President Thomas S. Monson on the path of faithfulness

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley and then became Church president in 2008. He led the Church for almost a decade until his passing in January 2018.

"There is no resting place along the path called faithfulness. The trek is constant, and no lingering is allowed. It must not be expected that the road of life spreads itself in an unobstructed view before the person starting his journey. He must anticipate coming upon forks and turnings in the road. But he cannot hope to reach his desired journey's end if he thinks aimlessly about whether to go east or west. He must make decisions purposefully.

"As Lewis Carroll tells us, Alice was following a path through a forest in Wonderland when it divided in two directions. Standing irresolute, she inquired of the Cheshire Cat, which had suddenly appeared in a nearby tree, which path she should take. 'Where do you want to go?' asked the cat. 'I don't know,' said Alice. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it really doesn't matter, does it?' (See Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, p. 89.)

"We know where we want to go! Do we have the resolution, even the faithfulness, to get there? President N. Eldon Tanner answered this question in his own mind when he declared: 'I would rather walk barefoot from here to the celestial kingdom... than to let the things of this world keep me out.' (Conference Report, Sept.-Oct. 1966, pp. 98-99.)"

- Thomas S. Monson, "Happiness—The Universal Quest," Ensign, October 1993, pp. 2-4
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What does it mean to be faithful? President Monson suggests that it involves constant, steady focus in our journey of life. More importantly, it's critical that we know where we want to go, and make clear and informed decisions at every point along the way. We must not waver and wander!

Having a sure knowledge of our destination becomes a crucial factor in making directional decisions along the way. We gain that knowledge through inspired words that we read in the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets, and through our own pondering and inspiration. We will be blessed as we pursue a steady and clear course!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)