The Way ‘Home’ – Sunday, July 29, 1951
There is a tale told of a lad who had hiked to the eminence of a high hill in the company of a companion. The long effort upward had wearied the boy, and he thought longingly of the comfort of his home, which now seemed so far away. He turned to his companion, asking: “How do we get home?” and was answered with sweeping words and gestures that took in miles at a moment: “Just over the ridge and along the river and across the valley—and there we are,”
But with the reality of wide distance separating him from where he wanted to go, the boy replied: “You can talk your way home quickly, can’t you? But I’m tired, and it takes a long time to walk there.” In our dreams, and in conversation, we can quickly bridge over many obstacles and ignore great distances and much time and save ourselves much arduous effort—but in life itself, with the physical facts before us, it is a matter of moving step by step, of living from hour to hour, from day to day, and no amount of tall talk or hopeful wishing will set the facts aside.
We may see where “home” is, but the eye travels faster than the feet, and the wish is far ahead of the performance that would take us there. About all any of us can do is to move as our means and strength and opportunities and understanding will allow—toward the desired objectives of this life—and toward the objectives which the Father of us all offers each of us beyond the limits of this life, ever remembering the importance of keeping the course and of enduring unto the end.
That we shall perform spectacularly is not expected of most of us. For most of us there is little of the spectacular in life. For most of us it is more a matter of moving as best we can from day to day. But conducting ourselves consistently with the best knowledge and ability and understanding that the Lord God has given us is important if we would reach “home” and be able to report as Paul reported: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”1
1II Timothy 4:7
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station K S L and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, July 29, 1951, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time. Copyright, 1951
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July 29, 1951
Broadcast Number 1,145