Three Gates to Open | Thomas S. Monson | 2006

To achieve exaltation, we must open the gate of preparation, the gate of performance, and the gate of service on our life's journey.
Sections:
Introduction - 0:14
The Gate of Preparation - 7:52
The Gate of Performance - 15:09
The Gate of Service - 21:06
speeches.byu.e...
"Whether speaking of your generation or of mine, there are some constancies amid the changes of the times. The past is behind-we must learn from it. The future is ahead-we must prepare for it. The present is now-we must live in it.
Years ago, I discovered a thought which is true and, in a way, prophetic. It is this: The gate of history swings on small hinges, and so do people’s lives.
Today I have chosen to discuss three gates which you alone can open. You must pass through each gate if you are to be successful in your journey through mortality:
1. First, let us speak of the Gate of Preparation. The Lord has counseled, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Fear is the enemy of growth and accomplishment. It is necessary to prepare and to plan so that we don’t fritter away our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success. The best definition of success I have ever found goes something like this: “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” Someone has said that the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never crossing the goal line.
2. The Gate of Performance. The Apostle Paul provided sound counsel to guide our performance: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Remember that the mantle of leadership, my brothers and sisters, is not the cloak of comfort but the robe of responsibility. Accountability is not for the intention but for the deed. You must continue to refuse to compromise with expediency. You must maintain the courage to defy the consensus. You must continue to choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong. The poet John Greenleaf Whittier expressed this truth when he wrote these lines:
3. The Gate of Service. Albert Schweitzer, the noted theologian and missionary physician, declared: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
Today I pray earnestly that all of us may open wide the three gates of which I have spoken-the Gate of Preparation, the Gate of Performance, and the Gate of Service-and walk through them to our exaltation." - President Monson
Thomas S. Monson was First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional talk was given on 14 November 2006.
© Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

[@deboraholsen2504]

At 26:01 That’s how I feel as a single Mom! 30 years as a single mom twice over!! Divorced twice, I get so weary for all the spiritual and financial and discipline responsibility of my children and I worry about them, though they are doing well in many areas! I want so much for them to do well, make good decisions, and be happy and especially seek out Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ continually!!! I get so tired and weary, doing it all alone! Sometimes it feels more than I can bear, not knowing how well (or not well) my efforts will work out in the future! But, at least for a little while, my dear and beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, whom I miss dearly, reminds me that my beloved teenagers are in God’s hands, so I can make it through, no matter how weak and discouraged I feel! And the Lord will visit with me, as he says, when I feel so alone and lonely at night, despite feeling really sleepy and tired from the day and just everything going on! I usually, at this age (50s) fall asleep within 2 minutes, but then I wake up about three times during the night, feeling worried about everything, especially not being gainfully employed, despite having a Master’s degree and teaching credential for 23 years now, plus 10 years of teaching in my own classroom, but despite all this, after losing my job a few years ago while living in Northern California, I’m not valued enough in the Southern California area, where I was born and raised, to be employable, except as a classroom aide! 😟 I swear, I’m not ugly or crude, or anything like it! Somehow, I’m always smiling in Church, so everyone thinks I’m doing really well. I inherited this happy disposition from the pre existence, so it fools everyone! And my children are doing well, so no one knows I’m an emotional mess, and just weary! I’m so sorry to complain, it just feels good to get it out! Well, good will toward you, and I hope you have a wonderful day! Remember that even though it’s difficult, God loves you and your ancestors do, too, and someday you’ll be in his arms, surrounded by His supreme love. If you endure to the end, your joy shall be complete. 💝 I think I can, I think I can…

[@raquellira3772]

Oh, dear sister! How have you been? I'm so sorry for all you go through, and yet It's beautiful to see how faithful and hopeful you are. I know Our Heavenly Parents and Savior Jesus Christ love you so much! Keep this beautiful hope, and I hope you can find people to be open with and share your burdens. But even if you don't, remember you're never alone. I love you sister! God bless.

[@yellowyosh470]

Such a beautiful message. Whenever I listen to President Monsoon it inspires me to turn my life and thoughts toward Jesus Christ. 💕

[@OURDAILYBREATH]

I could’ve put all Pres. Monson’s messages into my journal, so words of wisdom and so inspiring

[@av8ionUSMC]

President Monson, one of a kind! Love, sustain and miss this brother! So many important points and quotes in his talks. Great sense of humor!

[@mrdayyumyum3712]

I became to love and admire President Monson perhaps a little too late in his life. It began when I read "To The Rescue".

[@deboraholsen2504]

Thank you, I’m going to read “To The Rescue”.

[@rethamoore4282]

I love our dear President Monson and miss him so much. He had a way about him that made you feel so loved and understood. He gave hope to all who listened to him.

[@tworandy]

Thank you President Monson.

[@codykoplin5337]

Couldn't be more prevalent for our day and what is happening right now with which direction to move foward with covid

[@stalincespedes7866]

what a great message an how I miss President Monson

[@darronsanderson4837]

He is now a God.

[@kevinharper9190]

I couldn’t listen after a while because I did let fear control my life and I did fritter it away

[@jamesjackson3104]

Earl Nightingdale, "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

[@ryanbrennan5290]

"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal." -- President Monson

[@sophiat2058]

❤❤❤❤

[@elviagironcortesmaderacali5018]

bendicion y para monso y el libro de mormon las perlas de gran presio

[@lesley4215]

Thank you, I love and miss President Monson.

[@andrewdavis2352]

Amazing talk, love this man

[@robbielee7067]

Wonderful. What a gift! So soft-spoken, yet very knowledgeable. Great delivery! Thank you President Monson. Love.

[@marciomacedo2040]

Love President Monson's teachings! So delighting!"

[@rharveyschwartzman6485]

Amen

[@bradleydrummond4890]

Yeah I love M

[@candetko]

He was so inspirational and was the best story teller always shared love because he was full of love love this man of God!

[@jenniejennie3884]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@theincompleteskeptic8079]

Beautiful...

[@geovanasmobilepetgrooming]

Wow what a talk I love it!!!

[@alipeticook4772]

What a great talk, timeless.

[@Killthesefears]

This talk has so many gems in it and is a gem of gems itself.

[@gwenkadinger4312]

Oh how I love his talk they have such love and tenderness in the messages given. I miss him as a divine child of God. Sister Kadinger Sioux City Is.1st Ward

[@michaelsolsnow4500]

❤

[@ildenete3235]

...é quando ainda há muito para percorrer mas muito já foi percorrido. No momento de compreender que quando suas forças se esgotam, não é para desistir , há oposição em volta inevitavelmente, parece tão intensa que, você percebe o que parece ser apenas uma fina ou densa camada que separa a realidade da verdade, as trevas da luz que depois ainda há de se revelar