BEGINNINGS

President James E. Faust

Second Counselor in the First Presidency
CES Fireside for Young Adults • May 7, 2006 • University of Utah Institute of Religion

Thank you, President Price, for those kind remarks. The Start
President Hugh B. Brown once told me, “It’s all right This may be a beginning for you tonight.
to hear these nice things about you, as long as you
don’t inhale.” As a young man I used to run races in competition
in high school and later at university. We used
I took a fall four weeks ago tonight. I am getting over to train diligently for the race. We would stretch
it; I still have to be a little careful about moving. ourselves by running farther than the distance we
I bring to you the love and the greetings of President were going to race. We would watch our diets. We
Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson. would do a myriad of things to prepare ourselves for
President Hinckley is doing just fine, just fine. In my our track meets. And in the sprints, the start was
opinion he couldn’t be doing better than he is. Of particularly important. We would measure carefully
course, it is just remarkable how bright and able and our stance—and then check it again before we ever
sharp he is. put our starting blocks into position. We would
I’m not going to speak long tonight. I would rather pound the starting blocks into the cinders, get into
give you young people an opportunity to socialize, starting position, and go up and down a time or two
and I encourage you to do so. We will make a special to get the feel. We would actually make two or three
dispensation tonight, and that is when you say good- practice starts. We knew that if we did not prepare
bye to each other at the end of the evening, you can and get a good start, we could not hope to finish
shake hands. I see a lot of very lovely young ladies in front. The Apostle Paul gave us this insightful
and handsome young men, and I would say to the admonition: “Know ye not that they which run in a
young men, “Open your eyes!” And I’ll say further to race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that
the young men: “If you provide the works, I’ll provide ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Well, of course,
the faith.” the prize is eternal life.
I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you students I have found that in accomplishing just about
and companions tonight on this satellite broadcast. anything, the most difficult part is getting started.
It is also a pleasure to greet the members of the A wise man has said, “He has half the deed done,
institute faculty and your leaders, many of whom who has made a beginning.”1 My father was a
I have been privileged to know for many years. lawyer and a judge. When I began to practice law,
he cautioned me: “Get the pleadings straight in
I should like to take as a text for my remarks part
the beginning. If the pleadings are right, the whole
of Paul’s message to the Thessalonians: “Beloved
case will flow along much smoother.”
of the Lord, . . . God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of
New Beginnings
the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians
2:13). Here Paul says you were chosen from the I am grateful for all new beginnings. Every hour can be
beginning. There are many beginnings. Some of a new beginning. Every day can be a new beginning.
you are beginning your important educational Every month can be a new beginning. Every year can
career. How you start and where you are going is be a new beginning. Indeed, every moment can be an
of transcending importance. Paul said you were opportunity to improve.
chosen to salvation “through sanctification of the Dale Carnegie gave us this good advice: “Don’t be
Spirit and belief of the truth.” Let us speak further afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small
of beginnings. jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that

1
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. English approval: 6/05. 00940
 CES Fireside for Young Adults • May 7, 2006 • President James E. Faust

much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big told them: “This is the time. There will never be
ones will tend to take care of themselves.” a better time. My counsel to you is to make your
move.” They made their move, and by carefully and
New Opportunities cautiously husbanding their limited capital, they
During the past few years there have been mergers were able to start the business and have a very
of big companies, bankruptcies, and public scandals successful first year.
in the business world. Here in the United States My dear young friends, 2006 and every year is a
we endured the terrible events of September 11 and year for new opportunities. Charles Dickens laid the
its aftereffects. We have had floods, hurricanes, foundation for his book A Tale of Two Cities with the
earthquakes, and other disasters worldwide. It has following introduction: “It was the best of times, it was
been a time for caution and reserve. Yet for those the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the
who have been bold enough, innovative enough, age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the
creative enough, and wise enough, there have been epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was
as many opportunities as ever. Out of every tragedy the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it
comes an opportunity. When Thomas Edison’s was the winter of despair, we had everything before us,
laboratory burned down, he immediately began we had nothing before us.”
the next day building a better one.
In Leicester, England, there is an inscription on the The Courage to Change
outside wall of an old church that bears a remarkably Nothing is static. Everything changes. We need
fine thought. The inscription reads: “In the year the courage to make necessary changes in our lives.
1653 when all things sacred were throughout this The thoughtful philosopher Bruce Barton suggested:
nation either demolished or profaned, Sir Robert “Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error,
Shirley Baronet founded this church. Whose singular change—this is the rhythm of living. Out of our
praise it is to have done the best things in the worst over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision,
times, and hoped them in the most calamitous.”2 fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.”3
Sometimes as we face new beginnings, it becomes For those who can adapt, who can bend, who can
necessary to change or readjust our course when a modify, who can improve, lies great opportunity.
goal or choice we had in mind is not available to Sometimes we need to have the strength not to take
us. For instance, you may not be accepted to the counsel from our fears. This takes courage.
school you always wanted to attend or the door
Nehru, the great leader of India, said: “Nothing in the
is closed to the career path you wanted to pursue
world that is alive remains unchanging. All Nature
or a special person in your life chooses to marry
changes from day to day and minute to minute, only
someone else. At such times it is important to realize
the dead stop growing and are quiescent. Fresh water
that other choices are available to you and new
runs on, and if you stop it, it becomes stagnant. So
beginnings are possible. Surely, as one door closes,
also is it with the life of man [and of a woman] and
another door opens.
the life of a nation.”4
Some young friends of ours learned the asphalt paving
business by working for a large paving company for New Spiritual Beginnings
several years. It appeared that the opportunities for Since the spirit is the most important essence of all
management and ownership would not become human activity, it is tremendously important that we
available within that company, so they decided they have frequent and regular spiritual renewals. It should
would start their own company. Of course there were happen to us weekly as we partake of the sacrament.
great obstacles. One was limited capital. They would Each week gives to us new opportunities to improve,
have to borrow money to provide for the deficit in to learn, and to make new friends. We might take
their operating capital. They would also have to make advantage of new challenges for missionary work
enough in the way of a profit to service the interest on among our friends and neighbors. Every day gives
the borrowed money. They sought the advice of an us a new opportunity to study the scriptures.
uncle who had been a successful businessman, and he

2
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. English approval: 6/05. 00940
 CES Fireside for Young Adults • May 7, 2006 • President James E. Faust

May I suggest six beginning, essential measures that relationships with divinity and when it seems that
will greatly clear the channel for a daily flow of no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is
“living water” from the very source of the spring, speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself
even the Savior Himself. in the scriptures, the distance narrows and the
spirituality returns.”7
1. Have daily communication involving prayer. A
fervent, sincere prayer is a two-way communication 6. Do something. Television has made of us a nation
that will do much to bring His Spirit flowing like of spectators. The best athletic contests in the world
healing water to help with the trials, hardships, come into our home free of charge. The finest music
aches, and pains we all face. What is the quality of is available to us on the public broadcasting stations.
our secret prayers when only He listens? As we pray, We can hear Itzak Perlman play the violin. We can
we should think of Him as being close by; full of hear the great tenor, Pavarotti, sing the favorites of
knowledge, understanding, love, and compassion; Caruso: “Torna a Surriento,” “La donna e mobile,”
the essence of power; and having great expectations “Questa o quella,” and watch him as they are staged.
of each of us. Being spectators, however, requires little or no effort
on our part. As the Apostle James said, we need to be
2. Give daily selfless service to another. The followers
“doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
of the divine Christ have to be weighed on the
scales of what their actions are rather than the I fear we have become a generation of critics. I am
solemn professions of belief. The true measure of inclined to be more charitable with those who try
service is found in Matthew: “Inasmuch as ye have even if they stumble than with those who will not
done it unto one of the least of these . . . , ye have try at all. Theodore Roosevelt said this about critics
done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). Those who think and doers: “It is not the critic who counts; not the
about others more than they think about themselves man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
and do kind acts of service are always the happiest or where the doer of deeds could have done them
of people. Indeed, as a wise man once observed, better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually
“The man who lives by himself and for himself is in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat
likely to be corrupted by the company he keeps.”5 and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes
short again and again, because there is no effort
3. Strive for daily increased obedience and perfection in
without error and shortcoming; but who does
our lives. This means we have to consciously strive
actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great
every day to keep God’s commandments. This
enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself
means watching our thoughts and actions and on
in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end
a daily basis “trying to be like Jesus,” as the Primary
the triumph of high achievement, and who at the
song says.6 Because of the perfect Atonement of
worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,
Jesus, just men may be made perfect (see D&C
so that his place shall never be with those cold and
76:69). As Jesus Himself counseled: “What manner
timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”8
of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even
as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). I have spent a lifetime making my living in an arena
where I was not shadowboxing with life’s problems. I
4. Offer a daily acknowledgment of His divinity. To have a
have learned from this experience that life is fuller and
daily, personal relationship with the Master, we must
richer and better for those who are not afraid to make
be His disciples and acknowledge His importance in
a new beginning. My experience has also been that
our lives. As King Benjamin reminded us, “For how
genius is very rare, that most of life’s rich rewards come
knoweth a man the master whom he has not served,
to those who prepare carefully. Preparation and staying
and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the
power are more valuable than brilliance. Herbert George
thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13).
Wells insightfully remarked, “The past is but the
5. Engage in daily study of the scriptures. This requires beginning of a beginning, and all that is and has
some planning and discipline, but daily scripture been is but the twilight of the dawn.”9
study will strengthen our faith and help us live the
Some time ago I attended a stake conference.
gospel more fully. President Spencer W. Kimball has
Before the other meetings of the conference began,
said: “I find that when I get casual in my
I had a private meeting with the stake president,

3
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. English approval: 6/05. 00940
 CES Fireside for Young Adults • May 7, 2006 • President James E. Faust

who wanted to discuss a problem he was having It is now my privilege and blessing to leave you my
with one of his high councilors. Some 10 years ago witness and blessing. I do so as one of the special
this high councilor had been involved in a grave witnesses, declaring to you with all of the conviction
sin, the penalty for which should have been of my being and every cell of my body, from the
excommunication. The high councilor had never crown of my head to the soles of my feet, that Jesus
made a confession. Short of making a confession is the Christ and the Redeemer of the world and our
and being willing to accept the punishment that Savior, the head of this Church. I know that He is
would follow, however, the high councilor had close to the leadership of this Church. I know that
done all in his power to rectify the matter and live His Spirit is available to all of us individually and in
so as to enjoy the blessings of the Church. The our callings. He lives. There is no question about
stake president did not learn of the transgression that. I can testify with the same conviction and
from the high councilor but from a collateral sureness as the brother of Jared. As he saw the finger
source who swore the stake president to secrecy. of God, it is written, he believed no more, for he
The stake president felt obliged to respect the knew (see Ether 3:6, 19).
confidence.
I know, and I testify in the words of Peter. When
In a public meeting where the high councilor was some of the Saints began to fall away and the
present, the stake president spoke concerning Savior became discouraged and said to the Twelve,
repentance. He was really directing his remarks to “Will ye also go away?” Peter replied: “To whom
one person—that high councilor—pleading and shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
urging that he come forward voluntarily, make a And we believe and are sure that thou art that
confession, and begin the road to repentance. Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:67–69).
By and through that same authority, I testify
My heart ached for the high councilor because had
concerning His divinity and His being. I know this
he come forward when the incident first occurred,
with a certainty that exceeds the knowledge that
it would by this time have been possible for him to
comes through our visual senses, for it is given to
have the whole matter put to rest. He could have
us by the Spirit to know with greater certainty than
had a new beginning. But without his confession
by our physical senses.
and willingness to accept the punishment, there
could be no new beginning. Surely repentance is I would like to invoke upon each of you an
one of the great principles of the gospel. No one is apostolic blessing, you wonderful young people,
perfect, and we all need to invoke this principle you people of promise, and I pray that you will
from time to time. For those who have been prepare yourselves for your great destiny, that you
involved in serious transgressions, however, it is a will stay close to the principles of righteousness
life-saving principle. The longer we go down the and truth, and that you will be guided by the Holy
wrong road, the harder it is to come back and get Spirit with the promise you know of the Holy
on the right road. Ghost, that by and through that power you shall
know the truth of all things. What greater promise
I wish to express my appreciation for the redeeming
to a student than that—to enjoy the companionship
principles of the sweet gospel of Jesus Christ. The
of the Holy Ghost? I invoke that blessing upon you
principles taught by Jesus are available to all of us.
and pray that our Heavenly Father will watch over
As we live these principles, we will have a sure
you in all of your comings and goings and guide
witness of the divinity of this holy work. I believe,
your footsteps in paths of truth and righteousness,
as Paul said, you are beloved of the Lord and that
that you will be wise beyond your years, and that
from the beginning you were indeed chosen to
you will be sensitive to your great destiny and your
salvation (see 2 Thessalonians 2:13). As Alma
great promise. I leave this testimony with you and
instructed, we have holy callings “prepared from
invoke these blessings upon you in the name of the
the foundation of the world” (Alma 13:5). These
Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
include missionary service, motherhood, fatherhood,
and service in the Church.

4
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. English approval: 6/05. 00940
 CES Fireside for Young Adults • May 7, 2006 • President James E. Faust

Notes 6. “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,” Children’s

1. Horace, Epistles, book I, epistle ii, line 40. Songbook, 78.
2. Inscription over the west door of The Church 7. “What I Hope You Will Teach My
of the Holy Trinity in Staunton Harold Chapel Grandchildren” (address to seminary and
Leicestershire, England; see www.boultbee institute personnel, Brigham Young University,
.freeserve.co.uk/bfh/shc.htm. July 11, 1966), 6; see also The Teachings of
Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball
3. In The International Dictionary of Thoughts
(1982), 135.
(1969), 117.
8. Address at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, Apr. 23,
4. Jawaharlal Nehru, in International Dictionary of
1910, in “Citizenship in a Republic,” chap. 21
Thoughts, 118.
of The Strenuous Life, vol. 13 of The Works of
5. Charles Henry Parkhurst, in International Theodore Roosevelt (national ed., 1926), 510.
Dictionary of Thoughts, 659.
9. The Discovery of the Future (1901).

5
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. English approval: 6/05. 00940