These Things Are Important

From President Monson's October 2008 General Conference Talk "Finding Joy in the Journey"

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote:

These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.