The Day of This Life – Sunday, February 14, 1943
Usually, in our acquired way of life, the passing of time is marked off with monotonous mechanical devices, but there are moments when an acute awareness of what it means seems to be upon us. From the beginning of each day to the coming of each night is a measure of time in which life moves through many strange patterns, some of which we understand and some of which 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 them for life (life as we know it to be—not merely as we hope it might be)—and none so old but what they must live in constant readiness for whatever eventualities may befall. This might well be the constant reminder from age to youth, and from youth to age.
There comes 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; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:44, 36, 38, 39.) “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” (Book of Mormon, Alma 34:32.) Such are the thoughts that come when we begin to think on time, and its relentless passing.
By Richard L. Evans, spoken from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, Feb. 14, 1943, over Radio Station KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System. Copyright – 1943.
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February 14, 1943
Broadcast Number 0,704