By Erin Kingrey
erin@newsroom.byu.edu
Without clear direction and focus in life, it is easy to become lost and discouraged.
Eternal life is obtained through seeking and following the guidance in the scriptures, said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in the Saturday morning, Oct. 7, session of general conference.
Eternal life is the greatest of all the gifts of God, Elder Nelson said. To earn it, individuals must follow His plan.
Sometimes people lose site of the end objective. Others never begin to see the glory of eternal life because they do not look to God. Instead they create earthly idols.
Elder Nelson said that if our journey through life is to be successful, we must follow divine direction and faithfully look to the Lord, not idols.
This is not always easy. It requires repeated repentance and constant commitment.
But no one is ever alone on the sometimes-difficult journey, he said.
Through communion with our maker, inspiration is received and individuals can come to know what to do to return to the presence of the Lord, Elder Nelson said.
'In His great love, He did not leave us alone. He provided a guide,' Elder Nelson said.
This guide is the standard works. These scriptures establish the standards that must be followed to guide us closer to eternal life.
They serve to redirect people when they err, to see their goal once more.
But the scriptures can only be a guide as they are studied to the point of being savored, Elder Nelson said.
'We savor the scriptures by studying them in a spirit of delightful discovery and faithful obedience,' he said.
Communicative prayer must also accompany scripture study.
He said, through careful study and prayer, the Holy Ghost will lead individuals to receive new insights. He will be their constant companion. They will develop spiritual confidence.
To attain these gifts, Elder Nelson said it would help to ask questions while studying the scriptures.
He also said for people to tailor their format of regular scripture study to whatever works best for them.
The scriptures must live inside us and become an integral, indivisible part of us, Elder Nelson said.
Inner-peace only comes when people release their hearts to the Lord in all things. They must accept His standards in every thought, action and deed, Elder Nelson said.
'We all need guidance through life. We obtain it best from the teachings of the prophets of God,' Elder Nelson said.