The Day of This Life – Sunday, March 11, 1945
The passing of time, measured off with monotonous mechanical devices, moves us through many strange patterns. Some of them we understand, and some of them are deeply puzzling to us. So gradually yet so quickly do we grow older, that while we feel ourselves still young, we may come to be looked upon as old by the eyes of those yet younger.
In youth we look far ahead and dream great dreams, and, while we still suppose we have our youth, there are others yet more youthful who begin to number us with those who have left youth behind. So quickly do we move through these paradoxical scenes, so quickly do we pass from youth to age, that, when we begin to realize the leisure with which some of us made vital decisions, the unconcern with which some of us postponed our preparation for the deeply serious business of life, the thought is somehow disturbing—and suddenly we become aware that there are none so young but what it is time to begin to prepare for life and none so old or young but what we must live in constant readiness for whatever eventualities may befall.
There come to mind these words from the record of scripture: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh … But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only…. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away. (Matthew 24.44, 36, 38. 39.) Life is no respecter of persons—except as we give it the respect it deserves.
We have no guarantee of time—none of us. For all of us, an accounting may come unexpectedly soon. For some of us it could be this day—or any morrow. And keeping forever straight with ourselves and with all men and with God our Father, is the only course of safety or of happiness. “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold … this . . . is the day for men to perform their labors.” (Book of Mormon, Alma 34:32.)
*Revised.
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station KS L and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, Mar. 11, 1945. Copyright 1945.
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March 11, 1945
Broadcast Number 0,812