Live and Learn Forever

This life is for serving and learning; so is the next. Part of life’s lessons we learn by failing first and trying over. Some call it trial and error; another name for it is experience.

A certain amount of trial and error we must accept. It’s good for us. But there’s a short-cut to learning, shorter than trial and error, which each of us should try to find. We should seek this short-cut through thoughtful study, from the experiences of others, by the reading of good books, by going to school. Most folks call this kind of learning “education.”

The chief purpose of education is to prepare us to live happily here and hereafter…and to make the world better for others who follow. The scriptures tell us why: “We are saved no faster than we gain knowledge”; “The glory of God is intelligence.” These lofty concepts of the place of education in the lives of people are the special incentives which spur us on in our search for knowledge.

It has been said even more plainly: “…if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another he will have so much advantage in the world to come.”

Yes, and in this life, too. For knowledge here is also power — the power to produce the essentials of healthful, happy, comfortable living; the power to govern wisely and effectively; the power to avoid some of life’s unnecessary pains and frustrations which come to the ignorant or unadjusted; the power to recognize and appreciate truth and teach it to others.

These are some of the aims and products of learning and living–now and forever

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

More Precious Than Rubies

A virtuous young man pledges his love and fidelity to the girl of his dreams with a precious stone…a diamond. And the happy girl treasures the gift as she would her life, promising, in return, her own fresh, virtuous love in marriage.

the ring–with its precious gem–becomes a symbol of fidelity for the engaged couple…and a reminder of the priceless value of virtue in them both.

Solomon said it centuries ago: “A virtuous woman…her price is far above rubies…” For man it is equally true.

A latter-day hymn-writer composed these beautiful lines:

“Cherish virtue! Cherish virtue!
God will bless the pure in heart.”

Cherish–how beautiful and meaningful the word: to hold dear; to trust or keep with tenderness.

And virtue: integrity of character; uprightness of conduct; chastity.

The prophet Mormon, in his last affectionate message to his son Moroni, called virtue and chastity “the most dear and precious of all things.”

Modern prophets have reaffirmed this eternal truth.

So, young people of the Church, if you would deserve the confidence of the clean young man or young woman you someday hope to marry–if you would enjoy the fullness of happiness which belongs only to the pure in heart, be clean, be chaste.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

The Right Circles

Swing the corner like swingin’ on a gate;
Now your own if you’re not too late;
Ring up four with all your might…
All join in and circle right.

Gaily the dancers circle and swing to the beat of the band and the command of the caller…every happy heart in tune.

What wholesome harmony; what wonderful fun…when everybody’s in step and in tune, and when your partners in the dance are clean, healthy, wholesome people like yourself.

And so it is in real life, too. The circle is gay or dull, good or bad, as we find, or fail to find, the right partners and heed, or ignore, the command of the “caller.”

Life is a series of circles, beginning with the family circle. For this happy circle, when love and faith abide in the home, we give thanks to kind and wise parents. Working, playing and praying together, the happy family moves from round to round in perfect rhythm.

Next we widen the circles to include an ever-growning number of casual or close associates: chums of our youth, neighbors, schoolmates, club, social, business and church friends. Out of these circles come eventually our more enduring friendships, our lovers and sweethearts, and the permanent partners we will choose to help us start new family circles of our own.

These permanent circles of association and affection will become for us, if we choose them widely and keep in time and tune, the right circles. In them we will find true harmony and happiness.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

Healthy Happy Lucky You!

Lucky is the youth who has learned that health, success, and happiness come with clean living. Lucky is the youth who has learned that some things should not be touched or tampered with…that some things should be left alone.

Lucky is the youth who learns this lesson early in life, from parents and from the teachings of the Church — and who doesn’t have to learn it the hard way.

Health and happiness and success are what our Father in Heaven wants for us. And that is why He has given us commandments to keep — and not for any other reason.

Health and happiness and success are what our parents want for us. And that is why they give us counsel and commandments — and not for any other reason.

We have one mind and one memory — and it deserves to be clear and clean.

We have one earthly body which must last for a lifetime. Our Maker planned it that way. He knows what is good for us. He knows what will give us health and happiness and success and peace inside ourselves. That is why He has told us how to live; that is why He has told us to leave some things alone.

Lucky you; you don’t have to learn everything the hard way. Lucky you; you can learn from those who love you. Lucky you; you don’t have to pay a painful price for learning how to live — you don’t have to learn too late.

Be smart. Be clean. Be virtuous. Be healthy. Be happy.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

Beauty is More than Skin Deep!

What is beauty? Who can have it?

Ask John Robert Powers, world-famous authority on the subject. After many years choosing and training beautiful models, he will tell you:

“There are certain features that most beautiful women have in common”…”a glow of health,” “a radiant personality,” “a complete self-assurance and naturalness,” “intellectual curiosity; integrity and stability of character.”

“Real beauty comes from within.” “It is within the potentialities of almost any girl….”

Or look to some authorities of the past. Said Emerson: “Beauty is the soundness of the bones…a peach-ripe complexion; health of constitution that makes the sparkle and power of the eyes.” “…character gives splendor to youth.”

Sir James Barrie says of charm (the sister of beauty): “If you have it you don’t need anything else, and if you don’t have it, it doesn’t much matter what else you have.”

Beauty is largely a matter of the thoughts we think, the deeds we do, the food we eat, the interest we show in others.

It is the sum of sincerity, enthusiasm, and unselfishness.

It is the product of busy days and nights untroubled by guilty regrets.

Beauty is obedience to the laws of good and wise and wonderful living of the laws of health and happiness. To these add a lively search for eternal truth–for the good things here–for the good things hereafter–and you will surely find beauty in living, and be beautiful yourself. In short, beauty is a reflection of what you are inside yourself.

So, if you would be beautiful — BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.