“Whither Shall I Go? The question is not unusual. In an uncertain world, it is a question that each of us will ask and each of us will need to answer.” This was the message that Elder Kent D. Watson, First Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency addressed, as he spoke at the March 20 Devotional in the Cannon Activities Center at BYU–Hawaii.
Focusing his attention on the students of BYU–Hawaii, Elder Watson explained that this period of life wherein each student lies contains many pivotal decisions that will ultimately impact their futures in very distinctive ways. He shared six eternal principles that provide a means by which students may individually answer the question, “Whither Shall I Go?”
• Be obedient
• Pray earnestly
• Listen to the still small voice
• Magnify your calling
• Honor your parents and be loyal to your family
• God knows you and He will be with you
“Be obedient – keep all of the commandments and be ‘reconciled unto Christ.’ For college students of every generation, the greatest benefit from being reconciled to Christ by keeping God’s commandments is that you will surely receive promised blessings,” said Elder Watson. “Personal direction and guidance are portions of those blessings. Our Heavenly Father keeps His promises.” This was the first principle Elder Watson gave to the students, as he encouraged them to embrace their “LDS values” as they will provide the distinguishing characteristics that will set them apart from the world.
The next two principles, “praying earnestly” and “listening carefully to the still small voice,” are done through the power of faith, having real intent. “Be diligent as you inquire of your Heavenly Father where you should go. That is what the brother of Jared did when he was asked to ‘go and inquire of the Lord…whither shall we go.’” (Ether 1:38) Elder Watson continued by explaining that Heavenly Father will bless us with the ability to make correct decisions, after which the answer and confirmation will be given through the Holy Ghost.
Magnifying one’s calling regardless of the pressures and stress of life, was the fourth eternal principle. In Drawing upon the scriptures, Elder Watson shared the promise in Matthew 6:33 to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The next principal can be found through the example of the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi as he submits to his father’s counsel and honors his parents, remaining loyal to his family regardless of their murmuring. “I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food? And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.” (1 Nephi 16: 23-24)
“Our Heavenly Father knows each one of us. He will always be there for us. He was with us in the beginning. He knows us as we were then. He knows us as we are now. And he knows us as we are to come,” said Elder Watson as he explained the sixth and final eternal principle. He concluded saying, “He does know us. He cares for us, and when we do our part, He will more than do His in pointing the way whither we should go.”
To watch/read this and other BYU–Hawaii Devotionals, visit devotional.byuh.edu.