President Thomas S. Monson promised young men great opportunities await as they honor their priesthood.
Speaking in the Saturday evening priesthood session, he cited the Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations, and said, "You have great expectations - not as the result of an unknown benefactor, but as the result of a known benefactor, even our Heavenly Father."President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, said, "Remember my young friends, you are somebody! You are a son of God. Endowed with faith, gifted with courage, and guided by prayer, your eternal destiny is before you."
He suggested that as young men set goals and plan to achieve them, "Ponder the thoughts: The past is behind - learn from it; the future is ahead - prepare for it; the present is here - live in it."
Self-defeat, continued President Monson, "can smother our dreams as the enemy's voice whispers, `I can't do it . . . I'm nobody.' "
While there are times of discouragement when games are lost or promotions missed, "such experiences provide an opportunity for us to show our determination and to rise above disappointment."
President Monson told of personal disappointment and overcoming it when he was a boy learning to play softball. "To be chosen last and relegated to a remote position in the outfield was downright awful. I know. I was there."
The Church leader said he "made my sorrowful way to the deep pocket in right field" and waited as the game wore on. Near the end of the game, with bases loaded, a mighty drive was hit in his direction.
"I streaked toward the spot where I thought the ball would drop. . . . I surprised myself. I caught the ball! My team won the game.
"This experience bolstered my confidence," he emphasized. "Brethren, we can experience that burst of confidence. We can feel that pride of performance - never give up."