“The Spiritual Quest of All Your Life,” For the Strength of Youth, Aug. 2023.
The Spiritual Quest of All Your Life
Learning to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ continues throughout all of your life.
Elder Andersen greets young single adults in Aurora, Philippines, in November 2015.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word quest? Do you think of movies or books with brave heroes who embark on adventurous journeys full of danger? Or maybe you think about someone who must go on a daring mission against all odds to accomplish the impossible?
Quests can be found in stories from around the world. But have you ever wondered if you have a quest—something big and grand that you could do that would forever change your life and the lives of others for the better?
Yes, you do have a very important spiritual quest! But unlike quests you read about in books or see in movies, your quest begins with a life-changing invitation from the Savior and Redeemer of the world: “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28).
The Savior’s Invitation
He invites everyone to believe and trust in Him, to embrace His name, His teachings, and His commandments.
No matter where you live or the talents, qualities, and unique life experiences you have, placing Jesus Christ first in your life is the quest of all your life. You live in this world full of challenges and distractions. To keep your focus on Jesus Christ and to live a life of faith in Him throughout your life will require courage and help from heaven.
Find Strength in Ordinances and Covenants
A major help from heaven is temple ordinances and covenants that keep us “grounded, rooted, established, and settled”1 in our quest to come unto the Savior.
You make covenants when you are baptized. As you progress in the gospel, you will make more covenants in the temple. President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ.”2
In this world filled with disbelieving and distracting voices and increased commotion and temptation, the safety and reminders that ordinances and covenants provide will keep you moving forward on what President Nelson thoughtfully calls the covenant path.
Live Worthy of the Holy Ghost
Almost 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul said that the things of God can be known and understood only through the Holy Ghost (see 1 Corinthians 2:11–14). His words are still incredibly true today.
As you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost at baptism, you must strive to live worthy of its constant influence through what you do, what you say, and with whom you share your time. In doing so, spiritual light will come with more sureness to your soul.
President Nelson has counseled us to choose to “refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away”3 and “to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”4
Hold onto Spiritual Experiences
Paul was converted to the Lord when “there shone from heaven a great light” and he heard the Lord’s voice (Acts 22:6–7). Paul held onto this and other special spiritual experiences all his life. We must do the same.
The Prophet Joseph Smith faced frequent opposition and persecution, yet he never forgot or denied his experience in the First Vision. He boldly testified that the Father and the Son had appeared to him. “I knew it,” Joseph said, “and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it” (Joseph Smith—History 1:25). Holding onto spiritual experiences reassured Joseph of God’s love and strengthened him in the work the Lord had given him to do.
While heavenly visions come on occasion, spiritual experiences and miracles come to those who humbly and prayerfully seek them. Think of your experiences at FSY or the feelings you felt as you first read the Book of Mormon. Hold tightly to these meaningful moments of your life. They will strengthen you in your quest to come unto Christ.
Choose Faith
Throughout his life, the Apostle Paul was beaten and stoned and survived three shipwrecks (see 2 Corinthians 11:24–25). He confronted many who wanted to harm him and suffered “weariness and painfulness,” “hunger and thirst,” and “cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 11:26–27).
Few people will have trials as intense as Paul’s, but even in his deepest afflictions, Paul could be “sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing” and “[have] nothing, and yet [possess] all things” (2 Corinthians 6:10) because he chose faith in Jesus Christ.
It is not so difficult to choose faith in Jesus Christ when we feel spiritually energized, but we must also choose faith when life becomes difficult. You will find that the Savior does not stand at the end of your quest and wait for you to come unto Him. He stands beside you and points the way. He is the way (see John 14:6).
President Nelson has said, “The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest.”5 The For the Strength of Youth guide declares: Jesus Christ is “the strength of youth.”6
His Promises Will Be Fulfilled
I am grateful for my sure knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. I testify that coming to know and love Him is one of the great opportunities of mortality.
In a future day, you will kneel at His feet. On that day, if you have kept your promises to Him, your soul will rejoice as He fulfills all His promises to all who have come unto Him with “full purpose of heart” (3 Nephi 18:32), grown in their love for Him, and sought to feel His divine presence throughout their lives.
It will be a most holy, crowning moment on your spiritual journey!