As a boy of 11 years, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone set a course for life by doing the right thing, he told a group of Canadian youths at a July 31 fireside here.
Elder Featherstone, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and general Young Men president, said one evening his mother was weary after working long hours and entertaining guests for supper. Thinking of all she would have to do when the company left, Elder Featherstone started washing the dishes. He scrubbed pots and pans, finishing as the last guest left."When my mother came into the kitchen," he related, "there was at first a look of shock, of bewilderment, and then there was a light in her eyes, like, 'I'm proud of you.' I thought right there, 'That's what I want to do, put a light in people's eyes.'"
He told 460 young members from the four Calgary stakes that he still lives life every day with that purpose.
Elder Featherstone also recounted how, as a young man, he obtained his testimony of the gospel by reading the Book of Mormon "with real intent," on the advice of a leader.
"Real intent," he said, "means you are willing to do something in your life if your determine the book is true. It took me 30 days to read, and when I closed the cover, I believed it with all my heart and soul. It meant I would spend the rest of my life serving the Lord."
Elder Featherstone cautioned the youths to beware of "small sins that grow to be large giants." And he testified of the Savior's atonement and of His love and understanding for all who hurt and seek comfort.