What a great privilege it is to be together with all of you in this beautiful Hawaiian setting. Sytske and I are enjoying the Aloha spirit and the opportunity to get to know you. We have recently been called to serve as ward missionaries. This has given us a renewed interest in the “Preach My Gospel” manual that many of you are familiar with. Just as a matter of curiosity, please raise your hand if you have served a full-time mission. As we reflect upon the spiritual guidance we have received from the Holy Ghost, we are a bit overwhelmed by the many blessings that are coming our way. We are promised that if we follow the Lord and keep His commandments, the blessings will flow. I would like to quote from Elder Keith Hilbig of the Seventy. The beckoning invitations of the world attempt to divert our attention from the strait and narrow path. The adversary labors to dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, whether we are teenagers, young adults, or mature men and women. The role of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is essential in every season of our mortal lives.
From the beginning the Father has promised each of His spirit sons and daughters that through the Atonement and Resurrection of His Beloved Son, we all might return to God’s presence and inherit the blessings of eternal life in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom.
This is not without responsibility on our part. In the 43rd Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord counsels Joseph Smith:
"Again, I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit; And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken." (43:15-16)
May I quote from “Preach My Gospel,” page 89:
"God loves you and all His children. He is anxious to support you in your practical and specific challenges. You have been promised inspiration to know what to do and have been given the power to do it. He will help you as you try to recognize and understand the Spirit through diligent scripture study. … He will shower His blessings upon you through the gift of the Holy Ghost. He asks that you remain worthy of the gift and that you ask, seek, and knock."
That counsel is given to us in Mathew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
What a marvelous promise. I remember those days when I was where you are in your life’s journey. Every one of you has particular challenges that you are facing—how do you make it through?
If you lift your head high, work to the best of your ability and keep your eyes planted on the Savior while listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, you have everything you need to succeed.
As the days and weeks go by, I continue to develop a greater celebration of life. Even though Sytske and I are graying on top, we seem to be able to accomplish more and more. In fact, I don’t think we have ever been more actively engaged than we are now. Most of you know that we retired the first of this year after many years of service at LDS Business College. Everyone seems to ask us, “What are you going to do now?” Our answer to that question is, “Whatever the Lord wants us to.”
The Lord’s kingdom is rolling forth as spoken by Daniel: “… that a stone was cut out without hands,… The stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (2:34-35). We definitely want to play our part in building the Lord’s kingdom.
This has caused me to reflect back upon my own life. I remember all the way back to when I became an Eagle Scout. I was so pleased to have accomplished such a task. In fact, I remember thinking, this must be the peak, this must be as good as it gets. Then I became a teenager, and I must admit that I was not a model child. I did get picked up by the police one time for lighting firecrackers. I’ll tell you, I was scared to death, but I did make it through. I remember when I broke my leg the day after school let out for the summer. I had a paper route, so mother pulled me around in my red wagon so I could deliver the papers. Think back for a moment, I hope you have such memories. Was this the peak? You never really know where the peak is.
My first year of college I developed some weighty questions about life:
- Why was I on this earth?
- Is there really a plan of salvation—a life after death?
- What does the future hold?
I took these questions to my mother; my father passed away when I was young. She gave me a personal copy of Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. I would drive up the canyon to a spot by a stream and I began to read. I received a testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost. Was this the peak or just the beginning?
Now I wanted to know more. I went to see my bishop and asked him if I could serve a mission. He answered, “That is a great goal. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to begin coming to church first?”
Well, I did and some time later found myself alone on a steam engine train with wooden benches on my way to Wiesbaden, Germany to meet my companion after spending a few days in the mission home. I got off the train in this huge station and started looking for my companion. People were scurrying every which way and the crowd finally dispersed. I walked from one end to the other and all I heard were people speaking a language I didn’t know. After what seemed like a great deal of time, I spotted someone a distance away on a case playing a small accordion. What was that tune? It seemed so familiar - yes - it was “Come, Come Ye Saints.” I walked that direction and as I came closer he said, “Welcome to Germany, I am your companion, Elder Pope.” Was this the peak or was this a valley? Well, I had a terrific mission, learned the gospel, met some wonderful people (some whom we baptized) and made some lifelong friendships. After all these years we still have missionary reunions that fill the chapel. This must be the peak—as good as it gets.
I move forward to a time when I was twenty-six years old. In the month of June I had the most eventful week in my life, as Sytske has mentioned, the week we were married. The first time I met Sytske I went home and told my mother that I had met the girl I was going to marry. She said, “How do you know that?” I answered, “I don’t know how; I just know.” I finally realized that this was the influence of the Holy Ghost.
After we were married we loaded everything each of us owned into my 1965 Mustang (the most important being the TV and record player) and headed off to San Francisco. I would take the trolley car and bus and meet her and our new Pomeranian puppy every evening on the Marina Green near the Golden Gate Bridge. Boy, this must be the peak, the most exciting part of my life.
My friends used to tell me that life would be over at 30. Well 30 came and went. I did lose that youthful foolishness, but things kept getting better. By the time I was in my 40s, we had six children (five still living) and I was president of a company that was expanding into multiple cities. I remember thinking this must surely be the peak. In fact, wouldn’t it be wonderful to retire at age 50. Then in my 50s, I was called to the high council, then a bishop, and president of LDS Business College. Why was I ever thinking about retiring at age 50? I am in my late 60s and have had great experiences as a member of a Stake Presidency and in the implementation of a new Church College campus in downtown Salt Lake City. Now we have retired and what a great experience it has been to witness President Larry Richards take the reins at the College. Now I ask you, is this as good as it gets? Is this the peak? What happens when I’m 70? All I can say is, I don’t think I’m there yet. I hope the best is yet to come. Sytske and I have certainly been blessed to live so many years together, and to have twelve grandchildren, all in good health, all doing well with their own families.
Because of the love of our Savior and his Atonement, I have been given more than I could ever have dreamed of when I was a Boy Scout. But, looking back, I am assured that the best decision I was ever given the privilege to make was to marry Sytske in the Salt Lake Temple. This one event has changed my life and set me on the road to joy and happiness. Well, I hope that I haven’t been too personal. But I do feel I have been given a glimpse of what it means to be influenced by the Holy Ghost. This is a gift that is given to every one of us. We don’t always know what the Lord has in store for us. He has, however, given us comfort in knowing that through the influence of the Holy Ghost, we can be all that He expects us to be. In the May 2006 edition of the Ensign, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin wrote about “The Abundant Life.” He teaches that none of us are good at everything, but all of us are good at something. By listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can find out what that is. He writes,
"Harry de Leyer was late to the auction on that snowy day in 1956, and all of the good horses had already been sold. The few that remained were old and spent and had been bought by a company that would salvage them.
"Harry, the riding master at a girls’ school in New York, was about to leave when one of these horses—an uncared-for, gray gelding with ugly-looking wounds on its legs—caught his eye. The animal still bore the marks that had been made by a heavy work harness, evidence to the hard life he had led. But something about him captured Harry’s attention, so he offered $80 for him.
"It was snowing when Harry’s children saw the horse for the first time, and because of the coat of snow on the horse’s back, the children named him “Snowman.”
"Harry took good care of the horse, which turned out to be a gentle and reliable friend—a horse the girls liked to ride because he was steady and didn’t startle like some of the others. In fact, Snowman made such rapid improvement that a neighbor purchased him for twice what Harry had originally paid.
"But Snowman kept disappearing from the neighbor’s pasture—sometimes ending up in adjoining potato fields, other times back at Harry’s. It appeared that the horse must have jumped over the fences between the properties, but that seemed impossible—Harry had never seen Snowman jump over anything much higher than a fallen log.
"But eventually, the neighbor’s patience came to an end, and he insisted Harry take back the horse.
"For years, Harry’s great dream had been to produce a champion jumping horse. He’d had moderate success in the past, but in order to compete at the highest levels, he knew he would have to buy a pedigreed horse that had been specifically bred to jump. And that kind of pedigree would cost far more than he could afford.
"Snowman was already getting old—he was eight when Harry had purchased him—and he had been badly treated. But, apparently, Snowman wanted to jump, so Harry decided to see what the horse could do.
"What Harry saw made him think that maybe his horse had a chance to compete. In 1958, Harry entered Snowman in his first competition. Snowman stood among the beautifully bred, champion horses, looking very much out of place. Other horse breeders called Snowman a “flea-bitten gray.”
"But a wonderful, unbelievable thing happened that day. Snowman won!
"Harry continued to enter Snowman in other competitions, and Snowman continued to win.
"Audiences cheered every time Snowman won an event. He became a symbol of how extraordinary an ordinary horse could be. He appeared on television. Stories and books were written about him.
"As Snowman continued to win, one buyer offered $100,000 for the old plow horse, but Harry would not sell. In 1958 and 1959, Snowman was named “Horse of the Year.” Eventually, the gray gelding—who had once been marked for sale to a low bidder—was inducted into the show jumping Hall of Fame.
"For many, Snowman was much more than a horse. He became an example of the hidden, untapped potential that lies within each of us."
In the 84th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, we are given the oath and covenant of the Priesthood, which in part says, “For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him” (84:36-38). It is difficult to imagine what a great gift our Father is giving us.
I was given the great privilege to meet with President Gordon B. Hinckley and the First Presidency at Board of Trustees meetings on a monthly basis. I want to testify to you that we are, indeed, led by living prophets in our day. President Hinckley had inexhaustible energy, a quick mind and the ability to get to the bottom line quickly. His counsel was always heaven sent. President Thomas S. Monson has such great compassion for people. Whenever you speak with him, he is never rushed and he truly cares and lifts everyone in his presence. In a devotional talk at LDS Business College, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone said, “President Monson will be known as the compassionate Prophet. He has a heart like unto God’s own heart.”
We can learn so much from our leaders. They are men of God and serve with the spirit of the Holy Ghost. We can share that Holy Spirit by the way we live our lives. We can define our future through our attitude. Positive or negative, we get to choose.
I think of the story of two buckets tied to the end the same rope, going up and down into the well. They always passed in the middle. The one bucket is always complaining saying, “This is an impossible task. No matter how many times I come up full of water, I always go back down empty.” The second bucket, doing exactly the same work, is always filled with exuberance and joy, and says as he passes the other bucket, “Just think, no matter how many times I go down empty, I always come back up, full of water.” Isn’t it all about attitude?
I’d like to read you a story given by one of the young men in our ward, which makes this same point:
Being 12 years old is a drag: I don’t like being a scout and I don’t like these long hikes. If I were only older like my brother and could go to high school and have a car and drive everywhere instead of walking. Then I would be happy.
Gee, high school is a drag: Tests every week. Sally likes Bob, not me. Gas costs so much and Dad never lets me have the car. College would be an easy life. No parents to bug me. Then I would be happy.
Gosh, I wish Mom and Dad were here: Mom could fix me a good hot meal. So much homework! Never have any time. But soon I’ll be going on a mission – that would be great. And I hope I go to a foreign country so I can go to the MTC and learn a new language. Then I’ll be happy.
If only I’d gone to an English speaking mission. Life here in the MTC is really a drag. I can’t pass off Discussion C. I get up just in time to polish my shoes and get to class in time to have an Elder step on them. Have to cut my hair every two weeks. I got a Dear John that everyone seemed to think was very funny. Spent three hours in the lunch line and can’t say “escargot” correctly. I can’t wait to get into the mission field to be with people and to teach them. Then I’ll be happy.
Boy, what I’d give to be back in the MTC where at least if I did speak English, someone could understand me. Here I sit in the vegetable markets of Paris and wonder what my friends are doing. Wonder what Mom’s cooking for supper; can’t really wait to get home again, get into life, get married, have some kids. Really want some children and then I’ll be happy.
These kids are a pain. Always getting into stuff, business is bad, never have a minute to myself anymore. The kids always need this or that. When I retire and have all day at home with my wife, then I’ll be happy and life will be like I always dreamed.
Boy, I wish those kids would come home and visit sometimes. The place seems empty with everyone gone. There’s nothing to do. Don’t have any strength and enthusiasm like I used to. Gee, I wish I was a scout again. I remember when I was 12 years old and a scout. Those were the best days of my life.
I remember well the story President Monson told about walking past a furniture store and there was a sign in the window with the words “Finishers Wanted” engraved upon it. He then talked about how easy it was to start the work, but most of the time it was difficult to bring the work to a productive end, or to finish. I have often told the students at LDS Business College that part of the test of getting a college degree is to finish the work. Even though the work may be difficult, sometimes even boring, when you get that diploma in hand it shows that you are a finisher. Why do we work so hard in this life? First of all, it gives us self worth, but it also helps make life a little easier for someone else.
President Spencer W. Kimball writes in his book The Miracle of Forgiveness, about how important it is to finish the task as defined. I quote his story:
An army officer called a soldier to him and ordered him to take a message to another officer. The soldier saluted and said, “I’ll try, sir! I’ll try!” To this the officer responded: “I don’t want you to try, I want you to deliver this message.” The soldier, somewhat embarrassed, now replied: “I’ll do the best I can, sir.” At this the officer, now disgusted, rejoined with some vigor; “I don’t want you to try and I don’t want you to ‘do the best you can.’ I want you to deliver this message.” Now the young soldier, straightening to his full height, approached the matter magnificently, as he thought, when he saluted again and said: “I’ll do it or die, sir.” To this the now irate officer responded: “I don’t want you to die, and I don’t want you merely to do the best you can, and I don’t want you to try. Now, the request is a reasonable one; the message is important; the distance is not far; you are able-bodied; you can do what I have ordered. Now get out of here and accomplish your mission.”
We have talked about the influence of the Holy Ghost which will assist us in a positive attitude. We have talked about having a goal and achieving it. Now let us talk about “Integrity.” Let me pose a situation to you. Ask yourself what you would have done if you were in this situation. (This story is titled, “Winners and Winners,” by Al Covino, from his book, Chicken Soup for the Soul.)
As a high school coach, I did all I could to help my boys win their games. I rooted as hard for victory as they did.
A dramatic incident, however, following a game in which I officiated as a referee, changed my perspective on victories and defeats. I was refereeing a league championship basketball game in New Rochelle, New York, between New Rochelle and Yonkers High. New Rochelle was coached by Dan O’Brien, Yonkers by Les Beck. The gym was crowded to capacity, and the volume of noise made it impossible to hear. The game was well played and closely contested. Yonkers was leading by one point as I glanced at the clock and discovered there were but 30 seconds left to play.
Yonkers, in possession of the ball, passed off, shot—missed. New Rochelle recovered, pushed the ball up court—shot. The ball rolled tantalizingly around the rim and off. The fans shrieked.
New Rochelle, the home team, recovered the ball, and tapped it in for what looked like victory. The tumult was deafening. I glanced at the clock and saw that the game was over. I hadn’t heard the final buzzer because of the noise. I checked with the other official, but he could not help me.
Still seeking help in this bedlam, I approached the timekeeper, a young man of 17 or so. He said, “Mr. Covino, the buzzer went off as the ball rolled off the rim, before the final tap-in was made.”
I was in the unenviable position of having to tell Coach O’Brian the sad news. “Dan,” I said, “time ran out before the final basket was tapped in. Yonkers won the game.”
His face clouded over. The young timekeeper came up. He said, “I’m sorry, Dad. The time ran out before the final basket.”
Suddenly, like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, Coach O’Brien’s face lit up. He said, “That’s okay, Joe. You did what you had to do. I’m proud of you.”
Turning to me, he said, “Al, I want you to meet my son, Joe.”
The two of them then walked off the court together, the coach’s arm around his son’s shoulder.
I’d like to close by giving you my testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost which can possess our souls every day of our lives if we so let it. If we do those things which we have been asked, and which we have been commanded to do, we will have the blessings of the Lord and His Spirit with us at all times. I have a great testimony of this work, of the Church, of the prophet, of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the Gospel. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.