In my current church calling, I have many opportunities to interview young men and women who are getting married. Almost always, one or both of them is a returned missionary. As I talk to them, I have found that using their missions as a model for having a successful marriage works very well. I usually start the discussion by asking:

1. Did you enjoy your mission?
2. Was your mission hard?

The answer to the first question is usually, "I loved my mission." The answer to the second is usually something like, "It was the hardest thing I have ever done." Isn't it interesting that those of us who served missions loved something that was so hard?

The reason is that for two years or eighteen months, if we were good missionaries, we had the Spirit with us on an almost constant basis. Two neat things happen when we have the Spirit in our lives: 1) we are happy, and 2) we put others first.

I then ask couples if it would enrich their marriage if 1) they were each happy, and 2) they always put others first—in the case of marriage, their spouse. Given that selfishness is a major problem in most marriage failures and that it is impossible to have the Spirit and be selfish, they readily agree that both of these would help their marriages.

I then ask them how they can ensure that they have the Spirit in their lives and marriages. After some discussion, I usually say something like, "Well, missionaries have figured it out; let's see what missionaries do." We then discuss the following types of questions:

1. Do missionaries pray?
2. Do missionaries read their scriptures?
3. Do missionaries serve other people?
4. Do missionaries go to church?

It soon becomes obvious these are the basic elements of living a gospel-centered life.

I am convinced that having the Spirit as a companion will not only enrich our lives but also make us more successful in whatever we do. What would it do to our jobs if we always put others first—our co-workers, customers, patients, and bosses? What would it mean to our work if we always went out of our way to serve without worrying about who gets the credit? What would it mean to our jobs if we always had positive attitudes? Selfless service would soon be recognized and rewarded. Our relationships with co-workers and others would be positive. And, co-workers would always want us on their teams.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has said many times that the gospel isn't only true, it's the formula for happiness on the earth. I would take it even further. The gospel is also part of the formula for success in whatever we do. Truly successful people put others first, give service, and are happy and pleasant.

As we work to be successful, let's remember to take time to serve others, pray, read the scriptures, and worship. The result will be having the Spirit as a companion. We will find more happiness and satisfaction in our marriages, lives, and professions.

Sincerely,


W. Steve Albrecht
Associate Dean