J. Thomas Fyhans | Goals | 1983

Goals help us to determine where we are going and how to get there. Our goal should be to return to Heavenly Father and we should strive for it every day.

This speech was given on March 15, 1983.

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"What you were when you went to bed last night is about what you are this morning. When you awakened, there was not much of a change during the night. You had certain talents last night; you still have those talents this morning. So, I think we can conclude that what we will be tonight, we will be tomorrow morning. In fact, the scripture tells us that same spirit that possesses your body at the time that you go out of this life will have the power to possess your body in that eternal world (see Alma 34:34). Where do you want to be in the eternal world? What you are today? Do you have a goal or a target in mind? Would you like to make some changes?

We are told once again in the Doctrine and Covenants (88:22) that he who is not able to abide the law of the celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory. We find ourselves moving into a circumstance where we feel comfortable. You are here because this is the environment in which you want to find yourself. All our activities of life will prepare us to live in a celestial kingdom, or a terrestrial, or a telestial. It’s up to us.

How Do You Set a Target?
Several law enforcement officers were returning home after attending a special school in marksmanship. As they drove through the countryside, they noticed a large barn covered with painted bullseye targets.

It aroused their curiosity to the point that they pulled off the freeway and found the lane that led to the farm where the barn was located. They drove over to the barn and were greatly surprised to see a bullet hole precisely in the center of each bullseye.

The farmer came out to see what the men wanted.

They told him they had never seen such excellent marksmanship. “Who is this person with such outstanding ability? Is it you?” they inquired of the farmer.

He said, “No. It’s my son.”

“Is he here? May we see him?”

“Well, yes, he is around somewhere.”

“Could he show us how he is able to shoot in such a superior way?”

The farmer said, “Well, my son isn’t quite bright. He has a learning difficulty, but if you would like to see how he has done this, let me see if I can find him.”

Soon the farmer returned with his son. He said, “Son, show these men how you shoot your rifle.” The young man walked some distance from the barn, turned, pointed his rifle, and shot. Then he walked over to the barn, found where the bullet passed through the siding, picked up a can of paint, and promptly painted the bullseye around the hole.

You would be wise to aim toward the eternities and know that your marksmanship would place you in the presence of your Heavenly Father.

A meaningful scripture counsels us to—

1. learn our duty,

2. act in the office in which we are appointed

3. [act] in all diligence (see D&C 107:99).

What process can we use to accomplish this?

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

* Committing requires action; action carries us toward our goal.

* Without appropriate goals, life can be very drab and commonplace.

* Write down your major aim in life. From this very act comes power.

* Using a magnifying glass to zero in on a particular spot will create tremendous energy.

* Concentrating light on a specific object will bring about an explosion of progress.

* The establishment of goals in our lives is of extreme importance; without them we are blind.

* There is a difference between a wish and a goal.

* We should make our days count, not just count days.

* Perhaps there should be more doing rather than more knowing; let’s work within the framework of all we know.

A computer is a wonderful tool. It has tremendous power for solving complex problems. Even with all this latent power, if it is not properly programmed, is without direction, or remains unstimulated, it will not serve its purpose and proper progress will not be made.

What Is Our Goal?
We ask ourselves, “Why have goals? Why have something to shoot at?”

The answer is, “Our goal ought to be to become a worthy son or daughter of our Heavenly Father.” Our Father has a plan to help us accomplish this goal.

In fact, we were present and accepted the Lord’s plan. There is a heavenly goal clothed in these..."

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