'What we do in life echoes in eternity'
One of the great myths in life is that some men are invincible, President James E. Faust remarked in his priesthood session address.
"Too many think that they are men of steel, strong enough to withstand any temptation," said President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency. "They delude themselves into thinking, 'It cannot happen to me.' . . .Brethren, 'it' can happen to any of us at any time. So much of our course in life is influenced by forces we only partly perceive."
Borrowing an analogy used by President Charles W. Penrose, an earlier member of the First Presidency, President Faust spoke of the Titanic, the luxury liner, thought to be unsinkable, that perished on its maiden voyage when it struck an iceberg.
"History is full of examples of men who were gifted and able but who, in a moment of weakness, threw away their promising lives," he said, citing the example of King David, who lost his spiritual inheritance after he allowed himself to succumb to a serious personal flaw.
"Some people think their age and experience make them better able to withstand temptation," he remarked. "This is a falsehood."
He spoke of drug abuse, smoking, alcohol consumption, gambling, viewing pornography on the Internet and inappropriate entertainment as examples of behaviors that can lead to the downfall of individuals.
"I have spoken at some length about things you don't want to happen to you," he said. "Now let's consider some of the good things that can happen to you, even beyond your fondest dreams and expectations! . . .
"We must recognize that our natural gifts and abilities are limited, but when augmented by inspiration and guidance of the Holy Ghost, our potential increases manyfold. You need help from a power beyond your own to do something extraordinarily useful. . . . Your future may not hold fame or fortune, but it can be something far more lasting and fulfilling. Remember that what we do in life echoes in eternity."
Though some people may have lingering doubts about their own faith or testimony, "many of us do not have a full awareness of what we really know," President Faust said. "Even though we have been taught the gospel, we may not be fully aware of what the Lord has put in our 'inward parts' and written 'on our hearts.' (See Jeremiah 31:33.) As young men of the covenant, you are heirs to great promises. You have the opportunity to become more than 'hewers of wood and drawers of water' (Joshua 9:21)."
He said he does not claim to have an absolute understanding of all the principles of the gospel, "but I have come to know with certainty the divinity and authority of this Church. This came to me gradually, line upon line, and precept upon precept. I now know that I know just as you can come to know that you know. It can happen to you."
Knowledge comes through faith, President Faust observed, noting that some of those who actually handled the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated did not remain faithful to the Church.
"Seeing an angel would be a great experience, but it is far greater to come to a knowledge of the divinity of the Savior through faith and the witness of the Spirit," he remarked.
"You can also come to know what you knew as a valiant son of God in the pre-mortal existence," he said. "It can happen to you. But it won't just happen automatically. You will have to exercise faith. The only way to acquire spiritual knowledge and keep it burning brightly is to be humble, prayerful and to strive diligently to keep all of the commandments."
He referred to the musical piece written by John Williams and performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony at the opening ceremonies of the recently concluded 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. "It was entitled 'Call of the Champions,' he said. "Tonight I wish to make a call to the champions. The stirring first words of this piece are citius (swifter), altius (higher) and fortius (stronger), which have been the official Olympic motto since 1924.
"Brethren of the priesthood, we live in a marvelous time. Never in the history of the Church have we had more witnesses of the truthfulness of this holy work. We have our detractors and critics, as we have always had. But never has the Church climbed higher, moved swifter or been stronger to accomplish its mission. Now is the time for the call of the champions. In God's work we too must be swifter, working with greater urgency; higher, striving for lofty spiritual goals; and stronger, relying on God's strength. It can happen to you."
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