“I would like to
suggest 10 specific things to help you be successful in the plan the Lord would have you follow in your life.
“First, establish a
set of principles by which you will guide every aspect of your life—in your
home, in your Church service, in your profession, in your community. Many
people try to compartmentalize their life and have a standard for Church and
another standard for what they do in business and in other aspects of their
life. I very strongly counsel you not to do that. There really is only one set
of standards that makes sense. Those are the teachings of Jesus Christ, which
signal to us the importance of faith, service, obedience, and integrity.”
“Second, don’t make
exceptions to your standards. Never compromise them. One of the ways the
Lord protects us is to give us guidance in life. Once of the ways Satan tries
to destroy us is to subtly lead us away from what we know is centrally
important in our life.”
Third, by loyal.
By loyal to your parents and loved ones. Above all, by loyal to Jesus Christ,
the Savior. Success comes when your actions are consistent with the teachings
of the Lord.”
“Fourth, live so that
the Lord can guide you to where He wants you to be and to serve. He can do
that if you live His commandments worthily and strive in every way to be
obedient to His teachings.”
“Fifth, serve others.
Sharing what you know with others will bring you happiness and bless their
lives.”
“Sixth, smile. I
don’t mean that you need to be cracking jokes every day, but a good joke now
and then is an escape valve. Life is not all that bad. You will soon learn that
everybody has problems and nobody wants to hear about yours. Put those things
aside and smile. Have a good sense of humor, as the prophets do. I wish I could
tell you some of the things that we talk about. Not flippant things, not things
that are inappropriate—just a good sense of humor. I will tell you a secret of
how to wake up in the morning with a smile on your face not matter how you feel:
go to bed with a coat hanger in your mouth. Remember, a good sense of humor
help you greatly.”
“Seventh, don’t
complain. Life isn’t always fair. That’s a fact. But it’s always charged
with marvelous opportunities if you know how to find them.”
“Eighth, always have a
Church assignment. I don’t mean that you should ask for a specific calling,
but wherever you go in the world, wherever the Lord takes you, always offer
your service to the presiding authority. Leave it to that authority to decide
where and how. Be connected with the things of God and the ways to serve Him.”
“The last two are the most important.”
“Ninth, go to the
temple. Carry a current temple recommend. There may be a few young adults
who will want to wait to go to the temple for their endowment when they go with
their companion to be sealed. But virtually everyone can obtain and keep a
temple recommend. It will keep you spiritually in tune, will allow you to
remember the most important things of life. And will encourage you to give
great service to others.”
“Tenth, use the Savior
Jesus Christ as your example for life. Use His teachings as your handbook
for life. Never make exceptions to them.”
Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and
Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on
April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu
