Thomas S. Monson: Ponder the path of thy feet

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President Thomas S. Monson, shown giving remarks during a Saturday morning session, closed the Sunday morning session of the 184th Semiannual General Conference. He spoke on following the footsteps of Christ. (Mormon Newsroom)

SALT LAKE CITY — President Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, addressed members of the Church Sunday morning, teaching to “ponder the path of thy feet” as taught in Proverbs 4:26.

President Monson began his address with the purpose of life, which, he taught, is to obtain a body of flesh and bones, to gain experience and to see if we would keep the commandments.

Leaving heavenly parents, we were given the gift of agency, President Monson said.

“Although we are left to find and follow that path which will lead us back to our Father in Heaven, He did not send us here without direction and guidance,” President Monson said. “He has given us the oils we need, and He will assist us as we seek his help.”

Holy scriptures, counsel and teachings of God’s prophets, and the perfect example of Jesus Christ have been provided to find the path back to Heavenly Father, taught President Monson.

Following the path of Christ, however, does not necessarily mean physically walking where Jesus walked, clarified President Monson. Walking where Jesus walked is less important than walking as Jesus walked, he said.

Like us, Jesus walked paths of disappointment, temptation and pain, President Monson said.

“We, as servants, can expect no more than the Master, who left mortality only after great pain and suffering,” he said.

While the path may sound bitter, President Monson said, there is also great happiness to be found through obedience, service and prayer. President Monson then went on to share some of the Savior’s messages from famous sermons, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the lesson of the good Samaritan and various parables.

President Monson encouraged members to place Christ at the center of their lives.

“There is no higher end than this, that we should choose to accept his discipline and become his disciples and do his work throughout our lives,” he said.

In closing, President Monson shared a story of the Wackers, a German emigrant family he met while serving as a mission president in eastern Canada. These humble servants of God radiated pure peace and goodness, although their appearance was ordinary. The Spirit found in the Wackers can be attained by walking the path of the Savior, President Monson said.

“As we (ponder the path of our feet), we will have the faith, even the desire to walk the path which Jesus walked,” concluded President Monson. “We will have no doubt that we are on a path which our Father would have us follow.”

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