There's something about reviewing the lessons of the
past to prepare us to face the challenges of the future.
What a glorious legacy of faith, courage, ingenuity
those noble early Mormon pioneers have left for us to
build upon.
I think when we participate in a pioneer trek, it helps us to
understand all the trials that our ancestors went through so
they could get here and helps us to follow in their
footsteps to keep living righteously.
Former United States President Ronald Reagan has been quoted
as saying, "I do not want to go back to the past. I want to go
back to the past way of facing the future."
Embedded in the gospel of Jesus Christ there are eternal
principles and truths.
I'm not sure those early pioneers could've faced the
perils and uncertainties of the future without them.
And neither can we.
They're the only true and eternal way to face the
future, especially in these increasing perils and
uncertain times in which we now live.
How prepared are you to give witness and testimony to the
truthfulness of these very basic lessons?
The principles and the truths that we learn from the past
that will help us the most, I think, are hard work-- just
being willing to dedicate yourself totally to the Lord.
And being able to do whatever He asks you.
There's lots of temptations and distractions
and stuff out there.
So I think keeping the commandments and having faith
and stuff-- it's still just as important
with our trials today.
We're almost there, girls!
We can do it!
The youth--
I think they are prepared, especially when they're living
this gospel, because all the commandments help us to be
even more prepared for the future, and it will lead us
into a straight path.
I think there's a lot of ways being in our Church to
overcome trials.
One is staying close with your family and reading the
scriptures continually and daily prayer.
You have to be better than us, because the world's going to
require you to be better than us if the Church is going to
go forward and you're going to accomplish the purposes.
I think youth can prepare for the future by believing that
they can always do more than they think they can.
Kind of like yesterday when we were going up those hard
hills, and we just had to keep going and keep going, even
though we really had no idea where camp was.
And it's kind of like life.
When you're going through trials, you just have to know
that you can make it through, and that you can rely on the
Savior and our Heavenly Father to help us.
He's helped me so much in my life-- the Savior has--
and I've gone through a lot.
And heartaches, yes, but in the end He comes through for
me, because if I'm doing what I'm supposed to, He'll help me
through the rest.
May we all learn the principles and truths of the
past to help us face the future.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine way for us to face
our glorious future is my testimony to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.