President Henry B. Eyring on walking in light through wise choices

President Henry B. Eyring (born May 31, 1933) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"When you were confirmed a member of the Church, you were given the right to have the Holy Ghost as your companion. The Holy Ghost is a powerful source of light to recognize truth, to follow and love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to find your way back to God after this life.

"But the spirit who led the rebellion in the world before still opposes the plan and wants you to be miserable. He wants you never to find your way home again. That enemy of your soul knows you and your goodness. He knows that if he can turn you away from walking in the light, he can both capture you and stop you from helping others along the journey. He knows how good you are and your power to teach and influence hundreds of Heavenly Father’s children in this life—and thousands over the generations that will follow your path. If he can get you to wander away from the light on your journey, he can do harm and bring misery to many.

"The fact that you are listening now is evidence that God recognizes your great importance and that you have chosen to walk in the light He offers you. Such choices are not always easy to see clearly. You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. Some of the most important choices are about what you set your heart upon.

"There are so many things you may consider desirable. For instance, all of us want, to some degree, the approval of other people. All of us feel a need for friends. All of us are searching for some evidence that we are persons of worth. We make choices based on those desires. Some might lead us away from the light God offers us as a guide. Some may brighten that light by which we can find our way."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Walk in the Light," General Conference, April 2008
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President Eyring delivered these remarks as part of the General Young Women Meeting held in connection with the April 2008 General Conference. His remarks were very encouraging to the young women, helping give them perspective of who they are and who they have the potential to be. Though they (and all of us) are in the midst of conflict with an adversary who "wants [us] to be miserable" and knows the impact of turning us from the path of truth, we can be assured there are other forces fighting to keep us on the right path and in the right light.

So it comes down to the choices we make each day, each hour—will we set our hearts upon the things that keep us walking in light?

With the help of the Holy Ghost, with the encouragement of good friends, with the strength that comes from God—we know we can find our way through the challenges of the world.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)