28 May 1971
There are more free people in the world today than ever before. There are also more slaves. Technology has given us historically unprecedented power. We as a race do not know how to use that power responsibly. Pollution threatens to engulf us. Yet never before have we been so little at the mercy of our natural environment. The world seems awfully full of people, especially in some places. But human happiness is bound up in being with and serving people. More people of more nations are educated than ever before. Yet magic, witchcraft, sorcery, priestcraft and astrology are exploding in popularity. We as a world are as materialistic as any previous age. But many grasp for something better.
It this a bad world? I say no. Is this a good world? I say no. For the world simply is. Whether the world is good or bad is not what matters. What does count is what you and I do about it. We can contribute to its woes or heal its wounds, or both. I believe that you and I think of the world as good or bad depending upon how we act. If we delight to assuage the suffering of others, life will be good. If we are conscious only of our own suffering, we will call it evil.
Our challenge and opportunity then is to enter into the processes of this world with zest, influencing it for good as much as we can.
But how shall we know to do good? It is obvious that many persons of sincere intent energetically strive to do good but succeed in making the world demonstrably worse. Can you and I do better?
Fortunately for us, the way to do good is simple, and it lies in a straight path before us. It is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. But how do we do that? Again, the answer is simple: Follow the Brethren. Our greatest blessing is to have a God who lives and who hears and answers us. Our next greatest blessing is the priesthood authority on this earth which guides us to our God.
I submit to you my witness that the way to do good in this world is to follow the Brethren in every way. I believe that we should hang on every word they say, making their words our thoughts. What they are concerned about, we can be concerned about. What they like, we can like. We can dress and groom ourselves to be like them. We can serve as they serve, obey as they obey. This is not slavish imitation: it is rather the delighted response of an intelligent child who is grateful to have noble fathers. I know of no better way for us who have the covenants to come unto the Savior.
Our academic training has given all of us great power in this world. I pray that each of us will see this world as a great opportunity to do good, and that our good will not be self-righteousness, but rather the humble obedience of the servants of Christ. Then our academic training will not have been in vain.