus Christ. But does that mean we’re meant to be happy all the time? Certainly not.
Have you ever felt discouraged when things didn’t go as planned? Or felt you were obeying the Lord’s directions, yet faced disappointment? Life is full of unexpected turns.
In Daniel chapter 3 from the Old Testament, we learn about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were commanded by King Nebuchadnezzar to worship a golden idol. Despite knowing they would be cast into a fiery furnace, they refused to worship it. Their faith was demonstrated not only through the miraculous deliverance from the flames but through their unwavering commitment to God, regardless of the outcome. In verse 18, they declare, “But if not…” [3] a phrase I love because it beautifully expresses trust: I know what I want, but if that is not what is best for me, I trust that God knows best. I am content with whatever path He chooses for my life. I can choose to be joyful in any circumstance.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “…the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.” [4]
On our Preikestolen hike, hills, slippery stones, mud, crowds, rain, narrow and scary bridges, all could have made us doubt our choice to climb. But having experienced all those things, we still found the vista at the top to be breathtaking.
So, what can we do to find joy on our journey? We can choose to walk with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the perfect walking companion. Because of the Atonement, He understands us perfectly. The disciples that walked with Him on the road to Emmaus, after His resurrection, learned from Him by the spirit. Earlier, prior to His resurrection, the Savior taught, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [5] Invite Him to walk with you. It’s okay to move slowly. Just keep walking, one step at a time, with faith.
Most of you are probably familiar with the primary song… “I Will Walk with Jesus.” [6] I would sing it for you, but unfortunately, you might not recognize it! Stephen Schank, who wrote the lyrics and composition, said, “...choosing to walk with Jesus Christ is not something we do only once but every day of our lives. As we do, the Savior shares His power with us, changing our very hearts to become more loving, more holy, more like Him.” [7] The lyrics to the chorus are as follows:
“As I walk with Jesus to my home above,
He will bless me with His Spirit and fill me with His love,
Change my heart forever and help me clearly see.
I will walk with Jesus... and He will walk with me.” [8]
Spiritual Rule #2: You are on your own path.
I want to introduce you to my friend, Aaron Franco, one of the Young Single Adults in our ward in Salt Lake City. Aaron has been on a different path than most of us church members. Here is his story in his own words…
“I was raised devoutly Jewish in New York City. I have always had a testimony of God because the Jewish faith believes in the Old Testament. However, I always knew something was missing.
When I was twelve, I was in the car with my soccer coach who was listening to Christian music for several hours. I distinctly remember the lyrics to a song. '...He knows my name, He knows my every thought, and He hears me when I call.' Somehow, I knew the 'He' in that song was Jesus Christ and I felt the spirit so strongly. But I quickly denied those positive feelings because believing in anything other than Adonai, which means Heavenly Father in Hebrew, was considered blasphemy. I was jealous of my friends who celebrated Christmas or could make the cross symbol on their chests when entering a soccer field.
On another occasion, I remember feeling the Spirit when a friend was talking about Jesus. I felt an overwhelming joyful emotion that was difficult to describe. She assured me that it was the Holy Ghost. That feeling left a spiritual yearning in me that I could never quite replicate in Synagogue.
I had always felt connected to God. But as the years passed and my life choices took me away from religion, I stopped believing that God loved me. I had left home and was playing semi-professional soccer. My lifestyle reflected the way I imagined God felt about me. Following a traumatic soccer concussion in 2017, I began to battle depression, anxiety, and many other traumatic experiences. One night, when I thought my life was over, I got down on my knees and begged for help. I told God, 'Take my life. I will do anything and go anywhere you tell me to. Any church, any temple or any mosque. Please end my suffering and help me find the truth that will heal me.' Then God intervened in my life. He replied to me, 'I’ve got you in Utah now. Go talk to some missionaries.' I laughed. That was a mistake; that can’t be. So, I asked several more times and God plainly told me to go investigate The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rest is history.”
Aaron continues, “Three months later I was baptized. I now hold the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood, and I attend the temple weekly. I have callings in my ward, I received my patriarchal blessing, and I have a beautiful girlfriend who is a returned missionary and is helping me navigate my covenant path. God moves quickly when you’re willing to listen. I’m so grateful. I walk by faith, not by sight. I have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that Heavenly Father loves His children, that the Book of Mormon is true and that we have a living prophet today. I love my new relationship with Jesus Christ. He knew me long before my conversion, and many seeds were planted for me along the way. My spiritual questions closely paralleled those of young Joseph Smith, when he prayed to know which church he should join. The First Vision was an answer to his prayers, and my new life is an answer to mine.” End of quote.
It has been a privilege to watch Aaron find his way to the covenant path and thrive there. He is my friend and example. How many Aarons are out there? My faith is renewed when I think about his journey. I’m so grateful he didn’t give up— and that the gathering of Israel is happening all around us as missionary work continues in our day.
All of us have different paths. One of my favorite analogies about this principle is by Elder Clark G. Gilbert called the Parable of the Slope. Elder Gilbert says, “Our future will be determined far less by our starting point and much more by our slope. Jesus Christ sees divine potential no matter where we start. He saw it in the beggar, the sinner, and the infirm. He saw it in the fisherman, the tax collector, and even the zealot. No matter where we start, Christ considers what we do with what we are given. While the world focuses on our intercept, God focuses on our slope. In the Lord’s calculus, He will do everything He can to help us turn our slopes toward heaven.” [9]
I testify that Jesus Christ will meet us where we are. Our paths will all look different, and that’s by design. The Lord knows our potential — and it is divine.
A word of warning; comparison, is one of Satan’s greatest weapons against young people. In 2 Corinthians 10:12, we read “…but they measuring themselves…and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” [10] It is paramount that we avoid comparing our paths to each other. God knows best how to refine us individually.
Referring to our trek up Preikestolen, many hikers with more experience were far ahead of us and passed us on the trail. There were people sprinting, some carrying small children in packs, others walking their dogs, and even an older woman from South America who was traversing the hike in heeled clogs. Speed was not important; it wasn’t a race. We all enjoyed the same view from the top.
Spiritual Rule #3: Keep pressing forward.
Most of you are too young to know what life was like before GPS and cell phones. In 2007, the iPhone’s release made GPS mainstream. But before that, when we traveled to a city that was unfamiliar to us, we had to consult a map. We could buy a map of any state we visited at the gas station. When we made our travel plans, we would study our atlas, which was a collection of maps. We really had to plan ahead before we got behind the wheel of a car, or we had to have someone sitting beside us in the passenger seat, navigating for us as we drove.
Consider the role of a map in helping us arrive at our destination. Whether you use Google Maps, or an old school paper map, not following the directions can lead you to a place you did not intend to go.
Metaphorically, there are some maps that we can follow to help us arrive at our spiritual destinations.
Our patriarchal blessing is one of these maps. Your blessing is a personal scripture and a divine roadmap that gives direction that your life can take, providing guidance and inspiration.
I encourage you to read your patriarchal blessing , and if you haven’t yet received your blessing, make an appointment with your bishop to get started. As you ponder and reflect on the things God wants you to know, you will find strength and develop confidence that you can have all the blessings that God has promised to you, his devoted disciple. Please make room for this personal scripture especially for you.
My wife, Kristen, and I attended a fireside recently where guests were Elder Kevin W. Pearson and his wife, June. At the conclusion of the fireside, someone asked Elder Pearson, “What is the one thing we can do as young people to navigate the challenges of our day?” His answer was simple and direct: “Follow the prophet.”
Consider the miracle that our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was restored to the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith, under the direction of Jesus Christ, whose church it is. Since that restoration, living prophets have continued to act in direct communication between heaven and earth, helping members navigate modern challenges. Continual revelation from a living prophet reminds us of God’s active involvement in His Church and in our lives.
The passing of our most recent prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has allowed us to see what a life of true discipleship looks like. He was more than just a brilliant, capable, and kind human. He was divinely called to lead, to reveal God’s will for His children, and to carry the apostolic keys of God’s Priesthood and His Church. Now, the mantle of Prophet resides with President Dallin H. Oaks. We thank our loving God for dear prophets.
One more navigational tool is scripture study. One of the allegories that I cling to is Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, as told in 1 Nephi. [11] We learn many lessons about obedience and the path of life as we move toward the love of God. It is visual and easy to understand, and it is as relevant today as it was in Nephi’s time.
Have you ever had an experience while studying the words of prophets, your patriarchal blessing, or the scriptures that reminded you of something that God wanted you to know? You may have felt the Holy Ghost witness to your mind and your heart that what you are feeling is true. Remember to use these maps when you are navigating your paths of life.
Spiritual Rule #4: There is safety in your covenants.
In construction, there are certain protocols that keep our team members safe when they’re at work sites. We wear personal protective equipment, which includes hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and high visibility vests. We use cones, flags, and signs for visibility. You’ve certainly seen this daily as you navigate campus. However, one of the most important safety protocols is the use of guardrails, which we use along the edge of every dangerous condition, where a fall or other accident could occur.
My friends, our covenants are our spiritual guardrails. They keep us safely on solid ground. Through priesthood ordinances, we make promises with God and he offers us protection and blessings in return. Isn’t that amazing?
Your covenant path includes baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek priesthood ordination for men, temple endowment and sealing. It leads you to the celestial kingdom of God. As covenant-keepers, we make covenants and then live worthy of them day after day. And when we make mistakes, we use the Atonement to get back on the path immediately, rather than wandering in places we should not go. We take the sacrament with intention each week, and we do our best to attend the temple regularly. Staying on the covenant path shows our ongoing commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “Now, to each member of the Church I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.” [12]
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, as I conclude, I want to remind you that the journey of life is sacred, personal, and often unpredictable. But with Jesus Christ as our constant companion, and by following the spiritual rules we’ve discussed—enjoying the journey, walking your path, pressing forward with faith, and finding safety in covenants—we can navigate even the most challenging terrains on our path.
Remember, your Father in Heaven knows you personally; He sees your divine potential and is eager to guide you every step of the way. You are good enough. Whether your path is smooth or rocky, crowded or lonely, His love and direction are always available. Trust Him, follow His prophets, study His word, and cherish your covenants—the sacred promises that provide safety and strength on your journey.
As you walk with Jesus, you will discover that your life will be filled with purpose, joy, and the assurance that ultimately, you are headed home—to be with Him again. So go forward with confidence, knowing you are not alone. The Lord “…shall direct thy paths.” [13]
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], Gospel Library
[2] BYU–Hawaii Mission Statement
[3] Daniel 3:18
[4] Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2016, 82
[5] John 8:12
[6] “I Will Walk with Jesus,” Hymns—For Home and Church, no. 1004
[7] Stephen P. Schank, “About the Hymns: I Will Walk with Jesus,” Hymn Helps, Gospel Library
[8] “I Will Walk with Jesus,” Hymns—For Home and Church, no. 1004
[9] Clark G. Gilbert, “Becoming More in Christ: The Parable of the Slope,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2021, 20
[10] 2 Corinthians 10:12
[11] 1 Nephi 8
[12] Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, April 2018
[13] Proverbs 3:6