Two Paths

I was reading in 2 Nephi a few nights ago, and I came to this scripture in chapter 10 verse 23 which says, "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.” Also in verse 24 it says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.” These scriptures tell us that there are only two paths to choose from, we can either choose the devil’s will or we can choose the Lords will. There are many scriptures that are like this one that make it clear that there are only two paths, and only one to eternal happiness.

The scriptures tell us that there are two paths to choose from, this doesn’t mean they are equal paths. Christ says to his disciples, “… enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work.” (3 Nephi 27:33) We get a much greater perspective of the task set before when we realize just how unequal the paths are. The path to destruction is easy and wide, but brings only misery, while the path to happiness is small and narrow. The path to the Lord, our God, is not a easy path to follow. When, and not if, we leave the path, it can be difficult to find our way again. The further we wander from the path the harder it is to find the narrow path which leads to God, and thus to happiness.

I had an experience a few years back, were I went backpacking with a few guys from my scout troop. It was a weeklong backpacking adventure activity, and it was tons of fun. The purpose of the week long backpacking trip was to come to feel the spirit better, and to test ourselves physically, and mentally. In some ways that is the purpose of us being here on this earth. On the first day of our backpacking trip my group had the opportunity to hike up a fairly large hill. As we began to hike up the hill we soon realized that it was a much longer walk than we had first thought it was going to be. Still we made it to the top of the hill and we had a great view from the top of the large hill. From the top we could see many lakes and areas that we would come to hike throughout the week. We were able to see just how long the trek ahead was going to be but we look forward in joy because of the fun we knew we would have and the things we would get to see and experience. As some of the boys started to hike back down the hill taking the path that led to the bottom of the hill, a boy in my group said that we should go straight down the mountain because we could see the trail from where we were which we knew would lead us safely down the hill. Being naive and of a daring nature, a few of us decided to follow him down the hill, by cutting the trail. It was much faster at first, and because we always could see the trail we felt safe enough. After doing this several times we became more confident in our path. After doing this several time, we tried to cut the trail once again, though we did not come to the trail. All of a sudden we felt a lot more worried. The way we had come was too steep to climb back up so all we could do was continue on. We were lost.

I tell you this because I have come to realize that our life on this earth is much like the experience that I had during the backpacking trip. Some of us during the journey realize that the path to happiness is already made, and that we cannot make our own path to happiness. What may seem like a better path to us now may become a scary and dangerous path latter on in life. Even though we saw the path ahead while at the top of the hill, we could not remember every turn and switchback that the path took, thus when we tried cutting the trail, we became lost. This is the same way, we, here on earth; need to follow the path that has already been said to bring happiness, because we cannot find it on our own. In the scripture that says the path is wide to destruction and narrow to happiness, this experience really made me see just how wide the path to destruction can be. It also makes me realize that no matter how far off of the trail which leads to happiness; we are still off of it. We must strive to follow the trail diligently and to “reconcile [ourselves] to the will of God… and not the will of the flesh”

Feeling lost can be a very scary feeling, no matter where you may be lost, or what situation you are in while you are lost. It is the same with those that have no knowledge of the gospel. They are lost and don’t know which direction to take to find happiness, so they take the path that they feel will lead them there such as drinking, or gambling, but it never makes them happy.

As my friends and I continued on in our course to find the trail again, we found that our path was becoming much more hazardous, and one time someone about slipped of a fairly large cliff. These are the kinds of obstacles in our off trail trek that we were not able to see until we got right on top of them, but that the creator of the trail knew were there. This is the very reason that the trail was made, to take hikers the easiest, and the safest way down the mountain in the long run, and not just the short run. It came to the point in our journey that we all decided it was time for us to pray to our Heavenly Father that we would find the way to the trail, and that we would be safe. After only about five minutes, we heard people from our group not too far off in the distance. They were talking loudly, and with much excitement. As we called for them, they called back and we were able to follow their guiding calls to find the trail. As it happened, we were not that far from the trail, but with all of the trees and greenery around we could not see the trail.

I learned, and still am learning, a lot from that experience. The path that the Lord wants us to follow is the way that will get us home to him. If we choose our own path it will only bring temporary happiness, and then we will be lost. The Lord loves all of his children though, and he wants us to be safe and to be happy, “men are that they might have joy.” His way is the path to happiness. To find that path it might require faith, and a prayer that the lord will help you find your way back to the path of happiness. Repentance is the way back to the Savior, who died for us. For us, on our exciting trek, it required us to kneel and ask the Lord to help us find his way, because we had come to the conclusion that we were done trying to find our own way.

The Lord works through his missionaries to help people find their way to the Lord’s way. We must call out in joy and happiness, our knowledge of the path that we know to be true, a path which leads us to our heavenly father. Just like those from our group were calling out, we must call out so that we can find those who are lost. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to serve as the lord’s messenger in the two years to come, and also in my life to come. We are so blessed to know of the true path to happiness and we must not let those who are lost struggle on their own, but we must answer their prayers for the Lord, and call to them and let them know about the gospel and the good news it brings.

As I have been preparing to serve the Lord more diligently I have come to realize that we cannot call people to the path of happiness unless we to are on it. There are many people who believe that they know the best way, such as my friend, who thought that going straight down the mountain was the most fun, fastest, and smartest way to go down the mountain. My friend was not a wicked man; he just was unaware of the consequences of his actions. In fact his goal was the same as those who took the trail; to get down the mountain. The Lord put people on this earth with the knowledge necessary to lead us to that joyful path, and to lead us back to the Lord our God. These people are the prophets. They have been called of God to be a messenger for the people of this earth, to show us what the right way down the mountain is, because only the Creator of the world knows what path is best for us to travel.

As I prepare to serve the lord with all my might, mind, and strength in the days, months and years to come, as long as the Lord wills it to be so, I have been trying to become closer to our heavenly father, and to allow the spirit to be with me at all times. To do this we must be on the path at all times. The Spirit is like our field guide. He will protect us so long as we are willing to listen to him. The further and further we get the harder it is for the spirit to help us, or for us to recognize, and hear the promptings that he give us. When we listen to music that is inappropriate, watch R rated videos or movies with violent, immoral behavior, or with humor that is offensive to the spirit, we are walking away from the path, and the spirit then becomes harder to hear. Also the more we ignore the spirit when he tells us what is right or wrong, the less he is likely to help us and the more likely we are to get lost. Strive to put the Lords will above our own. Stepping off the path for our own pleasures will bring us sadness, and it makes it harder for us to feel the spirit. Commit fully to living the way the lord would have us live. Little things now can become big things in the future. The more the spirit knows that you are willing to commit to the lord, the more he is willing to help you in your everyday life, and the stronger your testimony will grow in regards to knowing that the Lords way is the right way, and that his path leads to happiness.

When you read or watch something, think to yourself, is this what the lord would have me do, or will this drive me from the path of righteousness and further from the spirit. In the Strength of Youth pamphlet, it says…

“Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Therefore, choose only entertainment and media that uplift you. Good entertainment will help you to have good thoughts and make righteous choices. It will allow you to enjoy yourself without losing the Spirit of the Lord. While much entertainment is good, some of it can lead you away from righteous living. Offensive material is often found in web sites, concerts, movies, music, videocassettes, DVDs, books, magazines, pictures, and other media. Satan uses such entertainment to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal and exciting. It can mislead you into thinking that everyone is doing things that are wrong. Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable.”

I have had to really “be honest with [myself], others, and the Lord,” in deciding what was appropriate to the Lord and to the spirit. “Don’t rationalize that wrong is right, even though many people around you may think there is no harm in being dishonest. Being honest requires courage and commitment to do what you know is right.” A quote by President David O. McKay counseled: “The greatest battle of life is fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.’ … It is a good thing to sit down and commune with yourself, to come to an understanding with yourself and decide in that silent moment what your duty is to your family, to your Church, to your country, and … to your fellowmen.” Be honest with yourself and the Lord. When trying to decide what is right and what is wrong our prophet president Thomas S. Monson says “I have tried to pattern my life after the Master. Whenever I have a difficult decision to make, I have looked at [the] picture [of our Savor] and asked myself, “What would He do?” Then I try to do it. We can never go wrong when we choose to follow the Savior.”

As I have been striving to feel the spirit stronger, I have found that changing the small things in our lives, which draw us away from the Lord, are the things that show our commitment to the Lord the most. By choosing to put off the small sins we choose to commit, the spirit can work in us to a much greater degree. As it says in Matthew 6: 24 “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Do as Joshua counsels and “choose this day…” to serve the Lord. The Lord knows that we cannot be perfect, but the Lord also knows when we are not doing all that we can. If you feel that you have not been doing all you can do to serve the Lord, and to choose his path, then work your way to the path of righteousness. In Helamen 12:23 it say, “Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved.” It can be a scary thing if you have to speak to the bishop about a sin, but it is important to remember that the bishop is there for you and that he won’t laugh or judge you because of a sin. He knows the courage it takes to talk to him, and he will think highly of you for being able to talk to him. Remember also that the scriptures say that he that repents is blessed. I truly believe that you are blessed when you repent. I have felt the atonement work in my life and it is truly a blessing to have. Do as the Savor say’s and don’t procrastinate the day of repentance. He died for us, and it is important to not waste that sacrifice. This I know, that Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to get back to him, he wants you to be safe and feel clean. He wants you to guide you back to him, so that your joy can be full. Choose the path of righteousness, and put off all evil. Do this and you will have joy, and you will feel closer to the spirit and to your Heavenly Father. This I do bare witness of in the name of Jesus Christ amen.